Collecting: Melmac

Cups and Saucers Set of 3

The thing I've always loved about Melmac, is the colors, such vibrant pinks, muted greens, soft pastels and earthy browns. They stand out on the shelves of even the drabbest thrift stores. Also, I've always been hooked on collecting vintage kitchenware and Melmac is usually reasonably priced.

Hot Pink Berry Bowls Set of 8

Melmac dinnerware was developed by American Cyanamid for the Navy during World War II. The light weight and virtually unbreakable dishware could handle wartime in the rough waters. The craze caught on at home and soon stores were displaying Melmac type dinner sets alongside some of their finest China. Hiring creative teams and designers, Boontonware, Raffia Ware and Melmac transformed into a sought after style. By the 1950's it was a staple in all American Homes. 

Raffia Mugs Set of 4

Melmac's popularity took a down turn after a rumor, allegedly spread by a porcelain manufacture, that the plasticware gave off toxic fumes. This rumor has been proven false. At the top of  the game, there were over 350 company's producing plasticware. As the years went on, production began to drop. Households were buying more glassware. And Melmac was reserved for commercial use; restaurants, hospitals, schools etc. 

Salad Bowls Set of 6

Because of it's exceptional durability, Melmac lasts for years. It is the ideal dishware for camping. You could probably drop your gear filled with Melmac under your car, run it over a few times and it would be fine for lunch. I bet it could survive a bear attack. It's light weight and easily packable too. 

Robin's Egg Blue Collection 7 Pieces

Here is Paula Deen's guidelines to preserving and caring for Melamine dishes: 

For scratches ands stubborn stains, use commercial cleaners made for Melamine, like Dip-It ($3.49, 5 oz.) instead of scouring powder. Also, avoid putting your plastic tableware in the microwave and never in the oven. Melamine tends to absorb heat, which can cause it to soften, blister and even crack. It is dishwasher-safe. 

 If you are interested in learning more about collecting vintage Melmac dishware there are books available. It can't hurt to ask your librarian if your local library carries them. I found two on Amazon; "Melmac Dinnerware" and "Collectable Plastic Kitchenware and Dinnerware." 

 Modern Yellow Collection 15 Pieces

All of the dish sets seen here are available for purchase on Etsy. Thank you, Etsy sellers, for the use of your gorgeous photographs.

Collecting: Pyrex

 Butterprint + Butterfly Gold 3 Pieces $33.00

Collecting vintage Pyrex is a thing. There is a whole world out there of avid Pyrex collectors. Blogs like Pyrex Collective and Pyrex Love are great examples of the vintage Pyrex network that exists. (Pyrex Collective became so big it had to split into two Pyrex gossiping websites!)  Even Paula Deen gives props to Pyrex collecting. As someone who loves to throw/attend dinner parties, I can tell you, no matter what you make, it looks better in Pyrex.

Butterfly Gold Mixing Bowl and Refridgerator Dish $21.00

I started my Pyrex collection the first year I settled in California. I had very few belongings, having relocated halfway accross the country with only a suitcase and a cat. When I finally signed my first lease I went to the thrift store and bought a spoon, a fork, a salmon colored Fiestaware plate, a frying pan and a Pyrex coffee mug.

Set of Three Pyrex Picnic Mugs $20.00

The next few years I picked up every single Pyrex piece I came across. Thirft stores are a wonderful resource for Pyrex. And garage sales, espically suburban garage sales, where the American Dream is out in full force. Living in the East Bay I scavanged a number of wonderful finds at Urban Ore.

Autum Harvest Mixing Bowl $11.00

I wasn't the only person back then, I knew that collected Pyrex too. My roomate also had a good stash. An better culumination than me! And when I got married she gifted me a full set of Spring Blossom dinner plates and tea/coffee set. She even got me a matching butter dish. 

Spring Blossom Butter Dish $10.50

If you are interested in collecting Pyrex and want more information, I strongly suggest checking out (as linked above) The Pyrex Collective and Pyrex Love. There are books availabe on the subject. Your librarian can tell you if your library carries them. Here are two that are available on Amazon.com Pyrex: The Unauthorized Collectors Guide or Pyrex By Corning: A Collectors Guide. 

