Tuesday, January 27, 2009

The Gloria Giveaway

Every once in a while, someone walks into the shop and I am am pretty sure I know them - but I can't remember how. My favorite surprise visitor happened over 8 years ago in New York.  It was later in the afternoon - right before we closed up for the day...was it 3:00? No - it was probably 5:00!!  A woman walked in dressed in black with oversized dark glasses on. She took her time looking around and then quietly loaded up the counter with piles and piles of the most unusual collection of objects and scraps. After about an hour, she had circled the loop at least 5 times, and, finally asked for her bill. I asked her what she was going to do with all of these bits and pieces and she told me she made small art sculptures.  After I had written up her bill and it came to more than what we had made all week, I asked what her name was, she replied "Gloria" and then after about 30 seconds, "Vanderbilt" - I was so thrown that all I could say was "Of the jeans??" She was gracious enough to say yes and explain that that was just one of her many artistic endeavors over the years.
Gloria's visits continued - she had found a shop of curiosities - and considered French General her secret. Early in the morning we would arrive at FG and there would be a large black car with tinted windows, a driver and Gloria - patiently waiting for us to open the doors so she could dig before hours.  I think she was happy to have the place to herself - with time to imagine and plan out her next project. She seemed to buy everything we had in quantity - if she saw a box full of waxed lilies - she wanted the lot of lilies, old cardboard box and all. A shopper after my own heart. Once she came in and invited us to her art show in Tribeca - of course we went, just to see how she had used some of the old pieces she had found at French General.
I haven't heard about Gloria in years - although I watch her son every night at 10:00. I know someone who knows someone who knows someone who tells me he's a nice boy  - and my mom has a crush on him! It's nice to know Gloria raised such a good kid and was artistic on the side.
In honor of Gloria - wherever she is (hopefully still in New York City!) I have an odd giveaway....a box full of snails. Early, hand-made chenille snails on wire- in their original box!! What you are going to do with these snails....I have no idea.....but it is the kind of oddity that Gloria would have left her coffee cup behind for - which she once did.
A box of slugs for your favorite surprise encounter story - Sofia will dig out a name on Saturday or Sunday....
Bonne Chance!

95 comments:

Margaret said...

Oh wow! That is such a neat story! I'd love to win a box full of snails. I have fond memories of playing with snails in my grandmother's garden. I'm sure my grandmother wasn't happy about their presence, but I was!

Laura said...

Surprise encounter: seeing Larry David (creator of "Seinfeld") at Universal Studios with his kids. I was too shy to go up and say hi, but it was cool to see him.

Anonymous said...

Great story! I haven't had any real chance encounters with anyone that famous! Those snails are wonderful and would look cute on some of my vegetable pincushions!

Wanda said...

Best surprise encounter....meeting Frank from Trading Spaces at the airport in Omaha...I was on my way home from Silver Bella and had my Bella shirt on. He told me he hated me, because I got to go. :) I wasn't the only Bella to encounter him...many of us got surprised coming to and from Omaha. :) Those snails are wonderful.

The Joy of Nesting said...

Oh Kaari how much fun that must have been :) And I do know exactly the feeling you are discribing. "Oiy I know that person from somewhere!!"

How did your Victoria Magazine shoot go?? I thought of you the other day as I was trying to find the bottom of my desk after completing a couple of projects :)

What amazing, magical snails!! Your right I don't know what I would do with them but I do know I'll think of something!! :)

Do have an audacious day and drop by for a visit when you have time!!

Pattie ;)
Mazatlan Mexico

becky up the hill said...

Loved the story and it made me research a story my MIL had told me years ago. She was living with her Mother in Santa Barbara, Ca., early 1940's. Her mother was a cook and worked in various wealthy homes in the area. She knew that Gloria was to be married at the mission, so she took her daughter, who later became my MIL, to the wedding. Basically wedding crashers. Today I found out that Gloria was 17 when she was married in the mission. Wow! Thanks for your great story.

Anonymous said...

Good story and the snails are so much fun but isn't everything at French General.

Cottage Way of Life said...

What a fantastic story. I watch Gloria's boy every night too. He does seem like such a nice kid, doesn't he?

