An Interesting Time at the Antiques Roadshow

        The Antiques Roadshow people have their system down pat!  Our tickets were for the 9 AM group.  Parking was close by and after watching other folks unload their cars and truck things inside, I was very grateful we had chosen to take what we did!  There was a bit of everything..from a massive hand-painted wardrobe (I guess that's what it was!) that was "parked" along one wall to papers tucked into huge portfolios.  Made me grateful for my tiny Victorian pins...much easier to handle! 
        The huge auditorium area was roped off into hourly segments which was set up so that you "snaked" up and back through the aisles. What was left of the 8 AM group was moving quickly through their area.  By the 9AM hour we were all "upgraded" right in behind the last of the "8'ers".
        Les and I had both brought small folding stools so that we could wait in semi-comfort, but our group of hundred's moved quickly enough that we never had a chance to sit!  After a couple of ticket checks we were finally to the tables where we could "declare" what we brought.  These ladies handed us bookmark-sized tags, Les had the lithographs tag with a folk art tag for the silhouettes; I got books and jewelry tags.

       Then we had arrived!   In the next room the appraisal tables were curtained around the perimeter.  Occasional openings in the curtains dictated the entry points.  Once through the door we were shown which line to get into again.  We were sent in opposite directions; I had to go around to the opposite side.  I passed the jewelry line which was incredibly long and opted for the book one instead.  A lot had to do with what you brought.  The "opening" I was in had 3 taped off lines: dolls, books, music.  The dolls line only had about 4 people come through the entire time I was waiting.  The music line had about twice that; both lines moved very quickly.  The book line evidently was a popular one! 
        After another long wait, I handed my book to the appraiser who was a bit distracted by what was going on next to us with an old collection.  I'd been told that my book belonged to a lady whose sisters had been the models for some of Harrison Fisher's work.  She had written their names next to the pictures here and there.  He was not impressed.  He looked at a few inscriptions, shrugged, handed the book back to me saying that it would be impossible to determine whether this was true or not, that any relevance was lost in history and could never be known.  My interview and valuation took less than two minutes.  

        Les got his 2 appraisals in less time than I was able to get my one!   He had gotten further information on his lithographs and the appraiser was quite outspoken on how beautiful they were (that was delightful!)  The valuation wasn't earthshaking but nice.

         As for the silhouettes...I think I'll save that story for the next blog!

        With people milling everywhere, I told Les that the jewelry line was horribly long and that I really didn't want to wait.  Each of the pieces is signed, so I think I'll just continue to research them on my own when my curiosity builds up again!  We took our little treasures and scooted out since the 10 AM group was already coming in .
        As we walked back to the parking garage, new people were carrying and hauling their treasures toward the doors.  It was interesting to see so many different items...many Native American things of course, lots of framed items from prints to manuscripts, lots of furniture being balanced delicately on everything from makeshift dollies to heavy furniture moving equipment.  Some things were being kept under wraps by their owners by choice, I'm sure.

         I felt that the Roadshow had the organizational part down to a fine science (according to one blue-shirted assistant it's much better than it was years ago when everyone showed up at once and you simply waited all day and hoped you got in).  Now, with the tickets giving a designated time, they can work with a given number more efficiently.  I was told (and I have no idea if this is accurate) that they give out 3,000 tickets per show; that translates to 500 people and 1,000 items per hour. 
        I'm quite sure that they have developed the ability to make most appraisals very short...simply because they are looking for the more unique items to build a show around...and if they don't make them short, the lines will simply get longer, frustrating for everyone.  

        The most amazing part of the Roadshow, however, didn't happen until we saw the 10 PM News that night.

         It  seems that until Saturday the highest appraised item in Roadshow history had been $1 million.  Last Saturday the Tulsa show broke the record...a group of Chinese cups carved from rhinoceros horn was appraised for $1.5 million!!  The Tulsa show won't air until sometime early next year but until then we'll be wondering if "Gee!   Wonder if that was the fellow next to us in line?"

         It sure made the Tulsa show a spectacular success!  

We Get to Go to the Antiques Roadshow!!

     Saturday, July 23, we are going to the Antiques Roadshow in Tulsa.  We each can take two items...we're taking the Boucher lithographs, "A Dream of Fair Women" by Harrison Fisher, a set of silhouettes that were a gift from an artist/poet to a young singer and are inscribed on the back, plus some Victorian jewelry.

     For the moment I'm posting some pictures of the Boucher's for reference.  Can hardly wait to tell you what we find out!  What an adventure!

Emma - A Name That Says Romance!

