thrifty find: finnish kupittaan kulta silver ring

Just after Christmas I was out in Hamilton, ON visiting some dear friends, and before arriving I had a few minutes to spare and thought I’d quickly pop into the Bibles for Missions thrift store location on the ‘Mountain’. I’d not been to this location before, and despite the quick tour of the store, I happened upon my new favourite piece of jewellery.

The price tag included a notation of ’925 silver’ so despite the original state of being almost black in colour from tarnish, I knew it wasn’t simply a piece of costume jewellery.  I was drawn to the boldly geometric, architecturally structured design and could just barely make out the word ‘Finland’ in the markings. So figured at $10 it was worth picking up this vintage ring to see if I could clean it up.

And clean it up I did to uncover a beauty that, through research, I’ve learned is from the Finnish jewellery company of Kupittaan Kulta. This company was started in 1945 by renowned designer  and well-trained silver-smith and engraver Elis Kauppi. Kupittaan Kulta pieces are usually marked with an anvil symbol, which my ‘new’ ring sports. I couldn’t find reference to this particular design, but from similar rings I figure it is from the 1960s or 70s and might retail at about $150.

I was so eager to disrobe this beauty from its coat of tarnish that I neglected to photograph the transformation from a dark before to a sparkling after. To almost instantly clean the tarnish away, I placed the ring on a piece of aluminum foil in a glass (non-reactive) bowl, sprinkled baking soda over the ring, and then poured enough boiling water in the bowl to cover the ring. And then literally within seconds the majority of the tarnish was removed. A quick final polish with my Oneida silver polishing cloth, and my ring was shining again.

To help illustrate the cleaning technique, here are photos of 925 silver tongs I’d not polished in some time, revealing that this method is not only instant but quite effective (further polishing with the cloth and some silver polish and a brush for the nooks and crannies will complete the job). I find it quite incredible that the ring was dramatically darker than these tongs yet this method did the trick. The key is to ensure that the silver piece is in contact with the aluminum foil, and completely immersed in the water. This homemade technique of tarnish removal works with most silver pieces, just be cautious with jewellery that has soft or porous stones and gems  – a more gentle technique is recommended.

potato pancakes

Conversation over a delicious old-calendar Christmas Eve dinner at my godmother’s home last weekend turned to potato pancakes. While potato pancakes weren’t one of  the twelve traditional Ukrainian meatless courses served, they were traditionally a Slavic staple of many a meal throughout the rest of the year. We all agreed, however, that we just don’t seem to make this tasty flat savory dish very often anymore, so it was time to try my hand at making them again.

While travelling through Slovakia a couple of years ago, I had many a potato pancake in many a village, but in absence of my babas’ (grandmothers’) recipes I thought I’d turn to my go-t0 spot for Slovak recipes for direction – Slovak Cooking.  Described as a side dish,  my family has always had them as the main part of the meal – with gobs of sour cream, one of the best things about my Slovak heritage! I made these pancakes wheat-free with spelt flour, but wheat flour will do.

3 large potatoes

1 small onion

1 clove  garlic

one egg

1 tbsp spelt flour

salt

black pepper

3 tbsp vegetable oil

sour cream

1. Peel and shred the potatoes. (I used a manual shredder but both my mom and godmother say the job’s a lot easier using a blender or food processor.) Squeeze out as much of the resulting liquid as possible, through a strainer.
2. Shred the onion and garlic and combine with the shredded potatoes in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
3. Mix in the egg until well combined. Mix the flour into the mixture along with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Working in batches, heat about a tablespoon of the oil in a no-stick frying pan. Spoon about a third of a cup of the potato mixture into the pan for each pancake. Fry each side for about 4 minutes until browned and crisp.
5. Transfer cooked pancakes to a paper towel lined plate before serving with a good dollop of sour cream.

resolutions: retrospection & postulation

It’s a bit hard to believe it is that time again to look at the year ahead and set goals and aspirations. As I postulate my  design * cuisine * travel * life resolutions that I’d like accomplish or experience in 2012, let me also assess last year’s check-list to see how I did, and to see which goals are staying on the list.

* design *

* While I did manage to finally create a solution for that underutilized light junction box just in front of my sink peninsula in the form of a craftily refurbished vintage light, I’ll keep the sourcing of a main kitchen light on the list.

* I’m contemplating painting my kitchen cupboards to freshen up the cherry/maple late 90s wood. Maybe light shade on top and a dark blue-grey on the bottom?

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* While I continued to mostly ignore the grey broadloom in my condo, I’ve started to dream a little more of a different finish underfoot – I’m in love with the large herringbone format wood floors found in many a Parisian apartment.

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And I’m also quite liking the look of painted concrete floors.

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* I did add a single painting to  my principal bath so those walls are not quite so blank anymore. Purchased at the Goodwill for $5 I’m quite happy with the look of this rustic little oil original.

I also picked up a small vintage office shelf  at a garage sale for $2 that I will paint and install in my guest bath, along with a mini print of Coney Island Beach by Mina Georgescu I won through a Design Milk contest during a design chat on twitter. I might pair it with this similar photo of my own that I took in Positano, Italy.

* I would still like to update my fireplace surround, am still drawn to the effect of reclaimed wood laths and am still looking for a source.

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Or perhaps another type of  modern panelling?

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*cuisine*

* While I didn’t try baking macarons myself, my sister-in-law did with some really beautiful and tasty results, demonstrating that they aren’t too difficult to undertake. 2012 could be the year I’m inspired to try baking them too.

* I  did get into the routine of more regularly using my spiffy stainless steel Crockpot, including recipes for Dry-Rub Beef Ribs and  Beef Shank. And in the last month I’ve gotten into pulled pork, having delicious success with this particular recipe.

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* I will definitely make more kale chips 2012, when Ontario kale is season once again. I have developed a serious addiction. Thank goodness they are good for you!

*travel*

* Pelee Island remains on my list as a place I have yet to visit, but I did enjoy an afternoon cruise on a hot August day out into the bay of another great lake. Sailing from Parry Sound, ON, the Thirty Thousand Islands boat tour on the Island Queen through much of Lake Huron’s Georgian Bay is well worth the trip.

* I still want to visit the R.S. McLaughlin Parkwood Estate in Oshawa, ON. And I have just had the revelation that I’ve not ever visited Spadina House, closer to home in Toronto, despite many a visit to neighbouring Casa Loma over the years.

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* While I did visit the United States a number of times in 2011, these travels didn’t include a visit to one of the nine States I have yet to see.

* As expected, I did hit the beach – a couple of times – in the Bahamas and south Florida. Just what I needed for a balanced and restorative 2011.

* I think a trip to Europe just might be on tap for 2012. Visiting Milan, Italy with Modenus’ BlogTour 2012 would be fabulous!

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gift wrapping ideas in action

I’m taking a bit of a break from blogging over the holidays, but I thought I’d jump back in for a moment to share a pic of some fantastic Christmas wrapping executed by my young nephews. With some guidance from their mom, my nephews put into action a couple of the crafty wrapping techniques and ideas I shared on talk.CIL. Beautiful!

saf on talk.CIL: last minute gift wrapping ideas

Click on over to my latest post on talk.CIL.ca for these and other clever last minute gift wrapping ideas, using elements you likely already have on hand.

Photos:  1 * bugs & fishes;  2 * frolic; 3 * apartment therapy;