22 March, 2011

Retro ceramics

When I found my beautiful little Rorstrand Picnick casserole in Edmonton I spent quite a lot of time exploring other Rorstrand patterns and one of the ones I particularly liked was Fenix. I've had a search in on Trademe (NZ's version of eBay) since we got back and a Fenix cup and saucer came up. As is often the case with me, I kind of got sucked into the bidding and my natural, yet usually restrained, sense of fierce competitiveness kicked in. I didn't actually expect to win but dammit I was going to make the other bidder pay dearly - and then, I won it. Woops. But really, how could I complain when I have this little bit of gorgeousness?

Rorstrand Fenix cup and saucer


Frankly this stuff runs a little rich for my blood, but I'll leave the search in and you never know!

Another bit of ceramic came my way on the weekend, and this one...well what can I say - I don't smoke, Mat doesn't smoke, Hazel doesn't smoke (I hope), I don't know anyone who does really and yet I ended up with this:

Retro blue ceramic and wire ashtray


The photo doesn't do it justice at all, the shape is just pure 50s, although to be honest I have no idea if it's actually old or not. It's in pretty good shape if it is, but I don't really care if it was produced last week because I love it! It was in the opshop and cost $7. I proudly showed it to Mat last night and he just looked at it with a little moue of distaste and handed it back. Sigh. The thing is that I really don't know what to do with it, short of taking up smoking, so here's the deal:-

*Leave suggestions as to what I could use it for - practical or otherwise - that might convince Mat to love it, in the comments and I'll choose my favourite in a few days and send them a little something in appreciation. Open to all and I'm happy to ship internationally.*
Posted by Jacqui at 22.3.11

13 comments:

  1. Sarah GoughMarch 22, 2011 at 9:06 AM

    you know....it completely reminds me of something you'd use for fondue lol Maybe you could pour melted chocolate in it and use the metal part to hold skewers? It's probably a bit small - but it does look like you could fit a tealight candle under there! Just enough for a romantic desert for two?

    Um. I'd wash it like 1000 times first though lol

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sarah at Cotton KiwiMarch 22, 2011 at 9:23 AM

    How about a place to put your olive pips when you've eaten the olives. Or somewhere to keep your machine bobbins and extra feet for your sewing machine? Or perhaps you could remove the twirly metal bit and use it as an extremely funky soap dish.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anne S.March 22, 2011 at 9:28 AM

    Turn it into a pincushion! I think it would be super cute with some retro fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Julie FronmuellerMarch 22, 2011 at 9:43 AM

    I would probably turn it into a mini succulent garden. Something like this:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001BISBI8/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=1278548962&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000PEIIH8&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1ZWM507GVAC14AFHHEPA

    ReplyDelete
  5. Gina GuillotineMarch 22, 2011 at 10:15 AM

    I love that old ashtray! WOW! What a find.

    Hmmm... That curly wire bit in the center could be used to hold bills on a desk, maybe, and then the surrounding tray could hold small bits and bobs like rubberbands or paper clips.

    If the center wire thingy can be removed, then the dish could be used for small stuff on a dining table, like olives or it could be used on a cocktail tray for maraschino cherries, stuff like that.

    If you do embroidery and have more than one color going at a time, you could thread the different colors through that center wire thing, bobbins on one side, threaded needles on the other, and they will be at decreased risk of getting tangled.

    ReplyDelete
  6. BrendaMarch 22, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    well, I would keep my seam ripper in that spiral thing, and all my safety pins for basting in the dish. what's not to love about this -- it's aqua and a funky shape.

    ReplyDelete
  7. JolieMarch 22, 2011 at 11:19 AM

    that is just all kinds of delicious! The shape, the design, the colour!!! What about some luscious 50s-esque shades of embroidery thread wound onto flat wooden thread cards (they have some at the Daiso $3 shop on Queens street...just call me The Enabler!) and tucked between the loops, toast stand style? Or a puddle of gorgeous beads or buttons in the main tray? yum!

    ReplyDelete
  8. ValorieMarch 22, 2011 at 2:23 PM

    What about using it as a spoon rest? Soap dish?

    ReplyDelete
  9. a different Brenda :)March 22, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    I think bend the spiral up and put a daisy or cosmos or gerbera in it. Put marbles or black stones in the bowl with water. Love the shape and the color!

    ReplyDelete
  10. CaLynnMarch 22, 2011 at 5:28 PM

    I'm not sure if the scale would work, but pour some soy sauce in it and use the curly wire for chopstick rests!

    ReplyDelete
  11. ElizabethMarch 23, 2011 at 12:31 AM

    Set it on the counter and put those little reminder cards from the doctor/dentist in the little spirals---probably corner down into the spiral thing.

    Or maybe a holder for incense sticks---size might be wrong.....

    ReplyDelete
  12. TavsmummyMarch 23, 2011 at 8:16 AM

    Can you fit a kitchen sponge under the spring/coil? LOVE the color by the way.

    ReplyDelete
  13. HazelnutsApril 1, 2011 at 4:59 PM

    What a great idea, can you email me so I can send you something to say thanks?

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails