“I don’t think of decorating as a science or a discipline. People always say start with the rug, but that is often the last thing I end up selecting. I begin with whatever makes my heart sing.”
-Deborah Buck
I’m still thinking about our estate sale adventure this past weekend. What a trip that was! It brought back memories of one of my all-time favorite blog posts. It was written by Darby at “A Fly Through My Window” back in 2009, and I enjoyed reading it so much.
It’s about an estate sale/auction she went to with her mother, and her words and photos transported me right through the screen. The post is called Viola “May” Johnson, and if you have time, you just *have* to read it. (The underlined links and photo above will take you straight over to Darby’s post.)
And while we’re on the subject of secondhand stuff, I thought it would be fun to start a new blog category called “My Favorite Finds” to share posts about the kinds of things that always seem to draw me when I’m out and about at the flea market (or now estate sales!), or clicking around Etsy and eBay. In each post (maybe I’ll do one a month?), I could start the conversation by picking three of my favorites, and blog about fun ways to use them, where I find them, how much they usually sell for, or maybe just share a fun story about one of them. I love learning about vintage/antique things too, so I’d love to do some research and include some of that kind of info in each post as well. And if a particular item is one of your favorites too, I’d love to hear your ideas and any stories you feel like sharing in the comment section, too. Sound like fun? 😀 Let’s try it!
1: Stoneware Crocks & Jugs
I have a small collection of stoneware crocks (and one jug) that I got from my Grandma, and man have I enjoyed decorating with them.
You can put them to work in so many places and in so many ways! As you can see, most of mine are fairly small, but I’m always swooning over the large ones whenever I come across them. The price usually prevents me from buying them, and I also can’t ever decide what I’d use one for. I’ve seen them topped with a round of wood and used as a side table, and it looks like the one in the photo below is being used as a wastepaper basket:
I’m not sure how practical it would be when it comes time to empty it (because they’re usually quite heavy and lining it with a plastic bag would kind of defeat the (pretty) purpose) but I do love the way it looks there. Maybe a plastic bag could be rolled a little further down inside of it so that it’s out of view?
This next photo shows one being used to hold a large houseplant:
(Joseph Bergin Architects on Houzz)
I’m not sure what the one on the right is doing, but I love how the crock on the left looks paired with a big fresh pop of greenery. I guess the trick would be using a pot & saucer or finding a plant that doesn’t need much drainage. (Suggestions in the comment section, Mom?)
It might be fun to use one to hold rolls of wrapping paper, and here’s an extra-large one that’s being used as an umbrella holder:
(Joan Heaton Architects on Houzz)
…and I guess, in that case, it could also be used as a doorstop if they wanted to make sure that back door stayed open. The nice thing about that particular crock is that it has “ears” you can hold on to when lifting it. Apparently if the ears don’t have holes in them (like the one above) they’re called “closed ears”, and if they do have holes in them they’re called “open ears” (like the ones in the photo below).
Who knew?
As for the cobalt blue designs on the front of the reeeeally old crocks- apparently ones from the 18th century were typically embellished with stylized loops, and images from nature, like flowers, animals, fish, birds and butterflies…
…and then over time, the designs became more elaborate, and included domestic items such as chickens, or political symbols, like the American Eagle. While researching, I also read that most old crocks used to come with a lid and most stoneware jugs used to come with a cork. The article said it’s not unheard of to find a lidded crock or a corked jug these days, but that they’re increasingly harder to come by. That was really exciting for me to read because I have a medium-sized crock with a lid and a jug with a cork in my collection! And speaking of the stoneware jugs- I love how Kathleen from Faded Charm grouped these three together as a centerpiece on her table:
I love the look of the “tough” crocks paired with the delicate tulips, but I think what’s extra-neat is that when the flowers die kick the crock, the vignette would be just as pretty without flowers, too! 🙂
And let’s not leave out Red Wing stoneware:
For those unfamiliar, Red Wing is a city in southeast Minnesota, and the Red Wing Stoneware and Pottery legacy goes back to 1877.
(PickedHome on Etsy)
I was born and raised in southern MN, so for sentimental reasons, I am especially drawn to pieces from that place!
