A Sea Witch in Vicenza

Yes, I have been missing for few days as I am in Vicenza, Italy visiting my precious raviolis better known as my grandchildren.  I left on Sunday afternoon and have been having a ball with them ever since I arrived on monday afternoon.

The twins, Kelsey and Connor!  Be still my heart.

Big sister, Kaitlyn.  Too adorable for mortal words and she makes me laugh. 

Yesterday, while Kaitlyn took a gymnastic class, her mom and her two Italian girlfriends and I took a walk around the block where her gymnastic class was held and came across this magnificent, old residence.

The two Italian women explained that this was built during the 18th Century and that Napoleon had crossed the nearby bridge and camped on the residence.

Original main building, original windows and doors.

Windows are deep set into the stone and are huge.  Original shutters still remain.

It is spring in Italy and many of the homes fill these window sills with lovely flowers.

Closeup of the gate at the front entrance.

I hope to take more pics of the city of Vincenza tomorrow while pushing my little raviolis in their stroller.  I feel morning cappachinos coming on along with a little something lovely from the local bakery. Sea Witch

Beautiful Blogger Award

Hello Everyone.  Today I have been bestowed with the Beautiful Blogger award.  (you can't see but I'm blushing a bit as I'm not the kind that is comfortable with receiving awards)   So thank you, Ramblings of a Newbie Pagan who has so graciously given me this beautiful blog award!  I am often amused that anyone would find what I had to say worth reading or want to view my photos and even go so far as to leave a comment or two. What I am is grateful for are all of your friendships and delightful words and that, to me, is worthy of you all receiving a Beautiful Blogger award.    

So in keeping with the “rules” for the beautiful blogger award, I must:
 1. Thank the person who gave you this award.
 2. Share 7 things about yourself.
 3. Pass the award along to 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic!

4. Contact the bloggers you've picked and let them know about the award.

What I like about this award is that you have the opportunity to share blogs that you have newly discovered.  Something that I have a recently had a treasure trove of.  Please be warned that my taste is highly eclectic but then that is the fun of this award.  You get to share what you find interesting blogs with others.  So here goes. 

Seven random things about me:

1.  I won the UN Poster contest three years in a row as a child in Catholic School.

2.  I wear vintage clothing whenever I can and at one time I had over 250 hats in my personal collection.

3.  My top five books are "To Kill A Mockingbird", "A Prayer for Owen Meany", "The Lovely Bones", "The Stand" and "The Color Purple".

4.  I must eat a piece of "good" chocolate every day.

5.  When the world around me begins to shudder, I will often make soap or spin fiber.  Both activities set the energy around me to a more gentle turn.

6.  My baby sister and I can dissolve into a puddle of giggles over the stupidest things.

7.  I still use a fountain pen to sign my name.

Now for the 15 newest sites I have recently discovered, I hereby award the Beautiful Blog to are:

1.  http://amanwhocrafts.blogspot.com/ Extraordinary work in paper.  Love his "The traveling corpse project."

2.  http://thewasherwoman.blogspot.com/.  Delightful blog and just plain joyful.

3.  http://wwwbobbypinsboardwalk.blogspot.com/.  Step by step on repurposing furniture and other decorative elements.

4.  http://thegypsyfish.blogspot.com/.  Lovely digital art.

5.  http://lemonadekitty.blogspot.com/.  Fun little blog to visit...crazy about the name.

6.  http://mind-wideopen.blogspot.com/.  More terrific digital art.
 
7.  http://www.nannygoatsinpanties.com/.  The name of this blog alone announces that this will always be a fun blog to visit.
 
8.  http://sandinmyyarn.blogspot.com/.  Knitting, fiber, ravelry...what more could you ask for.
 
9.  http://themermaidsmercantile.blogspot.com/.  Fell in love with the name of this blog as I have a merchants soul, toss in a dash of mermaids and I'm all over it.
 
10.  http://yellowbeachdog.blogspot.com/.  Just a sweet, gentle blog full of snippets of everyday life. 
 
11. http://adventuresofgingeyginge.blogspot.com/.  Everything pinup.  Always a fun blog to visit.
 
12.  http://piggystales.blogspot.com/.  Okay, this is a girlfriends blog who I am shamelessly promoting...but it does fit the category for this award as she is a new blogger, but boy is it a delightful one.
 
13.  http://awhimsicalchick.blogspot.com/.  Another girlfriends blog who I am also shamelessly promoting...but it also fits the category for this award as she began her blog the same time piggy tales did.  She is a sweet soul and both are the ladies from my Sunday afternoon build a blog get together.
 
