Old-Fashioned Things

 In the neighborhood where I grew up, there were church bells. Not just the ordinary bong-bong-bong kind that marked the hour, but bells that played hymns. Real ones. Beautiful, melodic, and strangely uplifting, even to a kid who didn’t yet know the words. I didn’t even know where they came from. Just that they rang out across the trees, over the houses, like a soft invitation to pause and breathe. (If I had to guess now, I’d say they were from the Catholic church down the way—but I could be wrong.) Years later, when I became a regular churchgoer, I’d hear certain hymns and think: "Wait. I know this one." And I’d realize—I’d first heard them from the bells. And I miss them. That simple, comforting sound. The way they made a weekday feel sacred. The way they told you time was passing, but gently. You don’t hear bells like that much anymore. Maybe it’s because neighborhoods got noisier, or churches got smaller. Or maybe it’s because we’ve grown hesitant, afraid that a hymn from...

  There’s a particular kind of thrill that comes with vintage—one that has nothing to do with trend, or profit, or even provenance. It’s the thrill of not knowing. Not fully, anyway. You hold an object in your hands—a hand-painted plate, a faded book, a piece of beadwork with the fringe slightly askew—and you wonder. Who made it? Where has it been? What stories does it carry, silent and stubborn, refusing to be fully told? You make guesses. You notice the details. You trust the weight of the thing, the craftsmanship, the way it feels right even if you can’t name why. You don’t always get the answers. But the guessing? That’s part of the magic. These days, we’re surrounded by tools that promise instant certainty. A scanned photo, a keyword search, a database of marks. Useful, yes. But sometimes the magic lies in the unknowing. In the moment before the facts arrive. In the wonder. Some pieces never reveal their secrets. That’s OK. They don’t need to. They’re still beautiful, ...

On April Fool’s Day, 2012 , we opened the doors to Lamplight Antiques. We didn’t have retail experience. We didn’t have a staff. We barely had a plan. But we had a love for beautiful, meaningful, old things—and a slightly foolish streak that apparently pairs well with a dream and a key. We had no idea we’d still be doing this 13 years later. Since then, the shop has moved twice , changed shapes more times than we can count, and grown into something we’re truly proud of. We’ve been in our current building for 10 years —a space that feels like home. (Literally, we bought it. Still surprises us sometimes.) A lot has changed. We’ve slowed down the hours, added a booth, sold online, taken breaks from selling online, and found a rhythm that fits our life—which includes copyediting work, dogs, garden plans, and occasionally forgetting where we put the packing tape. But some things haven’t changed: We still love finding one-of-a-kind treasures. We still believe old things have stories worth ...

 If you love the thrill of the hunt, the charm of the old, and the joy of discovering something truly one-of-a-kind, you’ll want to stop by our booth at the antique mall! You might be wondering why we decided to open a booth when we already have our shop, and that’s a great question! The truth is, we wanted to reach even more people who share our love for vintage and antique finds. The mall brings in a whole new crowd—some who may never have wandered into the shop—and it’s the perfect way to share our passion with even more treasure hunters. Plus, it gives us a chance to experiment with a slightly different selection and see what catches people’s eye! We've been curating and collecting for years, and our booth is filled with a little bit of everything we love—from antique glassware and vintage books to quirky finds and homey touches. You’ll find items that tell stories, pieces with soul, and sweet surprises tucked into every corner. Whether you’re searching for that perfect addi...

 It's that time of year... Christmas trees going up, pine garlands and bows on every light pole along South Main Street, lights strung on all the beautiful historical buildings... But wait a minute! It's not even Thanksgiving yet! We're used to retail stores putting out Christmas merchandise very early. Like August. Actually I think Walmart might already be displaying items for Valentine's Day. But for us small retailers, it's a struggle. We want to make sure we don't miss out on Halloween fun, autumn beauty, Thanksgiving gratitude. As far as I'm concerned, it's time for pumpkin pie and turkey. Cute little ceramic turkeys.  But our town, Springboro, Ohio, has Christmas in Springboro -- a huge street festival that takes place on South Main Street the weekend before Thanksgiving. That's right. Before Thanksgiving. And we're happy to be right in the middle of it. If you're in town, you can find us right beside all the kids' rides on the no...

 Ah, fireworks on the Fourth of July! It's a tradition that brings sparkle, color, and a whole lot of "oohs" and "aahs" to Independence Day celebrations across the United States. But why exactly do we shoot fireworks on the Fourth of July? Well, let's take a trip back in time and uncover the story behind this explosive spectacle. The Fourth of July commemorates the day when the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress in 1776, declaring the thirteen American colonies as a new nation, independent from British rule. This historic event marked the birth of the United States of America, and it's a day that holds great significance for Americans as a symbol of freedom, liberty, and national unity. So, why fireworks? Well, the tradition of using fireworks to celebrate important occasions dates back even further, to ancient times. Fireworks were used in various cultures to mark special events, ward off evil spirits, and create a sense...

