I received a most excellent email from a librarian named Amy at the Dubuque Carnegie-Stout Library in Iowa. It seems they have a Chair-ity fundraiser, and one of this year's entries was completely awesome:
My library is holding a chair-ity fundraiser and enlisted one of my co-workers to create a chair for the auction. The final result is a chair I think the Bitchery would enjoy.
A…what? I had to ask – what is a chair-ity fundraiser?
My library has a huge rotunda area and hosts art exhibits featuring local artists. The artist can exhibit free of charge and have the opportunity to sell their art work. The library then gets to keep 20% of the purchase price.
The chair-ity fundraiser is to raise money to help keep the program going. Artists were given old wooden chairs that had been stored in the library basement and were asked to paint them. On December 5th there will be an art opening and a silent auction where people can bid on the chairs (or you can by one now for the low, low price of a $500 tax deductible donation).
WAIT. PUNS and FUNDRAISERS and LIBRARY and ARTS AND ROMANCE NOVELS?
You have all of my attention. Tell me more!
My awesome co-worker’s name is Sarah Smith. This is, in my opinion, a fantastic use of Olde Skool (and some not so old) Romance covers. She also took text from the books and wrapped it around the legs.
YOU GUYS DEAD CENTER OF THE CHAIR BACK IS THE PULL MY FINGER VIKING.
LOOK THERE HE IS. And look at all the clinch!
I'm honestly not sure if I could sit on that chair, to be honest.
Amy says, “My favorite part has to be the random leg and arm on the chair back.”
Yes, that is pretty freaking awesome.
Amy tells me:
My co-worker Sarah actually created a tumblr about the chair, listing the books used and how she created her masterpiece.
THE CHAIR HAS A TUMBLR. What am I saying? Of course the chair has a Tumblr.
Her chair has certainly sparked more comments and conversation than any other chair in the exhibit. How could it not? It is completely unique.
I agree. That's completely excellent and very unique. In fact, I feel like this chair should meet Rudi's Most Awesome Shoes in the Universe, and hang out and read together. Or someone should sit on the chair wearing the shoes and try to avoid having the universe buckle from the presence of too much awesome. Well played, Sarah Smith! The assembly must give you an ovation:
In related news, I'm buying stock in Mod Podge.
What other things could have deconstructed romance novels decoupaged onto them? Any ideas?
Sarah, I thought the same thing about pairing the chair with the romance-novel shoes (which I STILL WISH were a thing I could buy). Decoupaging cover art onto my writing desk would be pretty excellent—though I’d probably get distracted from work and start hunting for something to read.
Yeah, me too. Or I’d get distracted by whatever cover art I used, and start looking for the book because I can’t remember which one it is.
Agreed that the chair is spectacular, but also agreed that I doubt I could brink myself to sit on it.
However, a nice decoupaged Old Skool romance cover wooden tray on which to place my tea and goodies that I need when reading would be completely useful . . .
I recently saw an exhibition at the Geffreye Museum in London which had modern interpretations of chairs. There were two that begged to be customised for romance readers. One was a huge, but comfortable swing, and the other was like a big egg totally lined in cushions, with a few niches for bits and bobs. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152753455244871&l=99a674bbc0
@tealadytoo
Now you’ve got me pondering how to do that…and I probably should start another craft project…but how fun…
Not even in the same league here, but I’m throwing it out there as it may inspire someone. I used to have a side table with a glass top; under the glass I arranged a bunch of the bookmarks and postcards I received from various authors. That’s an easy way to ease into this sort of thing.
I really like the idea of the tea tray with cover bits on it. You can always start with the ones at Michael’s that have a clear plastic liner to cover whatever you glue to the base.
I completely covered a small side table in pages from old Mills & Boon books (sex scenes only, of course) antiqued the paper with tea, and sealed it. It just looks like text gift wrap or an old newspaper until you get really close up and realise you’ve been resting your coffee mug on descriptions of turgid manhoods and breathless ecstasy. Best thing? Everyone feels compelled to read bits out loud.
Here all these years I’ve been planning to wallpaper a room with pages of my janky old Shakespeare, but clearly romance novels are the way to go. Reading bits out loud, indeed.
I do a lot of decoupage and this is very inspirational. 🙂
When I saw this chair I couldn’t help hearing the Monty Python song, “Sit on my face, and tell me that you love me.”
It’s scary how many of those covers look familiar. The bottom of the chair leg, on the right, looks like a bit of a Beverly Jenkins cover. It would be a lot of fun to do a jewelry box or mirror frame like this.
I’ve mod podged a picture frame with man titty, but that’s about it.
Soo… much… clinch…
Hey, what about the chick in purple who’s giving Fabio a BJ? Is this stuff safe for a library setting? Won’t we break the poor little lit-ra-choor lovers’ brains?