Pages

Monday, January 05, 2009

I Like a Little Pot

As in Pottery, I mean. I have an entire collection of little pots - each one no more than about 3" tall. I've never even had them displayed. I just keep them in this big basket. They look silly lined up on a big shelf and I've never found a smaller shelf with the right sized cubbies for them all. So, here they sit in this basket. They are all from yard sales and thrifts. Each one costing no more than probably 50¢ with most of them being 10¢ or 25¢.

Several years ago, I went to a Sale at the locally owned flea market and found about fifteen itty bitty little pots for 10¢ each, and that pretty much started my collection. That sale was being held by the lady that thinks she "knows all that" from the Sale of Sales. *This will come in as being important later in this post.

Around Christmastime about seven years ago I was watching Antiques Roadshow. A man brought in two big shiny black pots that were appraised at $55,000.00 for the pair. They were made by a Native American woman and simply signed, "Maria" on the bottom. Well, the shiny pots looked familiar to me and that "Maria" signature looked even more familiar. So, I dug out the basket full of pots and searched through them. There at the bottom was a small shiny black pot - I turned it over -"Maria" it said. I also recognized it as one of the original 10¢ pots from the flea market lady. Now, I knew this wasn't going to be a $55,000.00 pot. Especially since it was only as big as a golf ball. But, it was worth researching and listing on ebay. So, I did a lot of research on the Internet about Maria and learned even more about her pottery. I listed it with a beginning bid of $9.99 and was totally thrilled when it sold for $367.00! It wasn't $55,000.00, but a $367.40 profit was alright by me. And, I enjoy this story a lot more than I ever enjoyed that little black shiny pot.

So, now whenever I see a little pot, I have to buy it. It just might be another $367.00 pot!

And, even more pottery. In my quest to get organized and use my stuff, I have moved my matte white pottery to a new shelf. It isn't organized, but wow - what a bunch of it I have! I didn't even realize how much I had until I got it all rounded up and in one area. I love the planters, but I particularly like the figural birds, Little Bo Peep, elephant, tiny deer and cradle. I even pulled out twelve pieces that weren't matte, but more shiny or textured just to make it all fit. There are two half moon hanging planters on the top that aren't even pictured. I threw in the old glass bobbers to add a little color. I envision them full of pine cones or Shiny Brites or something to add a bit of color and interest.

Any ideas?

5 comments:

  1. I just had to comment that the title of this post is hysterical :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Random things I stick in pottery:

    ornaments, glass bead garland, glass bead picks, old millinery flowers, old millinery leaves, tree toppers, birds nests, robin egg remnants, pine cones, acorns, other assorted Jack nature treasures, buttons, old silky ribbons.

    ReplyDelete
  3. How could you NOT love the little cradle/wall pocket on the bottom shelf... it's a HAEGER (right?!!).

    I'm sure you'll have NO PROBLEM acquiring 'add-ins', but I will pass on a useful tidbit for maximizing a pottery display... Some pieces are just as interesting, or even more-so, when flipped upside down to form a 'pedestal' for another piece. For example, on your bottom shelf in the back (mid-right) there is a 'stemmed' piece of Haeger (the one with the label)... flip that upside down and you will have a raised solid surface to put that sweet elephant on display. If your DH or TB tends to like the bass on the stereo, make sure you put a piece of anti-slip drawer liner or tacky-putty between any pieces you stack!! Hey, when you run out of space, the only way to go is 'up'!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. You're so funny! I love all those little pots! I had never heard that story about the $367 pot. How great for you!

    ReplyDelete
  5. what an amazing collection! I love the lady under the cloche! You have the best luck finding things for super cheap and selling them on ebay for a lot of $$. Lucky girl!

    ReplyDelete

I love my comments. I'd love to respond to everyone, but if you don't have an email address tied to your ID, please sign your name so I will know who you are! It makes it nice to know who is saying what. Now, leave a comment! Please? ;o)