Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Vintage Finds: Johnson Brothers Plates and a Chinoiserie Figurine

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As the temperatures dip below freezing here in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, we've consigned ourselves to the inescapable reality of wool sweaters and hot cups of tea. Yes indeed, the weather has definitely taken its inevitable turn towards winter.

Just yesterday James and I were pondering what our chances are of seeing snow again this season and reminiscing on our unfortunate series of events last December.

An unusually large accumulation of heavy wet snow weighed down and broke the power lines in various parts of town, including in our neighborhood. There were many of us without electricity for three days. The temperatures hovered in the teens and twenties. We shivered our way through the long hours with candlelight, down comforters and wool blankets, and used our camping stove to cook our food and heat water.

In other words, it wasn't anything like the calm, untroubled scenes pictured in the pair of Johnson Brothers 'The Friendly Village' transfer ware plates I'm featuring today.

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'The Schoolhouse' 10" Dinner Plate

In 1883 brothers Alfred and Frederik Johnson founded the Johnson Brothers pottery at the Charles Street Works, located in the Stoke-on-Trent district, United Kingdom. The brothers manufactured earthenware, which they called White Granite. Over time Alfred and Frederik were joined by two more brothers, Henry and Robert.

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By 1888 the Johnson Brothers potteries were producing their now famous colorful and charming under-glaze printed ware, or transfer ware.

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'Sugar Maples' 6" Plate
To create transfer ware a master artisan engraves a pattern into a flat copper plate. Ink is then applied to the copper plate and the carved design is impressed onto a thin sheet of tissue paper. The design on the tissue paper is then applied, or transferred, onto the surface of a ceramic object such as a plate, bowl or teacup. The object is then ready for a low temperature firing in a kiln.

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I have been enamored with transfer ware for a couple of years now and am slowly building a collection. Of course I have been anxious to share this particular find, but I thought it would be fun to wait until winter when those of us in the Northern Hemisphere are bundling up and looking out our own windows at the winter landscapes of the towns, cities or countrysides in which we live.

Similar to my fascination with transfer ware is my interest in all things chinoiserie. I love chinoiserie style because it can be timeless, classy and ultra chic, while at the same time playful and kitschy. Figurines such as the boy shown here have become a quintessentially familiar part of the style. Knowing that statues such as this one came in pairs, my only regret on this particular thrift shopping adventure is that I was only able to find the one piece. After I placed it in my basket I wasted a lot of time searching throughout the store for the other one.

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At 8" tall, he is a dynamic looking fellow in a flowing white tunic and pants, a cute matching cap on his head. The tunic, accessorized with high collar, epaulettes and toggle button enclosures are a classic 1950s green, embellished with gold. He's gracefully poised within a moment in time, as if stopped for a quick pose before rushing off to an important social engagement or celebration, ginger jar in hand.

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This happy chinoiserie style figurine will definitely be making various appearances around my house.

I am definitely now on the lookout for more vintage chinoiserie home decor pieces, especially since I discovered that vintage English transfer ware and vintage asian or chinoiserie style decorative items are quite pleasing when styled together.

Thank you for reading! I hope you have a wonderful December and a happy holiday season.


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Monday, November 20, 2017

Vintage Tea Treasures, An Etsy Shop Holiday Sale

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Hello friends and welcome!

I'm pleased to announce my Etsy shop Vintage Tea Treasures is having a holiday sale, starting today November 20th. You can save 10% in the shop until December 1st.

There you'll find classic, timeless and fun teatime china ware from famous name brands such as Royal Albert, Aynsley, Shelley, Wedgwood and Franciscan.     

You'll also find the 'Christmas Eve' Viktor Schreckengost snacks sets and the Nikko Classic Collection teapot featuring a Christmas tree, pictured above.

Buying vintage is good for the planet and in today's home decor atmosphere, mixing vintage and modern pieces is a strong trend that is going to be around for awhile. Not only that, but vintage items are unique one-of-a-kind pieces, offering individuality and an opportunity for you to create a distinctive look, exclusive to who you are.

So no matter if you are shopping for yourself or a friend, or if you just like to gush over vintage tea ware, I hope you will consider visiting Vintage Tea Treasures.

Thank you! 
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Sunday, November 19, 2017

Autumn Garden and Embracing Imperfection

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Hi Friends! It's been too long since I've shared anything here on the blog. The end of this past summer suddenly brought with it so many duties and responsibilities that it all felt like too much weight. Nothing was fun! I really needed to take a step back, evaluate and allow myself to embrace imperfection - the idea that as much as I would like to, I can't do it all.

