One of my small collections is Victorian Papier Mache which I have been collecting over the years and is definitely one of my favorite collections. The above photo is the top of a small tea tray with carved brass handle.  Here you can clearly see the mother of pearl inlays and gold embellishment mentioned in one of the quotes below.

Some of my papier mache pieces on top of my antique gaming table when opened becomes my dining table.

A close up of the ladies writing slope, one of the first pieces I acquired at an antique show many years ago.

“Papier Mache (French for “chewed paper”) is believed to have got its name from French workers in London papier mache shops who did just that! Whether this is actually true or not we shall probably never know. The manufacturers didn’t seem to mind this idea being put about – possibly because it gave them the chance to hide their true methods and recipes, some of which little is known about even today.” Quote from the http://www.papiermache.co.uk

A glove box, I use it for jewelry that I wear often and a couple of “love” notes!!!  All decoration is hand painted and this is the first of several pieces that I am featuring that show some of my lily of the valley collection.

Victorian Papier Mache: “The Victorians loved to experiment with new materials and one of their favorites was papier mache. By the time Queen Victoria came to the throne, there were at least 25 companies producing papier mache items.”

The mother of pearl embellished top of a small portfolio again embossed in gold and a hand painted lily of the valley bouquet.

“The most common pieces are trays, workboxes, inkstands, face screens, snuff boxes and letter holders. Eventually they moved on to larger items and furniture such as firescreens, chairs and tables, bookcases – even wardrobes and beds!”

Not in my collection, if only wishes came true!!!!  Isn’t is glorious.  Source unknown.

Can you even imagine these in person, again, not mine but wish they were…a special Valentine’s Day thought…anyone!!!!  I would most definitely find room for them!  Source unknown.

“Nearly always the characteristic black, but occasionally in red or green, the pieces were very ornately decorated with flowers, birds and patterns – frequently embellished in gold. Some of the finer pieces were inlaid with shimmering mother-of-pearl shell.” Quote from http://www.papiermache.co.uk

The top of a tray, again not mine and again source unknown.  I think it gives you a perfect view of the amazing detail of the mother of pearl inlay and gold painting around the floral center and the detail on the edges of the tray.  Source unknown.

The ends of my two book slides.  These have sliding bottoms to expand for additional books.  I got both from an antique dealer at a Hilton Chicago antique show at least 40 years ago.  The dealer specialized in UK treasures and I got many of my lily of the valley pieces from them.  They would source lily of the valley pieces for me…guess what, I never passed up anything they brought back!!!! (Sorry for the sad photos!!!!)

This is facing me above my desk (the shadows are from the blue Opaline chandelier which hangs above my head while I do my blog postings and other computer necessities!), it is one of a pair, they are the tops of portfolios, are double matted in celadon green velvet and are in antiqued silver frames.  They were purchased by my Mother, Ruth, from the fantastic Fields Afar department at Marshall Field’s many, many years ago.  They give me joy each time I sit down at my desk.

A close up of the above photo. I particularly love the flowers in their mother of pearl vase, charming!  The other is totally different but framed in the same way.

A suggested book on English Papier Mache

Victoria and Albert Museum Collections  http://www.vam.ac.uk

Unless otherwise noted all photos were taken by Nena Ivon.

I hadn’t planned on doing movie reviews but why not!!!!  I LOVED La La Land!  I’m a sucker for a good musical…I wish I could live in a Fred and Ginger movie!

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers…could watch their films every day!

The musicals of the 40’s and 50’s were pure magic…loved them all.  Is it all fantasy, absolutely, is there something wrong with that, I think not!  At this time in our world, we need a bit of escapism and something that takes us away…this movie does just that and more.  While I’m sure you have seen the film, let me give you my thoughts on it.

