tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27146097576342451312024-02-19T02:58:03.842+00:00Kitsch and CuriousShare my love of vintage toys, kitschy ornaments and curiosities.Kitsch and Curioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199950395051649169noreply@blogger.comBlogger219125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714609757634245131.post-15969371308294599322018-12-24T22:18:00.000+00:002019-10-02T22:18:39.940+01:00<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Brx94ZQgbhj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Brx94ZQgbhj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">The tiny village of Cake lies below the majestic Hanky Mountain, nestled among the trees of the Painted Wood Forest. On Christmas Eve all is peaceful as the snow begins to fall... #merryandxmasareinoppositedirections #randomanimalsforageinthestreet #feralpig #vintagecakedecorations #happychristmas #vintagechristmas #miniatures #tinytreasures #stufficollect #vintagekitsch #christmasdiorama #bottlebrushtrees #snowscene</a></div>
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A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kitschandcurious/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> KitschandCurious</a> (@kitschandcurious) on <time datetime="2018-12-24T18:58:03+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Dec 24, 2018 at 10:58am PST</time></div>
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<script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>Kitsch and Curioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199950395051649169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714609757634245131.post-28650318934483378632016-04-07T23:30:00.000+01:002016-04-08T00:45:52.786+01:00Button Trees - They're back!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkKMtfc1iMsj4Hct-eyJhn1AVhcA3VmGQqNuTkFZ44TM429vX4oKHHoi-0y983VRA4o4_FKkZE3PXx163pXe15S_drBxLDi3jwkKHaCT2YX6eHZKCPMQkkXEz2qLNb7HQSFW4NSmYxLDq/s1600/originalbuttontree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkKMtfc1iMsj4Hct-eyJhn1AVhcA3VmGQqNuTkFZ44TM429vX4oKHHoi-0y983VRA4o4_FKkZE3PXx163pXe15S_drBxLDi3jwkKHaCT2YX6eHZKCPMQkkXEz2qLNb7HQSFW4NSmYxLDq/s400/originalbuttontree.jpg" width="292" /></a></div>
Exactly 6 years ago to the day, I posted this photo in <a href="http://kitschandcurious.blogspot.co.uk/2010/07/creative-wednesday-button-trees-and.html">this blog</a> of the button tree I'd made. Much to my surprise, that photo got pinned and repinned many times on Pinterest and elsewhere. At one time, if you searched Google images for 'button tree' it came in about 3rd. Now it's slipped a long way down the page, and its heyday seems to be over. There were a few copies, but nicely credited ones, which I'll call 'tribute acts', <a href="https://www.buttons.com/blog/wire-button-tree-sculpture/" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://craftandcreativity.com/blog/2013/01/12/buttontree/" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://sewalittlelove.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/little-bit-of-whimsy.html" target="_blank">here</a>. It also appeared on a lot of sites where it wasn't credited, and even appeared on a Tumblr site called 'StupidShitOn Pinterest', which sadly no longer seems to exist. That one made me laugh a lot at the time. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUpq927-k3AZjm77X4UGzRvE7tjlYXX-r08LiejRR3hV-RUvPT0Ozxhs-9K0sttNGpV5ZIV9Vf5WcunUvcjPQOwj4cpZDm5zAbvQBo6Ul0uFrG3h0Qy2QJnGNrkSayALA-x-225oMwrUa/s1600/buttonB1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUpq927-k3AZjm77X4UGzRvE7tjlYXX-r08LiejRR3hV-RUvPT0Ozxhs-9K0sttNGpV5ZIV9Vf5WcunUvcjPQOwj4cpZDm5zAbvQBo6Ul0uFrG3h0Qy2QJnGNrkSayALA-x-225oMwrUa/s400/buttonB1.jpg" width="385" /></a></div>
In my misguided way, instead of thinking 'Hey, this is popular, maybe a I should make some more.', after I'd made a couple, I just went off the idea. To be honest, most pinners were putting it on boards called 'DIY Ideas' and 'Craft I'll Try Some Day', and they only visited my blog looking for a tutorial. But a few weeks ago, I revived the idea and had some fun making a few more.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTL4pLI9OEmcam7z9iFHnGUFscm5W6mSnFOINoHuJzBhfzvWrlh2NsOACndRmVdB0k5BqtaiL4FNbt4HF2HkPjEukk7xRt1OMT_s0geCWbpoWCarT8yQKI6zyppcA3Zl6wiLOwq-wT55ej/s1600/buttons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTL4pLI9OEmcam7z9iFHnGUFscm5W6mSnFOINoHuJzBhfzvWrlh2NsOACndRmVdB0k5BqtaiL4FNbt4HF2HkPjEukk7xRt1OMT_s0geCWbpoWCarT8yQKI6zyppcA3Zl6wiLOwq-wT55ej/s400/buttons.jpg" width="386" /></a></div>
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I was very pleased to sell one at the Vintage & Handmade Fair the other week, and the rest I've listed in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ElsieJones" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a>. The middle one is made from vintage mother-of-pearl buttons, and silver-plated wire, and looks like a frosted wintry tree, I think.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgPR5GkhUy-dACEtoBrBM0vP10WUN8JhNQs5cGM3fRaH4iug2TBezeIRzyN31jSjV6wnn2G9Bb-jJp33VHzB60RtVUGIb3t-vdsdPlc6nRkQydjgLu3HDUvdQ0xAWQZj-XAK2R_Q4PhXD/s1600/buttonC2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgPR5GkhUy-dACEtoBrBM0vP10WUN8JhNQs5cGM3fRaH4iug2TBezeIRzyN31jSjV6wnn2G9Bb-jJp33VHzB60RtVUGIb3t-vdsdPlc6nRkQydjgLu3HDUvdQ0xAWQZj-XAK2R_Q4PhXD/s400/buttonC2.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
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I've kept to the idea of putting them in vintage cotton reels, as that seeemed to get a vote of confidence at the time, but I might make a larger one in a block. I'd also be happy to take orders for customised colours or button styles (I have A LOT of different vintage buttons, funnily enough).<br /><br />Just as a footnote, I want to make it clear that I'm quite flattered (if a bit bemused) by any copies that anyone has made. Lots of people wanted to make their own version, which is great. - it's such a compliment if I can inspire creativity in others. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNjpsqDMwifdG3T-wFeTLVIr9cLWd__iQD57F_3647oPQNzzGPymq2EO9dTNybmrQl2LG6pDrF593rTxDutbUB_yfwbUoTRoMJisvXVrTVsD3LiTod8LlYeDXcmEcOE1JNYJjJDgV2sFi/s1600/buttonD4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNjpsqDMwifdG3T-wFeTLVIr9cLWd__iQD57F_3647oPQNzzGPymq2EO9dTNybmrQl2LG6pDrF593rTxDutbUB_yfwbUoTRoMJisvXVrTVsD3LiTod8LlYeDXcmEcOE1JNYJjJDgV2sFi/s400/buttonD4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Kitsch and Curioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199950395051649169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714609757634245131.post-48687284475841854892016-03-19T16:46:00.000+00:002016-03-19T16:46:40.918+00:007 Days and Counting...No, not until Easter - much more important - it's just seven days until the <a href="http://vintageandhandmade.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Vintage & Handmade Fair at Chipping Sodbury</a>! I am going to be there selling my handmade wares. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjD_3IvTZYxNJrtHDI0EbMpdaBiFacXD1RIznO2lYqxmBe56EdJ6f_CC9oaJMMmT-GGVSVqUvXZNmKzXK5aeWWZOwi9p8VjtzMcPZnBx8AUhVq-uRTdvQpL2A2zFKimnc-_1dcKe8sDT5/s1600/crochet_brooches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjD_3IvTZYxNJrtHDI0EbMpdaBiFacXD1RIznO2lYqxmBe56EdJ6f_CC9oaJMMmT-GGVSVqUvXZNmKzXK5aeWWZOwi9p8VjtzMcPZnBx8AUhVq-uRTdvQpL2A2zFKimnc-_1dcKe8sDT5/s400/crochet_brooches.jpg" width="397" /></a></div>
This is the first outing for my 'makes' (like my granny square brooches, above) after a long hiatus, and I'm a wee bit nervous. I have been concentrating on getting enough work produced (which is partly why I haven't blogged for a while), but you know how it is - there is never enough time. <br />
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I seem to come up with all my best ideas when there is a deadline looming, and not really enough time to get everything finished. When there's no deadline, I dither and dawdle, unable to decide which colour, which yarn, which button, which bead? When I HAVE TO GET IT DONE, I generally do it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoa4Zs3Q5bz0Eu0SZWLvDrq4fmffvV4f5oNa1ux5TDPJdeQlaokvflUILcQpajNeUTpdXJ8n2X_vyevISvQ0HnJamz7vPbesRqk4eEPE9sffjwP35IfQIHTtwV6nfGs3a9BM6zfNJObTYh/s1600/dollies_charms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoa4Zs3Q5bz0Eu0SZWLvDrq4fmffvV4f5oNa1ux5TDPJdeQlaokvflUILcQpajNeUTpdXJ8n2X_vyevISvQ0HnJamz7vPbesRqk4eEPE9sffjwP35IfQIHTtwV6nfGs3a9BM6zfNJObTYh/s400/dollies_charms.jpg" width="323" /></a></div>
Most recently, I have been making art dolls, all crocheted individually, with antique china doll heads, and decorated with vintage buttons, beads and charms. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdpz6sdMzzgm572q_5wANXVG91bac0iiIIA5JyeehZMGoPB4n3mSiRbgJQCEm5DOFu0a3NpilBQhG7NmtCGLNFbCik3KXYPZpkJpXLLN-HY4zQzI5bpWsuvWmHWBkblBkcIZIUIUN3KLW/s1600/dolliespale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdpz6sdMzzgm572q_5wANXVG91bac0iiIIA5JyeehZMGoPB4n3mSiRbgJQCEm5DOFu0a3NpilBQhG7NmtCGLNFbCik3KXYPZpkJpXLLN-HY4zQzI5bpWsuvWmHWBkblBkcIZIUIUN3KLW/s400/dolliespale.jpg" width="382" /></a></div>
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If you've been following my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/elsiejonesart/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/elsiejonesmakes/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, you'll have seen some of these. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4vo1oGPlkDJrO-aZliMxn9YxTTrXYpFlyAjydMPQTpAjfSOWWm7vvmHz2TWVQuk9VENMEUhfwJjx99dbyTgrCA5dZnqB0MYS0qltkiB_iAwMHqQKForuYcmLHLdV11CEyUkbbdbpEufN/s1600/dolly_flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4vo1oGPlkDJrO-aZliMxn9YxTTrXYpFlyAjydMPQTpAjfSOWWm7vvmHz2TWVQuk9VENMEUhfwJjx99dbyTgrCA5dZnqB0MYS0qltkiB_iAwMHqQKForuYcmLHLdV11CEyUkbbdbpEufN/s400/dolly_flowers.jpg" width="363" /></a></div>
This is the latest one, and probably the prettiest, with her flowered skirt. I'm quite pleased with them. They are a lot less weird than my previous dolls, but I daresay some people will still find them a bit odd, with their blobby bodies and no arms!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqV5BrXgnSDfc50cofXhbILaFerFPryZqFPilURlNzSmQHhMXw3JduiBk9gyvfdbFNIc1Sc2hRw8j-tcpzuXajti3nOLwffepJIyYoCSJEbvgjfVMCygW8yjd7aqWGoFn6FPJ7v6JYHbh/s1600/tinytreasures.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqV5BrXgnSDfc50cofXhbILaFerFPryZqFPilURlNzSmQHhMXw3JduiBk9gyvfdbFNIc1Sc2hRw8j-tcpzuXajti3nOLwffepJIyYoCSJEbvgjfVMCygW8yjd7aqWGoFn6FPJ7v6JYHbh/s400/tinytreasures.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I have also been tinkering with tiny treasures like these to come up with mini shadow boxes. This has been a little bit dangerous, as it involves glue. I will never be able to master glue. I get it in my hair, on my clothes, and inevitably end up with my fingers stuck together. But I persevere. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuIrr4Qn5Bv4iyJCnxnhV-Q2-T3GmhuwLXO1FQAZE3Fi7aJ5-QVwoCRPIvsLTxqZA2Ybt6gRrMyqCO1Ug-7OmTE_MKvOn6yf9okgen2SavvTRZelU97MWC_BKWaHsR8zFETGRyvptMm4j/s1600/boxes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuIrr4Qn5Bv4iyJCnxnhV-Q2-T3GmhuwLXO1FQAZE3Fi7aJ5-QVwoCRPIvsLTxqZA2Ybt6gRrMyqCO1Ug-7OmTE_MKvOn6yf9okgen2SavvTRZelU97MWC_BKWaHsR8zFETGRyvptMm4j/s400/boxes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And not only have I made kitsch little boxes like these (not covered in glue!), but I have been collaging onto vintage wooden blocks, which can be rearranged to make a variety of different collage pictures.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMGIXnT_aj3ZC7VLpazRfEjDQAOHJIAxH4tJ6wbtphhCYGBLESSDkv-D0tKcUbQavalzIW46hJICLhvlgYIt_t6AOFJSEPVYUe2ySG1MshqjE6oEVHKaXJW2BnCqCF7pToTggRte7zAew/s1600/blocks1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMGIXnT_aj3ZC7VLpazRfEjDQAOHJIAxH4tJ6wbtphhCYGBLESSDkv-D0tKcUbQavalzIW46hJICLhvlgYIt_t6AOFJSEPVYUe2ySG1MshqjE6oEVHKaXJW2BnCqCF7pToTggRte7zAew/s400/blocks1.jpg" width="390" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlOu7RD_tYgdqNvyK5BOjIgvLyJqbzJlhoSD6hOo1umnznpmcR9ud5lgB-h6Py9lxaNPZvn-lGjGEAzn4pHIMSkdB_1Wsi4ubyoP4PZj5Mjx-hlK6f8eaMv-FEGfCJrvx-loxDr8fpC3t/s1600/blocks2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlOu7RD_tYgdqNvyK5BOjIgvLyJqbzJlhoSD6hOo1umnznpmcR9ud5lgB-h6Py9lxaNPZvn-lGjGEAzn4pHIMSkdB_1Wsi4ubyoP4PZj5Mjx-hlK6f8eaMv-FEGfCJrvx-loxDr8fpC3t/s400/blocks2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I will be taking other goodies to the fair as well, so hopefully, I will have a good stall full of loveliness. Please do come and visit, if you can, and say hello to me. Or if you prefer, you can ignore me and just soak up all the vintagey goodness. The Vintage & Handmade fairs at Chipping Sodbury are always great events, and definitely worth moseying round to find vintage treasures, cute handmade loveliness and tea and homemade cake.</div>
