Thursday, February 17, 2011

Some Unique British Tea Tins

Do you shop differently when you have a gift card? I'm pretty sure I do. If it's my own money I'm usually pretty thrifty, but when I have a gift card I almost insist on using it for something frivolous! And the other day I used a T.J. Maxx gift card on two unique tea tins filled with (very average) chocolate chip cookies, but golly, aren't these tin tea shops clever!

The awning design is something I've never seen on a tin before. The largest, for "Ludlows Bakery & Tea's," stands about 8-1/2 inches tall. Now as something of a grammar geek, I can't help wondering if this UK item ended up in the U.S. because that apostrophe should have been in Ludlow's and not in Tea's. At any rate, I thought it was quite cute and decided I could overlook the typo. (Almost!)

Here's a close-up view from under the awning, where you get a better view of the tea rooms and bakery. I love the thought that went into this design!

G. Woodrow Fine Tea Merchant, which stands about 6 inches tall, is the tin which originally caught my eye.

Upstairs a gent can be seen at a window near the tea sign.

And below, you can see the chest of tea and scales for measuring tea. Such details made me love these tins, and in case some of you like them too I wanted to give you a heads-up on them!

8 comments:

  1. Hi Angela,

    Aren't gift cards meant for something frivolous? My Aunt Emma told me if I spent the ones she gave me on a necesity, she would be quite miffed.

    I have had the G. Woodrow tin for several years and it always holds my favorite tea and is front and center on my tea station. Having never seen the other one, I will be off to the the local TJ in search of one later today. I always wondered if there were others with the little awning.
    Thank you for the heads up.
    Have a Happy Day

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello, Angela - how neat are those tins? I need to just set up an account with you, 'Whatever Angela buys, I want it, too!'

    You have such an eye for the unique and the one-of-a-kind item...you continue to amaze me!
    Thanks for sharing and have a great day, Joanie

    ReplyDelete
  3. These cookie tins are really neat. I've saved tins over the years but nothing as cute as these have ever crossed my path.
    Wish we had a TJ Max here, sounds like a store I'd like.
    Judith

    ReplyDelete
  4. Well, bummer! I was at TJ Maxx yesterday and they didn't have anything fun for tea. But, I'm glad you found these. I will just enjoy your photos!
    I received the journal today. Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
  5. What cute tins! I agree I tend to be frivolous with a gift card too.

    I saw in the new Keepsake Quilting catalog where Mary Engelbreit has a new fabric line with tea pots.
    http://www.keepsakequilting.com/productdetail/4934/----FAT-QUARTER-TEA-DECADENCE-QUILT-FABRIC-MEDLEY-.htm

    ReplyDelete
  6. Very cute tea tins. I must say I would be tempted to look for this, but my cupboard is running over with teatins. I will enjoy seeing yours and drool a bit.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Angela
    I live here in New Zealand and my last name is Ludlow. One day I went into a gift shop and found the 'Ludlows Bakery & Teas' tin and was over the moon. I filled it up with goodies and sent it to my Mum and Dad for Christmas, it was the best present that I had ever given them. All the relations wanted one. I checked on the bottom of the tin and see it is a one of a set of six, not sure where to go to get the other five. Have you any ideas. Lovely chatting to you, and I agree, great way to give a special gift.
    Kind regards

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great Tea Tins!

    Ahmad Tea also has some great tea tins; London Guards, London Bus, Telephone Box (and they turn into coin banks for the kids) Also nice English scenes on other tins:
    http://www.bonjourgourmet.com/Ahmad_Tea_of_London_s/72.htm
    http://www.bonjourgourmet.com/Ahmad_Tea_London_Guard_Collection_p/at8944.htm

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for taking time to leave a comment! It makes my day to hear from readers!