Tuesday July 1st, 2008
Here is that view again of the Big Sky in western New York. I showed it to you in the Winter, now we have the late Spring view of a plowed field, trees leafing out and the new grass growing on the hill.
Once again, do as Elbert Hubbard would every day: go outside, look up, breathe deep, and get some exercise!
- Sue
Tuesday, June 10th, 2008
Here is a view down the Appian Way on Campus - The Copper Shop just got their mail delivery from Patty, see her walking away.
Spring in western NY is fickle - warm in the 70's for a week and then back to rain, overcast skies and highs of 40's and lows in the 30's. We even had snow where I live - in the higher elevations - on May 22nd. It's a roller coaster ride, but the reward of summer to follow is even sweeter.
Come to campus for a stroll and dine on the peristyle porch at the Inn. It's great to be outside again.
- Sue
I try to drive by the Roycroft Campus as often as possible as I'm doing my errands in East Aurora. This week, a beautiful lilac tree blooms in front of the pergola at the Roycroft Inn. The whole Campus is beautiful.
Western New York is actually known for it's lilacs. The nearby city of Rochester, NY is home to the Lilac Festival. Highland Park contains the world's largest public collection of lilacs. The scent alone is worth the trip!
The poster for the Lilac Festival (at right) was even designed by Roycroft Artisan Laura Wlder. The image was used for promotion at the festival and as wine labels for Casa Largo, a Finger Lakes winery. Laura will be at the Roycroft Summer Festival on Campus coming up soon in June.
Head over to the Roycroft campus to see the lilac bushes. The Copper Shop has Laura's work and many other artisan pieces to browse.
-Amanda
Spring is everywhere you look here in East Aurora, NY. The daffodils and tulips are popping up towards the sun. A neighboring town, Holland, even has a Tulip Festival May 10-12th, just a few miles from the Roycroft Campus.
Spring bulbs were an inspiration for the wonderful Dard Hunter windows in the Roycroft Inn. These stained glass windows, featuring stylized green and pink tulips, were made just for the Inn. Dard Hunter, a resident Roycroft designer,is said to have smashed the first version he made. Luckily, the second design was ideal for letting the spring light flood the room through the simple tulip motif.
So, come enjoy the windows at the Roycroft Inn! The Appian Way to the Copper Shop is freshly groomed in time for the season. What a perfect time for a visit.
-Amanda
This past weekend in New York State was " Maple Weekend", a celebration of seasonal abundance. Elbert Hubbard himself had been known to take advantage of Western New York's Maple production. The local Roycroft delicacies such as syrups and candies made wonderful gifts all year round and their packagings are still sought after.
The syrup jugs used at the Roycroft have survived the years well. These pots can be still be found inexpensively and are often, in error, referred to as "roycroft pottery" online. Although they were not made on the Roycroft Campus, they are considered collectibles, rounding out a display of Roycroft memorabilia. They often bear the "R" mark on the bottom, the waxed cork, or sometimes no mark at all. An unusual find might be a sealed jug with the syrup still inside.
I've known of a couple of collectors who proudly display the empty syrup jugs in their living room, along with a collection of other early American jugs and bean pots. Perfect decorations for a New York spring season...the Roycroft way.
-Amanda
I was framing some of my Arts and Crafts pictures last night and I thought of this print:
This is one of my favorites by Kathleen West, taken from the Roycroft Inn: History and Celebration book that was issued for the Inn's 100th year. A very appropriate scene here in East Aurora as the Western New York region was just hit by an intense snowfall. This scene depicts the courtyard of the Roycroft Inn in winter.
To see other Kathleen West cards and prints, stop by the Copper Shop Gallery at 31 South Grove St. We're open 10-5 seven days a week.
-Amanda
This week, I have been busy organizing some of of my "treasures" stored for safe keeping. Most will be packed neatly away, but some need to move on. Even the Arts and Crafts books and collectibles are being assessed!
This frame of mind makes me turn to Elbert Hubbard's dictionary (which I found buried in one of my boxes!) Here's a very applicable entry:
I will continue my spring cleaning, probably just making room for new art collections! If you want to see pieces to add to your collection, stop by the Copper Shop Gallery at 31 South Grove St. in East Aurora, NY. Post a comment below and let me know one of the Roycroft items you'll never part with!
-Amanda
In my first blog I mentioned the sky in western New York being as big as it is in Montana. I now present proof. Our local sky in winter is absolutely beautiful (click on photo for larger image). Do as Elbert Hubbard did and be sure to take time every day to go outside for some exercise and gaze at that gorgeous sky!
- Sue
