I don’t know what this thing is called exactly. I don’t know if this thing is even ‘a thing’ in the world of the fashioned minded, but I was recently challenged by someone who made herself a tray chocked full of random objects that express her sense of style. She saw something on Pintrest, copied it and supposed I should try to be tray cool, too.
As if a mere tray could ever really contain ANYTHING that could convey my essence.
There are no rules to apply here, she assured me. Nothing has to match, it can be as random as I wanted; as crowded or sparse as I wanted; nothing right or wrong about anything I chose to place on the tray. The only requirements were that a tray had to be involved to the hold all the stuff and the stuff needed at least a brief explanation as to why it belonged on said tray.
Since I really have nothing to base my tray on in terms of design—my friend was of little help—I went with the old bridal theme, something old, something new, etc., etc., as a basis.
Here’s the finished product:
I used a Lucite tray I found….standard issue, two handles and placed it in the corner of my service country of my kitchen, then went about my house looking for the things that screamed or whispered, “Laurie” .
Well, I does love me some pop art. And nothing says pop, like Judy Garland in her the role that made her a famous gay icon para siempre, Dorothy from the ‘1939’s 72 percent Technicolor epic, The Wizard of Oz. Now, what’s cool about this particular photo? Its made up entirely of repeated lyrics from the movie’s theme song, “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”.
If you look closely, you can see “happy little blue birds flying” right there on Miss Thing’s lips. 
Color was added to the type, but its all there, the whole damn song.
The tray also includes an Ashanti vase (upper left hand corner). It’s the turquoise gold make shift pencil/pen/magnifying glass/, groovy cheetah- handled scissors holder. Truth be told, there’s actually more to the vase than I let on. The actual name of this l’objet is the Fortuny Ashanti Vase in Teal. It’s the handiwork of a Venetian gad about, the legendary fashion and textile designer Marian Fortuny. The Ashanti part of the name must be an homage to the traditional art from the Ashanti tribe in Africa…..at least I think so. Educated guess, basically. That’s real by God 24k gold you see there, but that wasn’t the reason why I bought the vase, nor had I heard ever hear of Señor Fortuny or his talents. I liked it because it reminded me of a pencil holder I might have made for my mom out of an old frozen orange can. You know, as in an pre-Mother’s day assignment in my third grade arts and crafts class.
Those are ordinary silk flowers in a vase I’ve had for years. Near base of the vase is a green crystal skull tea light holder. A symbolic a brand identifier good enough for Alexander McQueen tis certainly good enough for my tray. My mother insists that I inform you that it’s a Kosta Boda product, which I think is Swedish for “ugly ass crystal tea light”.
A Buddha sits nearby. Don’t wanna brag but it is Baccarat. See, I’ve always wanted to own some Baccarat crystal and while I applaud the deity and his teachings of peace, love and understanding, Id like to think he would have been a backer of frugality well, because The Buddha was the least expensive Baccarat item in the store.
A blue Cloisonne ball adds to the confusion. I’ve had that thing since the mid 80’s. I’ve wanted to throw it away time and time again, but I just wouldn’t make myself do it. . We’ve been through a lot together. So one day ago I freed it from its dusty prison. It had been on a neglected shelf collecting dust where dust goes to collect dust and to no doubt hide from me and a can of Pledge, that oddly enough, also hides itself from me (have I mentioned?? I’m not exactly a fan of housework).
That matches are from Mexico and represent a very positive time in my life. My first TV job right out of college was at a station in Laredo, Texas, right on the Mexican border. This was the early 80’s when cartels were places tired Fords and Chrysler checked in for a good night sleep before hitting the road again the next morning. I spent a great deal of time both working and playing in Northern Mexico.
Next to the matches sits, a pretty little yellow butterfly made from sea glass collected the Gulf of Mexico. It’ originates as a glass bottle tossed over board from a ship or from a motorist crossing a bridge. It’s broken on impact, usually and the pieces bob around for a while and then was made smooth by the pounding waves. It makes landfall on a beach and artistic types make stuff out of it, jewelry mostly, but I found a lovely yellow butterfly. Since it came from The Gulf of Mexico, I inspected it carefully before buying at a gift shop down near Galveston way, didn’t want a hypodermic needed mistaken for am antennae emanate. At the time of purchase the Gulf wasn’t known more for its combustibility and disease communicability more so than its er…uh…well, loveliness.
That old rusted spurs signify I am Texas through and through–fifth generation, to be exact and after being scratched by one of the pointy rowels on the heals of one of those damn things, I am also a Tetanus shot candidate through and through.
The Spirit of Flight is a little book with that includes wonderful inspirational saying from authors well known and completely unknown. I’m really not sure; I bought it because it was cheap, small and the cover had the right colors in it.
The little bunny ring holder as been around a while. It mocks me because I’ve never been married. I will someday return the insult by making a ring out of at least 24 carrots and placing it millimeters away from the holder, just out of its reach, but still completely in that little pink oculared bastard’s eyesight.
And lastly, the old lock in the corner is just that….an old lock. I merely saw it for sale and slammed two bucks down for it. It had a simple, unspoiled rustic charm to it, not unlike me
And like me, its stopped working a long time ago.
So there you guy, my little random tray.
Tootles ya’ll.