14.  http://boneheadstudio.blogspot.com/.  Inspiring and joyful work by this doll artist.
 
15.  http://delightfulclutter.blogspot.com/.  This is my kind of clutter and I know you will enjoy visiting this blog as often as I do.
 
So there you have it, 15 new blogs to visit if you are not already aware of their existence. I hope you enjoy getting to know them and "newbie pagan" thanks for the Beautiful Blogger Award.

Battenberg Lace

"Lace" is one of the most evocative words in our language. It suggests an elegant sensibility, a delicacy offering a diverse variety of styles and patterns. The word “lace” comes from the Latin meaning a noose or snare. Most likely its earliest origins from early fisherman who used the looping of threads into nets. As a needlewoman, it is no surprise that I am a collector of women’s textiles. Fiber into fabric and fabric fashioned into the everyday pieces that surround us from clothing to household goods to embellishment has always fascinated me.

Although I adore lace in all of its forms, it is the Battenberg lace technique that has always called me. I have antique Battenberg lace pieces around my house and in my closet. Battenberg or “tape lace” can be traced to the 16th century, Battenberg lace was first created when Queen Victoria of England named her son-in-law as the first Duke of Battenberg in the late 1800s. Every English Duke had his own lace pattern. Thus, a new style of tape lace called Battenberg was invented and became quite popular. During the 1930s and 1940s, making Battenberg lace was a fashionable American hobby made easier by readily available machine-woven tapes.

The most readily available Battenberg lace items can be found at every department, fabric and craft store. Who among us has not seen the Made in China pieces that abound?

I’m afraid I’m a bit of snob when it comes to Battenberg and do not own any of the modern pieces. If you have ever come across or are fortunate enough to own antique Battenberg lace you understand my snobbery. There is nothing quite like it.

Detail of antique Battenberg lace.  No comparison to today's modern pieces.

Lovely antique Battenberg lace parlour tablecloth. Circa 1890s.

Antique Batteberg lace bedspread.  Circa 1900s

 

Highly detailed work combined with netting and linen.  Circa 1910

 

Stunning wedding gown of Battenberg Lace.  Would be worn over a silk tafetta undergown.  Circa 1900s

 

Detail of gown train.  The hours spent creating this masterpiece are mind boggeling.

 

Lovely Edwardian color made from silk tape with pretty pink accents. 

 

Pretty overlay jacket.  I have a similiar piece in black that I wear.  Circa 1910.

 

An exquisite floor length jacket from the 1910-20s era combining silk guaze, battenberg lace technqiues and silk embroidered flowers in the art nouveau fashion.  I would love to own this lovely garment but it is too costly for my humble pocketbook.  But how smashing would the wearer be in this? 

 

I hope, in your travels, that as you come across true antique/vintage pieces of battenberg lace that you have the opportunity to really look closely at the workmanship of these pieces. They are nothing short of extraordinary.  Have a joyous day.  Sea Witch

Those incredible eggs

With Easter only a few weeks ago, I was thinking of the egg and how it is decorated.   There is such a purity in the form.  How pretty is this basket full of soft, pastel and natural color chicken eggs?

My raviolis will be decorating Easter eggs soon.  Brilliant, spring colors will abound and then they will hide them to find on Easter morning.

The term "Fabergé egg" has become a synonym of luxury and the eggs are regarded as masterpieces of the jeweller's art. The eggs are made of precious metals or hard stones decorated with combinations of enamel and gem stones.  Always exquisite and breathtaking.

Another spectacular Faberge egg dated 1903.

Lovely hand decorated Ukrainian eggs. All patiently hand wrought.

These are eggs decorated with a Victorian marbling technique.  I adore these eggs for their detail and color.  Brilliant.

My sister's favorite eggs from our childhood. She loves these panoramic, sugar molded eggs.

And of course, an egg worthy of a sea witch.  This little Mermaid carving won a blue ribbon in 2007 at the international egg art show in Dallas Texas.  How extraordinary a work of art using such a simple and organic medium.  I am always awed by the talent that is among us.  Have a wonderful day all.  Sea Witch 

Time for a Booth Fill In

Time for another booth fill in...especially now that Easter is just around the corner, collectors are out on the prowl looking for something to add to their personal collections or even start a new one.  I usually bring out my linens in the spring and I was busy starching and ironing over the weekend.  As mentioned in a previous post, I like to iron linens.  There is something wonderful about seeing wrinkled textiles and watching them become smooth and crisp with the passing of a hot iron and a little steam. 

