G + imcrack = GIMCRACK
Grandma would have loved these from product-finder.com |
gimcrack JIM-krak , noun;
1. A showy but useless or worthless object; a gewgaw.
Grandma had a HUGE salt and pepper collection that she had collected through the years. Any place she visited the first thing she looked for in the gift shop was a salt and pepper shaker set for her collection. Any place that WE visited the first thing we looked for was a salt and pepper shaker set to take home to her. It had to be a good one though, if she didn’t like it, she wouldn’t buy it just to say she had. These were rarely used for their intended purpose, they sat on a special shelving unit that my (grand)Pa built just for her. Some were ceramic, some china, some plastic. Some were beautiful, some were gaudy (though NEVER vulgar). Some were cheap, some were expensive.
In the strictest sense of the word, they were gimcracks. But then again, they brought pleasure to my grandma – so they weren’t worthless or useless. And the memory of them brings me pleasure, so they had a purpose in my life too.
I wonder, perhaps we shouldn’t judge something to be a gimcrack quite so quickly – who knows what value or purpose it might hold for someone else?
This reminds me of my collection of china thimbles. Useless in the sense that you couldn't use them for the original purpose of thimbles. However, I've bought them in many different countries, so each one reminds me of a place I've visited.
http://paulamartinpotpourri.blogspot.com
Every house has a few of those!
Sometimes the things we find mundane in our life at one point become gateways to precious memories. I feel the same way about country music that you do about salt and pepper shakers.
My aunt collects salt & pepper shakers. I collect bells from the states I've visited. Gee gaws..gimcracks…yep. Very cool.
A wonderful memory of your grandmother. Thanks for the new word as well. Look forward to learning more with you during this challenge. Good luck!
Very nice post, my mother is a big collector of useless things. Her collection is roosters….Think there is a bit of symbolism in there 🙂
Oh, I love this. I collect magnets. The collection began when the members of my critique group began bringing each other magnets from various places they went on vacation and has grown into a large collection (obsession?) Everywhere I go, I buy a magnet. Nuts, but fun.
Lots of gimcracks at my house…Having a yardsale tomorow!
Collections seem to be like that, don't they? The thrill of the hunt is sometimes more important the object itself. I was huge into cows at one time, but then one day thought I had enough and I passed my
"Gimcrack" on to someone else. Who was absolutely thrilled with my donation.
Found your blog via the A-Z challenge. Following You! Come on over and say "hi".
Blue Velvet Vincent
aww I love these kinda thingies 🙂 they are sooo cute (un)fortunately I don't have space for those at my place…
Nice to meet you through the A-Z challenge! Hope to see you around!