Howzat!

The Connections -  publication of which I am editor, designer & writer.
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Hanging Ladies

Unlike their exhibition, where they were hung in a single row, finally: 9 Women are hanging on my living room wall, as I had envisioned they would when I created them. 

To view them up close and in more detail, see them on my website here

©Alison Day Designs

Porcelain Favours

Funny how things go sometimes... 

Not being a great lover of newspapers (I generally only see them as fodder for papiermaché pulp, and my artistic creations), I was surprised recently, when in a Dutch local rag (Nieuwsblad van het Noorden), I came across a photo of a 19th century porcelain dog - a Staffordshire Spaniel to be exact - a popular ornament in the Victorian era. The article was entitled: 'Turfstekers en Hoerenhondjes; - 'Peat cutters and Whore dogs'.

Nothing remarkable in that, I hear you bark? Well, co-incidences of co-incidences, I have recently inherited a couple of said beasts, which now sit proudly, if somewhat arrogantly with spoilt little expressions, facing each other from the corners of adjoining book shelves, in my living room.

It is interesting to discover that throughout history, Spaniels (the living ones), have been the pet of choice with royalty. Ladies of the court would often hide them under their skirts to keep their legs warm. Apparently, a black and white, toy, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, was found under the skirts of Mary Queen of Scots, shortly after she was beheaded, in 1587.

By the 1720's onwards, the porcelain variety began to be manufactured in Staffordshire potteries, with their popularity increasing throughout Queen Victoria's reign. As a result extra labour - children - were hired to keep up with demand; they helped in the decoration by painting on the whiskers and splotches on the spaniels backs. Generally made in pairs and with no two Spaniel faces alike, the Staffordhire Spaniel became:

...the quintessential Victorian bourgeois status-symbol knick-knack: no mantelpiece was complete without a pair of spaniels standing guard.

Apart from their obvious decorative appeal, Victorian brothels would put a pair in their windows, pretending that they were in fact a porcelain shop! 

In modern day windows, hearsay has it that how the dogs are placed is of particular interest to potential clientele - If the dogs face each other, it is a sign that the husband is in the house; if they have their backs to each other, well I think you can guess the rest...

©Alison Day Designs

Prawn Crackers

In existence since 1969, the Seafood Market Restaurant in Bangkok, Thailand, boasts excellent cuisine, a seating area able to accommodate 1500 people, and a 50 metre long counter displaying all the seafood possibilities. In their words: If it swims we have it.

This is dining on a large scale with the guarantee that your meal is totally fresh. Upon entering,  you first select your fish or seafood - live - from fish tanks. This is followed by choosing salad, vegetables and wine. Pay at the check out, pass on how you would like you food to be cooked, then wait at your table to be served. Also, no monosodium glutamate!

Although I am myself, admittedly a great lover of seafood, and the freshness with which the fare of this restaurant is served appeals, one can't help but wonder, with over fishing the world over, whether this idea is actually sustainable with regard to world fish stocks.

As for the catchy one-liner, ... I'd say watch out mermaids!

Roaming Gnome

Had to laugh whilst watching the BBC this morning, when an item came up about a chap in Devon, who has created a Gnome Sanctuary.

Finding gnomes a cheerful and entertaining lot, I believe he started with just a few dotted around in his garden. Once word got out, however, he found himself inundated, and the preferred choice of people who had either tired of their gnomes, or no longer had any use for them, during a move.

Arriving in various states, some need careful restoration or a re-paint, but all are adopted, and given an appropriate place in the Gnome Sanctuary. 

So, if you're ever in Devon... 

FYI: National Gnome Day is March 1st!

Pension Odyssey

Straight from the horse's mouth... fancy spending the night in a replica Trojan war 'orse? 

A Belgian boutique hotel in Durbuy : La Balade des Gnomes Hotel gives you just that opportunity, with ten themed rooms .

This one comes straight from the Odyssey, or maybe you'd like to choose a Troll's lair!   Via: DesignTaxi

Certainly beats the shameful idea of sneaking horse meat into products destined for supermarkets and public consumption. Whatever next?

Get off your horse and drink your milk
 - John Wayne

Be Mine

Wishing you all a happy Valentine's Day!

© Alison Day Designs

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