Finishing Touches on Display elements

What a busy week scouring my favorite stuff (aka junk) stores for treasures and unique quirky display components. I'd searched the internet for necklace displays and was having a heckuva time finding the fabric I liked in the shape and size I liked for a price I was willing to pay when...lo and behold...I stumbled into Jerry's Department Store aka Witch City Consignment here in Salem and found that had just purchased an enormous lot of props from 20th Century Fox which included necklace displays and mannequins (passed on the mannequins).

I picked up several used necklace displays which I took home, stripped of their dressing and made patterns to make new covers out of black velvet. They are finished and DELICIOUS if I do say so myself. Here is a quick peek as well as a peek of a soon to be listed necklace I just made (top).
I also found this delightfully quirky Victorian drying rack which is wall mounted and will hang high above the glass display counter I have. I will mount purses on it. This is a similar one splayed out (mine's not mounted yet, thank you Google images for this one).

An Early Fashionista?

Treasure hunting this Sunday in Salem with a couple of good friends, Kate & Michael, I found this delightfully quirky antique photo in my favorite local shop, Witch City Consignment (the old Jerry's Department Store...I like to call it Jerry's as that's what the sign says but I think my non-localness shows with that misnomer).

I've always been intrigued by old photos and have secretly wanted to collect them, but never have. So, upon this discovery, my antique photograph collecting niche will be quirky and particularly unique fashions. She, as viewed above, now graces the walls of my studio!

I really don't understand what is going on with her hat, but that is how she caught my eye. It is a bit like tissues coming out of a box. I almost wonder if it is better appreciated from the side; it seems like it might have a looping fan shape to the ribbon. I do however like the asymmetrical flare on her otherwise conservative dress. It also has great lines in the tailoring of the bodice. I almost missed the asymmetry and if it weren't for Kate pointing it out, may not have considered bringing this picture home. Thanks Kate :)

As a side note, but mostly related, there is another old stuffs shop in Salem, The Antiques Gallery on Pickering Wharf, which sports a clever sign with their stash of antique photos "Instant Ancestors!" I love it!