Kleas

thrifted collections-ceramic vessels

It seems whenever I stop at the thrift store, I often pick up several similar items and I immediately have a new collection.  Whether it's wood bowls, vintage needlework or celluloid brooches, I tend to find things in multiples.  Here are my latest finds...vintage ceramic vessels (for lack of a better word).  These pieces were definitely made to hold something specific...a candle, a few stems of flowers...I'm not entirely sure. I'm also not sure why I was drawn to these...probably the thirty-nine cent price tag more than anything.

These made me smile, and made me feel a bit nostalgic for my childhood.  All are carved with "norma '74" on the bottom.  They may one day hold a tiny succulent-who knows.

These could very well become pincushions.

And this last one?  Well, it looks pretty ridiculous holding pears, but did look awfully cute holding olives at a recent brunch we had.

I sure would love some suggestions...anyone have any bright ideas how I could use these?  I have a few others I didn't show here...a pig, one with flowers and a treasure chest. 

xx

thrifted collections-mini wall art

It's always a treasure for me to find these mini art wall hangings while thrifting.  I think it is just the size that makes them so sweet.  They fit into tiny corners on walls where nothing else will.  I found this one last week for less then a dollar.  

This one hangs at the preschool near the handwork table...

...and these two at the farm.

I had no luck when trying to find more information about these miniature pieces, but I did fall in love with these two adorable framed vintage pastels at Etsy.  

taking stock (part 2)

Last year I sorted through all my wood bowl findings from the thrift store.  Over the weekend I decided it was time to look at all the pottery pieces I've acquired.  

If you know me, you know I have quite a weakness for thrift finds that are hand made.  Just look at my vintage needlework collection!  

My obsession for these abandoned ceramics began sometime last year when I found the most beautiful cream white hand thrown bowl for under a dollar.  I just turned the bowl over and over in my hands feeling the weight of it, thinking about the person who made it, wondering why it ended up where it did.  I didn't hesitate taking it home with me and with that purchase a new thrift find was awakened.

I guess I sort of see it as my mission to "rescue" these mismatched, one-offs that were either a potters discontinued/not perfect piece or a students one time class assignment.  Then I got the idea of seeking out mugs.  I started with large ones...

...but seemed to keep coming across these smaller cups.

My goal is to collect at least 12 of the smaller ones so I can bring them to the preschool.  I have a sweet vision of serving all the children hot tea in these miniature mugs after a chilly morning in the backyard. So far I have seven, so you can bet I'll be scouring the shelves to complete my set.  

We use these pieces every day-I think food and coffee just taste better out of something so pretty.  

gifts from nature

When we saw my dear friend Amanda last weekend, she brought the boys the most unexpected and beautiful gift.  She gathered bits from nature and from her farm and put them together in such a magical way.  Simple treasures that bring so much joy.   

• bird nests full of horse hair from her mother's barn
• tiger's eye beans she grew last summer
• bird feathers found on walks
• dried flower heads
• a sweet gathering of herbs wrapped in twine from her kitchen window
• and beautiful smooth large seed pods she collected from her travels to set the nest on

Lovely bits to hold and look through and wonder about.  We even found remnants of baby blue shell in one of the nests.  These are quite safely perched on our nature table now and bring a smile to my face every time I look at them.

mushroom hunters

As I said in my previous post, while on vacation last weekend my friends and I gathered mushrooms.  The New Hampshire woods were so wet, fungi were popping up everywhere!  Since my first mushroom post, I've been quite drawn to them for their wonderful variety of color and texture.

collections

There's going to be a lot of talk here on the big basement clearout until the contractors arrive so bear with me.   As I open forgotten boxes and sort the contents I'm always impressed when I see a collection happening.  Like my wood bowls, I appear to be drawn to certain items when I'm at thrift stores.  It shouldn't surprise me then that I found I have this beautiful collection of vintage white celluloid brooches.

 
And one green one.

 
What am I going to do with them?  I have no idea...brooches are not something I typically wear.  For now they go into the "unsure" pile and it's time to keep clearing.

Thanks to all who chimed in on my last post!  The mystery items were quickly identified as grooved butter paddles and a sixth finger stiletto.  You guys are so smart.  And I love Carolyn's idea about actually using the butter paddles in my preschool for their intended purpose.

here i go again...

Yesterday, I helped a friend celebrate her birthday.  A child-free afternoon and evening and what did she want to do?  First stop, the thrift store...I was more than happy to oblige...after all, it was her birthday.

It was a particularly good day for needlework finds. 

I just had to take these ladies home with me.

They appear to be stitched on burlap so the rows are somewhat uneven.  This gives it such a unique texture that I love.

I bought a plastic bag filled with fabric for a dollar and sandwiched in the middle were this group of hand stitched squares dated 1972.

I couldn't believe my luck and finally got a chance to drool over them this morning.  Some of my favorites are

corn

peas

nutmeg

  

cloves

and caraway

 

Then I found this Kit by Heather, also dated 1972, which is a two-piece linen stitch kit.  I've never seen anything like it before and nothing about it popped up on a search.  I love finding kits like this because if nothing else, the vintage linen and 100% wool is a great find for sixty-nine cents.  This one I may have to stitch though...after all it is a tree.

There were two not-so-vintage needlepoint works I found that I had to rescue. 

 

These are huge canvases and I imagine they took hours and hours and hours to complete...only to end up rolled and crushed, sitting in a dusty bin at the thrift store.  I HAVE to give them a second life, I'm just not sure what that is yet.  Anyone have any ideas?  I'm always open to suggestions.  Maybe a Frederique Morrel?

waiting on the sun

It could be my imagination, but I don't think we've had many sunny days lately.  I've had things to share but hate to photograph without nice light.  It's been very gray.  I took this shot out the window from the back of my house.

No sun yet.

So.  Here's what has been going on. 

Last week I attended another one of Jen's fun pARTy's.  It feels so great to get out and have adult conversation with some very interesting and very talented women.  And I always love going home with a finished project.  This time she taught us how to bind books.  These are so great.  With removeable paper, this is one book I'm sure to write in.

 

Last week my super package from Sonya's mushroom swap arrived.  She has to be the best swap hostess.  Ever.  She was so organized and so top notch communicating with everyone...she should do it for hire.  I got such a great variety. 

These were made by Lara, Adrienne (wood turned Walnut morel!  I'm amazed), Alison, Sonja and Mary.   All are so unique and so lovely.  And I got a bonus on Monday when two more arrived.

One darling redcap from Rachel (who's mushrooms were thought to be lost in the mail so I offered to send her an extra one of mine) and the perfect morel from Sara (we did a little swap on the side).  I've got quite a collection now.

And finally, here's what we made at the preschool last week.

Simple, yet sweet little pinch pots.  The kids were so pleased with their work.  I'm lucky to have a sister who provided me with the clay and even fired them in her kiln.

I'll be looking for that sun. 

Happy Thursday.

Post cards

As I was browsing through my collection of postcards this morning I came across these three lovely cards.  They came from a friend from high school, who was an exchange student from Sweden .  It's been years since I've looked at these illustrations, but I still just love them.

This one is illustrated by Elsa Beskow-Kort.

   

And this one, titled "Back to the Forrest" by Lennart Helje.

And finally, "Spring Awakes" by Rolf Lidberg.