Doesn’t everyone love a romance, I certainly do.  The story is pretty routine, girl meets boy (actually quite often, in different places), they connect via a wonderful dance number and go from there.  Pretty much what you would expect, what I didn’t expect was how good these two are, especially Ryan Gosling (of course, Emma Stone is superb). I couldn’t believe that he hadn’t been playing jazz his entire life…that he learned piano and jazz, no less, for the film is extraordinary. He is a natural dancer and I love to watch a good dancer (would rather be dancing with them but that’s another story!). Breaking into any industry when it is your passion isn’t an easy time but show business is probably one of the most competitive and one that gets a grip on the individual like no other profession (except maybe sports) and this is the story of that passion and drive for both our leads and what they have to do to make it, together and alone. I did love that the story of the working girl is updated to the 21st Century with our wanna be star as a barista, how 2017! Where this takes them is their story and we definitely want them to succeed.  It is charming and, to me a poignant story, one full of hope, desire, and lots and lots of wonderful music!  Go see it you won’t be disappointed!

I have always loved jazz and spent many an evening at the London House listening to George Sherling, and others, and Mister Kelly’s with all the great name jazz artists such as Ella Fitzgerald and, of course, later as mentioned in my profile of Shelley MacArthur, the Gold Sardine Bar. Why are these places gone and where is a good cabaret in Chicago…someone, anyone!!!!  In New York, I never missed (or miss) an opportunity to go to the Café Carlyle and listen to whatever act was playing there, especially Bobby Short (perhaps not jazz, but always loved to hear him play!)

It’s Wednesday so I must close with a recipe…in case you need reminding next week is Valentine’s Day!  Here is my very special, very decadent, chocolate dessert, I don’t share this with anyone but here you are…..you won’t be disappointed….MAKE IT!  Serve with another bottle of champagne, a good one, it is Valentine’s Day after all, splurge!

NENA’S FRENCH CHOCOLATE CUPS

l box semi-sweet chocolate

2 egg yolks

1/4 cup warm water

1 cup heavy cream (plus more for topping)

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Eatable candied violets or candied rose petals

Stir chocolate over hot water until melted. Beat egg yolks with warm water, slowly blend into chocolate.  Remove from heat and chill for about 10 minutes.  Meanwhile, whip the cream with the powdered sugar and cinnamon (remember to always put bowl and beaters in the freezer before whipping cream).  Fold cream into chocolate mixture and spoon into 6 individual pot de creme cups or small ramekins.  Chill until ready to serve.  Garnish with a dollop of addition sweetened whipping cream and place candied violets or roses.  Makes 6 servings.  Keeps for a few days in the refrigerator.

Handpainted Limoges pot de creme cups…they have a matching tray, have had them for years and also have a set of Limoges with handpainted lily of the valley (a major collection/passion!)

I have been wanting to do a list of the book blogs I follow for awhile so thought I would do so today.  I do follow many blogs (not only on books but many other subjects…I’ll share as I continue blogging), some are by individuals and authors (I particularly like these) others from publishers and reviewers as well as independent booksellers …I find all helpful in finding to be published books as well as interesting series of books or classics that I might have missed.  Some blogs are daily, others weekly still others monthly some are themed, others are just what the blogger finds interesting at the time. I’m sure I have more but at least this is a start. I would love to hear from you with your lists, do share with me.

Here we go in no particular order of preference but at least alphabetical:

http://www.alifeinbooks.co.uk

http://www.bitterteaandmystery.com

http://www.booksonthetable.com

http://www.bookpage.com

http://www.bookriot.com

http://www.booksnob.wordpress.com

http://www.clothesinbooks.com

http://www.cozy-mystery.com

http://www.firstlookbookclub.com

http://www.firsttoread.com

http://www.goodreads.com

http://www.lonesomereader.com

http://www.newinbooks.com

http://www.offtheshelf.com

http://www.peguinrandomhouse.com   http://www.signature.com   http://www.readitforward.com                    (all Penguin sites)

http://www.readingmattersblog.com

http://www.savidgereads.wordpress.com

http://www.shelfawareness.com

http://www.thebigthrill.com

http://www.thewritesofwomen.wordrpress.com

http://www.viragopress.co.uk

INDEPENDENT BOOKSELLERS

http://www.boswellbooks.com

http://www.literatibookstore.com

http://www.newsletter@RainyDayBooks.com

http://www.shakespeareandcompany.com

http://www.thebookcellarinc.com

http://www.thebookstall.com

AUTHORS

http://www.adriajcimino.com

http://www.agathachristie.com

http://www.louisepenny.com

http://www.rhysbowen.blogspot.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shelley today                                                                       Shelley in her modeling days

I am profiling another of my models who along with her sister, Shauna Montgomery (whose story you will see in a later post), were with my stable of models for many years…I call those the “glamor years”.  Retrospect is always best, isn’t it!!  Shelley was, along with many of my other “girls”, very active in the Mannequin Guild and their exquisite annual galas were among the several must go to events each year.  For many years she has been very active in Chicago’s social scene.

