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Getting Ready for Etsy to Arrive + School's Back In Session ~


Since school is back in session so is transferware edification but because I am one of the cool teachers that allows you to eat and drink in my class, go grab yourself a cup of coffee, tea, soda or alcohol (not too much now)...whatever it is that pleases your palate before we begin. 


As I've been readying myself by crying, saying prayers of thanks, pulling plates, stressing, saying prayers of thanks, smiling without realizing it, hanging plates, losing sleep, cleaning, acting giddy, saying more prayers of thanks, trying real hard not to clean and organize my packing area as instructed, brushing up on transferware facts and repeating the aforementioned for Etsy to be here filming next week I had to put my coffee table back together as I'd been in the process of rearranging it when all of this came about.  Everything that had been on the table has been on my living room floor for days. 

Tara Young told me in a message yesterday that Etsy will be pitching my story to some other big publications and blogs hoping they might pick it up as well and I kinda freaked...more than I am already.  I'm scared.  I had a mini breakdown, which I could feel coming on, and called my sister-n-law, Monica, in tears and I am NOT a phone person.  She is the writer, aka scapegoat,  I mentioned before who suggested that I blog in the first place.    If you know me, then you know how seldom it is that I pick up the phone...for anyone or anything.  Call it a character flaw, of which I have so many, but I am just not into phones.  Wouldn't you know my luck, she didn't answer hers this time!     I proceeded then to call my sister, Lauri, who, baby step by baby step, walked this here preK student through her camera settings in order to take some high resolution photos that Monica requested for a local press release.  I have never claimed to be a photographer and I know very little of camera terms and language...and yet...I blog?
 Note to self:  take a photography class or better yet, call someone like Brenda from Cozy Little House and beg her to teach you how to use your camera. 
  So I had a bit of a meltdown with everything happening so fast and trying to figure out how to get high res photos.   Turns out I just had to change a little camera setting, but like I said I don't know the lingo so it seemed like a monumental task.  I hate taking pictures of myself (hence the reason you never see them of me on here), but when I do I want it to be decent at least...especially if someone is going to see it.  
 Trevor and Ashton took some pics of me yesterday after school and here's the one I went with.  I like the transferware in the background. =)

As I mentioned, I was in the process of rearranging my coffee table.  Honestly, I usually get something the way I like it to begin with and then leave it alone.   Blogging, however,  has made me rethink some of that because of needing to stage so many things so  often.   I tend now to shuffle things around a bit more than I would ever have done before.   I have had a few dishes, transferware of course, that make great bases for some cloche's, such as this one.  So, today, my fine students, as I was topping this piece with a cloche I thought that a lot of you may not or do not know what this is.  Class, am I correct?  Has anyone ever seen such a dish?

Any guesses as to what this might be?


I have a couple of them, one is for sale in my English Transferware shop.  Both are antique and both are by Spode.  The one I am showing today is in the pattern Rural Scenes.  The artwork is by Edward Duncan and was commissioned by the Copeland family (partners and then owners of Spode) who retained a set of this dinner service in their private collection.  
Read that post HERE 
 This one has a hops border and one of the pastoral scenes with cattle, for which I have such an affinity.
It matches my meat drainer that some of my doggies trample over on a regular basis.
See?


Well, if you don't know already, this piece is called a food warmer or plate warmer.  Each of these came with a stopper, some of which are cork, some metal and this one; a ceramic stopper which I think makes it a little more unusual and quite pretty if you ask me.   The point is to remove the stopper and fill the dish with very warm water.  These clever dishes were first invented by Wedgwood around 1770 and were used to keep food warm at the table, or to deliver food a good distance from the kitchen, usually to someone ill. 
  
So that's the lesson for today...but you're not dismissed just yet.  Now that we got the boring learning out of the way lets get on to exciting decorating.

What to put under the cloche?

This book?  The only reason I bought this was for a display...I used to tell the kids when they were little that it contained all of our family rules in it.  

Should I pair it with my Poetry game cards you all saw HERE and a single rose?

Maybe only the game of Poems with a small vase?


Or...how about some pinecones to celebrate the season?

Which is your favorite?

