Circle A Brand

I was recently fortunate enough to acquire a few items from Circle A Brand, aka Russell of http://russellsshirts.blogspot.com, a gifted creator of garments and accessories. 

I got this amazing custom foraging vest constructed on a 1928 single-needle sewing machine using Japanese selvedge herringbone twill, "french" twill lining, hand-peened copper rivets, copper tack buttons, and all cotton topstitching.  Notice the curved foraging pockets, inner pocket with selvedge edge, and the selvedge detail on the back cinch. 

I also got my hands on this beautiful pocket square made of antique "outing flannel" that dates back to the late 1800's.

Russell has a few items available on his etsy right now, including some other pocket squares and some very cool tote bags. http://www.etsy.com/shop/circleavintage

E Smith Mercantile

Opening April 4th in Seattle's Pioneer Square is downright old fashioned goodness, 

E. Smith Mercantile.  Make sure to stop by and take in the old time quality and beauty! 

“Like the Moonshine in Papa Smith’s bathtub, we are Handmade, Small Batch, and All American,” is one of many hopeful, old-timey, oddly capitalized promises on E. Smith’s website. The front of the store sells dry goods (denim, tea) and the back contains a 'meeting place' with craft cocktails and small bites. It is all very Sincere with a capital S."

"After months of hunting, gathering, painting, staining, folding and hanging, we've got a serious hankering to share our creation.  E. Smith Mercantile is proud to announce the opening of it's doors April 2013.  

We welcome fans, friends and future neighbors to visit us for our grand opening event, our... FIRST FIRST THURSDAY!!!

Join us Thursday April 4th from 5pm to 8pm for a fun filled evening of shopping, tasting and celebrating.  We'll have a raffle for a special prize, musical entertainment, and specially spun taste delights provided by Spun Cotton Candy.  We can't wait to see you there!"

http://www.esmithmercantile.com

The Belfry - Seattle

If you live in Seattle and you haven't heard of The Belfry you need to get downtown and check it out, and the perfect time is now, 

or during their one year anniversary party on Thursday, April 4th (more info below)!

(click pic for big)

"The Belfry is a unique store to the Seattle area, offering a variety of visually interesting items from the mysterious and macabre to the beautiful and intriguing. We specialize in Victorian era mourning pieces, vintage taxidermy, human and animal bones and other items which reflect the fantastic realm of natural history." - The Belfry

I might add that they have great prices, beautiful displays, and the owners are the genuine, friendly, and extremely knowledgable.  Great folks all around!  

309A 3RD AVE S

SEATTLE, WA

MON–FRI 10–6

SATURDAY 11–6

http://www.thebelfryoddities.com

Some Odd Fellows

A few items from my Odd Fellows collection, mostly trinkets I've picked up at junk shops and swap meets. 

Autumn

Swap Meet Season

A few small swap meet finds. 

6" Cap gun.

 Old 1" button.

Tiny Seagram's barrel charm. 

5" Composite paper toy solider. 

Old volleyball size float.

Sun

Here's to warmer weather.

The Art Of Patty Grazini.

Recently while in Ballard, I was introduced to the paper works of Patty Grazini. 

Her pieces are based on NY Times articles about petty criminals from between 1885-1915. This rat (it's all paper!) was my favorite. Go check them out in Ballard at the Curtis Steiner space.

http://pattygrazini.com/

Antarctic Shack

The kitchen inside Robert Falcon Scott's hut at Cape Evans, Ross Island, Antarctica. The hut was last used by Shackleton's Ross Sea Party in 1916


Photograph by: Ralph Maestas (link)

K.L.M.

This is an early 1900's leather briefcase I have been using to haul my sketchbook around, among other things, for a couple years now.  The straps were in bad shape and I chose to replace them with a raw/brown color.  At the same time I also made a shoulder strap for it.  I love that old worn leather.

Bowers "Trench" Lighter

These Bowers lighters –tarnished and like new– were popular in the trenches of WWI. Officially called 'Bowers Kalamazoo "Slide Sleeve" Lighters' (round tube shown here), manufacturing began in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1930. 

I have collected two of the "round tube" WWI era lighters; prewar lighters were made of brass. My favorite versions are these round lighters with brass highlights– the grommet, the pull on the spring that holds the flint in place, and I especially like the brass lanyard loop.

 

More information can be found here: http://www.bowers-mfg.com/about-us.html

Rag & Bone Pt. 3

Bottles Not To Be Shot At Pt.2