Sketches and Snippets 22nd November

Favourite Things: 1950s Ceramic Cat/ Winter Berry Kittens / Just A Card

A Few Of My Favourite Things: 1950s Ceramic Cat

Continuing my regular-ish series looking at the objects we own, why we choose them, and what they mean to us.

Today the spotlight is on this handsome little fellow. He’s a slip-cast earthenware ceramic cat. There’s no maker’s mark or date but the black & white combined with red and blue primary colours are typical of 50s design. His shiny glazed body has been scratched into, creating the fins of the fish decoration and collar markings.

Normally he sits on a shelf in my living room with a gang of other collected creatures. I’ve moved him to my workroom shelf where it’s brighter, solely for the purpose of taking this photo.

I was trying to remember how long I’ve had this guy and think it’s probably 11 or 12 years. He came from Lothlorien Antiques & Collectables, which Robb and I make a point of visiting any time we’re near Moffat. It always has a fantastic selection of interesting vintage stuff, and even if there’s nothing you want to buy just wandering around looking at everything for sale, trying to work out its story is entertaining enough. Up the rickety staircase you'll find the toy dept which is great for unearthing nostalgic memories of toys from Christmases long past.

When I spotted him on the jampacked shelf I was pretty sure I’d be taking him home, being a fan of both cats and Mid-century ceramics, he seemed to be made for me! However, purchases mustn’t be made on a whim so I continued on my quest to examine every item in the shop… until I inevitably returned to snap him up.

When I made my first cat dolls a decade ago he provided me with some inspiration. I liked the two-tone design so decided to make my cats have different coloured faces and a fish in their belly.

His snooty expression is just so cat-like, I love it!

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Do you have object that has a special place in your heart? Why not tell us all about it? If you’d like to write a short piece about your favourite thing for me to share here and on my website please get in touch.

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Well, talking of cats, I made a tiny batch of 4 new ones! Cotoneaster, Cranberry, Pyracantha and Pernettya all have embelishments based very loosely on last week's winter berry sketches. Apart from a couple of comissions these are the first cat dolls I've made in 2 or 3 years. I really didn't feel inclined to make them after my cat Hendrix died but having kittens around the house again I thought now would be a good time. I put a lot of love and care into making these, spending ages picking out fabrics and threads from bags and boxes bursting at the seams, and stitching details by hand to give them unique characteristics, but it's worth every minute. It's incredibly satisfying seeing them come to life. These are the perfect size to fit in a pocket, or Christmas stocking!

See more handmade kittens here.

I’m so happy to share them here with you.

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Before I go

I'm writing this on Sunday night and I really need to unplug now - I've been editing photos all day and my eyes are rectangular and my head's full of cotton wool but before I go I want to mention the #JustACard campaign - sharing the message that to independent artists, designers and makers, every sale counts, no matter how tiny! They're having a big push on Instagram for the next week to counteract the Black Friday pile ‘em high sell ‘em cheap message coming from big name global retailers. Us small fries aren't in the position to offer massive discounts but everything we do offer includes a little bit of our hearts and souls…beat that Amazon!

I'm pretty sure you're well clued up on that score already but if you're interested in finding out more please check out JustACard.org

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Have a good week! Julia x