I actually went for several weeks without picking up my camera or spending time on my favorite social media platform Instagram. I decided to let all that be and see where it leads.

At first it led to many early evening naps on the couch. You know that feeling you get when your body tells you to shut down and get the sleep that you know you've been neglecting for probably weeks, or even months? That was me.

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It's been several weeks now since I allowed myself free time to just let things flow. And I must say it has been a great relief to stare out the window, watch Mother Nature unfold, and marvel at all the color in my garden that I'm sharing with you here. 

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As far as this blog is concerned, it is clear from the stats what I should be writing about: Art History and vintage collectables. I've known that for awhile. I think I just needed to concentrate on photography. Meaning I have been rather obsessed with photographing flowers and my vintage finds for my Instagram feed and hosting the #collectandstyle hashtag. And while I have loved doing that and meeting so many incredibly talented women there, the truth is that I was burning myself out attempting to reach my own version of perfection.

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I have learned so much about still life photography from both trial and error and from all my talented Instagram friends. There is nothing more pleasurable in life than creating something out of the love that you feel in your heart and sharing that expression with the world.

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Giving myself permission to take a step back and disengage has allowed me to feel okay with the fact that in this crazy on-line world, I can't do 'all the things'. Especially since I don't always know what I should be doing next! So, instead of beating myself up for not doing all those things that I think I should be doing, I'm opting for just two priorities for right now - this blog and my Etsy shop Vintage Tea Treasures.

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I consider Vintage Tea Treasures my greatest gift from the world wide web. It all started last year when I worked with Numi Organic Tea. They sponsored my Instagram hashtag and my tea ware shop was born out of that effort. (Thank you James for suggesting it!)

From the very moment I started this blog I knew that I wanted a shop of some kind. And then I discovered that I got a lot of pleasure from sharing my knowledge and growing expertise in vintage tea ware. In fact, I would better describe it as a passion that has grown into a calling. A calling that I have been wanting to spend more time on but have felt too stretched thin to be able to accomplish it.

It was for that very reason then, that I realized I just needed to get to work on my shop and make it a priority.

And so for the last several weeks I have been spending my spare time putting effort into growing the inventory in Vintage Tea Treasures. I've been on the hunt for teacups, teapots and dessert plates, getting them photographed and listing them. If there is any lesson I can say I've learned over the last couple of months, it would be that it feels so much easier to concentrate on one large task at a time, and be in it wholeheartedly.

Since taking a break from social media, a few of my fellow Instagrammers have sent me direct messages inquiring about my well being. Thank you! I do plan to be back, but in a more limited capacity. 

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So as the clock ticks away on the close of this unusually sunny, warm and long-lasting colorful autumn season here in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, with its shorter days, long nights and what seems like endless leaves to rake, my family and I begin to turn inward. To more time spent indoors out of the rain, and leaning into the preparations for our Thanksgiving and holiday season.

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Pumpkin pie, anyone?

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Monday, August 28, 2017

Vintage Tea Treasures: A Happy Customer

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Hey friends! When it comes to selling tea ware in my Etsy shop, Vintage Tea Treasures, the one thing that gets me excited is a happy customer.

Karen Noble recently purchased the two violet decorated Crown Trent teacup and saucers sets, shown above, from Vintage Tea Treasures. After her package arrived, she then sent me this image and explained that she will be using the teacups with her pansy tea ware, consisting of the Windsor teapot and Allyn Nelson milk jug and sugar bowl, also shown. Karen now owns an interesting, eclectic, and high quality bone china 'tea for two' set, which not only is highly functional, but also makes a great display.

Thank you for your purchase Karen! And if anyone reading this is also interested in becoming one of my happy customers, you can save 10% by clicking the following link: PLUMBLOSSOM10.
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Monday, August 7, 2017

#collectandstyle - July Monthly Favorite

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Hello #collectandstyle community, I'm thrilled you are here! How is your summer thus far? Busy, no doubt. Thank you for stopping by to check out the July Monthly Favorite, chosen from the #collectandstyle hashtag on Instagram. 


Instagrammer @modernandvintage Wendy Cook arranges interesting assortments of vintage and new sewing notions, and other collected ephemera, into beautifully styled compositions which surely catches one's eye. Not only does Wendy enjoy this type of fun photography, but she also has a talent for designing and sewing quirky textile accessories and gifts, handmade to order in Bexhill, United Kingdom. The quality and variety of merchandise in her Etsy shop modernandvintage will have you wanting to order one of everything!

