Today we are talking with Darlene Schaper from Stars & Splendid. Stop by her “Relica Vintage” booth–she’s dealer #30! You can also see her case across the street at Stars– case #130C right across from the registers. Darlene has been dealing vintage for about 10 years, but is a newbie with us–she just joined the Stars family this past August!

“I have a Victorian parlor room in my 1970’s ranch house complete with cabinet of curiosities, collections of bones, and natural wonders.”
–Darlene Schaper, Stars & Splendid dealer #30

What would you say your specialty is?
Victorian antiques. Oddities. Art and curiosities. My Vintage collections offer an eclectic mix of industrial chic, steampunk, beautifully aged and delicately fierce objects. Adding my own creative work from vintage items.

How did you get into vintage?
I’m a Native Oregonian living in Portland and have been an artist and explorer since I was a child. I’ve always had a great love of nature and its creatures. Everything is wondrous and precious to me and I’ve spent years collecting obscure antiques and oddities. I discovered antiques as a child walking around my neighborhood and going to local garage sales. Learning about the objects from the seller always fascinated me and I was hooked from then on. I’ve collected all sorts of neat (and odd) things, including items related to circuses, sideshows, taxidermy and natural history. Many things I incorporate into my art. Before long, I found myself with so much stuff, I was going to have to either seek help for my hoarding addiction or open a shop. “Open a shop” won!

Do you collect some specific things for your own home?
I have a Victorian Parlor room in my 1970’s ranch house complete with cabinet of curiosities, collections of bones, and natural wonders. Fancy Victorian era chairs and lounges lighted with heavy black iron candelabras. Quite a few vintage medical instruments, always a good conversation starter!

What is your favorite era?
I love industrial and machine age items from the 50’s and anything mid century

What is your dream vintage score?
A real two headed taxidermy calf. I know someone who has one but they are not parting with it yet!

Any vintage shopping tips?
I love seeing collections of similar things together that are the same subject but each one unique. I have a thing for Madonna figures and I collect them from different eras and countries they look really cool displayed in a grouping. I have some online video tutorials about this on www.relicavintage.com

Have any shop announcements?
You can check out my fun and funky art at www.bunnycrave.com

What is your favorite place to eat in Portland?
It is actually in Beaverton, this little French place called Tea Thyme and Lavender. The French woman owner serves you a sweet meal on vintage dinnerware. It is an antique shop essentially with themed rooms decorated where you sit to dine. So fun and cute, makes me think that this is what Paris might be like.

What non-vintage shops do you frequent?
Mostly art galleries around Portland. I love Hail Mary on Killingsworth, awesome mosaics by artist Mary Topanga. Collage on Alberta a super fun artists supply store with unique items for any crafter.

What do you like to do when you aren’t working?
I tend to my urban farm. I have 3 hens and 2 rabbits and an organic garden in my backyard

How do you unwind?
I am addicted to Mad Men on Netflix right now and I love walking my 2 Pomeranians Molly and Charlie in Forest Park

Do you find inspiration in any movies, TV shows, music, theater, arts, sports, recreation etc?
I am a secret Trekkie and love the Sci-fy channel. I just finished watching the entire Battlestar Galactica recent series , wishing it never had to end! I am thrilled to see any live theater, Phantom of the Opera was breathtaking and also like improv at the Brody Theater. Enthralled by Portlandia LOL. A documentary I really enjoyed lately was Buck—a must see if you are an animal lover! It’s about the real horse whisperer.