Friday's Finds : Bagley Glassware

Bagley Glass, founded in 1871 in Knottingley, Yorkshire, was one of Britain’s most successful pressed glass manufacturers, producing elegant Art Deco designs until its closure in 1975. 

Among its most striking creations was the Rutland vanity set, a 1930s dressing table ensemble crafted from rich amber-coloured glass. 

This set consisted of two candlesticks...

A trinket dish...

Two small cream pots, and a larger loose-powder pot...

Each piece was designed to capture the era’s fascination with geometric elegance and warm, honeyed hues.

When placed on its matching amber tray, the pieces shimmered in the light, embodying the glamour and refinement of early 20th-century vanity décor. 

Today, collectors cherish Bagley’s glassware for its historical significance and enduring beauty.

You can find this complete set in my Etsy Shop... ♥

Witchcraft Wednesday : The Primrose

In shadowed glades, beneath the twisting branches of ancient trees, the wild primrose (Primula Vulgaris) unfurls its pale blossoms like forgotten secrets whispering to the earth. A flower caught between winter’s last breath and the first stirrings of spring, it has long been imagined as a bridge between worlds, a guardian of faerie paths, a vessel for witchcraft, and a silent witness to centuries of ritual.

For Welsh witches, the primrose was never a mere flower; it was placed at doorways or woven into charms, and was said to protect homes from spirits, while inviting the blessing of faerie-kind. Folklore speaks of witches gathering primroses beneath the waning moon, crushing their petals into tinctures that could reveal hidden truths or heighten intuition.

Primroses were also used in divination: young women would place the flowers beneath their pillows, hoping to dream of their future love. Some whispered that primrose tea, infused with rowan bark and valerian, could stir visions from beyond the veil, allowing glimpses into what lay ahead.

In certain witchcraft trials, primrose-infused oils were used in hexes or enchantments, linking the flower to the shadowy arts. The balance between protection and peril makes the primrose a fitting emblem of nature’s delicate darkness.

The primrose’s presence in Wales stretches far beyond witchcraft. It appears in Druidic traditions, its five petals symbolizing earth, air, fire, water, and spirit. Some ancient burial sites held primrose offerings, believed to guide souls gently into the next life.

Victorian folklore, too, embraced its melancholy beauty. The “keys of heaven”, as primroses were sometimes called, were left at grave sites to aid lost spirits, ensuring that no soul would linger too long beneath the damp Welsh soil.

Perhaps, as spring unfurls, it's worth wandering among old lanes and woodland paths, watching for the ghostly yellow glow of primroses clinging to history’s edges. Who knows? A whisper of forgotten magic may linger in their petals.

♥

Bookish Monday : The Famous Five

 Few literary adventures have captured the imagination of readers quite like Enid Blyton’s Famous Five. First published in 1942, this beloved series follows Julian, Dick, Anne, George, and their loyal dog Timmy as they unravel mysteries, explore hidden treasures, and outwit villains across rugged landscapes. 

With 21 books in the series, Blyton crafted a world of seaside castles, secret tunnels, and thrilling escapades, making the Famous Five a cornerstone of classic children’s literature.

The magic of the Famous Five lies in its timeless themes - friendship, courage, and curiosity. Blyton’s ability to weave fast-paced plots with memorable characters ensures that each adventure feels fresh, even decades after its first publication. 

George, the fiercely independent tomboy, remains one of Blyton’s most complex and beloved characters, challenging gender norms while proving her bravery and intelligence.

Beyond the thrilling adventures, the Famous Five books offer a glimpse into post-war Britain, where children roamed freely, solving mysteries without adult interference. 

The stories are filled with picnics of hard-boiled eggs, freshly picked plums, and lashings of ginger beer evoking a nostalgic charm that continues to resonate with readers today.

From radio adaptations to TV series, the Famous Five has been re-imagined for new generations, proving its enduring appeal. 

Whether discovering hidden caves or foiling smugglers, Blyton’s characters remind us of the joy of adventure and the power of friendship.

♥

Friday's Finds : Woods Utility Ware

 Woods Utility Ware emerged during the 1940s, a time when wartime rationing dictated the production of everyday goods. The British government encouraged manufacturers to create utility ceramics - pieces that were affordable, functional, and free from excessive ornamentation. 

Woods Ware answered this call with its Beryl, Jasmine, and Iris ranges, each distinguished by their soft pastel hues of mint green, primrose yellow, and pale blue. These pieces were designed to serve without fuss, appearing in canteens, hospitals, and village halls across Britain.

Despite its utilitarian origins, Woods Utility Ware has found a new audience among collectors and vintage enthusiasts. Its sturdy craftsmanship and nostalgic charm make it a favourite for those who appreciate mid-century design. 

The Beryl range, in particular, has become iconic, often spotted in period dramas like Call the Midwife and Foyle’s War, where its presence evokes the practical warmth of post-war Britain.

Today, Woods Utility Ware is more than just tableware - it is a reminder of resilience, simplicity, and quiet beauty. Whether displayed in a vintage kitchen or used for daily meals, these pieces carry the stories of a bygone era, where design was shaped by necessity but endured through craftsmanship.

Each of these pieces can be found within my Etsy shop.

♥

Witchcraft Wednesday : The Buttercup

 The buttercup, with its golden glow and delicate petals, has long been a symbol of childhood whimsy, folklore, and hidden magic. While we recognize it from the playful tradition of holding a buttercup beneath the chin to test whether we love butter, its history stretches far deeper - into ancient beliefs, mystical practices, and even warnings of madness.

