How Many Ways Can You Use a Teacup and Saucer?

I've been listing new items on Etsy.com today in my store at http://ThisRemindsMe.Etsy.com.  Many were vintage teacup sets - beautiful cups and matching saucers.  I also listed some sweet little salt and pepper shakers made in Japan, and a beautiful Royal Derby creamer from England.

As I look at these beautiful vintage pieces, I am amazed at the many uses that come to mind for each of them.  They would make great containers for everything from small flowers and buds to jewelry and cotton balls atop a dressing table.  They could house gifts... chocolates, a piece of jewelry, a couple of bags of gourmet tea... and more!  They would make a unique gift for a bridesmaid or the mother of the groom.  I can see a collection of them individually wrapped as gifts for women in a wedding party... thank-yous to the hostesses for a bridal or baby shower, and unique place markers for a special luncheon (with the guest's names wired to the handles).

Even if you simply use them to adorn a shelf or table top, you have to admit, these are pretty amazing pieces... and treasures worth having in any collection.

Jyoto Occupied Japan Cup and Saucer

Shelley Cup and Saucer in floral motif... Made in England

Derby Posies Creamer by Royal Derby, England

INARCO Cup and Saucer

Lefton Cupids in Bisque - Pitcher and Saucer

Memorial Day Weekend - Summer's Comin'!

With Memorial Day weekend upon us, we turn our thoughts to summer and all of the activites associated with the next few months.  Red/white/blue become the colors of the day for Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day.  In between, we think of weddings, Dad, and light and airy summer fun.

Memorial Day will signal a shift for me from selling my antiques and treasures in local antiques stores to selling individual pieces online via eBay (songwriter57) and Etsy.  Look for some great things for sale there... as well as information about my treasures on this blog.

Here are some of my favorites, currently listed on Etsy.  Keep watching this blog for frequent updates!

Detail of Dresden Plate block - antique quilt - hand stitched!

Antique hand-made Dresden Plate quilt - incredible condition!

Pyrex Homestead Mixing Bowls - set of 4

4 Pyrex Homstead Mixing Bowls

Hand-crocheted ccotton placemats - set of 12 - great shape!

Detail of hand-crocheted placemats

Moriage Japanese footed bowl and underplate - could be Nippon

Fostoria American Water Goblets - set of six - MINT condition!

Fostoria American small plate with handles

Multi-colored rhinestone earrings - could be shoe clips, too!

Bakelite pin with rhinestones

Sears Roebuck Pie Server - Silverplate

Bottle Openers - One is Falstaff

Vintage Timex Day/Date Water-resistant Watch - WORKS!

Destino Sterling Silver/Mother-of-Pearl Cufflinks

Silverplate baby fork/spoon set

Capodimonte Italian Porcelain Urns/Vases - set of 2

Holy Quilting Bee! What a Treasure!

I could not believe my good fortune when I discovered this beautiful handmade quilt at a recent estate auction.  First, I was drawn to the colors - red, white, and blue, with colorful "Dresden Plate" squares.  At first glance, I thought, "This quilt is not so old... the blocks are edged with a machine zig-zag stitch."  But upon careful examination, I realized those perfectly formed stitches were actually a "lock-stitch" done by hand! 

As luck would have it, this estate sale was for a dear lady I have known since childhood.  Now in her mid-80s, she recently moved to a retirement village in another city.  This quilt belonged to her mother-in-law, who passed way in the early 1960s.  She was able to tell me some things about the quilt... that she believes it is at least 100 years old... and that her mother-in-law probably had it made and did not make it herself.

This quilt is perfection.  Every block is different, and the stitching matches the fabrics used.  The red stripping is still vibrant.  The chambray blue accent blocks - the size of postage stamps - are equal in size and well stitched.  The quilting was all done by hand, and a glance at the back of the quilt - done in a natural muslin-type cotton - is pretty on its own, with each Dresden Plate outline clearly visible.

These rare finds don't come along often.  I have my great-grandmothers' red/white/blue "Postage Stamp" quilt, and I have considered adding this one to my collection.  But if you simply MUST have it for yours, I will part with it for $400, ppd.  You can e-mail me directly, or visit my Etsy store at http://ThisRemindsMe.etsy.com. 

For larger views, please click on any photo.

New Etsy Shop!

I have opened a new Etsy shop to sell some of my treasures, particularly jewelry and smaller fine pieces.  Check it out at "This Reminds Me..."

Uncovering the Beauty

I have developed a new fascination with silver.  It happened as with most "happy accidents" - I bought a "lot" of items at an estate auction that included more than a dozen pieces of vintage silverplate.  Another "lot" included an enormous box of silverplate flatware.  For the record, I have never been a fan of polishing silver!

Having said this... I took this pile of blackened ... and I mean black metal, and I began to work.  I started with an arsenal of silver polish products from Wal-Mart, and slowly but surely, I developed a "process" for cleaning these pieces.  And I discovered that unearthing the sparkling treasure of long ago can be fun!  Polishing silver is something like being an archaeologist.  By carefully removing the layers added over time, you discover the treasure hidden beneath.  So, my English Silver coffee and tea pitchers with matching creamer went from dirty black discards to pieces worthy of gracing any table - even the most elegant wedding reception!  This set should sell for $100 or more, but since it does have some wear (and the coffee pot lid needs to be resoldered), I'm asking $30 for the 3-piece set.

English Silver Tea Server

English Silver 3-piece set - Coffee Server, Tea Server, Creamer

Beautiful details - Coffee Server lid needs to be re-attached

English Silver Coffee/Tea Server set - beautiful lines

3-piece set - English Silver Coffee/Tea Set

Pineapple finial on lids of each server

English Silver Maker's Mark

The Oneida 3-piece set with pitcher, creamer and sugar, boasts sleek Art Deco lines that make it perfect for any occasion - from traditional to contemporary.  Like the first set, this pot's lid needs a solder job, so I'm asking $21.95 for all three pieces.

Oneida Silverplate 3-piece Serving Set

Lid Needs to be re-attached, but is intact

Clean Art Deco Lines suitable for any decor

Beautiful clean lines

Lid and handle detail

Oneida Maker's Mark

An English covered butter dish makes any dinner party more festive - and this one is a true beauty!  It can be on your table for $22.50.

English Silverplate Butter Dish with Lid

English Silverplate Butter Dish and Lid

Beautiful  lines and details in butter dish lid

Maker's Mark on bottom of butter dish

At the same sale, I found the most amazing chip and dip set.  Sitting atop a wooden tray that spins on a wooden pedestal, these three pieces by a California Pottery company  (Bell Mfg.) are amazingly impeccable... no chips, scratches or discolorations.  This set is in a beautiful aqua color with gold accenting, and features a grape motif.  Two dishes come together to form the 15" diameter set.  One dish is divided, while the other contains a bowl for dip, complete with lid that has a "branch-like" handle.  This is such a great set, and I've seen similar ones for as much as $100 online.  This set has SOLD!

And then there was this breadbox.  I was not all that thrilled to get it with a "lot" of other items.  But on second look, it's really pretty cool.  AND... apparently a lot of other people think so, too!  It's in pretty good condition and is clearly marked on the bottom:  NC Colorware.  This bread box is listed online for upwards of $40!!!  I would be happy to get $25 for mine.  Do you want it?

These items will be appearing at TP Lillie on Main Street in Heber Springs, Arkansas, as space permits ... unless you decide to make them yours before hand!  Feel free to call me, comment here, or catch me on Facebook if you are interested in anything seen here - or if you are searching for something in particular.  Happy shopping!