One of the first "souvenirs" I purchased when we moved to Sarasota was this handcrafted mug, signed by "Dave". That's all. Just "Dave". I found it in a little consignment art shop in Sarasota Square Mall, down the road from where our friend, David lived. No. He wasn't the artist. Making pottery wasn't his thing.
At any rate, I loved the beautiful ocean blue and purple colors. Ocean blue and sea green colors would have been the only improvement on the design. I used it for the seventeen years we lived in Florida, and then carefully packed it to bring back to Wisconsin. It sat in our china cabinet until about a month ago when I took it out and hung it on our mug rack in the pantry so it could go back into service...even though I noticed it had a very small crack on the rim.
Yesterday, it was sitting in the sink after my morning cuppa. There it sat until I finished baking. Then I started doing dishes. I happened to drop a 1/4 c. metal measuring cup and heard an unusual "plink" sound. It was then that I saw the two pieces of my Sarasota mug sitting in the drain cup. My beautiful treasure was broken. I might have uttered a naughty word as I collected the pieces and sadly set them aside.
I finished doing dishes and then carefully washed and dried the mug and broken bits, and then I walked upstairs to my studio. The entire hike upstairs, I wished I knew one of those Japanese artists who take broken things and repair them with gold to make the break more precious to the whole piece. Alas, all I had was crazy glue gel.
It's sort of back in one piece now, but it will never hold another cup of tea, coffee, or hot cocoa to start my day. Yes. The cracks are noticeable, and even though it's not usable, I can't bring myself to toss it. It still holds memories from our days in the south. I only wish I knew someone who could duplicate it.
For now, I'll use it to hold pins or something in my studio. Perhaps I'll turn it into a pincushion. I don't know at this point. I just know that even though it's been broken, it could be repaired and still be useful. Perhaps it's a metaphor for broken people. They can be healed, even if the scars are still visible, and most certainly, still useful.
In the meantime, if anyone knows "Dave", I wonder if he's still making Sarasota mugs?
Aww, I think we all know the disappointment (and downright sadness) you felt over this broken piece! I have my fair share of special items that have been repaired with much less grace and beauty than a Japanese gold artist would do 😄 ...but it does not take away from the sentiment attached to the item. (Some of us will never be true minimalists 😏. LOL! Too many things "spark joy" when held). I am hoping that Pottery Dave surfaces and can make a new one ... with blue and sea green! Wouldn't that be a lovely end to the story?!
ReplyDeleteHi Lois:
DeleteI recognize that I'm not alone in my love for such treasures. We really understand each other. Finding Pottery Dave would be a lovely end, indeed!
xoxo
Donna
I'm so sorry your favorite mug is broken.
ReplyDeleteYes, I would keep it & give it another use.
It holds memories.
Marilyn
Hi Marilyn:
DeleteI'll keep it - at least for a while. Perhaps repurposing it will give it another twenty five years in service? I appreciate that you understand.
xoxo
Donna
Oh no - I'm so sorry, but at least you were able to repair it enough that it can still serve a useful purpose. RC and I were gifted mugs featuring the face of our grandson and those are precious enough that we only used them a few times and now they serve as pen/pencil holders where (hopefully!) they won't stand as much chance of being broken.
ReplyDeleteHi MA:
DeleteThose gifted mugs really are precious. We have some of those, too. They never see the inside of a dishwasher, and are treasures, for sure! I'll share the mug again once I decide how I'll reuse it.
xoxo
Donna
😳
ReplyDeleteI have a DAVE mug too! It looks just like this, but it is plain blue and no words, other than DAVE carved in the bottom. My husband found it at a little shop in Western North Carolina.
Hi Sandi:
DeleteAre you serious?! What are the chances of that? Wow! Thanks for sharing that. Dave must have really gotten around. lol
xoxo
Donna
sherry of createology: Oh Dear. Have you tried to contact the little shop where you purchased it? If not there are wonderful “gold” paints now or even gold leaf you could add to the cracks. Some are even in pen form. Check online to see all the options available. Sorry it broke.
ReplyDeleteHi Sherry:
DeleteAlas, the mall was defunct last time we went that way (before we moved). I hadn't thought about the gold pens, but I do have some. I'll give that a try. I'd love if it worked! I'll keep you updated once I repurpose it. Thanks for the idea - and the empathy.
xoxo
Donna