Farewell for Now

Hand Drape by Diane Komater

steel wire, 48 x 36 x 1"

After much consideration, we have all decided to say farewell to the blog for now. It's not for good, just for awhile. We have so loved bringing you beautiful things every week, but our lives outside of the internet have recently become very busy, so we need to put Swings and Arrows on hold for the time being. 

Thank you for your support over the years. 

Your readership has been appreciated more than you know. 

You can see more work from marvelous wire sculptor Diane Komater on the artist's website: 

www.wireist.com

Love, 

Cathleen, Grace, Alissa and Brian

Middle School Reading Lists: Then and Now

As an educator (that sounds snobby) I found this article intriguing - a comparison of middle school reading lists from 1908 and today. Check it out.

Stock photo from Google, you know, 'cause I'm phoning it in.

Thoughts? I think what surprised me the most was that the books from today's reading list are, for the most part, not older than twenty years old. Yikes! Young people need to read books from time periods other than just contemporary titles.

-Grace

Safety First

Vintage Children's Training Scissors 

$10 from Studio Stebby Lee via Etsy

I can't figure out how these four-finger scissors work exactly. They look like a torture device for poor preschoolers. But an aesthetically pleasing torture device nonetheless. I wish I had known about them when I made my scissor print. 

- Cathleen 

One Man Symphony

I found this online and I don't know who this guy is and if he is a musician, or photographer, or both. For some reason he took the time to take a photo of him sitting in every seat, playing every instrument, and mulling about doing other odd things (like drinking behind stage).  It must have taken a very long time but I am happy he had the energy and perseverance because it's kinda awesome. Click on the image to see the larger version.

-Brian

Artwork of the Week: Illustration by Luke Best

illustration by Luke Best

published in Geo Wissen, 2012

After multiple reschedulings, we finally had our yard sale this past Saturday and it was a minor success! We made 118 bucks which was way more than we expected. Besides the rush that came over me each time I made a $3 sale, I mostly just felt relief to finally exorcise the house of all our junky demons. Most surprising transaction? One chipped Martha Stewart for Kmart bowl circa 2001 for 10 cents. After the guy failed to produce anything smaller than a $20 bill, he seemed genuinely psyched when I told him he could have it for free. I hope he and his roughly used bowl are happy. Wherever they are.

You can see more work from London-living Luke Best on his website: www.lukebest.com 

and his blog: lukebest.blogspot.kr

- Cathleen 

Photo Friday- Crazy Kids in Studio Addition

I am in studio everyday photographing objects from jewelry, to fine art, to furniture.  Both my kids come in to hangout on a regular basis and are, on the whole, well behaved.  But there is something they have done for years and I don't see it ending anytime soon.  They love to jump in shots or get me to photograph them between pieces.  I have a heck of a lot of these images and some are crazier than others.  Here is one of Ted going nuts on my large grey drop right before a piece of furniture comes in to be shot.  

I will post one of these images each time it is my turn for "Photo Friday"... until Alissa is back writing on those days.

-Brian

I Probably Need This

I've never eaten a sardine, nor do I ever plan to, but I still think I should probably get this antique sardine box.

- Cathleen