eBay and Dishes

Bought a Globe-Wernicke steel bookcase on eBay yesterday for $100 + $30 delivery. I'm thrilled. The bookcases usually go for about $199. I've wanted one for several months now to match the one I already own. It's being used as a china cabinet to show off my Slice of Life dishes. I love how the psudo-traditional dishware looks surrounded by all that industrial steel. I have photos, but they're trapped in my camera. Will post later.

I've also purchased two pieces from TabletopsEtc.com. The person who listed them claims both the mug and the plate are "French Cafe." I've never seen a Slice design titled French Cafe. To add to my doubt, the only design I've ever seen as a mug and as a plate (and a tray!) is Miss Liberty.

So it's probably too good to be true, but the company will refund my shipping if they've made a mistake at their end. TabletopsEtc is actually an interesting concept -- sort of like half.com for china, with a bunch of individuals selling their wares. But sadly it's sort of a sucky system at present. I can ask for a photo or for a measurement, but there isn't any way for me to ask a question about the item.

I've been trying to decide what to do about serving pieces. The line comes with four fantastic platters and a ho-hum veggie bowl, but nothing else. For some reason I want a teapot, and a sugar, and a creamer, and a cake platter . . . . I don't know why I want these things, it's not like I'll ever serve a formal dinner.

Originally I thought I would mix 'n match, concentrating on black matte stoneware and nice glossy white stoneware. Then I found this fantastic Arthur Wood teapot, and decided matte black wasn't the way to go after all.

So matte is out, gloss is in. (Good bye, matte black salt and pepper shakers! Good bye, matte cereal and ice cream bowls!) And I want FIGURAL stuff. Not a lot of figural, but a few pieces here and there to add a little more punch. I know I want a traditional Victorian black cat chocolate/coffee pot. Maybe miniature black-and-white Eiffel Tower salt & pepper shakers. Also in love with a Tower of Pisa Parmesan cheese shaker.

So some pieces will be figural, and others will be, well, white. I found some Villroy & Bosch at the JC Penny outlet, for about $4 each. They look great with my dishes, and will form the core of the collection. Not everything can be V&B (unless the outlet keeps coming through!) but it's a nice start.