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Tag: 1950s kitsch

The Kitschest of Them All-Swizzle Sticks

I am making a deceleration..I have a Swizzle Sticks addiction (vintage in particular). I just love all the creative things that have been done on such a small piece of real estate. They are colourful, they are fun, they are artistic and they are so darn collectible! I want them all and I’m on a mission to do just that.

Swizzle sticks and stir sticks collection from the vintage inn blog
Just SOME of my collection

For today’s post I’m not going to go on about how I’m going to achieve total Swizzle Stick domination but instead we are going to check out their history (my coles notes version) and also view some examples of these lovely works of art.

Let’s begin!

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay, are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

Note: If the item you clicked on is no longer available, just do a search for like items. There are loads of vintage items being added to Etsy and eBay daily!

The early days of the Swizzle Stick

According to my research, it looks like the Swizzle Stick made its appearance around the 1600’s in the West Indies. It’s purpose was to help enhance a Barbados-based cocktail “The Swizzle” that contained rum, sugar and ice.

Frederick Albion Ober’s 1920’s book ‘A Guide to the West Indies, Bermuda and Panama’ gives one of the first recorded insights into the origins of the stick itself (Source):

“The stem of a native plant with radiating twigs, or roots, which, being deprived of its outer bark, is revolved rapidly between the palms of the hands,” writes Ober, “and, through the combined action of the motion and a peculiar saponaceous quality of the cambium layer of the twigs, produces a delicious froth.”

Often the pronged branches of the allspice bush or aromatic quararibea turbinate (seen below) were used, which eventually earned the plant its nickname: the Swizzlestick Tree.

Quararibea turbinate swizzlestick tree branch

If you look at the my “collection” photo at the top of this post, you will see that one of the swizzle sticks looks like the quararibea turbinate branch. When I first received the stick as a gift I thought the prongs were for helping it stand up (silly Liz haha). Now I know that is not the true reason.

But where does the name “Swizzle” come from?

Tales of the Cocktail stated in a 2016 post that the word swizzle, according to the 1891 “Century Dictionary: An Encylopedic Lexicon of the English Language,” comes from a combination of the words swill and guzzle.

But they also stated that drink that was mentioned above called the “Swizzle” was named this because of the whisk-like motion of making it – “Swizzling”.

So it seems that the name of the stick truly reflects the original drinks origin as opposed the 1891 dictionary description. Do you agree?

Here comes the 1920’s!

The Swizzle sticks have found a new purpose in this decade beyond swizzling drinks, they are now being used by Queen Victoria and refined ladies to stir bubbles OUT of their Champagne. Why? Well ladies of Society don’t want any unwanted “gas like emissions” do they?

1950’s Champagne Swizzle Stick (1920’s looked similar)

Sterling Silver Champagne Swizzle Stick 1950s
Source: Bexfield Antiques

NOT the proper way to drink your Champagne.

1920s drinking champagne image

Marketing comes into play

When a great idea is found and seems to be rising in popularity, you can ALWAYS be sure that Marketing is not that far behind to capitalize on its success and this is exactly what happened after prohibition was over.

Meet Inventor Jay Sindler, who needed a way to remove the olive from his martini without using his fingers. So he sketched out an idea of a barbed wooden spear featuring a small paddle at the other end, which could be imprinted with the establishment’s name or logo (Source). A problem was solved and bars who needed to advertise after Prohibition was over had a new marketing tool.

vintage stir swizzle sticks
Source: Pinterest

1950’s & 1960’s

For the next few decades these cocktail stirrers are now common sight with the 50’s and 60’s being the top of its game and of course the kitsch factor is kicked up to 10.

vintage pink elephant cocktail stirrers
Source: Pinterest

Thanks to a friend, I now have these whistle cocktail stir sticks in my collection.

whistle cocktail swizzle sticks vintage
Source: Pinterest

Vintage mermaid swizzle sticks from The Seven Seas Cocktail Lounge in Edmonton, Alberta. Circa 1960’s (avail as of July 5th, 2022 HERE).

4 sweet vintage mermaid swizzle sticks from The Seven Seas Cocktail

Source: Etsy

Desert Cactus Happy Hour fun!

Vintage Cocktail Stirrers: Desert Cactus
Source: Pinterest

Pinup Stir Sticks

1950s Pin-Up Cocktail Sticks
Source: theinvisibleagent

Tiki Time!

vintage 60's tiki swizzle sticks
Source: Pinterest

TWA Cocktail Sticks-Cool!

1950s TWA Airlines Cocktail Swizzle Sticks
Source: Etsy

The End of an Era

The 1970’s saw the downfall of the swizzle sticks as wine took over as the cheap drink of choice and from that decade on, our favorite little drink decoration is left behind in the dust.

1970's wine advertisement

Today, Swizzle Sticks are still not back in popularity ($16 craft cocktails don’t see a need for a kitschy plastic stick in their glasses) but you can still see them in Tiki Bars that have risen in popularity over the last couple of years. AND for those who are serious collectors, there is an International Association of Swizzle Stick Collectors for you to join (now that is cool!).

Tiki Swizzle Sticks
Source: Punch

That ends our little Swizzle Stick road trip for today so I hope you had as much fun as I did learning all about these cool pieces of cocktail history.

Question Time! Do you own a collection of Swizzle Sticks? And if you could create your OWN Swizzle Stick what would it look like? Please share in the comments below.

Liz

P.S. Make sure at your next Cocktail Party you add these to the bar! Or you can add them to your 1950’s Party. Check out my blog post on how to plan that party with those Swizzle Sticks.

