Photo Display Inspiration

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INSPIRATION 2014 #23:  Love this creative display of old photos! If you look closely, you can see that the frames are actually crocheted borders with a charm added for a bit of extra interest and a spot of color. The addition of the crochet borders gives the grouping a unique and cohesive look ~ why not try this with contemporary photos too?

National Button Week ~ Day 6

{bullion stitch crocheted black button}

Thought I would have to show a few more crocheted buttons as they are so unusual and hard to find at antique shows and flea markets. If I am lucky I will find a card or partial card, but most of the time just a small group of unmatched buttons. While some of those shown below are what I would call wrapped buttons, most are crocheted and a few crocheted with beads.

During the course of the week I have learned something new about these crocheted buttons thanks to Nina Edwards ~ author of On the Button. Did you know that these buttons (called waggling knobs) were used by French prostitutes to attract attention? Read more about them and other button related posts at Nina's blog Buttons and Offal. I am going to have to add her book to my "to read" list as I'm sure it contains lots more information I'd be interested in learning.

One other thing I have noticed while collecting the crocheted buttons ~ I have only ever found cream/white or black, but none in any colors. I wonder if there is a reason for that? I find it rather funny that these were used by prostitutes for attention, as they seem so tame compared to what you might expect a modern day streetwalker to wear! I suspect that the black buttons were used for mourning attire for all types of women, but that is just a guess.

National Button Week ~ Day 2

Day 2 of National Button Week is here, so as promised I thought I would share one of my most favorite finds ever ~ a vintage box of Wash Crochet Buttons from Germany! I bought this years ago in an antique mall in Greenwood, Missouri ~ I wish the box was full, but I felt lucky that the cards it did contain weren't all the same. It made me wonder if it was an assortment when it was new or somehow multiple types of crocheted buttons ended up in the one box.

Even though the box wasn't full, I love how the buttons were to be displayed in the separate compartments on their individual cards ~ can you imagine walking into a shop and finding these for sale? Although the cards and the box are in rather rough shape, the buttons themselves are in good shape ~ except I doubt I will have the heart to ever take them off their cards and use them as they are so pretty as they are.

I love the variety of crochet work as well ~ I think the ones directly above are my favorites, although I love the first ones shown as well. I do wonder how these were made ~ by hand or machine? If anyone can supply any information, please leave a comment or email me ~ I'd love to learn more!

Don't you wish items like these were still being sold today ~ beautiful packaging, display and product? I suppose there are such things available, but the cost seems outrageous ~ it makes me wonder if these items were costly in the past as well or if they were affordable.

Crochet Artist ~ Jung-jung

While browsing Pinterest the other day, I came upon this delicate crochet work created by Japanese artist, Jung-jung. Jung-jung's work is just beautiful ~ intricately crafted in gorgeous subtle hues. I wonder if she hand dyes her threads as the colors are so unusual and muted? Gives one a new appreciation of the root and cruciferous vegetable!

I'm not sure if the graphic above is a pattern, but whether or not it is, it is a beautiful graphic anyway. All images shown are from here.

If You Missed the Opening . . .

Just in case you missed the Curious Sofa Halloween Show or live too far away to make it, I thought I would post some photos so you would get an idea of what you missed! The photos below are of the artists' work at the show ~ visit here, here, and here to see some wonderful shots of the store display. As some of the artwork is remaining through the Halloween season and more items are being added daily, make sure to visit Curious Sofa to see everything in person ~ it is an amazing store and always provides great inspiration every season. For those of you out of town, Curious Sofa has just opened an online store here.

{Greg Johnson's wonderful display of paper treasures}

{Diane & Madeline Tompkins' array of masks & letterpress}

{Michelle Spaw's beautifully crafted treat bags}

{Lesa Dailey's lovely paper shoes}

The remaining photos below are of the work I did for the show ~ thanks to Scurvy the opossum and a printer problem, I didn't get as much finished as I would have liked, but the show must go on! I managed to get through the stressful parts and had tons of fun participating in this show

My approach this time around was to stick to a limited color palette and avoid obvious Halloween icons ~ my main reason for doing that is because the work I do is time intensive, thus higher priced, so I wanted to make sure that those that purchased an item would be able to wear it for more than one day of the year. I did try to incorporate some themed imagery in my packaging ~ and then of course, the Devilish Dog Accessories broke all of my self imposed rules!

{Selection of brooches inspired by mourning jewelry}

{New brooch designs ~ inspired by Victorian ribbon cocardes used in millinery}

{Crocheted masks in cream and black}

{Crocheted earrings complete with spider themed packaging}

{Devilish Dog Accessories ~ devil horns for your dog to wear}

{Dog stand~in for when Sprocket is not available}

{Devilishly handsome models & spokesmen ~ Dick & Sprocket}

Valentine Show

{deep red ruffle scarflette}

I will be participating in Curious Sofa's Valentine Show this year, along with several other talented artists. The show begins on Friday and continues through the weekend ~ visit here for details and a sneak peek. I will be in and out over the weekend ~ please stop by and say hi!

Here are a few brooches I have been working on ~ still have more to finish tomorrow!

Sparks/White Cloud ~ Fall 09 ~ The Trove

At long last, a few photos of some of the things I came home with from Sparks and White Cloud this fall. It always amazes me that I am able to find such wonderful stuff ~ much of it is so old it is a wonder it has survived.

{Arm & Hammer collectible trading cards}

{old marriage certificate}

{glass patterned paperweights}

Below, an exercise workbook of sorts for children from 1923 ~ initially I thought it was a booklet used in school, but after reading the preface, the book was sold for use at home. "These pages were planned with the hope that mothers may be enabled to spend many happy hours with their children..." There are all sorts of activities ~ pages to color, cut out or draw on ~ animals, flowers, birds, paper dolls, mother goose pictures etc. ~ I've just shown a few samples.

{cover and pages from the Juvenile Artist Workbook}

{old & decrepit, but inexpensive music books}

{loved the pattern on this book cover}

{wall registers I plan to use for jewelry display}

{collapsible wire laundry basket to use for display}

{antique crocheted buttons}

Also, a book called Fancy Work for Pleasure and Profit ~ it is filled with all sorts of nice sewing/needlework related graphics and instructions. Unfortunately, the cover was not in the best shape and didn't warrant a photo. I got this book on the way home from my day trip to Sparks and White Cloud ~ at 1/2 Price Books! I'll let you know if there are any really great tips on how to make a profit with fancy work!

{title page and inside pages}