Tuesday, December 13, 2011

mellow and a little bit worn


I don't like my things to be perfect; 
I prefer them to be mellow
and a little bit worn.

This happens to be true with gifts I give, as well.  I like objects with a little patina, a little history. Those who receive Christmas gifts from me, know they will most likely get something with a bit of must or rust.  Not only do I consider older objects works of art, embodied with wonderful history, giving them as gifts is a beautiful form of recycling. 

I picked up this great vintage potato ricer at Goodwill today.  I love the orangey-ness, the crustiness, the endless potatoes that have been riced, and the lovely industrial design.  It's for my daughter, unless... it decides to make itself at home on the kitchen shelf at Willow Manor.  


27 comments:

  1. Dear Tess: Yes, I do love antiques, the objects d'art of yesteryears brings back memories of perhaps past lives or deja vu at least. To hold an object one has perhaps held before could be very enlightening and loaded with hidden messages from the past. Wishing all a very patina'd Christmas and Happy Holiday season!

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  2. I, too, was at the second hand store today! Got me an antique frame that will be waiting for original canvas, and a funky plate....I will try to post them tomorrow. I found several boxes of old Christmas ornaments. They were glass, faded, scratched, and reminded me sooo much of my childhood Christmases. I thought of buying them, and over the next year collecting likewise "rusted" ornaments and doing a second tree next year with the vintage, patina look....

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  3. Oh yeah....also got a couple of cell phone pics for Junk Shop Quickies later in the week! :)

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  4. Rick, I adore the old rusted ornaments, as well, and have boxes of them, including about ten that hung on my grandmother's tree.

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  5. What a coincidence that Mrs. Chatterbox asked for a potato ricer for Christmas. I didn't want to admit to her that I didn't know what it was, but now, thanks to you, I do. I doubt I'll be able to find one as lovely as yours. I, too, love patinas and things that look old.

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  6. Stephen the new modern ones are sleek stainless steel and are beautiful in their own right.

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  7. That is beautiful and looks like a sculpture. I would have a difficult time parting from it.
    Helen

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  8. I totally agree. I wish that you lived close by and we exchanged gifts. Oh what fun we would have giving and receiving rust and dust (a must!) Love to you.

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  9. Those would be my most favorite gifts.

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  10. Almost museum standard. If I'd bought it, I'd know where it would stay!

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  11. I, too, usually prefer something old to something new, when shopping for our homes or for gifts for others. Our kitchens have a lot of items bought at second hand and vintage shops, also yard sales, and I like using the pieces we've found at such places (including a vintage potato ricer, like yours). There is a a sense of continuity and stewardship to it. A particular favorite of mine is a painted-wood handled melon-baller bought at a yard sale for 50 cents. Much better than the vile "good grips" plastic alternative, I think. RD

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  12. All the hands that touched these things before, leave traces of meaning. I can see exactly why you feel this way about those objects that appear 'mellow and little bit worn'.

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  13. I thought this post was about me... I'm mellow and a little worn but not yet an antique... although don't try wrapping me up under the Christmas tree! Xx

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  14. Objects that have been a part of the lives of others carry a Dickensian spirit of times past. I am not sure if this is an independent entity or some need for connection deep within us that we bring to them. Not that it matters . . . the feeling is there.

    When I worked in archaeology, seems now like another lifetime, I never lost the feeling of awe of being the first person in centuries to hold an object that had been important to someone in a daily activity so long ago.

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  15. I too am a big fan of the old and worn, but, not for use in the kitchen.

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  16. As Billie would have said (or sang)- fine, as well as mellow.

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  17. I love these things too. My home is full of them. I would have bought that ricer too.

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  18. this is my kind of gift giving. i no longer gather them for myself though as I am still without a home.

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  19. Tess, My friends have always loved that I gift from my collection of antiques and collectibles, giving to my loved ones pieces that I have loved and cherished over the years. To family I pass the family heirlooms and to friends I gift the pieces that I personally have collected. It's a win-win situation. Wonderful items are saved and live on in the hearts of others. I have a really hard time watching the ads for people to bring in their old gold/silver items to sell to the traders. It's horrible to think that these wonderful artistic pieces of jewelry and serving pieces will be destined to be melted down and reduced to ingots simply to fill someone's pockets with loose change. You are great for reclaiming and sharing such items. Bravo.

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  20. The lovingly worn objects make the best gifts. They have character and you know that someone has cherished them and spent time with them in the past. I think the objects absorb some of that love and it is passed on. And the well worn gifts usually have a more personal touch and you know time and thought was put into them. Was just looking at the St. T framed photo you gave me...it sits on our fireplace mantle. I think of you every time I look at the treasures that you have passed on. : )

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  21. mellow and a little bit worn...
    Sounds like my wife's description of me... I'm like you, I LOVE old stuff much better. It was made to last. A new kitchen tool wouldn't last a fraction of the time that one has. It also has character! (like me I hope)

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  22. Wabi sabi brings as much spice to life as wasabi.

    If you ever come to visit San Francisco, you might want to visit this favorite spot of mine:

    http://www.scrap-sf.org/

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  23. Junkthief, Scrap looks like my kinda place...

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  24. My mother's mashed potatoes.
    rel

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  25. I enjoy being surrounded by vintage stuff, especially those made from wood. They carry a nice aroma of history coated with mysteries and they make memoir of wonderful memories.

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)