It’s time for more talk about milk glass. So this week, let’s chat about collecting milk glass vases, and the sizes you really need.
Spring is upon us, and everyone has flowers in their sights. And what could be prettier than colorful flowers in that milky white color of a milk glass vase?
I have been collecting milk glass for over 45 years! It is the first thing I began collecting as a teenager, having received my first piece from my grandmother. It has since become, my most vast and used collection that I own. Most of my ‘back stock’ collection is housed in this blue cupboard. The rest is used daily throughout our home.
Collecting milk glass
I have been asked a few times, why collect this opaque glass, why milk glass? And my main answer is really about function and style. I love to collect white milk glass because I actually use it. In fact, our daily use dishes are vintage milk glass.
Obviously, since it is white, it matches all my other dishes. And being a seasoned collector, I have a pretty big stash. But the usefulness of it is what drives me on. From special cake stands, to my favorite bubble bowls, and vases and compotes of a million different sizes and shapes, it all gets used!
As far as collections go, I think for this reason alone it is a huge winner. It’s not just something to look at. Useful collections make the thrill of the hunt even sweeter.
Why milk glass vases are the perfect collection
For milk glass collectors, the vase is a staple. They are easy to find in excellent condition, often priced quite reasonable, even as thrift store finds.
But the really fun part is the different ways that you can use a vintage vase. They aren’t just for flowers. In fact, I use mine year round.
Patterns of milk glass vases
Once you begin noticing this opaque white glass, you will start to recognize a few patterns. The hobnail pattern is one of my favorites. But over the years, milk glass manufacturers have created quite a few, even though you will consistently see a handful of patterns in the wild.
When you have a milk glass vase collection, you tend to hang onto the unique ones that come in your path. But easily finding matching ones makes it nice to put together a display for an event. Stay with me here, I have a story about that coming.
get to know a few
Companies That Made Milk Glass
- Fenton
- Westmoreland
- Fostoria
- Imperial
- Anchor Hocking
Rare milk glass pieces
My own collection tends to be made up of what I would say is the simple white glass that most people would recognize. But true antique milk glass, that holds a real value of milk glass pieces, would never be used everyday. It is quite transparent in color. I only have a few pieces (not shown in this photo).
Back in the early 1900’s Anchor Hocking, and other companies, began producing more items for the everyday American. Through the 50s-70s, we really saw an increase in milk glass vases made, as they were the glass that was provided by florists in their arrangements.
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Milk glass bud vases for days
Back up a bit to a few decades ago, I could show up at garage sales and find an entire box of the popular single milk glass flower vase called bud vases for like $1-2, for the whole box! I have literally purchased them in bulk for my own milk glass collection. Luckily, over the years, I have also sold many.
Now my favorite way to still purchase these smaller vases is to look for the unicorn. To me, the unicorn is that pattern that is not easily found, or is different from all the others in the pack.
But because these are still quite reasonable, they are great to have on hand to use for parties, and to gift to a friend or neighbor with fresh blooms from the garden. You could even send one off to school with your child to gift to a teacher, without worry that it might break on they way. Milk glass bud vases are quite hardy.
Will there be markings on the bottom I can recognize?
Not all milk glass has makers markings or brand stamps on the bottom. In fact, most do not. Out of the hundreds of pieces of milk glass I have, especially vases, there are only 3 that have markings.
All this means is that you may not know which company made it unless you recognize the design. Many years ago, prior to the internet, I learned about collecting and identifying milk glass from a book I purchased.
The best milk glass vases and vessels for flower arranging
The best vintage pieces, outside of the standard small vase, to use for flower arranging are easy to acquire. You can use many shapes and sizes, especially if you can utilize some florist foam or create a flower grid with floral tape to hold the blooms up.
The two pieces on the far right in this photo are actually goblets. Since I only have two, I use these for flowers instead of beverages. Here are a few more shapes that look great as the base for flower arranging:
- compotes, come in a variety of sizes and heights
- a fruit bowl
- oblong dishes
- goblets
- large vases
When finding the pieces that might serve you and your collection, search for what you really love, and not just a popular pattern.
A sad story about milk glass
Back in 2014, my youngest daughter got engaged. It was an exciting and crazy time. Because right before she was getting married, we were moving out of a house we had lived in for 11 years.
(Bad timing = long story but basically real estate market was dead in Michigan as we had been trying to sell for a few years a large home we had . We took it off the market, to focus on the wedding, then got 2 offers in one week. It was grueling but we had to do it = nightmare.)
We were doing a destination wedding in Texas at Rachel Ashwell’s bed and breakfast, The Prairie. So I packed the house, and carefully picked my favorite pieces from my collection of milk glass vases, which I would hand carry in my luggage to use on the tables at the venue.
Milk glass looking cake and the rest of the story
My daughter loved my collection and even had her wedding cake made to look like hobnail milk glass. It was to be a fun and intimate setting with friends, fabulous food, vintage linens, and all the right tunes.
However, we had a connection into Houston and the airline didn’t give two flying farts about the vintage milk glass pieces I had in my luggage and made me check my bag at the gate, as the overhead bins were full. Even though they were wrapped carefully around clothing, you can guess what happened.
Yup, my beautiful and large collection of milk glass vases was broken into about a million pieces. They must have really tossed that bag. It took me a couple of years to get over it, and I’m still mad now that I think about it.
We ended up having to use some Mason jars that they had available at the venue, and although it worked out fine and nobody really knew, I did. At least it was a beautiful day and a wonderful memory we have in Texas.
The bridesmaids carried the simple baby’s breath bouquet. We provided the jars where they all simply plopped their bouquets to serve as more floral decor on the tables. No having to hold them. Win/win!
Places to find milk glass vases
It didn’t take me long to build up more pieces and different designs after the broken vase nightmare. You can always find milk glass vases at thrift stores, flea markets, antique stores, yard sales, and estate sales.
To me, having vintage items gives me a bit of a connection to the past. I love the styles milk glass was made in, and I love its history. You can also find it on Etsy!
Are you interested in collecting?
If you are interested in collecting milk glass vases, they will be easy to find a few to start. Just 3 makes the beginning of a collection and any trip to the thrift shops should yield a few.
I love the view from the top of the vases. But the best part about a milk glass collection is that you can really use them. I especially love to bring mine out at Christmas and use them in creative ways in my holiday decor.
if you like collecting vintage
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Milk glass vases aren’t just for fresh flowers
As you can see, you can use milk glass vases for lots more than just flowers. I have a large vase that holds glass swizzle sticks that I purchased on a recent trip to Mexico. They are fun to use to stir up drinks, and they look pretty out on the kitchen counter.
I also keep dried and silk flowers all over the house in many different vase sizes. But now that it’s spring, it’s a great time to fill your vases with pretty fresh flowers from your garden!
If you want to learn more about flower gardening
If you want to learn more about how to grow your own fresh blooms, so you can fill your vases, I have a few blogging friends who are masters. Although I like to grow vegetables in my garden, I am not the flower expert. I tend to just buy grocery store flowers, especially at Trader Joe’s or Costco.
Check out my friend Kelly, at the Lazy Girls Garden Club. She is a master with the zinnias! And Kim from Shiplap and Shells will have you drooling over her gardens. Her property in Washington state is on Puget Sound and is brimming with charm and flowers. You will love her!
Do you collect milk glass? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
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Yea, it took me awhile. Here I am, almost 11 years later, and I am still thinking about it! But I was able to replace most of them. It was just very disappointing for the day.
It’s all beautiful! I’m not sure I’d be over the airline mishap yet!!!😢