“Well, you definitely got into the right business.” My mom has said this to me many times over my 13+ years of writing this blog. She knows I love happy surprises, mail, and gifts and, in this weird little line of work, I get some of the best mail. It started with rolls of tape, a t-shirt here and there, and then a flood of vintage and antique sheet music when I wanted to make wreaths, ornaments, and tree toppers out of paper. It’s continued over the years with thoughtful things people find that “have my name on it” or someone is ready to pass a cherished time or collection on to a new home where it will be appreciated. I’ve been the recipient of many thoughtful gifts and encouraging notes through the years. Many of those notes are on my inspiration board and remind me that even though sharing online is, indeed, a strange little job, it can be a very fulfilling one.
Within the past couple of weeks, I received a few of those thoughtful gifts. It felt like Christmas came early.
The first package was from one of my blog readers who is in the process of downsizing. “Would you like some antique baby shoes that I’ve collected over the years?” Well, who could say no to that?
I have painted a few antique baby shoes and I love them as a subject. Each pair has so much personality and I can’t help but think of the little feet that wore them and wonder about the stories those shoes would tell if they could speak. As they say, shoes can tell where a person has been and where they are going. So much life ahead of an infant or toddler and your imagination can decide where those shoes are going. Do these shoes tell a hopeful story or one of heartbreak? I’ve always had a vivid imagination and antiques, especially ones that are personal, awaken my imagination.
So, in addition to some shoes I bought over the summer (you can see those in THIS POST), I have a bunch of subjects for an antique shoe series. I am planning to start a daily painting challenge in January, so these will be great models for that.
I knew the shoes were coming, but as a bonus, there was also a huge collection of antique portraits. Next to the carefully packed shoes, a stack of photos about 8″ thick was nestled in a plastic bag. I took time to look through each of them. Many credited the studio where the portrait was taken, some had hand-written notes indicating who the person in the photo was, but most of them were anonymous. I put a few in my stash of old papers and postcards and I picked out a few that spoke to me to perhaps paint or sketch or both. I just love the hair and the outfits in old photos. Aside from being very picky about drinking water and thoroughly enjoying wifi, I am a soul of a different generation.
I love this boy, who completely upstages his sister with his dapper suit and confident pose…
…and, what I’m assuming is a boy in a kilt. I love his boy tie, little jacket, and hat.
Another gift I received a few days ago was from my sweet friend from Minnesota, Cheri. She was my antiquing buddy and had to go to Gold Rush Days without me this summer. While she was shopping, she found antique vials of powdered paint for painting china. I have seen similar ones on Etsy, but I never purchased them because they were always a bit pricey and I’m not sure how I would use them. Would they just mix with water? Or oil? Anyway, Cheri spotted a box of them for $1/each and asked me if I would like some. Well, yes!! Naturally, I wanted blues, greens, and white. She picked out some vials for me and mailed them to me, a little bit of Gold Rush for me when I wasn’t able to attend.
Aren’t they just yummy? The colors, the worn labels, and the little corks?
I just love old things. Can’t you tell?
Anyway, I just wanted to share some of my happy mail as evidence of the kindness and thoughtfulness that can be found in this online community.
I am always amazed when someone tells me they don’t like old things but only want new ones. Old things tell a story that new things do not. Old things seem to be made better and will last longer than new and with much more attention to detail. Have you ever really looked at old hinges on an old door? Sometimes they are etched and carved in lovely designs…compare that to a new hinge from the big box store!
The baby shoes are darling and how lovely this kind lady thought of you.
I inherited a box of framed family pictures that no one wanted when my grandmother died. It was great seeing these old photos and finding out who they were. I still have them hanging on my wall along with more contemporary ones.
I, too, feel like I was born into the wrong century…even more so lately. Stop the world…I want to get off.
Babs, I agree with you!
What lovely friends you have! And after reading an old post from several years ago, in which some readers were berating you for changing your blog format, I was thinking you had a lot of rude and pushy readers who actually thought they had the right to tell you how to do your job! I’m glad to see that many (most?) are very nice, generous, souls…it restores my faith in humanity, even in these tumultuous times.
I have recently started working in the estate sale business. That’s a good thing but it really has to be thought through as to what comes home with me and what a wonderful treasure another gets to find.
I have been referred to as the “protector” of our family history as well as everyone else’s.
