Practical, Precious Pie Birds!

Hello my friends, Happy Sunday!

I had never heard of or seen pie birds when I received my Nov. of 2010 Country Living magazine.
 
Featured on the front cover was a darling black pie bird.
 
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Instantly I fell in love and thought that someday I would like to have a few.
 
Country Living called them practical and precious. . .and I would like to add pretty.
 
*this quote is from the article.
 
Baked in a pastry, these ceramic utensils offer an adorable way to let off steam.  And displayed on kitchen shelves, they positively sing.
 
Well, I didn’t really seek out to find pie birds, but ‘lucky’ me, in the past couple of months I ran across two.
 
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They say that two are a couple, but three is the start of a collection.  Hope to find at least one more!
 
Aren’t they precious?
 
One is small and petite and the other is living large.  But oh, look at them just waiting to sing!
 
Pie birds are dated from the 1930’s to the 60’s and retail for about $10- $20 (according to C.L.).  Found mine at a damaged goods store on two separate occasions.  $6 for the large and $3 for the small. . .oh happy day!
 
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Vintage pie birds are quite collectible.  This set, despite missing two is still worth $8,000.  Wow!

 
 
The inspirtation for pie birds?  The nursery rhyme, “Sing a Song of Six Pence”.  Four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie.
 
Pie is one of my favorite desserts.  Though I’m not really fond of pumpkin. . . .
 
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Pecan and Coconut Cream are my favorites.  I make my moms Pecan pie recipe and my Mother-in-laws Coconut Cream.  YUM!
 
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I really never bake a double crust pie.  But this Thanksgiving I sure will, just to use my sweet pie birds.
 
Yup, won’t be long till those birds will be singing!!
 
Any other pie bird collectors? 
 
Happy November!
 
hugs,
Jann

I will be sharing with these lovely parties:
Thoughts From Alice for Sundays at Home

35 comments

Creations by Marie Antoinette and Edie Marie said...

I love pie birds too Jann and yours are just adorable!! I never knew they existed until a dear friend of mine was looking for one to buy several years ago. I also have that copy of Country Living and kept it just because of the cover! I know your Thanksgiving pie will be extra special with one of your little birdies baked in it this year.

Many blessings, Edie Marie

Helen and her Daughters said...

I have a love for pie birds too! I only have one and he is damaged but still beautiful to me.

Stacey said...

They are so cute but I don't have any. I love anything with birds. Pecan and coconut cream are my favorites too, Jann. Just made pecan last week. :)

Susie said...

Jann, I am loving the start of your new collection. :):) I knew they were pie steamers, but I never knew how far back they went. Hope you had a great weekend, xoxo,Susie

Debbie said...

I have a collection of 4 pie birds & I love them. They were all from my Mom & Grandma. I'm not a baker...too much exact measuring...but I do love my pie birds. Coconut cream & cherry are my favorite pies...but my sweetie doesn't like either one so I have to wait until I see them on a menu if we're out for dinner.
xo
Debbie
===^..^===

My thrift store addiction said...

Jann, Love your pie birds--they ARE pretty! I didn't realize they were so collectable, I will have to be on the look out...Have a great week!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

2 cute birds! I knew about the pie birds, but never had any as have never been much of a pie maker. I would have guessed they had been around long before 1930.
A big slice of pecan pie sounds so good right now.
Hope you enjoyed the weekend.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Jann, I remember that article in Country Living. I have one pie bird I found at a thrift shop several years ago and have not found another one. I love it and someday it might have some 'friends'. Your two are so cute! It's a fun collection!
hugs,
Linda

NanaDiana said...

LOL- Oh- you are hooked. Aren't they CUTE? I have a blackbird one that is quite old and I use it every time I make a two crust pie. The kids get a kick out of seeing it there. My gramma used one (wish I had hers) but my mother never did. She always cut designs into the top of the pie to let steam out. xo Diana

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

I have one pie bird that I bought years ago. I'm like you Jann, and don't make many two crust pies. I really prefer pie with a crumble topping , but those pie birds sure are cute!

Kim said...

