Vintage Styles: Oddfellows Oddities

Recently I've stumbled across some strange finds on ebay for oddfellows items. Sure the typical robe and regalia passes through ebay... but these items are something else.

The top mask is listed as 1890s ODD FELLOWS painted mesh mask By DeMoulin Bros. I'm not quite sure what its use would be, perhaps some kind of ceremonial object? Very strange and very creepy.

Regalia is fairly easy to come by, but this particular collar is unique to what I normally see listed. Silver color and metallic prints is fairly uncommon, as opposed to the typical red with embroidery.

What a beautiful book! I couldn't resist putting it up here despite the staggering price.

And my favorite... these comical numbered "watch" uniforms! (oddfellows have different classes, such as guard, watch, king, high priest, ext. Depending on what class you are you where different uniforms). I like trying to imagine what kind of scenario would call for such a uniform. I can only hope its the oddfellows extended version of Dr. Suess's thing one and thing two.

Of Fire Hazards, Decadence, and Various Acquired Items

The main focus in my room is my bookcase. I have two bookcases pushed together, and ontop of that is a large flat space that I’m been creating a garden of interesting and beautiful things.

I like scented things, but cheap body sprays are a no-no. I pick up votive candles whenever I go with my mom to pier one or a small local nursery that has a large selection of interior decorations. Usually they’re only around 2-3 dollars so I can get a wide variety of scents for reasonable price. Plus they don’t take up a lot of room. Incense I always pick up whenever I’m at new age stores or attend renaissance fairs. The mall variety works fine, but there a limit to what kind of scents you can get. I prefer old world scents like Myrrh, Sandalwood, and various blends. Lately I'm getting into mugwort and other herbal mixes that have different effects on mood.

My bookends help keep my pile of scarves together, but my actual shelves are so crammed I have no need of bookends. I collect books for reference for art, metaphsyics, various fiction books I loved long enough to buy, and lately a lot of nonfiction titles. In addition to the main bookcase, I also have a a small closable library in my closet that functions as overflow for the main bookcase.

Around my room, I also have an old doll I picked up when a closing antique slashed their prices ridiculously low. I had always wanted a fancy doll, but never had one when I was a child, so I bought one. A bit of an impulse buy. I also have hanging a painted fan above my bed that I bought from the same antique clearance sale.

Above my bed is pinned butterflies. I'll talk about them in a later post.