Hull and Hobnail Happiness

Forrest Gump had that line about life and chocolates. But I think life's more like a thrift store. You have a wider range of serendipity. A little humor. A little "what the heck is that?" And junk or treasure, it's all in how you look at it.

Anyway, this week's Treasure Hunting took me and my shopping bud, Scoobie, around Pittsburgh's South Hills. I had had my eye on a type of Depression glass from the 40s by Anchor Hocking called "Moonstone" and this was the weekend I managed to snag a few pieces at a good price...
I'd like it noted that this was from the very same antique mall where I showed you the, um, unique example of Big-Eyed Portraiture on Sunday. Proving, I think, the truth of that adapted Forrest Gump adage I was just talking about. :)

And underlining the bit about serendipity, at the Salvation Army Superstore in West Mifflin, I came across my very first thrifted Hull vase...
Scoobie and I both spotted it at the same time and gasped, knowing full-well how expensive Hull is in any of the antique malls.

Now, I'm not going to kid you-- it does have two chips. You can see one of them on the right hand side. But honestly, sitting up on top of my china cabinet, its soft matte-finish pastels look just right in my dining room. I looked it up and the pattern's called Wildflower. I figure no one visiting will be inclined to pluck the vase from its spot and "tsk-tsk" over the chips...

And if they do-- heh-- I probably should invite them over less.

Lastly, I snagged two bright green Depression glass candlesticks at the St. Vincent de Paul thrift store in Castle Shannon. They don't look quite as intensely green in this pic as they are in real life...
They came out to be $5 for the pair.

Now, before I forget-- one of the Thrift Shop Romantic's regular readers, Debbie of Debbie-Dabble, had asked to see a closeup of a table in my spare room, based on a previous post. So Debbie, my friend, here is more of that sewing stand...
It's from the 70s, a Singer cabinet, which I two-toned with some of the same cottage white paint I've used elsewhere in that room. Its top wasn't great, so after I painted it, I put a Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic placemat over the top and glass over that to keep it tidy...
Here you can see the Colonial knobs were exchanged for glass knobs, and I'd added some wooden appliques to fancy it up.
Thrift stores often have old sewing tables without the sewing machines in them, and the tables still make great sidetables, with a little bit of work.

Anyway, that's it for this Treasure Box Wednesday. I hope to see you again on Sunday for our next post-- and have yourselves a chocolate-box-worthy remainder of this week!

12 comments:

Unknown said...

You did a great job on that table! Beautiful! It just goes to show that with a little paint and imagination, trash becomes treasure :) it's my favorite thing about shabby chic.
Shabby Chic Home

Rose of Sharon said...

What a cute blog you have! I love your take on Forrest Gump's line (if you don't mind, I think I'll use that too! hee hee!) I love Hull vases and your's is beautiful!

Take care,

Sharon

Jenn Thorson said...

Rachel- Yup-- as long as the piece has good lines, it's really easy to make it work well without much pain.

Sharon- Thanks muchly, and I appreciate you stopping by! :)

Colleen said...

The vase is absolutely heavenly! Love the colors, so calm and serene. I'm in awe of your sewing cabinet makeover! Do you happen to know of a local place that might sell glass knobs such as these? I'd love to get my grubby hands on a bunch of em' and do some makeovers. They add so much class!

Jenn Thorson said...

Colleen- That's the nice thing about Hull-- those soft flowing colors. Like you, I find it and the matte finish so tranquil and soothing.

I got my glass knobs at Home Depot, but Target also sells them.

Peggy said...

Jenn,

I am so envious of your finding Hull at a Salvation Army. I have a big collection of Hull, some with chips but they are for me and I don't care. One day I will do a post about my Hull over at Three Makes A Collection. Did you see my grandmother's Hull vase in my first post? It is the piece that started my Hull collection.

Peggy

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Jennifer,
Thanks so much for posting the pic of the sewing cabinet. I love what you did with it.
I know where I can get one for free and I am thinking I may do something similar to what you did with yours which came out looking fantastic!I love the embellihments on the drawer!
Also lucky you getting the Hull vase, the hobnail and the candlesticks!
If something I have is going to be put up in a shelf and not used , is just for display, I do not worry about a chip or two.
Love the colors on that vase.
I just came back from my favorite sale, Half Price Monthly Sale at the Volunteers of America Thrift Shop. I think I got some great things which I will post tomorrow so come and see my treasures if you have a chance to.
Thanks again, loved seeing that sweet table close up!! Great job!
Debbie

Jenn Thorson said...

Peggy- I'm totally with you on that "they are for me and I don't care" feeling about chips. Unless you're planning to resell, why not enjoy them for their flawed beauty?

I will have to pop by to see.

Colleen said...

Hi Jenn! Thanks for your response! Your knobs are so cute and vintage-looking that I thought they were, indeed, antique! You must think I'm a total dork for not thinking of Lowes or Home Depot:) Actually, I thought you may have had a hot tip on a local place where I could find old, antique glass knobs. I know there are online places with scads of them, but I'm more of a looky-feely type person. I've heard that the Roger's Flea Market may be just the place to peruse. Have you been there in your thrifting travels?
Thanks again!!
Colleen

Lois said...

Hi Jenn!
I really like the moonstone glass.
Very nice!
I agree with you and Peggy about chips on peices that you like.
If you enjoy looking at it then put it where you can see it...chips and all!
Thanks for sharing.
Have a great weekend.
Lois

Jenn Thorson said...

Colleen- Well, you might find old knobs at Construction Junction or at the Washington flea market. But glass knobs of that type usually aren't much cheaper (or really with more character) than the new ones-- folks seem to know they're in-demand and tend to charge a bit for them.

I haven't been to Rogers as it's on Fridays and I'm rarely off on Fridays. I'm hoping to go in late May, when I'm actually off and a friend is visiting.

Lois- Thanks-- the Moonstone makes me really happy, too. It's sort of space-age meets girly 50s housewife. :) I like how it catches the light.

I smile seeing how many folks here have no problem with a few chips.

1950s Atomic Ranch House said...

Oh I love the table!