Here are Shelley’s thoughts on her modeling days….

“I was so fortunate in my modeling career to be surrounded by people who were passionate about and gifted in the industry. One of those people was Nena Ivon who I met when she was the fashion director for Saks Fifth Avenue; a position she held for decades. Working for Nena was an experience that helped to shape the trajectory of my career. Thanks in part to my connecting with Nena, I had the opportunity to work for some of the greatest designers on the planet; people like Geoffrey Beene, Yves Saint Laurent, Oscar de la Renta, Donna Karan, Galanos, Adolfo – and the list goes on. It was an exciting and exhilarating way to live and offered the kind of life style that little girls dream about.

Nena knew that not only did I love the energy and panache of the modeling life, but that I was also a singer. When Saks Fifth Avenue had its opening night at Chicago Place on Michigan Avenue, there was entertainment on every floor. There was the Stanley Paul Orchestra, there was Michael Laird, there was the renowned jazz pianist Dorothy Donegan, and thanks to Nena hiring me, there was me! I did three different sets with the Ivy League Quartet and I feel it’s safe to say that thanks to the vibe of the beat and my dress slit up to there, I was hot! The audience went nuts and I was hooked on the adrenaline and applause, not to mention the music.

Shortly afterward, I made my debut appearance as a jazz singer at the illustrious Gold Star Sardine Bar in Chicago’s Gold Coast; a club created by Bill Allen and whose ownership included the one and only Bobby Short.

To complete the picture, Nena had dressed me for the evening from head to toe in none other than Bob Mackie – which you know means feathers and beads and, well, everything. Neither Carol Burnett nor Cher had anything on me! I was surrounded by such luminaries as movie critic Roger Ebert and famed photographer Victor Skrebneski, who created a portrait of me that is a treasured timeless signature I still use today. (Nena’s note, I was in attendance, with Victor, at Shelley’s opening night, it was indeed magical!!). All these years later, it still captures the magic of the time. It was the late 1980’s…it was over the top, and it was fabulous.

Top photo:  Shelley today in performance backed by her orchestra.  Two lower photos: Shelley in Bob Mackie for her first performance at the Gold Sardine Bar (wish is was still around it was as enthralling as is Shelley singing jazz!!!)

All l that I absorbed from those exciting, fun-packed, slightly neurotic and adrenaline-charged years is still with me today. These days I spend less time on the runway and more time on stages around the country, singing not only jazz but my soul’s passion, classical music. Though Puccini’s tragic heroine Tosca was probably not dressed at Saks, I enjoy portraying her as if she was. It seems to serve us both equally well”.

Shelley has been in all my “reunion” shows, which are some of my favorites and I think the models enjoy them as well.  I’ll do a future post just on those shows, they are always a huge hit with the audiences and the models look amazing, as always, I would expect nothing less.

In addition to her singing engagements she and Shauna host a podcast http://www.the-girlfriends.com/

Great fun reminiscing with Shauna and Shelley on their very conversational podcast, loved being with them for girl talk!!!

I was quite overwhelmed with the beauty of the just completed Spring Haute Couture Collections in Paris and wanted to share some of my favorites with you today.

Giambattista Valli Spring 2017 Haute Couture.  Photo courtesy Vogue.com. I worked with M. Valli with one of his prêt-à-porter collections in Chicago.  He is a charming creative genius, very quiet, very professional, a true joy to meet and work with.  http://www.giambattistavalli.com

Schiaparelli the reinterpretation of the famous lobster dress.  Loved the collection, it looked modern yet classic. Photo Vogue.com http://www.schiaparelli.com

Maria Grazia Chiuri interpretation of the 1947 Bar Suit for Dior her first Dior Couture collection. Photo Vogue.com. http://www.dior.com.

