I went out on a limb recently and suggested a swap with an artist I really admire. I promised a hand-knit scarf in exchange for Linda Crispell's beaded spiders. Linda has an amazing house full of vintage treasures, and she is also a party-planning and decorating genius. I spotted the spiders above in a photo of her Halloween decorations, and I just loved how inventive and fun they were.
Linda was generous enough to agree to the swap. Here are the spiders in action. As you can see, they are quite active critters.
My youngest has decided that they are perfect for playing itsy-bitsy spider with. Unfortunately they are mommy's toys, so they are now displayed in my office for my continuous viewing pleasure.
Linda went WAY above and beyond the terms of our swap and sent one of her amazing assemblages: "Seagrass" (2005). I am still so overwhelmed by her gesture and also by how perfectly the piece fits with everything that I love. 
I know I'm probably tacky to admit that a piece of art matches my decor, but this piece really does! The sea green of the box is one of my favorite colors, and it's the color of my living room (our dining room is a shade darker). 
I have a few pieces of seaglass and beach pebbles that I've collected from Victoria, British Columbia, and from along Lake Michigan. The seaglass that Linda incorporated into this piece is from Lake Michigan's Rosewood Beach, which is a perfect evocation of my memories of the three wonderful summers I spent living in Chicago. 
The vintage details that Linda assembled into this piece are so touching. The vintage chalkware bird is the focal point of the piece, and the vintage wallpaper in the background is its perfect complement. 
Thank you, Linda, for your generosity! I feel very blessed to have one of your originals to treasure!
6 comments:
What a beautiful piece she sent you. The spiders are so fun and this shadow box is stunning I have a drawer I've been waiting to do something with...
Linda incorporated so many incredible elements and little details perfectly... great inspiration, wow!!
Amazing how it will work in your living room. You've made your home represent colors and things you love...it's not just "decor", it's about you.
Aren't you nice!!! I think it was an uneven exchange and you should use this forum to complain. I received a stunning hand knit scarf, a vintage book on junk shopping, a great old box of staples with excellent graphics, vintage postcards and beautiful candy that is looking mighty fine in my kitchen!!! I think you are owed big time.
Linda
How fun! It's like a visit from Santa for grown ups.
i love to do exchanges like this and also to read about them. Sounds pretty even to me. I know what amazing treasures you send in the mail having been such a recipient in the not so distant past. You are an amazing and generous person that anyone should be so lucky to have as an exchange partner.
Stunning piece. Having a "why didn't I think of that?" moment.
I saw this on your flickr and it reminded me of a diorama you might see at a nature center or natural history museum - very awesome! Great exchange!
Post a Comment