ULLABENULLA

Wendy's Eye Candy!!!

Following our visit with Stephanie Blythe the other day, we headed over to the tiny town of Port Costa to visit Wendy Addison's studio THEATRE OF DREAMS! As her sign so whimsically proclaims on the front door, she is open only by Chance or Appointment! Not wanting to 'take the chance' of missing her we made an appointment for 1:30!

Walking into Wendy's shop is like entering WONDERLAND. Glass cases are filled with one of kind creations and vintage finds and glittering constellation's hang from the ceiling... Magical Theatres beckon from every corner, and delightful visual poetry fills the air... We were swept away with fairy dust, while being serenaded by 'Queen' Wendy herself. Like little children, we put our noses right up to the glass, and looked with wide eyes, trying in vain to decide which 'candy's' to bring home... Each of us did finally find a few special things to steal away, with the hope that we could bring Wendy's magic with us as we went home... Come join me here in a THEATRE OF DREAMS!!!!

Dolls and Inspiration!

I spent a couple of wonderful hours at the Doll Show with my daughter yesterday. Having not been to a show like this in over a decade it was quite overwhelming! So many beautiful antique dolls, doll clothing, miniatures, and other toys. I did find a delightful old Asian child doll, that will look perfect with my chinese baby hat collection. Right now she is spending quality time with my husbands teddy bear... I also scored a box full of tiny unpainted bisque doll-heads (25 in all) for $15.00!!! My head is whirling with ideas on how to use them, not to mention what to paint on them...!

Last week, I saw these wonderful shadow boxes in a shop, while out and about, and thought I'd share them with you. I love how this artist used simple black and white images in a sophisticated manner. The houses are pinned in like little paper insects... Very Inspiring!!!

Scandinavian Winter Holidays Inspiration

As a Dane, I read quite a few Scandinavian blogs. My favorite by far, for eye candy is Marie's Min Lilla Veranda. She captures the serene ideal in Scandinavian beauty with a hint of French glamour... here are a few images that speak to winter decor. ENJOY!!!

I Want One Of These In My Driveway!

Anyone have a spare wooden wheel thay can part with? Professional Miniature Paper Theater

Gunhilds Silver and Papercut Wonders...

Every time we go to Minneapolis, I always make sure to visit the American Swedish Institute, housed in the historic Turnblad mansion, built in 1908. My wonderful Sister-in-law came with me this year! My Husbands Grandmother, Gunhild, was a prominent figure at the Institute in her lifetime, and left many lasting memories. Years ago, she began the tradition of installing Christmas Tables and Trees, one for each country in Scandinavia, in the beautiful rooms of the mansion. When she died, memorial money went into the purchase of silver cutlery for the Swedish room. It is vintage Gense Silver, in the Vassa pattern.

I was so excited to be allowed permission to take a photo of her silver (and only after trumpeting Gunhilds name, whom everyone knew!) that I didn't get a photo of the full table set for 12. I did manage to sneak a photo of this years tree, full of swedish flag garlands, and the beautiful chandelier in the middle of the room.

Much to my delight, the museum also had a Danish Papercutting Exhibit with wonderful work by Minnesota native Cynthia McKeen. Feeling brave with my camera, (I know Gunhild wouldn't have minded...) I took some photos to share with you. There was a special paper cutting of the Turnblad mansion that McKeen has designed for the 100th anniversary of the completion of the mansion in 2008. This four-layer standing piece depicts the outside of the mansion, whimsically surrounded by figures inspired by Swedish stories and culture. A tomte stands by the front gate, and trolls, birds, and even Santa Lucia can be seen floating above the castle.

I loved her original interpretation's of 'The Princess And The Pea', and 'The Rose Bush' beautifully displayed hanging by big open windows...

There was a marvelous display showing Cynthia's process, from initial drawings and scissor cuts, to multiple cuts with rubber-cushion dies.

My favorite part of the exhibit, by far, was the 'Christmas Table Setting' in the middle of the room, filled with Cynthia's papercut trees, like a winter wonderland come to life!!! The last photo, showing more papercut trees, is from the Danish Immigrant Museum where Cynthia recently had another exhibit. Now my fingers are itching to cut a winter wonderland of my own, I hope this post may have inspired you to do the same!!!
(Cynthia's papercut trees are available for purchase online HERE!)

Antiquing With ArtsyMama!