What would I do with those snails? I haven't a clue, but that is never an issue with me. One thing is certain though, I'd relish in the pleasure of having an entire box of chenille snails, and then the day would come that I'd find just the perfect use for them!

Dorian Fletcher said...

What a wonderful story. I have seen photos in various magazines over the years of Ms. Vandebilt's apartment - very eclectic and full of wonderful, colorful things. The chenille snails are charmingly odd and would be a great centerpiece for a brooch. Thanks for sharing your stories...I drooled over your video of the basement at Tinsel Trading!

Austin said...

How cool to find someone who shares your passion! My favorite celebrity meeting was David Byrne. He came to a fundraiser for an art event. As a volunteer my artist friends invited me to share a thank you dinner with him and 6 other people. I was way too scared to say anything to him because I was afraid I would gush about how much I loved his work. But it was so cool he graciously helped my friends build funds for their art space.

Kathy said...

I just spent an hour enjoying your website and now I'm starting on your blog! What a wonderful story and a very generous give-away. Thanks for sharing~~

Jehannarc said...

I absolutely love those snails!

My FAVORITE surprise encounter was meeting the entire members of my favorite band (Louis XIV). My hubby and I had parked in a deserted lot behind an old brick clubhouse in Phoenix for their show. After the show when we left, the band's bus was parked right next to our car! The bassist came out and asked if I wanted to play basketball. Then, the lead singer came out and we all chatted about music, guitars, and recording gear for hours (my husband sings and plays guitar in a local band). In the end, they offered to let my husband's band record in their studio. Some of the equipment they have includes pieces used to record David Bowie and the Beatles! So as the result of a lucky chance meeting we have a fantastic opportunity for my husband's band, courtesy of my favorite band!

Whitney said...

I would love the snails. Right up my alley!

Anonymous said...

insightful story, lucky you to meet a style/fashion icon. sadly nothing like that has happened to me.
I would LOVE to use these on our handmade valentine cards that my daughter and I send out each year
thanks
Barrie Petersen a big fan in LB Ca

Helen said...

Thanks for sharing that story. I always enjoy hearing about people's creative pursuits. The nice thing about the story is that it shows you a different side of a public figure. I would have never guessed Gloria Vanderbilt would enjoy some of the same oddities that I do.

Tracy said...

What a wonderful story. She sounds like a kindred soul. The snails are adorable & would definitely be a treat to figure out what to do with them.

Lorrie said...

What a great story. I'd love to win the snails and I know that inspiration would come on how to use them.

I can't think of any close encounters of the celebrity kind...

Lorrie

Babsarella said...

Oh MY!!! I love your story and would LOVE the chance to win these treasures. The only chance encounter I had was with Joan Rivers. I was leaving a frozen yogurt store in Miami and noticed a woman coming inside with a dog. Since that is not permitted I thought it was a bit strange. As I got outside, I noticed there was a limo, so I turned around to see if it was someone famous. Dang, it was Joan Rivers and I walked right past not even noticing it was her.
Oh, and weekend before last we were in South Beach and saw someone who looked an awful lot like Rod Stewart...not sure if it was really him though.

Anonymous said...

The snails are as unique as Gloria V.!

Anonymous said...

Hmmm...what to do with those snails? I will be ready when you draw my name!

Jeannette said...

Great story, I enjoyed reading it.
A friend of mine met Tom Cruise, does that count? :)
And although I would love the snails I'm not posting because of them. I live in Berlin and that's just a bit too far away.
Warm greetings, Jeannette

Cheryl said...

My surprise encounter happened in an elevator at the Ritz Carlton in Chicago. My husband's manager's wife and I were returning from shopping on the Miracle Mile. The elevator door opened and a man got in and faced the doors with his back to us. We both looked at each other with the look like...we should know who that is...could we figure it out...not in time. The elevator doors opened, the man exited, but not before he turned around and said....Have a great day, ladies....we then realized it was Steven Tyler!! We still kick ourselves for not recognizing him earlier and introducing ourselves. Anyway, after that LOOONG story, I would adore winning the box of snails. Loved your Gloria Vanderbilt story!

