Grandparents' Treasures and Declutting

Honey_Bear

I need some help, please, and MSE Forumites are the most imagintive people I have in my life.



This bowl belonged to one of my grandparents, but I'm not sure which one. They all died in the 60s and 70s and both my parents died a few years ago. As is clear in the picture there is a bad crack in the bowl and food-type 'gunk' has leached in through the crack and under the glaze. In short - I can't use it for food any more.

We don't really like or have many ornaments and I can't think of any way to display this bowl even if only I see it, but I absolutely love it.

Is there anyone in MSE land who can help me either declutter this bowl once an for all, or suggest a way in which I can keep it and be okay with its crack?

Farway

There is no picture showing

Honey_Bear

Hmm. It was there earlier, and there's a little icon where it used to be. Not sure what happened there, so there's not a lot of point in uploading it again. I think it's pretty, but I'm sure a lot of other people would think it was just an ordinary damaged bowl.

lily117

I can't see the picture but if you love it, keep it Could you fill it with pot pourri or something to hide the crack?

lolacocacola

Can you use it as a fruit bowl?

PixieDust

could you keep flannels and pretty soaps and things in it in the bathroom?
or pinecones on a sideboard?
or fruit, nuts or treats?
could it be used as some sort of candle plate?
could it be the bowl that everyone throws their keys/wallet/phone into as they come in?

GreenFairy

PixieDust wrote: »

could you keep flannels and pretty soaps and things in it in the bathroom?
or pinecones on a sideboard?
or fruit, nuts or treats?
could it be used as some sort of candle plate?
could it be the bowl that everyone throws their keys/wallet/phone into as they come in?

I really like all these ideas!

I have a couple of really nice bowls that I'm sure should be hung on a wall, but I use one as a fruit bowl and the other is on the kitchen counter with my eggs in it. I have a fabric bowl/box thingie as well that lives on the chest of drawers in my bedroom and has my moisturiser, lip balm, handcream and bits in it for my before-bed routine.

The one thing I'd probably do though is get some really strong superglue and put a little layer the whole length of the crack on the inside as it will help to reinforce the whole thing and stop the damage from spreading.

Honey_Bear

Thanks everyone, all of your suggestions are much appreciated. I still haven't been able to let it go, so I'm going down the superglue route and I'll find somewhere to put it so that it can be a gathering place for bits and pieces.

I think, probably, the real issue is that I know I should be able to let it go and move on, but I can't, just yet. (That does not bode well for the atticful of carp that is sitting patiently, heavily, lurking and waiting for me to get on and deal it, along with all the inherited 'stuff'.)

But at least I get to enjoy the bowl for a little while longer and until I can let it go, I'm going to avoid the attic!

Cat501

Honey_Bear wrote: »

Thanks everyone, all of your suggestions are much appreciated. I still haven't been able to let it go, so I'm going down the superglue route and I'll find somewhere to put it so that it can be a gathering place for bits and pieces.

I think, probably, the real issue is that I know I should be able to let it go and move on, but I can't, just yet. (That does not bode well for the atticful of carp that is sitting patiently, heavily, lurking and waiting for me to get on and deal it, along with all the inherited 'stuff'.

But at least I get to enjoy the bowl for a little while longer and until I can let it go, I'm going to avoid the attic!

Why should you EVER let it go? You love it!! That's not what de-cluttering is about, at least, not to me x

loving all pixiedust's ideas

lostinrates

PixieDust wrote: »

could it be the bowl that everyone throws their keys/wallet/phone into as they come in?

this made me giggle as it sounded 'swinger' ish, which is an extreme length to go to to justify keeping a bowl!

In truth its an excellent suggestion and we find such a thing in valuable, but remember to keep a VERY long way from door and windows.

Honey_Bear

Quick final update: I bought the superglue and will eventually get round to putting it in and along the crack. In the meantime, the bowl is the only personal item that sits on the chest of drawers in the bedroom, next to the television and I keep all my hair and girly junk in it. Thank you for all the the suggestions. I am so glad I kept it. Sometimes decluttering goes too far.