The ordinary from a long time ago, the rare from travels near and far, artfully designed and crafted things I have bought in my lifetime so far are in these collections. Influences that directed my choices began in Forest Park, a Western suburb of Chicago in 1931, the year I was born. 

 

Growing up I learned that everyday utensils, heirlooms, tools in the kitchen, the house, the basement workshop were valued, to be cared for. The Americana Collection shows items crafted in the late 1900s, handed down to me by my aunts, or discovered by me at our summer cottage at Channel Lake, Illinois, everyday food preparation things like the hand tooled wood dough rising bowl or the Millward’s Helix Needle two-drawer chest from my Aunt Hattie.  During the 1950s other things were found: a large copper grain scoop, very old wood cookie press, a simple bentwood container.

 

Visits to The Art Institute of Chicago, drives in the family car past Frank Lloyd Wright’s studio and homes he designed, and later as an art student at the Art Institute, I honed my design skills while visits to the galleries added depth to my appreciation of artists, their dedication and wondrous pictures and sculptures. Visits to The Field Museum revealed the vast diversity of design and craftsmanship created through the years and found throughout the world.  

 

In 1959, my husband at the time (then a resident in internal medicine) was offered a job in Saudi Arabia by Aramco’s medical director. We moved to Dhahran and availed ourselves of opportunities for travel. During the 1960s, I visited countries in Europe, Iran, India, Thailand, Hong Kong, East Africa on Safari and Central America. I saw and appreciated the many special things native to those countries that previously were behind glass in cabinets in museums. 

 

On my travels, I saw many of the fine things previously viewed at museums. During trips, I admired the fine things available and was able to buy them, then see them every day, share them with my children friends and guests. 

 

My life and needs have changed. Time to pare down, to make my collections available to others who, like me, appreciate design, craftsmanship, and dedicated artisans who gave form and beauty to everyday and to precious things.