Do you know how sometimes you walk into a store and find something you weren’t looking for
but that you have to have because it fits perfectly with you,
your decor, your home, your style
your everything?
It happens.
And it happened again recently.
I walked into HomeGoods
and something jumped into my cart.
Just like a cat hops up on the counter.
It was a shiny treasure- that instantly caught my eye.
A perfect mix of favorite brass and copper details.
And you guessed it- it had personality galore.
After it landed in my cart- I stared at it for a few seconds and listened to it
as it whispered sweet nothings…
and I saw that it was a copper fish poacher with a brass fish on top
that was batting it’s pretty little eyes at me.
I shook my head
as I explained that I have been a vegetarian for over 20 years
and I don’t NEED a copper fish pan.
I don’t eat fish.
And I don’t need more copper.
And it laughed at me.
Like the falling over and landing on the floor kind of
laughing.
Of course, I knew it was laughing because even as I said
I don’t need any more copper and definitely not a fish poacher….
I was flipping it over to see the price.
I made a bit of a face as that copper laughed at me as I saw the price.
It was like
‘What did I tell you? And you thought you didn’t need me… HA.’
So, I smiled and said whatever under my breath
and brought that little chatty fish & copper pan home with me.
I knew the copper was on clearance because it looked a bit tarnished and had a
few scratches on the bottom.
The inside was clean – so it likely wasn’t used-
maybe just displayed.
And so, when I went to polish it up- I peeled back the clearance tag just to see what it said…
Compare to $357.
Original price at HomeGoods $249.
Clearance price $69.
Seriously. A STEAL of a price.
I polished it up with CopperBrill and it looks good as new.
And did you know that HomeGoods and TJMaxx
are both some of my favorite sources for copper?
This is another example from TJMaxx.
Another slightly tarnished & scratched piece- marked at a discount.
This was before polishing was done- but it polished with just a little work.
My best tips for finding copper while shopping there:
Of course scour the housewares/cookware aisle-
there are often clearance pieces mixed in with the everyday priced pieces.
Check the clearance aisle too- because sometimes the stores like to corral all the clearance in once place.
This fish poacher was actually stacked up with a bunch of aluminum pots and pans
in the clearance section
And don’t forget the .com- TJMAXX .com has a TON of great finds- as does Marshalls.com.
I have picked up several pieces of French and Italian copper there at incredible prices- including an entire pots and pans set of Mauviel at probably 1/3 the regular price.
And even if something is tarnished- bring it home!
Tarnished copper is just as beautiful as polished and if you want polished- polish it up.
That discounted price because the copper isn’t gleaming or perfect
is like a voice convincing you to bring yet another piece home.
And as you can see, I know that voice well.
🙂
You can read my post about the Easiest way to Polish Copper HERE
What do you think of this cute new addition to my copper collection?
Would you have brought it home too?
Since a lot of us are not out perusing stores all.the.time like before- and doing more shopping online right now- I thought I would update this post to reflect that and add a few more sources where I have found some great pieces.
Of course- vintage- try Ebay and Etsy. They have some wonderful pieces.
I have also found great prices on copper at stores like Macy’s and Amazon. If you have a set in mind- such as a hammered copper pots and pans set or a French Mauviel set- keep an eye on those places and search often when they have sales. And remember that something with more than one piece means you have an ‘instant’ collection. Which is kind of like a green light to add other pieces as you find them.
Some of these are a bit of a chunk in price- others are super affordable.
One of the best things about collecting copper is that if you take care of it- it develops that delicious patina and lasts and lasts-
so it is a good investment. Happy collecting!!
Engraved Copper pan (under $70)
*affiliate links
That is exactly what happens to me when I walk into HG or TJ Maxx, or Marshall's for that matter!
And here I thought I was the only weirdo that heard voices from sale items. Those items not only call my name but I am lassoed and dragged to them, (against my feeble will, of course), lol. Love your finds.
Awesome tips, Courtney…so well worth the price simply for a bit of tarnish – beautiful! I'll be on the lookout! Have an awesome week!
Kathy
Yes I would have brought it home too! What a great piece you have found! And yes, HG or TJ Maxx are definitely places for bargains!
Have a good evening,
Laurence
I've seen and held those beautiful copper pots at Home Goods…one day it will come home with me. They are a great find.
I love the way you write almost as much as I love how pots speak to you. You made me snicker a bit. Loved it.
I actually get an itch! Then i know i have to go to the thrift/discount/Salvation Army store! That itch has yet to let me down! It's like a divining rod calling me!
