These People Are Serious

It wasn't enough that someone created a clock to
go on your mantel and made it a bright, flashy plastic-y gold.

It wasn't enough that there be a single unicorn or a pegasus,
it had to be a pegacorn: fiercest of the mythical beasts!

But, one pegacorn wasn't enough.
No, they had to flank the clock with pegacorns, in all of their magnificence.

But that still wasn't enough, they had to add beautiful,
realistic silk roses, frozen in time, to match the goldenish ones and adorn the clock.

This clock is the best illustration I could ever give you that
too much is never enough.

Left at the thrift store, I was unworthy.

Une Série D'Assemblages de Lapins (Thrift Shop Assemblage, Series #1)

Going for a ride.

Shut up lady.
No you shut up.

The happy couple.

Collections & What To Do With Them

So, you find something cool while you're shopping at the thrift store. And you buy it. Mesmerized by it's unique beauty.

Then a while later, you find another one and you buy it, thinking, "it's so neat to have two of those things." You keep shopping and a third one pops up and then you have a collection. And it grows. And your aunt notices, so she starts shopping for those things for you too. She also mentions it to your mom. Soon, you have TONS of those really cool things that you used to just have one of. What do you do with them?

If those cool things are dishes, you find the most awesome china cabinet you can and fill it with the beautiful objects until it is just bursting! Of course, you can't just put dishes in it, so you also include cute figurines. Or little statues of snails because they are so hot right now and it seems so incongruous to find them in a china cabinet. Then you even start putting beautiful objects on top of it. And people start to look at you a little sideways. But, you don't mind because it's your collection and looking at it helps you stay grounded. It makes you happy. It keeps you real.

But, what if those things aren't dishes? Or radios. Or books that can sit around in a cool pile with a vintage cast-iron library book press decorated with dolphins in front of it.

What if those things sit around and begin to gather dust. And pile up. And take over! What do you do then?

You hang those bitches on the wall. That's right, you heard me. YOU HANG THOSE BITCHES ON THE WALL. Everything looks better hanging on the wall. It says, "Look at me, I'm special." Hanging thing on the wall elevates the object to a much higher and more interesting thing. Think about Carl Andre.

Do you even know who Carl Andre is? Of course you don't, because he made art that goes on the floor. On the floor! And he even murdered his wife (Ana Mendieta) who was also an artist, but didn't go to jail. And you still don't know who he is. Now do you know who Vincent Van Gogh is, right? Of course you do, because he made art that goes on the wall. Like you are supposed to. Where people want to see it.

How do you hang things on the wall? Nails are nice. Screws and tape work too. Or a shelf. You could use a small decorative shelf. Plate hangers that adhere to the back of things are also awesome. And made in England where they know about hanging crap on the wall. They practically invented hanging things on the wall! Although some revisionist historians are now claiming it was the Chinese.

So, what is sitting around that you could hang on the wall? Huh? Do it.

What You Don't

Sometimes, what you don't buy at the thrift store can be as interesting as what you DO buy. My recent stop at the Goodwill after a very long day attests to this. Perhaps I was just high on fatigue, but I was mesmerized by everything there--even though I wanted to buy none of it.

I love the handmaid and the discarded--and this is both! Someone went to a lot of trouble to create this seascape using shells and it is quite beautiful in its own special way. Maybe it represents a trip to the sea and a remembrance of a special day? Or maybe it's just a symbol of longing for the sea by someone stuck in the Midwest. If they had taken it one step further and made it a lamp, I might have been moved to buy it. Or if I knew who would have wanted it, I could have purchased it as a gift.

Would you want this for a gift? Let me know so the next time I see a diorama made from shells, I'll know who to buy it for.

Mitchell is almost as cute as these little puppies. He just needs to try a little bit harder.

What is it about bunnies? They are supposed to be cute, but so often come off as menacing. I imagine this replacing Joseph in the light up nativity scene in your front yard.

And this! This is just an altar to tacky presided over by three goddesses, angels and glass vessels for offerings. It made me wonder if someone set it up, as I will often do while perusing the shelves at the thrift store. A new series of posts! Thrift store assemblage.

Sundays at Goodwill are Made for...

