Big Red Barn Blog

***Spode Collector Plate & Shiny Brite Ornament***

Collector plates are an abundant staple. They are everywhere! Flea markets, auctions, garage sales, thrift stores, antique malls, etc. There were thousands and thousands of plates sold. Collector plates were most popular during the mid-60s to late 80s. Although some are still made, it’s certainly not at the same clip as they were. Of the thousands of collector plates out there, as a seller, you will be lucky to find a dozen that might have some value over your career!

About five years ago, I swore off buying any more collector plates ever again! That really did not last very long. So, I decided one of my goals as a seller and preserver of history, was to find new life for collector plates. They are actually very pretty and have interesting themes, colors, and shapes!

With that in mind, I decided to give them a role in decorating for Christmas this year. They add a festive touch to your table at Christmas. Of course, when you serve guests, collector plates should NEVER be used for food consumption. You will remove them and use the plates on the bottom. Be cautious of the glitter from the ribbon too!

***Charger, Avon & Spode Collector Plates, Rosenthal***

I started with a basic charger. This one was from Pier 1, but I picked it up at a garage sale. You can find these everywhere. I then took a basic white plate. This one is from Germany and was made by Rosenthal. I really like this one because it has a nice rim. You can then choose your collector plate. The gold plate is the second Spode collector plate. Spode has a TON of collector plates. Christmas trees, angels, stars, etc. Lots to choose from. I tied a simple bow with a wire edged ribbon purchased at a local craft store. Then I decided to use an old Shiny Brite ornament to add color.

Shiny Brite ornaments are the old ornaments from the 60s and 70s that are so popular. Although they are a little harder to find and a bit more expensive, they are fairly plentiful.

Your collector plates could be chosen based on color, theme, shape, etc. You could also use Christmas napkins, silverware, bowls, cups, etc. with your collector plate decor. Use your imagination! I picked up these collector plates from a garage sale this summer. I bought a box of them (about ten) for $1.00! So much for the moratorium on collector plates.

Happy decorating everyone! Jackie

Uncategorized

Homemade Egg Noodles

November 9, 2021November 10, 2021 Big Red Barn Blog

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and that puts me in the mood to share some recipes with all of you. One of our families favorite food for most holidays is my grandmas homemade egg noodles. I have shared her pecan pie recipe with you which is delicious but her noodles are quite literally the best around. Once she passed I worked on getting the technique down for years until I finally got as close as I’m going to get. So lets get started!

You will start by making the dough. You will want to start this process at least the day before as the noodles need time to dry out. Begin by putting the flour in a large bowl. You will then make a crater in the flour where you will add your salt, milk and eggs. Using your hands start folding the flour into the egg mixture. This can get sticky so you may want to flour your hands throughout this process. Once you are able to get it all combined shape it into a ball and leave it in your bowl. You will want to cover this with a warm towel and let it set out for an hour.

Next you will start rolling out your dough onto a floured surface and top it with flour as well. You will want to get this really thin. I enlist the help of my husband because it can get pretty tiring on your own. Once the dough is rolled out you will want to flour the top as well so your dough doesn’t stick to your rolling pin.

Now that you have your dough rolled out you will want to cut it into noodles. I used to cut them using a knife which became very tedious. I jumped online and found what I think is a pasta cutter. You can adjust it to the width you want so when you are done cutting them vertically you can adjust it to the width you want and cut them horizontally.

Above is the finished product. You can cut them however wide or long you want. This size seems to work for me. You will now toss them in flour and spread them out. The noodles will now be drying out for the next several hours to a day.

When you are ready to make the noodles make sure and give yourself a couple of hours. I like to bake a small whole chicken to add juices and meat to the noodles. You can start the noodles when you have about an hour left on the chicken or turkey. You will start with a pot of chicken stock brought to a boil. You will gently add your noodles to the boiling water. As they cook make sure and stir them frequently. You will add in the juices and meat from the bird while the noodles are cooking. You will want to cook them until they are a thick consistency and not too soupy. I usually cook them 2-3 hours.

Noodles:

2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
3 Tbs milk

This is for a single batch. I typically do a triple batch because my family can’t get enough of them! You can play around with the milk. If your dough is too dry and crumbly you will want to add a little at a time until you get the right consistency.

