We have been very busy. It takes a lot to run a store. We have to look for everything for our shops, and finding the right beauties can be tricky. Today I have been restoring an antique fan using acrylic paint and tape, researching a Dupont lighter to ensure its authenticity, using an ultra sonic cleaner on silver for the first time and arranging delivery of some ladies' vanity items from the Victorian era. Our cat was very surprised at the noises coming from the cleaner and to be honest, he's no help at all.
We have listed some more treats today - including a gorgeous little trick vesta. Vestas are by design supposed to be water tight - think of all those Georgian and Victorian men campaigning and having adventures, a dry and secure place for matches would be absolutely crucial! We have listed a vesta today which would have been an advertising piece from famous Scotch Whiskey producers in Kirkcaldy, John Taylor & Co. You have to press down at exactly the right point, and open it flips! Just a great design and a unique little piece and keeps your powder dry!
Then there is the watch chain - a gorgeous snaky piece with no marks on it. This is why videos are so good for this kind of item - you cannot tell in pictures how sinuously this little chain moves, it's a design inspiration! And to top it all, a beautiful little stamp/seal fob with a curious little stone to the end - again we are off! What kind of white stone can this be? We decided it is most likely white agate....
And tomorrow we are off looking for more treasure - vesta cases, ladies' haberdashery, little jewellery pieces, vanity pieces and those gorgeous little gentlemen's gadgets - what a joy when we find something we can share with you and preserve the beauty and grace of an age gone by.....