Saturday, February 18, 2012

APPALACHIAN CLOTHESPIN ROCKER


What fun children in Kentucky schools had putting together a miniature rocking chair made out of clothespins. Some schools in Appalachian Kentucky taught the craft that replicated what children saw everyday on front porches all across the countryside where they lived. Most folks, that I have talked with about the chairs, said they made them in elementary school around the mid 1900s. They seem to all feel it was great making them especially as it gave them a break from their studies.

20 comments:

  1. Have some survived? Did families sometimes keep them the way they sometimes keep kid's other art work? If they sometimes show up in antique stores I'd think they would be grabbed up very quickly.

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    1. June -- if something in good condition is packed away safely surely it could survive the years. Actually I found this one with two others at a yard sale. I thought they were rather folky. I gave the other two to my Utah daughter as she loves folk -- thanks -- barbara

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  2. Interesting. I haven't seen one of these around my area.

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    1. Michelle -- Maybe you could put the chair idea in your bag of tricks for your students. thanks for stopping by -- barbara

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  3. I've never seen one of these but am feeling like I'd like to try to make one -- how cute!

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    1. Vicki -- I think they would be rather fun to make. A good home project with grandchildren too. Thanks for the comment -- barbara

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  4. I left a note yesterday but I think the system which has new verification designs thought I was a robot. Anyway, I was wondering if any of these charming little chairs have survived and make their way into antique shops. I'd think they would be collectors' items by now.

    We'll see if the program still thinks I'm a robot.

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    1. June -- isn't the new robot system an eye strainer. It seems I never get it right the first time. I think it is turning folks off from leaving comments. I received both of your comments. I don't think these little chairs had much durability and therefore probably one doesn't find them often. I found mine at a yard sale. thanks -- barbara

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  5. How lovely!

    I do a Clothesline Art project at festivals with my rural awareness program.
    The idea is quite simply to hang your art on the clothesline when finished. I am always amazed that so many have NO idea what a clothesline is! lol

    I laugh that they said 'break from studies'.......ah, I long for the day when folkart IS study........all day long! :)

    Have a wonderful week!
    Collage Pirate

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    1. Mimi -- would like to know more about your clothesline art and your rural awareness program. Liked the comment that said folkart is study -- agree so completely. Thanks and have a good weekend too -- barbara

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  6. Wow! these are huge clothspins. What say the giants and their clothes?

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    1. Birdman -- You make me laugh -- in the post I said the chair was a miniature -- the photo is a close-up. thanks -- barbara

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  7. That is so clever, and what a wonderful idea!

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  8. Carole Anne -- If one could play around and figure out how to make one perhaps they could pass the idea along to some children. It would be fun for them. Thanks for the comment -- barbara

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  9. I've never seen these before but they are rather nice!

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    1. Rubye Jack -- Unusual I believe. Thanks for the comment -- barbara

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  10. "The Old rocking chair's got me" :-)

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    1. RuneE -- Yes, that saying is used here too. Some days I feel that way. Thanks RunE -- barbara

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  11. What a beautiful little piece of folk art. I have a few items that I made for my mother and she saved through all those years. I will have to take another look at them.

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    1. Teresa -- So many projects of children get lost in the fray of life. Hope your mom still has your pieces -- barbara

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