adventures in thrifting: july 2019

Over the past few weeks, I’ve found some really fun treasures while visiting my favorite thrift stores, and some new ones.

Since I love setting tablescapes for each season and holiday, I’m always on the lookout for some specific items like transferware, vintage glassware and linens but once in a while something just catches my eye, and the price is just right, that it may start a new category of collecting.

Transferware is at the top of my list when I'm out treasure hunting. When I walk into a thrift shop, I always head to the plate aisle first. Yesterday I found this amazing group of red transferware, the five larger plates above.

The smaller plates were found with Laura a few weeks ago. Although blue is my favorite, red is a close second. Look how pretty they look in an abstract arrangement that would be so pretty on a wall in the dining room or kitchen. 

Of course, they always look spectacular on a table when mixing and matching patterns and even colors of transferware.

And speaking of spectacular, when I saw these tea cups on the shelf, I grabbed them so quickly that it was like an out-of-body experience! My instincts kicked in and they were in my cart before I knew what happened.

Hand colored transferware is so pretty, and these little tea cups had no saucers, but that ok, because it’s easy to find red transferware saucers and it makes the whole look of them more interesting when we’re sipping tea with mismatched sets. 

I just love all the details on a pattern like this, and when the inside of the cup has a design, that’s a huge bonus!

Collecting vintage pie plates is something I fell into quite by accident. I picked up a few here or there for special projects like a Thanksgiving story or special recipe I had to share, and now I just think they’re so cute!

This cherry pie plate was found about a week ago, and it'll fit in just right with the other ones I already have.

What I love most about them is that the recipe is printed right on them, and of course the graphics are fun too. The pumpkin pie plate right above the strawberry pie plate is by Rae Dunn, and all the rest are vintage. 

Pumpkin pie seems to be the most popular!

You may have read my blog post about collecting state plates and souvenir plates, so you know I’m always on the hunt for them.

I found this Ohio plate in the one thrift store I went to in Mammoth over the weekend. Thrifting on vacation is one of my favorite pastimes. You never know what you're gonna find!

One of the most amazing things about shopping at thrift stores is that the money you spend goes to charity in most cases. The proceeds of the Mammoth thrift store goes to The Wounded Warrior Project which is an amazing organization that helps injured veterans.

In addition to helping the community, shopping a thrift stores reduces waste as we reuse items that may end up in landfills. 😊

Now back to our regularly scheduled program… just kidding! 😉

What I really appreciate about the transferware type of plates is the intricate detail of each pattern. Copper plates are engraved and then the design is "transfered" on to thin sheets of paper where it is then applied to a plate or other item. Sort of like those rub-on tattoos for children.

This blue transferware plate shows a tower of Yale University and is made by Wedgwood. Look at the detail in the border. I just love that zig zag pattern with the floral motif.

And now, on to glassware… I don’t collect a lot of glass items except for goblets and water glasses that I use for setting tables, but vases are also quite useful for tablescapes.

I couldn’t pass up these pretty blue vases, and the two in front are even hand-blown! I just love their quirky shapes. Wouldn't they look amazing with white roses or hydrangeas in them? 

They're not too big, and are just the perfect size for an intimate gathering. They'll be featured soon on a table, I can assure you! 

I also found a set of these vintage goblets in the most fabulous navy blue color yesterday. There are six in this set which is perfect for the table. 

Jasperware

Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been enthralled with Jasperware by Wedgwood. I don't know why, but I think it's the patterns with the people on them that has attracted me all this time, and the bisque finish is so elegant.

I mostly have typical blue trays and covered boxes with the raised white pattern, but this round box in the cutest pumpkin shape really had my name written all over it! It's so perfect to hold a few special pieces of jewelry.

This funny little tureen or large sugar bowl makes me laugh a little bit. Those large handles on each side are so cute, and they just remind me of Prince Charles for some reason! 

Anyways, brown transferware is always so perfect for fall and especially for Thanksgiving. Take the lid off, add some pretty flowers or stems of autumn leaves, and this makes the prettiest centerpiece for your table!

And while we're on the subject of Thanksgiving, how about a pumpkin embossed platter that's so beautiful, it would be stunning as the centerpiece of your hutch or even displayed on the wall for a seasonal touch. 

Of course using it to serve turkey would be the obvious and perfect choice for this platter, found for next to nothing yesterday at Goodwill!

I hope you enjoyed this little part of my thrifting adventures of the past month. I do have other collectables and plates that I didn't photograph, but chances are you'll be seeing them soon in one of my tablescapes.

I'm actually working on some spring and Easter projects this week, so I'll share little snippets of those soon!

ciao! fabiana

collecting: souvenir plates

Sometimes one little treasured find can spark a whole interest in collecting something new. Last summer, I was all hot and heavy into collecting vintage colored glassware, like Indiana glass. 

This summer, I’m into hunting for Vintage Souvenir Plates. I have picked up a few here and there over the years, but this time I’m focusing more on the transferware type, both the blue and red varieties. 

Blue Transferware Souvenir Plates and Red Transferware Souvenir Plates, both on my radar everytime I go into a thrift store, antique store or to a yard sale!

I just love to use them for my table settings, but they also work quite well in a wall collage with different plates.  

Recently on one of my thrifting adventures with my friend Laura at the Orange Circle, I found a few really great ones.

I think it’s so fun to collect Vintage State Plates from places I’ve visited, especially my favorite cities, like this La Jolla plate.

Seattle is another one of my favorite cities, and I couldn’t pass this plate up! We had lunch at the top of the Space Needle, which was quite memorable. 

And that’s what collecting and souvenirs are all about, memories. It’s a way for us to capture a moment in time, so we don’t forget about the fun time we had on vacation!

This New York State plate is quite different and so pretty with its pastel colors. I found this one a long time ago, and it’s one that I really treasure, having grown up in upstate New York.

It's a real beauty that crosses over to another collectable that I love, map plates. I have found some interesting ones from England and Scotland, as well. 

These next two photos are examples of pretty settings from Better Homes & Gardens magazine.

Aren’t they fun!?

via etsy

Here are a few collections from around the web that are interesting.

via Jojotastic

This week I even found an Italian souvenir plate that’s hand-painted and so pretty! Santa Margherita is a beautiful coastal town in northern Italy near Genoa. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to visit someday? 

Another new branch of my collecting tree, Vintage Italian Souvenir Plates. So Fun!

What do you enjoy collecting?

ciao! fabiana

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