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Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Helping Hands

My New Year’s Resolution is to use it or lose it as far as collecting goes. So when I opened a drawer and ran across my collection of hand clips, I had to think fast to save them. This vignette features a lovely Victorian hand adorned with pearls used to hold a pair of gloves.

  “Keep nothing you do not believe to be beautiful or useful”. Tall order, but this tiny French “hand” mirror ticks both boxes. It’s beautifully crafted with the elegant hand of a lady as the handle to the two-sided mirror. It’s a keeper!

 This pink porcelain piece by Lefton is used on the hall table as a business card holder,

 while this stylish open hand holds rings and pins. I love the painted nails and ring.

 This one is used on the desk to hold papers, as it’s intent.

 Nevertheless, I also use them to hang pictures or hold vintage handbags. I even hot-glued pins and brooches to cover the nail heads for extra sparkle!

 Last, is this framed collage of hand clips which I find beautiful on their own,

 but they can also be used to display jewelry. Yep, you guessed it, I didn’t lose a one!

 So if you ever need a hand you know who to call!
Hugs,

Patti


Thanks to all of you who partied with us last week. Please linkup and join us again. Remember, it’s not a party without you!


91 comments:

At The Picket Fence said...

You gals truly have the most beautiful and unique collections! Thanks for sharing this one with us Patti! :-)
Vanessa

Julie Marie said...

Oooh Patti, I am so happy you kept them, they are all just stunning!!! And how clever of you to glue vintage jewels and such on the nail heads, I am going to do that!... I have been re~thinking my vast collections as well... somehow, my piles of "part withs" turned into "keepers" once more... but you know, I find nothing wrong with that... rather than part with my vintage collectibles, my New Years vow to myself is to think VERY carefully before purchasing more... (does that sound like a good justification???)... by the way, my 1880's French clock finally arrived, can't wait to post about it!... hoping to join in your party this week if I can get my other post ready I have planned... (can you give me a "hand", tee hee hee!)... xoxo Julie Marie

Cottage and Broome said...

Patti, I have a thing for hands and like you use them to display jewelry and other great finds. Your hands are all beautiful, i'd put them in the keep category. Thanks for hosting again this week. Laura

Curtains in My Tree said...

Oh I love your sweet little hands.
I know what you mean about all of our collections, but I can't clean out any more this year I don't think. Last year I had 5 yard sales and decluttered my treasures.
I still have them in drawers like you but I think they are all keepers LOL
I am amaized how beautiful
everything is that you have

Janice

Thuis Thuis said...

What a beautifull hands.
It's one of the first things a look at when i met sombody.
I think hands can tell a lot about people.
Lovely photo's.
Love Annette

loveandlilac said...

I'm a new follower to your blog and already a devotee!

Daphne Nicole & Lynda Cade said...

OMG, this collection is gorgeous, and what clever ways you chose to use them. I especially love the vintage purses hanging from them. I hope you have received your tote, so glad we finally got together on it.
Hugs~~~ Daphne

Palomasea said...

Look at all of those "handy" helpers!!! :)
They really are beautiful, and you are giving me some fabulous ideas here...
Thank you for sharing these, just lovely!
xoxo,
- Irina

Tablescapes By Diane said...

Hi lovely lady.
I love all your Vintage Treasures so Beautiful. I just post a Tablescape all Vintage.. Thanks so must for having your linky party. I hope you and your family have a wonderful week.
XXOO Diane

c. Joy said...

Usually I love your posts - your whole blog - But those hands. I'm a little creeped out. Now I'm giggling. I've got to hand it to you - those things are mighty handy. Have a great week.

Lynn at Cottage and Creek said...

What a cool collection! They should definitely be in the "keep" category. They're so interesting and useful for display purposes. I'll have to keep my eyes open for "hands". I agree they say a lot about a person. Thanks for hosting this fun party. I've linked up for the first time and will surely be back.
Lynn

Sunny Simple Life said...

