One is Never Enough...

What is it about Ironstone? Why does is call to me so loudly? I think it might be the fact that is is simple, classic, and white. Maybe it's because it comes in so many beautiful shapes? Whatever the reason, I am addicted. Like Lays potato chips or Doritos, or chocolate chip cookie addicted. I can't stop at just one! I have been collecting for a couple of years now, and I love the creamers and sugar dishes in particular. And I have many. WHAT? Don't judge. They MAKE me take them home! ;-)

This week I found another beauty while I was out on my regular thrifting run.

Here she is...

 Isn't she gorgeous?

Meakin for only $1.99! Not a scratch on her either! In fact, there was still a bit of sugar in the bottom when I brought her home to clean her up. I like wondering about the people who owned, and also loved these pretty treasures before me. I am always amazed that these wonderful pieces wind up at the Goodwill and other thrift stores. It's most likely because family members are not always aware of the value of such pieces when they are cleaning out the homes of lost loved ones. 

I like to think that I am giving them a new happy life. Another shot. After all, one is never enough!

I have been collecting ironstone strictly from thrift for a few years now. Oddly, when I was an antique dealer, I was not collecting for myself at the time. Weird. I'm complicated, what can I say. Maybe it's more attractive to me if it's more challenging to find? I think that's why I won't pay full price on ebay, Etsy, or antique stores for it.

Here are JUST my sugars and creamers...I will show you my entire collection sometime soon.

I bought all of these for anywhere form .69 cents to $3. Not bad, huh? I think there may be 3 or 4 displayed in various spots in the house, that did not get gathered for the pic.

 Do you see why they make me happy? I keep hoarding them and hoping to have a white kitchen for them someday soon.

 I love the different shapes. They just don't make things this pretty anymore.

And since one is never enough, I found another fun thing to have more that one of...

Got these at the flea market this week for $3 each!

 I think they are so cool.

 I bought 4 of these. One of them is metal, which I have never seen.

 I love anything with letters or numbers. The older the better.

I may or may not have a sickness. 

Whatever. I'm happy, and so are my new collections, I think. 

Hope you have a fantastic weekend!

xo

-Lisa

Linking to the following...

I Hate Math, But...

I was straightening up the house today, and lamenting the fact that I don't have exactly the photos that I would like to share with you for the post I was planning today. See, today was supposed to be the Master Bath Reveal post day. But...I did not like the photos that we shot, and the light is only good late in the day, so I have to re-shoot.

Today I thought I should share a few new additions to my ever growing vintage abacus collection. I REALLY don't like math, but I love the texture of these old abacuses so, that must be what draws me to them. Anyhow, I bought two more at a little antique store in Carpinteria this past weekend.

I took this photo at the store, then I decided that I should buy them. 

 Now that they are at home, I am deciding where to put them. They are currently leaning against a wall with another cool find that is waiting to be hung on the wall.

I've never seen an abacus with a handle before, so I am thrilled to own one.

 This vintage japanese abacus is on my nightstand in the master bedroom.

Another random collection of mine hangs just above it.

I have a couple more in beween cabinets in the hallway that I posted about earlier here.

And finally, one more in the guest room. I will probably add my new ones in here, since I took some away to create the new vignette in the hallway between the cabinets.

This room has a bit of an asian feel, these elephants are actually opium weights from somewhere in asia? I just thought they were cool. I think I bought them in Singapore, but I am not certain.

Since I was in the guest room, I thought I would share a vintage Chinese add for Bayer Aspirin. I just love this.

Vintage adds were so pretty.

So, I think I have proved...even though I hate math, I can still love abacuses!
See you tomorrow!
xo
-Lisa

A Little Slump, Another Little Project, and a Collection.

HI everyone! I hope you are having a fabulous week. Sorry I was nowhere to be found yesterday. Truth be told, I am in a little bit of a slump. I have been putting so much time and energy into projects and posts for the blog, and then last week when I lost the content on my external hard drive, it kind of took the wind right out f my sails. I feel like my blog and I lost momentum, and I am a little bit bummed out. I have also been waiting on results for a test I had last week, and though the preliminary results look good, I can't totally exhale until I receive the full doctor's report. (I think that is pretty normal for a cancer survivor.)  But, because I am not one to wallow in a funk for very long, I am back, and coming out swinging this morning!  Today I am going to show you another little project that I was able to do the other day, while I was working on my burlap frames.

I have had this antique piece for a while now, and it hangs at the top of my staircase. It is a servant's bell call - type thing. (Yes, I just named it myself!) Anyhow, it has a little circular spot at the top that, at one time probably contained some kind decorative finish piece. The empty circle has always bothered me. Details, details. That's where I live! ;-)

While I was playing with the burlap and cardboard for my frames, I decided I would make a little temporary fix for the empty spot, until I find some perfect old architectural piece that fits. You KNOW I have a picture in my head of exactly what I want... Since that may take a while, I went ahead with the little project for now.

Here's the servant's bell call thing-y. ;-)

 Pretty cool, huh? Too bad I don't have a library. :-(

 See the GI-NORMOUS empty spot?

 I made a little cardboard and burlap fix with our last initial.

 That little stand was a "temporary" piece of furniture until I found the right thing....that was 10 years ago. I really have had my eyes open...just have not found exactly what I want. Maybe I should focus on it a little more, but there always seems to be something else more important.

 The leaf plate hanging on the wall is part of a little collection of Syroco vintage plates. I just really like the texture of these. As I have said before, I am a texture girl. If the lighting were better, you would be able to see the veining on the leaf, creating that texture that I love.

 Here's another with either lotus or lilly pads...not sure which.

 I liked the swirl on this one.

And another floral. I suppose these would look so much better if they were on/in a fabulous old bureau  or etagere. Ah, well. I will keep looking. It's like the forgotten zone. Do you have a forgotten zone in your home? Please tell me I'm not the only one!

Hoping you are all having a fantastic week!!

xo

-Lisa