I don't know what to tell you, but the Terre Haute Goodwill is back after a dismal slump. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I don't know. It's good in that it's fun to shop there again, but it's bad in that my china cabinet, hutch, closet, other closet and storage are packed. But, I could not pass up these finds.

And they happened on a Sunday.

That's right, the worst thrift shopping day of the week. Sunday is the worst because: it's after everything as been picked over on Friday night when everyone is on the way home from work; Saturday has seen people come and go and come and go and come and go; it's the day employees at Goodwill are hung over and doesn't do any restocking; there is nothing left but the odds and ends.

But this has happened before. And it happened again.

Exhibit A.

These lovely little lotus bowls are some of my favorite things and I have a huge collection. My grandmother had them in white, but I eschew those in favor of a myriad of colors I can mix and match.

These are a wonderful addition to the collection, but I was sad as there was also an orange one, but it had a chip I could not ignore. Yes I have....(one, two....seven....thirteen..)....twenty-one of the larger bowls in various colors and three smaller one in red and green, but you never know when I might need them for a dinner or emergency. I mean, what if a busload of Buddhist monks broke down en route to St. Louis and they called me to help serve dinner but they HAD to have rice bowls. Buddhist monks cannot be served dinner without rice bowls. I would be ready. Would you?

And one more orange would have helped too!

However, my sadness was lifted by...

Exhibit B.

This light wood salad bowl, imported from Japan, has the look of American modern. It made me think of Russel Wright or Eva Zeisel. Wonderful shape and color. And made me feel better about the loss of the orange lotus bowl. Until I saw...

Exhibit C.

A stack of white dishes that intrigued me and upon closer inspection, proved to be solid white Contempri designed for Jackson China International by Paul McCobb. You are asking yourself, "Does he really need another set of china?" And I am telling you, "Yes!" In a qualified way. Reader, I already own this set of china, it is just slowly being delivered to my house over the course of several years. I originally purchased an open vegetable and platter at an estate sale in Wichita, KS. Then earlier this year, I found a second open vegetable and covered casserole right here in Terre Haute which inspired a paradigm shift in the china cabinet. And now service for four? I think you can see where this is going. Someday, service for twelve with all of the accoutrement. Dost though scoff? My collection of Temporama began with only a gravy point and a dream.

Name it and claim it, that is what Oprah says!

Anyway, I think you can see that Sunday is not a bad day to thrift shop. Challenging, yes. But it still can yield a china cabinet full of treasures. Or two china cabinets full.

Yella

It has been a little bit of a dry spell at the Terre Haute Goodwill, but that all changed a couple of weeks ago. Erika Doss was in town to give a lecture as part of program the Swope was doing with ISU and Art Spaces, Inc. At dinner after, we all got to talking about collecting and objects, and Erika and I decided we needed to take a moment to stop into the Goodwill in the morning. She found zilch (next time!) , but I found three yellow treasures:

A fantastic tin, covered in jewels for the tin collection. Mitchell has arranged some of these on the wall as you turn into our hallway and they look fantastic. Three or so more and it will be a brilliant arrangement. What did I tell you about more?

This lovely swirling glass bowl matches...

...this fantastic blue one that I already have! It will be great for dips next to the flower-power chip bowl. Or, I can put snack mix in the blue one and nuts in the yellow one for a party. Officially designated. Please mark the log.

And finally, this beautiful yellow relish dish. It's smartly divided, with one large compartment and two small ones. I haven't used it yet, but it looks brilliant in the sunlight. And will look even better filled with olives, pickled okra, cornichons, caper berries and so on and so on and so on.

Yellow! I love thematic thrifting finds...

More Madison Thrift-consin

Seriously, I mean if you didn't chuckle when you read the title of my last post, there is something wrong with your sense of humor. I had to use it again! Just to remind you...

A special treat for you this week: photos of Jessie & Dave's finds from the auteur herself, Grand Empress of Photographic Magic, Ms. Jessie Eisner-Kleyle. Honestly, when I saw these I gasped: they are all such thoughtful, beautiful pics of amazing finds. While she has many talents, I think that JE-K has a true eye for the objet. But, I only wish I had an MTSS book deal so I could hire her full-time to photograph all of my FINDS. I'm getting a new camera and making her put me through object photography boot camp.

