completing sets takes time

as all of you know, completing sets doesn't always happen overnight

some days I've gotten so lucky

and other times, it takes months to find that needed piece

well today, I completed two of my sets

I've needed the 402 Daisy since last black friday

when I picked up the other three bowls for only $5 at the Goodwill

and I think it has been even longer that I have needed

 the little 401 Butterfly Gold

I'm sure I have seen this bowl in my outings, 

I just think it was a piece I always forgot I needed

So today I decided that it was the day to bite the bullet

and stop searching for these guys while thrifting

and I got both pieces for under $10 at the local antique mall

all in all, I'm happy with these finds

and with the way some of my local thrift stores 

have been gouging their prices on pyrex

I'm thinking it wasn't too bad to get these sets done!

also, this week the husband and I celebrated four years of married life

the best way we know how - antiquing

and because he truly is awesome

he found me this piece, again, for super cheap

if you want to see the rest of our finds feel free to stop by here

miss macri @ Educated...not so Domesticated

The Pyrex Gods Are Smiling...

I've had such good pyrex luck lately.
Found these beauties on my way to do a trade. I stopped in at my local VV at 2:30 in the afternoon and they were just sitting there. I couldn't believe my eyes. The 401 was 2.99 and the 403 was 4.99.

I found all of this one day... a JAJ black snowflake, an old orchard divided dish (which isn't a pattern I like, but, this specific dish is growing on me.) a clear fridgie (which I think is newer) a little blue, a red 402(both from the 1940s primary set, the red is for trade) and two pink cake pans that were ridiculously dirty with baked on gunk. I soaked and scrubbed and they look way better.

Got all this today; A woodland 441, a lime green pie plate and utility dish, a daisy divided with cradle, two red fridgies and 3 pink dinner plates!(they're in awful shape, but, I had to have them)
The Woodland has a funny story behind it. Well, It's actually kind of a sad story... It was awful, I picked it up and next to it was its mate, a 442 that had been dishwashed. Then if that wasn't enough I saw an older asian lady with a Gooseberry pink casserole dish in her cart. I went up to her and tried to explain that it couldn't go into the dishwasher, she smiled and nodded and muttered something in a very thick accent. Almost like she didn't understand me. I went off to look around the store for a bit in the hopes that she would put it back. No such luck. Oh well, Poor Gooseberry. Save the Pyrex!



If you want to see better photos or more of what I've got recently wander on over to my flickr! http://www.flickr.com/photos/lulubellevintage/
I hope you've all had luck as good as mine!
Happy trails!

Meagre thrifting in January

The local thrift stores have had hardly any Pyrex lately, but yesterday I found the bright and shiny Daisy divided dish for $3.00. I had paid $1.00 for the Daisy lid at another thrift back in early December. It's so satisfying to match things up!

The Spring Blossom Green bowls came from an estate sale earlier in the month: $7.50 for the set. They are nice and shiny, too.

I hope that people start spring cleaning soon, and restocking the thrifts!

Time to Focus after an Incredible Week.

How do you decide on which patterns/colors to focus your collections on? I am suffering from Pyrexia Nervosa at the thought of swapping, selling or otherwise getting rid of any of my pieces. I have narrowed down my collection to Pyrex only with the exception of the gorgeous Fire-King Tulip Bowl. Don't get me wrong, I still have more Fire-King... I just don't display it.


THIS WAS A HUGE WEEK:

The Forest Fancies, Primary Yellow and one of the Spring Blossoms were all scored from a local online auction where I bid on the entire contents of a cabinet by photo alone. I paid $7.99 and also included were some great pots and pans, vintage rolling pin and other kitchen goodies.

The stacked Daisy set with two lids, one of the Flamingo Pink round casseroles, a Gold Butterfly small casserole, Green primary, several pieces of Fire-King and a Maid of Honor fridgie were all scored on Craigslist for $20. I will be gifting the Fire-King and adorable Maid of Honor Fridgie

A generous friend gifted me the Autumn Harvest set of three, a Yellow primary, Gold Butterfly casserole and two Early American pieces, a 4 qt. Town & Country cinderella AND a couple of Spring Blossom mixing bowls!

I now have over 50 pieces of Pyrex and need to focus and organize. Does anyone have any opinions on which pieces you think I should stay with or does anyone have a trade you would like for me to consider?

As any Pyrexia sufferer knows, storage for your precious beauties presents a challenge. There is much talk of "The Art of Stacking" and whether to keep the lids separate or with their intended.

I have been keeping my ever growing stash in an already space challenged kitchen cabinet. This presents several obvious problems, starting with the fact that you can't actually gaze upon the addictive patterns and colors. Secondly, there is a slight safety issue with dragging out the whole load to get to the inevitable 4 qt Cinderella on the bottom. I am also concerned about the unnecessary wear and tear to the pieces.

So, like many others I have opted to display my Pyrex (and Fire-King) in a period appropriate cabinet I discovered on Craigslist (haggled $75). It is in perfect vintage condition and includes the simple sliding glass doors (not pictured). My storage and access problems are resolved!

How do you deal with storage?

My rapidly growing collection

I am starting to run out of room... I will have to start the art of "stacking" here soon.... my husband admitted to me last night that he is "worried".... not because of the money I am spending (not spending much!) but because of how much I have found so quickly... I wonder what my kitchen will look like three months from now?! ;-)

Family Shopping Spree

My family was gracious enough to spend a whole weekend shopping for Pyrex. I am so happy with my finds but I forgot to post two of my favorite pieces. More photos at my blog.

First Daisy Pattern

First Friendship Pattern

Now, the real challenge is not buying up everything I see. I get so excited when I find a piece of Pyrex but my short window of collecting might lead into hoarding. : )