This and That: A Blog

  N ativity  is my name for this diptych (an artwork in two connected parts), a term from Greek meaning " pair of writing tablets ."  I found it in the Goodwill Outlet bins, and it's one of my favorite pieces.  The artist is  Marlinde von Ruhs , which is rather incredible to find!  The two parts are hinged, trimmed in gold braid and a tassel, with the backs covered in turquoise felt with beading.  It's the most amazing nativity I've ever seen! Marlinde often mounted her smaller works in felt or velvet, brocade, and gold braiding.  According to some sources she didn't want them to be just paintings in a frame.  She liked the idea of a tactile, handmade presence.  I had assumed the framing and edging was added after the paintings left the artist's possession, and to find they were done by the artist herself was actually moving!  An N poem form, Nonce, can be found here . 

🎄 MERRY CHRISTMAS! 🎄 Fittingly, the theme for this week's Thursday Postcard Hunt is Christmas!   1911 c.1930s - 1940s when bright colors, " Golly, " and humorous winks at " curses " would have been popular.  c.1905 c.1910 - 1915 1911 This one is interesting due to its cancellation advertising the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco. One of my favorite postcards of all of my postcards!   c.1908 - 1910 printed in Germany A traditional nativty combined with figures from European folk customs. There's a hunter in his traditional dress with his German dachshund and several dead animals. A boy has brought a live animal of some sort in a cage.  Then, a mother with three children are wearing 1880s - early 1900s clothing, and have brought a tree for Jesus' first Christmas.   It may be Joseph hiding in the shadows, or a shepherd.   It just all makes such a strange nativity!   Hope you have a very Merry ...

Cee's Fun Foto Challenge It's the festive time of year!  Happy Christmas Eve!

Ornaments and Decorations I thought this was kind of cute when I uncovered it in the Goodwill Bins.  A vintage glass ornament from the Bins, most likely German or Czech, possibly Inge-Glas. This is an Irma Starr slipware pottery santa from the Goodwill Bins. In perfect condition.  When I found out they are very collectible, I sold it!  I paid a few cents, and asked below average to guarantee it sold.  Price with shipping was $29.00.  I liked it, but not so much I'd turn down that profit! A couple of vintage Santas from the Bins.  The one on the right is flocked, c.1950s. 1930s-1940s Putz House from St. Vincent de Paul.  Yes, the window is broken, but it was only $2, and these old ones are hard to find at a good price.   Besides, the broken window brings back childhood memories.  Our Putz houses sat on the coffee table, down at a child's level.  One day, while my mother was in the kitchen, I poked all the windows out of them!  T...

I thrift holiday items throught the year, saving up for special posts.  I'll start out this years' special Christmas thrifts with nativity related items.  I am not religious, but do like interesting nativities, and religious artwork.   Bins - very poorly done Japanese made figures with a giant shepherd and his giant donkey!  I don't know why I hid the angel.  The terra cotta one is Mexican, from Goodwill for a discounted $3.41 (two sheep were headless, I bought some clay and fixed them).  The others are tiny, the top one a 1960s wooden from Italy I found in the Goodwill Bins, the other 71¢ at Goodwill is from Hong Kong. The top are chalkware from Italy, Goodwill Bins.  The blue and white ceramic are also from the Bins.  I bought the sheep at St. Vincent de Paul for $1.00 each. Not a big bargain, but they are nice sheep!   Three angels.  The one on the left is Italian made.  The bottom one on the right is ceramic, by Atlant...