Everyone I know collects something…many collect more than one something. Like me, I collect snowmen, books, beads and at one time I collected lovely antique cookie jars. I have probably over 40 now and at one time more. I’ve given some away as gifts, I’ve broken some, *sob* displayed them and boxed them up. Like everything in life, it has a season. I’m ready to move out of that season and move these treasures out of my house. Oh, I will keep a few…some are very cherished and will be kept until I leave the earth, then they will go to one of my children. However, most of them I can and will part with.
The story behind my collecting cookie jars began way back when I was expecting my first child. Almost thirty two years ago, being so big in the belly, I had to bend over while standing up, just to tie my shoes. It was while I was in that strange position that I spotted my first cookie jar. It was a duck and I later on found out that this duck, who I’ve dubbed Mae, was made by Hull Pottery. Behind Mae was another find and thus my second addition to my collection. Muggsy, an adorable little dog with the sweetest face, was made by Shawnee. Those two I will never part with. They were from my grandmother’s kitchen and although she had all but forgotten about them and had relinquished them to the depths of the second self on her microwave stand, I had miraculously found them. And to think…it was all because of my huge belly!!
Time went on and I began collecting more cookie jars over the years. However, the first two were my favorites. I love flea markets and antique stores and our family traveled to different states quite a bit. I would usually return home from any vacation with a cookie jar. Always excited to get it home, wash it up and display it until my next jar hunt. I love dishes too and just about anything that looks old, rustic and eclectic. You can imagine how my closets must look….thirty two years of collecting!
Since Etsy so kindly allows vintage items to be sold on their site, I took a bold step and set up my second Etsy shop and named it….”Muggsey & Mae” It was a logical choice…right? That was a year ago….and today I am just now to the point that I can put my cookie jars in my shop. Am I sad? No….not sad, however it is very difficult to put a value on things that you have loved and cherished. It’s a daunting, time consuming task….wash, dry, photograph and research. I feel it’s my responsibility to enlighten and educate those that just want to look at or buy my cookie jars. Wouldn’t you want to know the history of an item if it had one?
So that’s where we are….my jars and me! In a wonderful reunion of memories. This will take days, weeks and months to get these lovelies on the site….but I want to share them with you before they find new homes.
I’ll begin with her….this sweet little bear. You think she’s the one that stole the cookie from the cookie jar?
American Bisque Girl Bear Cookie JarI don’t know…He’s the one licking his lips!
Brush Smiling Rabbit Cookie Jar
Both of these beautiful vintage cookie jars will be on display with details and available for purchase next week at Muggsey & Mae!
Rustique Art 