 Meadowsweet Pattern by Ridgway Potteries
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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”. |
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Your home is your sanctuary and is infused with your style 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 antique, vintage or funky furnishings, beautiful china, a cottage garden and jewellery that reflects my beliefs, celebrates the holidays or is just plain gorgeous! I love being surrounded by sentimental figurines, trinkets, heirlooms and seasonal do-dads, radiating their good vibes; all of which greatly enhances the contentment and pleasure that I take from my home. |
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Helping Mother Nature through Thriftiness
I grew up in a thrifty household as my parents were born during the Depression. While the goal of thrift is to save money; it is often 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". Thrifty people look for products that last and that serve multiple functions or repurposes. Many of today's new "green" products do not necessarily meet this goal and often damage the environment during their production or in a new and sometimes unexpected way.
I instead choose to buy, use and sell primarily 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; e.g. cooking and gardening books, reusable items like handkerchiefs and products, such as covered dishes, that reduce the reliance on plastic wraps. Some of my Blog Articles are dedicated to thrifty living. Click here: Blog-Recipes & Extras
I grew up in a thrifty household as my parents were born during the Depression. While the goal of thrift is to save money; it is often 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". Thrifty people look for products that last and that serve multiple functions or repurposes. Many of today's new "green" products do not necessarily meet this goal and often damage the environment during their production or in a new and sometimes unexpected way.
I instead choose to buy, use and sell primarily 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; e.g. cooking and gardening books, reusable items like handkerchiefs and products, such as covered dishes, that reduce the reliance on plastic wraps. Some of my Blog Articles are dedicated to thrifty living. Click here: Blog-Recipes & Extras
Sustainability & Longevity
It is ironic that technology has long existed for many items to operate manually under human power e.g. wind-up alarm clock, doorknocker, door lock or can opener. These things require no additional 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. Sometimes even the internet is required for basic household items 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 and reliability 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).
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 ironic that technology has long existed for many items to operate manually under human power e.g. wind-up alarm clock, doorknocker, door lock or can opener. These things require no additional 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. Sometimes even the internet is required for basic household items 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 and reliability 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).
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". 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 I have many Shop 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 and magic. 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.
Thank you for visiting and good magic to you! Vicki
Thank you for visiting and good magic to you! Vicki