Beth said...

what a wonderful story , i love the chance encounters - would love to win your giveaway !!
xo,
beth

Georgia Peachez said...

Just before I moved from NJ to Cincinnati, I went into Soho for a last chance shopping trip. It was early in the morning, the shops had just opened. I had a gift certificate to use at Shabby Chic so that was my first stop. In the back sitting on a sofa talking to her manager was Rachel Ashwell. I was so flumoxed, I couldn't say a thing. I left there and went around the corner to Jonathan Adler's store, and yup, Jonathan was there! I have a very creative daughter who would love to help me make something out of all those snails! xo, suzy

Kara said...

Great story! and great giveaway!

Gretchen C. said...

great story! I put a bunch of those snails in my cart this morning (along with those awesome wired fish)- haven't checked out yet. I couldn't tell their size- but I was going to tie them into my bird ladies series somehow- a pet perhaps? I can only imagine a hat back in the day with those snails on them!

NancyDaQ said...

Babsarella, that probably was Rod Stewart! He has a mansion in Palm Beach, so South Beach wouldn't be much of a stretch.

My sister and I saw Sam Donaldson (the newsman) in Santa Fe once. And I saw Steven Stills at a breakfast place in Gainesville, Florida too.

I'm shocked to discover those cute chenille flowers in the photo are actually snails! I have no idea what I'd do with them, but they're cute. Love the G. Vanderbilt story.

Anonymous said...

Well, for starters, a couple of those snails would look SO sweet biding their time on some of my linen pincushions...

I loved your GV story. One of mine happened when I was a teenager visiting my friend in Santa Monica whose mother was on jury duty. She called and said that Sonny and Cher's divorce proceedings were going on in the next courtroom. We went down - surprised at not seeing any crowd - and simply walked into the courtroom, sat down and just listened. The attorney was going over some of Cher's living expenses. Sonny was very much like the affable guy on TV, Cher was surprisingly not as tall as I thought.
--Vicki K.

Gretchen C. said...

I forgot to leave my surprise encounter- while visiting NY years ago- I ran into George Burns getting in an elevator- cigar & all.

Joanne Kennedy said...

Oh I already know what I would do with those darling snails. I'm not going to say because then you may get more people wanting to sign up. LOL I'll tell you what my thoughts are if I win.

They are darling and so is the story of GV.

Hugs,
Joanne

Anonymous said...

My favorite surprise encounter happened when I was sixteen years old. I was invited out to dinner by a wonderful boy I knew from my
high school. We went to a fun Japanese restaurant where guests were seated around a large table shared by many other patrons and the chef prepared our entrees from the center of the table. It was a fabulous opportunity to chat with the other guests. We were very fortunate to be seating next to a lovely couple who definitely enjoyed our company and vice versa.
We were actually rather disappointed when they left the restaurant halfway through our dinner. But the beautiful surprise was that when we were ready to pay our bill, we discovered that the couple had paid for our entire meal! We felt
so special!

fitty's pinky rose cottage said...

Hi Kaari.. awesome story! I wish I bump into some of the Celebs.. but too bad it didn't happen on me.. hehehehe and I would love to win some of the snails.. they look cute together!

luckygirlgifts said...

Wow, that's unusual. It would be fun to try to figure out something creative and beautiful with those.
Cari b

Anonymous said...

Do you remember the craft magazine that Gloria did during the late 70s? I still have a crochet and embroidered afghan my mom made from one of them.

headopin said...

I used to own a beautiful paper collage book by Gloria V that helped me learn to break all the rules. My chance encounter story involves our honeymoon 28-1/2 years ago in Nantucket Island. We biked to the end of the island an hour before sunset and took the narrow path from the parking area out to the bluffs. On our return back down the path we saw about 5 black shiny cars in the parking lot and a cluster of men in suits and black sunglasses approaching the path. We had to step aside into the beach plum to allow the self-important group to pass. As they passed we heard a distinctive voice and brushed by... Richard Nixon! We biked back to town where the restaurant we'd plan to dine at turned us away for a "special party." Seems that he was a guest on Bebe Rebozo's anchored yacht! A world apart from honeymoons and snails, for sure!

cbnovick said...

very crazy cool on the chenille snails...& that story on Gloria too! Thanks for the give away opportunity.
Cynthia

drub-b said...

