Showing posts with label wish list. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wish list. Show all posts

Monday, April 4, 2011

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:

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Cute Stove Looking for a Hot Teapot

At all times I have in my head a tiny thrift wish list, a few specific items I've placed patience on in order to find them secondhand.  If an item is on my thrift list, I will not cave and buy it retail. Most of my material wishes make it to the thrift list; not many material things in this life are urgent. One item that is on my thrift wish list is a retro teapot, or any enamel teapot that tugs my heartstrings.  My only real criteria for this thrift teapot I am trying to find is that it be a kettle and please my dreamy eye.

Daydream of my retro kitchen, teapot included
Cutie in need of a hot teapot

In my imaginary kitchen, I always see a quaint, verging on cute stove with an adorable teapot atop it.  Now that I drink tea almost every evening, I truly do desire a teapot that is more than decorative.  It's funny that I developed a liking for tea in the last year, I used to only drink tea if I was sick or eating Chinese food, and then one day my adult tongue started thinking, Tea! A spot of tea is what we need! And so it came to be.

I have stumbled upon a few potential teapots, but they haven't been The One. Common problems have been: they're too chipped, out of my price approval, or the inside has rusted.  But I know that I will find my teapot soon, my Mrs. Potts is out there, I just need to find her.   

Red & Aqua. Brilliant & Beautiful.

This teapot would be ideal and it is available on Etsy here, except I'm determined to thrift hunt my own, the buy always feels more meant to be. This teapot is pretty cute, though. I do have an unwavering crush on aqua and red together, but I'm pretty set on meeting my match in a thrift store. I'm pretty confidant I'll find something just as cute and not have to pay shipping or waste packaging.
Fingers crossed! xx



And how perfect is this teapot tea infuser for a Charmstruck girl?


Sigh. Hopefully I'll find my teapot in time for the tea party. I haven't been invited to one yet, but it'll happen. *hinthinthint*


Excuse my many imaginings today, I'm sick in bed and this is all making me feel much, much better. :)