Valentino, first solo collection by Pierpaolo Piccioli, love the sculptured column not an easy look to wear but smashing! Photo Vogue.com. http://www.valentino.com

A new look for the classic Chanel suit, brilliant! Photo Vogue.com

Karl never disappoints….can’t wait to see who will wear this at the Oscars!  A dream against the iconic Chanel mirrors. Photo Vogue.com.  http://www.chanel.com

Elie Saab magnificent!  Photo Vogue.com. http://www.eliesaab.com

The following quoted material is taken from the website http://www.dressful.com

“According to Wikipedia, the term haute couture is protected by law in France and is defined by the Paris Chamber of Commerce (Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Paris). To earn the right to call itself a couture house and to use the term haute couture in its advertising and any other way, a fashion house must follow these rules:

1. Design made-to-order for private clients, with one or more fittings.
2. Have a workshop (atelier) in Paris that employs at least fifteen people full-time.
3. Each season (i.e. twice a year) present a collection to the Paris press, comprising at least thirty-five runs/exits with outfits for both daytime wear and evening wear.”

Just a bit of background on my Haute Couture experience, a once in a life time trip to be sure. I was celebrating my 50th anniversary at Saks Fifth Avenue in May 2006.  A store rally was being held for my special day.  The Vice President/General Manager of the Chicago store, my boss and dear friend, Michael Hawley, brought me to the front of the group and asked the following: “I have something special for you in honor of your anniversary, would you prefer a watch or would you like to go to Couture!!!”  I mean seriously, what would you have chosen…I have watches!  My dream was to see, once in my lifetime, the Christian Lacroix Haute Couture collection (I had the extreme pleasure of working with him when we presented his first prêt-à-porter collection in Chicago in 1989, I’ll do a post on that event later, I loved his creativity, and his exquisite garments), not only did I see that show, which always ended the week to a standing ovation and roses thrown onto the catwalk, but I saw it ALL.

Lily Cole as the bride for the finale of the 2006 Christian Lacroix Haute Couture collection. http://www.christian-lacroix.com

I accompanied our Executive team to see the magnificent collections that, in my opinion, set the stage for all other fashion at all price levels.  It is the laboratory for fashion.

I will post about the entire Paris trip in a future post, I wanted to give you a short overview of my Haute Couture dream as well as the dreamy 2017 Spring Haute Couture collections..

You can view all the collections on YouTube and I would suggest you do so. In addition, the designer’s websites are amazing check them out you won’t be disappointed.

I have always been fascinated with cloisonné. I don’t have a collection but several of my friends do…I wanted to share a sampling of one of those collections.

The definition of cloisonné is “a colored decoration made of enamels poured into the divided areas in a design outlined with wire or metal strips.” A very simplistic way of describing such beautiful objects.

Two of my small “boxes” to show the intricacy of the enamel flowing into the wire outlines.

I found the quote below from the site http://www.cloisonné.com to be very informative:

“Cloisonné, French for “cell”, where thin wires are applied to form raised barriers, which contain different areas of enamel applied above the original metal form. An ancient metalworking technique, it is a multi-step enamel process used to produce jewelry, vases, and other decorative items. Objects produced by this process are also called cloisonné.

Cloisonné first developed in the Near East. It spread to the Byzantine Empire and from there along the Silk Road to China. Chinese cloisonné is probably the most well known and ubiquitous. Russian cloisonné from the Tsarist era is highly prized by collectors. Chinese cloisonné is sometimes confused with Canton enamel, a similar type of enamel work that is painted on freehand and does not utilize partitions to hold the colors separate.”

From Mark and Linda Heister’s exquisite home, in their theater, a curated collection of cloisonné.  I was with them on an antiquing adventure when they found the fabulous lamp and am honored to say the egg and stand were in my humble collection and is now part of theirs!

Also from the same home, this grouping is on a shelf in front of the TV screen and emphasizes their black ground collection punctuated with a lacquer red dish. All the above photos were taken by me with my iPhone.

A close up of a piece from the Heister’s collection.  Photo by Linda Heister.

A pair from the Heister’s growing collection.  Photo by Linda Heister.

