Lisa, we beseech you to reveal your source.
I got them at a junk shop outside Fairfax, California. I was returning from two days at the beach with my partner, and we spotted this place and walked in. It was packed to the gills with junk — most of it pretty undesirable, even according to my loose standards — and I found these, unpackaged, but all intact. I think I paid $5 for all of them.
What is one of your favorite collections from the project and why?
I think my favorite and my inspiration for the project is the erasers I posted on Day One. I have been collecting erasers for several years and I love everything about them, including the typography on them and their pink and brown hues.
Your home knocks us out. How much of the stuff in your home is from your shop?
Very little of what is in my home is from my store. I only opened Rare Device three years ago, and so by then my home was pretty full of “stuff” already! I do have some art from there, some housewares, but not too much. I try to show restraint in taking things home from my shop.
One of your favorite things in the world is salted chocolate and caramel. Best source?
I am a vegan, so finding salted chocolate and caramel is challenging. Nirvana Chocolates makes a really delicious organic dark chocolate with sea salt and caramel that I love.
What is the one thing in life you’ve created or designed, that you are most proud of so far, and why?
I didn’t start painting or drawing until I was in my early 30s, and I did it initially because I needed some relief from a very stressful job. Once I started, I never stopped. That said, I never considered myself an artist until I was about 37. Aside from about two very “hands-off” studio painting classes, I taught myself to draw and paint. I am 42 now and a working illustrator and fine artist. I guess that is something to be proud of.
Lisa Congdon is an illustrator, fine artist and prolific collector of old and unusual things. She is currently chronicling this in her Collection A Day 2010 Project. Congdon lives in the Mission District of San Francisco. Three years ago, she left a career in education to pursue her desire to live a full-time creative life, which includes co-owning and curating Rare Device, a San Francisco shop and art gallery. See more pictures of her home at Apartment Therapy.
Be thrill, my heart! I only learned about “The Congdon Collection” a couple of days ago … and now I read about Rare Device … which I will get to visit next Tuesday. The Bellissima Triangle (Flax, Bell’occhio, Zuni Café), has just become a Rare Rhomboid! A thoroughly splendid post.