Yes, as a matter of fact I still have almost all the original tubes working- they say "Seeburg" right on them. I had the amp rebuilt several years ago, but didn't have to replace any (and there are quite a few- its a stereo amp). I have only had to replace one auxilliary tube (twice) and that one is still fairly common. I know a guy who repairs jukeboxes & arcade games and he can get them for me fairly cheap.

Tubes are still being made in many of the former Soviet countries & China, so there are some brand-new ones available (albeit of questionable quality) on ebay. I wouldn't hesitate to run your radio just because of possible tube failure- you're more likely to burn up a capcitator and those can usually be found at Radio Shack or Grainger. There are plenty of hobbyists still around also that could get you tubes or even fix your set should it go- so enjoy it!

Cooking.

Movies... Audrey, Grace, Jimmy Stewart, Cary Grant.

Family history: it seems I've married into a family where things aren't retro, they're just "our things". I like that. My babies sleep/will sleep in the same cot that their father, grandmother and great-grandfather slept in. Every baby born on my husband's side of the family has been christened in the same gown since the 1860s. That sort of thing blows my mind.

I love reading about and listening to family stories and poring over old photographs, thinking about who those people were and what their lives were like.

Right now I'm at home with two small babies and I'm pouring my energy into making a home. I love housekeeping manuals and recipe books, older ones in particular but also some newer ones, like Home Comforts, that talk about the traditions and history of keeping house.

When the weather cools down I like pottering around in the garden, but it's mid-summer here and it's far too hot at the moment to be outside for long.

Mmm, so that's me!

Whew...where to begin?

I've always had in interest in vintage, but it didn't become an obsession until I started to swing dance.

Used to dance 5 nights a week, and I was quite good, at the social level. But the scene has changed dramatically, my husband does not like to swing dance (though he said he did when we met ), and most of the time I'm too tired after work to go to a dance studio (rather than club) where most of the people are wearing sweats and hip hop clothes and wouldn't know Jimmy Dorsey if he bit them.

My husband & I both love vintage...clothing, furniture, accessories, you name it. Our place is sprinkled freely with all of the above and more. One day I would like to do several rooms in High Art Deco, starting with the bedroom.

I don't dress full out vintage every day, but usually mix it in with some modern.

My favorite music is hot jazz, in spite of my early training as an opera singer.

I'm an obsessive knitter, using lots of vintage patterns, but I don't find enough vintage yarn to use it often (however, I am very good at substituting, and use a lot of cone yarn which looks much better in vintage patterns than most skeined yarn from a yarn shop).

You guys have me really wanting to learn how to knit! Any suggestions on basic resources (books, internet)? I don't really have any yarn shops close by or I would sign up for a class.

Well, I'm biased, but I think vintage beginner's booklets are a lot more useful than any new/hip/trendy ones (also more useful if you intend to focus on knitting vintage items). Plus, it seems that for some reason, new books have altered the tradidtion abbreviations, methods, terms, and so on. Why, I don't know.

There are at least two books in the Minerva series called "Complete Knitting Manual," one published in the '30s, and another in the '40s (actually, I have another published in the teens, but the other two are more useful.) Each containes basic instructions, with clearly-written directions and photographs, some easy beginner's projects, and a stitch directory in back, as well as a list of yarns manufactured at the time. Or if you want something at an even more basic, and detailed level, there's a series called "How To Book" (softcover, magazine-sized), pulished by J.P. Coats and Clark's in the '40s. These also contain instructions for crochet, embroidery, and tatting, as well as knitting, and simple projects.

I think it might be best to start with the "How To" series...

PS: I'd skip classes, anyway -- knitting is easy enough to learn on your own, in your own time, in the comfort of your own home. (IMO)

Hello! I'm new here and am slowly navigating my way around!
I live in a tiny studio apartment in Brooklyn, so there is no collecting on my part. I am first a fashion designer and love fashion history. My own designs are inspired by film noir, vintage lingerie, old Hollywood and the like. I sew all of my own designs and am learning how to knit and crochet! I have always looked at vintage clothing as an inspiration and I love to see how things used to be made. The old details are amazing! I started buying vintage clothing as a teenager and I still wear many of those same items!
Second, I have a small boutique in Brooklyn where I sell indie designer lines, like my own, as well as vintage. I also sell vintage clothing and accessories in my eBay store. This satisfies my vintage searching and collecting "bug" as I can't store items for myself. Some finds are really hard to sell and let go, but I am very happy to make a living doing something and being surrounded by things I love. Some fab items do stay in my closet and I wear them as often as I can. I think it's important for the public to see these wonderful designs. I am partial to dresses, handbags and coats from the 30's through 60's. Living in NYC makes it easy to dress up, go out and be original!
I was lucky to inherit my Grandmother's bedroom furniture from the 30's. A dresser, wardrobe and vanity in Art Deco style with bias wood grain. I always loved it. I also have her dry sink and old Singer sewing machine in a green cabinet that works very well! My pad has a very vintage feel with a Crosley stereo, lace shawls, and my vintage purses, and cocktail hats surrounding my vanity. I wish I had more space!!

For Susie, and anyone else interested -- there are currently a few C&C How To books on e-bay (the green ones with the five drawings on the front)

Beware of knitty, though -- the patterns/articles they have can sometimes be frighteningly bizarre/trendy!

Oh, that must be the same book I mentioned -- mine's also from the '40s, with the same color scheme -- I notice the ones I pointed out on ebay were all '50s editions, and green and red, but I expect they're otherwise identical.

I seldom make the patterns (except for Fetching and one other I can't call to mind at the moment).

But that's not why I'm there. The technique articles are excellent, and the people are among the nicest I've ever encountered online.

I was thinking it was the same book, too. Very useful!

In fact, I just picked one up for someone I know through the office; she just quit smoking and wants something to keep her hands busy...she says. Beware, it can be an Addiction, Sue!