          I had an order about a week ago from another country to purchase two vintage rhinestone pieces.  The girl's name was Emma and she wanted to wear them for her wedding.  They were definitely beautiful and I was delighted that these delicate beauties from the past would have a chance to become a part of a new tradition!
          In our correspondence she told me that she had chosen these to match her art deco styled engagement ring and another part of her ensemble.  What a delightful find for her!  I was thrilled that I had them!   I sent the jewelry on its way with all my best wishes and asked her to let me know if they traveled to her safely.

          As I made up the package I had a flashback...to another Emma in my life...one who brought another romantic story to me.  

          A few years ago when I started doing replica porcelain dolls, I had a telephone call from a young man I didn't know.  I think I remember his name as Jason.   There had been a newspaper article about my dolls and he had gotten my number from that.  He asked me if I was familiar with the movie of Jane Austen's "Emma."  I wasn't.  He asked me if I could get a copy of it (the Gwyneth Paltrow version), watch it and then call him.  I did. 
          Jason told me that his girl friend was a great fan of this particular version and she wanted to rent it over and over to watch...and wanted him to watch it with her.  He would brush it off, saying that it was "girl stuff", that it simply wasn't his "thing."  
          Finally, when he decided to ask her to marry him, he had a moment of brilliance.  Jason rented the movie and watched the part where Mr. Knightley declares his love for Emma and proposes.  You must know the scene...magnificently filmed under the huge oak tree...just about as romantic a setting possible!

           Finally Jason decided he was ready.  He told his girl friend that he would "give in", would watch her "girl stuff" movie with her....just once.  She was delighted and got the movie for this landmark evening.   When it got to the scene under the live oak, Jason paused the movie, got down on one knee....and recited Mr. Knightley's speech in its entireity!  Just for her!

           In my books he rates as one of the most original and most romantic young men ever! 

           Fast forward now to where he contacted me.  Their first anniversary was coming up and when he saw the article, he decided that that would be the best first anniversary gift for her...a replica of Emma!  Is that not perfect???

           It was a race against the clock to get the doll done...the worst part was trying to find the right proportioned fabric for her shawl.  I made the bonnet NOT to be worn...it would have ruined the doll's hair anyway!   She really turned out beautifully with the regency styled dress, tiny satin slippers, the bonnet and the shawl.

           The anniversary was to be celebrated with a weekend at Grand Lake with some friends, so I met him in the Wal-Mart parking lot in Grove  (of all things) .  Jason brought a friend with him to take care of the doll on the drive back...a rather burly outdoors type.  The look on the friend's face was priceless when he was handed the large box with this delicate doll in it and was told to hold it "just like that" until they got back to the lake!!! 

           Jason called me later to tell me that she cried when he gave the Emma doll to her...I cried too.  He goes down in my history as one of the most innovative and caring young husbands ever!

           I regret one thing.  I was working so fast that I didn't take the time to get pictures of the Emma doll...of all the dolls I've made, it's the only doll I don't have a picture of to share.  I can share the story though...and I'm so glad the "new" Emma brought it back from my memory bank for me!
          From now on, I know I'll think of the name Emma as one of the most romantic names ever!

         Thank you, Emma...and thank you, Jason...I hope both your love stories will blossom forever!

One More Look at Jo Ellen's Treasures

        The past month has been unbelievable!  My ISP started a long awaited equipment upgrade right around Memorial Day that didn't end until just after the Fourth of July!!  For one long month my internet service was spasmodic at best...I never knew whether I'd be on-line, off-line, even cut off in mid project!
         I'm sure the engineers, the technical staff (and especially the ones who had to answer the phones and listen to frustrated customers) were doing their best, but for those of us who were always guessing, it was not the best of times!  All is well now though...and we are enjoying a much improved, faster service.   Since we live in a highly rural lake area this is a great improvement...let's hope that there won't have to be any more "improvements" any time soon!!!


         So, after a long hiatus, it's time for another peek at my friend Jo Ellen's treasures...this time some of the vignettes she has created with her finds.  All these pieces invite you to stop, linger, and enjoy treasures from her past, treasures she has found...all blended together with the hand of an artist who has an eye for the unique.

        One of her favorite nursery rhymes was Humpty Dumpty.  This collection winks at you happily from the shelf...look at the Humpty Dumpty handkerchief she uses as a doily!

        A baby dress, a beloved doll, one of her quilts and a wicker doll buggy share the fun with other collectibles.

        A miniature sewing machine, a bit of her quilting, and a jar that displays vintage thimbles.

         A darling child's cupboard with tiny dishes and a thought of school.

         Some of Jo Ellen's childhood clothing define a bit of hall wall space.

           A real treasure...an antique collar box! 

         Complete with a "brand new" collar!

         A great cupboard with leaded glass top, cherished china, and a treasured doll.

         A gallon jug becomes a showcase.

          A rare find...a vintage seed display box with some of the seed packages still inside!

