Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Toy Boats

Bogwater Jim
Lafayette, NJ
983-383-6057

"There is nothing-absolutely nothing-
half so much worth doing as simply
messing around in toy boats!"

-Rat, in Wind in the Willows

Simple, yet stately, these toys of
our youth evoke memories of of
less complicated times and help
us navigate around the rough edges
of our existence. ...They are a
specialty of ours, and you're invited
to stop in anytime and mess around with them!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Small collections

Bogwater Jim
Lafayette NJ
973 -383-6057

Have you ever noticed how when similar things are grouped, whether by color or shape, the most insignificant items become important? Strength in numbers. These little, old ashtray hands are elevated to collage stature. Their friendly, open palms extend a welcoming gesture.

Arranged on an old glass cakestand, their sugary white surfaces remind me of pastries........quite a delicious thought.

One customer bought a few for little soaps in guest rooms. Another uses them to hold rings. Postage stamps and paper clips fit just fine.

Please visit us via our new weblink at the bottom of this page.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Shell boxes

Bogwater Jim
Lafayette, NJ

973 383-6057

My friend, Barbara, has an impressive collection of old
shell boxes. They draw you into her parlor. In souvenir and sailor art, the late Victorians excelled at taking ordinary items (like shells) and re-surfacing common objects (like boxes) into works of art. Color, pattern and texture create magical mosaics....stunning beauty on a small scale from, not gold or silver, but free seaside gifts found underfoot.


Once offerings for a sweetheart, these naive objects, with
their crowded, swirling surfaces,
have a lively spirit that makes them hard to resist.

They are unique treasure boxes...but the treasure is
held on the outside.

Thank you, Whitney, for the shell box photos.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Musical and Arrangement


Bogwater Jim
Lafayette, NJ

(973) 383-6057

Old brass and woodwind instruments re-purposed as lamps can give a new kick to a fairly commonplace item. We only use banged up, damaged, generic horns that would be too costly to restore for this transition. Once we dust them off, put them on a base and light the top with a lampsocket, they really glow. The old metal loves the light that spills down. They become a trophy of sorts. We've been told that they have brought lyrical interest to our customer's homes. Even the musicians amongst us, after raising an eyebrow or two, have happily installed these lamps in their music rooms.

The little green enamel French market lamps that once illuminated vegetable stalls, bakery counters and bistro tables still tickle us with their simplicity. Either grouped or hung in a line, they are an honest and "hard-working" element that transports us to a French Marketplace.