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.

Sweet And Sinister

I am so thrilled to have been invited by Kari Ramstrom to participate in Artsy Mama's dazzling blog/swap event! Sign up for the festivities here.  Over a dozen artists are sharing their ideas for creating wonderful autumnal and Halloween projects.

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.

New Stuff

We are moving from our furnished flat to an unfurnished home in one month. I have the task of furnishing our new home in China in a very short amount of time. I lucked out with a wonderful shop in Shanghai called Kenas.  I could easily take two of everything!
We purged lots of furniture in Chicago before our move and put our collections in storage. I can see all of these pieces working beautifully in our home back in the States. I am guessing that we will have to rent an entire ship to bring everything back.

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.

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.

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.

Win A Pin

 

Win a Pin!!!

Please leave me a comment if you would like your name to be entered to win this adorable giant safety pin wall hook. The peeps at allmodern.com/CSN  have generously offered to send this to one very lucky person in the U.S or Canada! I am so happy to have a giveaway before I ship off to China. I will randomly draw one name on Valentine's Day, good luck!

Don't forget to leave your name and a way to contact you.

cute mail boxes courtesy of:

moremailboxes.com

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.

All Modern

The good thing about pruning the contents of our home is the eventuality that it will all need to be replaced! I am day dreaming about a new look and style for our home. I have found a spot that carries just about every piece of furniture I have ever pined over, All Modern.com. They carry Herman Miller, Harry Bertoia, Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen and Philippe Starck.

(photos courtesy of AllModern.com)

Philippe Stark's Kartell Bubble Club Sofa is my favorite piece of outdoor furniture. I hope it will still be at this low price in two years when we return from China.

Recycle Art

Radiator chair, you will certainly need a cushion, but it looks cool!

Guest House made out of sewer pipe?

Headboard made out of books

Floor of copper pennies

All images from Recyclart.org

Recyclart.org is a wonderful site for finding inspirations for create repurposing. Why don't I have a top hat light in every room in my house and a copper penny entryway? What do you think of the little guest house made out of a giant concrete pipe?

When Did This Happen?

Found Dough Bowls

Found Wine Bottles

Vintage Soda Bottles

Vintage Soda Pop Crates

Very Cool!

Pottery Barn Chandelier

Pottery Barn is carrying old flea market stuff ?!? How can I apply to be their flea market buyer? I have loads of buying experience.
This very cool chandelier is new, but I love the idea of adding bits of ephemera and changing the look whenever the mood strikes.

Flea Market Style

This Lifesaver's candy display from an old candy shop was the perfect flea market find for all of my cupcake decorations. I snazzied up the beige sides with bottle caps.

The green mantle was once a crate used to store props for the
Lyric Opera of Chicago.
This is also looks wonderful lined with little white votive candles during dinner parties.

This long birdhouse was the perfect find for a little nook in our foyer. The kids hang their wet coats and scarves from the perches.

I love this tramp art mirror.

Deke's desk and chalkboard map make his room the perfect homework spot.

Flea Market Style is asking their pals to show off their best flea market finds! I can't possibly show my green church bulletin board one more time, but I do consider this to be the holy grail of flea market finds.
Here are a few of my favorite flea market finds for your perusal.