The Museum of Russian Art (TMORA) in Minneapolis, MN is the only museum in North America that is dedicated exclusively to the presentation of Russian art and artifacts. The museum was founded in 2002 and seeks to preserve and display historically and artistically significant examples of Russian art and artifacts. Through the universal language of art the TMORA offers visitors a unique perspective of Russia, a country with a recorded history that spans over one thousand years. The exhibits at the museum provide a gateway to understanding Russia’s history, its heritage, and its art through the masterworks of some of its greatest artists. The “Izba” (gift shop) is an experience in itself. A favorite destination for us when we do shows in the area, the gift shop is a treasure trove of the best in folk, historical and artistic crafts. Visit them at www.tmora.org
Archive for March, 2010
The Museum Of Russian Art
Monday, March 29th, 2010How Russian Nesting Dolls Are Made
Saturday, March 27th, 2010The journey every matryoshka makes is a long one, from Russian forest to collector’s home and heart. The Upper Volga region is renowned for its woodcrafts and toy making.
In the spring each year, when the sap is rising, villagers venture out in the forest with an axe and a crosscut saw to harvest the linden trees that will become nesting dolls in the years to come. After the trees are felled, the arduous task of stripping off the bark begins.
Once the bark has been stripped, the nude poles are left lying in the open air for 2-6 years to cure. When ripe, they are sawed to length, stacked by size, and finally mounted on the lathe. Prior to the advent of electricity, one man had to crank a wheel to drive the lathe while a second man carved. Independent turners, who learned the craft from their fathers, teach their sons to turn tree into toy in the wink of an eye.
First, each stick must be rounded perfectly with the “pipe” chisel. To minimize waste, the turner will create the largest doll possible from the wood at hand.
The top half of the doll is carved first. After a central hole is bored with a “spoon” chisel, the inside is hollowed out with the “hook” chisel. It is a myth that the smaller dolls are made from the same piece of wood. Chips fly everywhere!
The rough-cut top is held against the turning stick to burn a mark showing the exact diameter needed for the do’s bottom. Thus a perfect mate is attained.
Once the bottom is roughed out, the top is joined. With top and bottom spinning as a unit, the carver smoothes the seam, puts the finishing touches to the form, and cuts it from the stick, only to begin again with the next smaller doll.
What the men carve, the women paint in between farm chores. An optional priming layer of potato starch plugs the pores and provides a smooth base coat. Using a pencil, the artist sketches the outline. Starting with the face (a compass draws a perfect circle). A heavy black outline is achieved by tracing the pencil with a thick felt-tip marker.
She paints first with the lightest color and progresses to darker paints, covering up mistakes. For the finishing touch, she might apply real blush to her matryoshka’s cheeks- straight out of her makeup kit! The last step is to fix the dried paint with a high gloss lacquer, applied by hand.
Most ladies can keep pace with their husbands’ production, easily painting 100 simple 5-piece dolls in a week.
Working together the long winter through, a family can produce thousands of nesting dolls. In olden times, villagers filled large wicker baskets with wares, then schlepped them throughout the distant reaches of the czar’s empire to sell at holiday bazaars. Nowadays, importers work with the villagers to produce exciting new designs and ship them to collectors around the world.
Correct Way to Hold A Cup
Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010Ever wonder why some coffee and tea drinkers hold their pinkie finger out? Originally, cups did not have handles ( and in many countries still don’t). In order to hold the cup with spilling out the liquid the drinker had to hold out the pinkie finger for proper balance. In the mid 1750′s the English started to put handles on cups to prevent fingers from burning. Several sources agree that the correct way to hold a teacup nowadays is to slip the index finger through the handle with the thumb resting on top of the cup and then curve the remaining fingers underneath the handle.
Made in Occupied Japan
Sunday, March 21st, 2010One of our customers recently asked about a tea set given to her by her grandmother. The pieces were marked “Made in Occupied Japan” and she was curious about this mark. We explained that pieces with this marking are sought after by collectors. Items imported from Japan to the United States following the end of World War II between 1945 and 1952 were required to have markings showing that they were produced during the US Occupied Japan period. Many items were imported to the US without this mark as well, but the collectable marks would say “Made in Occupied Japan” or “Occupied Japan” on each piece.
Canus Goat’s Milk Products for Dogs
Saturday, March 13th, 2010Eli, the rescue pooch, seemed to enjoy the shampoo. It seemed to be gentle on his skin and afterwards he smelled refreshing clean. He really enjoys the dog treats we started carrying and we have sold several 12 oz packages of them to folks we know who own dogs. So far we have had only good comments about the treats. They come in two flavors; chicken and peanut butter. They are all natural and healthy for pets as well.
