Friendship Albums, A Tribute To Everyday Women

As I mentioned earlier this month March is National Women's History Month. I've been remiss in writing because I got distracted in researching.

I'm going to share with you today a small sampling of women's friendship albums. These albums are little tributes to the women who lived everyday lives in the 19th century. These were generally not poor women but were middle to upper class women who had simple educations and a little leisure time.

These albums bring to life the bonds shared by friends, expressions of love, sympathy and support to one another. The albums are decorated with art done by women and include paintings, weaving of hair and ribbons as well as poetry and flowers. These books don't necessarily record events of historical importance but the simple events important to these women such as marriages, births, deaths and a glimpse into the everyday life of a woman.

Oftentimes these books would be purchased to document years in school and would continue through the young married years, other times the books would continue for decades. These albums are truly treasures. Please enjoy the sampling and let me know if you have any of your own.

A Passion for the Pretty

March is Women's History Month and a big part of women's history includes handcrafts. For the rest of the month I'm going to share with you some samples of beautiful art created by women. Some of the items were created with practical purposes in mind others were created for gifts, friendship and still others for the sheer pleasure of creating.

I've recently had the pleasure of discovering that tatting, something I believed was a dying art is actually alive and well. Tatting is a technique to make lace. It is a beautiful handmade product that can be used on anything that you would normally use lace on. It can also be used by itself for doilies.

I'd like to introduce you to a reader and tatter.....

Ninetta Caruso. Ninetta says "I've been tatting for about 20 years, and I usually do it every day, even a little. I love every type of handmade lace." The following photos are samples of Ninetta's work and I'm sure you will agree she is a talented artist with a Passion for the Pretty. Ninetta says she seldom keeps her work and gives most of it away to friends and relatives and she finds it enjoyable to create new patterns. For more information about this talented artist and to view larger photos of her work please visit. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninettacaruso
Thank you Ninetta for your time and talent.

Kachina Dolls

As I prepared for an appraisal this past week I decided to do some homework on Kachina dolls. I'd seen them before, had one or two come into the traveling appraisal show I worked for and had a basic knowledge of what they were but no particular personal interest.

As I began reading about these "dolls" I became more and more intrigued by what they were actually intended to to portray. In the back of my mind I'd always had the thought that they were sold to tourists and had a "story" about being spiritual. The more I read the more I realized how wrong my presumptions were. (Yes, I can be wrong. lol) The dolls are not "dolls" at all but are carved religious icons. These icons are carved from Cottonwood, painted and dressed in ceremonial attire.

The word Kachina or Katsina refers to a Spirit of the Pueblo religions originally and primarily the Hopi people but other Southwestern Native American Pueblos also worship in the same manner. According to Wikipedia, "A kachina can represent anything in the natural world or cosmos, from a revered ancestor to an element, a location, a quality, a natural phenomenon, or a concept. There are more than 400 different kachinas in Hopi and Pueblo culture. The local pantheon of kachinas varies in each pueblo community; there may be kachinas for the sun, stars, thunderstorms, wind, corn, insects, and many other concepts. Kachinas are understood as having humanlike relationships; they may have uncles, sisters, and grandmothers, and may marry and have children. Although not worshipped,^[2] each is viewed as a powerful being who, if given veneration and respect, can use their particular power for human good, bringing rainfall, healing, fertility, or protection, for example. One observer has written:<sup>[3] "

In ceremonies twice a year the Kachina dolls are created and then passed along to the young girls of the tribe. I became curious about the dolls and the different types and began googling whatever I could find. An interesting website which lists a glossary of Kachina's in Kachina-Dolls.com. I was impressed with the Kachina dolls their varied representations and the Hopi people.</sup>

Spring Fever

Well, it is official I have Spring Fever. I can't focus on a single subject long enough to write a sentence let alone a blog article. I've started four in the past week....Kachina Dolls, Antique Jewelry, Historical tidbits and then.....I started another on Victorian handcrafts when I got that creative tingle where I must create but don't know what. (You know!) Well, I'd love to blame this lack of focus on the beautiful weather here on the California coast but the truth is...I'm a gemini and I'm always easily distracted (Oh Look something shiny!) but this past week has been even worse.

