Let's start from the left:
1. The strange yellow, crushed velvet material is in fact a metre-long bag which houses the larger of my bamboo flutes from Indonesia. It has 3 Suling Gambuh which are the names of some metre long flutes I bought in Indonesia as I had to learn them at my University there. The first one was too big for me so someone made a smaller one.
2. Black case underneath: This is my violin. It actually was a violin which my Grandad bought for himself to relearn the violin in his later years. Not sure how much he used it but I was very glad to keep it when we sorted through his possessions.
3. Cath Kidston Hydrangeas bag: just seen. I ended up buying this in the sale as my former Cath-style handbag (charity-shopped Kangol) split on my cruise.
4. Cath Kidston 'Stop Thief' book bag. This is my current school bag. I bought this in the Sue Ryder Charity shop new. The kids seem to like it.
5. Gold and red Musical instrument: Now let's get this clear right now. IT IS NOT A XYLOPHONE!!!!!!!!!!
Xylophones are made out of WOOD. One would define this as a metallophone because it is made out of metal. (can you tell I am a long-suffering music teacher. The world over suffers from this incorrect nomenclature!)
This Metallophone is called a 'Pemade' (pronounced Per-mad-aye) and the keys are made of bronze. The frame is carved wood with bamboo resonators inside. I bought it in Bali when I lived there to practice on. I shipped it back and it was damaged but luckily my teacher came and fixed it for me. On top you can see various beaters for it. Only the one that looks pointy is the correct one.
6. Heart frame:
I made this on my cruise sticking many tiny paper butterflies to a large heart.
7. Incomplete body of a violin:
This is incredibly sentimental to me. My Grandad started attending Violin-making classes a long time ago and he was making a violin. It was very slow work but this was as far as he got. It is testimony to his interesting array of hobbies, interests and vast intelligence.
8. Binoculars: also Grandad's- for watching the birds.
9. Peacock egg ornament:
A present from one of my favourite pupils who left in the summer. SUCH a polite, intelligent, kind girl who I taught for 8 years. I'm not so fond of ornaments but this has sentimental value for a commitment to music.
10. Candle: another present.
11. Pine cabinet: This houses many and most of our CDs and DVDs. It comes from my Childhood home. My mum swapped it or bought it from her friend Lin in exchange for a keyboard I think!
12. Black and silver Tripods: Both of these were given to me by WOMOTM- CBC's dad. He knew I wanted one for blogging outfits and gave me the silver one. Unfortunately, it went missing for a few years and only turned up when we moved. He kindly gave me the black one too. The most useful items in my blogging arsenal except for my camera (also bought by WOMOTM)
13. Rainbow crocheted sheepskin slippers. The best Christmas present from my Mum. She bought them from a Cottage industry in Snowdonia I think. The lady crochets them. they are amazingly warm and comfy with leather soles
14. Turquoise croc shoes: very useful for the garden. Bought from TK Maxx, Southend (after my Grade 8 theory exam) on one of the rare occasions that there was something nice in the Size 8/42 department which usually houses horrors or nothing!
15. White curtain tie: This consists of a beautiful pearly shell. I had four of them that I used to tie up the corners of my ornate white canopy that made my bed look like a Princess's in Bali. I wish I'd managed to use it in England!
Well, essentially, I have just published a blog post that talks about my mess. How very singular!
Do share if you also decide to talk about your mess or your tidy corner!
xx
I have seen a video of a simple wooden frame Balinese Gamelan being played with the pointy hammer and it sounder very interesting. The keys ere made of metal.
ReplyDeleteYour Balinese instrument is very ornate and must have taken a while to be carved.
The violin body looks so well made. Too bad your grandfather couldn't finish it but it's a beautiful treasure.
Hugs,
Julia
I think it's good to articulate the meaning and value of your possessions.
ReplyDeleteIf for no other reason, focusing on the belongings this way provides a record for you of what is going on in this "snapshot" of your life. I used to write letters with ink and paper, when you would think I wouldn't have time, say, 30 years ago, and many times I would sit down in the middle of a very cluttered house, and write, "...on the table here are the books _____ because so-n-so is studying ___ right now. The big bowl is also on the table, with bread rising; ____ bakes all our bread twice a week. The little giraffe riding toy is by my chair; ___ just learned to make it go!" etc. Often the items would spark a story I could relate to whomever I was writing to. It's a great writing prompt, as you have shown. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea to take us through the contents of a corner of your house. I might steal that idea from you, actually ;-) xxx
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting idea! It's so fun to see some of the items in your house, and this selection of things is so YOU somehow. I might steal this idea... I just need to find a corner that contains more than dust ;-)
ReplyDeleteDear Kezzie, I like seeing corners of houses, too! I loved this one and the stories behind it! I loved the Cath Kidston bag that you take to school and the body of violin, that your granddad made, as well as the binoculars. Loved the curtains too, and the crochet slippers that your mum gave to you! The golden instrument from Bali is amazing! So good it could be fixed after it arrived! Loved to see this part of your house, dear Kezzie, full of stories and personality, really special! Hope you have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteDenisesPlanet.com
How very fun! I love this idea of capturing a corner in one's house and describiting it. The more things there are, the more interesting it is to read about it.
ReplyDeleteFrom all these items, what I loved the most is that unfinished body of a violin. It is amazing how your grandad decided to make this guitar...and I love that he was relearning violin too( the one that is in the black case)...it is fantastic he was so active and partook in different activies and hobbie. I can understand why that violin (and the unfinished one) are so precious for you.
How cute is that printed tote bag! Lovely slippers too.
I like that peacock decoration...that's really sweet.
What a stuffed-full-of-amazing-things that corner is! The instruments from Bali are especially incredible. My house is similar, I try and ensure that everything I have is either beautiful, useful or of sentimental value (preferably all three)
ReplyDeleteWhat a good idea, Kezzie. I love your Pemade, what a beautiful thing it is! xxx
ReplyDeleteKezzie you always manage to come up with some really best blog posts! Xx 😘
ReplyDeleteTypo on the phone! Great not best 😂
DeleteWoah that Pemade looks amazing! It's so pretty and decorative too! And it's so cool that your grandad starting making a violin! I was just thinking earlier how I want to learn the violin one day haha! :) xx
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading that. I have too much mess in all my corners to be able to make sense of it all in one blog post! Lovely idea though
ReplyDeleteThat was very fun! Thanks for sharing -- esp. all the wonderful info about your grandfather and about your musical interests. Really neat. I love the idea of this post, but to do one I'd have to find a corner of my house that was interesting enough ... I'll have to think about that one!
ReplyDeleteI love the heart design - that's really lovely (and really like this post idea as well!)
ReplyDeletehttp://lizziedailyblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Fascinating. I love some of the objects you have, like the half finished violin. Very wabi sabi.
ReplyDeleteLovely post. We're all a bit nosey and this was a really interesting corner Kezzie. I couldn't find anything as entertaining to feature!
ReplyDeleteAnna x
Well done for finding the CK bag in a charity shop.
ReplyDeleteI'm so nosy, it's an interesting post!
Lisa x