Where to Find Cake Plates
One of the most commonly asked questions left on my blog and social media is
“Where do you find your cake plates??”
Cake plate addiction is a real thing. I’ve been adding to my collection for many years, which is why some people may confuse me as a hoarder rather than a collector…but just look. They’re pretty dreamy.
When I first started baking I wanted to find things other than a flat platter to display my treats on. I was cobbling different desserts together to create a full table of treats (now known as a dessert table) and flat platters and trays weren’t doing the job. I was getting more of a pot luck look and less of a gorgeous dessert display.
I started scouring antique stores, flea markets, garage sales and ebay and etsy for vintage cake stands to stash away for parties. Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma and Macys were always a safe bet for white display pieces but I wanted different, unique pieces that would stand out.
Little by little, my collection grew to possibly one of the largest ever. Country Living Magazine recently featured a very small portion in their collectors issue. I don’t know anyone who has hundreds of stands but if you do, I’d like to meet them!
To answer the burning question.. here are some of my favorite places to source cake plates:
Ebay: Always a safe bet for cake stands. You can search using the “buy it now” option or get into a bidding war with other cake plate enthusiasts.
Etsy: You’ll may have to do a little digging to find what you’re looking for. Since Etsy is all about handmade, you’ll have to search specifically for “vintage” pieces or the search will bring up handmade stands.
Rosanna: Rosanna is a great source for porcelain stands made here in Seattle. Their styles are classic and reminiscent of vintage milk glass.
Mosser Glass: Mosser is a legit, glass cake plate maker. They’re located on the east coast. You can find their items on ebay or in many party shops around the web.
Craigslist/Offer Up: You’d be surprised what you can find on Craigslist. Spend 20 minutes and do a little searching!
Estate Sales: I like to know what I’m getting into. Check sites like estatesale.org and estatesales.net. Both have lists of upcoming sales in your area. They typically have photos as well, which is great so that you can mark the sales you want to shop and save your time on the others.
Garage Sales: Never judge a garage sale from the road! Park your car, get out and go digging. You know what they say, one mans trash is another mans treasure!
Antique Stores: Antique stores are becoming less and less the best place to find cake plates as they’re becoming so popular, but you just never know. I like to go to antique stores in small towns, or places on the outskirts. Sometimes the diamond in the rough is a hole in the wall shop!
Flea Markets: If you are lucky enough to live in an area with flea markets, GO! I absolutely love the flea markets in California, but here in Washington they are a little more rare.
Secondhand/Thrift Stores: Give your thrift store a chance. Ask what day they put out new items. Go on that day!!
Cake Plate and Vintage Shopping Tips:
Always keep your eye out for pieces that could work as a cake stand. They don’t have to necessarily BE a cake stand but a cake can fit on it! I’ve used candle holders, wood rounds, buckets, tins, boxes, crates and more. I love to think outside the box. It keeps thinks interesting.
Price check. Find a treasure at an antique store? Cross check the price with a quick Ebay search.
Make friends with antique store owners. Leave your name with the owner and let them know what you’re looking for. Sometimes they’re willing to email/call when specific items are brought in.
A small glimpse of my jadite and milk glass collection.
What do you collect? Do you have any scouring tips?
The pink milk glass ???
The pink is up there with jadite in my book!
I collect milk glass pieces and cake stands too. I started collecting cake stands when I finished pastry school!
My other tip, to make sure family and friends know what you collect. They’ll keep an eye out for the items too. My MIL travels more often than I do and to cute small towns. She will check estate sales for my list of “wants”.
That’s a great tip Amanda!!
What an amazing collection? It’s so fun when you find them out in the wild for a few bucks!! Thanks for sharing!
It’s so exciting isn’t it??
Oh my gosh, I love your collection. Thank you for sharing. I want to start a cake stand/ plate collection. My mom has lots of dishes. My one question is how can you tell if dishes are authentic milk glass or jadite? She has so many dishes but I never really learned about them.
I have a small home bakery business in Arizona. My collection is quite small based on what you’ve shown – but also have a love of pretty way to display my sweets – some have still to be used but always pretty to display everyday. Family all knows where they can come to find that special tiered stand. Collecting is fun but definately can get out of control especially when space is limited – I’ve always loved your story and inspiration -I’m hoping I’m lucky enough to get to Seattle one day to meet you or better yet see you open a store here in Arizon ?
Thank you Kim! I hope you come visit us!!
Wow! How do you store all these? Any tips or suggestions ? I have a HUGE Tea pots, cups and stands collection. But I have a hard time figuring out the best way to store them and have easy access. I use an app called “Sortly” to keep track of what I have ?
I store in plastic storage containers with lots of bubble wrap! I’ll have to check out the app, it sounds awesome!
Oh my word! These photos make my heart flutter! But where oh where do you store them all!? 🙂
I keep them in plastic storage totes with lots of bubble wrap!
I find mass produced cake plates at Home Goods, I mix them in with my antiques.
Yes! Home Goods is a great place to find random stands.
I love the cake stands at Shop Sweet Lulu!! In fact, I love everything there! Your collection is awesome, thanks for sharing!
Your collection of pottery cake stand & plates is just awesome. Even if you put a simple cake on it that will also look beautiful.
I have a clear glass cake plate with lace around the edge. It is vintage. I have not been able to find one anywhere. I have looked many places eBay,etsy, even asked antique without success.
Help!
I have a pedestal glass cake plate, maybe pressed glass, with stylized harps and flourishes on it, background has tiny pinpoints. Sure it isn’t valuable, but my dad bought it for my mom, and I’d like to know more about it.
While I don’t have “hundreds” of cake plates, my collection is in the 60+ range (not sure exactly how many because I have them all over the house serving various in roles). I recently won 1st place at our county fair in the “collections” category with just a small sampling of my collection. I was so happy to read about your affinity for cake plates! My husband just doesn’t quite understand my fascination with these beautiful, versatile, pieces! I think I will have him read this article! Thank you for validating me, or at least my ever expanding collection, to my family! Hahahaha
Christina R.