I love this use or lose it mentality on collections. A lot the purging going on around here too.

Gail said...

What a lovely collection and so beautifully displayed! Thanks for sharing and for hosting as well.

Fete et Fleur said...

I love the clips all grouped and framed on the wall. That antique frame is beautiful.

I want to wish you both a very Happy New Year!

Nancy

Fete et Fleur said...

I love the clips all grouped and framed on the wall. That antique frame is beautiful.

I want to wish you both a very Happy New Year!

Nancy

Revi said...

I should adopt your rule, but I'm not there yet! I am preparing for a big Garage Sale, and will probably continue to pare down after that. Your hand clips are pretty wonderful. Beauty is in the quote, and they are useful, so keep.:)
-Revi

Cindy Adkins said...

My goodness, Patti, you have the most interesting and beautiful collections! I'd never even heard of hand clips! Thanks again for a lovely post and for hosting!
Cindy

Andrea at Opulent Cottage said...

Y'all are too cute! I just found you through Confessions of a Plate Addict. I didn't create anything this week, but I'll be back to join you in the future :)
Cheers, Andrea

Anonymous said...

My favorite....hanging pictures from them. Adore all your hands! I have a "hand" on my work desk that holds paper clips and a hand vase in the guest bath. Thank you for hosting your party. Have a wonderful week ~

Rattus Scribus said...

I like this philosophy of use it or lose it. I am in a taking stock mode and realizing that I need to declutter my life in some ways. So I'm going to try harder to avoid choices and activities that will not contribute to my inner growth and creativity.
All the best
Ruben

Cindy Adkins said...

Oh wow, I love those!!! Sooo beautiful!! Thank you for this awesome party!!! xo Cindy

Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made said...

Really . . . you ladies amaze me with your collections! I have never seen anything like these! Love the last pic with all of them displayed together and also love how you added the 'bling' to the nailheads! You think of everything!

The Charm of Home said...

You have the neatest collections! Thanks for hosting.
Sherry

Blue Creek Home said...

I am in love with your beautiful hand collection.
The ones on the wall are the sweetest ever!
Thanks for hosting.
Rhonda

Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR said...

This was such a great post! Thanks so much for hosting this awesome party each week. I'm always happy to link up!

June said...

Patti I love how you framed the hands on the wall. Genius! Of course you had to keep them!
I love the quote too. Too bad I find too many things useful and beautiful ;)
Have a wonderful Wednesday Patti...

Hong Kong Property said...

really lovely!

Palomasea said...

Dear Patti,

Thanks so much for stopping by, it's always very nice to "see" you!:))
So you are a teacher? That's wonderful!
I'm so glad you're getting that book!!! It is very heartwarming, and a lovely, simple way to show kids (and adults) that our choices, our actions matter every single day!
Thanks for bringing more beauty and joy into our world...;)
xoxo,
- Irina

Theresa said...

I've never seen so many hands!!! I admire anyone who can collect things. I'm the type that if I'm not using it at the moment it's out of here. lol

Thanks for hosting this great party:)

Blessings,
Theresa

Anonymous said...

I "hand" it to you, love the hands! I can see why you want to keep them! Thanks for the hosting.
Debbie

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

Beautiful collection. Thanks for hosting.

Sherry said...

Girl, you have a beautiful collection of hands! Hey, I never thought to cover up nail heads with clips, etc. I'll using that idea. Thanks for visiting my blog and I'm now your newest follower.

Kelly said...

That is a unique collection. I've never seen so many different hands before. I like all the different ways that you used them.

Sue said...

I am in a same frame of mind right now, but I seem to be purging more than saving! LOL. Love this collection and like how you used them on the wall. :-)

Fresh Vanilla For C said...

What fun. Thanks for letting me know about it.I am trying to keep all these link parties straight. I put the mantle picture;)I also added your blog to my blog roll

Have a great night:)

~Cheryl

chateau chic said...

