What Readers are Saying About Vintage III
Hi there! I hope you enjoyed your enjoying the long weekend. My sweet daughter came home from college for her first visit since she left in August. Needless to say, it has been so good to spend time with her, but on Saturday she had plans, so my sweet husband chauffeured me to several garage sales. I’m looking forward to sharing my treasures with you soon 🙂
Today I thought we could take a look at some reader comments, questions, and insights that I’ve received over the past few months. I love hearing your interesting stories and learning the fascinating facts you have to share. I guess it goes without saying that a blogger without readers who engage via comments and emails would not be much of a blogger; they’d be more of a diarist, LOL.
Never in a million years would I have guessed, four year ago when I started my blog, the warm friendships that I would develop with readers all across the country and into Canada. Why am I getting all goopy? A couple of days ago, while reading an email from a reader, I got teary with the wonder of the lovely friendships that I’ve formed with you, usually over our common interest in vintage, of course.
And so I wanted to take the time to say THANK YOU for reading, for conversing, for praying at times when I’ve been in need, and for sharing your passions with me. You are awesome.
I’d also like to thank everyone who entered
my 4th Blogaversary Giveaway and congratulate
Nettie the lucky winner!!
And now, let’s take a look at some of those comments, shall we?
Suggested Website
One reader, Elaine, read my post about Wade Whimsies, and she shared a great website filled with info about these darling pottery collectibles. It’s called Pricklepin, and it references a number of English manufacturers and various collectible characters, like Winnie the Pooh and Brambly Hedge.
Reader Project
Janice, who blogs at A Positive Outlook, wrote me a while back and mentioned that she had made one of my projects: the jute webbing and mini wreath Christmas ornament. Pop on over and see her darling renditions.
While we’re on the topic of this Christmas craft, I want to mention that the lovely people at Country Sampler magazine wrote and asked if they could use it in their special Christmas issue.
They just sent me a copy, which I think can now be purchased from your magazine stand, and there I am on page 54. My first publication in the hard copy of any periodical. Thank you Country Sampler! The issue is filled with great ideas that I know you’ll love.
Help with Identification
Lois wrote and asked if I could give her any information about her Burleigh Ware set of china, and after doing a little research, I told her what I had learned.
Burleigh pottery, a 20th century china manufacturer, is located Burslem, a town near Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire–England’s pottery manufacturing center. “Stratford” refers to the name of this pretty floral pattern, which I believe dates to about the 1930’s-40’s, and it is rimmed with 22 K gold. They are still in business today, and you can find out more on their website: Burleigh.
Geo. F. Basset Co. (seen at the bottom of the mark) refers to an American company dating to the 1870’s that imported china from France, Bohemia, and England. They would have imported this china into America and distributed it to various stores throughout the country for resale.
It’s hard to value china in today’s market because it is greatly undervalued, and of course I don’t have it in my hands to feel the weight and texture of it or see any details.
If you had an entire set I would value a set of 16 pieces (4 place settings) at about $50, if in excellent condition. Individual serving pieces could go for $10-30.00 each. It might take some time for the right buyer to come along since, as I mentioned, the market for china is not good right now.
Not too long ago I started a private Facebook group
for readers who want to chat about vintage & antiques.
We’ve been posting our latest finds, pieces we want more info about,
photos of our antique booths, and projects we’re working on.
Feel free to join Your Vintage Headquarters here!
When I admitted that I didn’t know what these discs were, several readers helped identify them back in April, but “Katzcradul” was the first: “They are aluminum racks that you would place in the bottom of a pressure cooker/canner to keep food (canning jars) slightly elevated out of the water.” I’ll be using them for a craft I have in mind but it’s always good to know an items original purpose. Thanks!
Rita from Panoply suggested, and another reader, Kathy, concurred that perhaps this leatherette container is a camera lens holder. Kathy further suggested that it could be repurposed into a crochet hook or knitting needle holder. Good idea…
This over-sized safety pin garnered a number of comments at Vintage Finds #179, which I got for free at an estate sale, along with a large number of other free items. Carrie commented generally that she “would have lost [her] ever-loving mind” had she been on the receiving end of such generosity(!).
Virginia said, “I think the large safety pin may have been used by a college laundry service. Had one when I was on the swim team, could have stinky clothes washed for free!”
Another reader commented that “When I was about 11 years old in the 1960’s, I had a kilt skirt that was very popular at the time. It had a safety pin identical to yours that held the skirt together in the front. Mine was red and beige plaid! Loved that skirt! Great find!”
And finally, Sandi, from Old New Green Redo, wrote, “Dear Diana, Free, honestly—you have the Thrift Fairy on your shoulder all the time. The large pin is probably from the late 50’s, early 60’s. Kilt pleated skirts were popular at that time-and the pins were used to keep the skirt front from opening. Often they had tassels attached and sometimes school charms. Very nice lot you found, thanks for sharing!”
I love the idea of having a Thrift Fairy on my should–made me laugh out loud!!
Suggested Repurpose
Kathy had a few suggestions for how to use these little cuties: votive holders (add a velvet ribbon for glamor), vases for your children’s dandelions and violets, and, if you can find lids, lotion holders (their original purpose, of course). Add a vintage label for even more interest and decorating possibilities. Great ideas Kathy!
