We spent the entire day yesterday down in Amish country. I love going there. The landscape, the people, the whole feel of the area is different than where we live. It is only about an hour and a half to two hours to drive down there. The difference seems to be the traffic.
There are a number of Antique Malls in a very small area and each one often yields treasures. We always end up talking to the people behind the counter. One mall is owned by a really nice couple who told us that they often came down for the day and finally just moved there and opened their shop. Most of the time the people who are behind the counter are Amish men and women or Mennonites who are more liberal about electricity and other things. All of them are friendly, smiley and so helpful. Everything is always so clean and organized. We really enjoy our long day(s) in Amish country. We always come home with something that pleases us.
I have often shown you my things, but today you get to see some of John's stash in his workroom.
He is currently amassing gages of all kinds. He has plans to use them in upcoming art projects but in the meantime, I love how they look on his shelf. There is something very pleasing about all these round shapes with numbers on them. We don't see very many gages that are affordable enough to use in projects. This collection has taken a long time to get this size which is pretty small.
Doorknobs. He is making racks with these doorknobs as the "hooks". They are really handsome.
John and I have come across a number of these wonderful old oak toolboxes in various states of disrepair and hugely varying prices. John cleans them up, puts new felt in the drawers and uses them in his workroom. I have hinted broadly to have one in my art room, but he seems not to hear me or perhaps I have been too subtle. No. That can't be it. I am never very subtle.
Hmmm...what's this? A five? It better be for me. I don't think there is enough room in this marriage for two collections of fives.
Keep the Small Studio Workshop Series in mind for great classes this year. Info here.
I would scream....to have one of those....they look amazing!!! I hope that he will gift you with one soon!!!
Posted by: Ophelia Staton | Sunday, 31 January 2010 at 09:30 PM
I bought a truly vintage looking wooden tool box at Menard's!!! Yes, it is really cool, and very authentic looking. You should check it out, John's is very near to it...without the middle section, 6 smaller, 3 large drawers, and the top locks.
Linda
Posted by: Linda Cain | Sunday, 31 January 2010 at 11:17 PM
The "5" is probably a surprise and now you've seen it! Probably to give to you "on" your b-day!
Posted by: Leslie Gfeller | Monday, 01 February 2010 at 01:30 PM
Maybe making the 'other' pillow?
Posted by: Leslie Gfeller | Monday, 01 February 2010 at 01:30 PM
The photo of the gauges on the shelf looks like an art card or postcard in it's self!!!
Another reason I love reading blogs is getting to see the cool stuff other artists are gathering up! Because there comes a point, that unless I get a hold of a cloning machine, I can't have it allllll. *sniff* There's so much awesomeness in the world! Who'd a thunk a shelf full of gauges would look so neat?
The oil cans in the back make me think of possible art doll possibilities.
One of these days you'll go into the work room and all of his items will have amassed together and turned themselves into a robot or something. :D
Be sure and get pics when they do ;)
Posted by: Tace | Monday, 08 February 2010 at 09:59 PM