So, here's what's coming in the next few days. I am hereby in BLACK & WHITE committing to completing the aforementioned articles. Check in tomorrow as I will be telling you all about Kachina Dolls which aren't actually, just dolls.

Appraising Coach

Recently, we have been overwhelmed with people seeking appraisals on their "designer" handbags. I personally evaluate at least two a week. Why is this happening? Are people needing money and deciding to liquidate their valuables? That's possible. Are people still buying them at purse parties? I know eBay is cracking down on people selling "designer" items without proof. So, I suppose that's another reason people are having their bags, "appraised".

Coach seems to be the bag to copy these days. In the past month, I've personally evaluated and disappointed four "Coach" owners. So, as a public service let me post some information.

If you are considering buying a Coach bag from an online auction: Beware if the seller has only provided one photo of each of the purses. I would also suggest checking out their feedback. Another tip would be to contact the seller and ask if they can provide a store receipt for the handbags.

Tips for Buying Genuine Coach Bags:
*Coach does not sell to wholesalers or middle men. They only sell their bags through Coach, Coach Outlet, The Coach website and authorized high-end retailers.
*Coach does not sell blemished or seconds. If someone is selling the item as a "second" beware its a fake.
*Coach should be numbered and have a creed.
*Coach should come with a dustbag, usually a deep chocolate with red drawstring and white letters. (There are now newer dustbags, with the company colors)
*The Coach price tag is a bi-fold tag with the word COACH written in brown centered in the front. The interior is imprinted in black are the style number, colors, the SKU number & bar code, a brief abbreviated description, and the price.
*Coach only uses superior craftsmanship. Every detail should be perfect including the evenness and number of stitches on the leather.
*Coach only uses genuine leather.
*Coach CC's are centered and run horizontally never vertically.
*Coach uses heavy thread and double stitches seams.

The following information is directly from the Company Profile Page on Coach.com

Coach was founded in 1941 as a family-run workshop. In a Manhattan loft, six artisans handcrafted a collection of leather goods using skills handed down from generation to generation. Discerning consumers soon began to seek out the quality and unique nature of Coach craftsmanship.

Now greatly expanded, Coach continues to maintain the highest standards for materials and workmanship. Coach’s exceptional workforce remains committed to carefully upholding the principles of quality and integrity that define the company. We attribute the prominence of the Coach brand to the unique combination of our original American attitude and design, our heritage of fine leather goods and custom fabrics, our superior product quality and durability, and our commitment to customer service.
During the last decade, Coach has emerged as America's preeminent designer, producer, and marketer of fine accessories and gifts for women and men including handbags, women’s and men’s small leathergoods, business cases, weekend and travel accessories, outerwear, scarves, jewelry, fragrance and related accessories. Continued development of new categories has further established the signature style and distinctive identity of the Coach brand. Together with our licensing partners, we also offer watches, footwear, and sunwear bearing the Coach brand name.
Coach’s distribution strategy is multi-channel. There are currently over 400 Coach stores in the United States and Canada, with more slated to open this calendar year. In addition, Coach has built a strong presence in the United States through Coach boutiques located within select department stores and specialty retailer locations. In 1999, Coach launched its online store at www.coach.com and evolved it into an important sales channel in the United States, and an effective marketing and advertising vehicle for Coach both domestically and abroad.
While Coach continues to be one of the most recognized accessories brands in the United States, its long-term strategic plan is to increase international distribution and target international consumers. Through Coach Japan, wholly owned by Coach since 2005, the company leverages a large growth opportunity in this important market for imported handbags and accessories. Similarly, the Company acquired its retail businesses in Hong Kong, Macau and Mainland China in 2009. As this emerging market rapidly grows, the Coach brand enjoys increased recognition. Intent on maintaining a consistent brand strategy domestically and abroad, this ownership structure provides Coach with complete control of its distribution in Japan and China. With a global vision in place, Coach is available at over 900 department store locations in the United States, 159 international department stores, retail stores and duty free shops in over 20 countries, 155 department store shop-in-shops and retail and factory stores operated by Coach Japan, and 28 company-operated locations in China.

Coach’s corporate headquarters remain in midtown Manhattan on 34th Street, in the location of our former factory lofts. Coach is a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, traded under the symbol COH.