Yo ho ho! New art for the wall...she is going to paint it some fabulous color. We'll see.

A double-shot of a single chair. Very elegant and one step closer to having four chairs for the cute new dining room table...

Beautiful orange Pyrex! I love this. I am going to steal it next time I visit.

Another lovely little casserole with pretty little birds. See what she baked in it here.

A round spinning thing for the new table. We actually invented a better name for it, but that brilliant new word slips my mind.

Success! The fourth chair!

Madison, Thrift-consin

I don't what it is about Madison, but it is a thrifting mecca. Every time we visit, it seems we walk away with a trove of treasures. I promise you, with one visit to the St. Vincent Thrift Store, I could furnish and decorate an entire house. What a challenge! But, I could. And I guess it's strange, because Madison doesn't seem that big and its filled with hipsters and dirty hippies who you would think would be snatching up all this ephemera and driving up the prices (a la Austin, TX), but that isn't the case. I tell you, we thrifted hard, but the results were fantastic and I'm happy to share them with you here:

Jessie* spotted this gorgeous, faux-lacquer condiment set. She graciously presented it in tribute to me, recognizing how pleased I would be with the find. Would I do the same? I have given many a thrifting find to a thrifty friend, but I think it would be hard to convince myself someone else would like this particular item more than I. The set has a tray, three dishes with wooden lids and three little plastic spoons.

Of course, it doesn't hurt that it perfectly matches this mod little serving set I already own, complete with the spoon and tiny dishes. I love the diminutive aspects of all of this and of course, the bright, fresh orange color. (Thank you JE-K!)

She also snatched up this gorgeous Georges Briard cheeseboard! What an eye that woman has, perfectly honed from all of her beautiful photographic work. The tray is missing the little knife that it supposed to be attached by a chain to the side, but it's still perfect and I will use it the next time I entertain. If not before.

Before we started thrifting, I mentioned I was 'due' a couple of pieces of Pyrex. With Barb's help, we honed down the collection before moving to Indiana, but have lost a couple of things to breakage since then. You all know how it is when Pyrex breaks! But, I've been doing alright and working through it. However, I was pretty sure the only way to successful break through the pain and heartbreak was to replace my loss with new beauties. Voilà!

You can probably see by now, this post is really about completion: about finding objects that really belong with other objects. Not long ago, I found a set of eight, low sherbet dishes at the Goodwill in Terre Haute. I thought they were rather strange and can't remember seeing anything quite like them. Low and behold, three more appeared in Madison, Thrift-consin! (Yes, I had to say it again, I am too pleased with my cleverness.) Which brings the service up to eleven. I know there is another waiting out there...

...just like there was another one of these glasses waiting out there for me! Again, that makes nine (six in Wichita + two in Terre Haute + one in Madison = Heaven) and next time there is dinner, you can believe these delicious little fellows will be on the table.

Now back to barware: I have an eclectic set of bar glasses and I like to mix and match. The most complete set I have is six George Briard old fashioned glasses in a gold leaf pattern. Otherwise, it's a few of this and a few of that. So I didn't hesitate to pick up this lovely set of five, emblazoned with an Aztec calendar. Of course, they reminded me of the Aztec calendar incident at Michael and Ryan's house ages ago, but it's too long and ridiculous to explain here. Know this: party games that are based on absent host's peccadilloes only end in tragedy. The glasses will remain a symbol of that. You all know who you are.

Lastly, this little owl is a nightlight and just an amazing addition to the pad, with the bird cage lamps and faux deer heads: it's like she has flown the coop, but still watches over us.

The lesson: if you find something you love, even if its a single glass or plate ofrdish, buy it and appreciate the singularity of it. But, you never know when that one might become service for twelve, so also remember to keep your eye open--and remind your friends too!

*Jessie found some fabulous things of her own, but she hasn't sent the photos yet. Next post, I suppose!