2. Decorative Wall Shelves
(Sarah Richardson Design)
These things probably aren’t considered very “trendy” anymore, but I’m a cottage girl through-and-through, so they are still very much in keeping with my style, and I see LOTS of them (usually priced between $10-$30) at flea markets, on Etsy, and in thrift shops. I got this bent wood one on eBay a few years back for $16:
They can be really handy (and look really pretty!) above a desk, too:
This next one isn’t hanging on a wall, but how fun to think outside the box and use it on a tabletop, huh?
I won the one below on Etsy this weekend (I use keywords like “decorative wall shelf, vintage shelf, wall shelf, rattan shelf, and antique wall shelf” when I’m searching), and I’m so excited to receive it. The spool-style supports in between each shelf just make my heart sing!
I *think* I’m going to paint it a fun color, and use it to display my perpetual calendars on. Which brings me to my next track-stopper:
3. Perpetual Calendars
Karen Russell’s red metal one in the photo below was responsible for starting my love affair with the things:
There are so many different kinds floating around out there…
(All Things Stylish on Tumblr)
I’ve been collecting state-themed ones, and I’m planning to put them on the wall shelf I got on Etsy…
I don’t usually see many perpetual calendars in flea markets or secondhand shops, but there are always lots of listings for them on eBay and Etsy. I search for “flip calendar, perpetual calendar, vintage calendar” and they’re usually priced between $10-$25, depending on the condition.
Anywho, those are just three of my favorite “little things”. They don’t always come home with me, and I don’t always *have* to have them- but for whatever reason, they sure do make me smile. 🙂 I’ve started a Pinterest board called “I Brake For” to keep more photos like these organized. If you’d like to follow along, just click the banner below:
How about you? Are you a stoneware crock, decorative wall shelf, or vintage perpetual calendar kinda girl, too?
I really enjoyed this post! I love the idea of starting this as a once-a-month thing…I have a weakness for crocks, too. I recently found one at an antiques store that has a blue bird on it. I should do a little research to see what that’s about, but it’s really pretty. I have several, and my daughter-in-law dropped a hint to me before Christmas that she really likes mine. Guess what she got for Christmas? I love to put little Christmas trees in mine, pine cones by the woodstove for fire starter, sticks gathered outside for more fire starter in another one, magazines from time to time, and in the kitchen with utensils. I also love the wall shelves. I have several that I love to move around the house. One is now on top of a cabinet used as a coffee bar by the Keurig, and I love to use them in the studio…The possibilities are endless. Thanks so much for sharing and stirring our creativity!
Judy
judypimperl.blogspot.com
Hi Layla! I highly recommend estate sales as a shopping option. I live in Georgia and part of my business is doing estate sales. When I’m not busy working a sale of my own, I help 2 other groups of folks that run their own sales. You can find everything at estate sales, from high end antiques to unused/unopen cleaning products for a fraction of what they would be in the store. Check out Estatesales.net for sales in your area. I love my job!! Warning: estate sales can be very addictive!
I love posts like this. I love yard and estate sales too! You can find the most wonderful things. Keep up the good work and I look forward to reading your next installment.
I started collecting crocks when I first got married, well over 40 years ago. I won’t tell you what I paid for them then because it would break your heart. I have one crock or jug going up each step to our second floor and several others throughout the house. I have a huge one that we keep our pellets in. One of my sons told me that if anything happened to me he would get rid of all of them – until I showed him what they were worth, now he wants them. If you take any old broken up flower pot or even rocks and put them in the bottom of a crock, it should be enough for drainage for any plant.
Love all of these. For the crock as a waste paper can in an office, just stash a smaller metal or plastic can inside, lined with a plastic bag. Easy emptying…
I love stoneware crocks and have a few. I don’t think any of mine are worth a lot, but they speak to me and so I’m happy with them. I have one large one that is brown on top and stone colored on the bottom – not sure how old it is, but I found it in a little house shed at my MIL’s when I was first married 30 years ago and it had been there for a while, so at least probably from the early 1900’s would be my guess. I loved this post and the idea of a series on finds.
Oh my goodness! Those perpetual calendars are adorable! Never had a good look at them before! Love this post! Thank you!