             My pictures didn't turn out as well as I had hoped...the combination of indoor lighting and her well-shaded yard were a challenge for my camera.  My friend loves sharing all these pieces...some from her own childhood and some she's found and saved that tell stories of other childhoods...it's a fascinating walk through time...and a walk to be enjoyed time and time again!

             I certainly came home with lots of ideas to display some of my own treasures in better ways.  Thank you, my friend, for a fascinating trip!

Celebrate! It's Independence Day!

        Amid all the fireworks, parades, picnics, and other outdoor fun that we associate with our Fourth of July, it's good to look back at some of the patriots that worked so hard to get us here.  Two of my favorites, John  Adams and Thomas Jefferson, were diligent in their work to create the framework of our young country in a way that it would set a precedent for others. 

        When I was researching Abigail Adams before starting on a replica of her, I was astonished to read in her biography the letters that she exchanged with her husband.  He admired her intellect and was quite open in sharing with her the great depth of thought that went into every word and phrase that was used in the documents of our country.

        The founding fathers labored to frame each part of these documents so that they would stand forever...it behooves us to remind ourselves (and our children) of what they stood for and what they believed in...it gave us the freedoms we enjoy today!  May we always protect these freedoms!  These words come from two of my "heroes:"

John Adams:

                   But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.

                  Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom.

                  Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.

                  The jaws of power are always open to devour, and her arm is always stretched out, if possible, to destroy the freedom of thinking, speaking, and writing.

Thomas Jefferson:

                  The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.
              
                   It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes.  A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.
             
                   I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.

                  To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.

      Let's take some time to reflect on the words of those who well understood the pitfalls on the road ahead.  Their words ring as true today as they did over 200 years ago.

      Let's take some time also to thank and say a prayer for all those in the military who put their lives on the line each day, who also believe in those words, and stand tall...for all of us! 

                                                              GOD BLESS AMERICA!

     

A Handkerchief By Any Other Name....

My friend Jo Ellen is a wonder!  She's a teacher (newly retired), a musician, a great gardener, an avid quilter, active in her community, and an all-round great friend!  She's also an avid collector of things vintage, well-loved, and treasured...now you can understand why we never run out of things to talk about!!

This spring she invited me to lunch at her house as a "thank-you" for a miniature chicken house I had made for her farm fairy garden.  She loved the tiny coop, but I loved the visit to her home much more!  Jo Ellen doesn't just collect things, she "lives" with her treasures...she creates vignettes in her home...uses these things every day.  

 Her kitchen is a great mix of thoroughly modern built-ins and pieces great-grandmother would be quite at home with.  She served lunch on an antique tablecloth, on blue and white china, and made the shortcake for dessert from her grandmother's recipe!   And that's just the kitchen!

  I persuaded her to let me come back and take pictures to share with you (more later) but the thing that stayed with me the most was a charming quilt she had made.  Since we love the idea of re-using treasures from the past, this was definitely the place to start!

 There are lots of ways to use those beautiful handkerchiefs that were so much an item that went everywhere with yesterday's woman.  No woman left the house without hat, gloves...and a pretty hankie tucked in her purse.  I remember my grandmother kept one with her at all times...tucked inside the cuff of a long-sleeved dress, or in the summer...yep!..tucked in her....ahem!...bodice!     

 Handkerchiefs can be dainty and sweet, with drawn work, cut work, or sweet embroidery.  Some of the most charming ones though were done as pretty florals...bright, cheerful and delightful! 

 Jo Ellen uses vintage handkerchiefs in many ways...a fluff of them in a vase, as doilies, an accent in a little tray of old greeting cards...and they make totally wonderful quilts.

 I'm not a quilter;  I certainly admire the patience and talent it takes to create these works of art.  She started out with a collection of colorful florals and created a coverlet especially for her granddaughter.  Since the handkerchiefs were different sizes, she used a soft yellow for the background blocks and made each hankie a "star" in its own square, quilting each block in a different motif.

  (We took these pictures, quite appropriately, in her back yard flower garden surrounded by beds of summer flowers, great shady trees, and resident birds talking all around us.)

 When the quilt was finished it became a "flower garden" to snuggle under, to read a book, to take a nap, or simply be charmed by the pretty colors!   Her granddaughter's name is Lily...it fits, doesn't it!!

With Gratitude and Appreciation....

...to those who are serving our country today here and abroad, we thank you and pray for your safety each day.

...for their families who also serve by sharing their loved ones, we thank you as well.

...to those who have served before, we will always remember your dedication.
   (In my own family, 3 uncles who served in World War II, and my own son who proudly served in the US Marines.)

   May this be a day we remember and cherish each and every loved one who has passed from our sight but will always be with us in our hearts.