ICT Thrift, Thrifted Gifts & the BVM

We had a wonderful time at Anna's house on July 4 and enjoyed seeing many friends and hanging out at their house. Emily and Brian came--with gifts! In the strange synchronic way, one of the items, a small George Briard tray, had been purchased at the estate sale at the very house where the party was! What more, Anna loved the dish, which reminded her of a childhood dish of her grandmothers and was thinking of it as the inspiration for her kitchen remodel: orange and copper. Hot!

Emily told how her mother did not like to give 'used' gifts and how she had a hard time getting over that herself. Thrifted gifts are the best! If you find something someone will love, they won't care where it came from. In our case, the thrifted gifts included the aforementioned Briard tray, a small tin for the collection and a diminutive Asian statue. Lovely, all. The Asian lady rounds out a couple of recent statues of the BVM I found to a nice little set of three.

The used gift question made me think about Christmases past: my mam-ma lived in a older neighborhood in Tulsa, one that had been quite rural when they moved into it, with the city growing up around it. In the 80s, there was a problem with flooding and the city elected to buy-up many of the homes in the neighborhood and build a water-retention area. One of the home belonged to Miss Brotherton. This had been her family home and she had lived there her entire life, never marrying and only adding to the accumulation of thing already in the house. All of these treasures had to go, so mam-ma volunteered to throw the garage sale of all garage sales. It was legendary. Of course, come Christmas there were lots of extras under the tree--everyone had more presents than usual and we weren't sure why. Then, we began to unwrap and all manner of odd items from the house were revealed. Everyone got something, or several somethings, from the sale. Unique things. From then on, that Christmas was referred to as the Brotherton Christmas. Used gifts! Do it.

We also did a little trifting with Molly, but it seems our karma was used up on a few things. Molly found a great tile topped table in limey greens and yellows. I found a bulletin board in a very 70s design. We also spotted several items of interest along the way.

This virgin and child was lovely, but strangely the same price as...

Huh. Virgin Mary or strange plastic people with happy messages? I guess the gist is the same.

And then there was this strange display:

I can only say: booty-licious!

Molly scored a beautiful tile-topped table in shades of green and citreen that looks fab with her chairs. We spent a little time merchandising them and I think the result was very fun. (Hello Dempsey! Your first appearance on MTSS.)

She also found this great chair which looks perfect with her orange ottoman. I think she has a fantastic orange and green story happening.

Love shopping in Wichita!

You Go Back

Mitchell stopped by the Goodwill tonight to drop some things off, mostly just clutter from the pantry closet. But, one person's clutter is another person's...crystal meth? Not quite right, but you know what I mean. Of course, he ran through the store, but didn't buy anything, returning only with tales of the several cool things that were there. Sitting on the shelves.

Excuse me? Of course, we got back in the car and returned to claim what was rightfully ours:

In your house, you may call this a 'Lazy Susan,' but I feel that is offensive to Susans everywhere. And, I have several friends (a gaggle of Susans?) who are named Susan who are all far from lazy. So, in my house I use the term 'round spinny thing' which is non-pejorative and has a fresh, twenty-first century feel to it. Please don't say, 'Lazy Susan' around me as I will most certainly call you out on your named-based prejudice.

Anyway, this beauty is pressed aluminum in gold and green. It seems to be missing a lid, but is still totally functional. I was thinking: fondue. And the best part? The level the trays and bucket sit on is removable, so you can fill it with ice to keep the items on your round spinny thing chilled, as for crudités.

And this little log, a tiny planter. The faux fanaticism continues, what else can I say? But it will look cute with a small plant in it on the balcony. The best part: when we were checking out, the crazy checker guy said, "This is also great to have for your computer. You can use it to log onto the internet." No, I'm serious, he totally said it and then proceeded to check Mitchell's one dollar bills to make sure they weren't counterfeit. Are there a lot of people out there counterfeiting singles?

And Our Lady, who will be added to the array of deities when I can find them. Wherever they are, we ask for their protection and give them thanks for these blessed finds.

Peace be with you.

Which came first...

...the egg or the toast? Right?

We carried this Presto Egg Cooker around the store trying to decided whether to take it home or not. Does it work? How do you time the eggs? And I'm supposed to be watching my egg intake, so do I need an appliance devoted solely to eggs? And aren't I the one who says things like, "I don't need a bread machine, I have one already: it's called THE OVEN." Isn't this the same thing? Shouldn't I be saying, "I don't need an egg cooker, I have one already: it's called a SAUCE PAN."