I love the little shoes and portraits in this post. Today I found a tiny pair of leather baby shoes that I had purchased at a sale and tucked away in a dresser. Sometimes these little items just call out to you to take them home.
I have no idea whose history I am protecting but it’s sweet.
We old souls gotta stick together! Merry Christmas 🙂
I’m from the same generation!! I love old things and as you said they have a story to tell. Even if I don’t know the story I can feel it.
Merry Christmas ?
I was born in 1954. I still have my old, scuffed, worn, brown and white saddle shoes that I wore when I was maybe 6 or 7. I even have a pic of me wearing them. I don’t specifically remember wearing them but they certainly bring back loving memories of my mom who kept them and my dad who took the pictures. I’d love to send you a picture of them! I also kept some of my two son’s little shoes. Just love your blog!
So surprised to read about your china painting paints! I have my grandma’s whole paint box filled with those same vials and oils, brushes, etc. When I was little I would china paint with her. I loved it. Even the smell of the box brings back wonderful memories. After following you for all these years, I’ve started painting again, only with watercolor. Thank you.
I love old things, and imagine the stories behind them!!! I guess I’m an old soul too. Merry Christmas and thanks for all of the years of inspiration
I have a pair of my brown oxfords c.1944 when I was 2 years old. During WW II one could not buy white baby shoes. I am so glad my mother saved them. I showed to this amazing shoe cobbler and she was amazed at the workmanship.
Imagine holding in my hands the WWI unopened, but dented, first aid kit of my great uncle that had been in his uniform all those years after he fought in France. I wanted that first aid kit with its attached tuna can type key to whisper my uncle’s stories.
Oh my!! What a find. Treasures to keep and preserve forever! Good for you!! Merry Christmas.
I sent a lot of “happy mail” during the lock down all because of of you and your blog talking about it. Now every time I hear of “happy mail” I think of you. You touch us in so many long term ways.
I must be an old soul, too. I feel so drawn to things with a past and history. I have collected old portraits of children for many years. I just love their sweet faces and clothes from a time gone by. Even though I have no idea who they are, I display them with my own families’ pictures. I tell people that ask who the unknown children are that they are my instant relatives. That usually gets a laugh. Sometimes, a strange look. Lol! But I love them all!
I love vintage things as well
I am the Answer Grape in my family on anything that is old and that is because I love all the past and the things that it brought for them at that time.I have tried to get my children interested but only have one daughter in law that also loves all the old things so now we have lots of fun and she decorates her home which is beautiful in our wonderful finds. We are now on the hunt for old Santa Mugs that are white or Stone Wear …Love your blog and Merry Christmas ..
Such thoughtful and generous mail. It’s a compliment to who you are and what you have given of yourself to your readers. Merry Christmas.
Another old soul here. I overheard my son say once, “Mom should have been a pioneer!” lol! I can just see your little pigment bottles hanging from ribon or yarn on your studio tree ; ) Merry Christmas to you and yours. The inspiration you share is so appreciated.
I especially like the paint powder vials. I can’t paint and wouldn’t begin to know what to do with them, but the way they look appeals to me and their potential for someone creative is also appealing. Very cool!
I am the one in my family who listened carefully and gathered both stories and objects to pass on down to the next generation. Turns out that I was the only one who had children, and both of mine are also keenly interested in old things and preserving them! I love studying old photos and clothing and for sure everything was WAY better made “in the olden days” vs. now. Frankly, modern made seems primitive and cheap and stupid compared to those older things. Thankfully there are many of us out there in the world, working hard to preserve the items that interest us! Those old shoes and children photos are very precious and I look forward to seeing your painted studies of them.
I, too, love old things. One of my favorites would be kitchen utensils and the feel of the handle. I just used a spatula last night to remove cookies from a pan and the handle is so smooth, makes me wonder about the other hands that touched it.
Thanks for the lovely blog post!
Merry Christmas to you, too all of you!
I LOVE vintage!!! Everything in my home is vintage…except for electronics. …even me, I am getting there!!! I, too, always said I was born in the wrong generation. I have been collecting vintage since the early 1970’s. It all started with a walk in a park when I spotted an early 1900’s class photo stuck in a tree. I was mesmerized by it. The clothes, the kids, the hairdos….EVERYTHING!!! I still have the picture and it still “gets” me. If I have advance warning to my death…I will ship you a huge box!!!! My kids don’t want it…lolo
Those shoes are adorable.
Merry Christmas!!!