It’s one of those times in my life when I wish I could just stop the world for about a week, so I can catch up on things that have been put on the back burner for days, weeks, months and even years. I am on a tear to get things done. I have been organizing my way through the house and am making some real progress, so that’s been encouraging. I’ve also been getting caught up on e-mail, insurance stuff, paperwork, cleaning my kitchen floor and other not-at-all fun things like that. It’s slow, but steady, but I’m really ready to have my computer back (the drive died and is being replaced) and get to working on furniture painting and upholstery and creating things.
Before that can happen, we do need to be able to…you know…find stuff…and walk in the workshop without having to high-step around and watch out for dear life. My mom and I made a huge dent in the basement mess tonight while all of the boys were at Awana. We put an absurd amount of trash on the curb to (hopefully) be collected in the morning and another huge pile to take to the thrift store. At one point, I went out to the curb to add another chair to the pile and a cute family was out there, thrilled at the curbside freebies. It made me so happy that the things that have been cluttering up my basement were going to someone who felt like it was Christmas.
More to come on “the great purge” later. I’m still waiting for my new lenses and the workflow without my computer is a real pain in the rear, so I’ve been a little lazy about taking and posting pictures the past few days.
I did take some pictures of some beautiful ironstone mugs I picked up before I went on vacation. I’ve seen a stray mug here and there, but never bought them. When I saw this set of six, I couldn’t resist.
I love the scalloped detail on them. If you notice, they don’t have handles. Apparently that was common with old ironstone mugs.
I’m not sure how I’ll use them, yet, but I can think of dozens of uses off the top of my head.
…and they are ironstone, which is my very favorite thing to collect. If loving ironstone is wrong, I don’t want to be right.
What would you do with them?
70 Responses
I love those cups!! I have never seen any!!
My Mother always told me if it’s too hot to hold–it’s too hot to drink! it has saved many a scorched tongue for me. She told me at a Chinese restaurant so maybe it was a Chinese saying?
I love those! So many wonderful uses! Do you have any tips for where I can find some ironstone? I LOVE IT! But, way out here in Montana it is hard to find! I will keep checking ebay and etsy for now 🙂
Hard to find in Iowa, too!
I love your cups. I have some that are similar and I use them for all kinds of things. Pudding, desserts, snacks and fruit are some of the regulars. My son loves pudding or jello in any ‘fancy’ glasses or cups. It just makes something so simple into something special.
I love old ironstone too. How wonderful to find a set like this! I could see them lined down the middle of a table with tealights inside. Or filled with custard for dessert!
Such pretty mugs!! I think the possibilities are endless….holding desserts, small utensils or paintbrushes, toiletry items, candles, soup, hot chocolate or coffee, miniature trees or topiaries, etc., etc. I LOVE how things that you love seem to find their way to you!! When you shared the ironstone from your opa and oma’s home, it was like the pieces were just waiting for YOU….because you would treasure them. That’s how I look at it, anyway. On another note, I hope that couple at your curbside knew who Miss Mustard Seed is!! I would have been downright giddy!
Hi Marian:
Can you tell me what kind of finish you have on the table in this photo shoot? It’s got such a pretty sheen to it. Thanks!
Can u show us a picture of the bottom. I keep looking at bottom of what I think is Ironstone (as I want to start collecting it! ) & I have seen a couple different things that say Ironstone. One say England too. I am confused ! Thanks ! When my mom is with me she helps as she owned an Antique Store or 20 years . However, she isn’t always with me when I am out antiquing or garage sales, thrift stores! Thanks!
The tricky thing about ironstone is that it isn’t always marked and it was made by different manufacturers. You really have to get to the point that you can tell what it is by feel and look. If it’s marked ironstone, then it’s ironstone. My post, Ironstone 101, will hopefully help you out. https://missmustardseed.com/2010/09/ironstone-101/
Oh my word! I am green with envy. What would I do with them? Why, I’d take them from you, that’s what I’d do with them 😉 They’re absolutely beautiful, Marian!
Can I just say that it feels ever so refreshing to hear that someone else besides me can get behind and buried in a load of “to-dos”! I can relate as a Mom of 4 little ones and new to blogging. Blogging actually keeps me sain by connecting with others! You will feel great after your all caught up. What would we do without our awesome Moms? 🙂
I would use those for pudding/ tapioca, also vegi dip.
Lovely find Marian! I’d follow my sweet mum’s example and make Bird’s Custard and put a nice fat red cherry in the bottom of each mug before pouring the warm pudding in – then 6 happy people can go looking for buried ‘treasure’ at the bottom of the custard cup and enjoy the sweet simplicity of a good old fashioned dessert! I do it all the time in a set of mismatched pink depression glass tea cups and my children just never get tired of it!
Luv these, what a great find, I would make some delicious chocolate mousse, yum! Enjoy your new find:)
Those are pretty cute mugs. I love to put tapioca pudding in my heavy custard cups. Also have two as salt cellars (sea salt and kosher). Using them for flower arrangements at each place setting would be nice. By the way, you go girl, on purging. I’m on “staycation” and am trying to clean and get rid of stuff, too. I love my dog severely, but she sheds so much, I feel like I’m in fluff all the time.