Great story on GV. The snails are fun, unfortunately no chance encounters of the celebrity kind, some "fancy meeting you here" stories from my mom and dad seeing friends that they had not seen for twenty years in the middle of Gombadi Gambous in Northern Iran in the mid 70s.

Mary said...

what a great story. My closest encounter with the famous was primping at the mirror in a cruise ship bathroom with nannette fabray.

She had hysterical stories.

What great snails.

Anonymous said...

Love all your stories!
And those are some pretty cute snails, as far as snails go!

Anonymous said...

Great story. Her boy is a fine reporter. I'd love to win the snails. The would look so pretty on the band of a hat or made into a brooch.

Dia said...

Reading the comments I wish I had more life experience. Richard Nixon?! You have seen history with your eyes...I've never met anybody famous. The famous creatures in my small universe are blue dragonflies, opal dogbane bugs, golden finches or even...snails, which, by the way Margaret, it seems that they love grandmothers' gardens since my grandma's is full of them too :). Once I worked with some friends on a building yard and a naughty magpie settled there because people gave it food. I was trying to feed it when it flew and sat on my head, to my enchantment. I guess that was the closest encounter with a wild bird. Another cherished encounter was in the fields around my town, I was walking with my camera searching for a subject and a green little lizzard hurried to run away in some thistle bushes. But when I lost hope that I could take a shot, the lizzard turned around, climbed the thistle and stood still in the light of the sunset. I did as many macros I wanted at a distance of only 5 cm away! It simply looked at me! And, the last time I went into the woods, I saw two young deers...Wow, it seems that my encounters are not as few as I thought:))

Anonymous said...

My encounters have all been with actors in England years ago --I got asked to pass a book to Rowan Atkinson and then he wanted to know if I'd read it..I even managed not to make a fool of myself!! I would love to have the snails--the last part I ever played on the stage was that of a snail. It was The Insect Play by two Czechoslovakian brothers. My best friend and I had snail shells and bowlers and cigars and made comments about all the other bugs in the garden--we were pretty damg cute!! Karen Greenfield

Anonymous said...

Chenille snails!!! What would I do with them??? Pet them, play with them, look at them - until I come up with some cool idea for them.

Thanks for the chance to win!

Susan said...

Cool story and the snails are just gorgeous!

suesueb said...

really fun story! the snail are so unusual-and beautiful!!

Jen said...

We were eating valentine's day dinner at one of the nicer restaurants in Gainesville, FL and looked around the room to see William H. Macy (a native). It was the year he was nominated (and won?) an Oscar for the horse racing movie whose name escapes me.

He was dining with his parents (sans Felicity Huffman) who happen to live in the area. He was extremely nice, taking photos with the chef and wait staff before he left.

I was about 6 months pregnant at the time. Completely coincidentally, that was the same night we named our first child William (and nicknamed him Liam). Really, I actually hadn't thought of the coincidence until now.

Anonymous said...

I love this story and what drew Gloria to your shop!
Thanks for sharing this and sharing your snails with the lucky winner!

Anonymous said...

They are great! I'll give it a chance!

Kathy

Lois0607 said...

I love the snails. Wonderful story about Gloria. I can just imagine how she felt when she found her curiosity shoppe. I hope to discover one near me in massachusetts.

Anonymous said...

Surprise Encounter: When I was in graduate school I had a part-time job in Scribner's bookstore in the Pentagon City Mall. One day I heard this deep, gravelly voice ask "excuse me, but do you have any photograph albums?" It belonged to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who was about 5' and 90 lbs. I was struck dumb, and her husband looked very amused.

Anonymous said...

Great story. You should try and find out what she's up to through her son. He should be very easy to reach through e-mail. Must have the snails. They are adorable!

Beth E-R said...

If you are lucky enough to run into Gloria again, please pass along my thanks for her line of jeans. Boy do they work for this middle-aged body of mine. The chenille snails are grand! I would tuck one into each future corsage I make.

