It's time again for Vintage Thingie Thursday! Head on over to Confessions of an Apron Queen and sign up to participate. If you like vintage stuff, you will find a whole plethora of amazing websites that are participating with great stuff.
This week, I want to share with you my spools. They are from a textile mill in Massachusetts. Wool mills were established in New England before the Revolutionary War. 
Several of my Irish and French immigrant ancestors worked in the mills in Fall River Massachusetts and Pawtucket Rhode Island in the 1800s 
I've used these spools for years as candle holders, and its' apparent that I have no problem burning them and dripping wax everywhere.
This picture is from a cotton mill in Fall River Massachusetts around the turn of the century. I stole it from a historical site.
25 comments:
I've always wanted a set of these!
I love the spools. I think the next time I go to Canton, I will look for a set. They are really charming.
Very cool spools! No 'n_ _ _ _ _ p _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ' today, but I will definitely let you know if that comes about : ). Much love!
Lovely spools, and a great idea for reusing them!
I love 'em. That's a great idea, using them as candle holders.
I'm a wax spiller too. It's everywhere. Especially when the kids blow the candles out. Hot wax is a-flyin'. I'm too lazy to clean it up. I'm too lazy to clean anything up.
Very cute.
I am sure as your ancestors were working their fingers to the bone way back when they were hoping someone would use them for decorative purposes. :)
have a good day!!!
Recycled......I like that in my decorative items!!
Oh and if you get a REALLY big spool ,like my dad had left over from his bachelor days ,you can use it as a coffee table!!!
Your spools are great and the history of your ancestors working in mills where spools were used makes them more interesting.
Those are SO COOL! I wonder if any of them have made their way south to one of my little antique shops...
Those are wonderful candle holders! I like that postcard a lot, too.
What nice candle holders they make. Love the picture of the cotton mill.
Thanks for visiting my blog. Yes, I loved to go to Knott's Berry Farm back when it was free. I wrote a couple of posts about it on February 4 and 6 and posted some pictures taken there in the 1940s. You might be interested in seeing sometime.
Your sea lion pictures are very interesting too. I've enjoyed visiting your blog.
Hugs,
Charlotte
It great that you are using these mementos of the mills as useful decor items.
My mother had a bunch of those that she picked up over the years. I think they are amazing and add such nice warmth to a room.
Very nice candle holders. Even I might put something like that in my house, being I have no vintage thingies.
Oh,,,love the word Plethora
#1
I love antiques and always wonder about the stories behind them.
On another note...are you pumped for the double eviction or what??
Those are terrific spools, and I like the history behind them too.
I had a Grandma J, so whenever I see your name, I smile.
What a neat keepsake! Thanks for sharing!
What a wonderful way to repurpose things! Thanks for sharing.
Those are great! I love that you have incorporated them into everyday living. But the real value comes from their history. Great item to share.
My mom used to have spools like this that she too used as candle holders.
Thanks for sharing , I had forgotten all about them.
Grandma J, I think we might be related! My French and Irish ancestors worked in the textile mills in Fall River and New Beford, MA too. My grandma still worked at one of them when I was very young and we used to go visit ("the plant") as it was called. We got to ride in these ancient elevators like you see in movies about the "old days" and see all the work tables, machinery etc. The place closed down not long after my grandma retired, as did most every other mill back there. The whole area is dotted with boarded up, rusted out factories like that. Lots of fun to read your post today.
Karen B.
I like your spools and I like your blog name. I had a Grandma Jones--my dad's grandma, and now my mom is Grandma Jones to my kids, so I don't know what your las tname is really but it always brings up good memories!
I love vintage spools and being a weaver I've amassed a few over the years...they look great as a group display. Thanks also for sharing the history....fascinating!! xx
The spools are awesome - I love the history behind them :-)
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