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Saturday 26th March 10am - 3.30pm Chipping Sodbury Town Hall BS37 6AD</div>
Kitsch and Curioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199950395051649169noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714609757634245131.post-79883812022294210042016-02-05T23:46:00.000+00:002016-02-05T23:46:42.911+00:00Desperately Seeking Pippi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtI43dadI-UaiktCZ8imiqtuX-x6_jVpEPc1iCGjoVsA6nPp4uXMh7KGpZyARPhGFNXhyrGo7qcIhOOtzL918cq7Jc3CFheHBdM1Ex-KrkLNGJDEO20laRgA9oufaud6EeKLIk_A7D249v/s1600/c_daddy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_E-NLpSboBkepFqOXBbOmlI_AYrvUtYnwruKbid7Kqcym_YX3VZKf-V8RYspc6B2Ickug_4DYwl6s4jPL7GI6egOCu2CrS06Qq2_Pj_-IhfihHIF_oznPPN0Rx7axq-ulm7ujWjEA4KUH/s1600/c_daddy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_E-NLpSboBkepFqOXBbOmlI_AYrvUtYnwruKbid7Kqcym_YX3VZKf-V8RYspc6B2Ickug_4DYwl6s4jPL7GI6egOCu2CrS06Qq2_Pj_-IhfihHIF_oznPPN0Rx7axq-ulm7ujWjEA4KUH/s400/c_daddy2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Here's a mysterious mystery, which may never be solved. <br />
For months now, the stats for <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/kitschandcurious" target="_blank">my vintage Etsy shop</a> have been dominated by Pippi Longstocking. That's not Pippi Longstocking in the picture above. It's just a cute 1960s card which I've had in my shop. In the description, I said she reminded me of Pippi Longstocking. Here's another picture, and you'll see what I mean.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtI43dadI-UaiktCZ8imiqtuX-x6_jVpEPc1iCGjoVsA6nPp4uXMh7KGpZyARPhGFNXhyrGo7qcIhOOtzL918cq7Jc3CFheHBdM1Ex-KrkLNGJDEO20laRgA9oufaud6EeKLIk_A7D249v/s1600/c_daddy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtI43dadI-UaiktCZ8imiqtuX-x6_jVpEPc1iCGjoVsA6nPp4uXMh7KGpZyARPhGFNXhyrGo7qcIhOOtzL918cq7Jc3CFheHBdM1Ex-KrkLNGJDEO20laRgA9oufaud6EeKLIk_A7D249v/s400/c_daddy1.jpg" width="362" /></a></div>
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Now I can understand that the occasional Etsy shopper looking for Pippi Longstocking might click on the card to take a look, but they've been clicking in their hundreds! It's my most viewed item, week after week, month after month. Not only that, but the views far surpass any of my other items. Here are the stats for the last 30 days:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OAnWutemroF1uZa3NFpD2OmUMFkw9Y7z6V8GnV_ufKKi80b7cnV1QndoqMVXrgb4dqxCVwLd_CUyWXWXu3xfqbjm3tf6ulJl8EPnQVj5vud7IlcqIsgCIvrus7eayeVaVl5GLQFnYqNM/s1600/stats1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OAnWutemroF1uZa3NFpD2OmUMFkw9Y7z6V8GnV_ufKKi80b7cnV1QndoqMVXrgb4dqxCVwLd_CUyWXWXu3xfqbjm3tf6ulJl8EPnQVj5vud7IlcqIsgCIvrus7eayeVaVl5GLQFnYqNM/s1600/stats1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqd_qQwNs57etRFuqI8T9NcNQ4KwMNqIChinvLwXTzcvpYVx5e92TD8gmZaJ9HjsLOAQpUFzccZjdWqte6Tn9PcZZUB0hdnk0m0YaNMj5JYUDmw4-ah_kirjmAyxNo2VH4BlbSUQCW4uh/s1600/stats2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqd_qQwNs57etRFuqI8T9NcNQ4KwMNqIChinvLwXTzcvpYVx5e92TD8gmZaJ9HjsLOAQpUFzccZjdWqte6Tn9PcZZUB0hdnk0m0YaNMj5JYUDmw4-ah_kirjmAyxNo2VH4BlbSUQCW4uh/s1600/stats2.jpg" /></a></div>
So you can see 'Pippi' is the top search term by a mile and a half and then a bit more on top! I'm going to call it 'The Pippi Effect', and try to sell this idea as a new marketing strategy.<br />
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But really, I'm completely baffled. How can an item that isn't even anything to do with Pippi Longstocking get so many views from the Pippi search? Why are so many people searching for Pippi in the first place? It's a cute card, and I guess the picture draws people in to take a look, but it's an odd one. The interweb is just full of weird happenings, I guess. </div>
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Disappointingly, despite the many views, very few people added it to their favourites, and nobody bought it ... until today! </div>
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So the mystery is coming to an end. The Pippi Effect is over. What will happen now? Well, for a start, I imagine the number of views for my shop will plummet. Unless people start searching for some other obscure character. Or maybe I can start the Bonkers Old Doll Effect?</div>
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Kitsch and Curioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199950395051649169noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714609757634245131.post-87800741887174998162016-01-23T17:31:00.000+00:002016-01-23T17:31:19.480+00:00Don't Look, Ethel!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharYTrB7XmTz6RGJBZmWNYmDiDFErR8elg6rg5YE1w-fHxDgCfhzmVdgJmY7QFaRCMSVhTmfTorRUizKTkzudr8cmiezIc_Geq2A8BvIX1q7rV7n-Qog_y8CgUF6VUs7OIHudVm9AuSTbP/s1600/alarm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharYTrB7XmTz6RGJBZmWNYmDiDFErR8elg6rg5YE1w-fHxDgCfhzmVdgJmY7QFaRCMSVhTmfTorRUizKTkzudr8cmiezIc_Geq2A8BvIX1q7rV7n-Qog_y8CgUF6VUs7OIHudVm9AuSTbP/s400/alarm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I feel a bit dirty today, because of something I did last night. Now, before your imagination runs amok, I'd better explain. For the first time ever, I listed something in my Etsy shop that needed a 'MATURE CONTENT' warning. <br />
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What was this scandalous object? Well, my shop is called Kitsch and Curious for a reason. You see, as well as all the kitsch stuff I love, I also have a hankering for curious objects. And among the curiosities that I have a hankering for, are weird bits of folk art and tribal art. <br />
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And back in the day, when there were many hippy shops selling Indian or South American knick-knacks and whatnots, I used to pick up odd things that took my fancy. At some point, I bought these small Peruvian figures. Fertility figures. With... details. And doing...certain activities. <br />
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If you're over 18 and curious, you can <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/265047687/four-miniature-fertility-figures-vintage?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">see the listing</a>. If not, here are some kittens to look at instead.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIaINdvY96sXna2txb80J0m6qpQyx1ZSjJ51etg-35UrJ0ihyphenhyphenSwm6_HLpFPudBd-EJpk4mQJ0F5_9R5ca-3JadWDUHOY5ODuTuFQFNep7DQfNeEPsgjK11NQlORYrfbyOj2Glmh56pket/s1600/kittens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIaINdvY96sXna2txb80J0m6qpQyx1ZSjJ51etg-35UrJ0ihyphenhyphenSwm6_HLpFPudBd-EJpk4mQJ0F5_9R5ca-3JadWDUHOY5ODuTuFQFNep7DQfNeEPsgjK11NQlORYrfbyOj2Glmh56pket/s400/kittens.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Extra bonus points, if you remembered my blog title comes from </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxUfg3uCBbg" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">here</span></a><br />
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Kitsch and Curioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199950395051649169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714609757634245131.post-88331571345931118632015-12-30T00:17:00.001+00:002015-12-30T00:17:38.087+00:00Death and Textiles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKRl0uwV4a23GVtcD89kDI2-j4sJF91WJTVvlxuKr9Ey91QJ2w4KGE01s38kIr8Njv4Ba1Uyz-htmqylu-pI5n-i5MAIKE4VPmGCtRNlx87E2EtObGdOizAa1atMp-4DzCyKOKUoY7BHw/s1600/deathmuseum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKRl0uwV4a23GVtcD89kDI2-j4sJF91WJTVvlxuKr9Ey91QJ2w4KGE01s38kIr8Njv4Ba1Uyz-htmqylu-pI5n-i5MAIKE4VPmGCtRNlx87E2EtObGdOizAa1atMp-4DzCyKOKUoY7BHw/s320/deathmuseum.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
Had a quick trip into Bristol just before Christmas for a teeny bit of shopping, but mostly to visit <a href="http://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/bristol-museum-and-art-gallery/whats-on/death-human-experience/" target="_blank">Death - The human experience</a>, an exhibition at Bristol Museum. As ever, I was drawn to the textile and tribal pieces like this Igbo dance costume.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXjQTHlaqE_Flst_MuYICH7jPCeMb31TWu3XztYx43shfLV0OVynSssMX2BEryevBHqd7kPHOxKaNbVozWYL2073J_-1tycGUVj-GSjBxdW08bEsvWxGejw8LagRn-xsb_GhDPO204lrs0/s1600/deathcostume.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXjQTHlaqE_Flst_MuYICH7jPCeMb31TWu3XztYx43shfLV0OVynSssMX2BEryevBHqd7kPHOxKaNbVozWYL2073J_-1tycGUVj-GSjBxdW08bEsvWxGejw8LagRn-xsb_GhDPO204lrs0/s400/deathcostume.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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And this Aboriginal 'coffin' (a sort of urn for bones)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrM0fwiwEsY-EG2MMsdR6-AHIDzKw1GiyM9RXT8V07gaCLbn9T-WbLDPApiHYIhVDRBAUnwWcAhV9JC3sNH7EtOPQYDugku8127s90BrrG8AAyxG_v3xvdp4KSuh-7KSz9hIaej2v6vare/s1600/deathaborigine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrM0fwiwEsY-EG2MMsdR6-AHIDzKw1GiyM9RXT8V07gaCLbn9T-WbLDPApiHYIhVDRBAUnwWcAhV9JC3sNH7EtOPQYDugku8127s90BrrG8AAyxG_v3xvdp4KSuh-7KSz9hIaej2v6vare/s400/deathaborigine.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
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The exhibition tries to show artefacts relating to death in various different cultures, but lack of space (and presumably resources too) meant that the choices seemed a bit random. But there were plenty of interesting items, including this spectacular lion-shaped coffin.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFoP5IE3Sf6btUgAUKQbmV49djX1Df-3smve-wze4KEtiISN4kq_6CSfOoOBhyphenhyphenFJcteRYX7a2eStanYOXXVNh8qnrQX9bTck6txO11iW0WoapR5gLURxcYY1ME0C4ekHILToZvJXNoS6k/s1600/deathlion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFoP5IE3Sf6btUgAUKQbmV49djX1Df-3smve-wze4KEtiISN4kq_6CSfOoOBhyphenhyphenFJcteRYX7a2eStanYOXXVNh8qnrQX9bTck6txO11iW0WoapR5gLURxcYY1ME0C4ekHILToZvJXNoS6k/s400/deathlion.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
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I intended visiting over a month ago, but was thwarted by a particularly nasty and lingering cold that everyone has been enjoying like it was the latest fashion. So I was very pleased to finally get there. </div>
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The day was made even better by discovering a rather wonderful <a href="http://clifton-hill.co.uk/" target="_blank">vintage textile shop</a> on our way to the museum.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKc_uGqt29eKvbuB0ksbv_icDyGJKN4ytlpEhfbC1rQQo1hk_Inq8VIKLloVemRfRwSE_NTwYf3c9dvdicuPYZHDz8mueqBgANclf2owpsK6a8pPY3HB2b2r8y_8LKDqvN7itMqtJOK6g/s1600/shop1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKc_uGqt29eKvbuB0ksbv_icDyGJKN4ytlpEhfbC1rQQo1hk_Inq8VIKLloVemRfRwSE_NTwYf3c9dvdicuPYZHDz8mueqBgANclf2owpsK6a8pPY3HB2b2r8y_8LKDqvN7itMqtJOK6g/s400/shop1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I remember this shop from many years ago, when it was one of those tantalising places that never opened, but through the window, you could see overflowing cabinets of vintage haberdashery, sparkly jewellery and general loveliness. Now somebody else owns the shop, but the cabinets are still in there, and there is a lot of loveliness. There was also a very chatty and friendly gent, busy at his sewing machine, who welcomed and entertained us as we browsed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHX_8GN-A3KBplSkgS6ByRpBKBGR361nIa5qTr_nN3fyTKw7hsDPa4L_SkmNfO5yDxzlboRKR3R4MHD49VahhurLFqeUpPoZDEusLj1qmja1S-K6np0iqgtkZUZokQYSLfVbWYXyxIRbEk/s1600/shop3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHX_8GN-A3KBplSkgS6ByRpBKBGR361nIa5qTr_nN3fyTKw7hsDPa4L_SkmNfO5yDxzlboRKR3R4MHD49VahhurLFqeUpPoZDEusLj1qmja1S-K6np0iqgtkZUZokQYSLfVbWYXyxIRbEk/s400/shop3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
