What Mary and her lamb look like

Illustrators seem to take liberty in altering this nursery rhyme in particular. It seems to allow for comedic elements as well as cynicism through word play.

Here the sender has personalised the rhyme by replacing Mary with Delia. 

The contrast of the printed rhyme with the seemingly personal handwriting feels rich in a sort of personal and sentimental character. 

Artist: Agnes Richardson

Artist: C. Ryan

Publisher: P. O. P Amusement Co

What do nursery rhymes look like?

I have been looking at some variations in the illustrations of my chosen nursery rhymes.
Here are some for  Mary,Mary...

Artist: Millicent Sowerby

Publisher: Humphry Milford

In some of the examples the reverse side of the post cards on which the illustrations are found are also provided. The stains, smudges and fade of the writing seem to make it look that much older and more precious. 

Knowing that the illustration was accompanied by a letter also brings new stories to the cards and new sentimentality. There is potential for a general connotation of the rhyme, and then a further personal connotation for the people to and from whom the card was sent.

Artist: Flora White

Publisher: J. Salmon

Publisher: National Art Co

Dandelion magic toy.

Here is the dandelion magic trick. Because there is already the element of magic attached to it, I like to think that one can throw in the myths associated with dandelions, and make a wish as you spin it, or send a thought to a loved one. I think the green string worked wonderfully with the image but will not work for many others so I need to start a little collection.
The metal spins much better than the card prototypes because it is heavier= better inertia. ( I say as if I really know what that means).

I think the interactive element to this allows so much more room for triggering and/creating memories associated with this old invention and it's revamp.
I am working on an animated gif to give an idea of how beautifully the images become one when it spins.

Victorian Magic. Folklore fun.

I have tried a few variations of images to combine for the magic necklaces. And the possibilities are simply endless, but here are a few.

Bird and Cage

Cyclist and pennyfarthing

Dandylion and diagrettes

Tea pot and cup

Animals 

Boy and his stick horse

Fish/butterfly and net

As Metcalf refers to in his essay On The Nature of Jewellery, it's limitations and boundaries can be a useful guideline, as opposed to a constriction. This too can apply in the subject matter, i think, because it becomes overwhelming to consider the world of existing objects or imagery. To help with this, better defining my area of "folklore" and "nostalgia" will happily limit my spectrum of images. 

Perhaps, even then, it might be best to focus on personal or European folklore, for example. I hope to feel it over time.