Treasure Box Wednesday: Partying with Fiestaware

While here at The Thrift Shop Romantic, we typically delve into vintage resale finds, there happens to be one so-functional collectible that is still being produced, and hasn't changed much since its birth in East Liverpool, Ohio in the 1930s-- decorative, art deco Fiesta.

I've been picking up pieces of this, both new and used, to balance out the plethora of purple pottery plates I'd found at Big Lots over the last few months. I love the big deep mugs and bowls, but the sheer purpleness of it all was a bit much. It was starting to look like Tim Burton's kitchen cabinets.

But most interestingly, this last week, retail stores actually came through to give me the balance I'd wanted-- and in a huge way. (I know: it gave me a little unnerved shiver, too.)

Department stores Kohls and-- of all places, the normally-pricey Macy's-- have had big sales on the dinnerware. 40% off in the case of Kohls, and Buy-One-Get-One-Free at Macy's.

So I chose some colors I knew would work with my kitchen, and was able to pre-order some to be picked up this very Wednesday evening. It's going to feel a little bit like Christmas, I suspect.

One thing worth noting-- the "Lemongrass" color above has photographed much more yellow than it appears to be in person-- in my kitchen it looks like a bright lime/Depression glass green. Lighting is funny that way...
Which is why I recommend anyone looking to buy Fiesta who hasn't done so before, and might not know what the various color names mean, to make sure you see it in person to start.

I'd noticed the new Kelly Green that's out appears actually way more green-green than it looks online as well. So just a word to the wise.

The other nice thing about the newer Fiesta is that, beginning in the 80s, the Homer Laughlin company began making sure the glazes were lead-free. You can identify many of these pieces by the "lead-free" mark on the bottom.

So tonight, I'll be putting on my sombrero, gathering up my maracas, and having myself a Fiesta! And as always, you're more than welcome to join the party. :)

Have a great rest of your week!

7 comments:

Sandy aka Doris the Great said...

Shall I have a margarita in your honor? I think so.

Anonymous said...

Love Fiesta, always looking for more pieces, love the colors....you have such a great collection.

Enjoy,
Donna

Linda ★ Parker's General said...

It is wonderful to see someone else exhibiting what I hope is a similar passion for Fiestaware. I have been collecting for some time and we use ours as everyday dishes, though I do not let the grandkids use it. I also won a giveaway a long while back and won 4 place settings straight from the Homer Laughlin factory. I have not opened these but am holding on to them for some reason. The ones we use are much older and I certainly hope they are lead free. Thanks for the peak into your cupboards.
★Linda

Jenn Thorson said...

Sandy- Why, thank you very much! Delicious-- and themic! :)

Donna- Thank you-- this has been a real blast!

Linda- The pieces are so nice and sturdy, it's marvelous they can be used for everyday, it's one of the things that drew me toward it. What other vintage dinnerware besides Pyrex can you use without regret? Excellent about your placesetting win-- you must have been SO excited when you'd learned you'd won!

JD at I Do Things said...

Oh, I'm jealous!

I have a few pieces that my mom gave me (and I have my eye on a few more she HASN'T given me). Your collection is gorgeous.

Jenn Thorson said...

JD- Heh, why am I picturing you trying to pry your mom's fingers off some Fiesta platter? :)

Laura Beth Love said...

nice post - love fiesta :)