Some are bought, some are given, some are found. Some are art objects, some are tools and some we have no clue their original use. They just are curious little beings.
For the past few years, I have collected antique wooden pulleys. I have 7 in my mini collection: 'Mini' because they can become quite expensive. Barn pulleys, factories pulleys and a few I'm not sure of their specifics. I love their exhausted look, their carved wooden centers, their purposefulness that is now retired.
This little guy I purchased in an antique store in Cazenovia, NY, though it is not an antique. The mystery object was in a bowl with others, all different and definitely hand carved. A wooden seed pod? A hand massager? A ...?
Lastly is a wooden spoon, carved by our friend and artist, Cullen Stephenson, during grad school. Cullen's work is contemplative and is always more than what is seen at first glance. It is hard to tell, but the spoon's handle is curvy and sort of wiggles in one's hand.
Where are these things situated within our lives? Our mini collections. We place them on bookshelves, coffee tables, windowsills, tabletops. These objects may not be family heirlooms but that doesn't mean that we don't feel attached to them, that we don't have some response to them. I tend to like things that are in retirement, that posses a story. They've lead a good life, they've seen a lot. And have found a way to nestle themselves into into my home.
xo,
Thea