I brake for dollhouses. 🙂 I almost never buy them, but I just can’t resist stopping to look. I have a small collection of vintage (and not-so-vintage) Fisher-Price Little People houses, but I’d really like one of the metal Wolverine houses, and I always drool over those Victorian dollhouse building kits at Hobby Lobby. Really, anything that looks like a house gets my attention, whether its canisters in the shape of houses or folk art paintings of houses. Anyway… I like houses! 🙂
Honestly had never heard of the calendars before,very cute! I also love crocks, but not the price tags!:) and I love this new series, I go to lots of auctions/sales and will love seeing the kinds of things that “float your boat”. Happy Sale-ing! ~Kim
Love this idea!! I was fortunate enough to find a HUGE crock (like the one in the mudroom in your pics) in the dirt cellar of the 150 year old farm house that my mother grew up in…and was recently sold. There were actually 2 but the second one had cracks through the entire piece. The one I brought home is in perfect condition and it sits in the corner of my family room with a large plant in it (in a removable pot)….I just love the look and that it’s got such sentimental value. I’ve now found myself looking for smaller versions when out thrifting!
i love crocks too. Most of mine were passed down from my mom. I have never seen an open eared crock though. I use a thin clear plastic basket liner in a crock I use for trash.
I got it at my local florist. It works great. I think after reading your post I’m going to be on the lookout for a perpetual calendar. I love the red one. Thanks for all the great inspiration.
Fun post Layla! You’ve got me thinking now about the possibility of collecting perpetual calendars. I love the shelf in your bathroom. I’m not really a big trend follower and only buy what makes my heart sing. my favorite thing to do is got to estate sAles and garage sales. love those huge crocks too.
I love crocks too, especially the giant ones!!! But yowza the price keeps me away!! I have a few that my aunt gaveme and one is red wing, which I thought nothing of until reading your post! So thanks for the info. I just saw a globe perpetual calendar online some where and fell in love, of course I have no idea where I saw it….I may have to do some searching!! The little shelves are adorable too my in laws passed one down to us adorable and we just hung it in our oldest daughters room! It’s the perfect size for a small space!!
Love the crocks! I collect them, too. Unfortunately, I have to share my sewing room with two cat litter boxes. Next to each box, which are on opposite sides of the room, I have a crock. Inside each crock is a large metal or plastic coffee can, in which I keep the litter scoops. It’s handy and sort of decorative.
Ah, I remember Darby’s post from 2009 so well, and often think back to it!! Unfortunately, I’ve STILL never been to an estate sale. I would love to go. I heard about one last weekend, but I was out and about on my own, and for some reason, the thought of going alone intimidates me! I’m going to have to scout for one and take along a friend. 🙂
I love collecting vintage anything, antique shops and warehouses are one of my favorite things to do lately. Searching for “lost treasure” is such a fun thing to do, if I could do it as a job I would! Like those Canadian/American Pickers? (one of my favorite shows)
Those are all really cool finds and collections! Some I’ve never seen before or thought existed!
Thanks for sharing
Cant wait to see more!
Lauren
http://www.lbdesigns1.wordpress.com
xx
I love the thought of starting the monthly post on favorite finds. One of my dearest friends whom, I would go treasure hunting with, passed away last year. She knew alot of history on many things such as crocks and had such luck finding the right pieces and the right price for everything. She could start her drive to work, and come across crocks and pails and many other things people were putting out for garbage pick up! And boy could she haggle! I’m slightly embarassed to even try! I hear people all the time talking about their estate sale finds and even yard sale goods but all I ever see is junk! This year though, I am going to make a stronger effort to seek out my own treasures and attend an estate sale. I think it is easier to have a buddy along too.
I’ve been on the hunt for 30 years both USA, England and France and have found many wonderful things. My collections have been blue willow (starting with my childhood tea set), inkstands and inkwells and netsuke. I quickly got priced out of the netsuke collection but at least they’re small and easily displayed. Mine currently live in a Shinto shrine on my bookshelf.
Which brings me to my next issue. Now I’m looking at downsizing into retirement living in about five years. I’ve had lots of fun collecting, displaying, using and just generally enjoying my collections but I no longer add to them. Time to start letting go…
I am from southern MN too, and I am lucky enough to have a Redwing crock in our entry way. In the summer it holds flip-flops, and in the winter hats and gloves!
