Gracious Cottage Blog

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Happy New Year January 2026! Digging Deeper into my Stash of Vintage Brooches. Calling them my Boutique Pins.

The brooches do remind me of displays in shops or shopping in general. Call them what you will. One time, I had first time visitors, a husband & wife. They both thought my house looked like an Etsy Shop. I liked that.

This group is in color. Again like boutique items. Different backings.

I am going to group these and list them as LOTS on Etsy in the next few days. Probably grouped as shown. All Vintage. 1950s - 1990s.

https://graciouscottage.etsy.com

.................................Karma: Action and Intention

Sunday, October 12, 2025

October but online it looks the way December used to look (Christmacy). I have some Italy Angels & Cherubs to share with you!

All are marked Italy. Musician figurines. Vintage polymer (repose) resin (I am not an expert). The attention to detail is noteworthy.

I found these in an unlikely place, and they are ready to view in my Etsy shop.

https://graciouscottage.etsy.com

Bucket List: Popular with some people, long for others, exotic even. Mine is simple and just recently acquired.

#1: Be a bell ringer at Christmas for the Salvation Army which I plan on doing this year.

#2: Probably odd. I want to become friends with a horse. I don't want to ride it, or sit on it or be responsible for it. I just want the social aspect. I have always underestimated horses even though I like animals. A co-worker pointed this out to me 20 years ago. She had a horse with a sense of humor. That piqued my interest. So I am working on that one...

Monday, September 15, 2025

September already! This month showing you Easy Mis Match!

It doesn't get any easier than this. Of course, everything is Vintage. The plates are like snack trays (made in Japan). They just don't have an indentation for a cup. These work so well with a pastry and a cup of coffee for breakfast or for a snack. I have four plates, good for a small coffee klatch. (klatsch)

Usually, it is a good idea to stick to the same weight or type of china but I even threw in a tea cup for contrast. Melmac works too. I find it fun to shop from my own cupboard.

Before you pass up that orphan cup or saucer or any lone item, think creatively and how you could set a table with mismatch. Many years ago, I first saw that type of table setting in a Tea Book. Later, I saw it in practice at a tea place in Old Downtown Orange, CA. It was called Someplace in Time located in the window of an antique store.

If you have a FAVORITE, leave a comment.