Fabulous Finds Friday: Crown Dynasty Dinnerware Plus
You know that feeling?
The one that makes you happy dance inside while you’re trying to look all calm, cool, and collected?
The one that makes you believe that you just scored the best deal on the planet in your own little neck of the thrifting woods?
The one that has you yelling in your head… “START THE CAR!!!… START THE CAR!!!… even though you’re all by yourself.
When it comes to thrifting there’s no better feeling than the thrill and satisfaction of finally finding something that you’ve envisioned in your head.
Something so perfectly perfect… even with its imperfection.
Something that just screams you.
And for me this is it, and this is just how I found it in the thrift store.
It’s a set of Crown Dynasty red and aqua floral dinnerware.
It was waiting for a volunteer to set it up on the display table in the middle of the kitchen area. In this thrift store they always have a set of dishes that’s for sale on display, and once it sells they set up a new set.
But they didn’t even get this set out of the container. I was very happy to scoop the whole thing up and save someone some valuable volunteer time.
You’re very welcome, whoever you are.
Just like when I found my living room wing chairs, I knew when I saw this set that it was meant for me.
I very quickly, and I do mean quickly, looked through it and for $6 it looked absolutely fabulous.
I’ve been looking for a floral pattern that has a retro vibe with the colors of my aqua and red kitchen.
Could it be any more perfect?
I honestly don’t know how.
There are 8 salad plates, 8 cups and saucers, 8 soup bowls, and… here’s where the imperfection comes in.
There are only 7 dinner plates. Bummer!
That upset me for about 30 seconds, and then I came to my senses.
Especially since every one of these pieces is in excellent like new shape. Not a chip or a crack to be found.
But knowing me I’ll be looking for that eighth dinner plate for the rest of my life. lol.
I’ll just have to keep the faith and hope that I get lucky.
Here’s a close up of the pattern on the cups.
I think it’s feminine without being old fashioned.
Even though I love the floral pattern the thing that really got me excited was the aqua blue around the edge of every piece. Such a pretty detail.
The mark on the bottom of these dishes has no pattern number so I haven’t been able to find this specific pattern when researching, but I did find some similar Crown Dynasty pieces.
They dated back to the 1970s-1980s so I’m guessing my set is from that era too.
In my world retro is the 70s and the 80s, vintage is the 30s to the 50s, the 60s can teeter in both directions (depending on what the item is), and antique is anything from the 20s and earlier.
I could be wrong, but that’s just how I see it for myself and my own collecting.
So these dishes are definitely retro, and that suits me to a tee.
And as if this set of $6 dinnerware wasn’t enough to want to escape the thrift store before someone realized their mistake and took my dishes back.
I found something else from that same era.
Wowza! The thrifting gods are really smiling on me these days.
I found a set of 8 Luminarc made in France ruby red glasses. They’re all marked France on their clear bottoms, and anything from France is a must-bring-home item for me.
There was actually a whole bunch of this glassware on a shelf in various sizes marked 10 cents a piece.
Unfreakingbelievable!
After running my fingers over the edges of many tops and bottoms I came up with this chipless 8. I lucked out with the dinnerware, but I wasn’t taking any chances with this glassware.
I did some research on Etsy after the fact and these glasses range from $5 to $8 each.
I took all the desert bowls they had, which were all chip-free.
A set of 5 of these desert bowls is for sale on Etsy for $30.
They had a few very small glasses, maybe for liquers, which I now regret not even checking. I just thought I’d never use them, but they would still look good on display.
I went back the next day and they were all gone… even the chipped ones.
That was a big boo hoo for me.
How many times do I need this to happen to me before I learn my lesson. lol.
So here they all are making themselves perfectly at home in my aqua china cabinet and at a cost of just $7.40.
I have to say that while I was searching for a set I did see some others that I liked, but they were either too expensive for this thrifty girl or just not quite right.
Patience, as usual, has paid off.
I don’t always find what I’m picturing in my head right away, but I don’t tend to settle either. I know that someday the right thing will find me. And honestly it doesn’t always, but when it does it feels great and makes up for all the times it doesn’t.
The one thing about the ruby glassware is that for some reason it photographs very dark, but in person it’s actually even lighter than the beautiful deep red that you see in the close up photos above.
The little red wooden rocking chair is one of my favorite things, so it will always be in this cabinet somewhere.
