Thursday, January 15, 2009

WHAT IS TINSEL?


Tinsel is a glimmer of the past, winking at us through the shadows...it is the soft warm silver of antique Christmas garland...it is the smell of tarnished gold fringe on an old dress in an attic, and the beaded arabesque on that Victorian hat. Like some fantastical currency from an imaginary world, tinsel has a measureless value for it's shimmering beauty.
Every once in a while, we are lucky enough to find a few scraps at the flea market, and each little treasure is usually "too good to use". So try to imagine a huge forgotten warehouse of antique tinsel, all socked away in crumbling boxes from the nineteen tens and twenties, so much treasure it is spilling into the aisle ways between stacks up so high... This is TINSEL TRADING!!! This is a real store, not wishful thinking, and it is at #1 West 37th St., in NYC.
Tinsel Trading is run by my friend Marcia Ceppos, who inherited it from her Grandfather. On the few times that I can be coaxed onto an airplane, I am usually on my way to see Marcia, her in-store designer, Rosemary Warren, and her fabulous BASEMENT!! I should mention that the basement is generally off-limits, but just take a look around the upstairs shop and it will take your breath away.
When I get home, I unpack my treasures. Yards of trim to make ornaments, fringe to add to a paper elephant, little beads that would take the best earrings, and piles of antique brass boullion, which I pull and stretch out around my snowballs.
I feel so lucky to know Marcia and Rosemary, and the most fabulous store in the world!

18 comments:

melanie said...

Tinsel is one of my favorite things! And...I love your blog and your pictures and your wonderful displays!Truly magical...
thanks,
melanie

Robin Armstrong Seeber said...

AMEN MELANIE..very magical to even look at the photos! takes you back in time even though you haven't been there!! thanks for sharing Wendy! Robin

Terri said...

I go to NYC once a year and could not go without shopping in the wonderland. If you ever get the chance..it is so worth it! Terri

Maija said...

You are so wicked cool, Wendy!!!!

Lola Enchanted said...

Oh, I wish I could get there too!!!!

Silke Janas-Schloesser said...

It´s definitly the most fabulous store in the world !! I totally agree !! Whenever I visit the US I have to stop and shop at Tinsel Trading !!Thanks for sharing the images !!!

KarenB said...

I was in NYC for the first time in September. Tinsel Trading was on my list of MUST SEES. I had 4 hours and never got there! I was SO SAD. I did get to ABC Carpet and Home and Purl. Getting lost several times didn't help. Thanks for giving me a peek.

Heidi said...

I am so glad that you have a blog. I love everything you do, I guess you could consider me a fan. I just did a post on my blog about you with the pictures of your store from the very talented Heather Bullard. Thanks for being so inspiring. Heidi

Whisperings 13 said...

What a wonderful warm and inspiring blog you have! The photos, the tinsel! making a mental note of the Tinsel's address for my next trip into the City.. hmm - I can't wait! Thank you for the share!
:0)

Melissa Valeriote said...

Sounds like a magical place.

tamerajane said...

Unrelated -- I stopped in during the Dec open house, and you mentioned doing themed open houses throughout the year -- will there be a Valentine's?? Do you have open hours before Valentine's?? Thanks!

Miss Vicky said...

UHHHHH'
Wendy You ROCK!
You are my idol!
Miss Vicky
www.missvickyb.blogspot.com

prairiegirl said...

Wendy, Let us hear from you more. I know you're busy but we want more, more, more. Your work is wonderful!!

Kathy Hunka said...

Oh, to only dream of being surrounded by all the sparkly tinsel and glitter too! Tinsel Trading is on my bucket list! LOL
Kathy

William Bezek said...

I truly think your photos are wonderful, especially the ones of your storefront/home. Are you the photographer? You have such a wonderful eye in your other work that my guess is yes! Your new chairs are charming. I am going to buy enough to furnish a dollhouse mansion! Cheers

Kaari Marie said...

Wendy, wendy, wendy!
Can I use you description of Tinsel in the book we are doing about TT?? It is perfect - mabne we could do a special section of "quotes" about tinsel!
I hope you are well and that we manage another rendezvous in NY at Tinsel someday soon

Kaari Marie said...

Sorry - I should have typed a bit slower and double checked my spelling!!

Unknown said...

I'll have to look up the store next time I'm in NYC. Sounds like a little bit of heaven.