Thrift Attic to Basement: Japanese Tea Set

So not too long ago, I wrote a post about wanting to find an enamel teapot. I have not managed to find my thrifty enamel teapot, yet, but what I did not realize at the time of that post is that I do own a beautiful tea set...and more. I discovered it down in the basement.

This very box held my "new" Japanese tea set. It was buried under a pile of fake flowers and plants (which do not interest me). I would have assumed that's all the box had to offer, but my mom pulled it out, asking me if I was interested in keep my Grandma's set...

Was I!?!
 
What's hiding inside of that rolled newspaper is absolutely stunning! If I had seen these items in a thrift shop, I would have bolted at them like a feign! Instead, I got them for free!

Blue is my favorite color, so I couldn't ask for a more perfect set! I'm in vintage love! My Grandma Jones loved Japanese style, and most of her collectibles, like the Basement Lipstick Lady, were made in Japan.  I've come to understand that this tea set and the Japanese soup bowls to follow, were purchased by my Grandma from San Francisco's infamous Chinatown when she was younger.

Here are my "new" Japanese soup bowls that we're also bundled within that box:

There are five of the Japanese bowls, featuring a powerful, red dragon on one side, and a swirling rooster design on the other.  Each spoon (there are four, one must have broken), has the dragon symbol. What I like most about this soup bowl set, is the bright yellow cackle.  I can't wait to make some homemade Eggdrop Soup and slurp from those fancy spoons!

I never knew a soup bowl could express such sheer power, but these certainly do.

All of these basement items were in perfect condition, other than a small chip on the spout of my Grandma's teapot. I plan on using the cups and bowls, but I feel wary of using the teapot at all...we'll see. The teapot does have an infuser in it's spout, so it would be pretty nice to try it out, perhaps on a very special occasion.

Who would have guessed all that vintage beauty was inside that skimpy, hidden box?? I'm grateful my Grandma had such wonderful taste!

If you'd like to admire some more modern Japanese dish sets, Van, from Thrift Core recently shared her thrifted Japanese collection, as well. It's pretty cool, and features cute kitty art, so check it out: Thrifted Collections: Japanese Cups and Bowls.

My basement tea set just goes to show that sometimes we already have what we want...and it's quite the discovery.

Other Thrift Attic to Basement Posts:

Lipstick Lady

1931 Certificate

Thrift Attic to Basement: 1931 Certificate

I'm an avid reader and lover of books. Given the right story, I can get lost for hours.  So when I was digging around in the basement and came across this certificate, I couldn't help but smile.

It is my Grandpa James Jones' First Grade Reading Certificate, dated for the 1931-1932 school year.

The photo doesn't show as clearly on blogger as I would like, but it reads:

Wisconsin Young People's Reading Circle

Primary Certificate

for the school year 1931-1932

This certifies that James Jones, a pupil in 1st. Grade, Bryant Graded School, Langlade County, Wisconsin, has satisfactorily read the following books, which are on the list of books of the Wisconsin Young People's Reading Circle for the school year above named, and is therefore entitled to this TESTIMONIAL of MERIT.

The ten books my Grandpa read are listed in his teachers cursive hand:

"Surprise Stories"                                            "In Toyland"

"Happy Children l"                                            "Boys & Girls at Work and Play"

"                       " ll"                                            Can't decipher...something "Boys"

"Wag and Puff"                                                "At the Farm"

"Book of Pets"                                                  "Toy Town"

Given at Antigo, Wisconsin, this 6th day of March, 1932.

It is then signed by his teacher Helen and principle Maud.

One of his listed books

Many of these books have really simplistic titles, so I'd have to do a bit of research to figure out the precise ones he read. I keep wishing they had listed author names, too, but that's getting a bit thorough for a first grader I suppose....although, this plaque is pretty serious! It's certainly the most formal 1st grade certificate I've ever seen.  I especially love the line, "for the school year above named" and the way "TESTIMONIAL of MERIT" is in all important caps. My young, first grade Grandpa must have felt prepared to go read aloud to a king after receiving a certificate like this!