Anonymous said...

OHMYGOODNESS! Those snails would definitely warm my heart here is freezing Canada!
I love your blog and the tales of your adventures with vintage treasure.
bev

somepinkflowers said...

oh my goodness!

what a fine story.
i love how things ~wonderful~
just walk in your door
sometimes completely unannounced,
like that, don't you?

:-)


{{i am going to read the story
again in a minute
because i like it so much...
truly }}

well

i know EXACTLY what i would do
with that box of snails.

EXACTLY...
it will fit right in
my studio perfectly.

oh
i do hope i win
but if not
i will still be gracious
to the winner
while

she is doing something
with my ( coveted ) snails....

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
♥♥♥

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your story of Gloria..I really like the idea of embellishing a pincushion with one of the lovely little snails. In my corner of the world we are doing a pincushion of the month. How much would my fellow quilters enjoy one of those....lots..
Louise

Anonymous said...

Oh dear I am afraid I forgot to mention my surprise encounter on the previous post. As a young girl of 10 I remember a layover at the Boston airport with my Mom and siblings and we spotted David Niven catching a flight. You might be too young to remember David Niven though..yes I am sure you are. Louise

Tammy Burks said...

I could see a wonderful pillow festooned with chenille snails.
What a fun story about Gloria....I also have a crush on her son :)

Anonymous said...

Being just a little country girl who now lives close to Chicago so her husband can complete his PhD I never really see famous people. I pretend well though. Whenever I see someone who looks like someone famous I declare I just saw the famous person. It makes my husband laugh which in-turn makes my heart so happy. Thank you for entering my name in the snail drawing ~ they are adorable!

Anonymous said...

What a great story! I know that my 7 year old daughter, Kate, would love them to help decorate her wonderful playhouse! She has adopted her Mother's love of all things vintage, and loves to wander the flea markets with me looking for treasures for her little house!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful story! I know just what to do with them....

Juliet in SoCal
mobound2@ca.rr.com

Susan Elliott said...

I have no chance encounter to share. I"ve racked my brain and I don't think I've had a one...

I hope, however, the story turns out good for me like in the Chinese Children's story of the Empty Pot
here...
http://www.storiestogrowby.com/stories/empty_pot_china.html

michelle said...

Great story - I can't imagine living in New York City and begin about to find a great place to dig around in. I actually think I like finding "stuff" more than I like to create. I order more things from FG and then I never get around to creating - but I sure like my treasures!

Anonymous said...

love these snails,they're the perfect valentine colors!

Anonymous said...

Shopping in Soho, a charming toy store that I cannot remember the name of. Standing right beside Richard Crenna. I didn't realize it until we left the store and my friend told me who was standing there.

The snails are so cute.

Always wonder how GV can handle it when Anderson is reporting from dangerous areas.

Kari said...

What a wonderful story! These snails are fabulous. I know exactly what I would do with them, use them to make fun little gifts for all my ArtNest retreat friends in Feb. I would use the rest for my daughters whimsical woodland fairy fourth birthday!!!
Love your blog, Kaari. Such fun insight into your history and creative process. Thank you!!!
Kari (pronounced the same as yours!)
www.artsymama.blogspot.com

somepinkflowers said...

this is NOT shameless attempt
to have 2 chances
at the lovely snails

honest.


:-)

i just had to read the story again
because
i am SO into
serendipity...

♥♥♥♥♥

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness... pink and red snails! They would make my mother smile. She loved to putter in her garden pulling weeds, pruning her roses and geraniums and picking up dead leaves. She was the most feminine, sweet lady, but when she spotted a snail, she became a different woman! After all, they chewed on her geraniums and were a general garden nuisance. She declared war on them by smashing them, gathering them in old coffee cans - ick! She passed away last April, but the snails you're offering bring a smile. I would love to win them!

Anonymous said...

P.S. And here is my favorite encounter story. Years ago, my husband and I were having breakfast in a local landmark coffee shop and the waitress asked us, "You wanna see Charles Bronson?!" and there he was, seated across the room. She was so excited he was there she just had to tell us. He looked in person exactly like he did on the big screen!