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Some of the lovely products that you'll find in Wendy's shop include cases for your phone, eyeglasses and pencils. She also offers Kindle cases, iPad sleeves, and coin purses and pouches, with optional personalization available on any item.

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Besides visiting Wendy's Etsy shop, don't forget to also follow her on Instagram for inspirational flat lays featuring collected and styled sewing notions.

Thank you for visiting, and see you next time!
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Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Styling with Vintage Teacups - Susan Gary

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From the very beginning of my small vintage tea ware business on Etsy, Vintage Tea Treasures, my goal has been to share a passion for collecting beautiful and one of a kind teacups, teapots, and cake plates, and provide an opportunity to others who also appreciate this lost art, to own a piece of history.

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Vintage china ware pieces can continue to help us tell the stories of our lives when they are reclaimed from a charity shop or estate sale. Plucked from dusty and neglected shelves, these distinct pieces can then carry on with their journeys, making their way through the hands of various family members or friends who share an appreciation for unique timeless pieces. 

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It is under these very circumstances that I met photographer and teacup lover Susan Gary of Glorious Nature. Susan creates and sells her beautiful fine art photographic images on her website of the same name. Her subject matter includes flowers, butterflies and birds, landscapes and seascapes, pets, as well as 'painterly' images, or digital painting, of some of these same subjects. And of course, teacups.

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Susan and I met on Instagram about a year ago and, having discovered we both enjoy styling and photographing flowers and teacups, we became 'insta-friends', supporting each other's efforts. And when Susan found that I was offering vintage teacups in my Etsy shop, she kindly paid a visit and made a purchase.

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Upon discovering that it was Susan who bought the vintage pastel Colclough teacup and saucer pictured here, I knew immediately that the set was perfect for her. If you've ever visited Susan's website or Instagram feed, or seen these lovely images of hers that are posted here, I'm sure you will agree that the Colclough set fits her visual aesthetic perfectly! 

In her own words, Susan states "I love nothing better than sitting down with freshly cut flowers from my ever-expanding garden or new store bought flowers and some cool (mostly vintage) props and creating an artful image."

If you are a collector of vintage tea ware, or if like Susan, you love to collect, style and photograph vintage teacups, perhaps there is a Vintage Tea Treasure in my shop that is just right for you.


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Friday, July 21, 2017

From Garden to Table: Blueberry Pie II

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Hi everybody! A couple of summers ago, I shared a recipe for a blueberry pie made using the blueberries grown in my garden. I'm back in the kitchen again this summer with an enthusiastic grin, baking yet another pie using the delicious homegrown berries from the same blueberry bushes.

I've been experimenting with pie crust recipes since that time, and at last I've found the pie crust of my dreams! It's from Martha Stewart and is the best recipe to use if you love a crisp, light crust - not too sweet or too salty.


Pate Brisse
Martha Stewart
Yield: 1 double crust pie

2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water

In a large bowl whisk together flour, salt and sugar. Add butter, and using a pastry blender, process until mixture resembles coarse meal.

Add half the ice water and mix with a large wooden spoon or your hands until the dough holds together without being wet or sticky. To test, squeeze a small amount together: if it is crumbly, add more ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time.

Divide dough into two equal balls. Flatten each ball into a disc and wrap in plastic. Transfer to the refrigerator and chill at least 1 hour. This dough may also be stored, frozen up to 1 month.

The filling I made is a standard recipe from my old, dogeared Fannie Farmer cookbook (pictured above):


Blueberry Pie Filling

1 quart blueberries, rinsed and stems removed
2 Tablespoons flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt

Roll out one of your chilled disc-shaped pie doughs and transfer into the pie pan. Add the flour, sugar and salt to the blueberries in a large bow and mix well. Pour into your prepared pie pan.

Roll out the other chilled pie dough and place it over the pie, crimping the edges. Pierce the top crust. 

Bake at 425 degrees for about 45 minutes. Let cool completely before cutting. 

Once my pie was assembled I used cookie cutters to cut shapes from the leftover pie dough and baked them separately from the pie. Just before serving I added the cut shapes to the top of the pie for a fun decorative touch. 

Thanks for looking!


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Friday, July 7, 2017

#collectandstyle - Catching Up On The Monthly Favorites

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Hello #collectandstyle community, I'm so happy you are here! I'm happy I'm here also - it's been too long since I've posted any Monthly Favorite images from the Instagram #collectandstyle hashtag.

Today we're looking at collected and styled images from April, May and June, belonging to Aida Keith @curiousmekeithy, above, followed by Maricar @merrymaman, and Lynne @cottagebythec.

