The story of a gallery wall & a brooklyn bank

So, if you have read this blog for any length of time, you already know that I love a good story.

A story about a person, how they got to be where they are. The story of their journey.

Heck, that is what I am trying to do here – share the story of our journey.

But, I must admit, I also love the story behind an item.

Where did it come from? Who made it? How did you find it?

Just this weekend I saw this amazing sign in a vendor’s booth. I asked her what the story was.

She didn’t know.

I lost interest.

She should probably make up a really good one.

So, when it came to pulling together the gallery wall for the corner of our office, well, almost everything has a story.

There is the Printer’s Box Word Art and how is shares words from one of my favorite people. And the arrow I made from a vintage yardstick after making a very ugly one out of vinyl. And the easy watercolor art I made with my daughter's on a quiet Saturday morning.

And the “Do you like milk” flashcard is a gift from a very dear friend, because she knows our story so well. Does it bother anyone else that there is no question mark? Isn’t a flashcard suppose to teach proper grammar?

And the “5” I made – because we are a family of 5 when you include our sweet dog Bailey Rose.

But those letters – that spell “BANK” – do you want to know their story?

It’s a good one.

A while back at an auction, I was previewing a group of box lots. I could not believe my eyes when I saw those letters in a box filled with many unmemorable items.

I waited and waited for it to come up for bid, so nervous I would miss it.

It came up, lots of bids were thrown out, but in the end – I got it!

So you can only image my delight when I picked up the box and this picture fell out of the back of the letter “B”.

And on the back – was the story of the letters B, A, N and K.

And in the hand writing of a kindred spirit I found out they were once on the building in the picture – which was located on 39th St. & 3rd. Ave , Brooklyn, NY.

A kindred spirit indeed – it almost sounds like she or he make have a been one of the original “treasure hunters” and had them "removed for her”.

Oh how I wish they had put their name on the picture as well.

I think I have done them proud by giving the letters a place of honor in our office. Maybe it will be a “creativity bank” or an “idea bank”.

As I left the auction house that evening, a young man stopped me to ask if he could buy “just the letters” out of the box lot.

He clearly missed that I was already in love with their story.

Thanks for reading.

P.S. If you are wondering about the framed picture with the orange half circle - it is actually an embossed saxophone and the orange part is the end opening. It is really cool and vintage – but impossible to photograph well so you will just have to take my word for it.

P.P.S. If you are wondering about the side table, you can find more information here.