Seems like a long post for such a short lesson but I wanted to get this in because the next few days I don't know how much I'll be around to blog though I am going to try to as I feel that need to get things out of me and I've got lots to share and tell you...like where I was and how I took the call from Beth Levison.  It was not a place one ordinarily takes one of the most important phone calls of ones career life!  And, NO, I was not in the bathroom.

Now, off to do more preparing and get some orders out to you all.  This is how my entryway looks a lot. These are the shipments going out today.  Think of all that yummy transferware in these boxes! 

And lastly, a verse sent to me from a client / reader, Linda.  I hope she will let me share her story sometime.  
We all have a story, don't we?


Philippians 4:8
Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise — dwell on these things.



Joining:
Cozy Little House 
Between Naps on the Porch
Savvy Southern Style
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
A Stroll Thru Life

Comments

  1. I didn't know what it was until I saw the second photo, then it hit me. Wonderful, we all need more educating in this area. Thanks and blessings on you and yours.

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  2. Great photo, Nancy! And I love the dish warmer. :D It is *neat* Have you ever been to the Birmingham Museum of Art? The Wedgwood exhibit is one of the best in the world....

    Wow, lots of orders going out! I hope you have a great rest of the week!

    xo,
    RJ

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  3. Lovely post, Nancy. The photo of you is beautiful. And, the lesson on transferware is compelling!

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  4. Now this is My kind of schooling ! I would have loved to have majored in dishware TeHe instead of nursing.Too bad most H.S. got rid of Home Economics.I loved it when I was in H.S. The photo of you is gorgeous. So glad to see you :)I'm going to buy a lavender piece from you some day.Hugs to you Denise

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    Replies
    1. I wonder why they took out Home Ec classes? I remember taking Home Ec (I got a D or F in that class! lol) and the teacher showing us what certain utensils were...such as a spatula which she was using to scratch her head.

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  5. You look lovely! Now just relax and enjoy this whirlwind of life! Prayers for you that all will go smoothly!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Rhonda! Thank you for understanding about the cow too! Nancy

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  6. What a stunning photo Nancy!
    I love the post, I can really imagine just how you are feeling.
    I knew what the warming dish was, but love the pretty little flower stopper :o)
    I think the second cloche arrangement says more about you!
    Glad to see all those parcels in the hallway, keep up the good work.
    Rose H

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    1. Hi Rose,

      Thank you! I think that stopper is so pretty too...never thought to call it a flower shape but you are right! Thanks!
      I think I agree with you regarding the cloche too, poetry and transferware...two things I love so I'll probably go with that. You have no idea how many times I think of you because I know whereabouts you live, and that is one place I long to visit! =)

      Hugs,
      Nancy

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  7. Interesting plate... never seen that! My favorite is... the doggies... oops you mean under the cloche?

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  8. That plate is so cool! I have never seen one before, but it is a great idea! Blessings to you as you get ready for the movie crew!

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  9. You are so pretty, Nancy, I don't know what you are concerned about! I do hate having pictures taken of myself, too. I'm usually the one behind the camera! I can just imagine you excitement and anxiety at the same time. You will do fine. I hope this leads to some big things for you.

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  10. great pic :) and i must say i love all those plates :)

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  11. What a great photo of you Nancy, your so pretty!
    I'm so happy for you getting an opportunity like this!! Try taking a deep breath and just relax, everything will go smoothly!

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  12. I love the photo of your entryway!
    Enjoy the whole Etsy experience!

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  13. I love each display on the warmer, each has a different mood. So exciting for you these next few days....Father God, i ask that you use Nancy to honor and glorify your name as she embarks on a new adventure, something it seems you have allowed her to share with so many. Many that may not have heard of your love. I ask your blessings on Nancy and her family,in your name i pray, amen

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, thank you for this beautiful prayer!