We learned at a museum once that tea cups didn’t have handles in colonial times, and coffee cups did. Those are gorgeous!
These are definitely made for bright little posies of flowers. Or as tealight candles on the edge of your bath 🙂
Marian, these are so classy, I’d love to make creme brulee in these lovely cups!
Thanks for sharing
xo
Hmmm… I’m pretty sure the best things to do with those mugs involve chocolate somehow… chocolate mousse with whipped cream on top, hot chocolate with whipped cream, chocolate lava cake with…. well, you know. Guess they’re calling out for whipped cream, too! And a sprinkle of cinnamon. Great share, Marian!
Oh yes, it’s so easy to get behind on things when there’s so much going on. Sounds like you’ve made great progress!
And those tea cups are darling.
I think I would line up those lovelies on my windowsill with lil sprigs of rosemary and lavender! LOVE IRONSTONE!! I found a $2 antique ironstone pitcher at a local thrift store this summer. It’s in the Fig pattern, just INCREDIBLE! no cracks, chips and some beautiful crazing. Good luck on your organizing!! So far, all I’ve done is read about organizing. baby steps….
looks like the perfect cup for ice cream!
Tiny miniature topiaries marching down the middile of a Christmas table or at each place setting.
The great thing about Ironstone is that you can use it any time of the year or season. I hope to find some great goodies (Ironstone included) when my hubby and I go to Round Top, TX this fall for antique week. Its a combination of different shows….think Luckett’s on steroids!!
I’m pretty sure the cups were originally considered custard cups. Very cute! Congratulations on the great excavation. We did that a while back and it is so nice to feel organized. The tough part is not buying stuff and refilling the home.
Marian,
I wish I was near your discard piles on the curb. I wouldn’t mind your cast offs.
The ironstone mugs are just deep enough for a really soft warm chocolate nut brownie, scoop of vanilla ice cream, Hershey’s syrup on top. I always love a deep dish or mug so you can dig in and combine the flavors. They would also be great for tomato soup and gilled cheese.
rick
A ton of ideas– but you know you have to put a preserved boxwood in at least one!! They are the CUTEST cups and I love the no handle–so many more uses!
Same story. I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t been able to lift a paint brush. I missed it and I can’t wait to start painting again.
Oh my goodness, these little mugs are so cute. I have never heard of iron stone. What a neat little collection you have! 🙂
go online and look up Bernadaud (company) Louvre (pattern) dinnerware….it’s porcelain but absolutely stunning….each piece is detailed after architectural aspects of the Louvre. Very sturdy dinnerware that looks delicate….I love it
(your cups reminded me of this pattern)
Hi! Marian,
What you have are ramekins! We have several sets of them and they are so nice for puddings, egg custard, tapioca, and individual tarts. Also, if yours are big enough, you can bake apples in them. And in a pinch, when we were “between” houses, we used them for shrimp cocktails, since my little shrimp cocktail glasses were packed. One more use: dyeing eggs at Easter! Enjoy your little treasures!
I am also an ironstone collector and LOVE those mugs! They would look great with some herbs or succulents growing in them. I’d do that if any weren’t perfect, the perfect ones would go in the china closet with the rest of my ironstone and I’d use them for decorating as needed throughout the year. It looks like you scored with those.
I used to collect green Fireking until Martha Stewart started showing her collection and everyone on the planet decided they needed green Fireking, now the price has skyrocked. Luckily I’m over that obsession… So keep talking about how much you love ironstone and my collection will only increase in value! 🙂 Although like you, it really wouldn’t matter the value, I just love the color and feel of it.
I would use those mugs/custard cups as herb planters on my kitchen countertop, or as pencil holders in the office (if I had a fancy office), or as toothbrush holders in the bathroom. I like the idea of tiny topiary pots that someone suggested earlier.
Love your blog, love the cups, but sometimes there is a little bit too much dialogue about busyness. Remember, this is the life you have chosen!
These are really lovely! I especially like the detailing. They can be used for so many things.
I have some that are similar, but smaller and with handles. I’ve used them at Easter for individual place settings. I put potting soil and a spring flower(s) in each. I purchased a 6 pack of flowers for 99 cents at Home Depot and then tied name tags with string on each stem. It’s a frugal, yet easy and beautiful place setting idea.
These cups are oh, so lovely. Besides all the wonderfully delicious things people have mentioned…. I can see oodles of additional ideas! How about filling them with pretty little mini pumpkins painted in MMS colors with grapevine twigs, berries etc.. to welcome fall? Or filled with moss and a small crabapple atop? Or a single sunflower floating? How about making one into a pincushion with a big rounded top and vintage fabric for your crafting area? Or if you are willing to part with one or two…how about filling them with some lovely tea, a vintage spoon, and some honey for someone ill, or cocoa, marshmallows and peppermint stir stick for a teacher appreciation gift at Christmas? The list could go on and on…. 🙂
The possibilities are endless! Enjoy them for however you use them!
