Friday, December 7, 2007

Locally Made Christmas


This Santa was designed and created by local Perry artists.

The bell was china painted by Mary, and the tree was made by Kate.

Scandinavian Corner


There is now a Scandinavian Corner at Mary Rose!

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Antiques


Boy has this been fun! We have been on the move to find unique, affordable, stunning, beautiful, great antiques! And we think we have succeeded!
The current featured finder is Carolyn Guay. She was an art teacher at Perry for many years and now that she has retired, she keeps her artistic eye alive with spotting great antiques and vintage items from the masses. We think you will love the pieces. Thanks Carolyn for your help and for many fun antiquing adventures!

Picture: At Breakfast, by Lauritz Ring

Mary Nichols


For now the major work of art at Mary Rose will be the building itself. The transformation is just as she pictured. As she settles into her new life as shopkeeper, Mary will have more time to spend in her multiple studios throughout the building. She will add more paintings, stained glass, china painting, sewing...

Pictured in the title bar are the types of work we will all be begging her to find time to make more of...

Daisy Mae


Daisy Mae is Mary Rose's daughter company (it's Kate's!). Daisy Mae makes one-of-a-kind bags and other special accessories for your every day life. Each item is carefully handcrafted to be a unique representation of skill and love. In addition to her new items, the Clear the Trace line specializes in breathing new life into recycled clothes and textiles through screen-printing and reconstruction. Some things are just too beautiful to throw away, and even if they aren't, our forest, prairies, lakes, and hillsides are certainly too beautiful to clutter with abandoned items. That's why she started Daisy Mae's "Clear the Trace" collection. She is part of an exciting renewed "quilt mentality". Traditionally quilts have been pieced together out of scrap fabric or flour sacks. This quilt mentality can be used with countless resources. Like rearranging several broken strands of vintage beads into a one-of-a-kind necklace. Or screen printing tired shirts with fresh designs. Or saving high quality fabric samples from landfills to create bags of all shapes and sizes. Look for "Clear the Trace" tags for ecologically minded goods.

Of course, Daisy Mae also makes accessories out of new materials. Each thing is a unique and individual creation. I rest my insecure perfectionist soul knowing that my customers realize that everything is handmade, and that there is not another one exactly like it. Look for "Daisy Mae" tags for these items.

Polish Pottery- Ceramika Artystyczna


All polish pottery is beautiful, but the best is created by the artists and craftsmen at Ceramika Artystyczna factory. The intricate designs and whiter more dense clay set Ceramika Artystyczna apart and allow it to combine function with beauty. Each piece is individually handcrafted in Boleslawiec Poland on the Bohr River, an area known for the highest quality stoneware for centuries.
We carry both Traditional and Signature (Unikat) Series. The traditional series depicts patterns that have been pleasing families and collectors for centuries. Using traditional techniques that are hundreds of years old, artists incorporate the spots of a peacock's feathers in classical arrangements. They use designs cut into sea sponges for hand stamping and brushes for more intricate patterns. Traditional pieces have a distinctive cream colored edge and are less expensive than the signature pieces, but still highly collectible.
In the signature (Unikat) series each piece is hand painted and signed by one of Ceramika Artystyczna's experienced artists. Only twenty-three artists have demonstrated the skill to create these unique designs. These artists have developed numerous intricate patterns and styles. Each piece is of highest quality and is truly a piece of art. We think you will love incorporating these pieces into your home and dinner table.
Mary and her family can vouch for the functionality of polish pottery. It is microwavable, dishwasher safe, great for baking, and looks beautiful on a table.
We have over one hundred pieces of Polish Pottery ranging in price. We know we will have the piece to start or add to your collection.
More information: http://www.ceramika-artystyczna.pl/

April Cornell


April Cornell specializes in hand silk-screened prints for housewares including tablecloths and linen napkins. Mary and her family have been incorporating April Cornell linens into their homes for years. These linens are a simple way to add rich color to a table setting and an entire room. Try setting an April Cornell linen on your end table for a week and you'll be hooked!
We think that you will love the harvest colors available for fall, the cherry colors for spring, and April's Christmas designs.