I love the shape of this piece, you see it in the second grouping.  Photo by Linda Heister.

From Linda’s Mother’s collection.  Photo by Linda Heister.

My favorite, one of a pair from Linda’s parents when they lived in Japan 68 years ago, pre war prior to 1941, elegance personified!  Photo by Linda Heister.

In addition, I would recommend searching museum sites such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York http://www.metmuseum.org and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London http://www.vam.ac.uk among others.

Suggested readings from the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s website:

A cloisonné rooster to celebrate the year of the rooster!  Isn’t he extraordinary!

Photo credit unknown.

I wanted to make a correction to Monday’s post on Amy Meadows.  I captioned the photo below that Amy was with her Columbia College students, she is in fact pictured with her staff at Marshall Field’s!  My apologies for the error.

I think posting Amy Meadow’s profile on Monday got me to remanence about Marshall Field’s and all it meant to me as a child and, of course, as an adult.  Just a few random thoughts in no particular order.

I can’t remember not going to Field’s as a child.  Mom would often keep me out of school to take a trip downtown to State Street for a day of shopping and, of course, lunch in the Walnut Room or the Narcissus Room (see a recipe at the end of this post!)

The Walnut Room.

                                      The Narcissus Room where I saw many, many tearoom fashion shows through the years.

Since we would usually spend the day we would meet my Father under the clock at Randolph and State and stay downtown for dinner at one of our many favorite restaurants (I can do a post on those in the future, all are long gone!!!).

When I was growing up we also had a wonderful Field’s in Evanston and we frequented that often as well.  I remember thinking I had my very own charge plate (yes, it was an actual “plate” that was a paper card encased in a  metal backing!) that my Father would give me to use while shopping, he knew all the sales associates and gave them a wink to accept “my card” while shopping for treasured gifts for Mom, she, of course, had her own card but having Daddy’s was very special, it was mine!!!!  My Father adored giving gifts (as well as getting them!!!) and often came home with a special surprise for no reason, it was magical.  I can tell you most of them were from Field’s. One I remember fondly was a fabulous aqua suede jacket, pretty special when you are 8 or 9 years old.

Two of my favorite memories were watching the Kuklapolitan Players in the Children’s Theater (no adults allowed!!!) where I would sit contently watching Burr Tillstrom and his amusing players.  It was several years before Kukla, Fran, and Ollie became household names on our television screens.  I am very happy to report the Kuklapolitan family now resides at the Chicago History Museum.  I had the delightful experience of meeting Burr Tillstrom on a Twentieth Century Limited train trip to New York many years after the show had ended.  He was in the Club Car and I, very timidly, approached him and told him how much he had meant to my childhood.  He couldn’t have been more gracious and we chatted over a drink…what a thrill.

Burr with Kukla and Ollie.

The Kuklapolitans in residence at the Chicago HistoryMuseum

My second special memory, I have many more to relate at another time, was in the gigantic book section, it covered at least a half of a floor.  Adjacent to the escalator was the “counter”, more like a huge library desk, that housed all the best sellers of the week and the person presiding over this temple of knowledge was my “Aunt Harriett”.  Harriett Smith was known to all authors and booksellers alike, they came to her to sell their new books and get her advice which she, in turn, gave to her eager clients.  Well, by now, you know I am a crazy book person, I have been since birth.  Since I wasn’t able to take gym in school due to my asthma I spent that time in the school library (Evanston schools were and are some of the best in the country and the school libraries are amazing!) and had books by the carload at home.  “Aunt Harriett” was a very close friend of Mom and Dad’s, they had been neighbors in a brownstone on Astor Street when my parents were first married.  Every time we went to Field’s my first stop had to be to visit her.  She would leave me in charge of her “kingdom” while she went to the children’s book section to select a new book or two or three for me.  This continued into my teens when I was reading the latest fiction along with Camus, Baldwin, Williams, etc., etc.  She absolutely looked the part of a maiden aunt (I have no idea if she was or had been married) and what would have been our thoughts on what the appearance of a librarian should be (whatever that means!!!)  I haven’t thought about her in years and for some unknown reason she came to my mind when I was thinking about the wonderful times I spent at Marshall Field’s in is glory days.