Your post about your collection of vintage hands is so elegant. Collections makes one's home so unique and personal.
Mary Alice

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Good evening, beautiful Patti!

Oh dearest, are you back at school now, finally? It sure was hard to get back after 2 weeks OFF! What is strange, however, is the lack of snow. It seems as if Christmas was NOT here, and not having the kids trudge through snow at recess just feels strange! I wish you great success this school year and happy days of unforgettable learning for all!

THANK YOU FOR VISITING US! Anita

Susan Freeman said...

Patti ~ thanks for reminding me to link up! I knew I was forgetting something and it bugged me all afternoon. I love this party and you are a very gracious hostess. Wish you could stop by for tea!

Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

lvroftiques said...

I need a hand! *waves hand in air* I need one...I do!! Lol!
Love love love your collection of beautiful hands Patti!And I didn't think for a moment that you wouldn't find a way to keep em *winks* I especially love how you used them to hang your bags (I've got a few of those) and embellished them with bling!Sooooo CA-ute! Vanna

lvroftiques said...

Oh....and thanks for hosting this wonderful party guys!

Dorthe said...

What a fantastic collection of hands,it must have taken you long time to find so many wonderful pieces- and surely they should be kept ,everyone of them.
xo, Dorthe

Pam @ Frippery said...

How lovely. I had a hand clip from my mother in law that I used on a piece of art that sold. Now I kind of wish I had it back, haha. I love all of your hands. I do have two milk glass hands that may have been to hold a piece of jewelry, not sure. I do know I will never part with them. I am with you in getting rid of anything that doesn't thrill me anymore. Just toooooooo much junk! I am going to link my lampshades. Thanks for hosting again. Hugs from Ohio, pam

Miss Gracie's House said...

GREAT new year's resolution...one we all need to do, I'm afraid:)
I finally made it over for your linky party...thanks for the invite!
Rene

Barb said...

Hi Patti, your handclips are wonderful and all the vignettes are so gorgeous....graceful!

Thanks for hosting and leaving me such a lovely comment.

Barb ♥

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

We can always use a helpin' had here on the Ozark Ponderosa but those are way too pretty for farm work!!! Heehehehe!

What a beautiful collection of hands you have, each with a purpose. Very pretty sweetie!!!

God bless ya and have a wonderful day!!! :o)

Johanna Gehrlein said...

Hi Patty,
your hand collection is really stunning. You need to keep them! Thank you for showing us those beautiful vignettes and for hosting this party.
Best greetings, Johanna

Red Rose Alley said...

I have always loved HANDS too. I'm not sure why, but I think it's because of their elegance, and a hand can say so much...hello, good-bye, maybe, come here, go there. I think God made our hands strong also. These are all so lovely. Now, whenever I see a hand out there, I'll think of you.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

Unknown said...

Those are very beautiful Vintage pieces....Thank you for sharing!....
and for stopping by...I am also your new follower....


Luisa May

LV said...

I have never seen so many lovely and interesting things that you share. It is always a pleasure visiting and seeing what you will feature next.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Love those great hands! I will try to remember to come back next week for your party! I really like the 'use it or lose it' for 2012~
hugs, Linda

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Incredible and unique collection you girls have! I am sooo glad you kept them, they're all fabulous! Wow, such wonderful post. Thank you for hosting again sweet ladies and lots of hugs,
FABBY

The Polka Dot Closet said...

That is a fabulous collection, I have never seen some of those hands...Gorgeous! Thank you so much for allowing me to link up my dress form party, I think It will be sooo fun!

Carol

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

What a beautiful collection...so glad that I came by and saw it:)

Blessings,
Linda

Anonymous said...

Hey how are you doing? I just wanted to stop by and say that its been a pleasure reading your blog. I have bookmarked your website so that I can come back & read more in the future as well. plz do keep up the quality writing

Savannah Granny said...

