These chairs are now highly sought-after, and absolutely scream MID-CENTURY!!! I've got four of these classic chairs, that were manufactured by Ben Chairs of Frome in Somerset.
They're a fantastic design, and have a real individual appeal about them.
Made of beech, the company were experts in the art of bending wood using steam, which produced the iconic shapes on the arms.
I can also precisely date my chairs to 1964, which is bang in the middle of the very cool and collectable Mid-Century era.
These are now ready for sale, and when all is well, will be up for grabs.
Well the month of March turned out well didn't it ....? What started as a very optimistic time for all things ArtPix, has all melted away into nothingness. One bright thing though, I'm getting lots of projects and upcycling done ... Oh, and another thing ... While I applaud all the praise being heaped onto the NHS staff, I would like to point out that they were all great and doing a fantastic job a month ago, when no-one wanted to know about them. Also six months ago, a year ago, 5 years ago, 10 years ago, indeed they were all doing a great job when I worked for the NHS 30 years ago ...
Have been tackling a few projects and bits 'n' pieces this week, now we are all indoors! Picked up this nice 30s wooden tray last year and thought it could do with brightening up a bit. So did a good old Beano decoupage on it!!
All the usual suspects are on there of course, Dennis & Gnasher and Minnie the Minx ...
Has been all varnished, and the dark wood all restored, just needs a new home now. Hopefully one day we'll be back out there selling and buying at vintage fairs.
Today I'm shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of one of my musical heroes, BILL RIEFLIN, at only 59.
For me he'll always be a massive part of the staggering Industrial scene of the late 80s and 90s, as the drummer of Ministry and many other Alternative bands. But his career took him down many paths, including the fantastic Swans, and ending up in REM and King Crimson. I always chuckled when I saw him, either live or on video, in amongst the chaos and noise of a Ministry gig, drumming away dressed in a pristine white shirt and tie!
I don't believe in any god, religion or afterlife, (how can you when you are an Alternative music fan!), but it would be cool to think Bill is already starting up a band with his old mate Paul Raven!!!
Check him out here, sharing drumming duties with Martin Atkins on one of favourite ever tracks – Burning Inside by Ministry ...
Now that we are at home during these extraordinary events, what better time than to dig out a vintage jigsaw puzzle?!
I actually started this devilish difficult jigsaw last year, and after a lack of progress, put it on the back burner!
But of course now with events unfolding, we are all finding all sorts of things to do at home!! So back out of the cupboard came this cheeky puzzle ...
One big reason it was so difficult was because it didn't have a picture with it, just the elusive title, 'Woodland Scene with Sheep'.
It was just a jumble of greens, browns, and the odd bit of yellow! But this week I finally finished it ...
It was a joy to do, chiefly as it was so hard, but also because it has so much charm. The pieces are made from thick wood and have unusual shapes dotted around, including swords and axes.
And, as an extra bonus, it has written inside the box, the dates it was originally put together. Brilliantly, the owner wrote down when they completed the jigsaw.
The first being October 12th 1931.
They had another go a month later, on November 10th, and again on December 3rd!
Presumably they got another puzzle for Christmas that year, as they weren't tempted to do it again until July 1932!! Every time the puzzle was finished, the person faithfully wrote down the date, right up until the final time on October 17th 1933.
It would be tempting to think this is the first time it has been done since then, nearly 87 years ago ...
PS. Annoyingly there was one bit missing(!), but I guess that isn't too bad for any vintage jigsaw ....
Nice to be able to add a market to my list of tour dates, instead of cancelling them!!! Exeter Flea Market have rearranged their April event to 17th October.
Fingers crossed all will be well by then, so pencil the date into your diaries and come along!!!