Can you believe this amazing Tiffany dome was covered over for years.  Stand in the Cosmetic Department and look up, it is extraordinary…a true jewel.  It is the largest example of Tiffany Favrile glass in the world with 1.6 million pieces of glass.

Marshall Field’s slogan, Give The Lady What She Wants, was most certainly true for this little lady long ago…it gave me everything I wanted in beauty,  glamour, elegance, style, and excitement…  gone, maybe, but the memories linger…nostalgia is always best!

 

The Field’s Special

Mom always ordered the Field’s Special and I would be given a small portion until I was old enough to have my own. when that happened I felt like a real grown up!  I must admit when I go to Macy’s today I go to the Walnut Room and my order must be the Field’s Special.  I am sharing the recipe below from The Marshall Field’s Cookbook , which I highly recommend you add to your cookbook collection…lots and lots of super recipes (including what started it all, chicken pot pie), great color photography and a short history of Marshall Field’s.

Field’s Special

Thousand Island Salad Dressing (enough for 4 sandwiches)

1 cup mayonnaise

1 cup chili sauce

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon sugar

1 hard-boiled egg, chopped

1/4 cup chopped dill pickle

2 tablespoons minced onion

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl until combined.  Use immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

For 1 Sandwich

2 slices crisp bacon

1 slice deli-style rye bread bottom crust removed

1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter at room temperature

1/4 head iceberg lettuce

2 1-ounce slices Swiss cheese

4 1-ounce slices turkey breast

1 tomato slice

1/2 hard boiled egg sliced

1 pitted black olive

Assembling

Butter bread and place on plate, place  1/2 separated lettuce wedge on top of bread, place cheese slices on top of lettuce, place other 1/2 lettuce wedge on top of cheese, arrange turkey slices on top of lettuce and pour 1/2 cup dressing over turkey and lettuce.  Top with a slice of tomato, egg, and olive secure with a toothpick.  Place 2 slices of bacon and rest of egg next to sandwich and serve.

I have mentioned in previous posts how much I love Louise Penny’s books and that I can’t wait to read them but hold back because a year is a very long time between publications.  Well, I just finished Penny’s new novel A Great Reckoning, and I can tell you that it didn’t disappoint.  Our protagonist, Armand Gamache, one of my most favorite characters, returns with his cast of characters, the residents of the small village of Three Pines.  This time we find Armand assuming his role as head of the Sûreté Academy and see how he guides his trainees in a complicated mystery.  It involves a mysterious map, many characters, some old some new and, of course, murder!

I think what I like most about Penny’s writing is her intelligence, her sense of the true meaning of close family and dear friends and the warmth of relationships in the village of Three Pines.  If I have one complaint, it would be that this particular storyline doesn’t involve the villagers enough, they are, of course, involved and talked about but I would have liked them to be more intricate to the story, but that is just me, probably because I have gotten to know them through her other books, all of which I adore. Her development of characters is superb.

The plot has many twists and turns and you will consider Armand a suspect (well at least, for a bit!!!). Penny takes us on an emotional journey, as she always does, and keeps us guessing at each turn.  Her research is flawless and she presumes her readers are on the same intellectual level that both she and Armand are…she gradually peels back the layers to reveal the emotional climax to the many “mysteries” she has laid before us.

I highly recommend picking up a copy quickly you won’t be disappointed.  If you haven’t read any Louise Penny, I would suggest, as with any series, you start with the first book, in this case Still Life, (I was introduced to Penny by one of my favorite booksellers in Stratford, Canada many years ago while at the Shakespeare Festival) so you can become familiar with Armand Gamache and the vast cast of characters that you will grow to love (after that you can read them in whatever order you like)…A Great Reckoning is book 12 so you can enjoy each as much as I have….can’t wait for #13!!!

Louise Penny from the jacket of A Great Reckoning.  Photo by Jean-François Bérubé

http://www.louisepenny.com

http://www.bookcellarinc.com  My Independent bookseller of choice

Amy Meadows Portrait by Marc Hauser for SELF Magazine (date unknown but clock those shoulder pads. . .Amy’s comment!)