Denise said...

What a great story and what wonderful snails. I don't know what I would do with them but please put my name into the hat.

Anonymous said...

I was going to tell you about all the strange (mini-me), talented (Reese Witherspoon), and important (Bill Clinton) people I had the surprise pleasure of meeting and serving during my four years as a NYC based flight attendant, but my favorite chance encounter happened this summer at the edge of the world...

...my mom and I were driving north on Hwy 1 from San Luis Obispo back to my house in Pacific Grove (CA). Somewhere between lunch and dinner we stopped in Big Sur for a bite to eat. As we were being seated I made a joke with one of the guys in the kitchen, he sent us a shrimp cocktail, and when we were finished I found him sitting at the bar and said 'thanks'. The conversation went as follows...

B - Are you just passing through or do you live nearby?

G - I live in PG, moved here from Venice Beach last year.

B - I almost ended up in Venice when I moved out west from New Jersey.

G- Where in Jersey?

B - Livingston, born at St. Barnabas.

G - (after a minute of drop jawed silence) But I was born at St. Barnabas.

B - How old are you?

G - 32

B - When's your birthday?

G - October 23, 1975 (more dumbfounded silence) why, when's yours?

B - Nov 6, 1975

Born in the same state, in the same town, in the same hospital exactly two weeks apart, we finally meet 32 years and 3000 miles from where we started! Now we meet once a week to cook and kiss and laugh by putting our newborn baby photos side by side, same outfit, same blanket, one brown haired the other blonde ; )

If we had a box full of snails maybe we could make escargot!

Jeanne Rhea said...

Great story! I would love those snails!

Barb in CA said...

I love these types of stories! Many years ago, I had a surprise visitor enter my antique store. It was a warm summer day in Newport Beach when a lady wearing yellow shorts walked in and proceded down the items in front of the window. I couldn't help but notice her thighs were a bit thick. When she turned around I noticed she was wearing a diamond heart necklace (with shorts). When she spoke I "knew" it was Ava Gabor! She bought a few things she wanted to use in her dressing room (she was doing Green Acres at the time). She asked for a discount (stating she'd use her sister Magda's resale number). Magda ran an antique store for years in Palm Springs. She was very personable and even left me a signed photo. BTW, those snails are adorable!! . . . Barb

Pico-Pico said...

I would "pay forward" these little snail guys. I would host a "snailebration celebration", inviting over my crafty friends and neighbors to create items with them. Why not share a fun time with a snail windfall?! I would forward pictures of the creations to you :-).

KatinkaPinka said...

that's a wonderful story!

the only chance encounter i can think of at the moment is having courtney love buy a few super-special goodies from my etsy shop a few months back. as wild and controversial as she is, i always admired her style and music when i was a kid...so it was a very special moment for me, indeed.

i'd love to make a few little brooches out of those snails....and add some to my etsy packages as little thank you gifties! so sweet!

Anonymous said...

My favorite surprise encounter occurred on a cross-country car trip to my father's wintry funeral in Idaho. My two toddlers and husband spotted a historic railroad sign in Heber City, Utah, and thought it would be a good spot to stretch our legs a bit. To our surprise, the parking lot started filling as pajama-clad youngsters and their parents made their way to the depot. We discovered that the historic Heber Valley Railway was running a special "Polar Express" train to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus. The train had apparently been sold out for months, but one family did not show, and my ecstatic toddlers got the ride of their lives. We met Santa, Mrs. Claus, and a lively elf named Crispy. It was so beautiful at that time of sorrow to experience this ordinary miracle and feel the love of my father surrounding me.

Tanya said...

What cute snails. Please enter me in the drawing! Thanks!

SusanG said...

What a great story! I love the snails - there is something so appealing about them, isn't there?

Danielle Muller said...

lovely story and lovely giveaway!

blessings,
danielle muller
www.thevintagedragonfly.typepad.com

Laura said...

I can't say for sure what I would do with the snails, but why does a coat keeping popping in my head? Closures? How crazy!

I have many stories of encounters with celebrities, most of which are embarassing (to me!).

