The Fish Wish Dish

   

I recently purchased a very cool book called THE VEIN OF GOLD by Julia Cameron, who also wrote THE ARTIST'S WAY (which is wonderful for recovering creative types.)  I haven't actually read much of THE VEIN OF GOLD, but I did flip to one page that has a great idea.  She says to buy or make a God Jar (or box, or whatever.)  You should write down your wishes, prayers, problems, etc. and put them in the jar.  The jar should have a magical feel to it, I guess.  It should be special.  So I went into our small town where there are a few touristy antique shops, bound and determined to find my special God Jar.  It would need to 'speak' to me.  The first two places had nada.  The third really didn’t have much either, just a small redwood burl vase that was cool, but it had such a small opening at the top I didn't know how I'd be able to get my wish papers crammed in there.  And what if I wanted to retrieve one?  Well, I'd never be able get it out.  Finally something caught my eye in that last shop.  It was a bowl, propped up in a china cabinet.  Actually, it was an amazing bowl!  With fishes swimming in circles and golden glints in the glass, an incredible edging, three round balls at the bottom as a base., swirling leaves and carvings, too.  The color is cobalt blue, see through, and incredible.  Very amazing, with intricate designs inside.  So I checked out the price.  $275!!  Unbelievable.  But, hey, I'm a Pisces.  The bowl spoke to me!  Fish.  Swimming in a circle.  Apparently this is a 'carnival bowl,' made by Fenton glass, between the years 1915 and 1921.  The pattern is called 'Little Fishes.'  I'd never heard of Fenton glass, but I decided to splurge and buy it anyway.  Plus there was a sale going on, so the total came to $250 with tax, which is absolutely ridiculous, way out of my league, but I’m worth it.  Right? 

So now I’ve owned the bowl for over two weeks, and some of my dreams and wishes and requests have come to pass.  It was definitely worth the investment.  I call it my Fish Wish Dish.   Sandra Alonzo, Gallop-O-Gallop

Comments

[Kim]

Gorgeous, Sandy! You ARE worth it! That Artist's Way book is fun. I read it with a couple of friends a few years ago. I liked having those occasional "artist dates" where I could give myself permission to buy something totally whimsical.

I think all of our grandmothers had that carnival glass "back in the day." It was a dime a dozen back then. Now they're worth quite a lot -- as your selection shows. You made a good choice!!

I guess my wish jar, right now, is (are) those two locking mason jars with my keys and writing idea snippets in them. Not wishes exactly, but the keys mean a lot to me.

Kim

[Becky hall]

Gorgeous, Sandy. I also loved your MySpace page. You are getting so creative out there on the west coast. That bowl is like nothing I have ever seen, A fish wish dish- very nice name too. And you are definitely worth it...so what are the -"came-true-wishes"?Any writing things?
Becky

[Becky hall]

Gorgeous, Sandy. I also loved your MySpace page. You are getting so creative out there on the west coast. That bowl is like nothing I have ever seen, A fish wish dish- very nice name too. And you are definitely worth it...so what are the -"came-true-wishes"?Any writing things?
Becky

[Liz]

Aha- now I can see it! That's a beautiful bowl Sandy- guaranteed to "spawn" ideas and realities!

[Terri Murphy]

Great investment, Sandy. I'm gonna go shopping for a container that means something too...tho I might just visit my friendly resale shop, otherwise known as "spontaneous shoppers' second thoughts." Don't know if I can beat "fish wishes" tho.....

Terri