Yesterday's Trinkets

Most antiques you find for sale online are probably not what the seller claims. I knew this when I spotted this "Antique French" trinket box on eBay; I've seen another one in better shape for sale on Etsy (which the seller claims is one of a kind, no less.)

I can tell you that this is indeed an antique, but not as old as you may assume. It was likely mass produced in China or India, not handmade in France. From the slightly sloppy soldering work I'm going to guess China.

Another tipoff is the two gold ribbon roses on the top of the box, which are the mass-produced variety. True antique French ribbon roses are loosely woven to better resemble the real flower, and often have metallic golden centers surrounded by lighter tulle or organza layers.

Trinkets were probably never kept in this box; I unearthed two rusty straight pins from the interior. It was likely where a lady from the 40's or 50's kept her sewing notions. How do I know all this when I'm obviously not an antique expert?

My grandmother actually kept hers in a box just like this one, which vanished after she passed away. My mother gave away a lot of her things that were precious to me. Anyway, that's the real reason I bought this one -- not to invest in a questionable antique, but to remember her.

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Journal Find

This is a page from my 2010 poetry journal. My handwriting isn't the best, so I'll transcribe it: If my heart survives to tell all the secrets kept inside it will be an abalone shell in which the beauty did reside. But I think I will always be lost to the tides that rage in me . . . humbling and polishing . . . I don't write many self-portrait poems, but this one isn't too embarrassing. A bit overly dramatic, but the girl I was eleven years ago went through some tough times. I'm in a much more peaceful place today.

Another World

Since I'm watching more Japanese dramas these days I'm able to find more hidden gems, like the drama Silent . This is a subtle, emotional romance series, and authentically portrays what it's like to deal with a major disability while trying to get on with life and fall in love. Here's the story: in high school Sou Sakura (Meguro Ren) and Tsumugi Aoba (Haruna Kawaguchi) are a young couple. They have the same quirky sense of humor, love music, and really enjoy being with each other. The fact that they're the most attractive couple in school is obvious, but the innocent and fun nature of their relationship is what makes it so perfect. They just like talking with each other. Then, quite suddenly, Sou dumps Tsumugi (by text, no less, making him a giant ass) and vanishes. Years later Tsumugi is now in a relationship with another guy, with whom she's happy, and is looking for a place where they can live together. By accident she runs into Sou, and discovers ...

Stuff

After finding this Caron one pound skein of lovely peach yarn in my thrifted lot I raided my stash for two cakes of Mandala in Pegasus, which matches it perfectly. For practice and hand therapy I'm going to make another Worth Street Afghan with this free pattern , but this time I'll use the yarn that was recommended for it plus the one pound skein. I'm not quite ready to do the vintage/recycled linen quilt I had planned (still a bit too nervous about the idea), so I'm going to use some color therapy and make a quilt from these thrifted green fat quarters. I considered doing another Yellow Brick road patchwork pattern, but I might go with a split rail fence like this one.

Rayen

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