The Wonderous Jessie Tait

I recently discovered the British designerJessie Tait via the magazineBBC Home & Antiques and an article on vintage ceramic art. Struck by her design's mid century loveliness, I began scouring eBay for more. Not easy to find, I lucked out recently and found two reasonably priced plates in the Ming Tree pattern. The stylecraft plate shape was inspired by the then modern wonder, television screens.

Jessie worked exclusively as Chief Designer for the legendaryMidwinter Pottery company for almost 30 years from the mid 40's to the early 1970s. The distinctive patterns and shapes of her work is now considered alongside other significant 20th-century designers such asClarice Cliff,Charlotte Rhead andSusie Cooper.

She came from a working class family and grew up around the factories in Staffordshire and attended theBurslem School of Art, in Stoke. It was not until the 1990's that her work was "re-discoverd" and became highly collectible. After retiring in 93, she worked into her 70's as a freelance designer, she died just this past January at 81.

 

I used them here as the perfect background for warm popovers served with apricot jam and crème fraiche.

If this has wet your whistle to learn more check out this yummy lookingbook on the innovative pottery company by Steven Jenkins.

all photos except portrait of Jessie Tait © Lara Rossignol

My Kawaii World

 

  

all photos & content © Lara Rossignol

On the Hunt in Tampa

A friend of mine that worked at the pool hall directed me to theOldsmar Flea Market, just a few miles down the road. Since moving to the South, I have learned that aflea market can be quite a different thing then what I am use to inCalifornia. On the west coast these are usually large outdoor antique fairs. In the south they tend to more of a mish mash. Part farmers market, bargain bin and yard sale. However, if you're lucky and diligent, you may still find a few bits of of treasure. 

I arrived close to closing but manage to move through a good portion of it quickly. It almost had a carnival feel with a funnel cake booth and all kinds of interesting signage. A large, fresh fruit market seem to be a big draw. I turned a corner and passed an odd  and creepy display of carnival collectibles called "Sonny's Museum". Then I came upon two ladies just starting to pack up their booths, which were filled to the brim with vintage pottery and glassware. I snapped up fiveHazel Atlas State glasses for just $2 a piece, a true steal!

They also had an interesting and vast collection of ceramic shoes. From boots to elegant heels and lots and lots of clogs. I got excited that I might find the elusiveClarice Cliff hand paintedclog. When I asked one of the ladies if she might have run across it she told me they had bought the whole collection at an estate sale. They still had boxes of them unopened. She even took my info and promised to let me now if she ran across it. I did buy this sweet little example, about 3 inches long and in an irresistible soft green.

all photos & content © Lara Rossignol

Kawaii eBay

I made some recent eBay acquisitions I thought fitting for a kawaii Friday post. My favorite find in a long time has to be this pink Royal typewriter a "Quiet Deluxe" model circa 1950's. It came in near mint condition and with a groovy green case. Not only does it work but I plan to use it as a prop for an upcoming shoot. Making it well worth the $250 splurge and a bargain compared to prices I have seen online.

In doing my research before bidding, I discovered there is a whole world of typewriter collectors. Even a few famous authors who still prefer to tap out their words on one of these rather than on a laptop. There are also more than a few blogs on the wonders of the type written word, I like Fresh Ribbon and Strikethru.

There really is something magical about these machines. I love the sounds they make, esp the bell. Ding! I can remember begging my Mom for one for my 13th birthday. My birthday falls just two weeks before Christmas and I used that to bargain, "two gifts in one", I'd plead. I used this ploy quite often, knowing she would feel too guilty come Christmas to not get me something for under the tree!

I also nabbed this lovely Clarice Cliff jam jar with her signature red roof house on top. I think I got lucky to get this one, the details are really wonderful. However the pictures in the ad were not very good and so I took a bit of a risk by bidding.

Another win from across the pond, this Orla Kiely wallet, which is marked London under her label. I have never seen this pattern over here, making it a rare find and note the signature leaf pattern detail on the strap.

Now I have to say, I resisted Twitter for awhile but I decided to give it a try. Or I should say, have Piewacket give it a try! So incase you missed the new kawaii little button on the upper left... just click on the owl! ❀ Have a happy weekend!

all photos & content © Lara Rossignol