It was altogether a lovely experience, especially as I bought four vintage hankies and a small piece of fabric for the very reasonable price of £3.50! So if you're a textile enthusiast and find yourself anywhere near Lower Clifton Hill in Bristol, I recommend a visit.Kitsch and Curioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199950395051649169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714609757634245131.post-79849540325168595432015-09-11T22:23:00.000+01:002015-09-11T22:23:18.213+01:00Dismal-ish<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGv0hvk8Jccb9gtCcnQlqnFjG2USpi8S20BEOJ4u9anqfV0av0aQGrPP7LvAxct6CRCs_0fZq4JsPX6xW48L6kzra2LzJjWPSnVu_LAG40G3ZV8kLIbEYoa0o6CXmj4UzZmmNBcDNtm8wA/s1600/dismal2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGv0hvk8Jccb9gtCcnQlqnFjG2USpi8S20BEOJ4u9anqfV0av0aQGrPP7LvAxct6CRCs_0fZq4JsPX6xW48L6kzra2LzJjWPSnVu_LAG40G3ZV8kLIbEYoa0o6CXmj4UzZmmNBcDNtm8wA/s400/dismal2.jpg" width="291" /></a></div>
Guess where I've been? Unless you've been under a a very large rock wearing a blindfold and noise-cancelling headphones for the last few weeks, you will recognise that this is <a href="http://dismaland.co.uk/map/" target="_blank">Dismaland</a>, Banksy's new exhibition at Weston-super-Mare.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-lmYzQ2ubZORzUrxnl5vjJhKvN3VL0LQ1Sx8WHEb7kxKgjlR3H1JrpFJFsirTculj_FEs6sBpEVX2fvpAYzHnstCi4cJzRC7B-sqM_JxbYCoQ6VmW6cFXMXErBhSUvMQCADqoCSaiMuh/s1600/dismal1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-lmYzQ2ubZORzUrxnl5vjJhKvN3VL0LQ1Sx8WHEb7kxKgjlR3H1JrpFJFsirTculj_FEs6sBpEVX2fvpAYzHnstCi4cJzRC7B-sqM_JxbYCoQ6VmW6cFXMXErBhSUvMQCADqoCSaiMuh/s400/dismal1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Rig Jig by Mike Ross</td></tr>
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Weston is the next town along the coast from where I live, so I was extremely excited when the news broke about this. I loved the exhibition he put on in Bristol in 2009. (Funnily enough I never blogged about it at the time. I think I wrote something and never published it, although I did put <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kitschandcurious/3733136298/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank">some photos on Flickr.)</a> I love the fact that Banksy still does these big events out here in the provinces, and doesn't forget his hometown.<br />
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In fact I was all geared up to try to go the locals' free preview, but as well as being a resident of North Somerset, I discovered you had to have a special coupon from the Weston newspaper, so I had to just buy a ticket like the rest of the known world.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_AoD76E-WFeeMC3zIc5-4MszsaN7-1tCj1vsJXxV1Z6gfIok9qARGVXBZ50QzIUAZvev1F2LtR7KFkDyzbiB7SMLeWKZYE3sLeFZZs52Mw7ZCXfxYUAaOXx03zUeBLDy1SBr1hzZdPKA/s1600/dismal7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_AoD76E-WFeeMC3zIc5-4MszsaN7-1tCj1vsJXxV1Z6gfIok9qARGVXBZ50QzIUAZvev1F2LtR7KFkDyzbiB7SMLeWKZYE3sLeFZZs52Mw7ZCXfxYUAaOXx03zUeBLDy1SBr1hzZdPKA/s400/dismal7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Although the dismal 'bemusement park' concept is Banksy's, and there are several large works by him, the majority of the work is by other artists. These other works complement Banksy's, because they fit the concept and/or share his political/satirical stance. (They include Damien Hurst, David Shrigley, Julie Burchill, Jimmy Cauty <a href="http://dismaland.co.uk/artists/" target="_blank">and many more</a>.) So essentially we got treated to a major exhibition of contemporary art - in Weston!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59M8fs5_neuHqN9YH4zND-8wy9tcDvj4XvsKKFAgct5MYwchYwR812Z9jdnaIl34lAk3BaWHQDwF84LyyMfEntOBxqhJ0ZoUO2YC7TLW6WV_aQEpyIQkz4DxmpQetYY332BGDBqdNCKFe/s1600/dismal10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59M8fs5_neuHqN9YH4zND-8wy9tcDvj4XvsKKFAgct5MYwchYwR812Z9jdnaIl34lAk3BaWHQDwF84LyyMfEntOBxqhJ0ZoUO2YC7TLW6WV_aQEpyIQkz4DxmpQetYY332BGDBqdNCKFe/s400/dismal10.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Work by Maskull Lasserre</td></tr>
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And thousands of people bought tickets and queued up to see all this art. This is another thing I love about Banksy - he makes work that people want to see. It's funny and provocative, and not too subtle. In <a href="http://dismaland.co.uk/interview/" target="_blank">this interview</a>, he compares it to music, and I think that's really valid - not everything has to be highbrow. <br />
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But at the same time as being popular, he has a subversive stance. All the nice middle-class visitors to Dismaland get to see the 'Comrades Advice Bureau', with stalls promoting <a href="http://strikemag.org/" target="_blank">Strike Magazine</a>, <a href="http://www.acorncommunities.org.uk/" target="_blank">Acorn</a>, and selling tools to hack into bus shelter advertising. I think it's brilliant that he gives these non-profit organisations a massive opportunity to promote themselves. <br />
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I didn't get photos of everything, so what I'm showing you is a little bit random. Predictably enough, some my favourite pieces involved textiles. This is cross-stitch embroidery on a car bonnet. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgb9G_408BVE3Is8s0IIN1rst2Q8LPI0PKsFmSLkreOS1ZxrkfU2AiatvFjlEyC4pFK0BCc1SjFwSRGswMyy04bOERtT2PlpZMdNZy0BuVdHydeoITA_woBCOsEZFfB5hkdEaDbqToGi1/s1600/dismal3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgb9G_408BVE3Is8s0IIN1rst2Q8LPI0PKsFmSLkreOS1ZxrkfU2AiatvFjlEyC4pFK0BCc1SjFwSRGswMyy04bOERtT2PlpZMdNZy0BuVdHydeoITA_woBCOsEZFfB5hkdEaDbqToGi1/s400/dismal3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Take a closer look -<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1BpG7Q6A3ltw96iF0LIZQvDcrVy9fgrxB5VNvuq9IweJvgj4TLP_eMLEpX8-kl2ou83eqlB57TAqB8KH042eUy4TxbXOxXeH3Q0IKgovwVnh4684C6I2j0IcT73ioeXXKysWZlhmUOoO/s1600/dismal4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1BpG7Q6A3ltw96iF0LIZQvDcrVy9fgrxB5VNvuq9IweJvgj4TLP_eMLEpX8-kl2ou83eqlB57TAqB8KH042eUy4TxbXOxXeH3Q0IKgovwVnh4684C6I2j0IcT73ioeXXKysWZlhmUOoO/s400/dismal4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Extraordinary work by Severija Inčirauskaitė-Kriaunevičienė from Lithuania, referencing traditional embroidery from her region.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54PCZCueGidGnZwfoZrYc1o2urBjYfv5_lhy74IqIl-fCmhzbxZ5ehtXxeo3o4nxBU86AYAnUt5A-bvsxYXplqgqZ7AlWA3_8AObuiYQmO2pEe-SNMycGCu6FTHu1_xrR5FGlZFk361jr/s1600/dismal5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54PCZCueGidGnZwfoZrYc1o2urBjYfv5_lhy74IqIl-fCmhzbxZ5ehtXxeo3o4nxBU86AYAnUt5A-bvsxYXplqgqZ7AlWA3_8AObuiYQmO2pEe-SNMycGCu6FTHu1_xrR5FGlZFk361jr/s400/dismal5.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
I liked this, but at the same time I'm a little bit unsure. Is it a bit too gimmicky? Not sure of the relationship between a car wreck and embroidery. I think I preferred the domestic reference of her embroidery on irons - more controlled cross stitch too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMNILv4r47B0OVt5IupMUBW7uWfMBckGYsGe66Cu4DCXiPtsvbG4UtUEUoxVECpBpGhDst0Jldb6hk4Hk7DVUyHLF8H3oywV_5iA_SAKmYDH9iwG0gaPiOSWQQ_PR0GJ0Mt0IkXvBZ4aY/s1600/dismal6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMNILv4r47B0OVt5IupMUBW7uWfMBckGYsGe66Cu4DCXiPtsvbG4UtUEUoxVECpBpGhDst0Jldb6hk4Hk7DVUyHLF8H3oywV_5iA_SAKmYDH9iwG0gaPiOSWQQ_PR0GJ0Mt0IkXvBZ4aY/s400/dismal6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I really liked the colour and vigour of this large-scale painting by Barry Reigate.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcUQZx4R2qDY3fS68dWK3GD0-57G9XhMA9FK_0Of3PAeihXuAR8ZeQfNA4YJjX-nIGD0AUYlBam1mDKC6kQvHssrESJY4jWGs6UmhWMbXmLJ2hmL75iBxOHvNsGP-Zn-sI3RTYVan_i6-D/s1600/dismal11.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcUQZx4R2qDY3fS68dWK3GD0-57G9XhMA9FK_0Of3PAeihXuAR8ZeQfNA4YJjX-nIGD0AUYlBam1mDKC6kQvHssrESJY4jWGs6UmhWMbXmLJ2hmL75iBxOHvNsGP-Zn-sI3RTYVan_i6-D/s400/dismal11.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>
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But some of my favourite things were not artworks at all, but the dilapidated old children's rides that were dotted about the place. (Trust me to choose vintage tat over everything else)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDeniIGkNsH5AujJR8_H-tr6zK5lG3FajERQcq3sJI8lNOVOChyphenhyphenCf8yr4mwc7LWYYvQ7aBsNmeaJ1FeHY5zywKfAp09W1sRzz1QiI8Jr9tuTWpZxOSU2GA5kzeFWgCUO859K97zmpwAmK/s1600/dismal8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDeniIGkNsH5AujJR8_H-tr6zK5lG3FajERQcq3sJI8lNOVOChyphenhyphenCf8yr4mwc7LWYYvQ7aBsNmeaJ1FeHY5zywKfAp09W1sRzz1QiI8Jr9tuTWpZxOSU2GA5kzeFWgCUO859K97zmpwAmK/s320/dismal8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdxT5GRzT38fTRYb1zAMnp2b4XFSA5VtGVD5iAt_SoOg577BKQATue7LVyKCfyOyfTm39F7-_BsKSThP-U1t1eH0pomhd3aWZ99gRhhM9SF3hRYqHTCcXRnWwV2eSmfxvBwkUtMKbmEBb/s1600/dismal9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdxT5GRzT38fTRYb1zAMnp2b4XFSA5VtGVD5iAt_SoOg577BKQATue7LVyKCfyOyfTm39F7-_BsKSThP-U1t1eH0pomhd3aWZ99gRhhM9SF3hRYqHTCcXRnWwV2eSmfxvBwkUtMKbmEBb/s320/dismal9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmw1G-6bVHD-zjuPK-mbnRzALLmAQ0xyxkHSVL94PWrUx08tEALTRsM1Ht2qH-nnw2jIRTnI57pcNXjtBbyy_sjYS7YZkB66S9_4y3nwwZoZrZFG37mjm44-kWp1OlXY7GAFYUnlZRGQB/s1600/dismal12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmw1G-6bVHD-zjuPK-mbnRzALLmAQ0xyxkHSVL94PWrUx08tEALTRsM1Ht2qH-nnw2jIRTnI57pcNXjtBbyy_sjYS7YZkB66S9_4y3nwwZoZrZFG37mjm44-kWp1OlXY7GAFYUnlZRGQB/s320/dismal12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Outside the galleries, I found the air of dilapidation and misery a bit depressing at times, which I suppose was the general idea. It didn't help that I was a bit tired, and I'm never too happy in big crowds, but there did seem to be something a bit sad about hordes of people enjoying themselves in a crumbling concrete enclosure, with crappy sideshows, where the overall message was about what's wrong in this world. <br />
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Having said that, I <em>did</em> enjoy it, especially when we had a ride on the scarily-old and creaking ferris wheel ('Safer than Alton Towers', as one of the 'Notional Trust' guides told us). Definitely the best day out in Weston-super-Mare I've had for a long time! (And that includes the day we went on the pier and bought sombreros). Recommended. (The next batch of tickets goes on sale on the 16th.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0QIIcRcfHHkYoDEzN8Sa1kcdJ9DMKgOO_HbufBbRGML5pJxqgNO6Zdz0Lg0NPcczZiTJ_KFZj9fxv8RXajWT8gHTyFCsehsLO7GHO6zBx9S8LEvScvVpoWV1mb-SAarjen6Ni_Bp6QJM/s1600/dismal13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0QIIcRcfHHkYoDEzN8Sa1kcdJ9DMKgOO_HbufBbRGML5pJxqgNO6Zdz0Lg0NPcczZiTJ_KFZj9fxv8RXajWT8gHTyFCsehsLO7GHO6zBx9S8LEvScvVpoWV1mb-SAarjen6Ni_Bp6QJM/s400/dismal13.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy, happy, happy</td></tr>