So I brought in linens, bisque eggs and a pair of greenware infant heads.  I know, I know their heads...but they are kinda cool too.

Found more of my green depression glass so brought more in.

Lots of deviled egg trays and pretty little pottery drawers for storing favorite recipes, found objects or treats.

Sweet child's Edwardian slip.  Soft, fine cotton batiste and pretty Irish filet crochet lace edging. 

Wonderful pairs of late Edwardian deadstock ladies shoes.  Size 6 and 6.5, these have never been worn and are in wearable condition.  Circa 1910.

How about this smashing, soft rabbit fur ladies wrap or stole?  Perfect condition, this is the wrap that every teen angel wanted to wear to that last dance of the school season.

A selection of fantastic ladies envelope clutch bags in sequins and beads.  All from the 1950s.

Those fabulous Armetale mugs have already gotten lots of interest. 

Pretty doilies, crosses and painting. 

Had good sales last week and in speaking with other colleagues, everyone appears to be having sales so this is good for all of us.  With the economy as unstable as it is, it is really nice to know that the antique and art community is seeing sales. Wishing all of us who are involved in any retail endeavor a very prosperous spring season.  Sea Witch

French Grunt Header

I was going through some of the underwater shots I took in Cancun last December when I pulled up this particular image of a French Grunt.  This was a shot that was unplanned.   I was doing a deco stop before my final ascent to the boat when I saw this lone, French Grunt swimming next to a large coral head.  The fish was a good 20 feet from me so I used the zoom feature to bring it in closer.  However, when using the zoom underwater, you often get highly distorted photos unless you utilize an external flash unit.  I do not have an external flash (too cost prohibitive at this time) so it was a shoot and pray shot.  When I uploaded the photo, I was delighted to see the painterly effect the photo had. 

 The grainy image of the grunt and the tiny coral polyps in the background looks like the Pointillist technique used by late, 19th century Impressionists such as Seurat and Cross.

The Eiffel Tower - Seurat - 1889

Beach on the Mediterranean - Cross - 1891

Technically, this would be a photo you would toss away, but artistically, I think it is a keeper because of its abstract look.  Besides, I think it lends itself beautifully as a Sea Witch header.  Have a lovely Friday all.  Sea Witch

Jars, Armetell and a Gypsy

I like vintage, lidded glass containers.  I know this stems from my childhood as my mother always had pretty glass candy jars filled with a variety of candies inside.  From flashy metallic foils to pastel pinks, she would fill her huge, soft pine hutch with lots of these candy filled jars.  It was always like walking into a sweet shop in the city.  So I come by the need to fill pretty jars with candy honestly.  These always sell well for me no matter the season and I believe it is because of the pretty treats contained inside.  Suddenly, an empty vessel, although pretty on its own, takes on a different visual appeal.  When I bring them into the store filled with pretty candies, the jars seem to fly out of my booth. 

Came across this set of five different Wilton,  Armetale Ware steins from the 1970s at my local goodwill.  These are massive and the photo does not really show that.  (especially the big stein in the back of the photo, this piece is almost nine inches high and about 6 inches in diameter and has quite a bit of weight to it)  Big and heavy, these have the look and feel of pewter but are actually an aluminum alloy product with the ability to mold into any shape imaginable.  Easy to clean, they never tarnish, are safe for beverages and the keep hot things hot and cold things cold.  Armetell items are often mistaken for pewter as they can mimic old pieces easily.  These steins are from the Wilton Armetell colonial tavern series and will be a nice addition to anyone's collection.

And last, but not least, this adorable old photograph of a young girl in a gypsy costume.  Photo is also hand colored to enhance the burgundy and gold ribbons and costume she wears.  Photo is approximately 6 inches by 8 inches and is in wonderful condition in its original matt.  I think she is the "cat's meow" with her satin headband and matching ribbons.  (all photos enlarge when you click on them - so don't be shy to take a peak at this gypsy baby)

Have a satin hairband, gypsy ribbon kind of day!  Sea Witch

White Shell Wednesday

We are thawing out from our snowy weather so rarely seen in Atlanta even though we truly  had our share this season.  Today the sky is brilliant blue and a perfect day for a white shell Wednesday.  (but then in my sea witchy world, any day is a great day for shells).  Shells are magical to me in their beauty, in both their strength and fragility and their unique shapes.  When I look at and hold shells in my hands I must ask the question, how can anyone deny a creator's existance when such gentle beauty is found in worldly abundance.  One of my favorite shells is the Venus Comb Murex.

