I learned I have something in common with Joan Rivers — who knew? — when The New York Times shared photos of her Connecticut estate. Love or hate the rest of her kitchen, the pewter stopped me in my tracks. Chargers, porridgers, teapots, and candlesticks stretch up to the ceiling, all covered in an enviable (and usually pricey) patina. Luckily, however, not all old pewter is pricey. I scored five early-19th-century Welsh pewter measuring gills not unlike this one on eBay UK for under $50 with shipping. (Gills were used in taverns to measure alcohol. Mine are heavily patinated and, from the dents and soldering, look like they were used to break up a tavern fight or two.) And pewter candlesticks and small bowls are still easy to find for decent prices at tag and estate sales, on eBay, or at antique stores. — Sarah L.

Two weeks ago, Erica asked for suggestions on how to display the target her boyfriend brought home from the shooting range. When Donna K posted a link to a lightbox she’d made from a similar target, we wanted to see more. The lightboxes you see here are completely her creations.

Donna says:

The lightboxes are made out of plywood that I cut and hammered together to make a box with one open side. (I stained the box to make it look nicer/match the decor of where it’ll end up.) I wired a socket to some wire which I ran through a hole I drilled in the top of the box, and then ran the wire to a plug. I used brass thumbtacks to put the target on the box because I like to change them out, but gluing it down would probably have better results! I was thinking of ways to make it easier and came up with using an already-existing box that you take the front off of, and then use those lamp kits they sell at the hardware store for the guts.

Donna, we love these lightboxes! And if you’re not up to constructing your own wooden box, try IKEA — we’ve seen wooden storage containers and drawers similar to these used as lightboxes at craft shows. To see more of Donna K’s artistic endeavors, visit Gravity Was Everywhere Back Then or read more about her at I Want to Wear It. — Mary T.

All I have to say is, HALLELUJAH! I saw the good news over on The World’s Best Ever and wanted to share it with you all:

“The brand is back with plans to re-release the old instant film cameras and the iconic Color 600 instant film. Here’s a look at the new Polaroid PIC 1000, which is scheduled to be released later this year. The new camera should cost less than USD $100.”

Welcome back, Polaroid! Welcome back! — Erica P.

Quite awhile ago, I lamented not being able to find the variety and quality of flea markets that were common when I lived in the Midwest. No wonder I’m enthused about tagsellit.com. The site is a clearinghouse of flea markets, estate sales, and more throughout the country, and there’s even a place on the site where you can sell your items directly. This may not be good for my bank account, but it is good for my spirits! — Mary T.

The zoo has long since lost its childhood magic for me. The work of Fern Bisel Peat, however, continues to captivate. She lived from 1893 to 1971 and while her illustrations appeared in books, magazines and paper doll collections and on tin toys and puzzles throughout the ’30s and ’40s, I can find little of her work after that. My favorite is still the first one I saw, “Cinderella,” published in 1943, which was my Mom’s growing up. The stepsisters look rotten enough to make your molars ache and Cinderella has lost none of her charm. You can find Cinderella, and other great examples of her work, at AbeBooks.com. One I’ve just discovered is Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Tanglewood Tales, a retelling of the Greek myths for children, which show a different side of Peat’s work. Thankfully, it seems I’m not alone in thinking her work has lost nothing over time. Single-page folios from books, original watercolors, and this new puzzle can also be found on Esty and eBay. — Sarah L.

If you’ve seen the new movie Amelia, you know that Amelia Earhart was much more than an aviator and an inspiration to millions. In her far-too-brief 39 years, she authored two books, was an associate editor at Cosmopolitan, became a visiting faculty member at Purdue University (where she planned to return after her ’round-the-world flight) and was actively involved in the manufacture and promotion of several products that bore her name. My favorite? Amelia Earhart luggage, which Earhart insisted be up to the demands of air travel. Perhaps that’s one reason you still find great travel cases, trunks, and suitcases on eBay, like a demure set of three or this bright green, ribbon-trimmed assortment. (We found the vintage ad on eBay, too.) Me? I’ve been stubbornly holding out hopes for years that I’ll find one while antiquing. It’s part of the adventure. — Sarah L.

Okay, so, we think Ramona cheated just a little — she submitted a photo of her adorable orange and black cats, who are actually named Trick and Treat! Aside from her living, breathing, meowing tribute to Halloween, Ramona has a lot of collections, like an entire tabletop haunted town, and even her bathroom gets into the act. See more photos at her site. And remember, today is your last day to enter your Halloween decor!

A few years ago, my husband and I spotted a weird, smiling little Buddha-esque figure on the edifice of a building in downtown LA. It definitely wasn’t a gargoyle, but what in the heck was it? Turns out, the cherubic, pointy-headed figure was a Billiken, the “god of things as they ought to be.” Invented in 1908 in St. Louis by Florence Pretz, Billikens were little figures thought to bring good luck to the owner, though the luck was even greater if the Billiken was a gift. They were cast into iron banks and printed on post cards (which you can find on eBay) and soon swept the globe in popularity, making their way up to Alaska and Japan via the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exhibition. The Billiken is even the mascot of St. Louis University. I think they’re a really cool piece of Americana, and I’m pretty sure our Billiken, a gift from my mom, has brought us a lot of good fortune! For more great images and information on Billikens, click here. –Megan B.

I recently inherited a bunch of fabulous stuff from a friend’s mother who was moving out of her home. Pyrex bowls, clothes, and sewing patterns, yes, but the greatest find were these two crocheted lawn chairs. I have never in my life seen anything like them — it’s nylon yarn woven over an aluminum frame — which is why I grabbed them. When I got them home, I was even more delighted to realize that the chairs don’t have just an abstract pattern, but are representations of a squirrel and deer. They are the perfect summer chairs! Has anyone out there seen anything like these? Were they homemade? I just may have to learn how it’s done so I can make myself some more! –Megan B.

Update: See kourtney’s link in comments — looks like they’re macrame!

I’m starting a collection. So far I’ve only got one item in said collection, but my intention is to expand. I found the pictured Best Ever portable radio at a flea market for just $5. It was the bright green “carrying case” that caught my eye, but I’ve since fallen in love with everything about my new purchase (including the box and the warranty). I have the radio and the box displayed as part of a vignette in my living room, but I think I might actually frame the warranty for the wall behind the table. I hadn’t originally intended to expand my collection of one, but then I saw this post on transistor radios over at Notcot, and I was inspired to find more. We’ve asked to see your collections before — have you started any new ones recently? –Erica P.