I used to collect vintage dishes.
I use the past tense because I haven’t bought a whole set since the late 1990s, but an occasional cup and saucer will still come home with me.
I still have most of the dishes, though I’m too scared and sick to unpack them since the Great Box Avalanche in our late apartment.
I’m also paranoid to use them now because I learned that some might have lead – yes, even restaurantware can have some – and I’ve probably caused myself mild brain death from the years I used them. I bought a lead testing kit, but misplaced it in the move.
We used to have easy access to Fiestaware seconds and so we’ve got a rather large dinner party worth of the stuff and I don’t use anything else these days, nor do I expect I’ll ever want anything else (except for a piece or two in a new colorway or to replace the occasional broken piece).
I used to tell myself that buying vintage dishware was an investment, because for a tiny period of time it was – Ebay was just getting rolling and things like Fireking’s Jadeite went for unreasonable amounts of cash. My books for grad school and some bulk rice and beans were paid with my Ebay earnings…
Until a year, or maybe even just a few months later, when the market was flooded…
Today, my old crap isn’t worth too much more than what I paid for it at the pricier thrift stores, and isn’t really worth the bother of packing and shipping to sell online (or even to unpack it for some proper photos).
But I still really love the stuff – I love the colors, and the sturdy materials, and most of all, I love the size – modern plates are too damn big. And I drink espresso, so the coffee cups might be a little small for today’s average American Joe, but they’re perfect for a double shot.
So I’m thinking about dishware because I finally finished spinning my “Jadeite” wool.
The last in a trilogy of Pigeonroof Studios superwash merino roving that I bought last year and intended to knit together in the same project. I’m still pretty sure I’ll make a shawl/scarf or perhaps a sweater yoke of all of them, but maybe I should make a tablecloth instead….?
Nah.
ASTITCHMATISM 