A few weeks ago, I got the auction itch. I need to find things for Lucketts and auctions are a great way to get a bunch of things in one place…sometimes. So, I browsed online to see what was up for sale at an auction I used to frequent. I saw something that made me pick up the phone immediately and place an absentee bid – ironstone. Lots of ironstone. Three boxes of sugar bowls (sans lids) and two boxes of platters. Since they were boxed, I knew they would be sold as a lot. I placed a strong bid and waited; waited for the phone to ring the next day to tell me I had won. The phone didn’t ring.
I’ve actually had conversations about those sugar jars and how I can’t believe my bid didn’t win them. I was really disappointed. They got away and I was sure I wouldn’t find a box lot of ironstone sugar jars, much less three, anytime in the near future. If only I had been there…
Then today, the phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Hello, is this Marian?”
“Yes.”
“Your sugar jars have been sitting in my office for a few weeks. Are you going to come to pick them up?”
“MY sugar jars?! I won them?!”
“Yes.”
“Nobody called me! I’ll come get them today. Thank you so much!!”
I won two out of three of the boxes – a total of 12 ironstone sugar jars.
Some of them are really beautiful and unique…
I’m going to keep a few of my favorites and then sell the rest at Lucketts.
When I wasn’t running off to pick up sugar jars, I was cleaning out my basement and did some kickboxing. It was a full, productive day that came to a leisurely end with a dinner of grilled veggies and some pasta…
…playing in the yard with the kids and now snuggling on the couch. A good day made even better by ironstone sugar jars.
51 Responses
Beautiful. I have a few. I love to put fresh bunches of zinnias in them.
Yay for ironstone! That has happened to me before, you think you lost the bid and then you get the phone call days later…don’t these auctioneers know how precious this stuff is to us! Hahaha
I love the look of white ironstone, I never see it around this area. These are beautiful!
Hoping to get to spring market, hope there are a few left.
I recently started to collect ironstone, would love to buy
1 or more!!
Hello – I just wanted to tell you how much I have enjoyed your blog the last few months. I am currently stationed in Afghanistan for 6 months and I look forward to reading your blog everyday. I am sure my family was thrilled to hear that I going to paint some of my furniture and make curtains for the master bedroom and everything else I have read on your blog since I have been here. (I got big plans) I can’t wait to see the tutorials that are you are doing for HGTV. I was wondering what type of camera you have, it takes the best pictures. Keep the post coming, it something to look forward to.
Melissa, thanks for your service. Be careful over there!
Thank you for your service Melissa! May God bless you and keep you. Glad you have some time to do some things you enjoy. Come home safe and soon!
Hi Melissa and thanks from me as well! Just noticed that the camera MMS uses is listed on the right under “my favorite things.” It’s a Nikon D7000. Come home and tear up your house soon! 🙂
Melissa I wanted to also thank you so much to you and your family for your service. My son-in-law has been there twice. God Bless you and all the other soldiers there. I pray for all of ya’ll every night. We do care and we want ya’ll home soon.
Hello,I love ironstone and would like to know if you’d see over the internet? How much are you asking the the ironstone sugar bowls?
Susan
Yeah! so pretty! and who doesn’t love ironstone!
Oh, my goodness!!!! I just love ironstone. I have a few pieces that were my Mom’s, but I am always on the lookout for more.
I bet you were ecstatic about getting them! 🙂
jodi
Those sugar jars would look beautiful lined down the middle of a dining table filled with pink roses! Or filled with vintage flatware. Or holding toothbrushes…or paint brushes…or…well, I am sure you will think of something wonderful!
Congratulations Marian what a nice surprise to find out that you won those beautiful ironstone sugar bowls!
Looks like my kind of dinner yum!
xx
Anne
That’s so weird they didn’t call you! How wonderful for you! The jars are beautiful. I love when a piece speaks to me and I have to have it because it’s makes me feel something when I look at it. Sometimes I don’t even know where it’s going to go, but I know it needs to be with me. 😀
Lucky you! Those jars look so lovely. I would see myself do a whole table setting with them. Line them up and fill them with Spring flowers.
Oh, sigh, can you ship them over here 😉
I just learned about ironstone and I have to say those sugar bowls are beautiful!!! If you do happen to sell any online, I would definitely be interested! 🙂 I would love to attend the Lucketts fair, but I live too far away. I hope to make it someday! Thanks for sharing!
OOh those jars are awesome! They’d look so pretty lined up on an open shelf someplace… maybe something painted with MMS paint? LOL Congrats! Great score!
Susan
What a great story. Isn’t it wonderful when you have a day that is filled with the little pleasures in life and you end up feeling so fulfilled? I am so envious of those stout little ironstone sugar bowls! Wish I could make it to Lucketts! Alas, it is much too far away 🙂
Thanks for sharing.
Fondly-Lisa
That is so cool. I love ironstone and don’t have any sugar bowls, lovely for you. Di
Lovely sugar jars. I’ve been wanting to get some ironstone pieces, but haven’t run across any locally. I guess I need to spend some time online looking around.
Yum!!! Now I’m craving zucchini and asparagus. 😉
I used to do P90X and the kickboxing workout was my fave.
Marian: Can you share what auction you used to frequent? I think I am local to you (Central PA) and would love to know a good auction house. I know there are several. Thanks.
Grteat finds.
I am in AZ but love an ironstone sugar bowl. Can I buy one from you? Thanks.
Those are beautiful!