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Kitsch and Curioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199950395051649169noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714609757634245131.post-68519080181073750282015-07-28T22:21:00.001+01:002015-07-28T22:29:08.558+01:00Who is Elsie? What is she?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaSbSR8_qkoVkVtutfZ3YmalpO87-u9-lZbcS5y8P4WpFWZGhpRJdlhl6m6EuRGg1Q6TrbuV0Bm1fBq5-wNRRCZwXW4TL61G4_QQvMQVAugVWFeLgHmDcbxuAwM9LW9HX6jtgSDSdx3lL/s1600/brooches_0715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaSbSR8_qkoVkVtutfZ3YmalpO87-u9-lZbcS5y8P4WpFWZGhpRJdlhl6m6EuRGg1Q6TrbuV0Bm1fBq5-wNRRCZwXW4TL61G4_QQvMQVAugVWFeLgHmDcbxuAwM9LW9HX6jtgSDSdx3lL/s400/brooches_0715.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I have just revived my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ElsieJones" target="_blank">Elsie Jones Etsy shop</a>, with a batch of handmade felt brooches, above. (What do you think of them?) I've decided to stick with my 'nom de plume' of Elsie, which as some of you know is not my real name. I'm actually Elaine, but Elaine Jones is a pretty common name and there is a rather good artist by that name, so when I set up a website for my art, I decided to <a href="http://kitschandcurious.blogspot.co.uk/2010/08/creative-wednesday-dolls-have-eyes-and.html" target="_blank">call myself Elsie</a>. This enabled me to get the domain name of ElsieJones.co.uk and I've stuck with it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22YHadkA9z1SP5p57K7v0aUc2qjvlZnTQfg7VgdCTvk1cib4r3y5cykGQrovQAoblUVTRvyK2D8LlD8KuPiLKFVBXbP4Goz0zmsDTFYG8LUwozgalNYtuUv5nUToOgQ0kDIkCf_dlgN04/s1600/2boxstickerflat.jpg"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22YHadkA9z1SP5p57K7v0aUc2qjvlZnTQfg7VgdCTvk1cib4r3y5cykGQrovQAoblUVTRvyK2D8LlD8KuPiLKFVBXbP4Goz0zmsDTFYG8LUwozgalNYtuUv5nUToOgQ0kDIkCf_dlgN04/s200/2boxstickerflat.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQEAuR2ba7R-ir2-TRWAOtq7xW2-uiNOIBuK4ss18wTeUq8kFNJbvznu8uvfBu7m9g_Br2qSdcrAsuQcmbj3VSIUplt0QFNEwAryjkwb_dzKrFO3zbjs3DKebhbOEVCmeCBBrwqwQ3sMyj/s1600/1boxstickerflat.jpg"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQEAuR2ba7R-ir2-TRWAOtq7xW2-uiNOIBuK4ss18wTeUq8kFNJbvznu8uvfBu7m9g_Br2qSdcrAsuQcmbj3VSIUplt0QFNEwAryjkwb_dzKrFO3zbjs3DKebhbOEVCmeCBBrwqwQ3sMyj/s200/1boxstickerflat.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAkB7dGa__X3hdthFV1SMs0laD-ctcpeb6Vb7q1WR8gQqHZUU15pRNIQH1CBtYPz1BU-sEhbyc3tRbYXUO8rQRwbIJmPw0sAHmItCCrH1twKKA2HKVg2mjTmhGus6eoPtvmSRwXVAjfCy/s1600/3boxstickerflat.jpg"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAkB7dGa__X3hdthFV1SMs0laD-ctcpeb6Vb7q1WR8gQqHZUU15pRNIQH1CBtYPz1BU-sEhbyc3tRbYXUO8rQRwbIJmPw0sAHmItCCrH1twKKA2HKVg2mjTmhGus6eoPtvmSRwXVAjfCy/s200/3boxstickerflat.jpg" /></a>
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Around the same time, I started using Facebook, and because I was convinced I would only use it for promoting my work and networking with other artists (obviously that only lasted about 5 minutes!), I used Elsie as my Facebook name. That has become just a personal account, so now I've just set up an <a href="https://www.facebook.com/elsiejonesart" target="_blank">Elsie Jones Facebook page</a> for my artistic endeavours. (I'd love to get more 'likes' there, so if you'd like to see my work in progress and textile art of all sorts, please visit/like/share etc.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahHj9y9MPju7Cwn8wyvPs0M0yKL0TiBmWvCKWqB6FS6VlBeHlcEJCUvVA2hJRMU_O2fGwI6hklHUsz33kibqy91QLPmF1-B6f37dOoHnWxA218InJ0eD57h3wwLzXAZw9355bkE_5wQ-K/s1600/Fbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahHj9y9MPju7Cwn8wyvPs0M0yKL0TiBmWvCKWqB6FS6VlBeHlcEJCUvVA2hJRMU_O2fGwI6hklHUsz33kibqy91QLPmF1-B6f37dOoHnWxA218InJ0eD57h3wwLzXAZw9355bkE_5wQ-K/s320/Fbook.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I still have my Kitsch and Curious <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/kitschandcurious" target="_blank">shop</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KitschandCurious" target="_blank">FB page</a> for selling vintage stuff, but that might go on the back burner for a little while.<br />
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Instead, I'm going to concentrate on making things. I'm really enjoying working with felt, and making small wearable items. I've tried needle felting now, which is great fun, although any craft that involves someone as clumsy as me me stabbing away with a viciously sharp needle is probably not ideal.<br />
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I'm also loving the opportunity to use vintage kitsch buttons from my stash. I have a huge stash of trinkets and knick-knacks, frippery and gimcracks and am trying to use them in various assemblages. Here's one I did a while back, which will be in my shop soon.<br />
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Kitsch and Curioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199950395051649169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714609757634245131.post-41247610888089722082015-07-01T23:55:00.000+01:002015-07-02T00:01:38.689+01:00Felting, Melting, Feeling, Healing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So this is what I've been up to today. I'll be honest, wet-felting is not the most fun you can have on a hot summer afternoon. Rubbing bits of wool in very hot water and detergent makes you sweaty and tired, but I love the hot weather and I'd rather be melting felting than chilling quilling! I'm making these felt 'buttons' as the basis for brooches. The technique I use is a <a href="http://www.feltmakers.com/techniques" target="_blank">basic one for making felt beads</a>, but I flatten each one slightly, to get a sort of 'Smartie' shape (or is it more like a Minstrel? And why are my analogies all chocolate-based?) But they do look a bit edible, once they're all laid out to dry.<br />
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Here's one I made earlier, after I've sewn some beads on.<br />
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My plan is to start a new shop on Etsy for my 'makes', once I've got a few more designs finished. I know, I've been muttering about this for a long time, but as some of you know, I've had a few distractions lately. Ten days ago, I had an operation to have my gallbladder removed. It's a fairly routine op, normally done as day surgery, but unfortunately I had a very infected gallbladder, and had to stay in overnight. The stay in hospital seemed longer, as I'd already spent the day before in a hospital cubicle, waiting for surgery and then had to go home when they ran out of time. <br />
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I'm guessing they may have run out of time for some of the patients after me, as the surgeon told me my surgery, which should have taken 40 minutes, actually took three hours. As ever, I'm extremely grateful for all the lovely NHS people who looked after me. <br />
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I'm also grateful for Mr Kitsch, who ran round after me once I got home. He's a treasure. And now I'm nearly back to normal ('Normal!', she laughs.)<br />
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Yes, this is exactly how I looked right after the op. <em><span style="font-size: x-small;">(It's actually work by Freddie Strickland, from the Falmouth Uni Degree Show.)</span></em><br />
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Embroidery seems especially appropriate as an illustration, as I've been thinking today about the links between surgery and needlework - they both involve cutting and stitching, invisible mending and sometimes patchwork. I just hope I don't start fraying!Kitsch and Curioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199950395051649169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714609757634245131.post-49010806882248135342015-06-17T23:50:00.000+01:002015-06-17T23:51:36.408+01:00Cornish Treasure<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkSi8sVwS8He0dkZXi6eEWKxDKYZyPvSPcmvyj3AQBr5Yx_Qrl2V71wrU9rktgNpZPOj6gSyzWmfcjoX5Ehgp-VcxnLsPkWsFy-_EnoM0AbcoJDAf2OFf2K51p6UOkBPigzr4y3L_1dSl/s1600/penrynknockers2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkSi8sVwS8He0dkZXi6eEWKxDKYZyPvSPcmvyj3AQBr5Yx_Qrl2V71wrU9rktgNpZPOj6gSyzWmfcjoX5Ehgp-VcxnLsPkWsFy-_EnoM0AbcoJDAf2OFf2K51p6UOkBPigzr4y3L_1dSl/s400/penrynknockers2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The door-knockers of Penryn</td></tr>
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Sometimes things work out rather nicely don't they? Mr Kitsch and I had no thought of going on holiday this year, when a friend asked if anyone fancied looking after her cats while she went away. And this friend just happens to live in a cottage in Cornwall. Suddenly we had the chance of an ultra-cheap getaway, and doing our friend a favour at the same time. Win-win!<br />
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So at the very end of May we set off for two weeks in Penryn (next door to Falmouth), and we had a brilliant time! I'd forgotten just how gorgeous Cornwall can be. There were wild flowers everywhere, and the sea was blue! Now, some of you may not be amazed by a blue sea, but those of us who live near the Bristol Channel are used to the sea being permanently brown, as all the silt flows out of the River Severn. So golden sands and blue seas are a rare treat for us.<br />
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We also benefited from the - ahem! - use of a pair of National Trust membership cards that were very kindly lent to us. Now before you 'tut tut' at this, you have to realise that without the cards, we wouldn't have visited these places at all, and we did buy a cup of tea or an ice-cream at the three places we visited. Two of them were gardens - Trelissick and Glendurgan.<br />
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On our last full day, we went to St Michaels Mount, (the third NT place). The sun shone its socks off all day, so the views across the bay seemed positively Mediterranean. It didn't feel quite like that though, as there was a violent wind blowing all day too. The climb to the top was pretty challenging - stumbling up over a steep uneven rocky path with my hair blowing across my eyes, and my knees in a sorry state from all the other walking we'd done. But it was a place I've wanted to visit for a while, and I'm so glad I got there. I loved the huge variety of succulents in the gardens - so sculptural.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Windows in St Michael's Mount</td></tr>
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This travelogue stuff is all very well, I hear you cry, but what about the important stuff? Did I buy any kitsch? Did I? Oh, you know the answer to that, don't you? Penryn and Falmouth both had marvellous car boot sales, where I got a bit carried away. Yes, that is a teacup FULL of mother of pearl buttons in the picture below! (Gloat, gloat!)<br />
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And there were really good charity shops, where I got some wonderful bargains - (a pile of vintage knitting patterns and magazines for £1? I think so!). I really had to restrain myself, and I didn't spend more than £1.50 on anything - most of it was a lot less.</div>
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The knitting pattern ladies display a variety of 'natural' poses.</div>
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Amongst a stash of cards from the 1900s to the 1940s, I picked up a few old photos including this formidable-looking old lady. I think the caption says she's 'Aunt Eliza'.</div>
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All-in-all, I had a lovely time with sun, sea and frugal vintage shopping. It reminded me that you don't need to spend lots of money to have fun - but it really helps to have such lovely friends!</div>
Kitsch and Curioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199950395051649169noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714609757634245131.post-15004371080950849022015-05-14T23:09:00.000+01:002015-05-14T23:10:49.151+01:00North by North Somerset<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art = Happy</td></tr>
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Last week was <a href="http://www.northsomersetarts.org/Arts%20Week%202015" target="_blank">North Somerset Arts Week</a>. I didn't visit many places, but did go to see an exhibition by the Embroiderer's Guild. I'd bumped into a very friendly lady who was a member, and she'd told me about their workshops and the <a href="http://www.northsomersetarts.org/see%20all%20venues?bc=Cleeve&an=&ac=&ab=&img_id=232&vid=225" target="_blank">exhibition in the village hall in Cleeve</a>. The standard of work there was amazing. Some of the stitching was teeny-tiny. I had to get my reading glasses out! (Yes, I <strong>am</strong> that old.) Unfortunately I didn't get my camera out, so no photos, but there are obviously some very talented local members.<br />