I so love your beautiful helping hands. Yes, I will know where to go when I need a hand and a heart. You ladies are heart and soul. Sorry I was late, I was recovering from and emergancy room visit on Tues. Allergic reaction to meds, epipen, the whole nine yards.
The great thing is I got here. Love you guys,
Blessings, Ginger

Leena Milligan Lanteigne said...

HI! I found your lovely blog through 2805's Potpourri Friday link party! I love the photos in your banner and your hand clip collection is amazing! SO pretty! I am now a follower and am looking forward to reading more of your posts! Hugs, Leena

savvycityfarmer said...

nice to meet you!!!
great finds, my dear


thanks for linking in ... please could you link back ...

Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ said...

WOW Patti! Your have the best collections I have ever seen. I love the hands.

Dee

Anonymous said...

Hi Patti! OH, you have the most beautiful collections and those hands are so pretty! Thank you for inviting me to your party. I tried to find your party button to add to my "Parties" beneath my header, but I couldn't find it. So I just copied your header to put in my Parties section. Now I won't forget!
be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Kathy said...

These are exquisite! I love each picture! Thank you for sharing with Home and Garden Thursday, and for hosting!
Kathy

Karen said...

That is a beautiful collection. always look forward to seeing what you guys post. Everything is always beautiful and interesting. I've got nothing to share this week, maybe next time (hopefully).

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

What a lovely blog you have! I enjoyed seeing this neat collection of hands, very unique! I only have one ceramic hand and I display a vintage compact on it. I love the ways you have displayed yours!

Thanks for the invitation to join your linky party, I will try to join you sometimes, looks fun, and I have lots of collections.

I'm subscribing to your blog!

Katherine

Anonymous said...

Well, I finally quit pinning and started doing something about it (Pinterest) - and I linked that something up here at your party. Thanks for hostessing. Hugs ~ Mary

Anonymous said...

Hi Patti & Paula! I have a feeling that I'm coming here by way of Liz's Time Travel Thursday - but I'm actually stopping by via Patti's comment on my blog. Thank you for your comment and for following. I've spent a few minutes browsing y'all's blog. Love it. And the whatchamacallit party sounds interesting and fun. I love the various photos in your header, sidebars, and where is it that the 9 women are featured? Oh yes, the party list. What a blessing in the heritage of women, and ethnicity. I love the spectrum of God's handiwork in us all - just something to celebrate and shout about, isn't it?!
Those hand clips, they are awesome. I think my paternal grandmother had a porcelain hand, I seem to remember two actually, maybe my maternal grandmother had one as well. Gosh, I wish I could remember.
A story dared to be told when I ran across the beautiful tea set with the elephant lamp in your 1/3 post. (Love the coffee/tea mugs/cups in the post just above it. What's not to like in the posts I read and viewed? They just brought out the talker (writer) in me. I have a reduced collection of elephants. I love the majestic size and spirit of (live) elephants.
Okay, I'll stop 'talking'. Enjoyed my visit and leaving a comment for y'all. Oh yes, I think it's neat to pair or team up for the blog.
Take care! Jenn

Sherry@Back2Vintage said...

Thanks for sharing your beautiful collections and for hosting the party!!!

Barbara F. said...

Hi Patti, thanks so much for visiting me and for the follow. I am following you back. I just loved this post. I don't think I ever saw these clips, they are unusual and useful. I love how you displayed them. xo

highheeledlife said...

Thank you so much for visiting me and your sweet comment. I'm so happy we have connected again. It looks like a fabulous party you are hosting.... I'm going to mingle a bit this week ...and hope to be joining your party in the future. xo Blessings, HHL

highheeledlife said...

OOPS!! I forgot to mention how lovely all your helping hands are. You have also provided some creative ways to use them; and to cover the nail hands (that I'm going to use)... xo HHL

Diann said...

