Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Granny Cleans Up!



Silver that is!

On a recent thrifting excursion I ran across this
flatware storage case for $10.00.

Not the best quality but it is functional and it was only $10.00. Have you priced flatware chests lately?
 I had been collecting a 1902 pattern for several years but I was too cheap to purchase an additional chest. Soooooo, I stored it here!
The quality of the pics is not good. I was trying to balance on one foot and steady the camera.
Had to delete most pics.

This was not functional storage. Therefore, I didn't use this silver often.



I know, I know it is shameful. I know that none of you have  such a thing in your closet/cupboard.  Well, I did!


While I was recovering from my broken foot I tried to find tasks I could do while sitting.  I took out my best friend to help me. She lives under the sink (not Cinderella but  Sewerella). Not a nice way to treat a best friend but she really doesn't mind. Let me introduce her.
There is a glare in the photo but it is Wright's silver cream.

Wright's silver cream has been around at least 65 years.  I remember my Mom buying it often. There was a little book that was usually in a little rack on the shelf beside the polish. (Notice that, little book, little rack. I am beginning to sound like our sweet Shelia. Love you Shelia!) It told the story of Mrs. Wright's cow getting stuck in mud up to her cow bell. When she was pulled out her cow bell was gleaming, clean and beautiful. Apparently the cow had fallen into a magic mud which could clean silver and other metals in the wink of an eye. Mrs. Wright began to market the magic mud as "Wright's"silver cream and copper/brass cleaner.
I was only six years old but I was sold. Have been ever since.
I have used many different types of cleaners since that time. Some of them very highly touted and highly priced. So far, Mrs. Wright's magic mud is the best. I purchase several types at Kroger for about $3.00. They have one for copper that is also magic.

Ok, so I get busy.
Beautiful sugar sifter
This was the first piece I purchased a few years back. I just fell in love with the intricate detail. It is sterling pattern "Stratford" by International Silver. It was introduced in 1902. I have read one source that indicates it was discontinued in the 1940's. 

I began to open pouches and clean. Some pieces I had forgotten purchasing. The only thing I do remember is that I am frugal in this area and I am sure they were all purchased at a bargain. 


I polished and polished and polished.



At this point I placed this post in draft form. I realized this chest wouldn't hold everything. I purchased this chest from Horchow. It still didn't hold all the pieces but have a look.




I really love the detail on this pattern



Here are some of the places used in a tablescape.

Now these beautiful pieces are organized so that I access them easily and see what I have. 
I hope you enjoyed the results of my work. I couldn't have done this big job without Mrs. Wright's help.

On June 15th for the Pillsbury Cookalong and register for Jo's first giveaway. 
I am linking to the following gracious hostess for great parties and inspiration:












Tabletop Tuesday-A Stroll Thru Life
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday-Coastal Charm
Three or More Tuesday-The Gypsy's Corner
Toot Your Horn Tuesday-A Silly Little Sparrow












Twice Owned Tuesday-House of Grace
Take A Look Tuesday-Craftedition

Please a comment so that I know you were here! Thanks for your visit, Ginger :)

15 comments:

Curtains in My Tree said...

Oh Granny

you should have got those out long before today they are gorgeous pieces of silver which I am always on the look out for

Your set is fabulous

Debbiedoos said...

Gorgeous silver Ginger. I have never seen that cream either. I have such a hard time cleaning silver and copper, and never found the right stuff. Pretty pretty!!~

Sanghamitra Bhattacherjee(Mukherjee) said...

Gorgeous silver! Beautiful post! Thanks for sharing...hope to see you on my blog:)

Miss Char said...

Oh boy did you get my attention with the SILVER heading. I love looking at silver patterns, your collection is fantastic and your new chest is a real bargain.

Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads said...

Your silver and your chest from Horchow are just gorgeous! Since your silver will be more handy, I'm sure you'll be using it more often. I'm coming to your beautiful city this week. We are only staying one night, but we are celebrating a friend's retirement from teaching. It has been a while since I've been to Savannah.

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Ginger,

So sad to read you have a broken foot... and trying to balance on one foot, being still a good photographer! You certainly did unearth a hidden treasure chest! Wow, what a gorgeous and intricate silver pattern. Smart investment as gold and silver prices have gone up lately. Guess they will not come down anytime soon.
How did you manage to get that many pieces of one and the same pattern? I've never seen this particular one.
My all time favorite is Alvin's Bridal Rose but if you look at the prices you have to be a millionair. Sure, I do have some pieces but not many.

Lots of love and wishing you all the best; heed yourself, be careful!

Mariette

Anonymous said...

Ginger,
The silver is gorgeous! I have some silverplate, but rarely use it either because of the way it is stored.

Chatty Crone said...

I'm sorry you have a broken bone! However . . . that was a great way to use your time.

Your silver is gorgeous!

foreverdecorating said...

I'm not even going to tell you how valuable your silver is, but just drool over it's beauty.

Anonymous said...

Hey you been working hard, but guess what? your silver is beaUtiful!Just like you.
Hey thanks so much for the shout out,the cookalong is rollin' and the giveaway post is blastin'
Come see me!
hugs thru the pines my dear friend
~JO
LazyonLoblolly

NanaDiana said...

Ginger-It looks absolutely shining and wonderful. Now...if you're still sitting downa nd would like to continue polishing I have a couple of chores you could perform. That is the BEST silver polish ever! xo Diana

Anonymous said...

Your silver looks beautiful as does your tablesetting. You've got quite a collection. It's nice that you can keep most of it in a more accessible place now. Sweet!

PAINTORDIG.blogspot.com said...

Beautiful silver. I use wrights silver crean too-never heard the story about the cow though.Somehow I have overlooked the copper cream, must look for that!

Babs said...

Ginger, Your silver pattern is beautiful and I'm like you... I use Wright's. I actually don't mind polishing silver... crazy me.
I was sorry to hear that you had broken you foot. I do hope you'll be up and about in no time.
Take care and keep sending those great posts.
Babs

Carrie said...

I just came here from your tablescape post. This sterling is just scrumptuous...I love the all the beautiful detail on the pieces!
Thanks for sharing. I too have used Mrs. Wrights for many years. I enjoy seeing each piece transformed as I wipe away the tarnish.

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