Poodley Poo

What could be more ubiquitous to the 1950's than  poodles?  Poodle accessories?  Or poodle wallpaper?

Or this?

I think it looks more like a llama.

This lovely accessory and even some pekingese abominations are to be found in this American Thread Co Star Gift Book No 140, now available at my Etsy store.  If you're really into poodles, don't overlook the dishtowel and the other craft book.  Just put poodle in the search box when you get to my store.

Incidentally, the hat above is called a "Jibber" in the instructions.  I have no idea why.  Different definitions for this word lead me to sailboats, stealing, balking, blogging, snowboarding, and Mr T.  Anyone have any idea where this name came from?

A Glorious Potpourri of Crafting

I am in the process of putting some new old manuals in my Etsy store and I'm giving you a preview in case there is something that you just have to have.

First up is one I know you'll want.

This is the original--not the repro I've seen on Amazon.  You can tell by the original price in the corner.  Very good manual for making hats circa 1944.

Another one that features hats is this Woman's Day Annual from 1947.

Lots of inspiration here, plus doilies, mittens, gloves, sweaters, etc.

From the Domestic Sewing Machine Company for making over and mending.  No date, but this was encouraged during WWII.

A pamphlet from 1943.

All about Talon products new in 1968.

Knitting for children and babies.

Don't let your babies eat yarn.

Frightening clowns.  Why was that little guy playing with elephant poo?

Beautiful doilies.

Ubiquitous Poodles!!

How-To Books.

This one from 1966 features lots of RED!

And more weird hats and weirder purses--perfect for all those made with love especially for you, faery wear, steampunk, burning man Etsy crafters. (Not saying any of you are like that!  I've been reading a lot of Regretsy posts lately.  Warning!  Not for the easily offended!)

Give me some time to get them all up.  If there are any that strike your fancy, let me know before I put them up and I will Reserve them for you.  I haven't set any prices yet, so bear with me.

Catnip Hill Genealogy

I have started my own genealogy business by creating a web page and emailing all my friends.  I hope that I can generate some business to keep myself going through this unemployment, and would appreciate everyone telling all their friends about me.  Here is a link to my site: Catnip Hill Genealogy.

Thank you.

Keep Your Hat On!

I

This hat elastic references a patent from Dec of 1940 by John W W Holden of Providence, RI.  It was not the elastic he patented, but the metal gadget that attached to the hat.  If you have looked at pictures from this era you will see that ladies wore their hats at extreme angles on their heads and were probably glad to have a helpful item like this.  It replaced these,

which were not much good without masses of hair to anchor them in.  They were still used in a shortened form, however, along with bobby pins and combs.

Ladies were starting to wear their long hair in a roll from temple to temple around their heads, and Mr Holden was well aware of this.  He invented an imitation horsehair roll in 1937 in several diameters to roll the hair around.

In 1941 he was still inventing hair rolls.

Like most of the other inventors I have featured, Mr Holden was prolific.  In 1928 he was interested in bead necklaces and the problems of them coming unstrung.  In 1933 he was concerned with how far a fisherman could cast a line and know the length of his cast, and was pitching his idea to Ashaway Line and Twine Manufacturing Co of Ashaway, RI.  The 1930 census reveals he was 41 years old, born in Massachusetts of English parents, got married at age 25, and he and wife, Grace had no children.  He was a jewelry jobber, which explains his interest in necklaces.

I found this current listing:

John W.W. Holden Inc.
Private Company, Headquarters Location .. Providence, RI .. (401) 944-1515 .. Wholesale: Medical, Dental, and Optical Supplies

So it looks like Mr Holden was successful with his inventing.