That copper is amazing! Years ago i bought a stock pot by Emmeril at TJ Max for 20. It was a second, took me weeks to find the flaw! I guess at 350 it had to be perfect. Still have, 18 yrs later.
What a beautiful find????
I love it Courtney. You scored!!! When you spoke of how it talked to you all I can envision is that talking fish on the plaque that would sing “take me to the river!” Enjoy your treasure!
The few pieces I have came from Home Goods and estate sales. I look for copper on every single trip to Home Goods!
What a great find!
Isn't it amazing how often items actually talk to you in stores? I'm over here obsessing over your fish poacher and your stock pot and all you other beautiful copper. I don't have either a TJMaxx or a Home Goods locally but I'm definitely going to start frequenting the ones I have about an hour away!
I hear voices also. My problem is I answer back. The 1 good thing about wearing masks as if there could be anything good about that is people dont know who around them is the one talking. Yes I do walk away smiling its is funny. but my question is what are you going to do with the fish poacher since you dont eat fish? you could poach eggs I suppose. It really is a lovely piece. I hope you put it to good use.
Kim
hahah!! Yes! Those masks most definitely can hide some of those conversations! 😂 I haven’t done anything with it other than appreciate how pretty it is so far- but I am wondering if it would work for maybe a casserole type dish- maybe my grandmothers mashed potato casserole for the holidays or a berry cobbler. 🙂
I have one of these- have never poached a fish. Makes a great chiller for wine or keeping several bottles of SPARKLING waTer cold when we are outside. Mason jars hide in it well for floral arrangements in a tight space like an entry table.
I would love to have that fish poacHer. It speaks to me as well.
What a great find!
It was such a treasure! I love it too- I hope you can find one!
Hello, I have lots of copper but cannot get them clean. what do you use and what is your process? thank you for your help. Karen
Hi Karen! I use Copperbrill which came with my set of Mauviel pots and pans- so is a recommended product. BUT that said- I have also used Ketchup. It works WONDERS. And actually when I just polished these up recently- that was all I had on hand and it did a beautiful job. I did a blog post about it Here: https://www.frenchcountrycottage.net/2020/05/how-to-clean-copper-pots-the-easy-way.html
What a delightful story! so happy to know we have kindred spirits. it would be adorable filled woth thise little pots of mini daffodils and moss. of course you needed it😀
Oh daffodils would be so cute in copper!
I have also FOUND SOME GREAT COPPER PIECES AT HOME GOODS. MY favoritE is a small sauce pan I use to heat up maple syrup.
They are really Such a great source for copper! It just takes a little patience to find the perfect pieces.
I’m a copper lover, too. Can’t remember ever passing any up. Thrift stores and consignment shops are good sources, people just don’t want to polish them.
We use Barkeepers friend for all our copper, in fact, most of our super tarnished metal finds at least the first time we clean them. It’s like a miracle with a lot less work.
Love that fish!
I have heard great things about Barkeepers Friend as well- I haven’t tried it but will put it on the list. And Yes on the vintage and thrift shops- some amazing pieces to be found there and they always look iffy- just like the silver- but will often polish up perfectly!
I Use a fish poacher for POACHING ASPARAGUS. The grren with the copper color is glorious . Love everything about your style and humor on your blog. Your posts just make my day.
Ahh love to know that!! I will try it for that- we just had asparagus last night-a favorite! Thanks Kathryn!
I haven’t been in our local HG or TJMaxx since maybe october. i hope those pieces that should have been mine have found good homes. now, i’ll be on the hunt for copper! Enjoyed this post.
I hear you! I have only been probably twice since in the past year! Crazy! But I have been getting my fill shopping at Tjmaxx.com and Marshalls.com- and I found a whole set of Mauviel pots and pans listed there – so keep watching!
Courtney
I would have bought the pan, and I don’t have any copper. 😊
I love your collection and your style. thanks for sharing so many great tips.
Karen
The oval fish pot is AN ORIGINAL, ‘RuffoNi’; made in Italy! The brass sculpted brass knobS are only made fOr a limited timE—FOR, ‘WILLIAMS AND SONOMA; AND, THEN THEY ARE CHANGED! THE, CURRENT ONES ARE BRASS ACORN SCULPTURES; AND SELL FOR $750.00; bUT, SINCE YOUR’S is a limited addition, IT WOULD SELL FOR THREE-TIMES, THAT; BECAUSE, THEY ARE NO LONGER MADE—UNLESS, CUSTOMER MADE BY RUFFONI!
—GREAT HEIRLOOM ITEM! WOW!