Zak Designs Update and Emeril Lagasse : New Kitchenwares Coming

"Learning to Fly" designs made for Zak Designs my Marimekko,(famous Finnish textile and clothing design company dating back to 1951) 
was a quick sell out in most stores. 

It's been awhile since I gave new melamine manufacturer Zak Designs a 94% Satisfaction rating, on their four piece mottled mixing bowl set. (See the video and my review here) so I thought I'd check in with you and let you know some updates.

First my bowls are still holding strong! We use them for everything from mixing cake batter, tuna fish, fresh tossed salads, and mixing meat balls.  We wash them in semi-hot water and they do get a little abuse from hubby when he's in the kitchen. I have to say they are more durable than I ever imagined.

Secondly, I recieved a letter from the company's representative after they saw my review on YouTube. Please note the last line (IN GREEN) is the best part of the message.

Hi Ira,

I recently stumbled across your YouTube review of our Confetti Bowls. I wanted to thank you for such an honest and thorough review of our product. I was sorry to hear that you email our company and never received a response, and I wanted to assure you that that isn't standard operating procedure at Zak. I checked with both marketing and customer service, and neither department has a record of receiving your email, so I'm wondering if it might have got trapped by our spam filter and never reached its intended recipient. I apologize for that. I can understand how that must have upset you, but I greatly admire that you provided an honest review despite that. Please don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions in the future, and I'll do my best to direct you to the appropriate person at Zak to help you.

Much thanks,

Chris

Christopher Cogley
Communications Manager
Zak Designs, Inc.     www.zak.com

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.

I read about this on GourmetRetailer.

Lastly, Zak Designs is teaming up with Emeril! I love this idea. Can you imagine Zak putting some more "BAM" into their bowls?  You can read all about it HERE on Gourmet Retailer!  If anyone is going to the Zak will launch the Emeril line of serveware and kitchen prep products at the International Home and Housewares Show in Chicago (booth #S-4448) located at McCormick Place, March 6-8th.  I can't wait to see this line!  If anyone is going send me some pictures!

Hollywood Bakelite and Catalin Style : Mad Men Modern Movie Props and More For the Serious Collector

Available from MadMenModern

I'm not a big Bakelite junkie, but I do have to give credit where credit is due. Bakelite and phenolic resins are the precursor to the wonderful world of plastics as we know it.  This item, an original store display for "Tattoo Cosmetics" is available from MadMenModern of North Hollywood, California for $945.69 starting bid. The sphere is Catalin, the base is Bakelite, and it art deco Hollywood looking! 
 

This Catalin phone is another great find in their store, for starting bid of $1094.69

It's no wonder it's coming from  Mad Men Modern, who have acquired Furniture, Lighting and hand props from All the major studios ; Paramount Pictures, MGM, Warner Bros and 20th Century Fox, and most of the TV shows are selling these rare finds.  In their shop you will find very rare modern furniture, decor, jewelry, OOAK movie props, and hard to find art deco items.  If they didn't come from movie sets or stages, you can be certain they came from Hollywood estates....

This Art Deco Telechron Bakelite Clock is available for under $200.

The store is definately worth a look-see, even if you are forced to window-shop only and wish for the winning lottery number so you can buy it all.  For serious collectors, it may behoove you to save for that one rarity in pristine shape from these guys.   There are good deals at prices one can afford, such as the clock above, which would serve as a wonderful gift to the serious clock collector.  Take a walk down Hollywood Lane....HERE!

Plastic Toys Vintage Memories , Artful Wee Things to Collect for the Mini Curio

 Small Train or Trolley Collection $4.25  from SpillingOut

I love fantastic plastic toys from days gone by. Those cheesy molded plastic carnival toys or dimestore finds of yesterday are now sought after by collectors. There's a huge market for cars,trucks, molded plastic dolls, vintage toy playsets and more.  Some plastic toys are an artful aesthetic that one can appreciate. Often one wants to collect something but doesn't have the room, or the extra cash.  Here are inexpensive mini instant collections can be had, most under $10, but all under $25.  They are quite impressive ideas to fill a mini-curio.

Five retro neon miniature suitcases from HeyYoYo, $1.95

28 Vintage Little Plastic Cars, Trucks $13 from SpillingOut

Miniature Food Cans - 24 pcs for $15 from CoveTableCuriosities

Mini doll purse collection, $10 from SinderellasAttic

Vintage Dollhouse Suite a steal at $8 by LRobinson

My Favorite: 

Wee Miniature Accessories, Hard to Find Barbie Collection $22.95, DebCopl

Where else can you assemble a cool vintage camera, radio, princess phone and record player collection for under $25?  Only in plastic-land!