Why I Love to Collect Vintage Crocks

I love collecting vintage items and just recently I started collecting vintage crocks. These crocks have so many uses and I love displaying and using them around our house.

Surprise Announcement! I have a new Collection. Haha. In addition to collecting vintage quilts, transferware, flower frogs, cake stands, English advertising pots, ironstone, and more. But now I am collecting vintage crocks. And this time I have a reason!

If you are not familiar with crocks, before the advent of refrigeration, crocks were used in American kitchens to store foodstuffs such as butter, salted meats, and pickled vegetables. The crocks were usually made of stoneware, a durable, economical ceramic that remains water-tight, even without a glaze.

Vintage crocks come in all different sizes and shapes and can be the size of a pint up to many, many gallons. The numbers on the crocks usually correspond to the size.

So why am I collecting crocks?

I love to use them in our home. I am also always looking for unique items to have on hand for when we entertain. I want our home to be unique and anytime I can “repurpose” a vintage item then I am happy. The crocks are also perfect for arranging flowers and holding utensils. So let me take you on a tour of my home and show you all of the places I am using my vintage crocks.

At the Front Door

These crocks are absolutely perfect for holding plants on our front porch. I love that they are vintage and chippy and different!

I also used them during the fall to hold some gorgeous fall faux foliage. I love this so much.

Vases for Fresh Flowers

A few weeks ago I used some vintage crocks to hold a ton of tulips that I picked up at Trader Joe’s. The response on my blog and Instagram was unbelievable and I am so grateful. I now have these crocks filled with daffodils and they look wonderful!

In the Kitchen

Crocks come in all different sizes and I love using the smaller ones for utensils and cooking tools. I also can’t wait to use them for napkins and serving pieces.

Around the Home 

I created this display in our living room and I absolutely love how it looks.

In the Carriage House

My next remodeling project involves our Carriage House. Currently, it’s basically a storage room and I really need to clear out this space. I want to utilize the space for projects and entertaining, On the “projects” side I have a large table from a candy store that has a large bottom shelf. This shelf is just perfect to hold a large number of crocks which can be used to store all of the materials I need for my projects. I cannot wait.

Where to Find Crocks

The best place to find crocks is at a vintage flea market or thrift store. When I say “best place” I am referring to price. You can also find them in antique stores. They are hard to find but they are plentiful. You can also find them online but their weight almost makes shipping too expensive! There are some great new crocks that you should consider too. They look amazing.

How Much do Crocks Cost?

Some of you are asking how much these crocks cost. Most of the crocks cost me about $10. Last year I bought a really large crock at the Long Beach flea market and it was $45. But that is the most I have ever spent. Earlier this week I was in Palm Springs and I stopped by their vintage antique flea market. I picked up two medium size crocks. I paid $5 and $10 for each, so my investment was minimal. I have seen them in antique stores for four to ten times that amount so it helps to shop wisely. Of course, I am basically a pretty cheap person so I am always looking for a bargain.  

I have seen some of the larger crocks priced over $100. I haven’t paid that much but I think it is a common price range for the larger crocks.

I am so excited to be collecting these crocks. I hope you might consider it too.