I’ve blogged about Flickr before, and how I use it to share photos of my glass inventory on this blog and with other collectors.

If you are looking to share your glass photos, need help IDing patterns, or just want to peruse other glass collections, take a look at these Flickr groups.  The pictures are sure to inspire!

• Depression glass

• Carnival glass

• Vaseline glass

• PATTERN GLASSWARE OF THE VICTORIAN EDWARDIAN ERA (new)

• VINTAGE GLASSWARE.. Pitchers, Decanters, Carafes, Jugs and Glass (new)

• FREINDLY ID’S AND INFO ON DEPRESSION GLASS AND BEYOND (new)

• Vintage Housewares

The 400 Antiques Mall is one of my favourite places to shop for glass.  With over 32,000 square feet, I can spend an entire afternoon browsing the vendors stalls.   I’ve purchased a lot of glass at the market, and since I can’t resist a good bargain, I often come home with an unidentified piece.

My latest purchase today?  This clear pressed glass bowl and 8 nappies.

The vendor mentioned that the bowl is known as “Mike’s Mystery” glass, and that the pattern mould was later used by a carnival glass manufacturer.   I’ve found no mention of “Mike’s Mystery” glass in any of my glass books.

The large bowl is 8 6/8″ in diameter and the small nappies are 4 3/8″ in diameter.

The bowls on the right are from a different manufacturer, and measure 4 1/2″ in diameter.

The vendor tells me that both patterns are were manufactured in the 1940s or 1950s.

If you can provide any insight into either pattern, please leave a message in the comment area below or on my Flickr page.  I’d love to hear from you!

• Ancaster Depression Glass Show 2008 *cancelled*
  The Ancaster Depression Glass Show for 2008 has been cancelled. Visit the “links to dealers” page to purchase glass directly from the vendors.
  (tags: depressionglass glass/shows)
• Stratford Summer Antique Show, July 12-13, 2008
  Stratford Rotary Complex Stratford, Ontario
  Hours: 10am until 5pm both Saturday and Sunday
  Admission: adults $6.00, children under 13 free
  (tags: depressionglass antiques glass/shows antiques/vendors)
• Muskoka Antique Show , July 25-27, 2008
  The 26th Annual Show
  Port Carling, Ontario
  Hours: Friday, 7 pm – 9 pm / Saturday 10 am – 5 pm and Sunday, 11 am – 4 pm
  Admission: Opening night $7.50, Saturday and Sunday $5.00, children under 13 free
  (tags: depressionglass antiques/vendors glass/shows)
• The Summer Antiques Sale! August 4-10, 2008
  Location: Sherway Gardens, Mississauga
  Opens 10am holiday Monday August 4th – Sunday August 10th, 2008
  Open Day – Monday 10AM-6PM
  Tuesday – Friday 10am-9pm, Saturday 9:30am-6pm, Sunday 11am-5pm
  (tags: depressionglass pressedglass antiques/vendors glass/shows)

• What to collect now to create cottage style charm at home
  A list of “what to collect now” to create Cottage Style charm at home.
  (tags: glass/articles)

As the weather warms up, I’m getting excited about all the upcoming antique shows and markets. Here are few events and shows worth attending.

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Elora Antique Show, held at the Elora Community Centre, runs from April 19th-20th.

Admission is $6.00.

Visit Antique Shows Canada for more details.

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Antique Pressed Glass Open House is hosted by Sean George Pless Glass & Goblets.

Held annually in Muskoka at the Port Carling Community Centre.

Admission is free.

Show dates are: Friday June 27 until Tuesday July 1st.

For more information, call (416) 394-3005.

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Heritage Antique Market at Cloverdale Mall is a monthly antique show and sale held on one Sunday of each month.

Admission is free.

Dealers from across Ontario and Quebec featuring European and American art glass, pottery, and porcelains.

