It’s puzzling how a simple line of pottery could spark such passionate controversy. I’m talking about Rae Dunn, the California ceramic artist whose work has provoked reactions as black and white as her deceptively uncomplicated collections. This Rae Dunn “Chirp” coffee mug sold for $38.00 in January 2024. Who Is Rae Dunn? I remember finding Rae Dunn on Etsy in the very early 2000s. Her art was straightforward, with intentionally imperfect pieces in white or cream that served as a backdrop for plain black elongated text handwritten in a subtle mix of capital and lowercase letters ..read more

No matter how often I visit Japan, I’m always adding something else to see, visit, or encounter to my bucket list. Like the country’s cherry blossom season, each trip is so ephemeral and unique that each experience is never the same. On this trip, I spent my time, among other things, attending various pop-up shops and events featuring Japanese brand collabs, limited merchandise, and more. This cute collab between Sanrio and Miniso included new figures of Sanrio characters Pompompurin and Muffin. COLLABS AT JAPAN’S POP-UP CAFÉS Yes, the pop-up cafés. Established Japanese cafés often collaborate ..read more

Are you puzzled over what to do with your old puzzles? Puzzled over what to do with old puzzles? If you’re not a “one and done” type of puzzler, you’re likely ready to move on with your life after completing your latest 1,000-piece masterpiece. Read on for creative and lucrative ways to pass on all your S.O.S. (Surplus Old Stuff): Puzzles. The Puzzle Paradox While puzzles used to be hobbies reserved for the very young or old, they saw a massive resurgence in popularity during the 2020 pandemic. Twiddling your thumbs only went so far for those itching for an easy activity while stuck indoors du ..read more

When we think of computers, televisions, and other technology, we think of cutting-edge items designed with the latest and greatest innovations. Still, there are vintage fans who enjoy collecting and owning older pieces. An annual show in Texas highlights these tech treasures, and WorthPoint spoke with the organizer, Mike Sebastian, about the upcoming Retro-Tech Show in Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas. The 28th Annual Retro-Tech show will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Hurst, Texas. Image courtesy: Retrotechshows.com WorthPoint: Thanks for talking to us, Mike. Ca ..read more

Collectors can expect to pay more for antique puzzle boxes, especially rare examples featuring exotic and expensive materials like ivory or jade. This 19th-century puzzle box, made of whalebone with an inlaid shell, sold in 2022 for $18,750. If you want to keep valuable items safe or like a good mind challenge, consider a special box you can only open after solving its puzzle. Puzzle boxes—also known as secret or trick boxes or mechanical puzzles—are cleverly constructed with obscured lids, hidden latches, secret openings, and complex mechanisms. Unlocking them requires completing a series of ..read more

A vintage Dawn doll in an original box. When I was growing up, I quickly lost interest in baby dolls as soon as I discovered Barbie. My cousin, who was five years older than me, gave me her Barbies from the early 1960s, which fueled my fascination with them. And Santa had a lot to do with it, too! So, when Dawn dolls were introduced in the early 1970s, I was more interested in obtaining Barbie’s latest accessories than embracing the newcomer on the block. I did have one Dawn doll, though, and I see that as a failed experiment for this particular toy consumer. In other words, Santa got zero req ..read more

Combining innovative mechanics with a complex story and tons of attitude, Fallout became the RPG of the year in 1997. Turning the end of the world into an exciting adventure isn’t easy, but Fallout has been managing it since 1997. Known for its grim despair, unexpected humor, and surprising moments of optimism, Fallout has become one of the biggest video game franchises in the world. Anyone familiar with RPGs (role-playing games) has heard of Fallout. The original Fallout series was a successful game franchise. When Bethesda Softworks, the creators of The Elder Scrolls, acquired the rights to ..read more

In 1889, Hamilton Carhartt bought two sewing machines and installed them in a small loft in Detroit. He originally created his clothing line for men who worked building the railroads, and the brand remains popular for anyone who does outdoor physical labor. However, Carhartt has also become a surprisingly popular streetwear look and a hot designer trend in the music industry. Carhartt jackets, once a brand only seen on construction sites, are now hot vintage collectibles. HOW IT STARTED Much like the railroads, the Carhartt brand spread far and fast from its origins in that tiny loft with a co ..read more

A metal detectorist found two antique Roman bracelets in Wales. Image Source: Amgueddfa Cymru–Museum Wales Exploring an area with a metal detector can lead to the discovery of long-hidden antiques and historical artifacts—for example, consider the story of Andrew Hutchinson. In September 2023, Hutchinson was using his metal detector in Anglesey, Wales, when he unearthed two copper alloy bracelets. Following additional evaluation, the bracelets were declared to be antique Roman treasures six months later. Evan Chapman, senior curator of archaeology at Amgueddfa Cymru, said the bracelets depict ..read more

Little Horse Vintage in Louisville, Colorado, is a must-visit shop for its wide collection of vintage vinyl. Like any truly special antiques shop, Little Horse Vintage in Louisville, Colorado, is much more than a storefront. The space alone is overwhelming in the most delightful way possible, at least for collectors. The shop is more than just row after row of vintage and rare books and a mighty selection of vintage vinyl. Every corner is full of items that make people happy, as owner Mike Price puts it. The store has all kinds of inventory, from nostalgic action figures to vintage political ..read more