Suggested Cleanser
Kathy (from the milk glass ideas above) also recommended a dollar store cleanser called Awesome. This is what she had to say about it: “Have you discovered Awesome? It’s a dollar store kind of cleaner but IT WORKS!!! The orange fragrance leaves a nice CLEAN scent. Just spritz a nasty, grimey treasure and watch the brown crud drip off. All those nooks and crannies with eons of cigarette smoke/dust/grease run off! It is good [for cleaning] inside bottles, too. It also takes off the stickum from price tags and jar labels with a bit of a scrub.” Thanks for the suggestion Kathy–I’ve got to get some–
That’s it for this installment of “What Readers are Saying About Vintage & Antiques.” I hope you enjoyed it and will keep those comments coming!
Thanks so much for stopping by–
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New farmhouse merchandise just added-
Great post! The feedback and suggestions are always great on your blog.
Congratulations, Diana, on being published in Country Sampler magazine.
Love the camaraderie! And a big congratulations on the magazine article!!
I am the LUCKY recipient of the wonderful 4th Blogaversary bundle! Thank you so very much. Lots of unique things are coming my way. Happy Fall Y’All! Regards, Annette Crain (Nettie)
Diana, congratulations on your being published in Country Sampler! I love that little ornament, and I’m sure CS readers will too.
Love your blog, your friendship, and your sharing of knowledge like you do! ! ♥♥
I LOVE Awesome. A couple suggestions, one use in well-ventilated area, really! That stuff is powerful. Also, when cleaning old paint, it can make the paint soft again. I didn’t even have to repaint one old piece. One negative, it can destroy the graphics, like on an old tin (sigh). I use it all the time, but I am careful with color.
That pin is a blast from my past, for sure. I had a green tassle on mine, to pick up the green in the plaid of that skirt, as I recall, I had two plaid skirts with pins. Of course, one of the pins came with the skirt and was chrome and specially made for the task. La-dee-dah for sure.
Specifically, at what store could I purchase Awesome cleanser? Thank you!
Dollar General / Dollar Tree
Thanks! I’ll look for it!
Congratulations Friend! Love all the info in this blog. Make it a regular event!
Congratulations on your magazine “spread”👏🏼😆. You’ve arrived!!!!
Awesome cleaners are very strong and really live up to their name.
Don’t forget the product “Undo” which is very helpful and effective for sticky labels.
Congrats on being in Country Sampler. This sweet little ornament is one of my favorites from your Christmas projects. I totally agree with you about the friendships and comradery that come from blogging especially in our niche.
Lots of great tips, suggestions, etc. as usual. Congratulations, Diana on the publication of your Christmas craft idea!
Will run out tomorrow and get the Country Sampler magazine since you are featured in it. This is a great magazine with lots of info. Congratulations!!
Congrats on being published in Country Sampler magazine! I made a bunch of similar tags/ornaments and they are so cute and easy to make; the public is going to love them. I turned some into pockets for gift cards, too. Thanx for quoting me–my 10 seconds of fame. I buy Awesome at our local (Maine) Dollar Tree and a Maine based store. Have not seen it in grocery stores. Can’t keep house without it. Besides cleaning up vintage treasures, it does well cleaning my stainless steel sink. It does streak on glass but that’s why we have Windex! It has only taken off water soluble paint on one tin so far on me. I enjoy your blog so much–and have learned so much, too.
Diana,
Congratulations on your four year anniversary and on being featured in Country Sampler magazine! I agree about the Awesome Orange. It is a great product. It works so quickly and greatly reduces the amount of scrubbing that you need to do.
I encourage you to keep up the great work you are doing with your blog. It is one of my favorites.
Kathy
Well, honestly you do find awesome items. Only fairy that’s been good to me lately is the Barbie fairy, stumbled upon a bag of vintage Barbie clothes—1960-64 that I had almost died, then because we couldn’t afford them. Post to show up soon as I figure out the new to me, camera.
and, Congrats on the Sampler magazine—your little wreaths are just adorable. Smiles!
Diana, congrats on your magazine feature!!! That’s totally thrilling, and well-deserved. Such a cute little craft too. Recently I found some jute webbing similar to that at an estate sale, but was disappointed it didn’t have the red thread like yours. It was a little pricey too, so I didn’t get it. Your posts are always so interesting. You had some good responses this time from your readers. I’m interested in the Wade Whimsies…going to keep an eye out for those.
My tablet has been down and I haven’t been able to keep up with your blog lately. Thank goodness its fixed! I was so excited when I saw you had used my comment on your large safety pin! I am honored ! Now to catch up!!! BTW, I love your flannel shirt crafts! Now the search is on for the perfect flannel!! 💖
Congratulations on being featured in Country Sampler! I can’t wait to get my copy and tell everyone – I KNOW HER! At least in blog land LOL! It is the perfect magazine to show off your ornament too.
I’m not sure how big that pin is but my daddy was in the Navy (when I was a little girl a long long time ago) and I remember him having one of those on his laundry bag and on his big green duffel bag. I was fascinated and terrified by it – it looked like it could kill someone. Speaking of the Navy – it’s the Naval Station Norfolk’s 100th birthday this year. God bless everyone in our armed forces!
Always look forward to your posts!
What a great series! Love to follow along:) Kudos on the Country Sampler feature — you go girl! The first of many, I’m sure! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!
xo Kathleen|Our Hopeful Home
Hi, Diana,
I came over to your blog from FB Your Vintage Headquarters and have been exploring it for a while now. I am really enjoying all your great information. I was excited to see this post about your featured project in Country Sampler magazine’s Christmas Decorating 2017 issue. Your mini-wreath ornament is adorable! I am also featured in that issue beginning on page 82, “A Candy-Colored Carolina Christmas”. My potting shed becomes Santa’s Workshop at Christmas.
Thanks for your wonderful blog and for the FB group. I look forward to lots of enjoyable moments reading through and interacting with you and your readers.
Warm wishes,
Barbara