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These mirrors can be made for anyone or any place: boutiques, salons, restaurants, city buildings,
barber shops, schools, the possibilities are endless. Most of the mirrors I make are personalized with
family photos, found objects specific to an establishment's history or culture, news items, again, there
are unlimited possiblities.
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This is a review that appeared in the Des Moines Register's Datebook. Ordinarily, this column is a
restaurant reveiw....
When dining in Chicago, I've found that some of the more trendy restaurants
have made the necessary restroom visit a worthy diversion in itself. Whether it's the edgy and elegant
minimalism of glass-slab sinks or a more lively, rococo spirit at other hotspots, you can hardly wait
to get up and go.
Sam & Gabe's is taking a step in the restrooms-worth-visiting direction with
its beautiful mosaic-framed mirrors above the sinks in both the men's and ladies' rooms. The pique-assiette
works are crafted by Des Moines artist Melissa Miller, daughter of former Des Moines Cartoonist Frank
Miller. Embedded in the frame is an engaging pastiche of broken artifacts from restaurants past: a
waiter's corkscrew here, genteel silver spoons there, matchbooks, bits and pieces of ashtrays, sugar
bowls, pizza cutters and salt shakers--even an Iowa liquor permit from 1962-63. Some pieces are anonymous;
others bear names longtime Des Moines residents will recognize: Vic's Tally-Ho, Guido's--there's even
a tip of the hat to good-old, ever-present Gino's.
It's a strangely moving effect. You stand
there amidst the dreamlike jumble of all that remains of good times shared at bygone restaurants. And
yet, with your own image in the center of the frame, the artwork goes beyond nostalgia. You're here
now, it seems to say, and (as the song goes), "these are the good old days"
W.E. Moranville,
Des Moines Register Datebook
Thursday, September 2nd, 2004
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This mosaic bird nest bowl appeared in the "Nest" feature in Country Home Magazine in March, 2005.
I've had many requests for these in the colors shown, as well as brighter color themes with different
types of birds. This particular bird came from a chalkware wall pocket. I've been unable to find any
others quite like it.
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Antique Dress Form, covered with antique shards, Capodimonte flowers, vintage beaded fabric pieces,
silver and rhinestone jewelry, shells, beads, tiles and old buttons.
Available at "From our Hands"
art gallery, East Village, Des Moines, Iowa, $1600, sold 4/8/06.
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This shard and jewel-coated chair brought $1500 to the Young Women's Resource Center's 'Sit on It' Auction
in April, 2004. This was my first charity auction.
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