I found this little gem at a Kiwanis yard sale in Sandwich, MA on the way back from visiting Mosees in Barnstable, the shop that carries my handmade jewelry. It was selling for $2 and I couldn't resist its kitschy vintage style.
There is something about the word authentic followed by Bermuda limbo dancers in quotation marks that makes me laugh. Obviously its authenticity made it much more valuable as a souvenir.
The hallmark on the back is from Weatherby Hanley, a British pottery that according to my online research was founded in 1891 and closed in 2000. They did a big souvenir and commemorative business in their heyday, so there are lots of vintage Weatherby Hanley giftware items with Queen Elizabeth's face on them available on Ebay and Etsy.
I think I'm going to use my little "pin dish" as it was intended -- as a spot to plunk my jewelry when I take it off. Yes, I own a jewelry box (two in fact), but somehow a few pieces land on my dresser anyway, especially if I'm tired or talking on the phone when I take them off. Admit it, you do the same thing.
I've discovered that organizational systems are all well and fine as long as they conform to how I will actually use them. Sometimes a little creativity is required. Since I finally faced facts and placed a dish near the door as a spot to drop my keys, I've never had to search for them again. Not even once.
