the estate collection it’s … as ye sew, so shall ye rip Additional sewing instruments from the 1800s that you may find interesting, beginning with needle cases and needle case with bone needles… ​​ These needle cases are carved from ivory and bone. The umbrella-shaped case is especially interesting for a couple of reasons: 1) the clenched fist at the top. One of the publications I read said that the clenched fist was a sign that the ship’s captain used. Let’s say they were in

​​ A special wearable art collectible for your special one ... Wearable art jewelry, what a concept. Unique, beautiful and reasonably priced. ​ One base, tons of different inserts for every occassion. Just perfect... ~ Carolyn​ The Art Loft Gallery, LTD., a locally owned and operated business in Collinsville, Illinois, has been open since 1984. In addition to offering custom picture framing services, The Art Loft Gallery, LTD. is an authorized dealer for renowned artist, Pat

the estate collection a sewing implement Sewing fids, made of whalebone, are used to separate fabric fibers without damage to the fabric. Much larger fids of wood were used to separate rope to add extensions. ask a sailor​ ... to find out how large ones were used on sailing ships. ​ ​​Closeup photos of the different designs and sizes of whalebone sewing fids within the collection. From the 1800s, probably the 1870s, these fids were made by whalers when at sea. Yes, they are f

patient: “doctor, doctor, i’m seeing double.”​ doctor: “take two aspirins, and call me… oh, nevermind.” Stitched for two separate occasions - years apart - the framing had to match (tho the coloring in the photo may not show it). Using a “tea stained” fabric, Colleen stitched two announcements. Fortunately, the mats and frame were still available, and I was able to match what had been done a few years before. The opening size on the mats varies a bit as do the cutouts due to

​​ Are you missing any? If so, give me a call, I can help. ~ Carolyn​ The Art Loft Gallery, LTD., a locally owned and operated business in Collinsville, Illinois, has been open since 1984. In addition to offering custom picture framing services, The Art Loft Gallery, LTD. is an authorized dealer for renowned artist, Patricia Buckley Moss, and also has a wide variety of antiques and giftware for sale. Come in for a unique shopping experience and enjoy a cup of Starbucks and a

mantra echoed by projects this past week in the frame shop Several customers have been in the stitching mood as of late, and I have the evidence to prove it. This little fellow eagerly awaits a change in climate so he can adorn a wall through the winter months. Stitched by Colleen, the workmanship is impeccable. But how about that frame? Wish I could tell you that the handiwork work on this handmade/ painted frame was me; but alas, it was not. For special projects and pattern

a zebra takes its stripes wherever it goes ~ Maasai proverb is it black on white? or white on black? This is a beautiful hand-painted tile by Connie. She teaches china and tile painting in her home. Every year she makes a trek to take classes, learning new techniques to apply to her art-form. This is one of her most outstanding tiles! Many of you would recognize Connie because she and her husband Dan have been workers at many of our P. Buckley Moss shows. As a matter of fact,

this is ben ... meet ben retired deputy sheriff, ben Before retirement, Ben was a deputy sheriff. Shall we say he lived a bit on the “hard” side. Ben’s wife, whom he met at work (she was a dispatcher), began her own part-time business in arts and crafts in the early 90s, just for the fun of it. For years she and a friend had a very lucrative business. One day, Ben's wife saw a picture that so reminded her of her husband, she had to paint a rendition of it. ​​This is Ben’s por

Christmas collecting... missing any? give me a jingle... I trust you have heeded my warning that ready or not, the holiday season is quickly approaching. Going back just another year from my last ornament review, here are Moss ornaments from 2012 that are available. Beautiful! 2012 P. Buckley Moss Ornaments ​ Click image to see all available 2012 P. Buckley Moss ornaments... ​ The Art Loft Gallery, LTD., a locally owned and operated business in Collinsville, Illinois, has bee

from the estate collection let’s make some lace it’s all in the know-how Handmade lacemaking is definitely an art that dates back to the 1600s. Not only was lace popular for household linens, it was used to embellish women’s clothing as well as men’s collars. Young girls attended special lacemaking classes in the early to mid 1800s; but industrialization and the beginning of the machine age brought the decline to handmade lacemaking. bobbins These bobbins, carved by sailors i