I can’t wait for you to open your online shop so that those of us who live nowhere close to Lucketts can finally get some of your wonderful finds.
Oh you lucky girl! Those are beautiful – I especially love the one with the leaves at the bottom of the handle.
Now THAT sounds like a great day!
Cindy
Hmmmm, I love me some Ironstone. Beautiful!
What a great surprise…Melissa you’ll have to share your projects when you get back…love seeing all the…brag things people do…will keep an eye out for your name…Hope your Home very sOOn !!!..saying a simple Thanks never seems like enough..but…TTTTTThanks !!!
I have learned something today, thank you.
This is what I love about these sights( right word ?)
The ironstone sugar bowls really are very charming.
You have now put a bee in my bonnet.
Could you please tell me how much one would cost. So I know what to expect to pay. I am totally clueless.
Thank you for your time..
May you continue to have great success with your finds Marian.
Love hearing from you everyday
Marsha
Wish I lived, nearby! I would visit the market! I love all of your beautiful finds. Take care!
You hit “the mother load”! Love!!!
Love the ironstone! Can’t wait to see it (oops, you!) at Lucketts!
Oh what fun!!! I love when things like that happen! Can’t wait to see all your finds at the Luckett’s sale!!! Hugs! Jennifer
These are beautiful! I want one!! Soo, wish I could get to Lucketts. I’ve never been but it’s a 5 hour drive so maybe one day I’ll have a chance to go! Great finds!
Where do you find ironstone? I’ve been to antique malls, coonsignment shops, antique shops, and NOTHING! I am in an ironstone desert.
Okay, Marian, I know you are one busy lady, but you really need to get an online shop up and running! This is such a huge tease, considering I live to far away to shop at Luckett’s. One can only dream . . .
Thanks Melissa, for what you are doing for all of us. Get home safe and start decorating! Love Christi’s idea for an ironstone parade down the middle of the table or anywhere ( china rack in MY kitchen). I ditto the online store idea; hope to get to Luckett’s, have been twice before but it’s over five hours from home in New York. Should we bid?!?
Don’t you just love those treasure days!!!! How much fun you will have decorating with all those sugar bowls. Did you win the platters too? Enjoy and thank you for sharing.
Oh wow! What a great find. I love ironstone and those sugar bowls look pretty spectacular! Isn’t it nice when when a plan comes together??
Mary S.
OOOOOH! Can’t you tell us what the auction site is?
What a happy surprise! Sounds like a good day all around : )
Jeanette @ Creating a Life
hi Marian … love the ironstone, Never heard them called sugar jars … only sugar bowls, but they are not really bowls … ???? I have several ironstone sugars with lids and I just love them, and always willing to add to my collection. If you sold one to ever one who comments wanting one, you would be sold out. Good luck at your Fair.
Blessings,
Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures
Hmmm…yeah, I guess they are called sugar bowls. Is “sugar jar” a Marian-ism or are they called that, too?
OK–keep the WHOLE load of all the sugar bowls and if you have the platters too, keep them as well. You can make more of a profit by selling them to each one of us than at Luckettes. I think too that it would cut your work in half, as far as getting ready for the sale.
I am willing to come and help clean and sort out the basement with you:))), sounds as though your treasures are all down there! What are you holding back from us????:))
Your day was a great day and always remember the good times with your kids because they grow so fast. I do know your kids will always remember the time mom took for them:) I am guessing you are feeling much better since you are out playing, what a great way to work out!! The veggies are exactly how I fix them as well, grill everything!!! Coat them babies with a little olive oil season and grill! Try a baked potato on the grill, but that one potato would have to be the only white carb for the day or once a week. I rub the potato with olive oil and pierce it with an ice pick, micro for a few until almost done and than rub a tad bit olive oil and salt it with the course sea salt and put it on the grill until done, usually for 5 mins. at the most. I have never enjoyed a potato so much until I tried this. When you eat it, stuff it with the veggies and top with cheese!!
You are blessed and keep the faith, GOD is GOOD!!!
Hi Marion, what will you use the sugar jars for? (other than sugar, of course!)
Hi, Glad you got that phone call, what fun!!Those are very pretty sugar jars, I would buy one also. I mapquested how far the Lucketts Fair would be from here(Massachusetts)and it is a 10 hour drive!! Maybe next year I can plan to spend some time down there. Looking forward to your online store. Hope you sell like crazy at the fair!!
Ok. This may sound like an out there question but….is there any way I can purchase one of those sugar jars from you?! I live way out here in SoCal and I cannot find ironstone like those…anywhere!!! Mmm???
Oh, I love your blog by the way!!! 🙂
Blessings,
Tracy
Fallbrook, CA
Hello Miss Mustard Seed,
I just have to tell you how much I love reading your blog. When I am scrolling through emails, I look to find yours first. I read it, and re read it, and love to look at the fabulous pictures of your home. Your home is so inspiring. I am trying to use more blue and white in my home. Love the fresh look. You amaze me with all your projects!! Anyhoo……I would love to have a couple or three of the sugar bowls. I live in AZ and will not be making it to Lucketts. Please let me know.
Many thanks,
Jill
Congratulations on winning the auction, Marian!!
Whoa ladies! There is a pile of ironstone on eBay, not all outrageously expensive either. I was lucky enough to find a bunch of it in my great-aunt’s attic after she died when we were clearing out the house. It was just sitting on the floor under the eaves; several platters and a tureen, some pitchers. No sugar jars though! The hunt is the joy! ENJOY!