I have known Amy Meadows professionally for many years. I greatly admired her creativity and talent while she was at Marshall Field’s where she gave us extraordinary interiors and windows and then sharing her talents as an amazing teacher and colleague at Columbia College Chicago. Here are her insights into the beginnings of her career in visual merchandise along with her teaching career and her answers to the nenasnotes questionnaire.

“A 5 year old in Franklin, Tennessee  wins an art contest and  is later put on display—literally– at a desk with art supplies inside the window of a downtown bank. Hmm.  Creativity + working behind glass + attention-getting product.  Is it any wonder I ended up in Window Display?

Actually, it took a few more decades and a Theatre degree from Northwestern University, working in regional theatre and moving to Chicago before I officially began working in windows.

A childhood spent sewing, painting, drawing and decorating provided opportunities for “craft entrepreneurship” (i.e., selling fruit crate dollhouses in Louisville, Ky art fairs)

Once at college , I quickly discovered that I preferred working backstage to onstage

and that I was much better suited to creating props, painting backdrops and designing sets. I enjoyed the work that I did at school and with the Lost Colony Theatre and the Virginia Museum Theatre, even squeezing in a props gig on “My Dinner with Andre”.  “Do you like this lampshade, Mr. Malle? No? How about this one?”

We were all young, artsy and broke.  I wanted to be young, artsy with a steady gig.  I loved “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” (a Nena note, another successful woman who was inspired by the incredible Mary Tyler Moore) and figured that Rhoda Morgenstern’s job would be just the ticket.  With the naiveté of youth and the dubious honor of having chosen a fictional character as a career model, I landed a position as a trimmer in 1983 at Marshall Field’s flagship store and remained there, climbing the ranks, until 2008 when Chicago’s regional offices were dismantled.

When people ask what my dream job would be, well, quite frankly. . .this WAS my dream job.  Countless Great Trees, Christmas windows, Flower Shows, Flea Markets and more.  While the job entailed some not very glamorous tasks like “scattering” bags of Kosher salt for holiday snow, crawling backwards out of windows, cutting scenery in half to fit past the jewelry vault (oh, I could go on) there was also international travel and the chance to work directly with acclaimed authors, florists, artists and designers.

But when you’ve worked for the best, then what? Fortunately, I had maintained a partnership with Columbia College Chicago since 1991 and I have continued to teach Visual Merchandising in the Fashion Studies Department.

Amy with her Columbia College Chicago students.On Field’s rooftop, Christmas/flower show/flea market, etc: photo by Susan Kezon

I can officially state that, with the exception of one instructor, every Part-Time faculty member currently teaching visual merchandising and/or window display was either an employee or a student (or in one case, both!)  While I derive no particular pleasure from climbing ladders these days, I find the creative and academic efforts of teaching to be consistently invigorating.

Working with a student on the front windows, 618 South Michigan Avenue, displaying Columbia College Chicago Fashion Studies design students projects. Photo: Philip Dembinski

I began my consulting firm, Windows Matter, http://www.windowsmatter.com, later in 2008.  I speak nationally to business and civic organizations, retailer consortiums as well as working with individual clients on branding, displays and storefront assessments. I hate to see a window go to waste!

There have also been fab gigs with exhibition design (see above) and boutique boot camps.  After 25 years on State St., I look for ways to leverage those tips and tradesmanship for assisting “main street” . And, because I am a lifelong learner and hopelessly curious, I recently completed my Museum Studies Certificate at Northwestern in order to better understand the distinctions—and duplication—of skillsets for visual merchandising vs exhibition design..

An occupational hazard has been the desire to collect and to showcase treasures from travel and artists around one’s home.

Fortunately, I have a supportive family who enjoys the whimsy and eclectic nature of our house.

Both above photos from Chicago Reader: photos by Leslie Schwartz

Well, except for the clown portrait that I thought looked just swell in the living room with other related images.  My daughter promptly veto’d that piece. Sigh.

