Online Textile Courses Announced: Not Just for Museum People
I am excited to announce that I will be teaching three online textiles & clothing workshops for the Iowa Museum Association in early 2022. Here’s a little more about what to expect:
I am excited to announce that I will be teaching three online textiles & clothing workshops for the Iowa Museum Association in early 2022. Here’s a little more about what to expect:
Clothing & Textile Collections: Preservation, Interpretation, & Exhibition
This three-part series provides an introduction to textiles and clothing care in a museum setting. The series provides professional guidance in artifact preservation and storage, identification and interpretation, and exhibition and display.
Clothing & Textiles Preservation & Storage (January 24)
This course provides an introductory look into textile-based collections care focusing on environmental conditions, artifact-safe materials, recommended storage methods and systems for different types of items, basic cleaning processes, and logistical issues.
Clothing & Textiles Identification & Interpretation (January 31)
Learn how to identify 19th and 20th century fashions and other textile items and discuss some unique ways to think about and interpret the artifacts in your collection. This is an introductory course; additional resources will be provided to assist your individual identification needs.
Clothing & Textiles Exhibition & Display (February 7)
Learn how to safely exhibit a variety of textile-based items and how artifact preservation is woven into the exhibit development process. We will discuss different exhibit formats (temporary exhibitions, permanent installations, furnishing plans, and more) as well as proper artifact mounting and display options, as well as environmental requirements.
Date & Time Sessions will take place from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. January 24, January 31, and February 7, 2022. REGISTER HERE
Sounds neat, right? We’ll have a lot to cover but I promise we’ll have a lot of fun, too. I know it’s not for a while, but I wanted to let you know about it ASAP so you have time to save the date and tell your friends and colleagues. Since it’s on Zoom, the more participants the merrier! See you online in 2022.
Curious about my other workshops and events schedule? Be sure to visit the Workshops and Events links at the top of the page. I would love to work with you and your organization to create an event just for you.
Is it Vintage or an Antique? How Old is Old?
What is the difference between vintage and antique, anyway?
Have you ever walked through an antique store grumpily mumbling to yourself because you found your favorite childhood toy for sale on the shelf?
These Legos are definitely vintage. We still have - and play with - most of them.
“How is this allowed?” you exclaim to no one in particular, with teeth clenched and ego deflated.
These Legos are definitely vintage. We still have - and play with - most of them.
What is the difference between vintage and antique, anyway?
Have you ever walked through an antique store grumpily mumbling to yourself because you found your favorite childhood toy for sale on the shelf?
These Legos are definitely vintage. We still have - and play with - most of them.
“How is this allowed?” you exclaim to no one in particular, with teeth clenched and ego deflated.
Technically speaking, the Batman lunchbox or Cabbage Patch Doll you saw at the shop isn’t an antique. Whew, thank goodness. Take a deep breath and relax, will ya? But it is probably old enough to be considered vintage. In fact, items are considered vintage at the age of twenty.
Which is kinda soon in my opinion. I mean, really. Stuff made in 2001 is now considered vintage? Really?
Really?
My college diploma is now vintage. <sarcastic fist bump>
Am I right to be touchy about this or am I just getting old. Please weigh in; enquiring minds want to know what you think (well at least I’m curious about it).
Antiques, on the other hand, must be at least 100 years old (according to the US government). So while many antique shops feature a variety of vintage wares, for legal purposes, an antique is a century in the making. Granted, even 100 years doesn’t seem as long as it used to. When I was a kid, antiques were from the 19th century, before cars and phones and electricity and such. But nowadays antiques are from the roaring twenties and it just don’t seem right no more.
Sorry, when I get worked up I lose my eloquence.
So now we know the technical specs that define the vintage vs. antique debate, but honestly, knowing this doesn’t necessarily make me feel better. In fact, it makes me feel a little older and not that much wiser. Hmm.
How do you feel about this? Does 2001 feel vintage to you, or are you just as confused as me about this passing of time? And now that clothing stores are embracing 1990s fashion (there’s a big “yikes” that I might tackle in a future blog post, if I’m mentally up to the challenge) does that make you feel differently?