How Do You Measure Up?

I have had my eye on this red advertising yardstick chair by artist Dorothy Spencer for a few years.  Ms Spencer has created quite a few pieces of Folk Art from yardsticks and rulers.  If you have a Paper Source near you, you may see a few of her pieces scattered throughout their stores using them for display.  Some of her pieces use all vintage rulers and some newer rulers and yardsticks.  This one uses all red yardsticks (not painted). I read somewhere that the word "yard" is from an old English word meaning stick so yardstick means stick-stick.

Click on photos for a closer look, if you like.

Several years ago in a decorating magazine, I saw a room that had old yardsticks installed all the way around as wainscoting finished with a piece of molding at the top and bottom.  It was very vintage looking, had great texture, but can you imagine how many yardsticks one would need to do just one wall?  I think a yardstick may only be an inch or two wide. Vintage yardsticks cost more than they should and would take a lifetime to collect enough.  The newer ones, although free, usually are unfinished whereas the older ones are stained and varnished.  The patina is what made the wall of yardsticks so interesting.

The frame above is made from surveyor's measuring sticks.  I think it would make a great base for an arty assemblage piece. It is available in my Etsy shop.  You know how I love letters and numbers.

How did your day measure up?  Were you happy, productive, serene, rested, surrounded by friendly faces?

Comments

[Maureen]

Did you actually get this chair Ginny? Yardsticks - stick-sticks - are always fun to see. Remember when they were given out by so many companies as advertising? I only have one old metal one now.

[Gayle Pritchard]

I love the red chair, and guess I measured up just fine, thank you very much! The frame reminds me of the frame my framer made (note: overuse of the word 'frame') using hockey sticks.

[Chris P]

I am in love with this chair!! Do you now own it? It is incredible!!! I have a hard time using yard sticks, etc. in my art-I like to have them and they are getting harder to find and more expensive every day!