Mystery of the Week

Yeah, I know this is a bellows, but it's a bit perplexing on just what it is used for. The valve where the air comes out is on the side (circled in red) and the bottom of the bellow has a mesh bag containing some sort of rock or charcoal? It was really hard to tell exactly what was in the bag or how this might be used.
But the readers of this site are great and I'm sure can explain it all.
Share your thoughts and answers in the comment section below. I'll probably have a really "duh" moment when I find out the answer, but for now I am stumped.
Last week's Mystery of the Week.
First Monday Trade Days
It's been a few years since I went to Canton for the First Monday Trade Days and every time I go, I wonder why I don't do it more often. Actually the 300 miles away does make it a long drive, but it's worth the time. When we happened to be in the area this past month, it was off to the flea market. Always loads of fun, especially when it's with a group of like-minded collectors, and I always find a few treasures.
Read more about our recent adventures at Canton. Also be sure to check out a few fun things we saw, some that were left behind. Unfortunately.
Minimalism and Hello Kitty?
Be sure to check out some of the other videos on the channel. Warning - this is not your parents' PBS channel!
Mystery of the Week

An interesting tool found on the tool guy's table at the flea market. He wasn't there to ask questions, so it's up to you. What is this piece?
- Size: 10"
Last week's Mystery of the Week
Sock Monkeys!
Although the first "red heel" sock was made in 1932, it was another twenty years before free patterns were given away with each pair of socks. And the patterns are still free!
Today the original red sock company still gives away the pattern on the socks as well on the Internet in PDF form.
We have several vintage sock monkey toys, but I haven't made one. Yet. I've had the urge, so one day I'll make our own troop.
Sock monkeys can be purchased from Fox River Mills, along with kits, hats and books.
Favorite Time of the Year, Garage Sale Season!
But if you're not ready to shop, you just might be ready to sell. Check out my best garage sale tips and have a sale that you'll enjoy and the customers will too!
Mystery of the Week
Let's do something a little different this week. It's still a mystery, but it's obviously a cookie jar. Surprise, I am an avid cookie jar collector!The question this week: what is this jar promoting/advertising? It was made as a logo jar and not offered for sale, as it was a a promotional item. PLEASE if you are an avid collector and know the definite answer, give others a chance before jumping in.
What's you're guess on this one?
Last week's Mystery of the Week
Also see:
The Bride's Tree Collection

If you've been following my blog for any length of time, you already know how much I love to give collectibles as gifts. Yeah, I'm a maverick and rarely look at the registry unless the wedding couple or new parents really are in need of basics.
And of course one of my favorite things to give are ornaments. I don't know how the recipients really feel about the gift, but I do think they usually like them -- especially a boxed set like the Bride's Tree Collection or the Wedding Collection set both from Old World Christmas.
The last time I gave it (just this past weekend) the shower was also at our home, so I took it a step further and used the collection to decorate a feather tree in the middle of refreshment table. A few little extras were added to the scene, including Teena Flanner's wedding couple, some glass flowers, feather birds and two antique sets of bride and groom figures.
Department 56
As a collectors you're most likely familiar with Department 56, even if you aren't a village collectors. But did you know how they got that unusual name or how the company started because of a holiday trip with friends? I'm sure it wasn't as simple as it sounds, but the story of start of Snow Villages is charming and something Christmas collectors love to hear.
Used with permission of Department 56
What do you grab when a tornado warning comes on TV?
When you live in a hurricane area, there is usually a few days warning to prepare. When you live in an earthquake area, there is no time to prepare when it hits. A tornado is usually a little different, we may have some warning.
Living in an tornado alley, we can often feel when there will be problems and the television stations will give a bit of warning. Sometimes it might be 10 minutes, but a few weeks ago, we literally got days of notice that it was going to be bad. And it was.
So if you had 30 minutes to prepare, and we'll all assume that family and pets are first priority, what would be the next thing would you and take to the hidey hole with you. Me? I took my camera that had simple shots of the house "before the storm". Would you grab an antique? Your favorite cookie jar?
Thoughts? Comments?

