Love Spoons

Hello folks!

I realise that you still expect posts from me about my collections and new items that I've found, and though I'm not buying many items these days -  after 'finding' something very recently I realised the other day that I have another collection that you will not know about - yet!

Welsh Love Spoons.

The carving of love spoons probably dates back to the 17th century, when young men would carve from a single piece of wood simple utilitarian spoons for their loved one - probably with just their initials and a simple hole to hang up the spoon likely using only a penknife and a saw.

Traditionally they would have used sycamore, as this is the type of wood which is well suited to use as a cooking utensil, though they could also have used oak, box, and fruit woods such as apple, wild cherry and pear.  Close grained woods would have to be harvested and dried so that the wood didn't split as they were carving the spoon.  Over the years they became more intricate so that they would be used as decoration instead.  These young men would spend hours carving the spoon to give as a token of their love, in the hope that if it was accepted their loving relationship would begin.  This is where the origin of the word 'spooning' comes from.  (There is also a belief that the carvers expertise would show the girls family that he would be able to provide for the girl with his carpentry skills.)

The handle of the spoon then expanded to more of a paddle shape so that more and more intricate designs could be added.  

This form of love token was also used in other European Celtic countries too.

Today, the carving continues and though I imagine rarely carved by the suitor there are many Welsh carvers that make and sell them, prices start in the tens of UK pounds to the hundreds depending upon the detail.

The symbols used in the carvings are generally accepted to mean the following:

Hearts = Love

Dragons (the symbol of Wales) = Protection

Locks/keys = Home and security

Knots = Everlasting love

Ship = Smooth passage through life

Bell = Weddings and anniversaries

Vine = Love grows

Comma shapes = Soul signs for deep affection

Ball = Love held safely

Cross = Faith

Flowers  = Affection

Horse shoe = Good luck

Diamond = Wealth/good fortune

Double spoon bowl = Togetherness

Heart shaped bowl = Togetherness

Wheel = Work
Shield = Safekeeping & Protection
Twist = Binding and growing together

I have found my small, motley 'collection' from charity shops over a number of years, and I display them on the wall between the kitchen and dining room.  Of course, as you can imagine I certainly haven't paid anything like the tens of pounds that they would have originally cost ;o)

and in close-up:

The bell for marriage/anniversary, and the heart for love.

The cross is for faith, the shield for safekeeping and protection.
(And a chipped spoon bowl because I'm clumsy and dropped it!)

Probably my favourite one, the Prince of Wales feathers to give good service, heart for love, and the lovely twist which means binding and growing together.

The horseshoe for good luck, and a heart for love.

And finally

A heart for love, the commas are soul signs for deep affection

and a double spoon for togetherness.

(Incidentally, after further tracing of my family tree I have found that there is Welsh blood running through my veins on both maternal and paternal sides of my family, so it looks like (finally) I have an apt collection!)

Hope all is well, and you have had an enjoyable weekend.

Best wishes to all!

x x x

Part two of the catch up.

Hello folks!  

Thank you all for your lovely comments, you ARE a super bunch :o)

As promised I'm back with more catching up.  I have of course been out and about bargain hunting, here's a few of the things I found.  (Photo heavy post)

This delightful little Masons Cathay trinket box caught my eye amidst a shelf-full of boxes.  It stood out as quality and cost £6.  It seems to be a modern piece.

Then I found this linen Autumnal doily, around 5" square.  I loved the sweet acorns and oak leaves.

Can you believe it was only 20p?

A stoneware 'Dripping' lidded jar.

Made by Moira Pottery, who were established in 1922 and sadly closed in 1972.  £1.50.
I've only 'discovered' how much I like Stoneware fairly recently and have found it to be very useful in the kitchen.

The colour of this Royal Norfolk jug is a beautiful cobalt blue, sadly the light was not very good today and it looks almost black.  I think it will hold around 2 pints and its cost?  £1.75.

I spotted the next up last week.

