The second Saturday in June is World Doll Day, so let's celebrate with some history about antique and collectible dolls from around the world! Check back all month for parts 2 and 3! First, an important note before we begin- how do you know what type of doll you even have? With a variety of materials - from porcelain to plastic, composite to cloth, papier-mâché to leather, and celluloid to ... Read More
A Quilted History: America and Its Sewn Collections
July 10, 2018 by Michelle MillerWhen you think about American collectibles and antiques, cars, rock-n-roll memorabilia, presidential campaign paraphernalia, and Civil War relics are a few things that come to mind. Quilts, however, especially patchwork ones, are an overlooked category, but one that has become recognized as a distinctly and uniquely American form of art. Throughout American history, women were in charge of ... Read More
Gowns and Crowns: Preserving Family Heirlooms
June 5, 2018 by Michelle MillerWith most weddings, bouquets of flowers, cascades of ivy and billowing yards of white chiffon, satin, and taffeta are traditional ingredients to creating that magical day. A royal wedding, too, is a floral and frothy wonderland of decoration and dress. A royal wedding, however, especially the marriage between a prince and princess, features a unique glittering guest: the tiara. This past May, ... Read More