Vintage Buttons-The Little Beauties of the Clothing World

Have you ever stumbled upon a treasure trove of vintage buttons from the 1920s-1950s? These tiny pieces of decorative art may seem insignificant, but they hold a fascinating history within their intricate designs. From delicate floral patterns to bold geometric shapes, these buttons were more than just functional fasteners – they were a reflection of the time period they were created in.

In this article, we’ll dive into the world of vintage buttons and explore their different styles thru the 1920s-1950s.

So buckle up and get ready to discover the charm and nostalgia of these tiny relics from the past.

Vintage Buttons Blog Post

Note: This post is inspired by a comment that Theresa from Vintage Style Files said on a past clothing blog post:

“They had some of the coolest buttons and buckles on clothing back then”

As I sat back and thought about her comment, I realized that she was completely right! So for today’s post I want to show off those little beauties of the clothing and accessories world.


Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

Note: If you click on an item and it is no longer available, don’t fret! The websites I have provided are updated daily with 1000’s of new & vintage items. Just do a quick search and see what you find.


Vintage Buttons-The Little Beauties of the Clothing World

1940s Vintage ad: 1948 Ad for Originales Buttons featuring an illustration of a woman in a 1940s two piece suit surrounded by buttons.
1948 Vintage Ad for Originales Buttons

To begin here is a fantastic article by Hobby Lark on “Vintage Button Guide-Ways to Identify Antique Buttons” . This article will get you up to date on the different types of buttons out there (Bakelite, Celluloid, Lucite, Metal etc.), how to identify them and how to clean them. An excellent read for all vintage clothing enthusiasts out there.

Now examples of Vintage Buttons:

Vintage Celluloid Buttons. Celluloid buttons became very popular during the late 1900’s through the 1920’s. They can be opaque, transparent or both and they come in all shapes, sizes and colors (Source).

Vintage Celluloid Buttons. Celluloid buttons became very popular during the late 1900's through the 1920's. They can be opaque, transparent or both and they come in all shapes, data-lazy-sizes and colors
Source: Etsy

Set of twelve Art Deco matching vintage buttons in a striking art deco design. The buttons are styled from plastic with a grooved design and a scalloped edge to the top.

Vintage buttons: Set of twelve Art Deco matching vintage buttons in a striking art deco design. The buttons are styled from plastic with a grooved design and a scalloped edge to the top.

Source: Etsy

Bright Green Celluloid Buttons. Very Art Deco looking.

Vintage Buttons: Bright Green Celluloid Buttons. Very Art Deco looking.
Source: Etsy

Buttons don’t have to come in just the round shape, they can come in all shapes and sizes. Like these Celluloid ‘Ribbon’ buttons. What kind of outfit or accessory do you think they were used for?

Vintage Buttons: Celluloid 'Ribbon' buttons.
Source: Etsy

Vintage Cornflower Blue art deco buttons from the 1940s-50s, made of an early plastic called casein.

Vintage Buttons: Vintage Cornflower Blue art deco style buttons

Source: Etsy

Bakelite Buttons-not the first plastic buttons, but are some of the most sought after and highly collected. They come in all shapes and sizes and are heavier than Celluloid buttons (Source).

The below buttons are Vintage Black and Apple Juice Bakelite. Called apple juice because at one point the yellow was white and has gone yellow over time.

Further Reading: Bakelite! The Must Have Vintage Fashion Accessory

Vintage Buttons: Vintage Black and Apple Juice Bakelite buttons. Called apple juice because at one point the yellow was white and has gone yellow over time.
Source: Etsy

Vintage Apple Juice Bakelite Buttons.

Vintage Buttons: Vintage Apple Juice Bakelite Buttons.

Source: Etsy

Cream Corn Fluted Vintage Bakelite buttons. These look like little works of art.

Vintage Buttons: Cream Corn Fluted Vintage Bakelite buttons.
Source: Etsy

Lucite Buttons were most popular from the 1930’s on through the 1960’s. It’s a low density material but stronger than plastics that came before it. They can be clear or opaque and different colors, shapes and sizes and could also be carved (source).

Here is a beautiful example of 1940’s Lucite buttons, looking like miniature flower bouquets.

Vintage Buttons: 1940's Lucite buttons, looking like miniature flower bouquets
Source: Etsy

Vintage 1930s Blue Hand Painted Heart Hearts Buttons

Vintage 1930s Blue Hand Painted Heart Hearts Buttons

Source: Etsy-RagsandBonesVintage

Yooza look at these! Hands down my favorite buttons of this whole blog post. Lucite Cherry Candy Buttons. I can envision these beauties on a sweet 1940’s/50’s summer dress. Could you?

Lucite Cherry Candy Buttons.
Source: Etsy

1940’s Bow Buttons-Cute as a….Button. Now I know what the reference to buttons means in that saying! Because at one point all the buttons were “cute”.

Vintage Buttons: 1940's Bow Buttons
Source: Etsy

You could purchase these buttons for the packaging alone (it’s that cool) but you don’t have to because these ‘Teen Agers’ themed 1940’s plastic buttons are together and in mint condition.

Vintage Buttons: 'Teen Agers' themed 1940's plastic buttons
Source: Etsy

1950’s and the Kitsch continues with these adorable Plastic Shoe Buttons.

Vintage Buttons: 1950s vintage shoe buttons
Source: Etsy

I will now end this vintage button extravaganza with one more 1950’s kitschy plastic button, this time in the shapes of fruit. Carmen Miranda would of loved these.

Vintage Buttons: 1950s vintage plastic fruit buttons
Source: Etsy

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed seeing what buttons looked like in various decades. I know I did!

Question Time: Do any of your vintage outfits have some outstanding buttons? Or maybe you own a collection of vintage buttons yourself. Please share!


I have also started an Etsy collection of vintage buttons for sale (updated monthly) that you can shop at right now!


Liz