We are finally home from our holiday trip to Minnesota! We had a beautiful WHITE Thanksgiving, (the snowflakes were as big as moths...) with all the trimmings! The highlight for me was my day with Kari of Artsy Mama! Her POST about our day, captures the true spirit of our whirlwind adventure! Kari picked me up at 10:00, with a bundle of maps on her lap, that took us to 'estate sales' and 'shops' all around Minneapolis and St. Paul. My Husband was so surprised at how much ground we covered in a day!

I felt like I hit a home-run even before we began shopping, with the lovely gifts that Kari presented me. Beautiful Handmade cones held a wonderful 'U' mug, divine soap, and a charming vintage pipecleaner angel! She also spoiled me with bits and pieces of old paper, postcards and ribbons.

Kari introduced me to Minneapolis' Estate sales, and I'll tell you, I wish I could join her each and every weekend! It was such a delight shopping with a like-minded friend and artist, finding treasures and antiques together! Here is Kari after our favorite Estate Sale, where we scored wonderful old books, ephemera and other goodies! Isn't she adorable? And thats me pointing to one of the yellow 'Birkeland' estate sale sign's, that kept us running all morning...

Next we went to Hunt & Gather Antiques, an amazing shop filled with cabinets, boxes and bins bursting with an artists trove of delictable finds!!! I think we could have stayed there all afternoon if our hunger had not intervened!

Rooms were color-coordinated... and we found many wonderful displays to enchant and inspire us! (just look at this tree held up with Vintage books)

Here we are catching our breath at the front counter! (Don't you just love the Christmas display with red water-bottles, and a fire-hat?) As you can see, Christmas was in the air, and I found a few new treasures to use in my classes!

A good day of shopping deserves a good meal, and this was no exception. We did manage to pull away (not till 3:00 though!) and spent our last hour eating and sharing stories...

THANK YOU KARI for a Fairytale like day - My wish is that there will be many more!!!

(illustration from a real treasure of a book that I'll share later)

A Few Of My Favorite Things...

Another little peek into my decor... I have had this Miniature Dutch Floral Painting for years. I love the lush full blooms and slight decay. Matching in color, a delightful pair of fabric Cherry's, a birthday gift from the ever talented Constance!!! perched in a repro. santos hand... And overlooking it all, a tiny Wayang rod-puppet, given to me years ago by my god-father. Beauty indeed!

A Cherished Collection!

After getting a few comments about my 'bridal wreath collection' seen in my birthday photos, I decided I should do a post on them. The History of Victorian Wedding Orange Blossoms is old and romantic.

"Incorporating orange blossoms into the bride's costume originated in ancient China where they were emblems of purity, chastity and innocence. There are few trees so prolific as the orange; it is one of the rare plants that blooms and bears fruit at the same time, thus becoming symbolic of fruitfulness. During the time of the Crusades, the custom was brought from the East first to Spain , then to France , then to England in the early 1800's. By then, many enchanting legends had spread throughout the continent of maidens entwining fresh orange blossoms into a bridal wreath for their hair... Queen Victoria created the vogue for the sweet smelling blossoms when she wore them in a grand wreath for her 1840 wedding... When real orange blossoms were in short supply or in northern climates where citrus fruits did not flourish, wax replicas were used instead."

When I saw my first wreath, I fell in love with the sentiment of someone creating these lovely flowers of wax to be worn by a bride - and only later learned of their history. I was lucky to find a few wreaths in local antique shops a number of years ago, and then searched Ebay for others. Word got around and a lovely woman in Berkeley told me she was selling her collection and suddenly I had more than I knew what to do with! At that point I had a vision of displaying them like a quilt, each on individual boards, as you see above. Once I was able to create a square of 25 wreaths I stopped collecting - where would I put any more??? I did add a 'French Marriage Globe' to my collection (used by wealthy brides to display their wreaths and bouquets) - which I adore. Most of my wreaths are French. My favorite ones are those that look like real Orange blossoms, (this one came with the Wedding Menu card!)

Many are very decorative, with pearls and ribbons added on; shaped like wheat sheaths or spring berries... One is completly made of gold paper, and another came with the grooms bow-tie! I love them all, for their romantic symbology and sweet sentiment!!!

Out and About...

I was in Berkeley yesterday, and fell in love with this magnificent painting at 'Tail Of The Yak'! Unfortunately it was $8,000.00 out of my price range!!! Ahhhh, but a girl can dream... Isn't she lovely???

Kimberlee's Golden Goose!

Truly, I know no one better at finding fabulous antiques than Kimberlee Edgar!!! Just look at this Golden Goose!!! So imagine my surprise when I received a giant box filled with vintage paper goodies, all individually wrapped in black and white paper! Oh my, I am telling you, the Golden Goose lays 'Black and White' eggs, no lie, and they found their way to my doorstep in all their glory! THANK YOU KIMBERLEE!!!

