We do so many things while we live in this world – some we do because life tells us to and some because we are lucky enough to find opportunity to!! I feel so blessed to be able to run a passion-led business for more than 10 years – vintage china and accessories!! Now the time has come to wind up this love of mine and move full-time to the profession that I am trained in. I recently started my private speech therapy practice full time; while I will still keep the blog, my personal collection (and of course still acquire the lovely pieces!!), I am selling a huge part of the inventory.
I lived and breathed among pretty pieces from the eras gone by, crafted in hand by famous, historical potterers around the world. Between the two states of Arizona and Texas, I met talented, amazing professionals, editors, models, photographers, bloggers. Many clients became good friends, and many friends became amazing clients. The pieces I owned came to life when held by so many people, for so many reasons. They were used for happy occasions like weddings, tea parties, birthdays, bridal showers. Now these adorable objects of my affection are parting from me, will be making memories for others and this makes me so happy!!
So, what are we selling at Tea Crockery!
We are selling goods in two main categories: 1) Rental inventory in wholesale price (great opportunity if you already own a rental/event business or if you are wanting to start a side hustle – interested parties contact us at teacrockery@gmail.com). 2) Individual pieces or smaller sets at retail price (sold on different channels).
So up for your gracious attention is a collection of vintage and antique crockery, cutlery and linen! I opened this business almost a decade ago with the objective of mismatched vintage tabletops. There are few matching, partial sets but most of the china is mixed. Everything is made in England, USA, France, Germany, Poland, Japan and in some cases made in China but from vintage era. Brands that grace our inventory are the English populars like Royal Albert (and almost all other Royals in crockery), Johnson Brothers, Churchill, Wedgwood, Spode, and some that are lesser known but equally well-respected like Stoke-on-Trent, Foley, Adderly, Hamersley Princess etc. Among other European names with enduring appeals include Limoges and Havilands, Winterling, Villeroy & Boch, Gerold Porzellan. From Japan we have Noritake, Mikasa, Nippon, Pico, Kaysons, Roselyn and more. And then of course we loved collecting fine china from USA – Lenox, Syracuse, Rosenthal, Mikasa and some country style patterns of Pope Gosser, Edward Knowles and the likes. The inventory includes luxury line of fine bone china, fine china, ceramic, transfer ware, ironstone. The variety is from functional, decorative to collectible. Range of patterns include florals, clean lines, gold trims, platinum bands, retro mid-century geometrics or chintz of Victorian time. Whether you are looking for partial matched sets to complete, replace china or creating a mismatched eclectic collection, you will find our inventory abundant in lovely pieces. The pieces may on one hand help you create the ritzy elegance of regency era, swankiness of Great Gatsby and classic tea time of Downton Abbey. On the other hand, we also have pure cottagy, shabby chic crockery for a pure vintage mix and a bohemian look and of course the whimsy Alice in Wonderland theme!
Why vintage china? You ask. Well, why not? we reply!
The elegant spread old dishes on the dinner table or in a china cabinet brings a very unique kind of nostalgia. We can all relate to our mothers’ or grandmothers’ dinner sets. Memories of family meals, guest parties, events stay with us along with dishes for many of us – an envy for a certain pattern in an Aunt’s home, a wish to acquire a particular brand for your own dowry and the joy of finally owning the pieces!
The eclectic touch with modern decor is beautiful. Vintage and antiques are always “in” but the trend of vintage that started in 2010 -ish is only becoming trendier. Any good interior designer will plug in some antique element, no matter how modern the home is. These pieces not only look calming to senses but also make best conversation starters. At personal level, it’s just an amazing feeling for me and likes of me, to take out an old set to drink tea, enjoy dessert on a delicate plate or lay down a table for special occasion. You can fill up your kitchen with awesome modern stuff but a touch of old farmhouse silverware or vintage teacup will always bring a dynamic to your design!
Other than the prettiness and all, the vintage goods are also very well-made. They really don’t make pieces like those anymore!! Nothing makes me sadder than the brand new Royal Albert which is not crafted in England. The same patterns side by side from different eras have a completely different effect on your mind and table. Sipping tea from a fine bone china teacup has its own feel! I would prefer an old Noritake on a new one any day. The recycling and restoring of old silver plated flatware is so satisfyingly.
How to buy?
If you are a business and looking into buying around 2000 pieces of inventory, contact us directly at teacrockery@gmail.com
If you are collecting for personal use, here are three ways you can buy per your convenience:
Etsy: Visit the shop here. Items will be delivered to the address provided at the time of transaction. Please note there is a delay due to covid and not all countries are included in Etsy’s shipping list. Local buyers can contact us to waive shipping, pay through Etsy and and do a porch pickup at Coit and Eldorado in Frisco, Texas (75035). No interaction, No Showing before purchase.
Facebook Marketplace: The commerce profile is run by Maya Chai. She will be managing the sales on Facebook and will be the main contact but I also have access to the account. No interaction, No Showing before purchase. Only Porch Pickup at Coit and Eldorado in Frisco (75035). Feel free to ask us about this channel.
Boutique: You can view the pieces in person at Frisco Mercantile on Main and Preston. Our booth number is 711. This is the only point of sale where you can see the goods in person. Edit: Our boutique is now closed!
Some Housekeeping (Please help us stay sane!):
All the items are sold on first come first serve basis. ABSOLUTLEY NO HOLDS WITHOUT PAYMENTS. WE ARE OBLIGED TO SELL TO THOSE WHO HAVE SENT PAYMENT. The items maybe cross posted on Etsy and FB Markeplace and will have different prices due to listing fees, commissions and other overheads associated with the selling method as well as on the audience (international vs. national vs. local) and demand. The item listed on FB Marketplace may also be listed on our Etsy shop and vice versa. Anyone can buy from Etsy at any time. Once the payment is made on FB Marketplace, we remove item from Etsy and if FB item is sold, we remove it from Etsy.
Please note, we have almost 3,000 pieces, it is very hard for us to show any of the pieces hence NO IN-PERSON showing for Etsy and FB Marketplace items. We have spent a lot of time in providing you details of listings and pictures. We have been conveniently selling our pieces without having to show to our clients before they buy. More than 90% of items are bought and then picked up. We would like to keep it that way. If you are local and need to see the items, please visit our boutique at Frisco Mercantile (edit: the boutique is now closed).
No messages will be replied that are sent to Tea Crockery or on my personal messenger regarding listed items.
The items are described in details, any flaws will be mentioned. Whatever is listed is available. Reasonable offers may be accepted for some items. We get at least 50-70 messages every day, we may or may not be able to reply.
Payment methods include Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, Facebook Pay and cash. Details will be sent when you are ready to pay.
The Gorgeous Vintage Condition ~ art and science of vintage (Please read, it will help you understand your dishes!)
You will see the term “gorgeous vintage condition” mentioned quite often if you are in market to acquire old articles. The term means the pieces are old and that is exactly the charm they are supposed to bring! The vintage condition is not “new in box” condition. Even when they are in box and never used, there might be some minor fading and age wear. Vintage per Etsy’s definition is at least 20 years old. Generally for collectors, it goes back much later than two decades. So when you are buying, please understand the pieces are pre-loved and in most cases used. They could have been in storage for decades or used for family dinners frequently. They may be partial or full sets or just one piece. They were probably loved, were received as presents, were part of dowries, inherited or just bought from another antique store. These heirlooms bring the nostalgia and history with them so we accept them with all their age and grace! Love and enjoy your new (old) piece!
I found this Crockery blog very informative. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Olivia! I will look it up!