Set of Three Mixing Bowls in Square Flowers $27.00

A wonderful digital resource for information on Pyrex patterns is available here on Pyrex Love. And don't forget to give Vintage Pyrex a shout-out on Facebook.

Set of Four Old Town Coffee Mugs $15.00

 

Paula Deen's advice on caring for your Pyrex:

Pyrex is a durable glass suitable for use in the oven, microwave, freezer and dishwasher. But there are a few steps to follow to ensure the lifespan of your piece:

• Never use on stove-top burner, under broiler, or in a toaster oven
• Avoid serious changes in hot and cold temperatures (i.e. immersing a hot dish in cold water)
• Always add a fraction of liquid before baking foods that release liquids while cooking
• Don’t use or repair a piece if it is chipped, cracked or scratched
• 
  

 Butterprint Caserole Dish $18.00

All of the Pyrex dishes you see here are availalbe for purchase on Etsy. Thank you Etsy sellers for the use of your lovely photographs.

I Collect: Emily

The Internet is a strange and amazing thing. If you can believe it, The Collect Collective isn't the only blog out there focused on collecting! I Love Collecting is Emily's project. She shares her flea market and garage sale finds, thrifting tips, display ideas and great photos. She has an eye for treasure, and an assemblage of collector friends who often make appearances showing off their own collections. 

My Name is: Emily

I collect: a lot of things but right now I'm mostly collecting pottery. McCoy, Shawnee, Haeger, etc... vases, planters, flower pots...

Its been going on for: a long time!

I look for additions to my collections at: flea markets, thrift shops, yard sales, antique shows, centers and shops

When I find one I feel: very happy!!

The star of my collection is: hmmm, i love all of my pieces but i guess it's a double handled HULL vase... pink and blue combination.

The oddest piece in my collection is: can't say that any of my pottery is odd although some of the shapes can be unusual...

 A way my collection has gotten me into a tight situation: finding spots to display it! It's not that I am running out of room, it's just that I like to keep my collections together so most of it is displayed in my sun room... there are almost 300 pieces in that room!

Some other things I like to collect are: restaurant china, vintage garden sprinklers, vintage kitchen stuff, vintage trophies, milk glass, bride and groom cake toppers, tin globes, black and white group photos, garden hoze nozzles, antique bill spikes, chalkware fruit, creamers, vintage christmas tree stands, rusty wire things like light bulb cages, lamp shade forms, some old garden stuff, vintage baskets from florists, souvenir plates, wire plant stands and flower pot holders, cocktail shakers and vintage barware, vintage oil paintings... portraits and still lifes... all of this stuff can be seen on my blog

My family and friends think my collection is: amazing, fun, beautiful, crazy

Thanks for sharing Emily!

I Collect: Nancy

My mom is so cool. Thats why she is being interviewed for The Collect Collective! About 5 years ago I was asked to participate in an art show involving dioramas. The idea was to create a"dream room" diorama. For some reason I thought my mom (who had always collected mini things) would like to make one too. I called her up and gave her the proposal. A few weeks later she shipped to Oakland the most beautiful shoe box "dream room." She's been making her own dollhouses and miniatures ever since. 

My Name is:  Nancy Willcox
 
I collect:  miniatures

Its been going on: since childhood
 
I look for additions to my collections at: Anywhere !!  Sometimes miniature collectors look at things differently. As an example, at a restaurant, I see the little container with cream in it for coffee and know that it would make a perfect miniature garbage can.  But mostly I  go to garage sales, holiday bizarres, stores and the Good Will.
 

When I find one I feel: thrilled!
 
The star of my collection is: a miniature Swarovski crystal perfume bottle that I got at a consignment store for $2.00.   

The oddest piece in my collection is: Dried grape twigs (from real grapes).  They make great miniature trees for a fall outdoor scene.

A way my collection has gotten me into a tight situation:  I sometimes run across something I REALLY have to have and end up paying more than I budgeted to spend.
 
