creatures great and creatures small ... come to life on the carousel ~ American craftsmen take the cake ... for the most beautiful carousels produced to date ~ Carousels Fascinating history of the carousel from the International Museum of Carousel Art ~ "None of the old carousels of Europe could match the product of this group of American craftsmen. Ingenious men all, they set their own precedents. Their carousels were bigger and more elaborately housed. Their animals and ch

the horse ~ the word chivalry is derived from the French word, cheval ... a horse ... ~ Thomas Bulfinch Whether wild and spirited, or helper to man ~ truly a treasured creature. 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

they come to life ~ when the snow clouds burst ... will we get to see them by the first? You really love 'em. You know you do! Will the snowman family come visit you? Shhhhh ~ I hope so, too! 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 w

leave it to the French to add the flare ... carved horses and chariots suspended in the air ~ spear the ring the nobleman's game ... around and round they would train ~ Carousels We continue the fascinating history of the carousel from the International Museum of Carousel Art ~ "About 300 years ago, some frenchman got the idea to build a device to train young noblemen in the art of ring-spearing. His device consisted of carved horses and chariots suspended by chains from arms

who'd have known ... born from the horsemen hone ~ of skills for battle ... could become a most treasured art for chattel ~ Carousels Fascinating history of the carousel from the International Museum of Carousel Art ~ "Back in the 1100's, Arabian and Turkish horsemen played a game on horseback. They took it very seriously... so seriously that Italian and Spanish crusaders who watched, described the contest as a "little war" or garosello and carosella respectively. The crusad

best dressed birds by far ~ this troupe of penguins truly are ... waddling to and fro, it's clear ~ these penguins bring some winter cheer! "Winter Friends" Black tie has never been so fun! 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

as this to spread ~ good luck and happiness the whole year through ... as the peppermint pig of old once did! "Whoa!" Pigs are symbolic of good luck, good health, happiness and prosperity. The Victorian tradition originated in New England by the old-fashioned candy makers of the time. The peppermint pig was made of hard peppermint candy and colored pink. When families and friends gathered for the traditional Christmas dinner, the practice was to use a small hammer to break th

he sat right up to say "how do" ~ stroked his whiskers through and through ... his words were clever, brief and true ~ I'd love to come and live with you! Adorable etchings! Who could resist those little beady eyes? No house is complete without it's own house mouse! 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 auth

yes, it's true ~ if winter has made you blue ... these tropical birds will help you make it through! Pencil sketches are perfect for any room decor ~ any color you choose, you can't go wrong! 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 wi

one Kris here ~ one Kris there ... my, oh my ~ there's Krises everywhere! Still there's time, to make Christmas shine, add a Kris to your list, if you get my gist! 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 g