Meadowsweet China Pattern by Ridgway
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Meadow Sweet Grove takes its name from the dishes used on our dinner table in my childhood. This blue and white china featured an idyllic cottage in the English countryside. The pattern was called "Meadowsweet" and I still have a few surviving pieces! I always thought; “Who wouldn’t want to live in that peaceful and pretty home?” |
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I have always been drawn to gardens, older charming homes and vintage items. The feelings evoked are hard to explain - I just know that they weave a magical spell around me and make me want to stay forever!
So now I live with a Grumpy Old Garden Gnome (my husband) in a beautiful 1912 Edwardian home. This little house is tall and narrow and sits on a very tiny city plot ... which he has lovingly converted, into a “little piece of country in the city”. The garden provides us with quite a few of the ingredients that I use in my recipes. The Littlest Fairy in the Grove (my daughter) has instinctive wisdom that provides me with inspiration for some of my blog articles. She also creates some of the GIFs and videos that I use and you can see her artwork on Meadow Sweet Grove’s website under “Rhian’s Renderings”. |
Your home is your sanctuary and is infused with your type of magic. I believe that strength and grounding grows when you live in a home that reflects your taste and is filled with items that truly express your own unique leanings.
For me, those "favourite things" are beautiful or funky vintage china, jewellery that reflects my beliefs or celebrates the holidays, and being surrounded by sweet figurines, trinkets and seasonal do-dads radiating their good vibes; all of which greatly enhances the contentment and pleasure I take from my home
For me, those "favourite things" are beautiful or funky vintage china, jewellery that reflects my beliefs or celebrates the holidays, and being surrounded by sweet figurines, trinkets and seasonal do-dads radiating their good vibes; all of which greatly enhances the contentment and pleasure I take from my home
Helping Mother Nature through Thriftiness
Born to Depression Era parents; I grew up in a very thrifty household. While the goal of thrift is to save money; it is often very kind to the environment as well. This is in part because the motto of the thrift is; "Use it up, Wear it out, Make it do, or Do Without". That means a product that appeals to a thrift must last and last and serve multiple functions or reincarnations. Many new "green" products do not necessarily meet this goal and often damage the environment in different ways.
I instead choose to buy, use and sell vintage and pre-loved items. These items have already been manufactured, so I like to keep them going as long as possible. By purchasing vintage or pre-loved, I know that I have decreased the demand on manufacturers to create a replacement product ... and have potentially rescued an item from an unfortunate destiny in the landfills! I also enjoy selling items that promote self-sufficiency and thrift; like cooking and gardening books, reusable items like handkerchiefs and products that reduce the reliance on plastic wraps; such as covered dishes. Some of my Blog Articles are dedicated to thrifty living. Click here: Blog-Articles
Born to Depression Era parents; I grew up in a very thrifty household. While the goal of thrift is to save money; it is often very kind to the environment as well. This is in part because the motto of the thrift is; "Use it up, Wear it out, Make it do, or Do Without". That means a product that appeals to a thrift must last and last and serve multiple functions or reincarnations. Many new "green" products do not necessarily meet this goal and often damage the environment in different ways.
I instead choose to buy, use and sell vintage and pre-loved items. These items have already been manufactured, so I like to keep them going as long as possible. By purchasing vintage or pre-loved, I know that I have decreased the demand on manufacturers to create a replacement product ... and have potentially rescued an item from an unfortunate destiny in the landfills! I also enjoy selling items that promote self-sufficiency and thrift; like cooking and gardening books, reusable items like handkerchiefs and products that reduce the reliance on plastic wraps; such as covered dishes. Some of my Blog Articles are dedicated to thrifty living. Click here: Blog-Articles
For love of sustainability & longevity
It is also ironic that technology has long existed for many items to operate manually under human power e.g. hand-operated wind-up alarm clock, doorknocker, door lock or can opener. These things require no energy to function after their initial manufacture and often very few repairs or replacement, but somehow, in this time of environmental consciousness, the world is moving towards more, rather than less automation. Alarm clocks need batteries; door bells, electronic door looks and can openers need electricity and sometimes now even the internet to function! But when you use human power, rather than manufactured energy, you greatly reduce the seemingly endless demand for more and more energy. Besides the longevity of items that operate manually, besides the fact that they consume no energy after their manufacture; many items in days gone by were even designed to serve multiple functions. That's the very definition of sustainability! (You will find some of these basic items in my "New Days, Old Ways" category).