I’m frequently asked what it’s like to be “creative”.  I think that we’re ALL creative.  Whether one is handy with a paintbrush or printing press is not the sole identifier—for me, creativity is solving problems.  I think that’s one reason I enjoy my daily crosswords. .   I’m solving riddles, looking for commonalities and clues, establishing order and generally trying to make sense of a muddle. It’s much the same way that I approach a design challenge—what’s the budget? The timetable? The merchandise, the customer, the brand?  I suppose if I think of it in those terms, it’s not a surprise that I devour murder mysteries and espionage novels.  Anyone looking for clues to my identity via my Kindle might question my love of country or untoward thoughts toward enemies but I can assure you that it’s for entertainment value only.

YOUR FANTASY DINNER PARTY GUESTS:

I think that it is my affection for puzzles and stories that would shape my fantasy dinner.  Or should I say “not exactly a dinner” but more of a salon with humorists, singers with access to small plates (dibs on bacon-wrapped dates or maybe those semolina gnocchi from Bread and Wine?) and good wine. Lots of good wine. My guest list would include John LeCarre (so that I could quiz him on spy craft), David Sedaris (in order to howl over stories about Christmas in department stores), Mark Twain, Pete Seeger, Bill Bryson, Carl Hiassen, Anne Lamott (for her wisdom and grace) and Annie Proulx.  Maybe a visual artist or two to capture the evening in pen and ink or photographs for posterity. Above all, the evening would be filled with laughter—lung-cleansing, rib-aching laughter. Everyone returns home renewed and reinvigorated.

YOUR FAVORITE CHICAGO STREET ART PIECE?

As such, Calder’s “Flamingo” at Federal Plaza never fails to make me smile. I have long enjoyed his work, esp. his tiny wire figures.  Although enormous, this work loses none of the whimsy and grace with which his smaller, quirkier pieces are imbued.

FAVORITE VACATION SPOT AND WHERE YOU WOULD LIKE TO GO?

As far as the perfect vacation my needs are simple: a porch or veranda, a view of the water or woods and access to lobster—Virgin Bar Harbor, Hilton Head and Bermuda.

Not that other trips haven’t been spectacular but let’s stick with the basics, shall we?

FAVORITE RECIPE?

I don’t cook lobster for myself at home but I do enjoy a good shrimp dish, especially if it has a hint of my Southern heritage.  I make this Shrimp and Grits Casserole in individual ramekins (vs. a single casserole dish) when entertaining:

Shrimp and Grits Casserole (Cooking Light, March 2008)

2 cups 2% reduced fat milk

¾ cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth

1 cup uncooked quick-cooking (not instant!) grits

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup (2 oz) shredded Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons butter

1 (3 oz) package 1/3 less fat cream cheese

3 tablespoon fresh flat-leaf parsley

1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

2 large egg whites

1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp, coarsely chopped

Preheat oven to 375

Combine milk and broth in a medium heavy saucepan; bring to a boil.  Gradually add grits and salt to pan, stirring constantly with a whisk.  Cook 5 minute or until thick, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat.  Stir in Parmesan, butter and cream cheese.  Stir in parsley and next 4 ingredients (through shrimp)  Spoon mixture into an 11” x 17” dish coated with cooking spray.  Bake at 375 for 25 min or until set.  Serve with hot pepper sauce if desired.  Yield: 6 servings

One of my favorite Christmas gifts is a membership to Spudnik Press Cooperative, http://www.spudnikpress.org, here in Chicago.  This will hopefully provide the incentive to get my printmaking chops up to speed—I have a special affection for interpreting children’s artwork into more “grown up” pieces of art without losing the confidence of line and disregard for rules shown in so many drawings and paintings.  While I often work on my own children’s art, I frequently receive requests and commissions so, start the presses—literally!

Before/after of Fridge to Frame artwork: Amy’s

It would be fair to say that I spend more time with print publications than online sources. Facebook provides an opportunity for me to connect with arts organizations, etc. and participate in upcoming events.  Today, I’ll be attending a lunch lecture at De Paul’s Cultural Heritage Law center (I’m intrigued by the legal and ethical dilemmas presented by art theft, looting and repatriation)  and then, a few days later, a Pantone workshop @ Chicago Design Museum.  Never stop learning!”

Nena: Amy,  I couldn’t agree more!  Thank you for your contribution and for letting us get to know you more in depth.