Now I need to find a few more cool plates for the bottom area to go with my vintage Anchor Hocking blue deviled egg plate.
The search continues… always.
So the next time you find yourself thrifting the best deal on the planet, and you hear yourself yelling in your head… START THE CAR!!!… START THE CAR!!!, think of me, and I’ll be with you in spirit.
Here’s wishing I could be thrifting with you in person… and you can bet your last thrifting dollar that if I was I would most definitely START THAT CAR. 🙂
Thanks so much for reading, and until next time…
keep on keepin’ on!
XOX
Pin to your favorite board and share with your friends.
The thrifting Gods are definitely in your favor most of the time! How perfect are those dishes and glassware! I, too, love that aqua edging ♥ I am in love with your Anchor hocking deviled egg plate ~ I drool every time I see it! LOL Perfect for MY Easter Dinner 🙂 Deviled eggs are a hot commodity here at Easter ~ I spend most of the time refilling my plain ol’ dish.
You have the best thrifts. The ones around here seem to be pricing like they’re an Etsy Shop! So high. Hardly stop in anymore, just not worth it. Makes it hard when that itch gets so bad you really need to scratch it….most garage sales are just clothes. Really depressing.
So I am getting my itch scratched through you! LOL
So keep on keeping on!!
*hugs*
deb
Thanks Deb! I know what you mean about many thrift stores. When I go to the city I can hardly believe the prices and I rarely find anything. I mostly shop at small town salvation army or charity gift shops. They have the best prices and want things to move because they’re always getting more donations. Thd deviled egg plate is one of my fave things of course because of its color. It might even inspire me to make deviled eggs one of these days. lol. I’ll try to keep sharing things that help you with that scratch. LOL.
SCORE!! I love when that happens. It’s like it was waiting there for you and you are so faithful to go to that thrift store that it paid off. Looks so good in your cabinet with the red stemware.
Thanks so much AnnMarie! I am nothing if not persistent. I pretty much visit that thrift store every day on my lunch hour. Many days I find nothing, but often I find treasure. That’s just how it goes right?.
I scored a set of the Luminarc red dinnerware at an auction for 5.00 . It is used all year long.
That’s a great deal! I intend on using mine all year long too. 🙂
Oh, Tuula. You hit the jackpot! The dishes are beautiful. But in the cabinet? They absolutely show the world, they are the STAR! Truly, could it have been more perfect? And you are a perfectly patient practioner of peering for priceless pretties! (Hm. Don’t know where that came from!) So happy for you.! Dona
Thanks Dona! Wow! I was sitting here thinking of an alliterative response, but I’ve got nothing. lol.
Who knew that the perfect dishes to match your cabinet even existed? The glasses are an extra bonus at 10 cents each! I love the shape and the clear stems. Woo-hoo 🙂
I know right? As I’ve gotten older I seem to be better at waiting for things so I often find things that are close to what I’m looking for. What’s that saying? “All good things come to those who wait.” Well I’m not sure about all, but some do come. 🙂
So Perfect! So Happy for you! Your patience sure paid off..I can’t imagine anything more perfect! And I kind of like the way 7 plates look in your cabinet….
the prices you pay truly amaze me! down here in FL you can’t find a set for less than $15, sometimes $25!
Enjoy your FFF!
Thanks Linda! I seem to live in an area where thrift store prices are very reasonable, and if I do see something overpriced I just pass it by.
Good job and they look beautiful in your china cabinet. I did a quick search on eBay and Etsy but didn’t see any of your plates. If I were you I would set up a search on eBay that alerts you whenever something with your search criteria is listed. I’ll keep my eye out at my thrift shops for your plate too :o)
Tania
Thanks Tania! I really appreciate that! And thanks for the tip on setting up a search on ebay. I didn’t think of trying that. 🙂
Hi Tuula,
What a great find of the dinnerware and glasses and they look gloriously happy in your cabinet!
Your “start the car, start the car” made me giggle. It’s like let’s get the heck out of Dodge with the booty!! LOL!
As the saying goes “All Good Things Come to Those Who Wait”.
Happy FFF!
Candice
Thanks very much Candice! Now I’ve got that stuck in my head so I know the next time I find a great deal I’ll be saying to myself… Let’s get the heck out of Dodge. lol.