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I am always drawn to textiles of all kinds, so was delighted to discover there was another<a href="http://www.northsomersetarts.org/see%20all%20venues?bc=Cleeve&an=&ac=&ab=&img_id=202&vid=205" target="_blank"> textile exhibition in Cleeve</a> - this one of weaving. (I really want to try some weaving, and was given a small loom for Christmas, but have yet to get to grips with it.) The extra-added-super-bonus was discovering it was attached to a small wool shop there that I didn't know about! It's called <a href="http://www.artequalshappy.co.uk/" target="_blank">AlterKnit Universe</a> and is utterly charming - full of lovely recycled yarn, locally produced alpaca and cute accessories. Their website is well worth a look.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dodgy phone photo - yes, that IS my finger, top left.</td></tr>
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They even have a yarn swap basket, where you can bring in a ball of yarn and swap it for a different one out of the basket. This might be just what I need, as I have a mountainous stash of yarn, and cannot possibly justify buying more.<br />
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My friend <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/RebeccaWeeksArt" target="_blank">Rebecca</a> was also exhibiting as part of the Arts Week, but unfortunately I didn't get as far as <a href="http://www.northsomersetarts.org/see%20all%20venues?bc=Weston-Super-Mare&an=&ac=&ab=&img_id=220&vid=177" target="_blank">Loves Cafe</a> in Weston-super-Mare to see her work. Her quirky prints combine the cute and the strange in a wonderful cartoony style.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girl and Fawn by Rebecca Weeks</td></tr>
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So who needs the big city for art and culture?Kitsch and Curioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199950395051649169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714609757634245131.post-85761546853089184382015-05-10T17:29:00.000+01:002015-05-10T17:29:55.275+01:00Hello? Is anybody still there?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now, where was I? I just popped away from my blog for a minute, got distracted, and now it appears three years have gone by. How does that happen? </div>
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I'm not really sure. I've posted occasional weirdness on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/KitschandCurious?" target="_blank">Kitsch and Curious Facebook</a> page, and I have pinned like the very devil on<a href="https://uk.pinterest.com/elsiejones/" target="_blank"> Pinterest</a>, but I just haven't really been in the mood to write much. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few finds I just couldn't resist.</td></tr>
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But now I'm here again, and I suppose I ought to keep you up to date. Well. a few things have changed since my last post. I've moved house, for one thing. Mr Kitsch and I decided to leave Bristol, and move a few miles away, to the lovely seaside town of Clevedon. Well, I say 'seaside', but to be more accurate, the dull brown water we can just see from the window of our flat is actually the Bristol Channel. But Clevdon has a beach and a pier and seaweed and gulls and ice-cream, so I think that counts as the seaside. And it has great sunsets...<br />
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When we moved in 2013, my plan was to give up selling vintage and concentrate on handmade craft makings. Yes, well...somehow, that didn't happen, as I kept going through my endless collections and thinning them out. The local charity shops received a lot, but I've also sold some too. <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/kitschandcurious" target="_blank">My Kitsch and Curious Etsy shop</a> has waxed and waned depending on how ruthless I was feeling.<br />
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Our flat is small, and I don't have room to keep much stock, so I still intend to wind down the vintage shop eventually. I'll never be a minimalist, but as well as a lack of space, a lack of funds has made me reconsider some of my collecting habits. Paying for a storage unit, as we did for some time, makes you think long and hard about the value of keeping some bits of vintage kitsch, just for the hell of it. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No, I'm not <em>totally </em>reformed...</td></tr>
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So, although my shelves are still loaded, I've reformed my vintage-collecting ways a fair bit in the last couple of years. But when I was feeling hard done by because I couldn't go vintage shopping, I received wonderful random things from people's attics or fabric stashes. Both from friends in blogland and in real life. You know who you are and I thank you.<br />
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I'm also immensely grateful for all the other support from family and friends in the past couple of years. Our financial situation has been up and down and is still a bit precarious, but we're still afloat. In some ways, I quite like the simplicity of not being able to spend money - there are less decisions to make. And we're not starving (far from it - as evidenced by my expanding waistline!). <br />
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I've been making textile jewellery and some other craft pieces, and I plan to have a new Etsy shop for those very soon. This photo is of some of the prototypes I made last year, but I think the newer ones are better.<br />
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So now I feel ready to share my collecting and making again. But is there anybody out there to share with? I'd really appreciate a quick comment or 'Hello', if you've found this blog. Kitsch and Curioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199950395051649169noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714609757634245131.post-24070715696856933122012-05-10T22:27:00.002+01:002012-05-10T22:27:32.236+01:00Folk House Flea Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In my usual absent-minded way, I forgot to mention this in my last blog post. I'll be having a stall at the Folk House Flea Market on Saturday, which is safely in the warm and dry in the centre of Bristol, so we don't have to worry about the weather. Phew! There's usually a nice mix of craft and vintage there, so if you're in Bristol, do pop in!Kitsch and Curioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199950395051649169noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714609757634245131.post-46037660196294646932012-05-08T22:30:00.000+01:002012-05-09T01:24:37.435+01:00Crochet on a Wet Afternoon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It was very disappointing yesterday to discover our local bank holiday fair, the Redland May Fair, had been cancelled. Disappointing, but not altogether surprising, given that we are experiencing the monsoon season round these parts.<br />
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So we stayed in, watched some slightly trashy vintage TV (classic Star Trek and The Saint, with Roger Moore eyebrow-acting), and I did some cheerful crochet. I'm really enjoying these bright colours of yarn.<br />
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I did some colourful, doodly drawings recently, too. I used a doll's face as a starting point, and drew madly-patterned bodies for them.<br />
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It's very therapeutic, setting to with a bunch of felt pens and making patterns. I'd like to develop these further, but, as ever, I'm not sure how...Kitsch and Curioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199950395051649169noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714609757634245131.post-84092014406047081472012-04-27T16:25:00.000+01:002012-04-27T16:26:43.871+01:00Giving and Receiving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Why is it that when I have time to take photos, the clouds gather, the rain pours and it goes so very dark? Needless to say, when it's bright, I always have to go and do something else. I've tried in the past to make some sort of photo set-up with artificial light, but it's never very successful. Partly because I just don't have the space or the time to set up anything complicated. </div>
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Like most of us, my "photo studio" consists of plonking an object down on the dining table, possibly with a sheet of paper behind it, if I'm trying to look 'professional'. I then take a couple of quick photos before I have to clear it all away again.</div>
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So anyway, the bad weather is my excuse for taking so long to show you the lovely notebook that <a href="http://janehousham123.blogspot.co.uk/">Jane</a> sent me in her giveaway a couple of weeks ago. Thank you so much, Jane! The collage cover is fantastic, and I only wish my dull photos could do it justice. I especially like that there are photos of Jane herself peeking out from the cover. It makes it even more personal. <br />
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As you can see, the back is equally lovely, and so is the inside, as she has used all sorts of different papers. I think it might be too beautiful to use. I have a few notebooks like that! She also sent me some of her wonderful cards, which are clever and fun and stylish. <br />
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A few weeks ago, I spotted <a href="http://thecustards.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/whiling-away-wet-day.html">a marvellous little purse on The Custards blog</a>, and knew that I had to have a go at making one for a friend's birthday. Here's my version.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwY5JP3r9XFUxPzfEXAqmxnZZ7PDtxPhZogvzHUFdBSsdmsTUtNBxu6jJZvkd_B5l0oZTYRo4vYvkz0v9GWLhjvKxuT4p5RWXbDOpirXbUM1I8PPk-YXFaC6D6yWxbaGu1CJNDIhoKMa7/s1600/ribbonpurse1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwY5JP3r9XFUxPzfEXAqmxnZZ7PDtxPhZogvzHUFdBSsdmsTUtNBxu6jJZvkd_B5l0oZTYRo4vYvkz0v9GWLhjvKxuT4p5RWXbDOpirXbUM1I8PPk-YXFaC6D6yWxbaGu1CJNDIhoKMa7/s320/ribbonpurse1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It has such a pleasing design, as the whole thing unzips to become a length of ribbon, but zips up into a tetrahedron. I gave it to her yesterday, and she spent a lot of time zipping and unzipping it (it's very addictive), so I think it was a success! (Incidentally, the button pattern at the top of the blog is the birthday card I made for her.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHtcFP5vdRjcD2uS6GsVMslChnNHL-4vlrWiroOun9vQ2N70uED4cKeR4t9-9r0LeZC-c3G2hbsIrErj3H1pc0gFNSrRacin7kTnbul4PaHOYyCtUzAyjMsjd1FxIfvZfiPUyBafZchJV/s1600/ribbonpurse2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="351" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHtcFP5vdRjcD2uS6GsVMslChnNHL-4vlrWiroOun9vQ2N70uED4cKeR4t9-9r0LeZC-c3G2hbsIrErj3H1pc0gFNSrRacin7kTnbul4PaHOYyCtUzAyjMsjd1FxIfvZfiPUyBafZchJV/s400/ribbonpurse2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The purse tutorial is here <a href="http://www.craftpassion.com/2011/07/zip-itself-coin-purse-tutorial.html">http://www.craftpassion.com/2011/07/zip-itself-coin-purse-tutorial.html</a><br />
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Things have been quite busy here at the Kitsch Plaza. I have started doing some new (paid!) work, which although it's not creative, will help to put the focaccia on the table. (Well, you don't think I'd have just any bread, do you?)<br />
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And I have continued in my struggle to resist spending money, and to stop filling up the house with stuff. I've been quite good, but did buy a couple of things in a charity shop the other week. The little picture book is lovely - I might have to put the whole thing on here. And I think that's my new favourite plate.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hxSEHb_jgLtjBE_1ERu1Qh82WfC91Gwe4NDthYWn2jPJS0SVT5Nx2Xn37EKuNfHRYzZ-1BzDvHmEFAYyAB8hVtWBmMqM1Nx-roAqxM0ydEVSG4F8kOhAz2w5x6DfCFATROUZJMziyY1y/s1600/tiddleywinks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hxSEHb_jgLtjBE_1ERu1Qh82WfC91Gwe4NDthYWn2jPJS0SVT5Nx2Xn37EKuNfHRYzZ-1BzDvHmEFAYyAB8hVtWBmMqM1Nx-roAqxM0ydEVSG4F8kOhAz2w5x6DfCFATROUZJMziyY1y/s400/tiddleywinks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Kitsch and Curioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199950395051649169noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714609757634245131.post-87054531232978802492012-04-20T19:04:00.000+01:002012-04-21T14:48:14.496+01:00Jubilicious!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pbRrMw6ThTxkrBTJPLl9n7tAsqk4yNKdYgRMw8Dce5RZo4Kak_yFWa4GrSMAWseV9ntLdLahZ8a80poWRsoMb16up0JB0adHb-Yw7r-3lh7YtqDEVzX9xSm8T6ijGBsR4vf3poXA-lTv/s1600/jubileemix+(632x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pbRrMw6ThTxkrBTJPLl9n7tAsqk4yNKdYgRMw8Dce5RZo4Kak_yFWa4GrSMAWseV9ntLdLahZ8a80poWRsoMb16up0JB0adHb-Yw7r-3lh7YtqDEVzX9xSm8T6ijGBsR4vf3poXA-lTv/s400/jubileemix+(632x640).jpg" width="395" /></a></div>
