things of another time ~ racing pigeons

My latest treasure is from an antique fair we stumbled across at Grange Hall during my recent trip to Martha's Vineyard. It's a very special book all the way back from 1913 called, The Racing Pigeon News Annual. Filled with pictures of pigeons, beautiful fonts, and hand written notes on the successes and fails of pigeon, Priscilla, I couldn't pass it up.

This book has instilled in me a new appreciation for our fine feathered sky rats. I have been doing some research and it has left me intrigued with the plethora of antique and modern possibilities to expand my racing pigeon collection. Trophies, taxidermy, medallions, clocks- all things I love come in the form of racing pigeon! Who knew me and pigeons shared so much, I have often over looked these critters, until now. You are on currently my radar pigeons- watch out.

{german racing pigeon medallion, antique racing pigeon timing clock, alex randall taxidermy pigeon lamp}

travels + adventures ~ martha's vineyard

Jackpot. Checkout the the unheard of quantity of fish and bird bones I scored under an old fishing boat near the pond at our cottage.
and to think I thought my ONE bird beak was a miraculous find earlier in the week.

goodbye, martha's vineyard

Hello again real world. I am sad to realize once again I can't beach comb my life away, but also excited to be back in the studio creating. My mind is inspired and overflowing with ideas, my suitcase is bursting at the seams with shells, bones, bugs and everything else I managed to unearth in my week long beach combing, antique stalking, graveyard exploring adventure.

travels + adventures ~ martha's vineyard

Came across another old cemetery in Vineyard Haven, I had to stop and make some more gravestone rubbings. I used taped together bakery sheets and crayons since I did not come prepared for the plethora of fantastic graveyards to be discovered in Martha's Vineyard!

travels + adventures ~ martha's vineyard

Much success today here on the Vineyard! I rode my bike all the way over to west West Tisbury for some very old grave stone rubbings, in search of a particular grave that I will be posting about soon! It's very special, I promise...well worth the wait! Also happened upon an antique fair at Grange Hall, where I got a book from 1913 about pigeon racing, a few old sketches of a boats + whales and a car made from antique pocket watch parts. I'm pretty please with myself!

travels + adventures ~ martha's vineyard

Today was spent exploring the island of Chappaquiddick where the first Jaws was filmed. We started off with a stop at the Mytoi Gardens, then were off to peep the bridge Ted Kennedy plunged off in 1969. After that I spent rest of the day relaxing & beach combing at Wasque beach.

travels + adventures ~ martha's vineyard

Today I explored the shops in Edgartown and found lots of scrimshaw to drool over and admire. Then we headed out to the lighthouse to see the captain's house & spy my eye on some rooftop widow's walks. I think it's necessary that one day I have a home with one! The day ended with a relaxing pond-side stroll to look for more wampum to make jewelry from. At the pond I met an old man who grew up on the island, we chatted arrowheads & he proudly showed off one he found around his neck and told me he has 1200 more at home! Yes please!

travels + adventures ~ martha's vineyard

The treasures to be found I tell you! Today I found a plethora of gorgeous jellyfish begging me to hold them up to the setting sun while beach combing at Moshup beach in Aquinnah.

travels + adventures ~ gone fishing

I'm off for a week to do some major exploration of the shores of martha's vineyard! After I stumbled upon this post I am even more excited. I usually try not to over research or look at too many pictures of somewhere I have never been before. I like to keep my mind fresh and open and start deeper exploration upon arrival. I am itching with anticipation of the treasures to be found that await me on the shores! I wonder what creations my future Atlantic beach findings will inspire?