Hi Tuula,
That was a great find for sure! I live in Ontario and I was wondering what the name of the thrift shop is that you found these….I could look then to see if there are any in my area (Niagara Region). I find the church charity shops have the best prices. Value Village, Goodwill, and Salvation Army have become very very pricey!
At an estate sale I purchased 12 place settings of Old Country Roses and they threw in all of the serving pieces PLUS about 50 pieces of the Red Luminarc glasses for free! So that was a good deal for me. Funny part is that I sold 4 place settings of the Old Country Roses that almost paid for everything! and I still have 8 place settings plus all the glassware.
Hi Elaine! You sure lucked out with the china! That was a great deal. Before I did my kitchen makeover I had 6 place settings of Old Country Roses in this china cabinet, but I was ready for a change. I still have them packed away in their original boxes. Someday I might want to put them out again, but I might sell them instead. I haven’t decided yet. I live about an hour north of Guelph and mostly shop in small town Salvation Army stores. But my favourite thrift shop is in Mount Forest where I work. I go there almost every day on my lunch hour because stuff moves fast. It’s run by volunteers and all the money goes to the local Cancer Patient Services and the Hospital. So I always feel good about spending my money there.
What a Find!!!! You certainly have a great thrift store in your neighborhood. I am loving the aqua and red combo. Those glasses are the accent to your dishes. Love,love the aqua China cabinet as well. Girl, you have dishitis just like me . my mother loved old dishes and passed it to me. My youngest daughter thinks I am a little crazy. There are worse things than collecting old dishes,right?? Great score,happy hunting!!!!!
Thanks Charleen! I can most definitely say that there are worse things to collect than old dishes. They are practical and pretty. 🙂
So happy for you and your finds!! They look beautiful in your cabinet!
Thanks very much Donna!
Those look SO good in your hutch! What a score!
I’ll keep an eye out for your plate… You just never know where one may turn up!
Thank you so much Melanie! I really appreciate that. 🙂
Christmas came early for you this year. So happy for you. They are perfect.
Thanks Olivia! I definitely got an early Christmas present for myself, and I’m looking forward to using my new dishes and glasses at Christmas time.
Woo Hoo! Amazing finds like this make my heart beat faster, my eyes get bigger, my giggle box bursts wide open and I’m just about to do cartwheels …then I pass by a mirror . That lying thing shows the reflection of an old lady using a walker and carrying an oxygen tank! Well, I don’t know who she is but I certainly don’t like her! This is the story of my life!
Sorry but this really happened to me. The moral of this story is…even old ladies with walkers and oxygen tanks can dig through the many treasures of thrift stores. I do it as often as my husband will take me!
Thanks Lealie! I think I know what you mean. I’m 57 and there are many days I don’t realize it until I look in the mirror. I inherited my thrifting gene from my mother who is 87 and she enjoys the thrill of the hunt now just as much as she ever did. I love that you still have a giggle box. I still most definitely have mine, and honestly I think the world would be a much better place if more people had giggle boxes. 🙂
Hi Tuula!
What a score! I love the colours and everything displays beautifully together in your cabinet! I certainly wish I was finding huge scores at the prices in your neck of the woods lol! I will keep my eyes open for your 8th dinner plate when I’m out searching!
Thanks so much Pam! I really appreciate that. 🙂
Oh wow!
That certainly was a great day for you!
Glasses that I see in my area range in price from 99 cents to $1.99 each. Love those 10 cent ones you found❤️
Thanks so much! This one thrift store often puts things that they have a lot of on sale at crazy prizes. I think they just want to clear things out to make room for more. Works for me. 🙂
Tuula,
Love your new plates. What a find!
I made your flowers with the strainers and egg beaters. I could not find the strainers and had never seen them so ordered them. Took awhile to find the egg beaters. I added leaves to mine. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Nancy! Your flowers sound awesome. I think adding leaves a a great touch. 🙂
My mom had those glasses! Wonder where they are?? Maybe in one of her boxes somewhere, or maybe my sister has them? Nice and sturdy. Love all your happy aqua and red finds, and what a steal! Glad the thrifting gods shone down on you; so satisfying!
Thanks Lora! We’ll see how long the thrifting gods smile on me. They are a fickle bunch. 🙂
The china is the sweetest, ever ! The glasses are lovely too. You did my friend.
Happy Halloween.
Fabby
Thanks so much Fabby!
Tuula, these are gorgeous and what a bargain! They are perfect with your decor. Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!
Thanks very much Cecilia!