BLOGAHOMA

So what’s my passion? Now it is staplers. It’s everything I can find out about them. The who, when, where and how. A litany of names, Arrow, Ace, Bates, Bostitch, Neva-Clog, EM, Hotchkiss and all. I know it will take a while but eventually I will become a real “know it all” about these feisty little machines! And then what? Then I don’t know. I learned a whole lot about American arts and crafts tiles, the who, what, why, how, when and where and now I am selling few of them moving to new owners so they can learn. Oh I am keeping many of them but some are going. And then the offshoots, lateral thinking will begin. Obviously 3D work/ play. I am starting to formulate a way to display the staplers and how fun it might be to build a velvet lined box. Right now I am thinking the Neva-Clog, because it cost me a pretty penny and has great curb appeal.

Pictured here is the Hotchkiss Nº 1 from 1924. Their earlier models had more engraving but I like the no nonsense look of this one. And yes at $7, postage and a lot of elbow grease it is quite presentable.

First you have to love the name. I takes confidence to call your device the Neva-Clog but of course being that it was made in 1936 there was no fear of being slammed in a blog or on Epinions. But here it is 2009, this deco darling is now 73 years old and is still hanging in there. It’s particular on what staples you feed it. It has smaller than standard staple which means that it might not ever clog since it will run out of staples before I could ever lodge a complaint. And since the company is no longer in business it is moot point.

Creating art of the Neva-Clog is like reinventing the staple however I started on my 3D rendering before I actually owned this machine. A few details I was not aware of was its head came to a point (I’ll call it the button but I don’t know the real terminology), it appears to have nickelplating rather than chrome and what I thought were photography distortions in the angle of the base were not distortions, the base is actually slightly askew. I followed up with few tweeks to my art after buying the Neva-Clog.

I am somewhere in midst of series of anatomy of the stapler. More to come.

I had tried to construct a 3D version of a stapler from pictures but I had too many starts and stops to even count. It wasn’t until I owned a vintage one that I could actually create all the componants. I am after all an artist/ illustrator and references is essential. And the real deal makes it possible. The EM 230 was made in France in the 1950′s. I love the sleek profile the dark forest green. It took me a few days and nights. There was very little “that will do”. And then there was the sounds. I know I could go to soundsnap and find what I was looking for, the rustle of the paper, the distinctive click of the staple being applied. Nice!

So EM is my favorite of any stapler I have owned. I have owned some nice ones but they usually move on to ebay and get sold. This one, however, is going to stick around.

L’hourra pour pour les agrafeuses de tous les jours !

As I savored the cantaloupe this morning I thought about how we had enhanced the flavor by grating fresh ginger on top. Fresh ginger that we keep at hand in the freezer. Neither of us can remember when or why began to do this but it improved our life in a minute but flavorful way. The “if only” people never  quite get a hold of the idea that doing small things can enhance your life, like along with fresh fruit on Sunday mornings Michael (my husband) bakes up a batch of home made muffins. They are pretty much a surprise but the result ranges from good to fabulous. And yes, as eccentric as it may seem, I now pepper my bosc pear. Last year we put in a porch railing boxes where we grow fresh basil, rosemary, thyme and mint. Add that to your dishes and you have given yourself another reason to want to eat at home.

We needn’t be so literal, spice is more than about food. Spice can be trying out a new style of music. We discovered Buckwheat Zydeco when we stopped at a shop in Eureka Springs, AR adding some Cajan to our musical taste. Out of the blue my sister-in-law sent me Bachata music from her native Dominican which I now listen to make cleaning less drudgery and more of a dance. Then I am forever sampling music son, Colin, recommends like Tremor, Argentinean tech-no music or music I have no idea what it is called but its new and interesting. Right within earshot of our mountain bungalow are live Blues Ball or Red Dirt Music Fest in the Medicine Park. We’re there we listen, move to the music and add zest to our weekend.

I can spark up my day by just adding a pair of earrings and funky bracelet. Today it was my button bracelet I got as a birthday gift from sister Cathy. For friday night at the Tavern I wore my red polka high heeled sneakers. I might compliments or maybe just a smile but adds to others fun as well. In a very small way. But its about the small things.

Sharing the spice is also improves your life. Lately I have been experimenting with gelatin (not Jello). There is espresso gelatin with a hint of orange Cognac, cherry with a hint of cherry brandy. Both excellent and shared with friends and family. Michael added whipped cream and a dash of nutmeg to the espresso gelatin; it was the perfect compliment. Sharing for me can be a show and tell at the Tavern or scanned in image on Facebook. There is so little time and so much to share. Michael to a video of our lavender dancing in the breeze I added the french version of “Lavender Blue” and put it up on FB. One of my friends wrote back that it made her morning. Yes, that little touch of lavender made her day.

So my idea of changing your life, a little spice goes a long way.