But, in the end I couldn't resist it. I just love the object. It's almost like a flying saucer for eggs, with the little blue parts and the dome cover. You can 'poach' four eggs in the white cups on top or 'soft boil' them as well: the little cups lift off to reveal seats for six eggs on the blue level below. So, it does two things. And, as an object it is so interesting to me.

Plus, once it arrived home, it was revealed that it was meant to be united with the most-beautiful-toaster-in-the-world: eggs and toast, right? And the colors go perfectly together. Have you ever seen a happier couple? Have you ever seen a more beautiful toaster? If you have, I want picture proof. E-mail a photo of a more beautiful toaster and I will be the judge. My qualifications are here. If I can pick Miss Arkansas USA 2004, I can certainly pick the most beautiful toaster in the world.

Change is Good

Apparently, the obsession with wooden platters and other pieces never ends. I picked this up at Goodwill last weekend and was thinking it would be good to fill with nuts and other nibblies for an interesting mix and presentation. Olives? With the little end pieces for the pits?

But, then I realized it would work even better on the dresser with the Asian-ish tins to organize cuff links, change and the assorted pocket items that need to be dispersed. Lovely and curvy, it was very happy to see it in place.

Chaos/Order

• The new things from Paul McCobb inspired a slight shift in the organization of the china cabinet, which was easy, but worked out in the end.
• I discovered I cannot live without Heidi Anna in the cabinet. She is a fixture and that little pop of strangeness I appreciate. Can you find her?
  
• I was trying to do a Russel Wright 'story' on the upper level, but the bean pot is difficult to place. I might be able to make it work in the future...if I push on through.

Plan-table

We have been working on the balcony, trying to make it a little more habitable and welcoming. Of course, now that summer is here that means plants. We added some window boxes and a few large planters and have flowers, squash, tomatoes, cucumbers and a variety of herbs. We'll see how they do. But we also needed something to put some of the houseplants on that have gone to live outside for the season. I found this little table at the Goodwill for nothing. It's a little beat-up, but perfect for the balcony--it holds all of the little plants, but there is still a place to put your cocktail. Come on over for a drink and hang out for a bit...

Yes, I'm Short on Serving Pieces...

....it's all relative. What is enough? When do you stop? I have no idea, as I can't give up the thrill of the chase or the fabulous finds presented to me. The Terre Haute Goodwill is a goldmine. There may not be tons of things that I have to have, but there are enough amazing finds to keep me going back.

Saturday, I suggested we pop over to the store and see what was around. Mitchell said, "What's the worst that can happen? We don't find anything?" In the case of our diminishing storage, that may actually be the best thing that could happen. But, that wasn't the case:

Hiding behind some glasses and other items on the top shelf of the housewares department? A covered casserole, plane white Contempri by Paul McCobb. (He was better known for his furniture, but these pieces [produced in Japan] are innovative in shape and details. I heart them.) Around the corner? A matching open vegetable bowl.

I love this china and already have one open vegetable and a platter, so I was thrilled to add a couple of pieces to the collection. In addition to white, this shape also came in several solid colors (I have some sherbets in green) and patterns. Somehow, I always find white, which is just fine as I can mix my Eva Zeisel bowls, my lotus bowls, my Schonwald dishes and the Contempri all on the table for an elegant, coordinated look. When I want one. Which is usually for the holidays, mixed with silver. But, my next dinner party is going to be served family style in the Paul McCobb pieces: curries, rice and naan. Coconut ice cream for dessert. Who wants to come?

The obsession with wooden fruit continues. This is actually two sets without a nice bowl. BUT, some new varieties were added, including some vegetables: corn, an acorn, squash and star fruit.

I could not resist this beautiful painting of a horse. I'm trying to think of great racing name for her. Any suggestions? So far, I've come up with 'Josephine's Lament,' but am not completely thrilled with it.

Lastly, a wee incense holder. Ours is still packed away in a box somewhere and this one was, of course, a bargain.

