Fiestaware

Back in 1988 (I think was the year) My mom, my sister Megan and I flew to Nebraska to visit my cousins, the Heitmans, my Mom's sisters family.

I remember one day we were eating breakfast in the kitchen and she told us about her Fiestaware dishes she has been collecting. She opened up a cabinet and it was full of beautiful colorful plates, bowls, and cups. I thought they were cool, but didn't really understand the big deal about them. 

Fast Forward to a few years ago when I began doing a little research about Fiestaware. I had no idea they came into production back in the 1930's, and have been making them ever since. However, the newer ones, from 1986 and up, are made lead free.

I told Ryan I wanted some Fiestaware, and began figuring out where I could buy them. I went to amazon and found what I thought was a place set for 4 people that included the plates, bowls, cups and saucers for $50. 

Ok, a little pricey, but not too bad I thought. 

I told Ryan about them and he looked surprised about the price. I said, Yeah, a little pricey. He said, umm no...that's cheap, and proceeded to tell me how expensive they are. 

He looked at it on Amazon and said...

"uh, honey, that's not a place setting for 4 people, that's 4 pieces for 1 person."

What?! $50 for 1 person? I thought that was insane. He then did the math and told me that in order to get a set for 8 people it would be  $400. 

I couldn't believe it was that much for new Fiestaware. Crazy!!

So, I started doing the next best thing a few weeks ago...

Antique shopping for Fiestaware. 

I have started my collection, and I am thrilled about it! Especially because I've gotten them for great deals! I've only gotten big plates and small plates so far. I'm not really interested in the little cups - I prefer big glass tumblers. But I would like to get bowls as well. 

Here's what I've gotten so far...

This was the start of my collection. Found 6 dinner plates, + 5 salad plates at an antique store in AF. 

Was thrilled when I saw them in this beautiful soft yellow color, and was even more thrilled when I talked them down $12 less than what they were asking. Got a great deal on them! 

Too bad there were only 5 of the smaller ones, oh well.  

These were made in 1998. I'll use them for everyday use. 

Went shopping today in Salt Lake and found a few Fiestaware in different colors. However, I'm really mostly interested in the soft yellow, turquoise, green...maybe purple. But the yellows and blues for sure.   

So, I found 2 of these smaller yellow plates that are an older Fiestaware, made between 1939 - 1969. The turquoise is newer, 1998.  

I probably won't use these smaller, older yellow ones for eating since they contain lead. They'll just be used as a collection. The tag on them said $9 for each little plate, but they were sitting on a shelf that said $2 for everything on the shelf...so they gave it to me at the $2 price. YAY! Saved $14.
That's my kind of shopping.

I'm so excited to find more Fiestaware treasures. Eventually I would like my collection to look like this...

So pretty!