Canus All-Natural Goat’s Milk Products for the Whole Family
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010We have been using as well as selling Canus Goat’s Milk products for several years now and really like the products. Our customers love the all-natural goat’s milk lotion and body butter as well and have requested that we carry more of the wonderful products provided by the Canus Company. Encouraged by so many happy customers, we now carry a full compliment of the Canus goat’s milk skin care products for the whole family including, body washes and liquid hand soap. We have also added their new line of all natural facial wellness for women which include daily facial cream, hydrating facial scrub, a moisturizing clay mask and a firming eye cream. We also added their all-natural products for dogs, which include shampoos, wipes and treats. Our little four legged friend, Eli, really enjoys the treats, both chicken and peanut butter flavor. I’ll have to let you know what he thinks of the shampoo as I haven’t tried it on him yet
Find Out Where Odds & Ends Will Be In 2010
Monday, March 1st, 2010Don’t forget to book mark this page, We are always on the move.
FEBRUARY 6 -7 Morgan County Fairgrounds – Brush CO. Hours: Saturday 10 a.m – 5 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
April 1 – 3 The Original Salt Lake Antiques, Collectables & Decorative Show and Sale – South Towne Expo Center, 9579 South State Street, Sandy, UT. Hours: Thursday 11 am – 8 pm; Friday 11 am – 8 pm; Saturday 11 am – 4 pm.
APRIL 23 – 25 Custer’s 35rd Annual Fall Antique & Collectors Sale – Spokane Fairgrounds, 404 North Havana, Spokane, WA. Hours: Friday 4 pm – 9 pm; Saturday 10 am – 7 pm; Sunday 11 am – 5 pm.
MAY 8 – 9 The Original Olmstead County Gold Rush Antique Show & Flea Market – Fairgrounds, Rochester, MN (At the junction of 4 major highways (14, 52, 63 & I90). Hours: Friday 8 am – 7 pm; Saturday 8: am – 7 pm; Sunday 8 am – 4 pm.
MAY 29 – 31 Minnesota’s Largest Memorial Day Antique-Collectable Flea Market - Traders Market (35W (South) and County Rd. 2 (Elko-New Market) Exit #76. Hours: Saturday 8 am – 5 pm; Sunday 10 am – 5 pm; Monday 10 am – 4 pm.
JUNE 5-6 12th Annual Anoka Antique Show & Flea Market – Anoka County Fairgrounds, Anoka, MN. Hours: Saturday 8 am – 5 pm; Sunday 10 am – 4 pm.
June 9-12 Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) Midwest Area Rally – Walworth County Fairgrounds, Elkhorn, WI
JUNE 25 – 27 Star of the North Antique Show – Minnesota State Fairgrounds, Education Building, 1265 North Snelling Ave., St. Paul, MN. Hours: Friday 11 am – 8 pm; Saturday 11am – 7 pm; Sunday 11 am – 4 pm.
JULY 3 – 5 Minnesota’s Largest July 4th Antique-Collectable Flea Market - Traders Market (35W (South) and County Rd. 2 (Elko-New Market) Exit #76. Hours: Saturday 8 am – 5 pm; Sunday 10 am – 5 pm; Monday 10 am – 4 pm.
JULY 16 – 18 Antique/Collectable Show & Sale – Har Mar Mall, 2100 North Snelling Ave., Roseville, MN. Hours: Mall Hours
JULY 24-25 Itasca Vintage Car Club 39th Annual Swap Meet – Itasca County Fairgrounds, North on 3rd Ave, Grand Rapids, MN. Hours: Saturday 7 am – 6 pm; Sunday 8 am – 4 pm.
AUGUST 7 -8 19th Annual Cambridge Antique Fair – Isanti County Fairgrounds, Cambridge, MN. Hours: Saturday (not available), Sunday (not available).
OCTOBER 1 - 3 Custer’s 35rd Annual Fall Antique & Collectors Sale – Spokane Fairgrounds, 404 North Havana, Spokane, WA. Hours: Friday 4 pm – 9 pm; Saturday 10 am – 7 pm; Sunday 11 am – 5 pm.
OCTOBER 7 – 9 The Original Salt Lake Antiques, Collectables & Decorative Show and Sale – South Towne Expo Center, 9579 South State Street, Sandy, UT. Hours: Thursday 11 am – 8 pm; Friday 11 am – 8 pm; Saturday 11 am – 4 pm.
OCTOBER 30 Community Resource and Recreation Center of Canyon Lake (CCRC) Marketdays – Recreation Center 125 Mabel Jones Dr., Canyon Lake, TX. Hours: 9 am – 4 pm.
NOVEMBER 5-6 18th Annual Key to the Hills Antiques Show – Kendall Cty. Fairgrounds, Boerne, TX. Hours: Saturday 9 am-5 pm; Sunday 10 am-4pm.
NOVEMBER 13 – 14 Fredericksburg Fall Antiques Show – Gillespie Co. Fairgrounds on Hwy. 16 South, Fredericksburg, TX. Hours: Saturday 10 am – 5 pm; Sunday 10 am – 4 pm.
NOVEMBER 18-21 2010 Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market) – New Braunfels Civic Convention Center – 380 Seguin Ave, New Braunfels, TX. Hours: Thursdayday 6 pm-9 pm; Friday 10 am -7 pm; Saturday 10 am -6 pm; unday 11 am- 5 pm.
MORE SHOWS TO BE ANNOUNCED