Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Plate Displays & Other Finds

The other day Gary and I took a walk through our community yard sale which is located the same place the farmer's market. It's under cover and folks walk down the middle aisle to see the items for sale. The yard sale is on Thursday and Fridays and the farmer's market is on Saturdays. I didn't intend to buy anything but I noticed this metal wall plate hanger and thought I could use it in my studio.

Recently I was trying to think of a better plate display methods for my pottery booth other than individual plate stands. When the wind comes up free standing plate stands aren't very stable and the plates or platters can blow over and break. Do you have any suggestions on how to display plates? There are lots of wall plate displays but what about a table top plate display? Perhaps some type of wood shelf system? I did see the one above on etsy, perhaps I can make something similar.

Then I noticed this cut glass pitcher, it's quite thick and heavy, probably leaded glass. I've been drinking iced green tea and thought I'd make a large batch to keep in the refrigerator and this glass pitcher would be just perfect for green iced tea.

Later I found three hand crocheted doilies to use for texture on plates. All three have an unusual pattern. I wonder if crocheted doilies is becoming a lost art? When I got home I opened the bag with doilies and found this bicycle lapel pin inside. I don't think the two women selling their grant aunt's doilies knew it was in with the doilies; I'll have to return it next time I go to the sale. I don't think it's gold but then again you never know. I did look for a maker's mark on the reverse but there isn't one. The front wheel turns though.

Lastly I bought this perennial from a woman who was probably 80 years old. I couldn't help but think she needed to sell plants to supplement her income. She told me she got to the sale at 6 am and every space was filled but somehow they found her a spot to sell.

She said she divides her perennials and sells them. This plant is called Snow on the Mountain, or Bishop's Weed, Aegopodium podagraria 'Variegata', because of it's variegated foliage and the white flowers it gets. Up next photo of the granite we chose and a back splash sample which I hope  you'll give me some advice about. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.

14 comments:

  1. Linda, that is an interesting pin. And I agree with you that the ladies probably didn't know it was inside the doilies. They will most likely appreciate your returning it... or even if they don't want it back... will appreciate your effort.

    And the pitcher definitely looks like it would be great for iced tea.

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  2. I have found that when I try to display plates on a single plate stand in the booth they blow over very easily, it's only good for inside displays. However, I have a rack that holds several plates in a nice row, that works perfectly and is very stable.

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  3. Hi Rian, thanks, I hope the ladies are back at the sale so I can return it.

    Hi Lori, thanks, where did you get your display or did you make it yourself, I would love to see a photo of it.

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  4. I think you are right about doily making becoming a lost art. When my parents sold their home and moved to an apartment my mother had a box of doilies that she and my grandmother had made. She said she was going to throw them out! Needles to say I took the box. They were all still in pristine condition and had been stretched and starched.

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  5. Hi Michele, thanks, oh I remember that thick starch that was used, that may be a lost product too. What type of plate display do you use?

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  6. Love your little adventures at markets. The interactions were always a good part of my shows.

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  7. Our market is frequently windy. We sometimes have a plate stand, but also use a 4x4 log (rustic finish) to lean plates up against, with a table cloth over the table, so it's lower and has better support. I have lost a pot that was next to a plate which blew over that had been on a plate stand.

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  8. Hi Joanne, thanks, yes the interactions are best buying or selling I think.

    Hi Barbara, thanks, what a good idea to bring a log and put a table cloth over it, thanks so much, I think I can arrange something quickly for that.

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  9. Loved wandering through the markets with you - and your purchases. I hope you can give the pin back.

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  10. Hi Elephant's Child, thanks, we won't be there for this week so we'll have to wait till next week to see if they are back to the market again.

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  11. Looks like you got some great finds.Hope the ladies are back so you can return it. That's one of those "dangs".

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  12. Hi Turquoisemoon, thanks, yes I hope I can return the pin to them, it may seem like a small thing but then again to them it might be large or some type of memento.

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  13. that metal plate stand will look great in your studio. I've seen wooden draining boards used to hold plates on market stalls. I guess table runners have replaced doilies.. a few potters here in Australia use them to texture their wares so I guess they become permanent records then. Good luck with returning that pin.

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  14. Hi Anna, thanks, I thought of a wooden drain board but want something to show the inside of the decorated plates but one of those might be better than nothing else. yes the doily would be permanent in the clay.

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I love suggestions, questions, critiques, thanks for your comment