stock up the shop: bennington potters

How 'bout a bit of Bennington? This Vermont pottery is very popular with collectors. Some I like, and some I don't. I love this one:

It's a large roaster, big enough for a chicken or a bit ol' hunk of meat. Found it at the thrift for $6 and it's all for me. It's quite brilliant in it's simplicity (which we always love) because the lid can slide side to side, but catches on the little mini speed bumps in order to safely release the hot steam. The lid can also be used as a divided serving tray or as an actual carving tray, allowing the juices to drizzle down into the sections. See? Brilliant!

Some other pieces I came across recently:

a lugged soup bowl in "Pink Agate" or "Morning Glory Pink"

a small batter bowl...so pretty

And here are some shots of their backstamps. Interesting because the number represent models, not years, and the models were used over and over again. This makes it hard to really accurately date Bennington pieces.
One thing that I love, that I just learned, is about the symbol you can see on the third photo below. The designer, David Gil (whose initials are on the 2nd picture below,) came up with the symbol of an arm and a hand, representing the physical craft of creating pottery. At the top of the arm is a little star which represents the "spark" of imagination also required to create. How cool! Some of the pieces started to be too small to include the whole arm, so often all you see is the "spark."

Can you match the back stamps with their piece?

Here's a graphic of the backstamp:

http://www.benningtonpotters.com/potters_stamp

~ Jenny

stock up the shop: california

It's so fun to think about what it must have been like in California in the 1950s and 60s and even back to the 30s and 40s. A piece of this history is the pottery that was being produced in studios and commercially at the time. Such style...reminiscent of the beach and innovative, laid-back western lifestyle.

I'm becoming more familiar names like Vernon, Franciscan, Metlox, Bauer, Gladding McBean, Heath, etc. There's much more for me to learn, and there are many experts out there. Vernonware is popular because of its great quality and California style of course, but also because its "Raffia" pattern has been featured in the Mad Men kitchen:

 

So cute!

Here are some Vernon finds I've come across lately:

Vernonware "Sherwood"

Produced from 1958 - 1965

Vernonware "Trade Winds"

Produced just from 1954 - 1955

I would love get more of this, it's lovely.

A little bit later Vernon pattern called "Della Robbia"

1960s - 1980s

Metlox is the umbrella company for Vernon, Poppytrail, and anything referred to as "Prouty." Prouty was the name of the founding family. These amazing early 1930s grill plates were from the early years of Metlox. Look at the cool back stamp!

My grandmother had this "Vineyard" pattern and we always kind of joked about them, us little girls thinking they were so ugly. Then they sat for years and years in my parents' garage...Mom often tried to talk us into taking "Grandmommy's grape dishes." Did she end up getting rid of them? I'm afraid to ask now! Even though I still don't totally love the pattern, it would be nice to have them as a keepsake.

~ Jenny

stock up the shop: atomic goodness

At the funniest little estate/garage sale in Boulder a few weeks ago, I picked up this somewhat random set of very atomic-looking china. It was dirty and full of bugs, as if it had been sitting in a milk crate in the back yard for a few seasons.

Amazingly enough, after bargaining with guy for way too long (suddenly it was important to him, very rare and special china...uh huh...this is how you take care of your rare, special things Mister?) I took it home, cleaned it up, and it's basically in mint condition. Not a knife scratch or sign of any usage.

I couldn't find out the name of the pattern, despite my best online efforts and even contacting some folks, but I do know from the stamp that it's Mayer China from the 1960s.

Check it out..and enjoy a little imaginary voyage to an era gone by:

Sometimes I'm a sucker for the great feeling of diner/restaurantware china. I can just imagine the diner, the counter, the people using these dishes.

Alas, despite my near obsession with these, I've decided to list them in the creekhouse etsy shop. Hopefully, they'll find a great mid-century modern atomic retro livin' pad to settle in!
~ Jenny

la solana

Picked these up the other day.

I really wasn't sure what they were or how old they were. They were unmarked, but I was sure I loved them! It was one of those should-I-shouldn't-I moments. The seemed something special; heavy, smooth, very well made. The semi-matte glaze is like butta...and check out the handles!

I started researching them (oh I love the research process.) I learned that they are La Solana pottery. Ever heard of it? Well, I hadn't.
La Solana started in California in 1946 and by 1954 the business was relocated in Scottsdale, Arizona. There is no particular artist credited with the styles, as far as I can find. I've found La Solana items around on Etsy and Ebay and such. It's too bad there's not more info out there...it's just lovely! Not a lot of resale value at this point, but  maybe someday. We'll see.

Apparently, most La Solana is unmarked, with a few exceptions. A very few have an impressed stamp, and more commonly found is the gold sticker.

Image from plasticliving.com

Image from rossauction.com

Image from rossauction.com

Pretty colors! Something fun to keep an eye out for...

arabia!

I was lucky this weekend in my treasure hunting adventures. Arabia!

~ Jenny

fanastic new etsy shop!

OK, shameless promotion of my friend's new Etsy vintage shop...like friends since second grade kind of friends. But really, she has great stuff, great style, and great knowledge. All you "Danish Modern" lovers out there? She actually IS Danish! Good taste is in her blood.

Her shop is called Hyggeligt Genbrug which roughly means "Cozy Recycled" in Danish.

vintage mid century vintage wood deer sculpture

franciscan bird n' hand cups and saucers

vintage dorothy thorpe style silver roly poly glasses

Cute stuff, right? Check it out if you have a few moments, and keep checking back as she will be adding more and more!

~ Jenny

stock up the shop: the storm before the calm

Heading into the last 6 weeks of school year and things get SO crazy in the school calendar. Egads, I've got so much to do...it almost puts me in a panic just thinking about it. "The Storm Before The Calm" I always call it. Soon enough I'll be heading into my beloved teacher summer. Can't wait!

I have been busy stocking up the creekhouse Etsy shop, so here are a few additions... And don't forget, free shipping on all Pyrex through the end of April! Clicking on the photos below will take you right to the listing if you are interested in more information.

Heller Designs glass canisters

1958 Salem China "Biscayne" cups and saucers

1970s Bennington Potters small batter bowl

1971 Marimekko "Kumiseva" panel

more 1958 Salem China "Biscayne" cream and sugar set

Ben Seibel for Mikasa "Buckskin" platter and gravy boat

Anchor Hocking "Soreno" chip and dip set

Scandinavian style enamel bowl

white and yellow gooseneck lamp

Dutch style wood carving wall hangings

Copco brown pitcher

Magna Clock West German swivel wind-up alarm clock

Descoware Belgium enamel sauce pan

1950s Replogle globe on wire stand

Lincoln Beautyware kitchen canisters

Fun stuff! Happy Spring!
~ Jenny

free shipping on pyrex at the creekhouse

Through the end of April (April 30,) all Pyrex items at the creekhouse Etsy shop will be shipped for FREE! Yep, hop on over there (click on the tab above to get there,) click on the "Pyrex" section on the left, and check out what's there. I have a few more things that I'll add over the coming week or so. Enjoy!

...just to name a few!
~ Jenny