My best friends talked me into one last trip to our dying Gulf of Mexico. It was a perfect day and the beach was beautiful.
Panama City Beach in front of Schooners - June 2010
We lazed in the water, soaked up the sun and cooled off with Rum Runners and Margaritas. Then we hopped in the car and headed off to see more of the beach where we grew up. You know that your friends are really your friends when they enjoy going to Goodwill almost as much as you do.
We were touring old neighborhoods when we saw my favorite sign. A quick turn of the wheel, and we tap-danced across a hot parking lot hoping to do some cool shopping. Wouldn’t you know it, the AC wasn’t working. So, it was a VERY quick trip searching for treasures.
I found my treasure sitting in a wares bin, waiting to be put on a shelf somewhere.
Cute little green and white vase
The vase reminded me of something hip from the 60′s or 70′s and of course, appealed to my green obsession. The price was so right at 99 cents.
I peeled off the GW sticker on the bottom and I saw a mark for Italy. Yes, that says Italy, not Tray.
A little chip, but that's no problem.
If I want to find more about an object that I’ve bought, I usually start looking on Ebay and Etsy. It was on Etsy that I found this vase with the following description.
Beebleboy's Bitossi Vase
“This is a tall stoneware 50s vase from the much sought after Rimini Blu collection by Aldo Londi for Bitossi.
The gorgeous shades of blue and green, as well as the wonderful pattern make it a truly stunning modernist piece.”
With a $78 asking price!
It looked very similar to my vase. Same shape, same vivid colors, same etched ceramic.
I searched the Bitossi web site and discovered a matching round box, which is a 2004 reproduction of a 1957 design. But no rectangular vase, leading me to believe that my vase is original 1957.
I have written to the company and will let you know what I find out.
Anyway, I like this vase and so does Buster. Not bad for 99 cents.
Buster likes the vase, but is unimpressed by the camera.
Did I mention it was a perfect day?
Thanks, ladies!
I don’t think Buster provides the proper scale for this picture. Since he is HUGE, the vase probably looks much smaller than it really is. Seriously…what do you feed that cat?
He IS huge. Buster eats his food, JJ’s food, lizards, grass, and whatever food you leave unattended for more than 2 seconds. He particularly likes potato chips.
Oooh I think that IS a real Bitossi vase. I’ve never seen it with those colours though! Very nice and such a bargain for just $0.99!!! Congratulations hee hee.
Thanks for the comment! And thanks for letting me use your Bitossi picture. Your Etsy shop is great. Good luck with your sales.
Hey there! Wow, it HAS been too long…I had no idea you are such an artist! Gee, I thought we were just rummaging at the Goodwill store…but you were finding real treasures! I admire your design sense…since I have NONE!
What a fun, glorious day it was to just be silly (ok, that was just me), reminiscing about ‘back in the day on Panama City Beach!’ Maybe it will be spared from the oil coming ashore in droves after all! We cannot wait until we have another trip planned…life is too short (remember, I’m a breast cancer survivor!!!) We need to be pro-active in meeting up more often…
Am looking forward to checking out your blog now that I’ve found it…
Hugs!!
Artist? How about crafty junk collector?!! Yes, we must plan another get together. Someplace cool. My week at the beach was HOT!