Vintage Treasures Stir Summer Memories...

I think one of the reasons I am so enthralled with vintage treasures is because they remind me of the summers of my childhood.  My maternal grandmother and great-aunt lived one block away, and in our sleepy little town in the early 1960's, that was a "safe" walk for a visit - as long as we told Mother where we were going!  We spent long afternoons at my grandmother's chrome and formica-topped kitchen table, sipping cold Cokes and playing canasta.  We played on her oversized porch, had tea parties and "played church" and "school." 

 

My paternal grandmother spent hours piecing quilts... and this one reminds me of the twin-sized "Sunbonnet" quilts she made for my sister and me... colorful scraps forming the dolls on a muslin background, stripped in bright red and completely hand-stitched.  When I saw this beauty - much older, and also hand-stitched in red/white/blue and a basket full of scraps in varied colors - I thought of snuggling underneath my childhood quilt (which I still have) - even on summer days when we napped under a window air conditioner!

The salt and peppers reminded me of my grandmother's little china tea set, which my sister and I played with... along with a celluloid dollhouse set... chest of drawers, dresser, and more.  These pieces, along with my great-grandfather's celluloid barber set (hand mirror and brush) were refreshed in my memory when I saw this stunning footed glass powder dish with the embellished celluloid lid. The blue violin/fiddle?  Didn't YOUR grandmother have one sitting atop her piano or mantel?

And what is summer without deviled eggs?  These two platters remind me of the dozens I have watched my mother and grandmothers prepare - and those I've prepared in latter years.  I have my grandmother's "thousand-eye" platter, and I love to use it (carefully) on special occasions to share these simple-yet-tasty bites of Southern tradition with family and friends.

The trunk?  Well, it makes me think of summer camp.  I never had anything this large or exotic in which to tote my belongings to camp... and frankly, I never needed anything this substantial.   Nonetheless, it makes me think of summer trips, vacations, and long-ago retreats to visit relatives or get away to a beautiful resort or the big city.  Now, I think it would make great storage, a wonderful conversation piece, or the perfect coffee table for an eclectic den or "man cave."

For more things that make me think of summer, visit my Etsy treasury - "Celebrating Funtastic Summer" - and take a look at all of the wonderful treasures I have listed in my Etsy shop... This Reminds Me...  You're sure to find something that transports you back in time to the summers of your youth... and maybe there will be some you simply can't live without this year!

Pass the Pottery!

My goal today was to add a few more interesting pieces to my Etsy store - This Reminds Me...  So far, I've listed three items - all wonderful examples of U.S.A. pottery - a yellow ware/spongeware bowl, a brown drip "bee-hive" bowl that is likely Monmouth pottery, and a Hull pottery brown drip sugar bowl with lid.  All three treasures are in incredibly good condition and would make great additions to a collection of U.S.A. brown pottery.  In fact, if they don't sell, they may find a place on my shelf with the MarCrest I have collected in recent years!

5" Yellow ware/spongeware U.S.A. bowl

Brown drip (Monmouth?) "bee-hive" bowl

Hull Pottery Brown Drip Sugar Bowl with Lid

Did you see the beautiful Westmoreland Wedding Box I listed on Etsy?  It's a beauty - and a rare find, as the low-footed boxes are not nearly as plentiful as their pedestal kin.  This one would make an incredible gift for a new bride - or the mother of the bride.  Why are they called "Wedding Boxes"?  Because they resemble a wedding cake.  This is a true stunner... it even has its original sticker!

Westmoreland Low-footed Wedding Box Candy Dish/Comport

I am still listing items for sale on Etsy - at the current rate, I will probably be listing for the rest of my life!  Hopefully shoppers will like what I have to offer, and soon my shelves will have room for me to buy more treasures to share!

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

Online Selling... A New Adventure Begins!

I've sold a few treasures online for several years now... on both eBay and Etsy.  But recently, I packed up all of my treasures at a booth in a local antique store and moved eveyrthing home to our garage and closets.  Now I am in full-fledged online sales mode!  Over the next few weeks, I will be photographing my wares and listing them on both Etsy and eBay.  I have some beautiful pieces... and some that are quite interesting and unusual.  Look for me on eBay under "songwriter57" and at Etsy in my shop, This Reminds Me...

Here is my latest Etsy listing - a beautiful Belber wardrobe trunk.  It would be great for display of your linens and other treasures, as a storage piece... or most especially as a unique coffee table.  I would prefer to arrange for local delivery, but if you are located across the country and willing to pay for UPS shipping... I'm willing to pack the piece and send it your way!

Keep watching for more treasures and great vintage pieces... I'll keep listing!