I am not even starting with forgive me, I have sinned.... not with this one. When I very first began with minis we used to snow-bird in Naples Florida and it had the most glorious mini shop called Nancy's. (Sadly no more) One of the very first things in that shop that I ever fell in love with was a collection of Clare Bell lights and the one I loved most was a five candle Georgian candelabra. It was beyond my budget and, anyway, my project was a modern house so of no use whatsoever. That did not stop me from visiting Nancy's over the years to drool over it. I have even checked it out now and then, online, in the years since then.
So on my recent spree I thought I would leave it in the lap of the gods and see if I could find one - they are almost as rare as hens' teeth. If I could, I would have it..... and the gods were smiling and here it is.
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| I need to straighten the candles a little and it will be brighter when using electricity rather than a battery |
Then...... dramatic drum roll....... this is what I unwrapped. Four very winky-wonky candles and the fifth had no bulb
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| Flip! hate the idea/cost of returning it to the states!! |
You're British, Don't panic.... I lifted the light and this was underneath.
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| No idea what the bit of wire is for |
So, with just a bit of fiddling around with the two-wire-plug-in nightmare bulb and we were good to go. Ahhh, woops, still a bit of a problem as my music room hadn't been expecting a floor standing Georgian candelabra and it would make even less sense in the other two traditional rooms. I decided it could go in the precarious corner sort of behind the door. The (invisible) doorstop prevents it being knocked and it would be brought into the centre of the room any time the quartet sets up to play. I would tell myself any story to validate this piece. 😊
I'm so happy for you! It's going to fit in perfectly!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sheila, see mimi folk understand. Marilyn
DeleteNothing quite like biting your time (and nails) to make a purchase like that. I am so glad it arrived without too much hassle and that you were able to fix it.
ReplyDeleteIt looks lovely in the corner and it makes perfect sense to have it tucked away, ready for the special occasions.
Anna
Hi Anna, After six years wait I think my nails have positively disappeared. Glad you like the excuse for having it stuffed up a corner as opposed to just bad planning on my part.
DeleteThat's a lovely light Marilyn. I can see why you would "drool" but very disappointing to see that it wasn't in pristine condition. (I've stopped ordering from the US because of the postage). It sits very well in that corner and I'm so pleased you managed to get it back to looking the way it should. Hurrah!!
ReplyDeleteHi Irene, glad you like it and have exonerated me from guilt. Yeah, this may be the one and only USA purchase. The postage is so high but even worse when you get stuffed with import duty. I once bought a two hundred dollar 24th kit, yes, I know, completely mad in the first place, I then got stuffed for two hundred pounds worth of the seller insisting on some sort of speedy special, insured, signed form mailing and two months stuck here in customs warehouse and stonking amount to release it. So learned the hard way. Huge relief when it 'mended' OK
DeleteIt makes me so happy to know that you finally got to have a piece that you've been dreaming about all of these years! We (moms especially) happily sacrifice so much for so many years to make sure everyone else gets all they want and need. It is so good to have hope that one day it will be our turn! It is a stunning candelabra!
ReplyDeleteI can remember the first time that I ordered an expensive (for my budget) chandelier. When it arrived, I realized that I would have to install the tiny bi-pin candle bulbs. Two microscopic wires, two impossibly small receiving holes and a total of three bulbs to install. I remember thinking "Why would they do this to people?!?!". Luckily, my fear was misplaces and 45 minutes later they were installed and working! Phew! I am so glad you were able to rescue the wayward bulb in yours!
Hi Jodi, my, now grown up, daughter gets exasperated with me for not breaking the habit of being at the bottom of the list when it comes to frivolous spends. As you say there is a lifetime as a mom and homemaker where some if us will happily fork out money for kid's birthdays, creating gardens etc etc etc before buying anything for ourselves. Any suggestion that I spend on haircuts or clothes I don't actually need or whatever still gets short shrift from me so, in the main, I have had such fun with my recent mini spending. As for the wretched pin bulbs I positively dread fiddling with them, they seem so delicate. That said haven't 'harmed' one yet.
DeleteIts a beautiful piece and it is going to look great in your space. Congrats ! ( great photos too)
ReplyDeleteThank you Troy. Her pieces are all lovely. There is a three candle version of this too. They are just so nice and weighty and have a perfect finish. I warn you though not to look at her stuff..... it does set off the 'want' bug. For me any way. Thanks for the photo comment I wish I could do better ones.
DeleteI find that I pass on very expensive pieces and then I wonder why? I admire carefully and skillfully crafted pieces, but just can't see myself spending the money. A fine piece would look out of place in my houses, anyway. The candelabra is beautiful even for the shape that it is in. You will enjoy it and that's what counts. And yes, American postage and shipping are awful. I order pieces from abroad and am surprised at how cheap shipping is--just takes forever to arrive. Should I travel to Edinburgh again, I'll be glad to deliver.
ReplyDeleteTake care Ann with wild offers 😉 I once organised a neighbour I didn't know very well in Naples, FL to take in a gazillion parcels for me ready for my arrival some months later for our winter there. She was a star and happy to help. I was paid back though for being 'naughty' as my return suitcase was a choice between minis or clothes.... I got the clothes the next winter!! I feel exactly the same as you about expensive pieces, my recent splurge has probably been my one and only and it bucked me up a lot.
Deleteits beautiful :) I love that you turned lemons into lemonaid
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you. Yes, it was decidedly a bit lemony when it arrived - moment of panic ensued but all's well that ends well. Marilyn
DeleteLooks like your standing candelabra was a worthwhile investment Marilyn but what a scare when you first opened up the package!
ReplyDeleteI had a pair of wall sconces that also had bi-pin bulbs and then one of them burnt out AFTER they'd been permanently installed onto the wall. Well, you can imagine my frustration trying to line up the pins to the hole which could no longer see, so count it A Blessing Marilyn, that you were able to fiddle with the bulbs and get it all going beforehand;
because it already looks like it was MADE for that space in your music room!
Hi Elizabeth, I really dislike those push in bulbs but they are just not avoidable. It is hard enough finding a light fitting that you like so it is definitely not possible to reject it because of the bulbs. I positively dread your experience of having to actually change one in situ. Just doing this one took a husband holding a large magnifying glass over the top of the 'receiver' to make it less cussworthy. I wasn't born with three hands so not sure how you are supposed to do them. I remember ordering some custom made lights from a very well known lighting chappy complete with bulbs who, not only never made them in time for a magazine article, but ended up sending me eight different (usual stock) lights and eight little tw-pino bulbs in a bag with the words - 'dead easy just push them in the holes'. Some years later and I am still not pleased! Marilyn
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