Thursday, March 31, 2011

Small Things


On the kitchen counter, small things gather in their own odd world. The figures above are metal, less than two inches high and probably part of an old train set landscape. I love this pair, but it is hard to say why–because they are patiently waiting? That space between them? The way they sit and what they hold?


The frog (or toad?) is also metal and sits on a plaster leaf. The frog is slightly bigger than the couple above and could possibly eat them.


The couple and the frog live among greenery in this four-inch pottery vase made by a Southport, NC, artist.  The vase is soft blue swirled with cream; the greenery is from a winter bush by the back door.

I am partial to small vases and small things. Some day I'd like to do a very small book with small words and small illustrations and big beauty.  

Do you know the Mole Sisters books? Like those, but smaller still, and hardback.

What collects on your kitchen counter?

16 comments:

  1. The Mole Sisters books are written and illustrated by Roslyn Schwartz.

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  2. I like the small man's monocle. Or eye patch. Whatever it is, I like it.

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  3. I dunno much about the other things, like vases...but I think I know why the little metal couple are sitting somewhat apart and seem rather stiff toward each other (other than the fact they are made of unbendy material) - being a woman, she scares the man, who feels if he says anything at all she'll ask him about his feelings. And he feels he doesn't want to talk about his feelings. He's a banker, you know.

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  4. I only have piles of un-thrown-out junk mail on my counters. *sigh* I DO, however, have a lovely 1-inch ceramic rooster on my window sill...

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  5. Love the little couple on the bench. I have a similar piece that found it's way to a small table in my bathroom.

    I love teeny tiny books and seem to buy them just because I like to hold them. go figure. MB

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  6. Dishes???????
    I do like miniatures of just about anything. Books, animals, bottles, even typewriters.

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  7. What an idea for a post!
    Usually I like big things, but there are a few exceptions -small books is one of them and little sculptures, like your frog on his leaf, and small watercolors.

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  8. I love little things! The first novel I wrote (now in my drawer) was about tiny human-like garden creatures and I loved trying to see my garden from their perspective.

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  9. Small things also collect on my long kitchen counter. *sigh* I have a small bit of mail at the very end of the counter and also some itty bitty antique dishes on display.

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  10. In order, left to right.....A plant, a small piece of framed art, a small lamp, hand lotion, (around sink) pump soap, another plant, compost bucket, toaster oven, wooden bird, ceramic canister holding kitchen utensils, a resin bird, (stove) another plant.

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  11. I am a collector of odd tiny things! Among others, I have from my childhood a family of tiny cast iron painted animals: a poodle, a mama cat, a kitten, and an eensy grey mouse. The poodle is the largest, and she is probably a half inch tall. Don't know how they have survived all of my various travels and moves.

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  12. I think the couple is an analogy of those who love life. The train is life, and they are waiting to take another ride on the rails. Sometimes things batter them a bit, and they've been through a lot, but they are going to get back on the train and keep going no matter what. And on that train they are going to keep close to them the things that are important to them!

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  13. If you find small things interesting you might enjoy this artist. I do: http://little-people.blogspot.com/

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  14. dbs: LOVE that link! I am always doing scenes like those at home, but never thought to leave them in public for others to find. Thanks so much for the link.

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  15. I have ...hens on my kitchen counter! A line of them , small or big, made of iron, wood,or other materials; I grew up in a farm, now living in a city, but i still love farm animals.I love your little people on the bench!! I guess you know why, as you visit my blog almost every day now, which is a real pleasure for me! :o)

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  16. on my kitchen counter: whisps of powdered sugar and taps of cocoa powder, a letter opener in the shape of a giraffe, a blue and white crockery pot with blue corn chips inside, a cutting board made by mr. brattcat, a spatter of grease.

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