This beautiful crystal handled cake knife and server, obviously made for the happy couple to cut the wedding cake was on offer for £3.  I just cannot imagine why you'd want to get rid of them after the wedding...maybe it didn't work out as happy ever after?

Then I found these two pieces of Arcadian crested ware for £1 each

If this had of been made by Goss it would have bee SO much dearer...

I have a few pieces of crested ware I will share with you another time.

I have finally found and affordable cloche, that I have got a bit carried away with!  So here are some photos of some Autumnal vignettes I've had a play with.  Most of the items I already had stashed away  Oh, the cloche is a bell shape and cost £12.

First a close up of my cloche.  Approx 9" high.

I got the cast iron squirrel on the same day for £6, oh and the single antler at the front £5.

(I just love the oak and acorn plate.)

There's always plenty of spiders about ;o)

Then I had another play around.

We had a dear friend visiting last weekend, who very kindly bought me the gorgeous Spode Chinese Rose platter as a gift :o)

Thank you Reg x  A very beautiful and thoughtful gift.

Conkers (horse chestnuts) oak leaves and another new addition, a cast iron hedgehog :o)

£3.50

A cheese dome with Mom and children hedgehogs (All made by Wade)

The Autumn leaves were kindly donated by my dinky little peach tree.

An Irish Bog Oak cauldron that was always a fascination for me as a child.

And the last arrangement I made.

A bit spooky for Halloween.  Tiny pumpkins, a spooky black cat, and the antler that looks like a magic wand!

And finally, you just knew there's be news on hedgehogs.

As you know I rescued Octavia, who is now happily putting on weight at West Midland Hedgehog rescue.  I thought that she was the last visiting hedgehog, but how wrong I was...

please meet Olivia :o) another juvenile

Found in my garden on the 25th October.  Here, I've just met up with Joan on the vets car park to pass her on to WMHR.

Sooo cute.  She too is well underweight to survive the Winter hibernation.

Then, would you believe on the 27th October I found...

Otto, a very sweet, friendly young man seen here perching on my (gloved) hand at the rescue centre.

(Just in case you're wondering all names beginning with 'O' as it's October.)

It appears that these three sweethearts are all from the same litter, as they are all around the same size.  All three have been quite friendly, opening up from their curled (VERY spiky) balls quickly on my hand.

I've had long discussions with Joan about the little dears and we are both convinced that they open up easily as my gloves smell of other hedgehogs.  Once they're relaxed they seem to enjoy being stroked immensely, once the spines flatten down they feel lovely and smooth and don't hurt your bare hand at all.

 I'm a sucker for their beautiful, moist noses.  Who couldn't fall in love with a face like that?

Thank you all for putting up with such a long post.  Hope you see something you like - please leave a comment and let me know.

Happy Halloween Everyone.

This and that

Hello folks!

I've been trying to complete the Hedgehog Info Page (the link is just below the header) over the last few days - I think I have now, but you never know what I may think of next ;o)  I'd love some constructive feedback please. 

So much going on in 'real life' I'm struggling sometimes to keep up with everyone, so forgive my lack of commenting.

I'd really like to welcome my latest followers, it's great to see you here :o)  I see I'm creeping up towards the magical 100, and will have to find a giveaway when I reach that number. 

I have been popping in the charity shops and have managed to find a 'few' things, hope you like them.

(At this point frustration hits - I'd finished the L O N G draft and just hopped off to check on some facts and the above was posted by its self, and lost all the rest :o((  I'm NOT a happy blogger)  Here goes again!  You may need to get a glass of wine or a cup of tea before reading any further though ;o)

I totally forgot to show you what dear Daughter had made me when she came to visit over the Jubilee weekend, yards and yards or beautiful bunting!  Enough to trim all around the conservatory.


Isn't it jolly?  I LOVE IT - thank you dear Vicky :o)
(Sorry about the reflection of the plate on the wall)

I hate to think of all those hours of love that is put into any needle worked item and it ends up in the charity shop, I feel the need to rescue them - am I alone ?  When I spotted this 3 foot long tapestry bell pull I had to have it..

and in close up

all that work for just £3.
On the same day this sweet little cross stitched red squirrel caught my eye
4" x 4" frame - 50p

Cute eh?

