Storytelling Saturday: Objects That Tell Tales "Locking Up Love"

Locking Up Love:

This is a tradition at Chambers Bay Park, here in Tacoma. Someone, years ago, decided to 'lock up' their love, declaring its permanence on the long pedestrian bridge that leads to the beach area of the park (I don't know if it's really known who was the first or if their love has survived as long as the lock placed here) & others followed suit. Each lock symbolizes a love story of a different kind: some are couples, some are family, there are even locks here that are for the love of a pet...Each story is different & I'm sure each has a different ending, some are enduring, others transitory, some have ended in pain, some in great happiness, some commemorate the loss of a loved one, remembered always, here & in the hearts of those left behind, some symbolize a new marriage or the anniversary of an eduring one. No matter what the story told, each was left here to tell the tale & commemorate the days' symbology & each is beautiful, in its own way...SAM

Since Valentine's Day is near, what love stories have you come accross recently?

*Photo is the property of Shelley McElhiney, all rights reserved. Please contact for any desired usage.

Storytelling Saturday: Objects That Tell a Tale

So, this week my object is a huge object: the Kalakala, a local ferry boat with quite a past, from one of the most unusual ferry boats in the area, to cannery in Alaska, to tourist attraction & later declared a possible water hazard, to a thing of beauty & decay, a well travelled object with many hidden tales:

The Kalakala: What stories are yet to come?

Follow the link to read more about the Kalakala's checkered tale. How about you? Seen any interesting 'objects' lately? What tales did they tell? SAM

*Photo the property of Shelley McElhiney, all rights reserved.

Storytelling Saturday: Objects that Tell a Tale

I found these awhile back, at Sanford & Sons Antiques, in downtown Tacoma & I thought they were so beautiful, with their vintage/antique style & patina, that I had to get them. To me, they tell a beautiful, mysterious tale of the past: of historical style & fashion, of creativity & vintage industry, of social conventions & societal norms. I love the beautiful details of such utilitarian objects. I wish I knew more of their story: who used them? What did they make? What were they like & how did they come to use such beautiful objects?

Beautiful tools, from different eras

The condition is not perfect, particularly on the bakelite pair, but the beauty shines through

Most of the gold leaf is missing & there is rust, not sure whether or not I want to do anything to these, though

Aren't the details on these beautiful? 

Even the backs are lovely

Can't you just picture the seamstresses that used these, their clothes, their hair & shoes? Maybe they clipped a stray thread or two as they headed the door or maybe they sat by a window, sewing their wedding trousseau ...

How about you? Have you stumbled across any interesting old objects, just brimming with a story or two?