With the world shrinking by computers, fax machines and e mail, it has become possible for Anne to comb the world for other wonderful needlework related tools & gifts. She imports only the best of what she uncovers: Solingen scissors from Germany; Limoges thimbles, needle and scissors cases from France, sterling silver items from England and now directly from Russia, beautiful "folk art" and high quality lacquer items. These include thimbles, thimble holders and traditional boxes featuring needlework scenes and motifs, many with mother-of-pearl inlay. All are absolutely stunning and Anne can, with complete confidence, assure, "They can no longer say, "why don't they make beautiful things like they used to!'" Anne recently added yet another imaginative "tool," called "Scissor Dolls," which are available in many different styles and colors. Made up of a pair of Russian dolls, they were intended as Christmas ornaments. Anne envisioned them differently, a good example of what one of her "brainstorms" can lead to! Currently, she is in the process of having "papier mache" buttons designed which feature various scenes, animals and fairy tales. And besides all this, Anne also sells rare and authentic antique sewing tools, many of which are truly "one-of-a-kind" pieces. She elaborates, "Our collectors tell us that they love getting one of our lists [of antique tools]...they get a cup of tea or a glass of wine, sit down in an armchair and start dreaming. And then our phone starts ringing!"
Anne is always on the look-out for items to offer which are produced in the Good Ole U.S.A. She carries Simmons Bros. sterling silver & gold thimbles and recently added a beautiful southwestern design scissors sheath inlaid with lapis, turquoise or amethyst, together with a companion handmade matching thimble. Soon to be debuted is a new "Millennium Thimble." Anne enthuses, "Nothing is too good for our customers...This new century promises to be even more exciting!"
Anne ruefully admits, "I don't have too much time for stitching, but intend to do more of that in the future. I do my own designing, and again I like the classic look and insist on the best quality linen and floss. As Robert Louis Stevenson said in one his poems, and which I stitched on a baby sampler when my 1st grandchild was born "Life is so full of a number of things, I am sure we should all be as happy as Kings!'" Anne completely concurs and would add just two more words to that quote, "or Queens."
For more information contact:
Anne Powell Ltd.
P.O.Box 3060
Stuart, FL 34995-3060
phone: (561) 287- 3007 or for orders only (800) 622-2646
fax: (561) 287- 3007
e mail: info@annepowellltd.com
website: http://www.annepowellltd.com
hours: 9 am to 4 pm Mon. to Fri. At all other times, you can leave a message or send a fax.Anne Powell Ltd. sells to both the wholesale and retail markets, through their catalog and on their website. There is a $5.00 charge for the catalog, but it comes free when placing an order. You can subscribe to a listing, accompanied by color photographs, of their current stock of one-of-a-kind antique needlework tools for $10.00. (It is mailed out four or five times a year.) Collectors may also find their selection of books on antique tools of interest. Another of Anne's sampler mottoes reads, "Knowledge is Power."
Click Here to go back to Page 1 COPYRIGHT NOTICE: No part of this feature story nor the included designs can be reproduced or distributed in any form (including electronic) or used as a teaching tool without the prior written permission of the CARON Collection Ltd. or the featured designers or contributors.
