Sid Dickens Memory Blocks

Sid Dickens, a brilliant artist, in front of a wall of memory blocks that he and his team of artists create from his studio in Vancouver, Canada. The memory blocks are hand-crafted in plaster and each have unique designs that are hand painted and stained as well as gold and silver leafed. As you can see there are images reflected from a deck of cards, letters, floral, spiritual and architectural motifs.

Each year he unveils new collections and retires some. The blocks are not inexpensive but after retirement, values have been known to increase quite handsomely.

 I admired them for many years before starting a collection of my own.

Each are given a name, this is Empress.

Harlequin - retired

 Mozart - retired

 French Crest

 Medieval Cross 

 Watermark - retired

 Under Stars - retired

 Screen Passage - retired

Naturlich

My preference are those that are black and white or more neutral in color rather than those painted in brighter colors and I like to find those that are or nearing retirement.

I have the Star of Zanzibar - retired on my bookshelf waiting to add to the wall collection.  Just need two more!

For an example of how a value can increase, Chess Pawn (not in my collection!)

is for sale on ebay.  She's a beauty for sure.

Do you have something special that you like to collect?

♥

Moore Designs is here to help you create the home of your dreams.

E-design available.

Project Monday

Painted Furniture

                            after:

Years ago I painted this hutch (circa 1970-ish) black from sort of a creamy white. I wanted a glossy look and used oil, this was way before the chalk paint craze. One thing I didn't know about oil is that it has a propensity to chip. With several moves and attempts at touch up, it.was.time.

I started painting and realized I hadn't take a 'before' shot. 

I decided to keep the inside light, te outside color is Annie Sloan's slate gray and the inside is old white. After painting the white it was too bright for me.

I painted over it with SW Crushed Ice - which is a pale gray and the color I have used on most of the interior walls of my home. You can see it on the left of this picture. 

I got this far and had to put the brushes down to go visit these fellers in Washington state.

One week of lots of lovin'.

When I got back I used Amy Howard's technique of waxing and using dust of ages over it. See post here where I described in detail.

Clear wax, dark wax, dust.

Buff.

Oops!  With starting, stopping, traveling and working in different lighting conditions I missed this one door.  Good example though of the difference of waxing and dusting (left) and just painting. I've got 6 chairs and the table legs of the table to do so I will fix it.  :)

Hobby Lobby has a wonderful selection of door pulls and handles. I have lucked out each time I have gone looking for pulls to find them 50% off.

I found some to update the cabinet a bit. 

Difficult to get a good shot with the reflection in the glass.

All finished and cleaned up pretty well for an old girl.

♥

Moore Designs is here to help you create the home of your dreams.

E-design available.