I've Got Milk! (Glass)

Hello my friends,
have you ever found that you have made a collection out of something that you really didn't intend to?
 
 
That's what I have done with milk glass without even realizing it.  :)
 
Ages ago my older sister, Dee Dee sold me this large milk glass platter, along with service for 4 dinner plates, salad plates, and goblets.
 
I knew nothing about milk glass, but just thought they were pretty. For years those are the only pieces I owned.  But then, I started seeing some at thrift shops and yard sales.
 


Of course I had to pick them up!
 
Got this beauty for only $4.
 

 
The pitcher I picked up in Oregon while driving the 'fruit loop' on a girl trip about 4 years ago.  Didn't get it for a steal.  I had to pay $30 for it.  Really, I bought it to go with my 'pitcher' collection.
 
 
A little over a week ago, while friends were here we read about milk glass in the Country Living magazine.  Do you know about the 'ring of fire'?
 
 
I had never heard of it before, but to spot the 'real deal' you hold it up to a natural light source.  Older milk glass was made with iridized salts and when held up to natural light it will produce a halo of iridescent reds, blues, and greens in the sun.
 
All but a sugar and creamer set that I had passed the test.
 

I decided I wanted to use it on my family room mantle for Valentines.  I backed it with an architectural piece and tucked various shades of red hearts into the
milk glass.
 


I attended the '3 Dotters' vintage sale on Sat. and my friend, Paula from Pollyanna Reinvents had the fabric garland for sale.
 
Granted, I could make one; but sometimes it's nice to bring it home and just hang it up.
 
Problem is I wasn't loving the mantle.
 

 
I placed the bowl on the left side on a cake stand for more elevation.  Better, but still not head over heels in love.
 
 
Love the garland, but finally just felt it was a little too heavy looking for the mantle.
 
So I pulled out the doily banner I made a few years ago.
 
 
 BINGO!  I think it did the trick!
I don't like reusing things in the same way, but it's been a few years since I used this banner here.
 


 
What do you think, better?
 
Oh, and guess what I found at a thrift shop last week?
A milk glass punch bowl set with 12 cups.
Couldn't pass it up!  (wink)
 
hugs,

38 comments

Bernideen said...

I think your milk glass is really wonderful for Valentines Day Jann. The mantle looks darling! I hope you are keeping warm and cozy this winter!

Penny @ Penny's Vintage Home said...

You have a beautiful collection of milk glass! I finally found a punch bowl and cups a few years ago...they are hard to come by esp. at a decent price! I like the doily banner the best, but the other one is so pretty...hugs....

Gina @ VictorianWannaBe said...

Hi Jann, yes I seem to make collections all the time without knowing it! lol
Your milkglass pieces with all the reds is beautiful and perfect for Valentine's Day. I have that same hobnail ruffled bowl, it was given to my parents on for their wedding. I like to use it for Cranberry salads, so pretty I do know about that fire ring same is true with bristol glass as well. I like the gingerbread grill or whatever you call it that you have used for the backdrop :).
Oh yes, the doily banner is definitely the way to go, so much softer and romantic for Valentine's Day!
Have a great week,
gina

Unknown said...

You have a beautiful milk glass collection and they look perfect with the Valentine's decor. Milk glass is also one of my favorites to collect and when you find a bargain like you did, it's a happy day!

cynthia lee designs said...

Your milk glass looks so pretty with the Valentine pieces!! My youngest daughter collects milk glass...she has white pieces and the soft green ones too.
hugs,
Cindy

Art and Sand said...

milk glass ... hearts ... banners ... perfection!

Aida said...

Hi Jann. I think i saw similar glasses but in red. You are lucky to find the same kind when you are thrifting. The white doilies are perfect for the mantle and goes well with your collection too. Hooray!

Thank you for sharing and thank you for visiting.

Hugs,
Aida

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Goodness Jan, you're on a roll with the milk glass. I like how you've paired it with red hearts, flowers and other things for Valentine's Day. I have a couple of vases that were my mother's and they're sitting on a shelf in the basement getting dusty - time to get them out after being inspired by your collection.

Curtains in My Tree said...


I have always liked milk glass and it's featured in this month's issue of Country Living magazine.
I really like your doily garland and the red and white was pretty sharp also.
Your mantel scream Happy Valentine's Day

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Jann,
What a beautiful collection of milk glass you have!! So lovely!! Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Hugs,
Deb

GranthamLynn said...

What a great collection. And a lovely display. I like them both!
Thanks for sharing your treasures!
Have a good week.

mimi_62 said...

Love the doily garland!

Sandi Magle said...

I think milk glass is highly underrated right now---I see lots of pieces around the thrift shops. You have scored some beauties. The pedestal basket? is gorgeous. I have quite a few pieces and they recycle through my bathrooms periodically. My huge cake plate is gorgeous and I have had since my wedding. Great collection...and a punch bowl, how much fun is that! Can't wait to see it, Thanks, Sandi

Suburban Girl said...

