I have always liked the beautiful classic look of Fiestaware. My grandmother had several pieces and we always used it as the everyday sandwich lunch plates. We didn't know--and neither did she!--that they were vintage Fiesta and very collectable!
For quite a while I have been making a trip by the Fiesta section in department stores just to gaze at the beautiful deep colors. Several months ago I was browsing on http://www.craigslist.com/ and ran across an entire collection of P86 Fiestaware. These are exactly the same as the vintage except they were made after 1986 and the color/glaze is a tiny bit different. They are still expensive if you buy them new.
I was so excited! I don't usually spend much money on this kind of thing so it was a special treat. I had some Christmas money, etc that I had been saving for something special. Bob and I talked about it and decided to make the woman an offer. It was less than what she was hoping for but agreed to accept it.
We drove to St Louis and met her to pick them up. I was like a kid, jumping up and down with excitement. The dishes were even better than I had hoped. I was afraid I would get tired of them...not even close.
In this collection, I got 18 place settings in 18 DIFFERENT colors! Plus several serving pieces including two lilac (the platter above and a serving bowl) pieces. I don't have a lilac place setting. Lilac is one of the most rare (translate expensive) P86 colors because it wasn't produced for very long. So, I have a total of 19 different colors.
18 place settings may sound like a lot but it is not unusual at all for us to have 13-15 guests at a time. I am looking for glasses to go with the plates. I am still using the Corelle Shadow Iris glasses--I have had the Shadow Iris dishes since high school and was ready for a change. Fiestaware makes glasses and tablecloths that coordinate with the dishes but they are expensive.
I have a few Norman Rockwell glasses and they look really neat with the dishes, but they are hard to find as well.
So I'm watching at garage sales, etc for what I need to complete my collection...if you are ever at a garage sale... :-)
7 comments:
Have you ever tried to look for them on eBay? I might have some luck there.
Wow! I love color, but opted for simple white dishes from Macy's. I add in color with the accessories and serving pieces. Yours make them look boring now!
Beautiful!!!
I always loved Grandmother's fiestaware, I was very sad to find out it was sold at an auction while I was in Florida :-(
Shar,
I love it more every time I see it - it just fits my happy-Shar-sister. I love you bunches and gobs!
Lizzy
I'm excited for you that you were able to find something you obviously will enjoy for years to come! :o) Hope you find the glasses soon.
What time is dinner???? You are going to allow people to eat on these aren't you???
Wow--this caught my attention!! I love them! I only own boring and can't justify new ones...hmmmm... unless the other ones broke or something... ;)
just found your site through a link from Paul Peterson--am good friends with him!!
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