That's so funny, Jann, I kept that same magazine, because I had never heard of the pie birds either. I fell in love at first sight! I actually bought one for my sister that year for Christmas, she's a big pie baker! :) Now where is that magazine...hmmm

Kim said...

That's so funny, Jann, I kept that same magazine, because I had never heard of the pie birds either. I fell in love at first sight! I actually bought one for my sister that year for Christmas, she's a big pie baker! :) Now where is that magazine...hmmm

cynthia lee designs said...

Love the pie birds. I can remember my grandma using them when I was a little girl.
~Cindy

Mindi@MyLove2Create said...

I have never heard of these, but what a fun history lesson! Now that nursery rhyme makes since! Thanks Jann!

Doreen@foxdenrd said...

I'm with Mindi on this one! Never heard of them Jann, but they ARE adorable!! And $8,000! Wow!

Antiques And Teacups said...

I have sold quite a few different ones over the years. They are fun, aren't they? I have a white bird at the moment. I too love them...and they work!
Ruth

Burlap Luxe said...

Oh Jann,
My grandmother baked with pie birds, apple and rhubarb pies as well as cherry. They were so cute, I think my aunt has her collection. When I saw that issue I too wanted to start collecting, all white ones thought lol !

Love your sweet ones if I find any I will let you know!

Xoxo
Dore

Diane said...

I have never heard of pie birds. What a novel idea, love the ones you found!

Tea in the Library said...

I think I still have that issue somewhere around here. Pretty and practical little birds.

Cynthia said...

It's funny I bake everything under the sun. Pie's not at all. Tortes and many other things the most. Like the pie birds

Cindy

June said...

I never knew what these little birdies were for when I would see them. I always wondered what they were used for Jann. I'm so glad I popped in to see you today. I just learned something :)))
sending hugs...

Cathy @ My 1929 Charmer said...

Oh my they are precious and pretty. I have heard of them but never used. I hope you find another one!

farmhouse-story said...

i've never seen these cuties before! i learned something today:)

Anonymous said...

pie birds how delightful - Pecan pie is one of my husbands favorites and banana cream pie too .. I love all kinds of pie but not to thrilled with blackberry or any berry because of the seeds... but I'll eat them..wink!!!
I am no collector of any one item but these would be fun to have one or two..
Lovely post.
Hugs

Heather Grow said...

Hi Jann, I don't own a piebird but these are very cute. Hey, thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting on my burlap and vintage sheet bunting. I corrected my oversight and added the share link party link on my post. Sorry about that. I'm still new at the link party thing :)

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Thanks for dropping by my tea post Jann. I make slits in my top crust, 'A' for apple etc. with a few more vents for good measure.
I've looked at the pie birds in kitchen stores but I think they'd make a big hole in the centre. Lately I've been trying to make a crumble topping for pies to eliminate the extra pastry.
My favourite pie is apple with a wedge of cheddar cheese on the side. (typically English)

priscilla said...

Your pie birds are adorable Jann ! I don't have any of those .. might have to find myself a couple :) Not a fan of pumpkin pie either !

Creations By Cindy said...

Love your pie birds Jann and I must admit...I have learned something new! Never heard of pie birds before now! Now I want a pie bird! LOL! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Tuula @ Thrifty Rebel Vintage said...

I've never heard of pie birds. They're so sweet!

Art and Sand said...

I have never seen a pie bird except in photos. They do look really sweet. I hope you find a friend for your little birds.

Poppy @ With a Dash of Color said...

Oh how pretty and precious and so darn cute! Thanks for sharing the wonderful story of the pie birds, never knew about it until now.Hope you find more of these cuties to add to your collection~hugs, Poppy

Rose said...

I remember my mom using one when I was little and she said it was used to vent the pie so the contents do not leak out. Funny, but do not remember hearing it sing?!!

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

They are so cute!!!...My sister collects vintage pie birds and I always have loved them!!

Debra Howard said...

They are really cute. Hope you get your third!

Fran said...

I still have that issue of Country Living, and it was also the first time I had heard of pie birds. I've never come across a pie bird, lucky you! I actually baked a pie today--Dutch Apple--but I can't remember the last time I baked a two-crust pie. Hope you are having a great weekend! --Fran :)

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