Another one of those incredibly delicate looking and brilliant white sea shells that house a marine gastropod (fancy words for slug or snail).  Like the Wentletrap, the Venus Comb Murex seashell is common to the Indo-Pacific region.  This is a stunning, white shell with its slender spines along its entire length often resembling the skelton of a fish. 

A rather large, predator-scavanger species which usually feeds on other smaller mollusks and prefers to live in intertidal or shallow subtidal waters with sandy or muddy bottoms. It usually sports more than a hundred sharp spines. Perfect specimens are rare, because of the fragility of those numerous, long spines.  The spines provide protection from maurading fish who look to eat the creature that lives inside this spectacular housing.  Although the spines can hinder the movement of the creature the spines also prevent the mollusk from sinking into the soft, sandy mud where it is most commonly found.  

X-ray of the Venus Comb Murex.  Such a visually romantic name, can you not see Venus rising from the sea and utilizing such a seashell to comb her long locks?  If not Venus, then certainly a Sea Witch.

This is one of the shells that I hope to find one day.  Perhaps on a dive trip to the Indo-China region and the opportunity to take a leisurely stroll along the soft, sandy/muddy beach and happen across this shell as a few spines are exposed to the surface.  Oh, how I can romantize a walk on the beach.  Have a lovely day all. Sea Witch 

It's at it AGAIN!

Yup, it's snowing again in Atlanta.  If I truly didn't video it myself, I wouldn't believe it.  Here is a short video taken of the snow falling just outside my office building this morning.  

Schools are closing early and sis will leave downtown around 3:00 pm to avoid the horrible traffic that will happen as people scramble to pick up children and bring them home.  As for me, all of this snow makes me want to go home and change into warm, toasty loose clothing, brew some gun powder tea and starch and iron Edwardian whites.   I adore starching and ironing whites and other pretty textiles wrought from creative hands.  It is therapeutic for me.  Some folks like to clean, others reorganize closets...I like to iron.  Stay warm and healthy!  Sea Witch

Weekend Treasure Hunt

After a bout with the flu last weekend (actually more like five days of never getting out of bed unless absolutely necessary) I was like a goldfish in a small bowl circling and circling. I couldn't wait to get out of the house and do a little treasure hunting with my sister.  So off we went to some of my favorite haunts and the treasure gods looked kindly upon me.  Found some wonderful things and have already most priced and in my booth.

Saw this Victorian, adjustable piano stool with claw feet and marbles and knew it was going to be a good day for hunting treasure.  Original finish and in excellent condition.  A nice hand polish and this baby will find its way into a musical home.

My grandmother had these pretty trash receptacles (never a can in her words, those were found on the street and were picked up by men in loud trucks) Great Art Deco cutouts along the rim and terrific mint green paint.  Wonderful condition for its use and age. 

I adore quadruple plate from the Victorian era.  I love the shapes, the etching, I even like the pieces that have lost nearly all of the silver plate.  I can't explain my addiction to these pieces...I just now that they make me smile.

Hard to see in the photo but this is a huge serving piece of sandwich glass.  Large fruit bowl from the 1970s.  Tiara pattern - the most popular pattern collected in sandwich glass today.

Pretty avocado green cake plate from the 1970s.  Great color is perfect for so many holiday treats.

Could not believe my good luck to find four STERLING, not plate salt and pepper shakes.  I don't believe they were ever used.  Can't wait to polish these up, they will shine.

Early American Pattern Glass (EAPG) covered dish.  I also have great affection for EAPG, the everyday glassware used in every Victorian home.  Thousands of patterns and often found with hints of sun purple, these are such lovely little utilitarian pieces. I may keep this one for my personal collection.

Nifty bank bag, an Italian bible school cutout book, leafe drawer pulls and a needlepoint schnauzer.

Such eclectic finds this weekend, rooster ware butter container with happy cow on lid, pretty scent bottles, one clear with faceted stopper and other a nice early Depression era Czech green glass with hand painted roses on it.  (I picked that up for just $2.00...can you believe it) and last but not least, a Poll Parrot shoe bank.  Cool advertising piece that was given out to children after a purchase of shoes - 1950s.

Last, but not least, this magnificent study lamp.  Heavy cut crystal along the base and stem.  Works beautifully, but does need a different shade.  The one that came with this, although vintage, is too small.  So I will be shade hunting this week for something that fits and is more like what this type of lamp would hold.

So, all in all, between the treasure finds and lunch with my sister, it was a lovely weekend.  It was wonderful to get out again and I'm looking forward to warmer weather soon.  Have a delightful Monday.  Sea Witch