Bad Thrift vs. Good Thrift

There are bad thrifting trips, good thrifting trips and extraordinary thrifting trips--and you can't have one without the others! But what is the difference? And when is the best day to shop? I've struggled with this and as soon as I think I have an answer, I'm smacked upside the head with an example that doesn't compute.

Last week I popped into the Goodwill on Tuesday, which is what I theorize is the best day for thrifting. The reasoning is that all of the fabulous things that were donated over the weekend are beginning to appear in the store, but there aren't that many people shopping. Not this Tuesday. There was nothing, but I did photograph a few bombs.

An electric ice crusher from Rival. I almost bought this, honestly, but where would it be stored? It's almost attractive enough to just stay on the counter, but I wasn't sure how clean it was. I should have bought it. Now I'm having not-buying remorse, which in my estimation is probably one example of a bad thrifting trip.

Another great example, finding something that is very cool, but then realizing there is a giant chip on it. Like this teapot from Hall. I mean, I could have bought it to just sit around and be pretty, but I already have enough things that just sit around and are pretty.

Or what about finding a dirty ashtray? Regardless of how semi-cool it might be, it's just disheartening and makes for a bad shopping experience. Blech.

--------------------------------------------------

But then there are those days that are brilliant. When you have to go back for a basket! When the sales clerk has to get a box to put all of your purchases in! Such was my experience on Sunday--a day I don't associate with good thrift shopping. I usually think that after Saturday, everything has been pretty picked over, but this week I decided to stop in on a lark and what a haul!

A little mustard pot, with a white and gold lid. Mitchell said, "Too bad it didn't have a spoon with it." I think I can fix that problem: what color spoon would you like?

You know about the two-plate rule: for dinner plates to be purchased, there have to be at least two of them. No singles no matter how cool they are. Of course, that doesn't apply to dessert/bread plates! I have a cupboard full of interesting choices that mix well together, but hadn't added anything to the collection in a while. This charming fellow with lovely yellow flowers was just the thing!

Reader, I know you are thinking, "Three of something? He bought three of something?" I couldn't resist, I guess. I was just so jubilant from all of the great finds so far, I could not pass these guys up. I don't have enough to include in a table setting, but they could be used for nuts, sauces or any other little old thing. Perfect and cute. And who knows, perhaps someday I will find more of them...

...like these guys! I have had six of these for years (original find, July 2005) and love to serve wine in them for a casual moment. Now, with two more added to the collection, they can be added to the slate for table service! Congratulation little curvy glasses, you are moving up into the big leagues...

...and replaced in the minor leagues by this little set of four wine glasses, perfect for the casual moment that used to be filled by the curvy guys, in an elegant and very modern shape.

I found the larger tidbit tray on one of my first thrift-shopping excursions in Terre Haute, and Sunday I found his baby brother and was so very excited. And I know you are probably wondering, "How many tiered serving pieces are enough? How many do I need for my own entertaining arsenal?" And I would say to you: when I figure that out, you'll be the first to know. (This is six.) And I have to say, when I got these guys together I was ready for some petite fours and tea sandwiches. Come for tea...

....which I could keep in this cute little tin, added to the the grand collection of tins. These become harder to find every day, so it's always a delight to pick one up for Mitchell's collection. For some reason, I find the ones that have a lot of black on them especially appealing.

And last, but hardly least, a set of eight, low, shallow sherbets. They aren't all the same, but they coordinate beautifully with one another--and I've never seen anything quite like them. Plus, I don't have sherbets for eight in my collection. I can do five or twelve, but the twelve are plastic. So now, I can do eight for a lovely little sit-down dinner with glass. Relieved?

Good shopping? Extraordinary shopping--a day for glass!

Can Fame & Fortune Be Far Behind?

MTSS has accepted its first ever media interview: an exclusive with the Montgomery Blair High School Newspaper in Silver Springs, MD. It's true.

ABCs III

Yes, I stopped in the thrift store the other night. Are you surprised? I needed a pick-me-up, and it was on the way to Starbuck's, where I was headed to finish reading my book from book club. I found two great things that I bought and one beautiful/gross one that I did not.