It would be something to go back in time and tell little boy James, that in March 2011 someone will be writing a public blog on his March 1932 certificate, wouldn't it? That's the way you get a kid to read ten books weekly! If not for the future publicity, the poor thing would research for years trying to learn what a blog is....one of these books must know! Or, more likely, he'd just shrug--Mom's gonna frame this, I'm good for the month!

I liked learning that he went to school in Antigo. When I was growing up my Grandpa and Grandma had a beautiful home in the woods of Pickeral, WI and we used to go out to dinner and run errands in Antigo.  My Grandpa traveled around a lot, lived in Rio for awhile, brought my mom and her two brothers up in Milwaukee, WI. But, I like that the town he went to school in corresponds with the thoughts I've always had of "Grandpa's house." James Jones, Antigo, WI...like he was always right where all my memories are.

Framed Photo also found in Basement

My Grandpa is a bit older than 1st grade here, 5th perhaps?  He lived on a farm when he was young and often needed to get up at about 4 am to do his chores before walking the miles to school.  In this photo he has sleepy eyes, and I can just imagine what a struggle it was to focus in class each day.  He was extremely cute though, and was a handsome man his whole life.  I'm the only one who was lucky enough to get his bright blue eyes, the rest of my family has hazel or brown. 

I lost my Grandpa Jones to a car accident when I was in 4th grade.  My brother and I were very close to him, and learned a lot from him in that short time.  He had an unbeatable charisma about him, and a childlike heart.  I will miss him always...

It makes me smile to come across these things; he's still telling me stories.
I plan on hanging this plaque by my bookshelf.

Have you ever uncovered something of sentimental value in an attic or basement, something you hadn't known was there?

Thrift Attic to Basement: Lipstick Lady

One of my favorite places for discovery is the basement.  People hideaway some interesting stuff in their basements, and as life upstairs takes over they begin to forget it even exists.  What makes the boxes down in the basement so interesting to me is that these boxes are full of stuff people could not let go of; basements typically hideaway the treasures people currently have no use for, but can't bear to part with.

I say, let's pull those boxes out of the corner, brush off the cobwebs, and start unwrapping our forgotten memories. At least, that's what I did with my mom on Sunday.  My mom will be having a rummage sale in May, and she wanted to know if there was anything of my Grandma and Grandpa's that I wanted to keep.  There certainly was. So much so, in fact, that over the next few weeks I will be sharing an item here and there that once belonged to the basement, and now belongs to me. 

Ever thrift in your own attic or basement?  The prices are amazing! Thrifting in the basement is as exciting as perusing a store, because the mind fogs over and forgets what's been packed away.  What one couldn't put to use, but couldn't let go of a few years ago, could very well be the very thing they need to tie a room together today.

To me, my mom's basement is an eclectic antique shop. Imagine a shop only filled with your family's belongings; each loved one's personal style; their memories...that's what many basements are, and it is inspiring.

I'm going to start sharing today with a little charm.

This darling Lipstick Lady belonged to my Grandma Jones.  She's a vintage Chadwick figurine and was made in Japan, which makes sense, because while digging through the boxes in the basement I quickly learned that my Grandma collected a variety of Japanese items (wait till you see the "new" tea set I acquired!).  These Lipstick Ladies were made in the late 50's early 60's, and were a popular vanity item.  When I saw this figurines sweet face I quickly pulled her out of the box, but was at first puzzled by her purpose. I thought toothbrush holder, and just as quickly acknowledged that the loops were way too big for that, plus three toothbrushes would block her precious face.  I held her up to my mom and said, "I love her, but I have no clue what she's meant to hold." When she told me lipstick, I fell in love with the little 6'' inch figurine even more.

  I'll add a little vintage to your vanity, and sweetly hold your lipstick till you get back -- I'm not one for pink, but this charmer won me. She also reminds me of my Grandma's style, her must-have pink lipstick and her room full of fancy lady figurines.  This is one overly girly item I just need to keep.

I'm thinking for the next several Attic to Basement posts I might attempt to do a linsky.  It would be fun to see what treasures others have hiding in their homes. It's free thrifting, it's spring cleaning, and it's surprisingly way too much fun.

Hope you'll link up to the next Thrift Attic to Basement post --  just wait until you see what else I all found!