What a lovely collection! You girls really have some amazing things to share with us! Thank you for sharing with us at TTF and I hope you have a great weekend!

Mimi said...

Love all the magnificent old photos you display on your blog. Simply gorgeous! It's great to figure out how to use our collections so we can really enjoy them instead of having them hidden away in a box.

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

Those are all definitely keepers! You have a beautiful collection!

lisa Moran, Bilancia Designs said...

You have such lovely collections!
Such beauty each time I come to visit...
Wishing you a wonderful weekend~
Lisa

The Tablescaper said...

Love your hand collection. While I'm all in favor of cleaning out, it certainly was worth saving. I have a hand clip in my powder room which holds the hand towel.

Thanks so much for bringing your post to Seasonal Sundays.

- The Tablescaper

Grammy Goodwill said...

This has to be the most unusual of your collections. I can't even imagine where you could fine one of these much less the bounty that you have. I'm so glad you found uses for them and didn't have to give them up.

Artsy VaVa said...

Thanks for inviting me to your party! I'm a new follower!!!

Donna said...

Hi, Patti,
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Your blog is lovely. What a great idea to use the hands as picture holders! Love that hand mirror, too.

Ricki Treleaven said...

I love this post. The hands are so feminine and delicate. What a neat collection for displaying your treasures! And talk about attention to detail: I love the way you covered the nail heads. Inspiring! Thanks for visiting Art @ Home! :D

xoxoxooxox,
Ricki Jill

Richard Cottrell said...

The Victorians had a thing for hands, even in death, as they made castings of dead peoples hands. Richard from My Old Historic House.

Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage said...

A lovely collection, for a lovely lady!

Ah, yes. It sounds as though we suffer from the same illness. Because I ONLY collect what I find beautiful (and useful...at times), I have a VERY difficult time culling from my collections, as well. ;)

Blessings,
Liz @ The Brambleberry Cottage

Betsy said...

Hi Patti,

Thank you for visiting my blog! Several months ago a friend from work told me about your beautiful blog and I thought I had joined you as a follower but discovered that I hadn't! Well I fixed that this morning! I love all your hands--they draw me too, but I don't find them very often. It was a treat to see all yours. I also strongly believe in keeping only what is beautiful or useful! Looking forward to reading more.

Betsy

Cindy Adkins said...

I hope you're both having a happy Sunday! I wrote you a really important email last night. I hope you got it!
xo
Cindy

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

Wow, you amaze me with all your vintage pretties. I love the way you have these little hands displayed and those purses are gorgeous.

Suz said...

Lovely vintage post. Found your blog again.

Beverly said...

Ooh, ooh, ooh! I love every single one. They are fabulous.

Thank your for sharing.

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Hey sweet ladies! I was so honored to be feautured in Ivy & Elephants, so it will be great if you have a button, as the one you now have doesn't work for the feature, although that's what it says, or am I a little dum. Thanks.
FABBY

Brandi said...

I love your use it or lose it resolution! I need to apply it to my own stuff! Thanks for sharing your beautiful collection!

Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking said...

Wow what great uses for these! They are so pretty and unique.

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Beautiful collection. You two are so clever and creative. I love what you made. Thanks again for hosting such a fun party.

Barbara Neubeck said...

Hello Patti,
Your hand collection is wonderful and the way they are displayed and used is very clever...
God Bless
Barb from Australia

THE FARMHOUSE PORCH said...

I just got a neat old hand at the thrift store...I love it!

I'm following, would love to have you stop by the farmhouse porch if you have the time.
♥Linsey

Bliss said...

I scrolled through the comments, all 90 of them, to see if I had left one because I remembered reading this post. I would have just started blogging so must of been too shy last year!

Thanks for linking up your helpful hands.

Bliss

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Gratitude is the Memory of the Heart ~ French Proverb ~ We are so grateful that you stopped by ~ Please visit again soon! ~ Much Love, Patricia and Paula