Its origins in folklore are rich and varied. 

In parts of the UK, the meadow buttercup was once nicknamed “crazies”, as people believed its scent could induce madness. Yet, paradoxically, buttercups were also worn in amulets to ward off lunacy, offering protection against unsettled emotions.

In Ireland, although toxic to cows, buttercups were tied to milk magic, with legends claiming that pulling them from a field could cause cows to produce less milk. On Midsummer’s Eve, garlands of buttercups were placed on cattle to bless the milk, ensuring abundance and prosperity.

Despite their innocent appearance, buttercups hold a potent place in witchcraft. They are often associated with divination, love spells, and faery magic. Some traditions believe that faeries drink dew from buttercups, using the larger blooms to wash their hands and faces. Buttercups were also placed on doorsteps and windowsills on May Eve to protect against faery mischief, ensuring that homes remained safe from trickster spirits.

In spell-work, buttercups are linked to abundance, prosperity, and success. Their bright yellow hue mirrors the energy of gold and wealth, making them a favoured ingredient in manifestation rituals. Some witches use buttercups in dream magic, placing them beneath pillows to enhance intuition and reveal hidden truths.

While buttercups are undeniably beautiful, they carry a warning - their sap is mildly toxic and can cause skin irritation. Historically, this led to superstitions about their dual nature - a flower of both beauty and danger, much like the balance of light and shadow in magic.

The buttercup is more than just a childhood game - it is a symbol of truth, enchantment, and hidden power. Whether used in witchcraft, folklore, or divination, it remains a mystical bloom, reminding us that even the most delicate flowers can hold secrets of the unseen world.

♥

Bookish Monday : RIP (Reading in Peace)

Today I thought I'd share a few favourite bookmarks I've discovered on Etsy this weekend...

I love this Gothic one by NeonRainbowGoesDark - perfect for all  my horror.

The perfect pairing for those summer reads - via SoftSerenityPH 

A cute little birthday gift to accompany their favourite book - via RommelDesign 

I know exactly who I'd gift these sweet bookmarks to! via MunsellMade 

I'd love these for my book-club.  How perfect! Via EmmasCreativeNook 

I already have one of these, and they're so neat.  They don't damage the pages either. Find them via DebosStudio 

Happy Bookish Monday! ♥

Friday's Finds : World Goth Day

World Goth Day is celebrated each year on May 22.

As today is Friday's Finds and yesterday was World Goth Day - I thought I'd honour both days with a few dark and delectable finds from around the web.

I'm absolutely enamoured with this cross-stitch by EternalStitchcraft  ♥

And who needs one of these coffin rings by silverringstoreshop in their life!?  I love it - and it's made in a variety of colours, too. ♥

This card is so imaginative - I'd be pretty pleased if I received one of these! SoCraftyByDi makes them in an array of colours and styles. ♥

This is giving me Addams vibes. You need to see all  the other cute knits at sweetygreetings. So adorable! ♥

I absolutely loved playing Guess Who and this is the ultimate Goth game now! Visit TaylorTreatShop for this digital download. ♥

It was so hard to pick just one item from Wales-based theblackenedteeth - everything they create is just perfect!

Thank you for dropping by.  I hope you've enjoyed today's treasures. ♥

Bookish Monday : Ahlberg's Daisychains

 Janet and Allan Ahlberg’s 1980s Daisychains series is a charming collection of children’s books that playfully unfold into paper chains, adding a tactile and interactive element to storytelling. 

Titles like Which Witch?

Rent-a-Robot...

and The Good Old Dolls...

...embrace the Ahlbergs' signature warmth and whimsy, inviting young readers into imaginative worlds where characters quite literally link together. 

Their ability to blend engaging narratives with inventive formats made Daisychains a delightful addition to their celebrated body of work. 

Each of these rare little gems can be found in my Etsy shop. 

You can find the link in the Etsy tab at the top of this blog.

♥

Friday's Finds : The Forgotten Tea-Set

A few weeks back, I went out on my usual hunt for vintage treasures. I enjoy a mooch around old second-hand shops - the soft clatter of porcelain awaiting a new destiny, chipped mugs grinning from sagging shelves, figurines standing there frozen in cheerful oblivion, and the air that carries the familiar hush of untold stories.

I hadn't set out to find anything remarkable that day, but, hidden away in a once-damp box, with layers of dust settling over it, I saw it - a tea set, incomplete but enchanting. 

Blue and yellow flowers traced fragile patterns across the porcelain, and each piece was edged in blue, as if the sky had once touched them and never quite let go. 

Crazing ran like ghostly veins through the porcelain, fine and delicate, a map of time itself. 

I imagined hands once cradling the creamer, pouring ribbons of milk into an afternoon cup. 

A sugar bowl that had sweetened conversations now rested in silence, waiting. 

Though imperfect, the set had spoken, and I had listened.

I gathered the pieces, carrying them as though they were pieces of a forgotten dream.

Turning each piece over, I read their back-stamp -  Produced at the Leighton Pottery, Burslem, Eng. - a mark of craftsmanship from another time. 

I thought of their place among the other fading treasures in My Etsy Shop - the worn hardbacks, the forgotten toys, and the tarnished silver. They would sit quietly, waiting for hands that understood the beauty of imperfection, and the poetry of the past.

♥