Some other things I like to collect are:  crystal prisms, books by author Daphne du Maurier and antique glass doorknobs

My family and friends think my collection is:  AWESOME

 

 Thanks for sharing Nancy!

I Collect: Laurel

Laurel has a number of interesting things. She is often found thrifting around the Bay Area, not only to beef up her own person collections, but to find gorgeous items for her successful Etsy Shop "SixtytoSeventy." 

My Name is: Laurel Wilton

I collect: orchids, pedestal mugs, lamps, foil ornaments and felt ornaments, old magazines, salt and pepper shakers, glass ware, vinyl

Its been going on for: For a long time--- I used to collect Jones Soda bottles when I was a teen (now I only have one left), but I did not realize I was a collector until a few years ago. That's when I started going to the thrift stores on a regular basis and had a better feel for what I was searching for.

I look for additions to my collections at: Good Will, Salvation Army, Antique Stores, Fairs, Estate Sales, Craigslist, Ebay.

When I find one I feel: I feel like my eyes bug out and in my head, I say, "O-M-G! This is amazing." If I don't get that feeling, then I don't buy it. 

The star of my collection is: That's tough... I have a lot of favorite pieces, but I guess the star would be...my JVC space helmet television. 

The oddest piece in my collection is: My Syrocco Monk Corkscrew. My dad gave it to me, and it is a very odd piece. 

A way my collection has gotten me into a tight situation: I suppose I am just running out of room (literally, a tight situation), forcing me to sell.

Some other things I like to collect: tinsel garland, vintage shoes, small tins and boxes, vintage ceramics, news papers, 8 track tapes, old postcards, vintage purses and coats. 

My family and friends think my collection is: huge and fantastic. I love it, and it makes me happy. Being on the hunt and finding that treasure is a great feeling. 

 

Thanks for sharing Laurel! 

Unplanned Collection

A few times in life I've found myself the confused owner of collections I hadn't planned. For example; as a kid I once posed for my annual school photo in a tee shirt with an embroidered Betty Boop on the pocket. My family saw this and immediately decided that I was "into" Betty Boop. I simply wore the shirt because Betty was in fat pants with big hoop earrings and I thought it was funny. Suddenly I had Betty Boop purses, coffee mugs, and figurines.

 When I left Minnesota and moved to California, I really missed the intimate Christmases I had with my mom and dad. I love the holidays, and I especially love to decorate. My grandma Lola had painted a ceramic snowman, when my mom was a child. It's covered in glass glitter and plays "Frosty" when you turn the crank on it's butt. My mom mailed it to me so California Christmases would feel like home. I love the damn thing (even though it's cumbersome, breakable and I moved with it 4 times!) My roommate Alison, whom I lived with in California for 5 years, gave me a miniature toy box one year for Christmas. When you turn the crank it plays "Toyland", and some of the teeny toys inside spin around. The year after that she gave me a little match box that pushes out a small ice rink on one side. When it's wound up it also plays a Christmas song, and tiny ice skaters spin around!! Now I'm the proud owner of a Christmas music box collection. I always look for them when thrifting during the holidays.

 My newest unplanned collection happened last summer when I was at a flea market with my parents. I was pretty pregnant and hot and broke. I had enough money in my pocket to procure one treasure. I spotted it on the first table we went to. It was a 1930's wooden, red children's piano. It had one key that wouldn't play, but all 3 legs. The guy was selling it for $25 and I was in love. I followed my dad around the rest of the flea market-2 more hours in the hot sun. I wouldn't buy anything, because I couldn't find a thing I liked more than that piano. At the very end I drug my overheated pregnant booty back up the hill, to that first table. I talked the guy down to $20, and rode home happily with my new toy....each bump on the way making the keys tink. A few months later my dad appeared at my house with a bag and an big smile on his face. "For your collection!" He said. I looked in the shopping bag and it was another small piano. "I don't have a miniature piano collection." I told him. "You do now!" He said. The new piano plays a little jazzy number when you lift the top. Here is the old red one that started it all: