Black Tole Trays

I started collecting black tole trays about 12 years ago when my son-in-law brought me a large reproduction one back from England. He had found it in the gift shop at Buckingham Palace, and from then on I was smitten. Some can be pretty pricey, so I try to look for the bargains. My little collection has steadily grown, but this last few weeks I've been on a roll.

 I found this one on Etsy here at a great price, and was so happy to find it, despite the small areas of rust. It's a pretty good size, and if perfect, these can set you back a penney or two.

I'm sticking with hand-painted ones for now, even if they're a little rusty.

( a little rust never hurts anything anyway! right?)

It's now setting on my double ovens, making a pretty statement.

Before, this smaller one just didn't show up enough.

Then, this last week when Anne and I were out scouring the shops,  I found this one with pink flowers. It's in the Dining Room for now on an old black wooden folding luggage stand.

Then, in St. Louis I came across this one that had pink roses. 

I found a spot on the kitchen counter for this one.

And then a baby one from St. Louis too...

Anne put it here on top of the scales and I think it looks so sweet!

right behind one of my chalkware lambies.

I found this other smaller one a while back,

and it has made it's way to the countertop.

This was from last Fall,

love them lined up on the backsplash.

I've been tempted with other background colors, but there's something about the black ones that just grabs me. I think it's that they remind me of an English Country kitchen, and I love the contrast of the black with the antique white cabinets.

I'll be joining in for these parties this week:

Thrifty Finds at Southern Hospitality

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Table Top Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

Tuesday Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Cowgirl Up at Cedarhill Ranch

Knick of Time Tuesday

Ivy and Elephants

Primp

Very Merry Vintage Style

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

A Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

No Minimalist Here

Brambleberry Cottage

The Vintage Farmhouse

The Charm of Home

Sweet and Simple Friday at Rooted in Thyme

At the Picket Fence

French Country Cottage

2805

Stuff and Nonsense

And be sure and come back Tuesday afternoon for the Blogaversary Give Away. I'll be giving away 3 (yep, 3 of them) copies of Carolyn Westbrook's new book, Through the French Door. See you tomorrow for Monday Marketplace!

xoxo,

How about a Monday Marketplace?

OK, so I have this little idea, and we all know, especially my husband, that my ideas are sometimes time consuming, cost some money, and require heavy lifting...but not this one. 

If you're like me, you like to buy from your blog friends on Etsy, and also like to share the fun of finding those wonderful vintage items and amazing creations. But it's hard knowing what everyone has in their stores. Sometimes we miss great items that we might be looking for, unless the blog author actually does a post on a particular item.

So, here's my idea...

Source: flickr.com via Caressa on Pinterest

I've been thinking of a weekly venue to share some of our Etsy and Online Store products that we would like to showcase. So many of us in blogland have Etsy Shops and/or Online Stores. How about a way to focus on one or two items per week that we have for sale? So many linky parties ask that Etsy items or stores not be linked up. But how about a party that focuses just on that concept? An online marketplace where we could all link up; a way to share with everyone our creations and products.

So, starting this Monday, February 27, I will be hosting a weekly linky party for anyone that sells or has purchased a wonderful product. This link can be to a specific product you sell or even something you've purchased. You may link to a specific blog post, or Etsy item. I'm asking that you NOT just link to your Etsy Shop or Store, but to have a link to a particular item. Then if people want to browse your shop they can, but I want this to be focused on "items" and inspiration, not stores. This is to showcase  individual sellers and their products. And as much as we love the big online companies, this is not about those products...just individual Etsy Shops and Online Boutiques.

This coming Monday, (I'll post a linky sometime mid-day on Monday) let's say you link up one or two items from your shop. These can be handmade items or vintage items. Depending on your interest and participation, I might have linky "catagories" for products, but for now let's just see about a turnout.

so, how about it...?
Let me know if you're interested
 or think this might be a fun way to shop!

*This is not to take away from Sponsored Advertising on blogs

just a way to see what products are out there.

and if you haven't entered 

Nancy's Give Away 

scroll down to the next post!