Ruby Lane's Past Times Newsletter for July 2003

Past Times
The monthly newsletter from Ruby Lane Antiques, Collectibles,
Fine Art, and Artisans
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Welcome to Past Times!

IN THIS ISSUE:
o Don't Miss July Finds From Ruby Lane!
More Historic Fun Facts: Fabric and Fabric Motifs
o For The Love Of Sea Glass by Christeena of Sea Glass Jewels
& Company
o Share Past Times with A Friend
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DON'T MISS JULY FINDS FROM RUBY LANE!

It's time for July Finds from Ruby Lane. Hundreds of Ruby Lane
shops have listed an item here that they want you to know about
- some at reduced prices! So be sure to check it out at July
Finds.
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MORE HISTORIC FUN FACTS: FABRIC AND FABRIC MOTIFS

Did you know......

-Rich in symbolism, the rose has been one of the most enduringly
popular floral motifs. In Christian iconography it is an
attribute of the Virgin Mary and paradise, while in classical
mythology it is a token of Venus (and love), and of secrecy (sub
rosa). Other notable associations of the rose include martyrdom
(red rose) and piety (white rose). Over the centuries, wild and
cultivated roses have provided inspiration for fabric designs.
Wild roses are closely associated with Medieval Jacobean, and
Arts and Crafts fabrics, while cultivated roses appear on both
Victorian and Edwardian designs.

-A form of outline embroidery, crewelwork was fashionable during
the 17th and 18th centuries; it has since enjoyed revivals in
the late 19th and 20th centuries. Stitched with a crewel, which
is a loose-spun worsted yarn, on a linen or cotton ground,
crewelwork is traditionally used for bed furnishings and covers
for cushions. Popular stitches include stem, double-back, and
chain, while satin, rope coral, button hole and French knot are
used for the fillings. The motifs are often Eastern in origin,
and usually include naively-depicted flowers, leaves, animals
and birds.

-A "document" is a historic fabric that serves as the source for
a reproduction-a documentary fabric. In its purest form a
documentary fabric is an exact copy of the fibers, width,
repeat, floors, and every detail of the original design.
However, as is often the case, if one or more of the original
elements is altered, then the reproduction is referred to as an
"adaptation." Typical examples include a change from silk to
synthetic fibers, adjustments of scale to accommodate modern
power looms, and variations in color caused by different dyes or
printing techniques. (A helpful tip for the discerning
collector.)

-In the late 18th century, the proliferation of floral-patterned
fabrics in Europe was fueled during the second half of the
century by the English government's removal, in the 1770s, of
previously imposed restrictions on the manufacture of cotton
chintzes. Moreover, the development of copperplate printing
during the mid 1700s revolutionized the fabric industry by
increasing output, reducing costs, and improving the
sophistication and quality of designs. By the end of the 18th
century, Americans began to produce their own chintzes following
the emigration of a number of English printers to Philadelphia.
Aesthetically, floral patterns of the second half of the century
were characterized by naturalistic renditions of flowers.
Examples included larkspurs, roses, carnations, poppies, and
cornflowers, as well as the daisies, stocks, violets, and
anemones embellishing many of the fabrics used in 1768 to
decorate Marie Antoinette's bedroom at the Petit Trianon in
Versailles, France.

-One of chintz's most aesthetically pleasing characteristics is
that its original bright colors gradually mellow and fade, a
process that is caused by exposure to sunlight, laundering and
general usage. This explains why 18th and 19th century chintzes
are sought after today, and why, since the 1970s, designers and
manufacturers have been producing "artificially aged" chintzes
to meet the demand.

These Fun Facts are from the Style Sourcebook by Judith Miller,
copyright 2000, Reed Books Limited.

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FOR THE LOVE OF SEA GLASS BY CHRISTEENA OF SEA
GLASS JEWELS & COMPANY

As a child I was raised at the "Jersey Shore" on the east coast
of the United States. At the time, I remember it was rare to
enter someone's home without seeing a colorful bowl or jar
filled with sea glass or beach glass, also called mermaid's
tears.

So what exactly is sea glass? Sea Glass is pieces of glass or
bottles that have been tossed in the sea by humans. Once
afloat, they undergo a natural tumbling process - battered by
sand, rocks and currents, resulting in a translucent glass
"gem." Eventually they wash ashore.

The colors are endless. Greens and browns - some deep in shade
while others are light like the color of seafoam itself - maybe
from old beer bottles; blues maybe from cosmetics jars, and so
on. Through research, I have found that red, a rare find, is
usually quite old and often seems to contain flecks of gold!

I adore the mystery of the glass, the unanswered questions: How
long has this glass been in the water? What was it before it
became this smooth gem I am holding in my hand? How did it find
its way into the ocean? Although there are markings on some
pieces such as "Coca-Cola", "Heineken" etc, ninety percent of
the glass is just slivers and pieces of an unsolved puzzle, with
any markings long since smoothed over, or washed away.

It is very easy to become addicted and even a little obsessed
with collecting sea glass. I am now in my 40's and living on
the Aegean Sea in the Greek Islands. In a way I am re-living
my childhood days on the "Jersey Shore" collecting sea glass.
But now, instead of placing the sea glass in jars and bowls, I
turn the recycled glass gems into works of art. My creations
include jewelry, lampshades and key chains to name a few, all
designed using recycled glass and after many hours of
beachcombing.

The next time you are walking a shoreline and you see a sliver
of color peeking through the sand, hold it up to the sun. Admire
the amazing translucence and the perfect smoothness in your
hand. I have a feeling you will move on and look for the next
piece.

We invite you to visit Christeena at Sea Glass Jewels.

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