I hope to add repaired and re-purposed items soon! And unlike some upcyclers who destroy perfectly good vintage items for their creations, I will only be using damaged items that might otherwise be destined for the landfills. Watch for "The Tinker's Table" - coming in 2020!
For love of uniqueness & beauty
Sometimes, the charm in a vintage item lies in the country they hail from, the time period in which they were made, or they simply add an uniqueness to your home that can't be found by following the trend of the day and buying goods that are widely-distributed to multiple "box" stores. To that end, you will see that most of the items I sell are from many different countries around the world (eg Canada, England, Germany, Ireland, Japan and more!), and also from various eras - each chosen for their quality or uniqueness. (You will find these items in my "Vintage (All) category).
It is also ironic that technology has long existed for many items to operate manually under human power e.g. hand-operated wind-up alarm clock, doorknocker, door lock or can opener. These things require no energy to function after their initial manufacture and often very few repairs or replacement, but somehow, in this time of environmental consciousness, the world is moving towards more, rather than less automation. Alarm clocks need batteries; door bells, electronic door looks and can openers need electricity and sometimes now even the internet to function! But when you use human power, rather than manufactured energy, you greatly reduce the seemingly endless demand for more and more energy. Besides the longevity of items that operate manually, besides the fact that they consume no energy after their manufacture; many items in days gone by were even designed to serve multiple functions. That's the very definition of sustainability! (You will find some of these basic items in my "New Days, Old Ways" category).
I hope to add repaired and re-purposed items soon! And unlike some upcyclers who destroy perfectly good vintage items for their creations, I will only be using damaged items that might otherwise be destined for the landfills. Watch for "The Tinker's Table" - coming in 2020!
For love of uniqueness & beauty
Sometimes, the charm in a vintage item lies in the country they hail from, the time period in which they were made, or they simply add an uniqueness to your home that can't be found by following the trend of the day and buying goods that are widely-distributed to multiple "box" stores. To that end, you will see that most of the items I sell are from many different countries around the world (eg Canada, England, Germany, Ireland, Japan and more!), and also from various eras - each chosen for their quality or uniqueness. (You will find these items in my "Vintage (All) category).
When I do offer new items for purchase, I try to select, where possible, items manufactured in a variety of countries, or from the handmade/cottage industry. As you can imagine, this can sometimes be quite difficult to achieve. The world has put so much of its manufacturing "into one basket", so to speak. But I do look diligently for these items and you will see that they are selected for their quality of workmanship or special character - which I hope will ensure that they endure the test of time and serve multiple homes.
Fairies, magic & folklore
I share a special fondness for fairy tales, mythologies and folklore and so there are many categories dedicated to the wee folk! "Fairy & Wee Folk", "Fairy Tales, Folklore & Mythology", "Dragons & Unicorns" and "Witches & Wizards" - just to name a few! Such delicious folklore and customs are woven into the holidays and these are celebrated in my seasonal categories as well. I also like to carry items infused with magical symbols or which contain lessons or stories of magic; that might otherwise be overlooked in these common everyday things and so my "Magic" category contains just that!
Fairies, magic & folklore
I share a special fondness for fairy tales, mythologies and folklore and so there are many categories dedicated to the wee folk! "Fairy & Wee Folk", "Fairy Tales, Folklore & Mythology", "Dragons & Unicorns" and "Witches & Wizards" - just to name a few! Such delicious folklore and customs are woven into the holidays and these are celebrated in my seasonal categories as well. I also like to carry items infused with magical symbols or which contain lessons or stories of magic; that might otherwise be overlooked in these common everyday things and so my "Magic" category contains just that!
The fairies and I welcome you to visit the Grove often -- to enjoy seasonal articles and images, comfy home cooking recipes and a little bit of folklore. You may also find some enchanting and unique items in the little Shop at Meadow Sweet Grove - which I endeavour to stock with vintage and eclectic treasures from many different countries around the world.
Good magic! Vicki
Good magic! Vicki