By the Waters of Minnetonka 1914 Collecting vintage sheet music is a delightful pursuit that allows enthusiasts to delve into the  musical history of bygone eras. These tangible treasures offer a window into the cultural, artistic, and social contexts of different periods. From popular tunes to classical compositions, each piece of vintage sheet music carries its own story. Let's explore the enchanting world of collecting vintage sheet music and the joys it brings to collectors. The Beauty of Nostalgia Vintage sheet music evokes a sense of nostalgia, transporting collectors to a time when music was shared through physical copies. It offers a glimpse into the musical tastes and trends of the past, reflecting the changing styles and genres of different decades. Whether it's the romantic melodies of the Victorian era or the jazz-infused tunes of the Roaring Twenties, vintage sheet music encapsulates the spirit of its time. Artistic and Historical Significance Beyond their musical ...

  Attention, fashionistas and history buffs alike! Today, we're diving into the enchanting world of vintage brooches. These tiny pieces of wearable art have been adorning lapels and dresses for centuries, and they're making a fierce comeback in the 21st century. So, prepare for a playful journey through time and style. First things first, what exactly is a brooch? Think of it as a charming little accessory that adds a splash of personality to any outfit. They come in all shapes, sizes, and designs, from delicate floral patterns to quirky animals, and even abstract art-inspired pieces. Vintage brooches have an undeniable allure that's hard to resist Vintage Brooch Bow/Dangling Cross                                   Vintage Brooch Rhinestone/Sim Pearls                            Imagine rummaging through a treasure trove of brooch...

Hey there, green thumbs and soil enthusiasts! Have you ever dreamed of a lush garden, bursting with vegetables, that not only satisfies your taste buds but also gives you the satisfaction of victory? Well, dust off those gardening gloves and put on your thinking caps because Victory Gardens are making a triumphant comeback! Now, you might be wondering, "What on earth are Victory Gardens?" Let me take you on a journey back to yesteryears. During World War I and World War II, Victory Gardens were all the rage. They were planted by patriotic folks who wanted to contribute to the war effort by growing their own food. These gardens not only helped alleviate food shortages but also brought a sense of unity and victory to communities. Fast forward to the present day, and we find ourselves in a world where reconnecting with nature is more important than ever. Victory Gardens are making a comeback, not just as a way to combat food insecurity but also as a means of finding solace and j...

A young person said to me recently that he'd nearly lost hope because everything seemed like it was crashing down. The world seems headed for doom -- economically, politically, spiritually. He's hardly alone in this observation. Even older people, who have experienced more and have other crisis points to compare with the present day, express the same fears.  I pointed out to him that it has always been this way. History is full of struggles interspersed with brief moments of comfortable prosperity, and every generation has said things like what is this world coming to? and kids today are disrespectful/don't have a work ethic/are irresponsible, etc, in my day we did things differently.  What we need, now, is a bit of perspective -- and not just our own. We need the perspective of history. Imagine life for young people one generation ago. For me, that's the era 1930-1970 or so (I was born in 1968). They were born into the Great Depression, and even for people who weren...

Have you ever said, "I was born in the wrong era"? I've said it myself. I don't know if I really mean it, though. True, today's world has a lot of problems, but we tend to romanticize times past. In the "good old days," women were (even more) objectified, women and minorities had (even less) equal rights, and depending on the era, you were (even more) likely to die from an illness that can be treated now with antibiotics or an outpatient procedure. Yeah, no thanks. People will look at the price of something — gasoline, say — and talk about how much cheaper it used to be. "I can remember when a candy bar was only a quarter." Yeah, me too, but I got paid $3.35 an hour. When our grandparents bought their house for $12,000 and a car for $1,300, their paychecks were about $60 a week. I know. I've seen my mom's old pay stubs from 1960. Still, romanticizing the past can be a lot of fun. From our modern perspective, we can enjoy the pleas...

My co-owner and dear hubby spotted an interesting listing on eBay: Civil war confederate documents. Signed by Jefferson Davis and LP Walker Description: "Was dug from the ground on property in Woodbridge VA" One of the best arguments I've seen for continuing to teach cursive writing to schoolchildren is that without it, they won't be able to read historical documents. Surely, that must be the case here — the sad degradation of literacy — because this item is currently bid up to $305 with two days left. In particular, it pays to read dates. Perhaps today's Civil War buffs have lost the ability to translate years into long form. Are they not teaching that in school these days? Maybe not, since my college-age kids don't know Roman numerals. If a book is copyrighted MCMXLVII, they will have no clue that it was printed in 1947. And our current year, in long form? Two thousand nineteen. That's an easy one. How about One thousand nine hund...

And now for something different, because this blog isn’t just for bragging about our travel. We don’t travel a lot, anyway. We are busy people and most of our money goes back into the shop (or to finance kids in college). I’ve only been on an airplane once (twice, counting the return trip). I’ve only been out of the country for a few hours, during a brief sightseeing afternoon in Niagara Falls’ Canadian side (It’s much nicer, by the way). So, if I decided to take a trip on an airplane, I’d be nervous. Flying scares a lot of people, but also I’d be afraid of the whole process of checking bags, checking myself in, going through security, boarding. When we took our one trip by plane, I had no idea they passed out cookies and drinks and earbuds for a two-hour flight. I still don’t know how to check and pick up suitcases because the Disney people did it all. Some people are fearless — others shy away from new experiences, and sometimes this is because they don’...