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    2. You are welcome, God is using you for His good, can't wait to see how He continues to work :-) suek

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  14. Your photo is so lovely, Nancy! I vote for the poetry books and red rose under the cloche! Ooooh, I'll bet one of those boxes going out today was for me! Can't wait! ;)

    Pat
    PersonallyByPat.com

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  15. Well, I don't know why you don't like your photo taken. You're beautiful! Such a warm smile too. I know you're excited beyond belief. Good things come to those who wait. And if only you'd known this moment would come the day you broke down and bought that first plate "you had no business buying..." I"m not much of a phone person either. Absolutely hate cell phones. Have had one a year and still don't know its phone number and never remember to take it or charge it. You can always email me and I'll help you with camera stuff too.
    Brenda

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  16. Nancy, each time I see a photo of you, I marvel that you have six children from teens to twenties. You are a beautiful lady, and I sincerely mean that. I'm so excited for you with this new opportunity and exposure for your shop. I know they will be totally impressed with you and your beautiful home and shop. ;-)
    Hugs ~ Sarah

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  17. I guessed what that plate is when I saw the side view of it. It's very pretty. I think I prefer the cloche with the vase and book of poetry under it best. All the best to you. Blessings, Pamela

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  18. Love that plate and it was such a good idea. All the best to you, Nancy, and Philippians 4:8 is my favourite verse!

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  19. Well, I'm glad I decided to attend class today!! Not only is this dish lovely (I have a weakness for this blue color) but how cool is the dish warming thing as I've never seen such a thing and I would have never guessed it.
    As far as which cloche I like, I think the middle one. I love the pop of color and contrast in designs. ;)

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  20. I have always enjoyed your blog and found your home to be very charming, but I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciated you sharing some of your history. Your honesty and vunerability in divulging this has made you not just someone that really knows how to make things look good, but someone that you would really like to have for a friend. I am so very happy that your business has been successful and promises to become even more so with the latest exciting direction it is taking.

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  21. That is one of my very favorite verses......wonderful advice!!! And, look at you, so youthful, like a teenager!!! Calm down, everything will be fine and you will do so well....we are all so proud of you!!! Yes, I knew that was a warming plate, I have a couple children's plates like that. hugs...cleo

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  22. You look so pretty....deep breaths, this is all terribly exciting and a journey that can open many doors...so enjoy it!! I love all of the pics but the 2nd one is my personal favorite. Cannot wait to hear more about this new chapter in your life.....so exciting!

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  23. Your picture is lovely! Only a few days ago I was led to your blog. Toile and transferware are my favorite things. Thanks for the education as I have never seen a warming plate before. This is such an exciting time for you and we enjoy your sharing it with us! Mary Beth

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  24. That is such a pretty picture, Nancy. And you know we had two dishes like the warmer one you posted -- one was my mother's when she was a baby, and the other was one she used when my brothers were small. It was the best way to keep their baby food warm as we fed them! (My preference is for the cloche with the pine cones in it....) Wishing you all the best as you prepare for this exciting event.

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  25. That is a prety picture you are very photogenic. One thing I am not.

    I enjoy you sharing this and it is an exciting time. Thank you for talking about transferware I learned a lot. I love transferware.

    Cynthia

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  26. Beautiful picture Nancy. Looks like you have been extremely busy. Transferware is gorgeous.

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  27. You look so pretty sweet Nancy. I hope things are better for you honey, I'm sure they will as exciting things are cvoming your way!! Great you've been busy, it helps a lot. I love transferware and yours is fabulous, wish I was close, believe me, I'd bee in dish heaven!! Please let us know how the exciting event turned out, as I can't wait to know! Big hugs,
    FABBY

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  28. Bingo, bango...we DO all have a story! :-) Being a bit nervous about everything coming up is not only natural but perhaps even a bit healthy in that it will keep you focused in the long run. I know the anxiety doesn't feel too good while you're in the thick of it, but it will pay off soon. I like the unusual dish...kind of a precursor to the microwave oven or the chafing dish!

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  29. Looking at your beautiful photo I can't believe you have six children with the oldest being 23! Amazing! What's your beauty secret? I'm so excited that Etsy is doing a film about you. You certainly deserve it. Love the warming dish. It reminds me of the old hot water warmed baby dishes (before microwaves) only prettier.
    Hugs and love the Bible verse.
    Babs

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  30. i am a dishaholic :) but i would love your blog anyway! i like your spirit, your encouragement, your struggles and successes. thanks so much!
    beth
    goodvariety@yahoo.com

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  31. YOur picture is fabulous, you are absolutely stunning. I love your transferware and all of your vignettes. The cloches are so fun, thanks so much for joining the party. Hugs, Marty

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