I love your milk glass. I have some too, it brightens a room.

Rose L said...

Love how everything looks so pretty on the mantle. A nice yet subtle salute to Valentines day.

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Jann, you have a wonderful collection of milk glass. Love the lacy banner! I have a few vases and I must do the test on them. Interesting post and yes, I love your mantel! Thanks for sharing with us.

Blessings,
Sandi

Cindy Lou said...

LoveIt!!! I like the doili banner better! LOVE the rag banner too!!! Interesting facts about the milk glass!!! Your mantle looks great!

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

I love milk glass and had no idea about the ring of fire test! I must check mine out! Your Valentine mantle vignette is lovely, and your doily banner just perfect! Always fun to see what you've been decorating :)

Pat said...

Jann,
Gorgeous collection of Milk Glass, dear friend!!!
I loved both your garlands, but the second is so exquisite
and in the same period (era) as the Milk Glass!!!
Good article in Country Living!!!
So~o~o. . .do you know the names of all your patterns of Milk Glass???
Your mantle is l~o~v~e~l~y dressed in vintage lace and Milk Glass!!!
Fondly,
Pat
P.S. I have two milk glass plates, that's all!!!

AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNa said...

The doily banner is much, much better although I LOVE the red and white one. Hmmm, where will you put that now?! The whole mantel is fab-u-lous. Thanks for the tip on the milk glass. I never could tell real from repro.

Julie said...

I agree about the doilie banner, Jann. Your mantel looks so festive for Valentines Day!

Creations By Cindy said...

Loving your milk glass. I only have a few pieces but do love it though I find myself not using it often! Think I need to drag it out! The banner is adorable! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Winnie said...

Your milk glass collection is beautiful!!
I said it before and I'll say it again - you have an eye for beautiful, unique things

deb @ frugal little bungalow said...

I love the milk glass with the fluted? edges. Not sure if that is the proper description but those are my favorite whenever I see them. What a lovely collection!

Katie Mansfield said...

Great collection and very fun for Valentine's Day. Cute banners. I like them both!

Unknown said...

They're so pretty Jann !
How interesting about the " ring of fire "
I only know it as something June Carter and Johnny Cash sang HAH !!!
I remember both grandmother's houses filled to the brim with milk glass - I've never owned a single piece I don't think -
Have to rectify that !
XOXO

Diana said...

Lovely mantel, Jann--I'm quite taken with your doily banner. May I borrow the idea? Yes, I woke up one day with a milk glass collection myself-lol. I've sold most of it off once we had a bathroom done over. Most of the MG was in there; I was using it for toothbrush holders, makeup caddies, etc. Take care!

Joy Junktion said...

Oh, you will definitely need to share your punch bowl set in a future post. I love milk glass. Red/White draws my eye and I love what you have done with your mantle. Very pretty! Blessings, Cindy

Unknown said...

I love milk glass - you have such bargains! My husband's mother started an accidental collection of cats - once she picked up the first one everyone in the family gifted her cats on every occasion. She told me once she hadn't meant to start that collection but how can she turn away the sweet gifts? Hope you have a lot of sweet gifts in your future!

Sarah said...

Beautiful pieces, Jann. My mother had a lovely collection of milk glass. One of my nieces has it all now. I'm happy that she wanted it and that the collection stayed together. I'll share this post with her so she can see how you used your pieces on your mantel.

Mrs. Laura Lane said...

Thanks for hostessing. I can hardly believe it's time to decorate for Valentine's Day!
Blessings,
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

The Happy Creations said...

Thanks for another great party Jann,hope you like our Valentines garland.
Have a great day:)

Anonymous said...

Hi Jann! Oh, I love your mantle with all of your pretty Milk Glass pieces. I too collect Milk Glass but didn't know that. When we have a sunny day I'll have to put my pieces to the test! ;) Your little doily garland looks perfect with the Milk Glass too. Hope you're doing well.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse said...

Your milk glass collection is great. I think I like the doil garland better, the other one is really pretty but it draws the attention on it rather than on your collection.

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Fabulous milk glass collection and great mantle. I agree, the doily banner looks better. I have several milk glass pieces, but I didn't know about the ring of fire. It is raining, so I'll wait for a sunny day to see if they have that iridescence.

Ana Love Craft said...

Wonderful collection! The doily garland are stunning! Also love sweet hearts!
Enjoy your day!
Hugs and love from Portugal,
Ana Love Craft
www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

Sharon @ Blue Willow House said...

You have a wonderful collection of milk glass and it looks so pretty on your mantel. I like the fabric garland but looooove the one made from doilies. Thank you for sharing at Vintage Charm.

Parsimonious Décor Darling said...

Wonderful collection of milk glass, Jann, and how beautiful and festive with all of that gorgeous red!

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