It's a funny old world, isn't it? A few weeks ago, I got an email out of the blue, asking to use my strange Silver Jubilee souvenirs in an exhibition in London to mark this year's Diamond Jubilee. It was all because of <a href="http://curiousobject.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/rubbish-jubilee-souvenirs.html">this blog post</a> on my other blog.<br />
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I wasn't entirely sure about it. Did they think I was some sort of royal fanatic, with Prince William pillowcases and Union Jack sheets? Or that I spent my days with a lifesize cut-out of the Duke of Edinburgh and knitted corgis? But the organiser seemed to know where I was coming from, and it was going to be a fun and quirky exhibition, as part of the celebrations in Battersea Park.<br />
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Then this week, the emails really started flying. I was asked for some more photos for an article to promote the exhibition in The Evening Standard. It was supposed to appear today. I don't know if it did, but my can of Jubilade has now put in appearance on the <a href="http://www.thamesdiamondjubileepageant.org/NewsStory.aspx?id=74">Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant website</a>!<br />
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I was also asked various questions, and to send in a photo of myself posing with my royal collection! I'm afraid I was way too shy for that, and besides, my 'collection' is really just a few random bits of kitsch. </div>
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They are asking for more unusual or personal items of royal memorabilia, like craft projects etc., so if you have something you'd like to share, why not contact them?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7ye2S0CEqsIsv30Bz2taor2pSLNnt21H-PMzsKP5b2fT8wXJlRAQco6gqru2vNYzttN99iuDQ3XB6hlgGh6hgCUwJajl5IAROKs5wQbjsFoldlWxD1n-bpdr4wFOV__CR3ORUiceEXtf/s1600/buster3+(508x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7ye2S0CEqsIsv30Bz2taor2pSLNnt21H-PMzsKP5b2fT8wXJlRAQco6gqru2vNYzttN99iuDQ3XB6hlgGh6hgCUwJajl5IAROKs5wQbjsFoldlWxD1n-bpdr4wFOV__CR3ORUiceEXtf/s400/buster3+(508x640).jpg" width="317" /></a></div>
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21/4 Update: They have now put this story on the BBC website, with quotes from me!</div>
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<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-17786831">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-17786831</a></div>
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<br /> </div>Kitsch and Curioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199950395051649169noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714609757634245131.post-42924348466041745072012-03-26T23:30:00.001+01:002012-03-27T01:28:20.076+01:00A Very Vintage Weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWb9AZ0065XKvc6S7oNZYfbDLlsR3FBScit_Mc6VE_giWDmbdX_JPuNrjMcD1RgkQ7BGSzdiR2Iml66c5dupP5hZzI0S1gPlwq9ngXDed-MV5rdWbkoCf1L9gwGELLPcEgwtdSiRja8lL/s1600/pinkplastic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWb9AZ0065XKvc6S7oNZYfbDLlsR3FBScit_Mc6VE_giWDmbdX_JPuNrjMcD1RgkQ7BGSzdiR2Iml66c5dupP5hZzI0S1gPlwq9ngXDed-MV5rdWbkoCf1L9gwGELLPcEgwtdSiRja8lL/s400/pinkplastic.jpg" width="368" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Goodness me, I really love the <a href="http://vintageandhandmade.blogspot.co.uk/">Vintage Jumble</a>! I had a stall there on Saturday, and it was lovely to meet up with all the other 'vintage ladies' and basically swap stuff! There are so many bargains to be found - most of the stuff I bought was 50p a go. How good is that? Quite unintentionally, I seem to have bought quite a lot of pink plastic things. I suppose it's inevitable, given my kitsch leanings.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7c60Q2uGHZCIH7UlK9xL4MdmytCQMI6di-2UOBoPueIupN5ZPWppOK3gpS4ZDHXhsa3ogAWeombCWAMVpoy073J_38K22lebM753-I6OOTIQLS0qBPoRd_4V1sb7JzIGtlINmdsqVJAUT/s1600/flyingsuitcase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7c60Q2uGHZCIH7UlK9xL4MdmytCQMI6di-2UOBoPueIupN5ZPWppOK3gpS4ZDHXhsa3ogAWeombCWAMVpoy073J_38K22lebM753-I6OOTIQLS0qBPoRd_4V1sb7JzIGtlINmdsqVJAUT/s400/flyingsuitcase.jpg" width="390" /></a></div>I also got old cards and children's books, all of them very sweet and charming. I was especially pleased with this Little Indians book, as the pictures are photos of puppets, which I really like.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrT_wY2sKnt-KyR2Lh4YR4z5w_QY9RdiAckrm5dT3PgseZtBVtw_8KXOnktpBiBvIRGuhAqr1X9OZND5wWeWv95tWiDPZSyGcjhyphenhyphenlStpGdOuDXl_muNrTFyZhrlTnSrboB_jDErBZ7Y63W/s1600/littleindians1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrT_wY2sKnt-KyR2Lh4YR4z5w_QY9RdiAckrm5dT3PgseZtBVtw_8KXOnktpBiBvIRGuhAqr1X9OZND5wWeWv95tWiDPZSyGcjhyphenhyphenlStpGdOuDXl_muNrTFyZhrlTnSrboB_jDErBZ7Y63W/s400/littleindians1.jpg" width="362" /></a></div>Then on Sunday, we popped in to visit a Craft and Vintage Fair at <a href="http://mshed.org/">M Shed</a> in Bristol. It was a combination of a <a href="http://blindlemonvintage.co.uk/">Blind Lemon Vintage Fair</a> (which is a fashion fair) and <a href="http://magpiesandi.com/">Magpies and I Vintage & Craft Market</a>. It was a rare treat for me to go to the fashion fair. I don't normally bother, as they charge a few quid to get in, but this weekend it was free. Yay! I really don't like paying to go to fairs (unless they're charity events, of course). I'll pay up to £1, as I know it can be difficult to cover costs. But above that, I resent paying for the privilege of going to see if I want to buy anything. It's like making customers pay to go into a shop. And although Mr Kitsch will put up with following me around while I look at lovely old dresses (for a short while at least), he certainly doesn't want to pay to do it! <br />
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The other reason I don't often go to fashion fairs is that I can never find anything nice that fits me. Being big, I usually find the only thing on the rail in my size is a 1960s nylon housecoat or some kind of rough hessian kaftan. Neither of which will do me any favours, believe me. Oh, how I sigh, when I remember my young, slim days, when I used to find so many 1960s dresses at jumble sales. But hey, guess what? Yesterday, I found a nice dress that fitted me! I was a bit doubtful about the yellow at first, but with the white background, it seems to work. I was chuffed to bits! That's it in the photo below, along with a gorgeous little dish I also bought.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-T6po5CFtA5XiiWLNN0yBqHOMAw0Zg3_bIkOHunlDKPSTawyH3IC8-oO1NX2L85JTxgFMoE9QaTe1omUVfHT-wK_yprJJcGitcO3w5Oy6EKNCegYWyLxwu6MIaV3dOQOvZv__PmDUfBO/s1600/lovelydish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-T6po5CFtA5XiiWLNN0yBqHOMAw0Zg3_bIkOHunlDKPSTawyH3IC8-oO1NX2L85JTxgFMoE9QaTe1omUVfHT-wK_yprJJcGitcO3w5Oy6EKNCegYWyLxwu6MIaV3dOQOvZv__PmDUfBO/s400/lovelydish.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>I have written before about the healing power of shopping, and how shallow that makes me, but buying this dress lifted my mood no end. Do you ever get like that? The sunshine helps too, of course. For no real reason, I feel like things are getting better. Spring is springing everywhere and I have a happy frock! Kitsch and Curioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199950395051649169noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714609757634245131.post-50304262653947966682012-03-10T10:33:00.002+00:002012-03-10T13:56:56.538+00:00Various Textile Doings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My first textile doing to share with you is a cardigan I knitted for our friends' new little person. I'll be honest - it was a bit of struggle to finish. I've mentioned before <a href="http://kitschandcurious.blogspot.com/2010/01/crochet-is-so-now.html">why I prefer crochet to knitting</a>, and completing this little article was a forceful reminder of that fact. I am not a natural-born knitter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZXgPBUKreZMiH6m0LpGBkx7zybM41ITTIpI5MkTiMXqXVuAgUc-POnz9lPwIMc4myOak16-guDKYIQs-QFGhisOWZbh8MBGcYlAklVC6Z3BOx51ogkYXNZmjCRj2uBshH_OBCrqPXJTu/s1600/jackscardi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZXgPBUKreZMiH6m0LpGBkx7zybM41ITTIpI5MkTiMXqXVuAgUc-POnz9lPwIMc4myOak16-guDKYIQs-QFGhisOWZbh8MBGcYlAklVC6Z3BOx51ogkYXNZmjCRj2uBshH_OBCrqPXJTu/s400/jackscardi.jpg" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I actually started this about 6 months ago, while he was still just a bump. At first, it was great - don't little baby clothes knit up quickly? But then it all started to go wrong. The pattern I'd got off the internet didn't give the required quantities of yarn. Like a fool, I cheerfully assumed I'd be able to get some more if I needed it. Nope, it was discontinued. I ran out of the mauve and blue yarns, but just managed to scrape together enough for the body. The pattern was for a hooded cardi, so I thought that I could do the hood in plain green. The green ran out just short of the end, and I had to undo it all and improvise a collar instead. The final straw was when I managed to break one of my knitting needles in two!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>But I got there in the end! (In case you're wondering, the different coloured buttons was a deliberate design decision, and not just another cock-up.) Despite my mishaps, I am very proud that I managed to get the stripes to meet up on the raglan seam, and also that I managed to get it finished before his twenty-first birthday!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9qp3nnEXEREtdi9qBbKHwBNFYr2dUNuPk-SfODFyj6FfEUp8NKY-BcCOo05woNVa-vmsMjNfIXHUQvobrmc8Z648VAU5YkG7QssetvOPEHRw1Yt0wA9lF7js4zNyayiqmnBQSbqwXrni/s1600/custardspurse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9qp3nnEXEREtdi9qBbKHwBNFYr2dUNuPk-SfODFyj6FfEUp8NKY-BcCOo05woNVa-vmsMjNfIXHUQvobrmc8Z648VAU5YkG7QssetvOPEHRw1Yt0wA9lF7js4zNyayiqmnBQSbqwXrni/s320/custardspurse.jpg" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div>Moving from the ridiculous to the sublime, I have been meaning (for a little while) to show you this lovely handmade purse I received from <a href="http://thecustards.blogspot.com/">Jenny of The Custards</a>. Isn't it wonderful? She printed an image of a wartime envelope (from her family) directly onto fabric, and then sewed it into a purse, with some vintage patterned fabric on the back (which you can just catch a glimpse of in the photo). She is so ingeniously creative and has the most enviable vintage fabric stash I have ever seen. Her blog is well worth a visit for all the vintage loveliness!<br />