I would make this into a game, but I'm afraid the choice on this one would be pretty obvious. So instead, we'll add to the alphabet game started here and here. Twenty-three down, three to go. (O, X & Y.)

L is for Lost, as in, "Like many of the characters on the hit TV show Lost, the 70s kitten ring holder seems to have a multi-dimensional existence and travel through space and time." Molly found one of these on Wichita thrifting excursion, and I was so jealous. But patient. I was jealous and patient because I knew that someday Miss Kitty would find me. And she did. And our friend Julie has one as well. I'm convinced they are all actually the same ring holder, but we are simply experiencing it from different perspectives in time. N'est-ce pas?

U is for utopianism, as in, "Russel Wright's American Modern bean pot in cedar green truly expresses the designers dream of utopianism for the bourgeoisie hostess." I had to 'phone a friend' on this one. I have a passing familiarity with Wright and his best-known designs, but the marking on this piece was faint (I thought it might be a second) and the color unfamiliar (I thought it might be a reproduction.) But, a quick e-mail to Scott at Ars Longa, my expert on all things Wrightian (and Eamesian, it appears), confirmed that with American Modern the imprint is often faint or nearly invisible and also that this pot is cedar green. Did I mention its mint? And for less than the price of a value meal at McDonald's? Yes, I'll have fries with that.

V is for vacillate, as in, "This bizarre plastic tooth holder and bank, which was obviously used, caused me to vacillate wildly between excitement and nausea in the store. The frisson was dangerous and electrifying." Seriously, it was disturbingly beautiful. But I couldn't buy it, it just wasn't humanly possible.

Climmmmmb Every Mounnnnnn-tain

I stopped into Goodwill today, on the way home from picking up the dry cleaning. There wasn't a lot, but I did see a salad set I got rid of several years ago in white (I had it in orange) and some other small treasures.

As I scanned the shelves, I passed this burnt orange box with the Hallmark logo imprinted on the bottom, so small you could have almost missed it. I thought to myself, "Probably just some crappy, ugly greeting cards," but my thrifting spirit guides said, "IT COULD BE SOME CRAPPY, UGLY GREETING CARDS!" Of course, they meant good ugly and I was thinking bad ugly. So I opened the box to find, some amazing cards: two decks of cards in complementary patterns. Lovely. Playing cards, not greeting cards. With a matching score pad.

As I've said before, you have to be an investigative thrift shopper. You can't assume the contents of a box are what its exterior advertises. Look in every box. Pick things up to see what is underneath them. Shop with your hands as well as your eyes. And keep wet wipes in the car.

And yes, I stood in the store and counted both (complete) decks. Always listen to your spirit guides.

You Never Know What You'll Find at the Thrift Store...

...maybe a cat in the sofa you bought? For real.

Cat found in used couch is reunited with owner

March 13, 2009, 9:51 p.m.

The Associated Press

SPOKANE, Wash. - The mysterious mewing in Vickie Mendenhall's home started about the time she bought a used couch for $27.

After days of searching for the source of the noise, she found a very hungry calico cat living in her sofa.

Her boyfriend, Chris Lund, was watching TV on Tuesday night and felt something move inside the couch. He pulled it away from the wall, lifted it up and there was the cat, which apparently crawled through a small hole on the underside.

Mendenhall contacted Value Village, where she bought the couch, but the store had no information on who donated it. So she took the cat to SpokAnimal CARE, the animal shelter where she works, so it could recover, and contacted media outlets in hopes of finding the owner.

Sure enough, Bob Killion of Spokane showed up to claim the cat on Thursday after an acquaintance alerted him to a TV story about it. Killion had donated a couch on Feb. 19, and his 9-year-old cat, Callie, disappeared at about the same time.

Fondue, Do!

I've talked before about how the Venn Diagram of my two blogs intersects with my cookbook collection. I love vintage ones. Let me rephrase: I am obsessed with vintage cookbooks and its always exciting to find something with fun and original illustrations. I enjoy reading the recipes and food suggestions from the past and occasionally take inspiration from flavor combinations I might see in an old text. But mostly, it is the thrill of the find and a peek into the old kitchens that fuel my pursuit.