The Rabbit That Really Was A Chicken!

I found this wonderful little old lady chalkware figure on Ebay last week, for a bargain price of $ 2.00! She was labeled "Old Lady With Rabbit in basket - ears missing..." and looked too delightful to pass by. When she arrived, there was no doubt that the rabbit was actually a chicken, with its beak and comb missing! The little lady also had a chip on her nose, but certainly not on her shoulder. A little bit of clay, (I'll add some paint later...) and this delightful couple is now ready to greet Easter with a new flock of friends!!!

Inkwells For Your Desk

Working at the Castle has given me a great appreciation for fine inks, dip-pens and calligraphy. Although I do not own an inkwell, it is something I fantasize about owning someday. I love how many antique inkwells are figural in style and quite whimsical - although almost always out of my price range... Which of these from Ruby Lane would you chose???

Game For Sunday!

Just look at this delightful game called "Les Contes de Fees" (Tales Of Fairies) from 1890 and available at Ruby Lane. I love that the cards have little moving parts - wonder what they are for? Can't really tell if this is a dark or light-hearted game - sure to keep one busy...

Chocolatier's Confectionary Box

"Hard to imagine a life before chocolate. But chocolate is a relatively recent pleasure, and in its early European days, (late 1700s to early 1800s) one only for the very wealthy. Cocoa was among the early treasures imported from the expanding 'new world' as Far Eastern travel and trade became more readily available in the mid to late 1700s. Chocolate was a European symbol of wealth and power. Because cocoa and sugar were both expensive imports, only those with money could afford to drink chocolate, or to consume the early confections made with the delicacies. In fact, in France, chocolate was a state monopoly that could be consumed only by members of the royal court. So, you can see why these very early confections came with lovely boxes, and in caskets one might think should belong to fine jewelry, instead. The earliest French chocolatiers such as Boissier and others developed recipes for chocolate candies called 'bon bons' and, judging from my own relationship with chocolate, it should still be outlawed for the French to make such beautiful and absolutely irresistable confections. ... These boxes housed chocolates more profoundly valuable than most any other substance, so you see why the presentation was worthy of such detail. To receive or to give chocolates then was something only dreamt of by commoners, and as noted, relegated to the Royals, their favorites, Courtiers. (Available from Ruby Lane)

Traveling in Style

Just once, I would love to have the wardrobe, income and party (not to mention good looking "Man-power") to use this Virtine Sedan Chair for grocery shopping... Wouldn't you? (from Ebay)

Perhaps this little tapestry-covered mini sedan would look lovely on your coffee table? (from French Metro Antiques) Or an even smaller one for your pocket watch? (from Ruby Lane I just adore the shape, design and concept of these 'chairs'...

More On Marie!

Can't get enough of MARIE ANTOINETTE? I just discovered that PBS has a very informative sight devoted to her and well worth a visit!

Carousel in Your Backyard?

Wouldn't you love to have your own Antique Carousel in your backyard??? Just look at this one, available from Ebay. A mere $104,000.000 (plus $6,500.00 in shipping) and you will be the most popular neighbor around!

Birthday Weekend!

Sometimes when you reach a certain age (for me its over 40) it seems that Birthdays just come and go without too much thought. As I slowly approach 50 (Yikes!) I decided to take matters in my own hands this year, and make my Birthday a celebration! If I could have invited all my BLOG friends I would have!!! Instead I stayed close to home, and invited 4 of my best friends to breakfast! This is a special group of gals! We all live within 3 blocks of each other, we are all artists, and we all adore antiques!!! First we had a feast of a meal in 'The Tea Room Cafe', a delightful art-filled spot in Petaluma. Boy did we gorge... Then, needing to walk off all those calories we wondered around for a couple of hours feasting our eyes on a sumptious selection of antiques that only Petaluma can offer. (I took photos of some of our favorite finds!) Although we all could have spent our mortgages tri-fold, none of us splurged... instead just enjoying one anothers company and good-will! THANK YOU GIRLS!
(Wouldn't you know that the nice ol' guy who took our photo shakes even more than I do!)

A Wee Bun Powder Puff

I thought this was most unusual, its a powder puff holder from Germany that was sold on Ebay. All I could think of was that because its in a shape of a stork, it must have been used to powder 'wee little buns'... (no, I didn't buy it, way out of my price range...)

September 11, 2006

(antique silver font with rose that bloomed today)