How My Interest in Crystal Started in a Windmill
My interest in crystal was initiated by two powerhouses – two mothers-in-law. It all started when I went to England to marry my first wife. How fortunate I was to gain a wonderful and caring mother-in-law in the process. Peggy was a wonderful, gracious woman from England’s upper social level. She spoke the Queen’s English and insisted when you do certain things it must be done “properly”. That was her go-to phrase.
Peggy lived in a very old windmill that she had converted. The interior walls of the first level were lined with teak board paneling. The upper two levels were finished in plaster. The windmill was beautifully decorated with two hundred-plus year old antique furniture from France and England. Cabinets and shelves were filled with crystal, china, silver tableware and numerous small collectibles. She was an avid collector of antique furniture, plates, crystal glassware and crystal figurines.
In a kind, motherly way, she explained the importance of bringing beautiful things of value into the home and that it could be done inexpensively once you knew the true value of something. In ten days, Peggy instructed me in the ins and outs of collecting and bargain hunting with the emphasis on quality and workmanship.
I was a willing student. I must admit I was stunned by the artistic style and craftsmanship of her collector plates and crystal. I could see how all these beautiful items she loved made her feel. Her collectibles were a treasure to her because she enjoyed them so much.
She was fond of saying that “Something isn’t valuable unless it has value for you.” That was her buying philosophy and one of many that she instilled in me.
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