Australian Aida Keith @curiousmekeithy is sharing her journey on sustainability, recycling, vintaging, discovering the world and taking the moment to sip tea along the way. You might have already guessed that it's Aida's vintage teacup and teapot finds that catch my eye. Aida has an interesting collection, such as the unique rose teacup duo shown. Isn't it lovely how Aida styled it with a basket of delicious looking apples and a few colorful roses? The neutral tones in the basket and the wood surface perfectly support the vibrant pops of color in the teacup set, apples, and roses, creating an energetic autumnal scene.

Aida's favorite pastime is hanging out in her 'she shed', or tiny cottage, sipping tea and reading magazines. Her shed was recently featured in She Sheds - A Treasure Trove of Women's Creative Spaces.

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Maricar (@merrymaman) is a maker of things, sharing her days on Instagram. Her inspirational flat lay photography feels as though one is taking a magical journey alongside her, via her interesting collection of everyday items such as the books and bookends in the photo above, as well as kitchen tools, office supplies, stationary, food and clothing. You'll always see Maricar's images beautifully embellished with vibrant flowers and greenery, and feel her spirit shine through with the little stories she tells about events in her life.

It is through Maricar's tales that I learned she is a pilgrim, enjoying regular walks on the Camino de Santiago, or Way of St. James. This is a pilgrimage route to the shrine of the apostle St. James the Great, located at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in the northwestern Spanish province of Galicia.

Maricar is also a part-time flower mortician on Stellar, meaning she likes to faff, or artistically arrange flowers on a flat surface as they wither, fade and fail. She sees it as an act of gratitude for their having enhanced her life. 

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Lynne (@cottagebythec) is sharing her life in pics and prose. She is a wife, mom, grama and nurse and believes in doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. Oh, and Lynne is really a mermaid in disguise!

And in a spirit of sharing, Lynne tagged me on Instagram with this image she took of her heirloom decorative Nippon bird plate. It has been treasured in Lynne's family for a generation, having been part of her family's home, and for her, represents the treasured memories of her childhood. Lynne inherited this lovely plate from her mother when she passed away, and Lynne was tasked with sorting through her belongings. Lynne chose this plate, and many other treasures, as a memento of the loving home she grew up in.

Thank you for joining me for #collectandstyle Monthly Favorites! For more stories about people who love to collect, style and share their treasured heirlooms, new, vintage and charity shop finds, click on a link below; or to participate, tag your styled images of your collections to #collectandstyle on Instagram.


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Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Styling and Photographing For Instagram

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Hi everyone! Here in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, the flowers are in full bloom almost everywhere you look. And that means an endless supply of ideas for photographing them starts tugging at my brain.

Today I'm sharing three recent iPhone images, all involving styling flowers together with tea. Styling is a challenging skill to acquire, but it can be an enjoyable and mindful activity, especially when the subject matter is one you enjoy. And I happen to enjoy both flowers, and tea!

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Still life photography can be a photographers best friend - it's just you, your camera, and a few objects. You are free to arrange and rearrange your subject matter, trying a variety of layouts, without interruption or worry about being judged. And if you are using a phone camera, which has no manually variable adjustments, your main concentration is on lighting and composition.

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For me, photographing tea and flowers came about rather serendipitously. Discovering the supportive community on Instagram, learning the art of flatlay composition, acquiring a new obsession with collecting vintage teacups, and opening an Etsy teacup shop, has all been a fun, challenging, and fortuitous journey of discovery!

Thanks for looking friends!


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Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Vintage Finds: Berggren Kitchen Tile

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Hi Friends! Of all the blog posts I've shared thus far, one of the more popular ones is about the home wares made by the Berggren Shelton Trayner company.

Design Spotlight: Vintage Berggren Ceramic Wall Hangings outlines the history of the company and talks about how Audrey and Arthur Berggren specialized in designing their gift and home ware products in the traditional Swedish folk style known as 'Dalmalningar'. I also featured three of my own vintage Berggren decorative wall hangings as examples of that style, and shared a Pinterest board of their unique and lovely products.

On a recent stroll through one of my favorite charity shops I found yet another vintage Berggren ceramic tile, pictured above, and it reminded me of how fond collectors are of the rich bright colors and whimsical floral motifs found in Dalmalningar art.

So in honor of all the Berggren fans, as well as those who appreciate Swedish folk styles in general, not only am I sharing this tile (which, by the way, says "Flowers leave part of their fragrance on the hands which bestow them"), but I've also updated my Pinterest board with even more images of Berggren home wares.