Ok, the crock trash can–I love it, so cute. What about getting a smaller trashcan that could fit inside without showing? Then you could empty that, or line it with a trash bag and keep it upright and still not show….
I have one large crock I inherited from my grandmother and one jug that my mother gave me. She had no idea how she got it. The large crock holds my husband’s walking cane collection and the jug gets moved around as the mood strikes. Several cute shelves with my favorite being a Victorian corner shelf. No perpetual calendars but there is always the next collection to start, right?
A friend uses a large crock to store her growing collection of rolling pins.
I’d like a small one to keep on the counter near the stove, for the utensils I use most often while cooking. But I live overseas, and have never seen them here, so I guess I’m out of luck.
So I’ll enjoy them vicariously through photos I see online 🙂
I LOVE the idea of a monthly bit on vintage/antiques. My parents raised me on estate and garage sales and auctions. They had crocks setting all around their house. About 25 years ago, my dad did an odd job for a farmer. When he was done and the farmer was paying him, dad asked if he could just have the crock buried in the mud he saw out back. It turned out to be a 50 gallon red wing crock in perfect condition. He built a wood top and they have always used it as a side table.
So your post today brought good memories of my parents’ crocks. Thank you!
Have you ever gone to an auction? My husband and I went to our first auction a year ago and we are hooked. I have won so many fun vintage things. Over the weekend we went to one and I won a old wood drawer full of old bottles and mason jars and an old wood medicine cabinet. I plan to re-purpose some of the bottles as candles and soap dispensers and the cabinet I plan to use on a table displaying my soon to be collection of perceptual calendars. My husband bought me my first for Christmas and thanks to you and this post I plan on finding ones from each state that we have lived. I had no idea they even existed.
Oh and just an FYI a Peace Lilly will do well in a crock. I have a large crock that my mother gave me and I put a Peace Lilly that was already in an other pot down in the crock and it looks great. I just love the green of the plant against the color of the crock.
I love ’em all…. 🙂
I love crocks, too. I have about a dozen, I guess, and frequently use them as planters. I just put my plant in a flower pot and put the pot inside the crock. It works great – especially when the plan dies 🙂 If you “plant” the plant directly into the crock, the crock may crack or break.
I have two fairly large crocks that i use as trash cans (one in my bedroom and one in the bath). you are right, they are too heavy / cumbersome for me to just leave unlined. i use darker colored grocery bags cuffed down as liners. personally, i am ok with it!
this new feature is fabulous. i’m already looking forward to your next post about your fun finds!
also, you may have started a monster with the perpetual calendars. SO adorable! i used to work in a bank and would love to have a small collection…
I love the “cuffed down” liner idea! Someone here also mentioned tucking a smaller trash can down inside of it. Definitely going to have to keep that in mind next time I see a great big/great-priced crock!
I see you have lots of other helpful readers, too. 🙂 As Pam said, you could add a thick layer of broken clay pots, or large rocks before actually planting something in the crock. If you don’t over water, the plant will drink up any excess from this ‘reservoir’ as it is needed. I prefer to just place a plastic saucer in the bottom of the crock, and drop in a potted plant. Excess water will collect in the saucer when you water, until the plant needs it…much easier to change out plants, or take them outdoors for a rain shower : ) Great post, as always!!
Hi, Mom! 😀
I think I’ll go with the pot & saucer idea if I ever find a crock that big for a great deal. Any suggestions on an easy/cat-friendly one?
I think you should probably stick with some kind of indoor palm (parlor, lady, areca or bamboo). They would be a good height and shape for a big crock, too : ) xo
I really enjoyed reading this post and seems we like similar items. Thanks for including a photo of my stoneware jugs:-)
Have a wonderful week!
xoxo
Kathleen
I loved this post so much! And thank you for sharing May’s story. It is so hard to believe that a person’s life can be purchased at auction..I would have cried to. I know this because I have! I l love auctions but they can be overwhelming for us sentimental souls. I sometimes walked through thrift stores and find hand crafted items that were probably a gift to someone and get lost in wondering how someone could just give it away. Keep up the great work!
I love this post!! So fun to read!
Marcy
I have a big salt glazed crock that I use in my kitchen to throw dish towels in while they wait to be washed. You just reach in and get them without having to pick up the heavy crock. It looks great and serves a purpose at the same time.
