Imagine my delight when I spotted this booth at Scott's Antique Market in Atlanta last weekend. Scott's is a monthly show that attracts between 2,000 and 4,000 dealers. Most of the dealers return to the same booth space nearly every month, but this month, Craig Ringstad, a newcomer, set up this incredible booth, just crammed full of Tartan Ware. To a tartan lover like me...........nirvana!!!!!
His booth was full of treasures like I had never seen. He told me he was probably the largest dealer of Tartan in the U. S. and I believe he must be!
Just look at these boxes and tea caddies. I am sure that every clan must have been represented in his inventory.
This group of napkin rings alone was enough to make me swoon.
And the very best thing of all was that he was so very kindly informative. He told me how all tartan was made in the Mauchline factory, which burned down in the '30's. This wonderful reference book described so many pieces I had never ever seen, or heard of, and I think Craig had nearly every one of them. He spent so much time with me explaining about the process and what many of the pieces were used for. I enjoyed every minute. I wish I could have taken him out to dinner afterward just to keep learning and talking.
Look at this sweet sewing case.....closed.....
and opened.
Did you ever imagine such a wealth of riches?
Bowls, boxes, glove stretchers, compasses, darning eggs, fans, a purse, vases, tea caddies, tape measures, just the most incredible things. I know, I keep using that word, "incredible", but it really is the most descriptive one I can think of!!!
He chose these more unusual small items for me to photograph. He was so gracious and patient.
These fern designs were also made by the Mauchline company, using real fern fronds as production materials to get these beautiful patterns.
These books are full sized, but he also had the most magnificent collection of miniature books. They were so fascinating.
Just look at some of these beauties!
Oh, they all sooo wanted to come home with me!
And look at what Craig showed me. The pictures in these books are not printed on the pages, but rather are really photographs that are glued on. Each one is an individual piece of art.
Talk about works of art.....look at these leather spines!
And look at this box made up of several different tartans.
This was another favorite of mine.....a tartan match pocket. Love, love, love!!!
Craig kept telling me that it was "all about the clans".
His large selection of reference books would be such fascinating resource material.
More eye candy!
Let me give you Craig's contact info:
Craig Ringstad
612-743-5753
See anything you like? Please give him a call or drop him an email and let him know that you saw his wares here. I am so sorry that I never got a shot of his entire booth so that you could see the scope of his magnificent collection.
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