Schoenstein & Co. Organ Builders Est. 1877

Hi Everyone,

I went to an open house at Schoenstein & Co. in Benicia CA. today.  They had a pipe organ all built and ready to play.  It was fantastic (and quite loud).  The organ is getting ready to ship to New York.   Here is a link to there website  www.schoenstein.com/

My friend Dolores is an organ tuner here in the bay area.  Sometimes I get to "hold" notes for her.  That means I push the key (like in a piano) down until she tells me to stop.  While I am doing that she is inside (yup inside!) the organ adjusting the pipes until it is in tune. 

 It seems impossible to me that pipe organs actually exist much less make music.  There are just to many moving parts and ways for it to go wrong.  However, when I was looking around the Schoenstein plant I was amazed how clean and well organized it is.  I doubt that NASA is as organized and prepared.   I met some great folks: Jack, Peter, and Louie, to name just a few.  Please take a look at their modern zimblestern.  It is my personal favorite part of the organ (because it sounds like dancing fairies).

 I don't know if you need a pipe organ.  But if you do... this is the place to get one.  

Peace out,

Mary

PS I tried to find a YouTube video of a zimblestern playing but could not find one.  Do you know of one?

m

Oakland White Elephant Sale

Happy Weekend Everyone,

True to my word we (Ruth, me in the middle, and Dolores) all went to the Oakland White Elephant Sale. It is this great indoor flea market that benefits the Oakland Museum and its many programs. Here is a picture of all three of us in the sewing section. Yep, we really were having that much fun.

I went to the sale with a specific need in mind. I wanted to get a head. Really, I need a good hat form for my cap business. Not only to take photos for my etsy website but also for blocking wool caps and the like. My chances were pretty slim that I would find my elusive quarry. Then I saw it -- With a big N. F. S. (Not For Sale) written on the bottom of it. My heart sank. I asked the nice lady if they ever make exceptions. She kindly said no. She even asked her coworker about it. Even she said no, and that she had been volunteering for years and everyone asks and the answer is no. Heart in hand I asked to talk to the manager.

I came back when the manager was in. That is when I met Pam. I told her about my caps and how I need to have a model to photograph caps for my web site. She was nice enough to offer a mannequin head. Then I told her of my plans to use this hat form to block wool hats and caps. Pam told me about her Mom who used to be the manager of the accessories section at the Elephant Sale. And how her Mom wrote N. F. S. on the bottom of this head. I asked once more if I could give it a good home. And Pam said Yes! I just could not believe it. Her Mom is named Lucile and therefor the cap form is now called Lu. It is the perfect mascot for my shop.

Pam was just so kind to listen to my story. I will never forget her, her kindness, nor her nice Mom named Lucile.

Now take a good look at this photo of the three of us. The sign behind Pam's shoulder says "if it is not priced than it is not for sale." She made an exception for me, and I really appreciate it. Thank you PAM!

More to come,

Mary