Now THIS is what I call "PATINA"!

Don't you just love this crazing??  To me, this indicates not only age, but use.  Lots and lots of use.  Somebody depended on this piece of ironstone to provide years of service.

What do you supposed was put in this vessel?  Something hot, I would imagine, judging by the discoloration. 

I'm betting it was liquid of some sort, based on the spout.  Hot chocolate, or mulled cider, maybe?

Check out this handle.  It's both attractive and serviceable.  It feels wonderful in your hand!

Isn't she gorgeous?  I found this wonderful old ironstone pitcher at... Goodwill of course!  For my favorite price of 99 cents.  They must have figured it wouldn't sell for more, based on the excessive crazing and discoloration.  Little did they know that those very things make this lovely pitcher even more attractive to me!







Fresh Thrift Pickin's!!

My Thrifting time has been severely hampered by my new job, but, when I do get the chance to go, I now have the funds necessary to bring my treasures home!  I still manage to find my way to some of my favorite Thrift stores on a fairly regular basis.  These are some of the goodies I gathered in the last two weeks...

I am totally in love with this tall white vase!  It has such an elegant shape, and a lovely, perfect matte finish.  Just $3.99 at Goodwill!

I found this triple strand of vintage faux pearls at the same Goodwill, on the same day.   My 16 year old Daughter likes to wear vintage pearls to school, much to my delight!  I find single pieces of the depressionware bridge set quite often, and usually for very little money.  I thought this dainty pink heart was a steal for .59 cents! 

This lovely vintage table cloth was just $1.99, and the crochet edged dresser scarf a mere .25 cents.

I really needed a planter in this color to round out the collection I have with plants at work.  This one will be perfect once I decide what plant to put in it.

I belive this turned wood pedestal was a woodshop project, since it has the name Maxwell scrawled on the bottom in ink.  Max did an excellent job, in my opinion.  I hope he got an A.  What is it with swans, anyway?  I can't seem to avoid bringing them home, though I tell myself again and again, "You don't need any more swans!"   But they are vintage, and creamy white, and classic...

Don't you just love this little polka dotted squirrel?  He is in need of some gentle cleaning but I don't want to scrub off his dots!

And last, but not least is my wonderful green planter that I just filled with miniature daffodils!   Even with the potted flowers, I didn't pay more than $25 for this whole lot!!  Happy, happy Spring, Everyone! 







  



It's in the jar!

Hello Friends! 

I finally found a bit of time to blog.

Today I am showcasing some of my "collection jars".  As an avid collector of all things vintage, I find myself with scads of awesome items, and no good way to display it.  Too many items on a shelf tends to look cluttered, and collects dust, to boot.  I see lots of cloches on these blogs, and I love them, but... I find them very difficult to find, and when I do, they are just too pricey for this skinflint!  My solution of choice is to use big vintage jars.

It all started with this lovely covered jar.  I needed a place to stash some vintage crocheting thread and various needlework tools.  This jar proved to be the perfect solution. 

 

I just love the simple detailing combined with the humble thread, worn wood and vintage graphics.

Speaking of worn wood, I also had quite a few wooden items that needed a home.  I just adore old wood that has been shaped to create useful tools.  The fact that this simple biscuit jar is lacking it's lid made it perfect to display my longer collectibles.

  The possibilites are endless, and our ancestors made full use of wood to make items like these: spoons, pestles, darning eggs, handles on utensils.  I even have a wonderful old pipe ashtray that was made of turned wood.

If you are an avid Thrifter like me, then you are aware that there literally tons of old glass vases to be had for very little money in the thrift stores.  This particular vase turned out to be the perfect place to display some of my old lace, china, perfume bottles and vintage faux pearls.

I just love that it is so easy to change this display as the spirit moves me.  My collection of old handmade lace can be rotated easily now, so they can all be admired in their turn.  The possiblities for display items are endless!  Vintage jewelery and watches, old buttons, Christmas ornaments, photographs, spools of thread and vintage marbles...  Stay tuned for more "collection jars".  I just picked up a big, lidded biscuit jar that I have yet to fill...