We always put these over mashed potatoes except for my sister who oddly just puts them in a bowl and eats them. I hope your family enjoys this recipe as much as mine has all of these years!

-Cristie

Collecting

It’s Halloween!

October 26, 2021October 26, 2021 Big Red Barn Blog

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. Probably only second to Christmas. Vintage Halloween decor is RED HOT and has stayed that way for years. I have selected a few of my favorite pieces to share.

These are vintage Halloween noisemakers. Probably from the 40s or 50s. They are generally made of tin and were originally very inexpensive to buy. Most of mine are well loved with a little rust and wear. I have picked up a few of these over the years, and like to tuck them in here and there in my house to create a festive atmosphere. Of course, the orange and black cat noisemaker goes perfect with vintage glassware from my favorite team, the Oklahoma State University Cowboys! Go Pokes!

I picked up these acorns at Hobby Lobby a few years ago. They look great in this vintage wood mold with a fall candle. Mixing vintage and new items is especially easy and fun during Halloween! I use the mold year round and will add Christmas balls or spring/summer decor later in the year.

My house is a pumpkin palooza! They are so festive and fun. Glass, wire, ceramic, etc. I love them all. You can easily slip a pumpkin in here and there as a tribute to Halloween!

Finally, I picked this book up many years ago! I love the color, theme, and author! Look for items that may not be mainstream to add interest to your collection and home!

Hope you’ve enjoyed seeing some of my Halloween decor! I scour sales and auctions for Halloween items. You never know when you’re going to find just the right thing!

Jackie

Collecting

Picking and Selling Through the Big Red Barn, Oklahoma

October 12, 2021October 12, 2021 Big Red Barn Blog

My husband and I have owned a moderately successful small business for more than 20 years. In the late 1990s, we started a small antique business and it has grown year after year. We started as M&J Antiques, but are known around Stillwater, Oklahoma, as the Big Red Barn or the barn people. I am often asked by rookie entrepreneurs for advice or pointers on small business ownership. Here are a few of the top suggestions.

Be Flexible! The antique & collectible business has changed considerably in the last twenty years. When we started, Fenton glass, Fiesta dishes, and carnival glass, for example, were king! These items fetched top prices at auctions and sales. Now, you can hardly give away some of these items! Change seems to occur somewhat slowly in this business, but it’s important to recognize change in trends and interests.

***From the Stillwater Antique & Collectible Mall***

You’re Buying for Someone Else. This was one of the hardest things for me. Many items that I really DON’T like sell really well! And, just because I like something, doesn’t mean anyone else will. Which leads to my next tip.

Research, Research, Research. You cannot spend enough time researching, reading, and investigating business trends. I spend a lot of time looking through EBAY, ETSY, Pinterest and other social media websites to see what’s trending in my business. You need to know what types of items are popular.

Recycling and upcycling are currently red hot. I may not sell your completed item, but I can sell you the base or bones for your project. I am always surprised when people tell me some of the projects they plan for the items I sell. For example, using old wooden ladders to make a Christmas tree, old windows for the tops of a table, and (don’t really know how this turned out) but an old army cot was going to be made into a couch!! Turning an upright dresser into a quilt rack, using a wine cooler for a vase, and making side tables out of old luggage.

We had a sale this weekend at the Big Red Barn in Stillwater, Oklahoma. We had a lot of customers come out to find items for their new projects, search for treasure, and enjoy country life!

***Like/Follow the Big Red Barn on Facebook!***

Know Your Staples. There are some antiques & collectibles that have maintained their popularity and price over the years. For example, cast iron, Pyrex, Fire King Jadeite, costume jewelry, and doilies & embroidery. In fact, many items continue to enjoy a steady climb in value.

Know Your Limitations. People think that just because you’re in this business, you know everything about, well everything. There are many items we almost never buy, because we just have no interest or knowledge. For example, we almost never buy toys, stamps, coins, or ephemera. We also don’t buy heavy furniture, just getting too old. And, one rule of our business is pianos and sleeper sofas are marriage breakers!

Hope I’ve given you some ideas that might help you launch your own small business. It’s very rewarding and fun.

Jackie