There are several sub-groups to the vintage cookbook collection I would note as particularly important:

1. Anything by the trinity of 20th century cookbooks/food writing: James Beard, Julia Child and M.F.K. Fisher.
2. Pamphlet cookbooks from various manufacturers of food or kitchen products
3. Vintage Jell-O cookbooks
   

And a new subgroup is starting to take shape: fondue cookbooks! I had several (I have at least three others, but I think there are more. Part of the collection is currently in storage, so I don't have access to my full library.), but found an amazing one at the thrift store last week. Fabulous Fondues contains illustrations that are bold, graphic and utilize the unusual color combination of hot pink and orange. I love it. Plus, even though its small, this fondue cookbook has lots of wonderful advice and lore. Published in 1970, it's a keeper. It's also apt as I'm planning a dinner party around fondue for next week. A casual Friday night affair, I'll keep you all posted on the full menu and hopefully have some photos of everyone gathered around the pot.

Done

The new egg plate and some other collected kitchen art has finally been hung, right above the sink. Now all I need to do is find a place for my 'Good Morning Brian' plate and all will be right.

Egghead

A few posts back I mentioned I was looking for one additional 70s-inspired kitchen item to complete the arrangement that was intended to go above the sink. Found it: a far-out 70s egg plate which matches some coasters we have that say, 'wet.' I can't find them, but will post when they resurface. Strangely, this egg plate only holds ten deviled eggs. I guess that means you can eat two whole eggs (four halves) in the kitchen before you put them out for your guests! I've talked about deviled eggs on bigYELLOWbowl and the interesting parties we had where Molly would divide them among the guests in my post about pan-fried deviled eggs.

But, not only does this complete the arrangement for above the sink (I'll give you an installation view once its all hung.), but it also means I have a collection of egg plates. That's right, reader, three egg plates and as you all know: (repeat after me) "three is a collection."

The first plate is from the set of Canonsburg Temporama which features all kinds of great accessory and serving pieces. I call this the 'wedding china,' to differentiate it from the Metlox Shore Line, which is called 'the good china.' The Temporama egg plate is very specific in its use: for deviled eggs served when using the Temporama. It doesn't get mixed in with other things.

The second egg plate is pressed glass and has some lovely details. Since it's clear and glass, it is general in its use and can be mixed in with any matter of materials. It is the chameleon of egg plates.

The new egg plate, which will be decorative in use, could also be tossed into a very casual serving mix if you only had ten eggs. Otherwise, it will just hang on the wall and tell the world what it is. Egg.

Trophy Life

The Carmen Miranda Suite (installation view), 2004

The Altar of the Ascension of Carmen Miranda, mixed media, 2004

I have always had an affinity for found trophies. Its interesting to me that someone worked hard to accomplish something; was then given a plastic and marble object to commemorate the event; and that the object was discarded by them or someone else. I've used trophies in my art before, primarily in the Carmen Miranda Suite and always been excited to find something strange like a girl on her back kicking a soccer ball, a salesman, or (my favorite) a poodle.

Today at Goodwill there was a gigantic collection of trophies, probably thirty to forty. Most were for swimming, but there was a derby one, a couple of basketball ones and five beauty queen trophies. Five. I could not resist them.

They are all for third or fourth place and from two different years. It's apparent that the owner of these trophies tried really hard to win beauty pageants and was moderately successful. I am thinking she probably won first place at some point, but kept that one since it was the most important to her. Right now, they are just going to be decorative, but in the future they might become part of an art project.

To read about my experience judging the Miss Arkansas USA Pageant in 2004 click here!

Ice Bucket for the Seasons

You probably have one ice bucket. Do you use it? Is it the ubiquitous deco one with the penguins on it? I used to have that one, but discarded it at some point during the migrations. The other day, I spotted one missing the actual lid (many are) which had been replaced by a glass lid. Very funny.

Of course, I think at our house we probably think about ice buckets differently than you might. Reader, do you have one for every season? We had an ice bucket for fall, one for winter and another for spring. But summer, summer was missing. As luck would have it, the perfect summer ice bucket presented itself this weekend and I now have an ice bucket for summer, fall, winter and spring. And I'm happy to present them to you here, now that the collection is complete.

Winter

Spring

Summer
Fall