Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Hand-decorated Pincushions

I can tell you one thing:
The women who made these pincushions would have been blogging about them, if they'd had the opportunity!

Can't you just imagine them, sharing patterns over the net?
Buying beads and silks online? Although, I think a trip to the shop would have been a lot more exciting - I'd love to have gone with them!
I imagine that they got a lot of their patterns in newspapers and periodicals.
This one has faded so much, but in a way the photo brings out some of the details, and the incredible depth of the painting.
Very textured paint, this one.
I love this one - shame about the mottling.
Punched and stitched cardboard - how incredible!
I imagine these talented ladies gave away quite a lot of their handicraft - so they'd have liked this challenge from The Year of Less! I'm going to be joining in, but I know I won't be able to make anything as beautiful as these 100-year old pincushions, collected over the years and found by me in the famous Elephant Box.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

What gorgeous pincushions and what work must have gone into them.

Lorrie said...

It would be hard to stick pins into those pincushions. Such a lot of beautiful work.

Lululiz said...

They are beautiful, each and every one of them. That elephant box is an amazing time machine, taking me back to a very different era.

Loo xx from Jumbles and Pompoms said...

They are stunning. I've never seen anything quite like them.

JuanitaTortilla said...

Pretty. I particularly like those 2 beaded and embroidered ones in black. All the details!

Incidentally, I'm all about living with less, this year, so I'm off to check out this blog you've just recommended!

Michele's Treasures, Teacups, and Tumbling Rose Cottage said...

Oh, they are darling! Thank you for sharing. I enjoyed looking at each one. ; )
~Michele

Katie said...

Beautiful. The hours and patience that must have gone into these is amazing. What treasures xxx

The Custards said...

I gave a little sigh when I saw this deliciousness..each one is a delight. How big is your elephant box? I am thinking that it is possibly the size of an elephant!! Thank you for sharing such wonderments
Best wishes
Jenny