Why is Jadeite Milk Glass so Cool?

 

Lovely Martha Stewart Jadeite Milk Glass Cake Stand

So, have you ever stumbled upon this absolutely dreamy, green glassware that just screams vintage charm? That, my friends, is Jadeite, and let me tell you, it’s the kind of collection that can make any kitchen or shelf look fabulous.

Vintage jadeite is like the cool grandparent of kitchenware. It's got history, it’s seen some stuff, and it’s still standing strong. Originating in the early 1930s, it hit its stride around the mid-20th century. People loved it not just for its aesthetic but because it was tough and reliable. Fast forward to today, and those vintage pieces are fetching high prices. You can also find new pieces of Jadeite on Amazon and at other retailers.

While vintage jadeite holds a special place in the hearts of collectors, the production of new jadeite offers an opportunity for enthusiasts to enjoy the beauty of this glassware without the hunt (or the price tag) associated with vintage pieces. Modern manufacturers have taken inspiration from the original jadeite, producing items that echo the charm and appeal of their vintage counterparts. These new pieces make it possible for anyone to incorporate the timeless elegance of jadeite into their home decor, regardless of their budget or access to vintage markets.

Kaboom

It's been 100 years, I know!

 I need to update you on my newest obsessions...

• Brooches, especially bug brooches. I fancy wearing three bugs at a time. 

• Intaglios (pronounced with a silent "g"). These plaster cameos were educational souvenirs that were all the rage in the early 19th century during the grand tours of Europe. I think of these as the early predecessor of the smooshed penny souvenir.

Portrait Miniatures- The smaller they are the more expensive they cost!  Toward the end of the eighteenth century, America was swarming with the finest miniaturists from Great Britain, France, and Italy. 

• Vintage menu cards, I am fascinated by what dishes were served for holidays and special occasions. 

• Cookbooks having to do with the Presidents and First Ladies. I vote for President Kennedy's chef as my favorite. 

• Pressed glass souvenir plates from royal coronations. WARNING, these plates are very affordable!!! 

What are you collecting?

Nie Hao and Xie Xie

It has been a very long time since my last visit. Facebook, YouTube, and Blogger are all blocked here, so it is rather difficult to post. It is hard to believe that we have lived in China for a year and a half. Sometimes it feels like we just arrived, and at other times it feels like it has been 100 years. It was quickly discovered that I no longer possess the ability to learn a new language, especially Mandarin. I finally scrapped my lessons and Mandarin teachers everywhere celebrated.

I have many new pals here and I drag them to the shadiest places I can find. Here are some photos from my latest outing.

 I am always a bit terrified that something is going to crawl up my pant leg here.

Places like this make me forget about all of the things I miss back home. I especially miss programs about hoarders, best TV ever. Is there something wrong with me? Drinkable tap water and buying shoes are distant memories. People will laugh and point if you require anything bigger than a size seven.

I have developed relationships with many of the vendors at my favorite antiquing street. Negotiations are done by passing a calculator back and forth. My favorite lady says "you killed me" when we finally  reach a price for an item. I have killed her on countless occasions.

Joyeux Anniversaire Papa

Antique shop in the French Concession

Today would have been my father's 72 birthday, he died in 1996 at the age of 58. He was a big Francophile, and he even moved us to France when I was in the fourth grade.  I have celebrated his birthday every year with a special French dinner, and I will do the same here in China. We are looking forward to dining in the old French Concession in Shanghai tonight, he would have loved this very French area.

French Concession, Shanghai

It has been fascinating coming across some of the papers he wrote, as they are being digitized and released on the internet. I have also discovered that he held a patent on "Thermal Decay Time Logging Method", whatever that is! Sadly, I don't understand a word of what he wrote either. His titles include: "Neutron Scattering from a Solution of a Polymer", "The Effect of Long-Range Heterogeneities", and "Time Dependence of Neutron Pulses in the Slowing Down Energy Region", huh?  It looks like I inherited his love of France, his propensity for putting his foot in his mouth, his sweatiness, but most definitely not his brains.

Antiques + Warehouse = Love

My first trip to an antique warehouse in China involved stepping over small piles of burning garbage and one dead animal. That said, I was still thrilled with what I found under all of the filth. Today I ventured to a snazzier warehouse, no dead animals and no fires. I bought an old basket (below) and the large pink papier-mache pot (pictured above). I can't wait to return with a few more coins in my pocket!

New House

Our new house in Shanghai looks like it could be just about anywhere. It is not exactly our style, but it suits our needs for the time being. I always imagined that we would live in an old lane house in the French Concession, but the kids weren't keen on the two hour commute for school.

We found everything at the flea market, antique stores and one very cool furniture shop.

Recreating The Cute

I have found a source for simple and super inexpensive glass containers. I will fill my jars with the cute candy I find during my travels. The candy aisle of the grocery store is one of my favorite spots, the packaging and graphics are adorable. There is quite a bit of candy imported from Japan and that wins my cutest candy prize. 

I bought this decrepit old blue chair from the flea market. The vendor was using the chair to hold a box of prints, and he seemed quite surprised that we were interested in the chair and not the prints. Most vendors start  price negotiations very high, sometimes 90% over what they end up accepting. The haggling over the chair started at his opening offer of $3.00!!!!

 I found the Mao doll at the coolest store in the French Concession called Madame Mao's Dowry. They carry the most spectacular old Chinese propaganda posters and wonderful antiques.

It occurs to me that with the glass jars and the beginning of a blue chair collection in China, we are replicating some of our favorite things from back home.

Just A Drop In The Bucket!

This suitcase is just perfect!

The statue of Chairman Mao riding in a Jeep weighs about 20 pounds.

I love this old green musical instrument

 it reminds me of our toy tin typewriter collection back home.

These old tin tea pots are the prettiest colors.

 I discovered the green one leaks after I filled them both with flowers.

The biscuit tins have such appealing graphics on them, this became an instant collection.

I have found the most wonderful things at the Dong Tai Lu Antique Market, here are just a few of my purchases. The market is open everyday and consists of covered booths and some very small crowded stores. I am not sure any native Shanghainese people have ever shopped here, it seems like it's just us visitors. To my delight the other shoppers seem more interested in finding jade pieces and Ming Dynasty vases...good luck!!!

I Miss My Pals!

We are slowly adjusting to our new lives here. All of my appliances are the sizes of toys and the controls are obviously in Chinese. It has been a challenge accessing my blog and I hope to sort this out soon. I have ventured to the flea market twice, once all by myself.  The haggling over prices is a beautiful piece of theater. I discovered I can't take Deke with me to the flea market, he starts negotiating on behalf of the vendors.  I have bought a rickety chair, beautiful blue ceramic bowls and vases, an old suitcase, a Mao statue, an old green musical instrument, and the most beautiful vintage cookie tins. I love junk shopping in China!!!!

Packing My Chinese Collections

We are getting down to our final days here, cancelling the cable bill, selling our cars and finding a good home for our dog. Pretty much everything is going into storage, and this includes our vast collection of cute Chinese things. It does seem quite odd that we have been drawn to these cute and kitschy Chinese images, without ever imagining that one day we would live there!

Pressed Glass Plates For Kings & Queens

My newest collection is pressed glass plates commemorating royal occassions. These were made in England as inexpensive souvenirs, and they are actually still quite affordable. I particularily love the plates and bowls from Queen Victoria's Jubilee in 1887. I am hoping that the British residents of Shanghai in the early 1900s left their plates in China, and I will find these at the flea markets in Shanghai!
The winner of Flea Market Style Magazine and a handful of vintage treasures is Leah.