A few weeks ago, I spotted these amazing palettes on @whiteflowerfarmhouse feed and my heart started fluttering. It was a little hard to believe that I was looking past all of the ironstone pitchers, but my eyes made a beeline for those beauties. I immediately sent a message to inquire about purchasing one. As I was making the inquiry, Lori informed me that it wasn’t just a vintage palette, but it was made of ironstone! An ironstone paint palette!! Are you kidding me? It’s like it was made just for me.
It’s unfortunate that The White Flower Farmhouse store (and so many other businesses) have to be closed, but I love that I’ve been able to shop from them online. I’ve been drooling over Lori’s shop for a long time!
Anyway, I was able to claim the palette before anyone else and it was mine. I was over-the-moon.
Let me insert here, for those who don’t know…I absolutely love ironstone. I’ve been collecting it for about 18 years and it’s one of my favorite things.
And I love art supplies. I’m always hunting around for palettes, pens, brushes, notebooks, inkwells, drafting sets, watercolor tins, pencils, art boxes… just about anything related to drawing and painting.
I bought a similar ceramic paint palette when I was in Paris and lovingly wrapped it in a linen dress deep in my suitcase to keep it safe during my travels.
But this one…oh, it’s wonderful. It is thick and chunky and heavy. The wells are big and deep and I love the Roman ogee edge and the raised rim around the wells.
They were purchased from an art studio in Long Island’s North Fork. Isn’t that fun? This palette belonged to Sue …nger. Unger, maybe? Any other guesses are her name? At first glance, I thought it might be Sue Wagner, which would be pretty cool because I have an awesome aunt whose maiden name was Susan Wagner. But, the N and G are in the wrong place for that.
I can’t wait to put it to use. So far, I’ve just held it, hugged it, and taken pictures of it.
I received a little bonus with my order – a vintage tube of Prussian Blue watercolor. The houndstooth paper and the font are so cool!
I just love old things.
Sigh…
Can more be purchased? I’m interested… ?
I too love all manner of office supplies and art supplies! What is this obsession? I remember as a little girl, using some money I received, going straight to that department in the store to buy more supplies! Not toys or dolls or play makeup, (although I like kitchen stuff now!) nope! Art & office supplies, right down to the paperclips! That is a beautiful piece to add to your stash! ?
Cathy aka #happymailmovement creator! ?
Where do you mix the colors on that palette? Also, I would love to see a post some time on what it is you look for when purchasing ironstone. ie is there a maker mark, or a brand, or what is it you look for? How do you know that it is ironstone? Thanks –
Thank you for showing us some beauty! It’s much appreciated right now. Oh, I would have to drop everything and put some watercolors in those wells and stare at the colors. Then paint something!
LOOKS A LOT LIKE MILK GLASS…
It’s definitely not milk glass. It’s a stoneware.
So are you going to start watercolor?
That was my first love for painting. It doesn’t seem like you could clean it with oil paints. Congratulations, it’s very cool.
I have been doing some watercolor for the past couple of years, but it’s not my favorite medium.
Will you do a post about ironstone? I don’t know what to look for and how to know if a price is good.
Yes!! I second this!!
That is just so awesome! Now I’m on the hunt for antique art supplies!!
Be still my heart, now I want one! I love ironstone too. My mom would go with me on antique shopping and buy me one for my birthday.
oh my….how things find us :)…even when we are not able to go hunting. :)…perfect!
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How cool is that!
I love that you said you hugged it. ?
Your blog is a bright spot for me!
Thank you!
Be still my heart! I water color paint and would LOVE one of these! Where to purchase?
I tried searching for the white flower farmhouse’s on-line shop…. and wasn’t successful…. could you point me in the right direction?? thanks so much!
They only have instagram, Pinterest or Facebook & no actual website. A google search has a site that featured them in 2018 with a story on them that states they closed down their website as it was too much work keeping up with enquiries. Facebook will show you more current info at a glance, but takes longer to view images They do mention on FB opening an Etsy shop but doesn’t look like that has happened as yet.
I’m not a member of Instagram & I find it annoying they make you sign up just to browse so I prefer Pinterest, as it shows you other similar images if you select an image to open which can lead you to all manner of wonderful places. 🙂 However not sure if they keep Pinterest current?…..Still lots of great images there though & no doubt though shop owners etc prefer Instagram as it’s about sharing just ‘their’ photos so better for them to keep you from finding other shops to buy from. 😉 But Pinterest is about discovering so better for the viewer looking for inspiration. Hope that helps. 🙂
Sue Singer, maybe?
That was my thought too! Popped right into my head.
Liked!!! Held it, hugged it, took pictures of it!
