wednesday observations: artifacts & inspiration

A RECENT VISIT TO ELLIS ISLAND yielded much more than the discovery of the date of Grandma Pepi Fuchs’ transit to a new world at the age of 23. Accompanying her husband, Chaim, she had taken passage on the Noordam out of Rotterdam, Holland, and according to the ship’s manifest arrived in the States on September 29, 1913 — 86 years ago.

After my successful search of the archives, a tour of the museum was in order. Most fascinating was the room that showcased objects, artifacts and clothing that the new immigrants had deemed worthy of travel to the new land. As those who came through Ellis Island traveled third-class and steerage, they had limited funds to transport their belongings and had to carefully choose what made the journey. For many, though, all they had were the clothes on their back and what they could carry in one suitcase (with no easy handles and rollers).

What couldn’t they live without? Family photos of those left behind, a coveted feather pillow, their best holiday dress, important books (both religious and learned) and the family dishes. Artifacts used to steady to the soul, remind them of their legacy and act as a foundation for building their dreams.

If you look close at the current passion for tribe and origin, you can see patterns and styles that are showing up in today’s fashions, housewares and everyday objects. A seasonal Ralph Lauren design looks like it walked out of the Ellis Island display case onto the runway.

Classics and traditional are having a good run of it right now — a rediscovery of what stands the test of time as well as the economy. But Ellis Island isn’t the only source: Any well-traveled artifact can offer the seeds of inspiration. I think Grandma Fuchs would have been jiggy with that.

friday finds: longwood gardens

wednesday observations: the not-so-good earth

THIS PAST SUMMER, THE IDEA OF THE VEGETABLE GARDEN really took root nationwide. A nod to the very nice P-patch on the front lawn of the White House is certainly deserved, but momentum for the current home-grown movement actually began as a sprout many years ago. We have an innate nature for taking matters into our own hands, literally, during troubling economic times, seeded by the fact that we are a nation of farmers.

In case you missed it, the forecast was that 43 million U.S. households would grow their own vegetables this year. Vegetable seed sales jumped dramatically, city lots have been transformed to edible inner-city paradises and there’s a chance that your neighbor may have dug up the parking strip to grow green beans for dinner, pumpkins for Halloween and cucumbers to preserve for holiday gifts (while crafting tags to say “From the garden of …”).

Well, I’m sad to say, not me.

It’s not that I didn’t give it the ol’ college try. In the spring, my husband and I went to our local big-box store and bought all the fixins. The new cedar frames held such hope and were filled not only with rich soil and compost but great potential.

The fact is the “before” of our garden is much prettier than the “after.” Turns out, I didn’t pick a sunny enough spot, planted some items that weren’t such good choices — and then there were the slugs. Oh, and the rabbit.

I thought I’d be canning with the best of them come harvest time. Visions of tomato sauce bubbling on the stove and filling the kitchen with a sweet scent while I picked herbs for dinner never really materialized.

So much for yes we can-ning. For this year, at least, I can’t.

friday finds: upclose at biltmore estates

wednesday observations: from worry to whimsy

“FORGET YOUR TROUBLES, COME ON GET HAPPY” is what some recent products in the marketplace seem to be saying. While we’re still in the throes of economic recovery, consumers surveying this season’s gift-giving landscape can find plenty to make them smile, and maybe even let out a much-deserved belly laugh.

A stool covered in unblown bright-color balloons has a way of recalling childhood birthday-party joy while also intimating that blowhards are no long welcomed or needed.
Who says being “green” can’t be fun? Notecards, calendar and journals infused with a bit of whimsy are eco-friendly but also a subtle reminder to keep thoughts happy and hopeful.

Even the high-end 2009 holiday wish books are toning down both their pretension and their prices (consider where they used to be) with a literal embrace of cupcake-driven mania. A vehicle inspired by a 2004 cooperative art-car project at Burning Man by Bay Area artist Lisa Pongrace gives a whole new meaning to muffin top. Of course, your choice of icing flavor is included. While this one may be more than an average budget can handle, you can get your choice of flavors by indulging at one of the many cupcake shops that continue to grow in popularity. Cupcakes, whatever their size or origin manage to evoke innocence and embrace individuality.

Balloons, cartoons, cupcakes? Maybe it is time to get happy — or, at the very least, crack a smile.

friday finds: felt like it!

PROBABLY THE LAST TIME YOU GAVE ANY SERIOUS THOUGHT TO FELT was either that black beret you so charmingly sported for a few moments in college, or late one afternoon when you were frantically searching for the material in a craft store for one of your kids’ school projects.

Well, felt has gone a bit upscale and sophisticated and is enjoying a bit of popularity as the it fabric. This season everything from pillows to hats to chairs — even coffee-cup holders — are all getting that felt feeling.

Shedding some insight on the world’s oldest fabric known to humankind was the spring/summer museum show of Fashioning Felt, at the Cooper Hewitt in NYC. The small, but comprehensive show highlighted felt’s rich history — did you know that in Turkey remnants of felt have been found dating back to 6,500 B.C.? — and paid great homage to one of the most sustainable materials around.

Yes, felt is “green” and we don’t mean the color of the felt that covers the surface of that local pool table in your neighborhood bar. However, for the record, it is avaible in a veritable rainbow of colors.

While the Netherlands seems to be one of the key innovators in the field of felt design, those stateside are getting into the act. Blog sites and websites host a variety of felt afficiandos from those with a sense of whimsy to those infused with indie-spirit. High-end designers continue to push the edge with innovative designs ranging from serious architecture, like the auditorium at The Simon Wiesenthal Center Museum of Tolerance, to home accessories such as curtains with cut-out motifs.

All in all, it never felt so good.