Years ago I met Sarah Ferguson (former Duchess of York) and her two lovely daughters who were maybe 4 and 6 at the time. I was talking to Eugenie, the younger princess, and chewing gum. She pointed to my mouth and said something about the gum that I misunderstood to mean she wanted to smell it. An odd request, sure, but I wasn't about to tell a little princess no, so I took a deep breath and blew in her face. Well she backed up and the look on her face made it clear that was not was she asking. A concerned British secret service agent came over to see what I was up to and I tried really hard not to laugh so she wouldn't think I was laughing at her. In hindsight, I'm sure she just wanted a piece of gum and those secret service guys kept their eye on me the rest of the day!

Tywanda Wins! said...

My chance encounter was seeing Rachel Ashwell of the Shabby Chic design fame. I was at a totally random antique store in SoCal. I turned the corner and there she was. . . .in bubble gum pink jumbo velcro hair rollers!!!!! She was shopping in rollers!!!! Come to find out they were shooting an episode of her cable TV show. I guess she wanted poofy hair for the shoot. By the way, I love snails, esp. pink ones. They'd go perfectly with MY jumbo pink rollers.

Laura Venosa Verbena said...

Love the story I have a story for you... many many years ago when I lived in New Jersey I used to go visit my Grandmothers up past Nyack on the Hudson... one afternoon we were driving back home to Hasbrouck Heights I saw a sign on the side of the road that said FRENCH GENERAL. oh I said lets pull over this looks like a great stop... & oh it was it ever... I have to this day an old print of Notre Dame in a carved brown frame in my home... It came from you when you first started selling out of the garage or barn... do you remember that piece? I love it. xoxoxoo Laura

Sharolyn Perry said...

I think of lots of cute things to do with those cute litte pink and red snails. What a find!

Shar

Anonymous said...

surprise encounter: stacy keach
i was going to new york for a quick overnight stay with my brother. i boarded the plane and was sitting next to this man i didn't recognize. when he had gotten up to go to the restroom, the flight attendant came over and asked if i knew who i was sitting next to. that's when they told me it was stacy keach. too shy to strike up much conversation, i read my book most of the flight. the next morning, when it came time to board the plane for my return trip home, i approached my seat and who was sitting next to mine? stacy keach!! he looked at me, laughed and said, "i'm beginning to think you're following me!" that broke the ice and we had a very pleasant flight home.

Unknown said...

Very cool! Thanks for sharing! ( the story & the snails)

oldflowers4me said...

oh-what a story-could you put my name down-ive never seen anything like these snails-

Pamela Jane said...

Lovely story, proving our individual artistic expressions are wonderfully varied and always interesting.

Michelle said...

I love how an unknown visitor can create such an amazing feeling for you for the rest of your life. I love it when the stars align like that.The box of snails are so fantastigorical! Great to brighten up the early spring months!

Fete et Fleur said...

I hope I'm not too late. What a great story!

Nancy

molly said...

WAIT! HOLD THE PHONE, EVA PERONE!
i need those snails! we're doing a study on snails in the first grade and i would love to give them to my co-teacher as a 'thank you, you're the greatest' gift.
(can you just hold back a few, or 16, for me????) I knew Gloria too!!!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful story! I've just happened upon your site by way of Fete et Fleur's blog. I had a surprise encounter with Suzanne Sommers as her family lives in the Bay Area (I live in San Francisco). I think it was about 12 years or so ago. I would love to be entered in your give away. I'm not sure what would create with these sweet fuzzy snails, but it will be fun coming up with something!
Take care,

Debby
Romancing the Bling

Mary said...

OMG! Am I too late for the drawing? Those are so neat! Please enter me if I might.

Jennifer Pearson Vanier said...

a wonderful story and so nice to know there are many of us out there, famous and not, who love what you have made available to us all. I just love the snails!! they remind me of the wee chenille pieces my grandmother used to give me at Easter.

Anonymous said...

What wonderful "snail" fun!!

Anonymous said...

those are so stinkin' cute!

Erin said...

What a sweet story and even a sweeter give away. I think my most memorable encounter was with Julia Child - she's such an icon!