Lobster Lu's Art & Antiques
My mission is to rescue objects from the past, especially the neglected, and matchmake them to the perfect new owner, who appreciates and cares for them.
I do that on my LobsterLu website, and in person at shows. But here is where I blog my observations. Join me!
Wednesday, July 17, 2002
Memories
Memories. They are so powerful. More powerful, sometimes, than the present state. Why do we need these memories? To remember the lessons that we've learned? To remember the love that we've been given. To make us stronger - to hope. To not forget.
I know that many of my buyers are buying memories, not really little bits of broken toys or books or an old eraser wheel with a brush. These objects are just triggers to their own wonderful memory. They are like portals or black holes. You pick one up and you are transported.
The older I get, the more I value the memories. It's not that I want to go back. It's more like I feel the responsibility, to not forget.
There are some objects that are triggers for a personal memory. That's their main attraction. Then there are other objects that "have a history"
that is so strong, they are the memory itself, though no one is left to tell you the original story. These objects attract us - they are powerful.
They sit there and challenge you to take care of them - to remember for them.
The smallest little things can get to me. I buy lots of boxes of "stuff". Like the contents of a desk drawer or old toy box. There are lots of
things you won't find in an antique shop or on Ebay - but they are things that shouldn't be forgotten. For example, boxes of old "stuff" often
contain pencil stubs. These are pencils that are used all the way to the eraser. Used until you cannot sharpen them anymore. When was the
last time you did that? When did you last use a pencil? When did you sharpen one? When did you use one everyday until it was just a stub
that could no longer be sharpened?
There is a lesson in those pencil stubs. Waste not, want not. They were made with quality (I don't think many of the new pencils could
stand up to that much use.) They were treasured and appreciated. There are other lessons, I'm sure, in the old desk drawer. There are other
memories. Can you find them?
Memories. They are so powerful. More powerful, sometimes, than the present state. Why do we need these memories? To remember the lessons that we've learned? To remember the love that we've been given. To make us stronger - to hope. To not forget.
I know that many of my buyers are buying memories, not really little bits of broken toys or books or an old eraser wheel with a brush. These objects are just triggers to their own wonderful memory. They are like portals or black holes. You pick one up and you are transported.
The older I get, the more I value the memories. It's not that I want to go back. It's more like I feel the responsibility, to not forget.
There are some objects that are triggers for a personal memory. That's their main attraction. Then there are other objects that "have a history"
that is so strong, they are the memory itself, though no one is left to tell you the original story. These objects attract us - they are powerful.
They sit there and challenge you to take care of them - to remember for them.
The smallest little things can get to me. I buy lots of boxes of "stuff". Like the contents of a desk drawer or old toy box. There are lots of
things you won't find in an antique shop or on Ebay - but they are things that shouldn't be forgotten. For example, boxes of old "stuff" often
contain pencil stubs. These are pencils that are used all the way to the eraser. Used until you cannot sharpen them anymore. When was the
last time you did that? When did you last use a pencil? When did you sharpen one? When did you use one everyday until it was just a stub
that could no longer be sharpened?
There is a lesson in those pencil stubs. Waste not, want not. They were made with quality (I don't think many of the new pencils could
stand up to that much use.) They were treasured and appreciated. There are other lessons, I'm sure, in the old desk drawer. There are other
memories. Can you find them?
Where are We?
This is a place where I explore the reasons that I am drawn to buying and selling antiques and other old objects. It's so much more than just a retail job. It's as though I am a rescuer first, then a caretaker, then a matchmaker. I deal with memories and mysteries. I find that people are drawn to them. They NEED them. Why? Why do we need these mysteries and memories?
I'm thinking about it. I'll let you know.
This is a place where I explore the reasons that I am drawn to buying and selling antiques and other old objects. It's so much more than just a retail job. It's as though I am a rescuer first, then a caretaker, then a matchmaker. I deal with memories and mysteries. I find that people are drawn to them. They NEED them. Why? Why do we need these mysteries and memories?
I'm thinking about it. I'll let you know.
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