By now you  know I'm obsessed I'm in love with blue and white.  Oh, and cats.  So you just know I wasn't going to resist this wall plate ;o)

and the backstamp..

Whilst typing this I realise that I didn't show you a little jug I found about a month ago on a trip to Ironbridge (which is only about 16 miles from my home.) Inevitably I'm going to visit it's one and only charity shop while I'm there!  It's a National Trust souvenir piece from beautiful Lanhydrock in Cornwall.
 

It's just about 2.5" high

I wonder if they're made by the famous Emma Bridgewater?
It was only two quid anyway :o) (£2)

A few weeks ago I spotted this little old crystal inkwell, the stopper was welded in place by all the dried turquoise ink that remained in it.  It's 4.5" high x 2.5" wide.  I filled a jug with warm soapy water and plunged it in over night, and next morning hey-presto the stopper came out with ease.  It took another day to soak off the ink remnants though.

 

I took a chance for £1.50 and it worked :o)

I wonder how many times the nib dipped into it and what wonderful words is helped to write?

(Sorry folks - I did warn you earlier it's a L O N G post, there's still more.)

On another occasion on entering the shop this struck me as beautiful, and I'm not normally into cherubs.

The little bird is so quaint.  It's china and stands 6" high, just £3.

I'm definitely NOT a Kindle kind of person, there is in my opinion nothing like holding a real book and so not surprisingly I have hundreds of them that are often read and referred to.  You know I'm like a magpie with gold colours too, so when I spied these 7" high x 4.5" wide pineapple bookends...

the original price sticker said £21, they're in perfect condition and were priced at just £4.50 :o)

Guess who's books they're holding up right now?

For some time I have been buying any hedgehog themed item to donate to the hog rescue open day to help boost funds.  Obviously there are a few items I've decided I wish to re-home...

The largest being 5.5" long.  The three items added up to £2.50.

Incidentally, the largest ones spines feel just like the real thing when you stroke it - a relaxed one of course with spines down!

Then there's this little group which includes a field mouse, it's just like home;o)

around 4" long and 5" tall, 75p.

You know I'm a collector-holic, well another thing I collect is walking sticks - not the expensive silver topped variety, but things that catch my eye.  Last week I found the smaller of the two pictured at my 'suppliers' for £3.50

The handles are antler.

In close up, the taller one

Which I bought last year from the same shop - that cost £5

and the small one

this reminded me that I'd got something a month or so back I didn't 'show' you either.

I'd looked at it for a few days in the shop until the penny (finally) dropped that it's a pen holder!

The antler is glued into a heavy granite base, and the pen fits snugly in the hole pictured on the right hand 'branch' and all for a very reasonable 50p  It sits next to the phone.

Phew, nearly finished now, just two more to go.

On Wednesday when I just happened to be passing my supplier ;o)

there was a tall stack of various vintage suitcases, this smaller one caught my eye and with a little TLC I'm certain it'll look fabulous

It's 16" x 10.5" x 5" in real leather, and a leather interior too. 

I thought £8 was a bargain.  A man bought the other five that was there while I was still browsing - but he didn't get a lovely leather one...

And FINALLY (Yes, I CAN hear your cheers!)

Yesterday this little beauty needed to be re-homed, and I had a feeling it was something special too.

A vintage pyjama case in really good condition, and a happy surprise lurked underneath

Made by 'Merrythought'.  It was £4. 

This label was used from 1957 to 1991.  Looking at the condition I believe it was made in the sixties.  The lining is in pink silk.  He's quite at home in the guest room snoozing on the bed!

I know you're thinking than goodness this post is at an end - and thank you for sticking with it!

If you have the energy and will left I'd love to read your comments - even if it's telling me to do shorter posts in future!

My very best wishes to you all