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And on the subject of enviable amounts of vintage fabric, I went to the <a href="http://thevintagebazaar.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #996e22;">Vintage Rag and Remnant Rummage</span></a> in Trull, last Saturday. It's a great new event organised by Lizzie of <a href="http://thewasherwoman.blogspot.com/">The Washerwoman blog</a>. Trull is close to Taunton, where Mr Kitsch's family live, so we were able to combine it with a lovely family visit, on a gorgeous sunny day. Hooray for Spring!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSUSS07mf1JAfO4HrTV0lr8hjK9dKkIHx8FoysvPJ3B4aG4rIgc9u356qJKJakySRoV9E0xBb8bt9RoXJnqRNCUMiH-IgjsH5HeMLCPUYhzoTh9LKvDtAukxX-6LhdiUc32q4-JuJz3Wq/s1600/buttonmix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSUSS07mf1JAfO4HrTV0lr8hjK9dKkIHx8FoysvPJ3B4aG4rIgc9u356qJKJakySRoV9E0xBb8bt9RoXJnqRNCUMiH-IgjsH5HeMLCPUYhzoTh9LKvDtAukxX-6LhdiUc32q4-JuJz3Wq/s320/buttonmix.jpg" width="400" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bag of vintage buttons for £1 from the fair. Result!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Kitsch and Curioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199950395051649169noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714609757634245131.post-30523103035574478712012-02-28T18:14:00.000+00:002012-02-28T18:14:21.218+00:00Trinkets, Tokens and Treasures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGWVw756SoX-8jXtULu1y0-u48S3eNylrasTDF77shQN5Zn_0peudm4UwvMF6FBlT9H7yiipW2cZPDjFDai0YSA3CnRISdErw-dDbUSWnKssIoAjmi8RtjPwDCGHaPpNT7jOtOGNA28u8/s1600/enamelbadges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGWVw756SoX-8jXtULu1y0-u48S3eNylrasTDF77shQN5Zn_0peudm4UwvMF6FBlT9H7yiipW2cZPDjFDai0YSA3CnRISdErw-dDbUSWnKssIoAjmi8RtjPwDCGHaPpNT7jOtOGNA28u8/s400/enamelbadges.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On our landing, we have a huge cupboard, which contains many boxes. Most of these boxes have not been opened since we moved nearly 5 years ago. I know a lot of what's in there - mostly collections of toys, curios and pictures, which we just don't have room to display right now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">However, I know I need to go through them and sort out whether I really need to keep it all. So as a start, I opened one smallish box. It really was a treasure trove, as it contained mostly metal things. Firstly, my collection of enamel badges and metal pins. The photo above just shows a selection of my favourites. I'm particularly fond of the Noddy one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next, we have more badges, brooches, pendants and charms - some more weird than others.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlOkCZ0_o9iCH6zaxiRuzViq0XQImlzFg4nuZBBn6HnrTCFAqcvj2a5mHUZm4k0keOYV0zYGSsvfqfkHQIIUbWclezu01QYDmGzI6sNMYHlu9n1Qa8k8Y830KT25FQxupYTkoU4QTtVvJ/s1600/treasure1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlOkCZ0_o9iCH6zaxiRuzViq0XQImlzFg4nuZBBn6HnrTCFAqcvj2a5mHUZm4k0keOYV0zYGSsvfqfkHQIIUbWclezu01QYDmGzI6sNMYHlu9n1Qa8k8Y830KT25FQxupYTkoU4QTtVvJ/s400/treasure1.jpg" width="330" /></a></div>And this last photo contains filigree-type things and dangly-type things, not all of which have any obvious use. (Again, just small selections of the whole collection)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5OksJ1WzJ9CaC2rYvdx6ZSoOQm_Smrtx0AVMeyEdcR1gI3gvumjmgkhDVuH6WT9RLOfo6U9o6xHVKk_Ui2rn427Eur4uN6Cq9DfyGC2zJgyw3W-GC3XOF11liI5332B32YPNf-6VZBq2/s1600/treasure2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5OksJ1WzJ9CaC2rYvdx6ZSoOQm_Smrtx0AVMeyEdcR1gI3gvumjmgkhDVuH6WT9RLOfo6U9o6xHVKk_Ui2rn427Eur4uN6Cq9DfyGC2zJgyw3W-GC3XOF11liI5332B32YPNf-6VZBq2/s400/treasure2.jpg" width="377" /></a></div>You know what? I love them all. I love their weirdness, their prettiness, their ugliness, their shininess, their dullness. I put a couple of cheap pendants to the side as 'not wanted', but I'll probably end up keeping them. Some of them have been with me for years, in any case.<br />
<br />
It got me thinking again about objects and my fascination with them. <a href="http://janehousham123.blogspot.com/2012/02/miracles-and-charms.html">Jane wrote an excellent blog post</a> recently about an exhibition of amulets and charms at the Wellcome Collection, and shared her own collection of 'amulets'. Whilst I wouldn't call my own objects amulets, I am always drawn to objects that have been given a value beyond their inherent worth. This value might come from memories or superstition, or might be because of what they represent - like a love token or a reminder to stay hopeful.<br />
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There is much to be said for William Morris's instruction, "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful", but it completely ignores objects with special meaning. It might be the ugliest pot you have ever seen, but if it's your child's first attempt at pottery, you might want to keep it for a while. Old toys no longer fulfill their use as playthings, but if they invoke happy childhood memories, or remind you of a lost parent, then it doesn't matter how deformed and hideous that old stuffed dog is - you should keep it.<br />
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Of course collecting other people's old toys, love tokens, or souvenirs is another matter. There's still value attached, but it becomes a strange mixture of vicarious sentiment, collecting greed, nostalgia and aesthetic appreciation (or derision). Of course, some of the stuff I collect has never been considered of value by anybody!<br />
<br />
<br />
P.S. If you're interested in objects which have superstitious meaning, I can recommend this book, (although it's quite old and appears to be no longer available new)<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm-uk.amazon.co.uk/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=kitsandcuri-21&o=2&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=0500285101" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>Kitsch and Curioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199950395051649169noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714609757634245131.post-57341606935644255652012-02-13T23:31:00.001+00:002012-02-13T23:35:07.573+00:00A Few Doings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7M6WyhP7CPV6jfCheYLEZyhSH_PJ8x2vnZe5ZxhJRuGA4TkGSx9fJme1chHVagQHCzxxrnUN0tnOZb0ViqxQCP-vbEM9P7v3SKPkmwU1Jx24QbyAlgMGK7J7Z-7f-vGCqZFypNBFOmsN-/s1600/doodle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7M6WyhP7CPV6jfCheYLEZyhSH_PJ8x2vnZe5ZxhJRuGA4TkGSx9fJme1chHVagQHCzxxrnUN0tnOZb0ViqxQCP-vbEM9P7v3SKPkmwU1Jx24QbyAlgMGK7J7Z-7f-vGCqZFypNBFOmsN-/s400/doodle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I haven't been feeling very inspired lately, so I'm afraid the blog posts have been few and far between. To be honest, I don't think I've done anything very blogworthy. Having said that, I'll show you a few of the things I've been up to. I managed a little drawing, but as you can see, most of it just turns out to be elaborate doodling!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTSXYQZWLqxtyZb6rzx7xNJPSOwtBtVzd-shv5-l-LXMipi9wY6ZHhxLGJhCuQppOIY5qff2NkFfWLR-V1d6kwyIDpimBzcUUJFbuZE9PtgvBC46CL1zBxY6zhlsNMONhOyFxHmGQCAzL/s1600/shopping0212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTSXYQZWLqxtyZb6rzx7xNJPSOwtBtVzd-shv5-l-LXMipi9wY6ZHhxLGJhCuQppOIY5qff2NkFfWLR-V1d6kwyIDpimBzcUUJFbuZE9PtgvBC46CL1zBxY6zhlsNMONhOyFxHmGQCAzL/s400/shopping0212.jpg" width="350" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I did manage to stir my stumps yesterday to go to a carboot sale, and for the first time in ages, got some real treasures. A lovely Midwinter plate (for 50p), and a kitsch cat in a hat. Flamenco playing cards and a cute dolly teacup. And some...ahem...clogs. I would just like to point out that I don't buy <em>all</em> the souvenir clogs I see. There are many, many, many pairs of clogs that don't make the grade and get left in the shop/ on the stall. But these were red ones, and just a little bit too cute to leave behind.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBqk7H2Bst02qhtLEWzNepdiNSNZIiwCb4m3PlQfTvlh422v8bp5cCFca1gdCnqn5l8OyqrA8rqP2-C6UWBzU5bcmgVr29lN3HnXx5BKTQS4zHFLynUf1NX6EBljUMZ9Muv1s-h_Vhpnyr/s1600/aurevoir1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBqk7H2Bst02qhtLEWzNepdiNSNZIiwCb4m3PlQfTvlh422v8bp5cCFca1gdCnqn5l8OyqrA8rqP2-C6UWBzU5bcmgVr29lN3HnXx5BKTQS4zHFLynUf1NX6EBljUMZ9Muv1s-h_Vhpnyr/s200/aurevoir1.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFiJn7nH7oK91L75erm6BiL_8uXOxvPcumfEiXlchYuOhhWX8XcmVv6LvaCRdvznoCo8JbQG1n1ZsvOntdrgis3yAY80swDDjKFk8cA2CbGbTXbVAh1E_uJ91iWma4JoramLcpJ1XaBFc/s1600/nestingdolls1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFiJn7nH7oK91L75erm6BiL_8uXOxvPcumfEiXlchYuOhhWX8XcmVv6LvaCRdvznoCo8JbQG1n1ZsvOntdrgis3yAY80swDDjKFk8cA2CbGbTXbVAh1E_uJ91iWma4JoramLcpJ1XaBFc/s200/nestingdolls1.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkWlyI3JYRCf2oKZ4QWi7O2D_nguoOpCOoL8AweUmMyd4bunEirUjJlSlxkdRhXdmPsiyQF4nQF9gW_kGQER-halVNb9aQiFw2yWUsWue3EJIQms0cV9qYUJmbSEfL7D97YWsSYLO6_F6/s1600/cakecandles.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkWlyI3JYRCf2oKZ4QWi7O2D_nguoOpCOoL8AweUmMyd4bunEirUjJlSlxkdRhXdmPsiyQF4nQF9gW_kGQER-halVNb9aQiFw2yWUsWue3EJIQms0cV9qYUJmbSEfL7D97YWsSYLO6_F6/s320/cakecandles.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've also been putting new stock in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/kitschandcurious?ref=si_shop">my Etsy shop</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And here are a couple of makes from before Christmas that I couldn't show at the time, because they were presents for a very new little chap called Jack. I crocheted him a little friend called Colin the Caterpillar.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCHDUwr_lw829JT4oReT-ihOSMvf6SzdeLrhTZcdR45eiHgb8niy0Bs8xSIDknKNQwS8dSGQI6-8rWOs_3cgrWIPF5g3tJlWva2vNjDI3_yfGKFp_pZRi4hF2PzDsnX1ZV6u9S1iN9O7q/s1600/colincaterpillar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCHDUwr_lw829JT4oReT-ihOSMvf6SzdeLrhTZcdR45eiHgb8niy0Bs8xSIDknKNQwS8dSGQI6-8rWOs_3cgrWIPF5g3tJlWva2vNjDI3_yfGKFp_pZRi4hF2PzDsnX1ZV6u9S1iN9O7q/s400/colincaterpillar.jpg" width="350" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And, as his nursery is cowboy themed, I also crocheted some cowboy bootees.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBM-cSfygSo8TJgkLKn5tuJl_TEhWP6g7JXOQfgpMpvgQCxUGQDIuxq1aeA63LyokDF19d4c4ptkL3WDQVoYO_kmoaO99NL7ejmFquWBoiKCsWC1Si46N3zMOhiEi61yfxTZEIPvsKsgL/s1600/cowboybootees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBM-cSfygSo8TJgkLKn5tuJl_TEhWP6g7JXOQfgpMpvgQCxUGQDIuxq1aeA63LyokDF19d4c4ptkL3WDQVoYO_kmoaO99NL7ejmFquWBoiKCsWC1Si46N3zMOhiEi61yfxTZEIPvsKsgL/s400/cowboybootees.jpg" width="350" /></a></div>Yee-haw!Kitsch and Curioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199950395051649169noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714609757634245131.post-43153702705457190482012-01-21T19:17:00.000+00:002012-01-21T19:17:26.262+00:00Come Fly With Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDgaGoU6CAK7q_qs2-e9Pv17ZM88cqoV_hcQCqnwNu18AZOqYFF6dApSRmcqbzNduKNnKbqivM8FCHe2f30dJndxE5NJN4Iuq_uti_qlEC9o7E4trDSX4Ve6jQhsm_nzwBhgSKZA6kEc_/s1600/jonesjetset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDgaGoU6CAK7q_qs2-e9Pv17ZM88cqoV_hcQCqnwNu18AZOqYFF6dApSRmcqbzNduKNnKbqivM8FCHe2f30dJndxE5NJN4Iuq_uti_qlEC9o7E4trDSX4Ve6jQhsm_nzwBhgSKZA6kEc_/s640/jonesjetset.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>It's 1969 and Swinging London is buzzing about the glamorous jetset arrivals at Heathrow airport. Wait, who's this? Is it Liz Taylor and Richard Burton with their entourage? Not quite. Me, my mum and dad and one of my brothers on holiday in London. We weren't at the airport to fly anywhere, you understand, we just went to the observation terrace to look at the planes. With my three transport-mad brothers (not sure where the others were), we always ended up going somewhere where you could see planes, trains, cars, buses, or some such boring nonsense.<br />
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I love this photo, not least for my cape (which my mum sewed herself), but also for my mum rocking the sunglasses-and-fur-coat look. The coat was fake fur, and I inherited it when I went to art college. My wrinkly-kneed tights are rather less cool, though.<br />