Love estate sales. Always looking for Shiny Brite ornaments, serving trays and records. We had all sorts of skeleton keys when we moved into our house years ago, so there’s something else to add to.
My husband and I love finding and displaying old crocks around our house. I’m currently looking at a large ’12’ one in front of my fireplace used for newspapers. Then we have a few smaller ones in our family room.
I loved this post even though I was hoping for one saying you’re on your way to Haiti. 😉 I have a couple of old crocks my husband bought me years ago when I was more into “country decorating” but I still use them for plants and they work with my decor now too. The larger one has a plant that is setting on top of an inverted plastic flower pot to give it some height (with a saucer too.) I loved all the ideas and look forward to the future posts. 🙂 Now, I am off to read Darby’s post!! My husband and I love estate sales!! 🙂
I have a small round crock I use to store all my wooden cooking spoons in! Love crocks and big stone crock bowls have several of those! 🙂
Loved this post – because I love estate sales and vintage stuff! I also love Darby – she is a friend of mine and such a sweet person. I, too, have a love affair with perpetual calendars. My favorite one has tiny celluloid cards for the month, day, and date. It sits on my desk in my office. I am also in love with vintage typewriters, and baskets – especially wire baskets. And linens – oh how I love vintage linens! I am opening a store in Dothan this summer that will be like an old fashioned general store carrying vintage and new and lots of local artisan goods. Come visit if you get to Dothan. The name will be Naomi and Olive (my grandmothers) and we will be located on Foster Street!
Hi Layla, I loved this post. I’m a “brake for” kinda gal too! I love crocks and pottery. I have a few pieces of Beaumont Brothers pottery, an ovoid jug, small crock, and a pie bird, which I just love! My pieces have a blue design painted on them. I was lucky to find them in a second hand shop on vacation one year. I feel blessed to have them. I love to search out finds. I’ve never been to an estate sale yet, but for the last several months, the thought of attending one keeps coming up for me in different ways. I hope to go to one sometime this year. Thanks for the inspiration! ps….maybe “brake for” with a picture of a crock jug would make a cute t-shirt……
I have seen plastic lined wicker baskets, and maybe one would fit into your crock! Then to empty, just lift it out, empty and replace! Just a thought.
I love crocks, I even made a Christmas tree out of a bunch this year http://www.somuchbetterwithage.com/2014/12/crockmas-tree/
Thanks for the inspiration.
Hugs, Jamie
I LOVED this post! ! I’m obsessed with estate sales, but don’t always know the history behind objects. I will be more informed now! !
I have a large crock that I found in an old building on my grandmother’s property. When I was asking my mom about it she told me that my grandmother used to make pickles in it in the summer. I have it in our bedroom now. My mom has an old one she displays that was my great grandfathers. They used to fill it with water in the summer and carry it to the tobacco patch when they were working to drink from. I just love the stories behind them… Love this new idea for a series.
If you like estate sales you should check out estatesales.net it lists all sales around the country. And is a great place to find local sales often with pictures of what is in the sale.
Layla, thank you so much for this post. I have actually never shopped Etsy for vintage items before…I just think of it for handmade art, but not for other things. I was just able to pick up several vintage shelves on Etsy for our new bathrooms for very reasonable prices, and I feel good because I just solved about five problems in fifteen minutes. And they’re so cute! Thank you for that. 🙂
I love all of those crocks! I’m on the lookout for one to hold my kitchen utensils. As for the shelf on the table, that actually looks like a barber’s cabinet. My dad was a barber in the sixties, and they used cabinets like these to display their lotions, shaving creams, etc. I usually don’t find them painted, but I love the finish on this one!
I love this new feature you’re doing! Great inspiration!
Hi! Love your website, so much! Using crock as garbage can. Find a plastic bucket that fits completely inside but not so tight you can’t get it out. You can put a bag liner on that or not, depending on the type of garbage. Enjoy! Diane
I, too, love old crocks! I have several. I have old radiators with a low profile in my dining room. I have my Red wings lined up on the radiator “shelf” filled with old rolling pins. That’s just one way I have them displayed…they’re all over my house! I thought I was the only one left who loved them!