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Ironstone

Antiques

ironstone pitchers | which way should the handles face

This post has been sitting in the drafts for a while and I opened it up, looked at the pictures, and it made me smile.  So, let’s dust it off.  This post draft came from a few comments I’ve received over the years about the direction of the handles on the ironstone pitchers in my photos.  Obviously, I place things carefully and intentionally but had never thought about which way the handles should face.  I just arrange them in a way that looks aesthetically pleasing to me. Over the years, though, several blog readers have pointed out that most of my handles tend to point left.  Then people ask if I’m left-handed.  I’m actually right-handed, but I play several sports as a lefty.  I do left-handed cartwheels (when I did cartwheels), play mini golf, and hold a bat as a lefty.  I throw with my right hand, though.  All of

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Antiques

buffalo china | bargain finds

Several years ago, I received a tip from one of my local friends in the antiquing community.  She told me there was a huge stash of like-new vintage buffalo china at a thrift store and I might want to go check it out.  Well, as an ironstone lover and an antiques dealer, I couldn’t turn that down!  So, I made a little day trip to the thrift store and my jaw dropped when I saw this.  I had been warned, but I wasn’t expecting this much buffalo china.  I wrote about the entire experience HERE. I made dozens of trips up and down stairs, carrying hundreds of heavy pieces of buffalo china in small plastic shopping baskets.  I was a woman determined!  I did finally give up, though, and I really didn’t even make a dent in the stacks. I sold most of the pieces at the Lucketts Spring Market

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Antiques

thrifting & antiquing in Raleigh

  I have always enjoyed poking around town, and checking out shops I haven’t been to, so that’s what I’ve been doing with my mom and mother-in-law.  We hit some antique malls, thrift shops, and used book stores just to see what we find.  I am not buying any larger pieces but rather taking pictures of pieces I feel drawn to just to do some “imaginary shopping.”  I have been buying a few small things, books, and frames for paintings.  (You can see what I bought in PA HERE.)  It’s been fun to do a bit of shopping. So, my mother-in-law took me to Fuquay last Wednesday, which is just a few minutes from their house in Raleigh, and we went to The Guardian Angel Thrift Store and two antique stores. This thrift store is great.  It’s well-organized and has a wide variety of home goods, furniture, clothing, accessories, and

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All Things Home

a beginner’s ironstone collection

Yes, moving is a pain, but I have to say that there are aspects of it that have been very enjoyable for me.  I’ve loved going through all of my things and deciding which ones are my current favorites and which ones are ready for a new home.  (You can read my thoughts on letting go HERE.)  It’s been fulfilling to see a fresh excitement about pieces I’ve had for a while.  And it’s been satisfying to clean out the cabinets and thin things down.  I’m looking forward to shopping for new pieces that are just perfect for whatever house we end up in. But, I’ve also gotten to do a bit of “elfing” for a few people who have reached out to me to surprise their loved ones.  One of those projects was putting together a beginning ironstone collection for someone who has some empty shelves to fill and

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All Things Home

building an ironstone collection

I read an article on ironstone in a decorating magazine (I think Country Home) about 20 years ago and have been smitten with it ever since.  I can’t tell you exactly what draws me to it…  maybe it’s the simplicity of it, the creamy-white color, the variety of shapes and designs, the luster of the glaze.  I can’t tell you why, but I love it and it’s one of my favorite things to collect.  I’ve been collecting it since I found an ironstone pitcher in a dusty, crowded booth at an antique mall in Florida.  I’ve since bought and sold thousands of pieces of ironstone, adding to my collection along the way.  I’ve become quite the ironstone hound and can spot it from across the room. If you love ironstone, as I do, here are a few tips on building an ironstone collection of your own… Of course, the first

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All Things Home

Sue’s Ironstone Palette

A few weeks ago, I spotted these amazing palettes on @whiteflowerfarmhouse feed and my heart started fluttering.  It was a little hard to believe that I was looking past all of the ironstone pitchers, but my eyes made a beeline for those beauties.  I immediately sent a message to inquire about purchasing one.  As I was making the inquiry, Lori informed me that it wasn’t just a vintage palette, but it was made of ironstone!  An ironstone paint palette!!  Are you kidding me?  It’s like it was made just for me. It’s unfortunate that The White Flower Farmhouse store (and so many other businesses) have to be closed, but I love that I’ve been able to shop from them online.  I’ve been drooling over Lori’s shop for a long time! Anyway, I was able to claim the palette before anyone else and it was mine.  I was over-the-moon. Let me

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All Things Home

german ironstone cake stands, a belgian bulb crate, & $100 giveaway

When I shared about the antique butcher’s rack from Maria of Dreamy Whites, I shared a preview of a few other things she sent me.  They were worth sharing in their own post because the items are so special. I’ve been sitting here for several minutes trying to think of how to describe the unboxing of these gifts and I’ve found it difficult.  I think it has to do with the overwhelming generosity of Maria’s gifts.  Not only was she generous, but she seemed to pick out the perfect pieces for me; items she knew would have a place in my home and that would touch my heart, bringing joy.  They wouldn’t just be appreciated and liked, they would be cherished and loved for a long time.  They would join the ranks of some of my favorite things. I received two large boxes from Dreamy Whites and I immediately felt

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All Things Home

favorite things | ironstone molds

When I shared the ironstone mold I purchased at the flea market over Mother’s Day weekend, I received a few questions about ironstone molds, so I thought I would share more about them.  My collection started a few years ago with, of course, my love for anything ironstone.  That love even led me into buying an ironstone spitoon, which I wouldn’t do again because #1 what do you use that for and #2…ick.  Anyway, I came across an ironstone mold and at first debated buying it.  It had a beautiful design on the inside, but it looked a little clumsy and plain on the outside.  And what would I do with it?  Pitchers and bowls and plates and the like can all be used for something (even if they are mostly used for display.) The one I was debating, though, was a good size to plop a plant in or

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I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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