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My brother got some of my dad's old slides transferred to CD, and I thought I'd share some of these vintage classics. They say if you can remember the sixties, then you weren't really there. That's certainly true for me and these pictures. I have no recollection of most of them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7Hl-NUrMm4ZGZxbJTti1cDOkF5iH6WOxzz2c5SzTimQ3p9HDf91x436Cds6N8I0Fb3-4DVp4o6giLAhsFAp_pYXHS3X1FCjRYYuaHs10zTJkUGsYgBgZi1lMH2NYj9dfXNmp_9oOplBe/s1600/elainedress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7Hl-NUrMm4ZGZxbJTti1cDOkF5iH6WOxzz2c5SzTimQ3p9HDf91x436Cds6N8I0Fb3-4DVp4o6giLAhsFAp_pYXHS3X1FCjRYYuaHs10zTJkUGsYgBgZi1lMH2NYj9dfXNmp_9oOplBe/s400/elainedress.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That's me on our front lawn, but when, I have no idea. I suspect it may be my birthday, as that looks like a party frock. There are several pictures where my brothers and I all have these severe fringes. Presumably, my mum at work with a pudding bowl and the kitchen scissors!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4Ou3DCrvccLlA0d6trpBjXIz5kwMaCyB1QKbzwbKSx9cxtJdsnMtF1fIXk8mMZZr2BdFszV5di0q6RlzkzeUyXgPHM6bjS4zr6zYPohaJfX5MIuu5ChGwmuUqIC0pxM_BrK3RmnHcl9T/s1600/jonesesseaside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4Ou3DCrvccLlA0d6trpBjXIz5kwMaCyB1QKbzwbKSx9cxtJdsnMtF1fIXk8mMZZr2BdFszV5di0q6RlzkzeUyXgPHM6bjS4zr6zYPohaJfX5MIuu5ChGwmuUqIC0pxM_BrK3RmnHcl9T/s400/jonesesseaside.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This one looks like some sort of Enid Blyton-style seaside holiday, with buckets and spades. I've no idea where. Devon or Cornwall, I expect. My sister (the eldest, and 12 years older than me) has decided to go with a comedy hat. The rest of us have opted for comedy shorts, it appears.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That's all for now. Sorry I haven't been blogging much here (over a month since my last blog, tsk!). I hope to remedy that soon, but thanks to all of you who have followed me over to <a href="http://curiousobject.blogspot.com/">Curious Objects</a>. </div>Kitsch and Curioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199950395051649169noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714609757634245131.post-88458801456210670962011-12-08T00:47:00.000+00:002011-12-08T00:47:40.878+00:00Festive Frolics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHgSSv6B25DHWvbeh-aqbc8SfeDRWedfZEEZDkkqohqmIP7BlP8v-HlItXaPTPXQGrN_YOi0lHITDYvhoOPwKxxhJVHyuE6NATj5IF64RowTTn24ilhYtY9Ra1gMiB0S_Oa62baeB7IlEu/s1600/toysinpacks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHgSSv6B25DHWvbeh-aqbc8SfeDRWedfZEEZDkkqohqmIP7BlP8v-HlItXaPTPXQGrN_YOi0lHITDYvhoOPwKxxhJVHyuE6NATj5IF64RowTTn24ilhYtY9Ra1gMiB0S_Oa62baeB7IlEu/s400/toysinpacks.jpg" width="390" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As you can see, I went a little overboard buying old toys at the Vintage & Handmade Fair last Saturday (a wonderful day, as always). But look at those wonderful old packets! I also got some barmy kittens...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcg58PWY51s2ZLhkgVTa5VYGbhXazLDrGFxTDD9Nqb6yx6UoAjIEMCfLlI8dKopj0dEou0A_SBQ_LaUWTXdpdmOmqjNyo6owmUOObdlbk2-fL0FJob0oV93-8_iOxDIRI8XFTpNHeT17Fm/s1600/madkittens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcg58PWY51s2ZLhkgVTa5VYGbhXazLDrGFxTDD9Nqb6yx6UoAjIEMCfLlI8dKopj0dEou0A_SBQ_LaUWTXdpdmOmqjNyo6owmUOObdlbk2-fL0FJob0oV93-8_iOxDIRI8XFTpNHeT17Fm/s400/madkittens.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpxXxpSbw1wpwZj9clPqBk8fIv26CFCrJHdUmO736Vq0UnWXATy-HTlGzRNWNr7DIU8rLBJpEegTuHTWTDzkrCeYAPg4l62DMBBIvTfO_SJzHNkuM84ZMOF4f2q2WITtgS2NBLAHdg4K4/s1600/xmaskitsch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpxXxpSbw1wpwZj9clPqBk8fIv26CFCrJHdUmO736Vq0UnWXATy-HTlGzRNWNr7DIU8rLBJpEegTuHTWTDzkrCeYAPg4l62DMBBIvTfO_SJzHNkuM84ZMOF4f2q2WITtgS2NBLAHdg4K4/s400/xmaskitsch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...and I got quite a few vintage kitschmas decorations too. When I was photographing them, a tragic scenario appeared.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNxI_1LsDyyopozkRV5J0AnvUMwYElbqOEAgBTz1i2DoIOVBdNGCoQHfDjdfLTxdrzF3eF3MbBwxbd7wG-rIxIhEFaCG_a4MvM_idHxkQcb3b4bgxQnMviLQ03iJF5MzSWsMgIkdjjkt4/s1600/snowbabyaccident.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNxI_1LsDyyopozkRV5J0AnvUMwYElbqOEAgBTz1i2DoIOVBdNGCoQHfDjdfLTxdrzF3eF3MbBwxbd7wG-rIxIhEFaCG_a4MvM_idHxkQcb3b4bgxQnMviLQ03iJF5MzSWsMgIkdjjkt4/s400/snowbabyaccident.jpg" width="380" /></a></div>Snowbaby forgot to look both ways while he was crossing, and was knocked over by a a reckless reindeer. He was very nearly trampled underfoot! Fortunately, Santa was able to pull up in time, and the poor little snowbaby escaped with just a few bruises. Phew!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcg58PWY51s2ZLhkgVTa5VYGbhXazLDrGFxTDD9Nqb6yx6UoAjIEMCfLlI8dKopj0dEou0A_SBQ_LaUWTXdpdmOmqjNyo6owmUOObdlbk2-fL0FJob0oV93-8_iOxDIRI8XFTpNHeT17Fm/s1600/madkittens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Kitsch and Curioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199950395051649169noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714609757634245131.post-87425438361102488162011-12-02T17:09:00.000+00:002011-12-02T17:09:27.926+00:00Good Grief, it's December!<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVzBf9WrFWuNl_FkvW7M-5z4vCChJVFoKcGLu52iyJy-EUZSQGvUyAtOdRNn-z0ZyTW_CqUzy4SYGxyTwPnGtjJj-xFoLJc2aJcX_3ECSFOI43EeFXJqMHa7CNMJwDO81qm7bDy8zddtB/s1600/advent3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVzBf9WrFWuNl_FkvW7M-5z4vCChJVFoKcGLu52iyJy-EUZSQGvUyAtOdRNn-z0ZyTW_CqUzy4SYGxyTwPnGtjJj-xFoLJc2aJcX_3ECSFOI43EeFXJqMHa7CNMJwDO81qm7bDy8zddtB/s400/advent3.jpg" width="338" /></a></div>December seems to have appeared all of a sudden. I suppose that mild autumn confused me into thinking that Christmas was a long way off. That, and becoming increasingly senile.<br />
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So it's time for advent calendars (just because I'm old and senile doesn't mean I can't have an advent calendar). Mr Kitsch and I have one each, and I've got an extra one I wrote about in my <a href="http://curiousobject.blogspot.com/2011/12/advent-calendars.html">Curious Objects blog</a>. Two windows open already!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYT29kXVhqRdUNBAJ7S_uZcg2AWvmqfPWoSQi1qTMEblzBHSMHxbwz-34FP2M1foTW2BGg6TEcAJkXuqCsI8fSaXd1LaRpW7ZT5rdehHSBnyVPWGaG6K1azChmrJdf3f7RNyTf2JzTJ549/s1600/advent2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYT29kXVhqRdUNBAJ7S_uZcg2AWvmqfPWoSQi1qTMEblzBHSMHxbwz-34FP2M1foTW2BGg6TEcAJkXuqCsI8fSaXd1LaRpW7ZT5rdehHSBnyVPWGaG6K1azChmrJdf3f7RNyTf2JzTJ549/s400/advent2.jpg" width="332" /></a></div>December also brings us the Christmas Vintage & Handmade Fair in Chipping Sodbury tomorrow. I have been busily packing up all sorts of kitsch nonsense to take along, including the ever-popular chenille robins. Tweet tweet!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfSjjwHRG8Xl5a0Jeu-ZMp9FJCppnBjoftRvT8-60rtBanPtt98aUaZTvY4zp2PazhOJGKDEpm72QdJ_BFq_SBUNxdRITSxsyv7OjeHiBtowWSAYwtzDmnHdqgmpNsQlTFNZ7ytiIkPpA/s1600/robins3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfSjjwHRG8Xl5a0Jeu-ZMp9FJCppnBjoftRvT8-60rtBanPtt98aUaZTvY4zp2PazhOJGKDEpm72QdJ_BFq_SBUNxdRITSxsyv7OjeHiBtowWSAYwtzDmnHdqgmpNsQlTFNZ7ytiIkPpA/s320/robins3.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>Kitsch and Curioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199950395051649169noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714609757634245131.post-59343531567395067132011-11-01T10:16:00.001+00:002011-11-01T10:16:00.192+00:00Day of the Dead exhibition<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cactuscounty/6296592414/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="The preview night, 27th Oct 2011 by Cactus County, on Flickr"><img alt="The preview night, 27th Oct 2011" height="400" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6111/6296592414_a97a312213.jpg" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Work by Hannah Dymond</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Mexican <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead">Day of the Dead</a> is celebrated on the 1st and 2nd November, and over the years, it has become more well-known in this country. One of my dreams is to go to Mexico and experience it at first hand. Until that happens, I am more than happy to enjoy the work produced by artists in this country who are inspired by these celebrations.<br />
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Last Thursday, I went to the opening night of a Day of the Dead exhibition here in Bristol. Mr Kitsch's paintings are part of the exhibition, and the whole thing looks amazing.<br />
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On Saturday, they were doing face painting, and guess who got his face done?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cactuscounty/6296087119/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="The face of Cactus County by Cactus County, on Flickr"><img alt="The face of Cactus County" height="400" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6059/6296087119_83ddf67cae.jpg" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr Kitsch with his work</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Although it's a small gallery, the exhibition is rather marvellous, so if you're anywhere near College Greeen in Bristol this week, and you like looking at skulls, do go and have a look!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cactuscounty/6296585160/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="The preview night, 27th Oct 2011 by Cactus County, on Flickr"><img alt="The preview night, 27th Oct 2011" height="400" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6229/6296585160_9d93236935.jpg" width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Work by Lou Gray</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cactuscounty/6296073183/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Through the window by Cactus County, on Flickr"><img alt="Through the window" height="293" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6214/6296073183_6294a0c4a9.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skull design by Sam Bevington</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Day of the Dead exhibition, The Showroom, College Green, Bristol. Open daily 11.30 - 6.30 until 6th November.Kitsch and Curioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199950395051649169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714609757634245131.post-4555649983310403222011-10-05T19:21:00.000+01:002011-10-05T19:21:22.787+01:00The Art of Cactus County<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_pHl6x6lLdmxQHnqLIJKwiqQKkgOTVNH9DcEYi5H2Tt5sFF-g02WPX7Z7_IKWSEqh40wFPhPD4WDD1doGDoHp9_yfONL000ECYNV8Z7zuxeenWT3zbGgvUmlWcH3A94NLfml1UAY2TEc/s1600/tobaccofactory1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_pHl6x6lLdmxQHnqLIJKwiqQKkgOTVNH9DcEYi5H2Tt5sFF-g02WPX7Z7_IKWSEqh40wFPhPD4WDD1doGDoHp9_yfONL000ECYNV8Z7zuxeenWT3zbGgvUmlWcH3A94NLfml1UAY2TEc/s400/tobaccofactory1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last night Mr Kitsch (otherwise known as Gary Smith) launched his new exhibition at the <a href="http://www.tobaccofactory.com/section.php/34/1/exhibitions/b3c2b71e7170e08e8f0a2336a5e44ebc">Tobacco Factory in Bristol.</a> It was a great evening, with live music, tequila, lots of friends showing their support, and of course, his amazing art. The exhibition is on for the whole of October, in The Green Room, just off the main cafe bar of the Tobacco Factory, and as you can see, looks wonderful on the deep red walls!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm very proud of what Gary's achieved with his painting, in a relatively short period. He has only been painting for a couple of years with no formal training, but has developed a bold, naive style inspired by the Mexican folk art of the Day of the Dead. Into that, he has woven stories of a fictional place called Cactus County, where science and rationalism are celebrated, rather than religion. You can find out more at <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/cactuscounty/">http://www.flickr.com/people/cactuscounty/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was great to see it up on the walls, to be appreciated by so many other people. Let's just hope he gets lots of buyers!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6zaMd3oSe0DLm9KIFjPWRC2yom1yh9yfLdFS3dV4z_HftcCcQnchb0rWDbhd4GcpO9XpZ4HsITajxpFZdWBH0-a9XdSMuf9Kd8-UcGmx_TiBVk-4IPBwEQ4OXSmQTFW93XtQb8L_983C/s1600/tobaccofactory2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6zaMd3oSe0DLm9KIFjPWRC2yom1yh9yfLdFS3dV4z_HftcCcQnchb0rWDbhd4GcpO9XpZ4HsITajxpFZdWBH0-a9XdSMuf9Kd8-UcGmx_TiBVk-4IPBwEQ4OXSmQTFW93XtQb8L_983C/s400/tobaccofactory2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My lovely man with his lovely art!</td></tr>
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</div>Kitsch and Curioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199950395051649169noreply@blogger.com2