It's Raining Pyrex!

Usually, in Seattle at this time of year it is raining, foggy, cold, and the like. It feels like we have been socked in for days and when I take the sweet pug out at night I feel like I'm in the movie The Night of the Living Dead. So, when I was also not finding any good Pyrex I was, naturally, feeling a little seasonally affected. Luckily, a Craigslist check changed that real quick!

After the journey through eBay, Etsy, and Bonanza listings, I decided one evening last week to check Craigslist. In the past, I seem to only come across people asking outrageous prices for mismatched sets or antique dealers advertising their wares, also at prices I don't like to pay. This time, though, a small listing with a picture of the 440 Verde set opened up to a person selling off a good size collection. It wasn't clear exactly what he was selling but it invited viewers to email what they were looking for and what they were willing to pay. My heart gets racing a little when I see these ads and wondering how many people have responded so far. It had been up for 23 hours and I always, in paranoid collector's fashion, assume that hordes of collectors have seized this opportunity. I'm strange like that.  I quickly emailed him with my list which originally was: turquoise and pink bowls and fridgies, New Dots green, Embroidery 443, Pink Stems 043, Blue and White Stripes 401 and 402, and, just for the heck of it, I asked if he had Starburst 575. I was amazed when he got back to me, with pictures, that he had many on my list including Starburst! I was giddy but still didn't know the prices. Well, it ended up that this collector has been collecting for over 10 years and never paid more than $10 for a piece so he was hoping to just recoup his costs. The Starburst was $10!!

We met in a nearby parking lot and did the exchange. I received a turquoise 401, pink 502 and 503, Embroidery 443, New Dots green, and the Starburst. I truly never thought I would get a green dots or a Starburst for under $30. To top it all off, he was the nicest guy and, I could tell, we would be collector friends.

Another local collector I know was interested too and I really wanted to actually go down and see his 'Room of Pyrex.' We made arrangements to visit on Saturday and came home with more Pyrex. I was a little Pyrex overstimulated. Just being in the room made me sweat with excitement and my friend and I each spent a lot of time looking, maneuvering Pyrex around, and sharing stories of thrift stores and estate sales with our new friend. It was so much fun! I don't even know how many pieces were there. I ended up leaving with a Butterprint 472, 473, and 474, a Flower Sol (or I've also seen it called a Del Sol), a Bar Codes 473, a Twin Server (the one with green and blue leaves), a Royal divided 063, an 080 Opal, and an Americana 401 to complete my fall colored Americana set. My friend made out just as well. One of his he was most excited about was a Verde Square Flowers 024. We had a blast and even hit seven thrift stores on the way back to my house.

The best part, besides fulfilling some Pyrex collecting dreams, was meeting a new friend and fellow collector and introducing him to all my collector friends on the Facebook Vintage Pyrex Love page. He no longer thinks that he is just crazy! I also know that I can check with him anytime if he is parting with anymore. A new Goodwill Outlet is opening across from where he works so he might be finding even more! The Friendship pattern still eludes me and he wanted to keep all of his. I can't blame him. I have all the mixing bowls but need the 474, 475, 063 divided, promo 475, and the 043 and 045. It will happen!

 It seems like things are picking up for people so I can't wait to see some of everyone else's finds. I need to get arranging mine!