Milk Glass Collecting 101
Milk glass collecting can add a charming touch to your farmhouse. It has for homeowner and Instagrammer Corine Mapes of @junk_gems. Among Corine’s many vintage collections in her Michigan farmhouse, one of her favorites is milk glass. Learn where she collects them and how she uses them.
The History
Some people discover a love of vintage items at a young age, and that was certainly the case for Corine. She remembers admiring items like milk glass at her grandpa’s home as a child. “He would find things in dumpsters and sell them at flea markets,” she says. Eventually, she began looking for special treasures of her own.
The Hunt
Corine finds milk glass in several places, such as Goodwill, flea markets, thrift stores and yard sales, and she always looks for a deal. “I have to find them at a reasonable price,” she says. “Usually, I find them for around $3, but sometimes I can get them for 25 and 50 cents at yard sales.” Her favorite brand is Fenton Hobnail, as she loves their signature texture. “I look for unusually shaped vases or containers, such as the little boot I found at a yard sale for 25 cents,” she says.
Due to the rising number of newer reproductions, Corine has a trick to determine whether or not a piece of milk glass is genuinely vintage. “You should hold it up to the light and see a rainbow of colors if it’s vintage,” she says.
The Use
Because Corine chooses fun textures and shapes, her milk glass collection serves its purpose as a display. However, she also likes to use certain pieces as vases or transform them into something new. “Sometimes I’ll make pieces into a cake plate,” she says. If you’re thinking of starting your own collection, remember to buy what you love.
See more of Corine’s home here. For more collecting ideas, read Bottlemania: How to Collect Antique Bottles. Of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to get your daily dose of farmhouse inspiration!
