EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Hillsborough's Second Annual Living History Event, held August 21 & 22, was a real success. The weather cooperated and the crowds were plentiful, up almost 30% from last year! Patrons witnessed many historical reenactments and demonstrations around town. Hillsborough Center was the backdrop for several of the events including: pewter casting, blacksmithing, furniture making, cider pressing, a one room school house reenactment, and 18th century style magician, surry rides, and so much more. Look for this event to grow in 2011.
The 77th Annual Craftsman's Fair at the Mount Sunapee Resort was also well attended. Preliminary results suggest sales were strong. It is reassuring to know the public supports and appreciates fine arts and crafts even during difficult economic times. My Centerpiece Bowl looked beautiful displayed atop a figured maple card table in the Living With Crafts Exhibit.
The Hillsborough Area Artisans Open Studio Tour, September 18 & 19, is coming up soon. I'll have my shop open both days and plan to do some metal spinning demos. Visitors should remember to sign up for the door prize, a Wine Coaster with beaded edge.
ANTIQUE OF THE MONTH & FUN FACT
Ever heard the expression, "not worth a tinker's dam"? In the eighteenth century, porringer handles were cast or burned directly to the finished porringer bowl. Expanding metal tongs, wrapped with linen, held the porringer bowl from the inside while the handle mold was placed carefully on the outside.
Molten pewter was poured into the handle mold and bonded to the bowl, hence the term, "burned on." The linen cloth prevented the metal from rushing through the bowl and thus acted as a dam. This month's antique highlights the linen mark of the tinker's dam!
This is a very fine Crown Handle Porringer by Thomas Danforth and his brother, Sherman Boardman, Hartford, CT circa 1810-20. The quality and condition of the metal, the well struck touch mark, and the crisp linen mark make this a wonderful addition to any pewter collection. The diameter of bowl is 4 15/16 inches. Price: $995.
MONTHLY RAFFLE WINNER
In deference to the beastly hot weather we had late this summer, raffle winner Barbara Shamblin of Portsmouth, RI will receive a pair of our Lizard Earrings.
Each month, we select a winner of our monthly Gibson Pewter product. Now that the harvest is being collected and the Fat Lady is singing, it's time to turn over your gardens to prepare for the dormant season ahead. Our Trowel Earrings will have you outfitted properly for the task.
Anyone who registers in the box in the left-hand corner of the website receives periodic updates about our new products and promotions, and those names are among those we select from each month.
