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Wednesday, October 13, 2010

sparklies


Every now and then we get something really unique at the ReStore. the photo doesn't do this justice. it's about 2 1/2 feet across, and made up of hundreds of hand cut lead crystals. a staff member insisted on taking it home to individually polish every one of those crystals, as it was filthy when it showed up, in pieces, in a cardboard box in the trunk of someone's car.
when she arrived at work a couple of mornings later, she was grinning from ear to ear as she called to us from the door, "Wanna see something really special?"
so off we all toddled behind her, in the bright morning sunlight to see what she was on about. she lead us proudly to the back door of her beat up little car, which she opened with a flourish and a beaming face. +
no kidding, it was blinding. she had somehow carefully balanced it upside down on a pylon to keep it in one piece for the journey, and as the sun hit all those faceted crystals, the whole inside of her car lit up with rainbows.
can't you see this in some funky little place with a patchwork quilt thrown over the couch, and an overstuffed armchair? or maybe in a bright little bathroom with a high ceiling and a clawfoot tub? a teen girl's bedroom with a faux zebra skin coverlet......
when it arrived, we were certain the 'crystals' were acrylic, or, at best, glass. they just looked awful and cheap, all dirty in that cardboard box. but, holy crow! they're the real deal.

11 comments:

clairesgarden said...

stunning, I love it!!
it would look fabulous in my hallway.....everybody over 5ft would have to walk in on their hands and knees....

gfid said...

claire ........ hmmmmm ..... hadn't thought of that.... one could furnish in the Japanese style, with low tables and cushions on the floor.....

susan said...

If I'd been your staff member it would have been me to take it home for cleaning. It's also likely I would have been making weekly payments since I'd be loath to bring it back.

I've been far to mobile to own even a little chandalier but I do have some fine crystals for hanging in sunny windows.

lindsaylobe said...

I agree with Susan.
What a magnificent piece! I thought maybe the store might give it to you at a large discount to adorn your own abode.

After all there has to be some occasional side benefits for all of the hard work.

Best wishes.

gfid said...

the lady who got the chandelier for $275 was thrilled. in fact, she came to the store an hour before the silent auction ended, to make sure hers was the last bid. i'm glad it went to a home where it will be treasured.

Zee said...

GRANNY I am back from hiding! Maybe this chandelier illuminated the path? More about "illumination" on Scorpio , an astrological musing of this all... (haha)

Gary said...

I can see it in a community centre, with freshly painted walls and a lady playing the fiddle under it...

gfid said...

zee - welcome back! you've been missed. i'm seeking some scorpian stability myself, and illumination.

gary - ;0) i think you'll be pleased to hear where it went. i told the buyer i want to see a picture of what she does with it.... i think she bought it for her elderly mother.

susan said...

It's still beautiful and I'm glad it found a good home. I would have been willing to build a home around such a thing :-)

Seraphine said...

wow wouldn't that look nice next to the elk antlers and bull horns displayed next to the elk head.

but seriously, if one wants to make a grand statement in a room, this thing is the baby. i bet all the rays of light and color would look amazing in the morning. how very nice of sombody to donate it.

is it time to take down the 2009 calendars now? it doesn't keep good time anymore.

gfid said...

su - i'm too tired to even think of building anything right now..... and frozen solid. it's supposed to go to -30 tonight, and colder tomorrow. i hate winter.

sera - you may well laugh. we HAVE had antlers in the store. the purchaser was threatened with divorce by her spouse. my 2009 calendar never did keep good time. i think i got a faulty one. i want the next one to have lumious hands.