I didn't actually dance my way out to the car but my heart was singing having come across this treasure at the weekly flea market.
Hand carved. Hand painted.
Each piece is different.
Two pieces are missing and these are the ones that lack a mate.
One option is to take on the challenge of carving and painting the figures – or finding someone to do it for me. But I don't think so; doesn't feel right.
Another is to put out the antenna and see what appears on the weekly round of sales. To keep open to whatever might suggest and become a part of the set in its own unique way.
For the moment – and this feels just fine – is to have 30 pieces, to have two spaces, to accept the supposed emptiness. To substitute a fat crayon for each piece – or a stalk of celery and a length of carrot – if a game were to be played and figures needed.
Thing is, I don't know how to play chess. The eldest grandson – who turns 3 today! – says he will teach me. I thought he meant when he was older but, no, he means now. And when he described how he plays chess I began to see that it is a very creative version.
I am in the midst of crocheting another button from clear fishing line so was looking for more of such raw material when I spotted this "trolling line".
The package was charming enough and when I saw Irish Flax – well, I had to investigate.
The seller and I debated about just how much line was in the roll; funny the things one discusses at such times but I was thinking perhaps it was only a layer or two around a tube. However, not likely, since "trolling line" rather suggests a DEEP sea.
I haven't opened the plastic wrap yet - oh, now I am curious - I will go and do so.
It is splendid! Oodles of it, for one thing. And a nice weight, three stranded and not 'dusty'.
I may make a button to see how that works. More likely will try a hyperbolic shape. And muse about what its role would have been like in trolling the deep sea.