All the ideas are as wonderful as the cups themselves. But I would put in hummus with a tray of veggies for movie night. Too small for popcorn, but the hummus and veggies are healthier anyway.
They are beautiful and appear to be “Pot de crème” cups to me.
well, my first thought was fill them with chocolate pudding!
Reading your blog has gotten me hooked on collecting Ironstone! 🙂 Love the mugs.
I am from NC and we love what my children call, “sauce-dippin'” chicken and those little cups would be perfect for my vinegar sauce. They would also be great for hot tea. Great find!
they are not mugs, they are cups…and they are wonderful!
I would use them for chocolate pots de crème. Started collecting ironstone since reading your blog. Love it!
So, I do like “apron strings” for a name, although to me it doesn’t convey any color. But I think it could fit with your traditions.
Now, for these cups. Beautiful. I always think soup, just a small bit on a luncheon plate. Or there is a tradition, French, I think where many restaurants, maybe even nice dinners at home where the starter (even pre-appetizer) is called ‘amuse bouche’ such a delightful name for just a little jump in the mouth. Perfect I think for your cups/mugs.
Oh, those would make the prettiest little pots for succulents!
Marian,
I love these cups and all of the ironstone you’ve shown on the blog. You have fueled my interest in ironstone and I’ve begun collecting it. Thanks so much for the inspiration.
Shelly
I love those as well as any ironstone piece. They would be a good toothpick holder, small fresh flowers, and little packets of articial sweetener, all for your kitchen You are getting lots of good ideas!!!!
I was recently able to acquire a collection of small ‘frogs’ for flower arranging. I would put one in each cup with a simple arrangement of maybe 3 or so colorful flowers and line the cups up on the center of a dining table. Maybe zinnias or gerberas! Of course then I would have to have a small lunch with some friends!!! Congratulations on the find, Marian!
Oh I would stack them and put on display..they are awesome!
How about filling with flowers? You could cut peonies really short and have them pop out of the cups.
I absolutely love your cups.I think that I would use them according to the season on the dining room table or buffet.Just like the others have, I’m sure that you will come up with many ways to enjoy them.
You could plant a topiaries in them, like boxwood, rosemary etc.
Oh yes, I do love ironstone. Those mugs are awesome!! I would use them as dessert bowls, cocoa au lait with cream, yum. Di@Cottage-wishes
They are so sweet., what a great find. I’m seeing small collections of color – various blue marbles in one, metal buttons in another, pastry beads in a third,…..
If they are old I would not use them for planters as over time they may stain. I too would go dessert too. Chocolate pudding, stove top cooked is so easy and so delicious. Our grandson loves it with some heavy cream on top. Bread puddings would also be good in them.
You could use them for a salad bar for the various little toppings such as: bacon bits, cheese, croutons, boiled egg.
or
in your work shop for bobbins, thread spools, needles, etc…
“If loving ironstone is wrong, then I don’t want to be right” – cracks me up! Sounds like an old song. Hey, they made a song about a thrift shop recently, you never know!
Use in the bathroom for cotton balls, Q-tips, toothbrushes, make-up brushes. In the office to hold pencils, tacks, paper clips. Use them for a mini herb garden and place them in a tray…..
Love them too…now I want them!
Stop the world, I wanna get off….totally reminded me of this Christian song I used to sing with my kids back when they were young http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYzmcCwRU7M
They are wonderful! I would use them for afternoon tea.
Must be something in the “fall” air — I am on an organizing tear as well! Each day yields some progress (and a decline in my stress level), but I am also ready to get back to some creative projects. Thanks for sharing your journey.
I found your blog just last week through your tutorial on making slipcovers (which was great, by the way–and having sewn a lot, everything made sense to me).
We’ve been renovating and reorganizing our house, and one of the things that gives me great joy is putting stuff out on the street and seeing it disappear. We’re not often fortunate enough to see the things being taken, but on a couple of occasions we’ve seen families very excited, hardly able to believe their good luck in finding what they want for free. We have a lot of stuff that we could sell, but giving it to those who can use it makes us a lot happier.
You have a great blog and have done marvels with your house. I don’t know how you do all you while caring for your boys.
BTW, love the mugs.
I would set mini pumpkins on top either down my harvest table or my windowsills! 🙂
I would place the mugs with a favorite fall napkin in tray with various grains, beans, corn with dainty tea lights atop. Who doesn’t love a little candle light in the fall? But eventually any mug must be used for soup!
I recently started following your blog…the first blog for me. You have such a calm invitation in your writing and photos. Thank you for sharing.
Karen
ALL great ideas. I say PUDDING !!
so pretty! I scored a set of white ironstone handled teacups (no saucers) from Goodwill!
Soup, puddings, custards, fruit crisps, chili
I would use them for sauces with a favorite recipe
These are exceptional!!! I am just dying to find some of these for tea. Thanks to you, my mother and I have developed a full blown ironstone obsession! Let the hunt begin!