How funny! You deserve a little thing to make you happy!
🙂
Ohhhh it so beautiful! Congratulations on you ironstone palette find.
I’ve purchased flower and, plants from White Flower Farm has no idea there was a market.
This is an entirely different entity. I have also bought from White Flower Farm’s catalog, a very expensive purveyor, I think in Vermont, but this (White Flower Farmhouse) is an antique and primitives store. The “house” on the end is key when searching on Google!
It’s actually in Litchfield,CT. I use to go there often. I didn’t live far from White Flower Farm. You can also request a catalog. There flowers, plants, bushes, trees are top notch!
Could be Singer maybe. But I’m guessing Unger.
There is a Sue Singer, an artist in Richmond, VA. Maybe contact her?
Love it! You know you’re a true creative when you get excited about a font on a label! 🙂
So this is definitely a goodie that was TAILOR MADE to find you, Marian! Lol!
I hope you enjoy it.
Marian,
I love your new palette and will keep my eyes open for them now, but more than that, I love your enthusiasm. Your curiousity, generosity and excitement always make me smile!
What an unbelievably lucky find! You must be over the moon!
I’m a sewer and I was gifted my MIL’s old sewing box. It had envelope after envelope of sewing needles. They are ancient. I love them! I get it!
I was at her shop last summer. It’s where I purchased the linen to redo my chairs. It is so nice and I was fortunate to grow up on Long Island so I plan a visit this summer. I hope your readers make her shop a destination. They won’t be disappointed!
I’m so happy for you☺️ Made my day to know you scored such an awesome “made for you” item. Love your blog, everything you do and you❤️❤️❤️
Your paint box was made by the A. w. Faber company. It was founded in Germany, I think in the mid 1800’s.They produced all sort of office supplies, with fountain pens, pens, pencils, and art supplies being their specialties. . They are still in business, I think.
That palette is so cool!
How particularly awesome that it was made in the USA!
I went to the website. I NEED to go visit this store???
I am also interested in learning about good sources for purchasing ironstone as well as what qualities to look for. I’m a shopper and I get excited about special finds so I completely understand your excitement! When I lived in Northern Virginia I often shopped at the Luckets store and I always loved browsing and buying there.
Try gouache with your new palette. It is opaque like oil or acrylic but water media. You can add zinc white to your watercolors to make them into gouache. You paint dark to light.
I just placed an Amazon order after seeing this – I am definitely getting in the painting mode. Thank you for inspiring me to work on learning to paint again.
Hi Marian, I too love art materials,I am a botanical illustrator.If you ever come on a visit to the UK you must check out the oldest art shop in the country.L Cornelissens and Son,105 Great Russell St,Bloomsbury London.The store was established in 1855,it is just like stepping back in time,powder pigments are all lined up in glass bottles on shelves,hard to find paints and beautiful watercolour paper and velum in all sizes and colours.This place is a real treat.
I love that you love such simplistic items. It comes through in all of your creativity.
An artist friend just purchased a white porcelain deviled egg dish to use a watercolor palette. She found it at our local antique mall and just loves it. Clear glass dishes are more available but they won’t work as a palette as the colors will not appear clearly. Clever.
I had an art professor in college name William Unger. So my first thought was Sue Unger.
I have to admit that I’m a little more than slightly jealous!! I’ve NEVER seen an ironstone pallet tray!!
I was too busy eyeing the palette the first time to notice behind the ironstone, my very favorite blue glass canning jars! I was lucky enough to find a case of them at a West Virginia Flea Market several years ago. They were all over that day, but I spotted this older lady sitting with a quilt, that’s what caught my eye. I walked over and she had them all washed and lined up in a box. I asked how much she wanted for them and she said 25. I pulled out a twenty and a five to pay her. I’ll never forget the look on her face. She said, “ No, honey 25 cents a piece. They need a good home.” She refused to take more so I shopped more at her table. I think of her every time I use one of these beautiful jars. I treasure them, so they did get a good home!! I’m sure hour’s have too,
I love ironstone too! I covet that ironstone palette!!! Can’t wait to see you use it. Lol
Casteel is my old family name. They came from Casteel, Spain.
A pottery artist Marley & Lockyear is now doing hand made palettes. I have just retired from all of that or I would be buying one. I know your love for supporting other artists/creatives, and these are handmade, and white!
I misspelled her name it is Marley & Lockyer.
Marian,
I went to school in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. I was in the art program there, and there was a girl named Sue Unger who was a year ahead of me. She was an artist, and I think went on to school in New York. May be the same person. She would be about 52 years old.
Anyhow, it is yours now, and yours to enjoy and use. Hope you enjoy your treasure!
Christine
New Hampshire