Enjoy!

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Friday, May 5, 2017

DIY: Foraged Spring Wreath

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Hi everyone! It's been awhile since I made a seasonal wreath to share with you. The idea for the wreath I'm showing you today has been bumping around in my mind for a very long time, but it required spring seasonal flowers. And now that Spring is in full bloom here in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, I was able to finally make the idea a reality. Happy Spring!

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I am fortunate in that I live where there are plenty of wild and cultivated flowers of all kinds in my neighborhood. They're growing in alleyways, on walking paths or overflowing into curb areas. I also have a generous neighbor who shares floral clippings from her yard with me.

For this wreath, I gathered ivy, magnolia and muscari, which is also known as grape hyacinth; of course, you may use any combination of your own preferred foraged flowers. The only 'rule' I set for myself is that my wreath would have just three floral elements. I like my wreaths to be simple statement pieces.

To make this easy wreath, you'll need:

  • a 12" natural wreath form (I purchased mine at a craft store and use it over and over)
  • a single vine of ivy - 24" in length
  • 2 -3 magnolia flowers
  • handful of muscari
  • 24" of 3/4" ribbon
  • junky scissors
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Wrap the ivy around your wreath front to back. I wound mine onto about one-half of the wreath form - from roughly 7 o'clock to 2 o' clock, preferring to leave some open space. Tuck and wedge the ivy into any crevices until it's secure. Repeat with the ribbon, alternating it between the ivy, and then tuck it in place.

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I examined the magnolia flowers carefully, decided on a composition, and these became the focal point. (I chose two flowers that were in different stages of bloom and one bud) Once you have formulated your own pleasing configuration, tuck them into the bottom middle of the wreath. Lastly, place muscari sprigs in sporadic places around the wreath.

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And that's it!

I hung my wreath at our front entryway and added a pair of vintage love bird plaques that were a recent charity shop find. Can't resist a vintage bird anything...

Thanks for reading and I hope you will consider making your own Foraged Spring Wreath!

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Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Kawaii Corner - Inarco Frog Planter

Kawaii Corner - Inarco Frog Planter, kawaii, made in Japan, Japanese ceramics, vintage Japanese ceramics, vintage Japanese collectables, vintage frog planter, vintage Inarco frog planter, vintage planter, hand painted vintage ceramic frog planter

Hi Friends! It's been awhile since I shared a fun, lovable "kawaii" (Japanese concept of cute, particularly cute animals) vintage collectable. This big-eyed, smiling happy frog, with its proper salutational hat-tipping gesture, was manufactured and hand-painted by the Inarco Company in Japan some fifty or sixty years ago. It has been hanging around our house for quite some time, and although it gets carefully shifted from one place to another, it never ceases to put a smile on the faces of whomever it meets.

Kawaii Corner - Inarco Frog Planter, kawaii, made in Japan, Japanese ceramics, vintage Japanese ceramics, vintage Japanese collectables, vintage frog planter, vintage Inarco frog planter, vintage planter, hand painted vintage ceramic frog planter

Although pipe smoking has been long out of fashion, our aquatic companion is, even in our modern times, considered to be very smartly dressed in a pink waistcoat, accessorized with a jaunty yellow straw hat and black bow tie.

Kawaii Corner - Inarco Frog Planter, kawaii, made in Japan, Japanese ceramics, vintage Japanese ceramics, vintage Japanese collectables, vintage frog planter, vintage Inarco frog planter, vintage planter, hand painted vintage ceramic frog planter

From those lovable big protruding eyes...

Kawaii Corner - Inarco Frog Planter, kawaii, made in Japan, Japanese ceramics, vintage Japanese ceramics, vintage Japanese collectables, vintage frog planter, vintage Inarco frog planter, vintage planter, hand painted vintage ceramic frog planter

to those slap-happy webbed feet...

Kawaii Corner - Inarco Frog Planter, kawaii, made in Japan, Japanese ceramics, vintage Japanese ceramics, vintage Japanese collectables, vintage frog planter, vintage Inarco frog planter, vintage planter, hand painted vintage ceramic frog planter

the cuteness factor, or "kawaii", is irresistible. I'm sure we will be delighting in our frog friend's imaginary antics for many more years to come.

Kawaii Corner - Inarco Frog Planter, kawaii, made in Japan, Japanese ceramics, vintage Japanese ceramics, vintage Japanese collectables, vintage frog planter, vintage Inarco frog planter, vintage planter, hand painted vintage ceramic frog planter

Thanks for being here. See you again soon on Kawaii Corner!


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