Collecting Vintage Silver Serving Pieces

Collecting Silver

Collecting & Displaying vintage silver


Among the other things I seriously collect {ironstone, white and pink milk glass, blue and white dishes}, I've also been picking up pretty vintage silver pieces when I see them at thrift stores. I use some in displays and I like to use the trays to corral a group of objects...like candles, or glass jars full of shells in the summer, that kind of thing. The rest of it gets tucked away into one of my hutches.

Uses for vintage silver trays

I recently pulled it all out to polish and...oh my goodness, I had no idea how much silver I have actually accumulated!

I think I might be in the running for an episode of Hoarders if I keep it up... some call it collecting... buuuuut I may have crossed that line, if you know what I mean :) When you don't actually know how much you have of a certain thing and keep buying it...is that called 'hoarding'??...I know that's what Mr. Diy would call it!

Uses for vintage silver trays

It might actually be time to let some of these beauties go because in all honesty, I don't really have the room for them. And I like to use what I have and enjoy it {not forget that I have it in the first place!!}. I mean, how many vintage silver trays can I use at one time anyway?

I used to love tarnished silver, but lately mine had taken on more of a black and blue... with maybe a tinge of purple.. hue. It was time to clean it...but I don't own a silver polish cloth.

Uses for vintage silver trays

When I read about Jennifer from Dimples and Tangles easily polishing her silver pieces with Bar Keepers Friend, I decided to give it a shot. It worked like a charm! I wet a sponge, tapped some BKF on the soft side of the sponge and rubbed away. My sponge was black by the time I was done.. and so were my fingernails.. Wear gloves if you're going to do this! And be aware that BKF states on the back that it is not meant to be used for this purpose...so please don't use it on any pieces that hold special sentimental value to you!

Displaying vintage silver

I didn't polish my silver pieces to perfection, I left a little bit of tarnish around the edges and in the grooves. But they look so much better!! See the difference below...the rectangular server has been polished; while the round one has not...see all the spots on it.

Cleaning vintage silver

I'm not sure if I'll list all this beautiful vintage silver on Ebay, open a blog store or take them to a craft show I'll be doing in May. I'll probably start with the craft show and see how that goes. It's going to be very difficult to decide which ones to keep, sigh.

Collecting vintage silver

I'm especially drawn to footed pieces, handled pieces and anything ornate. It is just so pretty and I love to imagine how it might have been used a few decades earlier...very Downton Abbey...except I don't have a butler, boo!

Collecting vintage silver

Are you like me? Do you have things tucked away that you've completely forgotten about, yet you tend to continue to buy the same thing when you find a great deal??

Yikes...please tell me I'm not alone in this! C'mon gals, confession is good for the soul. Let's come clean together!


bringing beauty to the ordinary,



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Comments

  1. Oh Cindy, Cindy, Cindy! Of course i understand about borderline hoarding- I too share the same silvery fate! Which is why you should ask me first to buy your silvery somethings- to know that they will be in a good home that appreciates them and one that has many silvery brothers and sisters for the adopted pieces to play with!! !!LOL See?? You are not alone my friend, so fear not. I am particularly fond of trays... :)
    Thanks for a most enjoyable post!!
    Sparkly Hugs,
    Tobi and the pixies

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    1. Tobi, you are so sweet and funny!! My silvery somethings are just waiting for you to pop by and adopt them :) Anytime you're in middle TN you just give me a ring and we'll set it up!!
      Thanks for your comment, I feel like I've been coated in pixie dust ;)

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  2. I too love ironstone and silver! I adore using them around my home for decor and they just make me smile to look at them. I even collected a bunch of silver cream and sugar bowls one year to use on my MacKenzie Childs Christmas tree! This may insterest you. http://foreverdecorating.blogspot.com/2011/12/my-mackenzie-childs-inspiration.html

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    1. Terry, what a fabulous idea to add the creamer and sugars to your Christmas tree! I checked it out and love it! So charmingly whimsical ;)

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  3. Haha, I always find stuff tucked away, and totally forgot about. So yes I'm the same way! Thanks for sharing on DIY Sunday Showcase.

    Shelly
    minettesmaze.blogspot.com

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  4. I have a thing for silver too but I have yes to actually polish any of it! Maybe once it turns black! It does look lovely all bright and shiny. Love that little white shelf with the turquoise back too!

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    1. Hi Tara, this was the first time I polished it and I think I like it better this way - more sparkly :) Thank you for loving on my little craft-shelf-turned ironstone display :)

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  5. Oh, I enjoyed seeing your silver. I love your silver and love to collect it. I haven't been using it lately but need to get it out after seeing yours.I usually use silver polish but I do own some BKF so may give it a try.

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    1. Thanks so much Judy...isn't it fun being inspired by others, especially when it doesn't even mean a trip to the store, but just re-loving things we already own? Enjoy playing with your silver :)

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  6. Loving your silver pieces!! They look so pretty all shiny! I would love it if you would come join us for Centerpiece Wednesday on my blog and share your creativity with us. http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2014/03/centerpiece-wednesday-115-see-and-share.html Hope you will come and party with us.
    Karin 

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  7. ummmmmmmmm I MAY have a few pieces tucked away in box(es) in the attic.....ooops
    I DO use them pretty often though since I am the silver queen :^) and I do a lot of parties for church/family/work. I am in fact, working on birthday parties for a 24 year old niece and a party for 90+ year old Sunday school participants. They are dramatically different, but I have slipped a few pieces of silver into each one ....... shhhhhh.
    Hope things are going well with you and yours,
    Blessings,
    J

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    1. Hahaha, thanks for fessing up :) They are just so darn pretty! I can't say no to an ornate handle. And I really think they can be used for all sorts of occasions. Just wish I had a butler to go along with them (my house is a little dusty...and messy) :)

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  8. My stomach dropped when I read you used Bar Keepers Friends. For the sake of folks at home trying to figure out how to polish the right way, don't post info like that.

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