Next shows are:

• Sunday April 27
• Sunday May 25
• Sunday June 15

For more information, call: (416) 483-6471

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Flamboro Outdoor Antique Shows offers a tremendous selection of antiques.

Show dates for 2008:

• May 3 – Aberfoyle Antiques Market
• July 5 – Milton Fairgrounds
• October 4 – Milton Fairgrounds

Over 100-150 delears and absolutely no reproductions or crafts.

Admission is $8.00 — $4.00 after 2 p.m.

Visit the Flamboro website for a $2.00 off coupon.

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Flea Market in Cookstown

Every weekend, from May to October 2008.

Lots of great bargains and finds!

Visit the Cookstown Antiques Market website for more details or call (705) 458-1275.

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Reader Beau asks, How can I tell if I have a real FENTON piece?

The Fenton Art Glass Company has a number of online resources for collectors including history of the company, books and catalogues, and newsletters.

The Fenton label images and Fenton logos images may help in your pattern identification.

You may also wish to consult some of the independent Fenton Glass collector clubs. There is a list of clubs on the Fenton Art Glass Company site.

Chat About DG: Depression Era Elegant and Everyday Glass Discussion Board is a great place to discuss depression and elegant glassware, and meet other DG collectors online. A great stop for IDing your Fenton glass. (registration required)

You can also browse the great pictures in the Glass Etch and Pattern Gallery (no registration required).

Hope these resources help you in IDing your Fenton pieces!

We ventured out to the Cookstown Antiques Market today. “The Barn“, as it is commonly known, is home to 35 dealers, over 6000 square feet.

I purchased this pressed glass creamer and sugar set. “Stipple & Swirl” was manufactured by the Dominion Glass Company. Dominion Glass was one of the few Canadian companies that produced Depression glass. Here’s a better picture of the stipple etching.

The market has a number of vendors specializing in Cornflower and there’s plenty of carnival glass too. I fell in love with this Fenton custard Vaseline glass compote. Fenton Art Glass Company is one of the largest and oldest manufacturers of handmade coloured glass. Visit their Collector Corner to learn more about this beautiful glass.

Every weekend, from May to October, The Barn is host to the “Flea Market in Cookstown”. Lots of great bargains and finds! Visit the Cookstown Antiques Market website for more details.

I spotted this gorgeous Depression Glass set at Newmarket Antiques. It’s missing the creamer.

If you can help in the pattern identification, drop me a line via the moderated comment form, or Twitter direct message me @icollectglass.

I purchased this bowl awhile ago. The vendor had it labelled as Jeanette Glass Company’s Cubist pattern. Looking through my Depression Glass books, I discovered that Jeanette Glass never made a bowl in clear. The pattern is actually Fostoria’s American which is offen confused with Cubist.

Jeanette Glass Company manufactured Cubist (Cube) from 1929 to 1933. Only three patterns were produced in crystal (clear): 2 5/8″ creamer, 2 9/16″ sugar, and, 7 1/2″ round tray.

Fostoria produced American from 1916-1986 in clear (crystal) , amber, blue, green, yellow, white, red, and pink.

Generally, if your pattern is not listed in the Cube production line, it’s most likely American.

No doubt, one of the first questions a new glass collector asks is, “what is the difference between Depression Glass and Elegant Glass?”

Just Glass Online reviews the difference between Depression Glass and Elegant Glass. The article includes a list of the most recognized Depression Glass manufacturers including:

• Federal Glass Company
• Hocking Glass Company
• Hazel-Atlas Glass Company
• Indiana Glass Company
• Jeannette Glass Company
• MacBeth-Evans Glass Company
• U.S. Glass Company

NewsAntiques.com clears up the confusion between Depression Glass, Elegant Glass and Etched Glass.

The National Depression Glass Association (NDGA) has some very useful glassware articles including:

• What is Depression Glass? by David Adams

• Patterns Important to the History of Depression Glass by Joyce Krupey

More articles to related to glass companies, glass patterns or glass manufacture can be found in the NGDA News archive.