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.

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.

Opera Prop Shop

I discovered a Chinese opera prop shop!

The ornate tassel above is part of a costume from a Chinese opera

 and it now serves as a drawer pull in our living room.

I also picked up this cute little hat with a gigantic pompon

There is my drawer pull in the middle of her hat.

Lulu and Deke have the week off from school and we plan on discovering more hidden treasures in Shanghai. Finding the opera prop shop was quite an adventure, it was sandwiched between wig shops on a bustling street. I downloaded some wonderful photos from inside the shop, but I can't figure out how to get them on this computer.

It is loads of fun stumbling upon a street that is dedicated to one type of product, and I was thrilled to discover a road teaming with art supply shops. Deke was not so thrilled with the road we will call "hanging meat" and Lulu's delicate constitution was challenged as we walked down the middle of "still living & freshly dead chicken lane". We have plans on visiting a few foreign language bookstores today and eating at a French bakery.

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.

 

Wowee!

Linda MacDonald's adorable daughter in

Flea Market Style Magazine 

I finally found Flea Market Style magazine at Target tonight. I had been obsessively checking Borders, Barnes and Noble, and Target daily for this highly anticipated publication. I can honestly say that it is worth driving all over town for, it is truly beautiful!!! The magazine is loaded with beautiful photographs, charming collections and wonderful home decorating ideas to steal. I bought an extra copy to offer to a reader and I will include some wonderful vintage treasures from my collections. You just need to leave a comment on this post, and I will draw one name on Tuesday, Feb. 23.
I would like to thank Linda MacDonald for writing such a lovely article about me and my blog in the magazine, I am honored beyond words.

Lulu's Pins and The Pin Winner

Lulu celebrates President's Day everyday with her cool collection of political buttons. She has them displayed on a her giant 13th birthday sign from a couple of years ago.
The lucky winner of the giant safety pin is Suzy!!!!

Hip Hip Hurray

fleamarketstylemag.blogspot.com

I just read on my friend Linda MacDonald's blog Restyled Home, that the beautiful magazine Flea Market Style has been seen on store shelves! Matthew Mead, Ki Nassauer, Linda, and many other  talented people have been working very hard on this wonderful publication for what seems like forever. It has been fascinating following their progress over the past year at fleamarketstylemag.blogspot.com.  I will brave blizzard like conditions to check my local bookstore and Target for a copy. If we can't have an early Spring, I will gladly take an early release date for Flea Market Style Magazine.

Top Five From The Junk Heap

If you had to pick your top five finds from junk stores, flea markets, estate sales or the curb, what would you pick? As I assess the usefulness and aesthetics of everything in our home I have given this question a tremendous amount of thought. The green map chest is perfect for organizing my ephemera, the church bulletin board is an excellent way to display things (junk), the birdcage is perhaps the least practical but it makes an excellent candle holder. Deke's odd semi-circle wine tasting table makes a perfect desk, and the old hotel chalkboard is the only way I know where I am supposed to be every day. These are all keepers.

We Are Very Amused

Two of my favorite books

Dale Chihuly sculpture Victoria and Albert Museum

Queen Victoria with Prince Albert and their nine children

I went to see the film Young Victoria a few days ago and I had a fine time! A period film with plenty of dining scenes, beautiful costumes and I am thoroughly amused. I have always had a great fondness for Queen Victoria and one of my favorite books contains many of her beautiful sketches and watercolors. The Victoria and Albert Museum in London is also one of my favorite museums and it houses the best museum gift shop in the world!
I am hoping during our travels I will find antique silver lockets from the Victorian period.