"It is well to remember that the entire population of the universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others." A.Holmes

Monday, November 3, 2014

Tea-Time Tuesday ~ Lusterware & Weaving

I love this blue Lusterware teacup. I have a set with 6 cups & saucers, matching sugar & creamer with teapot . The set also came with dessert plates and salt & pepper shakers. I especially love the simple colors of this Lusterware. ( BTW, I've seen lusterware  also spelled lustreware , and this spelling is also correct. ) Blue is one of my favorite colors and when combined with the yellow-gold inside of the teacup it seems rich. The black handle enhances the teacup.

This piece of weaving goes perfectly with the tea-cup and fits in nicely with autumn décor don't you think ?
This hand-woven piece is one I found in a pile of linens being sorted for the estate sale my husband's family had after both his parents died recently. Being a very amateur weaver myself I recognized a hand-woven treasure instantly and found it had a tag sewed into one hem. I am 99% sure this piece of weaving came from my husband's aunt , Marion Lowery . She was a home-economics teacher in our state a few decades ago and collected such items on her many travels. Before she died she gave all of her precious items to family and friends , and my husband's mother was her niece.
Needless to say, I snatched this up completely aware of my good fortune in discovering my husband's family was happy to allow me to keep this hand-woven table-runner. After bringing it home I looked up the name on the tag and found The Fireside Industries of Berea College ~ Berea , Kentucky * is still weaving treasures today. They also have an interesting history* that surprised me and made me even more appreciative of their ongoing education in American crafts.

"Weaving is at the heart of Berea College Crafts. In the early 1890’s, Berea College President William G. Frost was astounded by ‘kivers’, woven coverlets produced in mountain homes. He established Berea’s “Fireside Industries” as a way to preserve traditional Appalachian crafts and to provide parents a currency with which they could pay for their children’s education. Berea College, through its support of traditional mountain arts, became a leader of the American Arts & Crafts movement and the Appalachian Craft Revival. In 1900, a Berea coverlet won a gold medal at the World’s Fair in Paris." quoted from Fireside Industries web-site.

I have grown to appreciate more simple things as I grow older. Carefully and lovingly done weaving, knitting, embroidery, quilting~ any needlework, worked in classic colors and designs is timeless. Simple tea things , home made meals and desserts, a simply but prettily set table offered with true hospitality are treasures one cannot put a price on .When you share a tea time or a meal where such hospitality is  woven through-out it is always a memorable time. For me the classic blue Lusterware and hand-woven table linen set the scene for sharing a cuppa with people I love as the weather outdoors keeps us inside.

I am joining these ladies for Tea-Time Tuesday :
Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage *
Martha at Martha's Favorites *
Ruth at Antiques and Teacups *
Bernideen at Bernideen's Tea Time Blog *






23 comments:

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

I love your Lusterware, and it looks wonderful on the weaving. They are both gems.

Have a wonderful November.

Love and hugs ~ FlowerLady

Beth in NEPA said...

Your lustre ware and the woven runner are PERFECT together. I have heard of Berea College and have been fortunate to have seen things so labled. You are lucky to have found this AND for it to be perfect with your tea set.

Connie said...

The tea set is so pretty and elegant. I love the hand-woven table runner too. They go together perfectly!

Antiques And Teacups said...

I love lusterware as well...which ever way it's spelled. I think it's the difference between the US and Europe where the r & e end up! I used to do some weaving, and that's a lovely runner. Very homey...or in England homely! Thanks for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
Ruth

Bee Lady said...

I've been to the artsy little town of Berea a few times and they used to have a big weaving factory. I was there when it was still open, but sadly they closed a few years ago. Love your teacups and the woven table runner. Beautiful!

Cindy Bee

Snap said...

What a treasure the weaving is! Lucky girl! And to have the link to family -- a true treasure. Love the lusterware -- pretty color that looks divine on the runner. Happy Tea Day!

A Woman that Fears the Lord said...

Ahh... I'm always so happy to find a 'face' on a blog. Now I can picture your lovely face when I see your name. :-)

Thank you for your reply on my blog about your grandmother and her contented life. I was very encouraged by her example. Thank you for sharing it.

You have a lovely blog.

Unknown said...

Kathy,
Very pretty, sometimes the simple things really are the best!
Teresa,
sugar, spice and whatever's nice

Anonymous said...

The lusterware and weaving are lovely and I remember reading about Berea years ago...it was good to refresh my memory.

xinex said...

Your lusterware and the weaved table topper look so good together, Kathy! Thank you for your positive comment on Rea...Christine

Beth said...

Your lusterware is really pretty. That last photo shows a creative and beautiful vignette. Loved it!

Deborah Montgomery said...

I so agree with you about more and more appreciating the simpler things as we get older, and appreciating all the handmade items and all the work and creativity that goes into them. Your lustreware cups are beautiful, such a pretty color, and they do look very much at home on the beautifully woven piece.

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Yes, the simple things are oftentimes the most precious. Love your pretty blue lusterware teacups with the yellow. They are warm and friendly looking cups, beckoning one to tea and friendly conversation, Kathy. The weaving is indeed a treasure! Thank you for sharing this with us and linking up with me for tea. Have a splendid week, my friend.

Blessings,
Sandi

Two Cottages And Tea said...

I think as we get older we do value the simple and homemade things in life. It is so special that you found the beautiful woven runner. So pretty with your lusterware and so perfect for this time of year.
Nancy

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Your luster ware is so pretty and so perfect with the woven textile, which is a treasure to have. Yes, we certainly do enjoy the more simple things as we get older, I agree.

Martha's Favorites said...

Hi my friend: I love that weaved table cloth. I am glad you got to keep that treasure from your family. Those lusterware tea cups are so pretty. Thanks for sharing your lovely table. I am so sorry for your recent loss. Blessings, Martha

MomWaldsPlace said...

How nice to have an entire set of lustreware! You are right, it goes wonderfully with your cloth. I recently acquired a handwoven tablecloth like yours, and am stumped on how to research it. I like to research things. It is wonderful that you have a tag, and a family connection to yours!

Tea in the Library said...

PS -Your post and little polka dot sheep are a Pick of the Week.

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

The Lustreware almost looks lavender and it really is pretty. You're right about getting older, we have more time to enjoy life and prefer things simpler.
Have a good week Kathy.

L. D. said...

They really are wonderful cups. We have a tea pot, different than your kind, but I never knew that luster ware was what it is called.

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Such beautiful tea cups with lovely colors that look wonderful with the weaving. Some beautiful treasures. xo Karen

Karen said...

Hi Kathy,
Your blue lusterware china is so beautiful and what a lovely shade of blue! How lucky you are to have so many pieces. The handwoven quilt must have been so much work. It's colours are perfect for fall. Thank you for visiting me! Happy Tea Day! Karen

Heather @ Simple Wives said...

Beautiful tea cups!! <3