KATHY MYERS
The artist and antiques dealer talks about her love of ephemera and their in uence throughout her work
Ephemera as a concept is central to your style at home and as an artist. Can you tell us how this interest began?
My love of transient items first started with gifts and celebrations, particularly ones relating to my family. I adore cards, wrapping and ribbon – all the things that people love at first, but usually end up throwing out. From a really early age, these things held my attention a little longer than most. I liked the way that they represented a real, unique, personal connection. Now I collect and sell this sort of ephemera, alongside antiques and collectables, at shows all around Canada.
As well as trading in old labels, papers and photographs, how else do you make use of your collection?
I like to use old photos, labels, grain sacks and lace to create one-of-a-kind treasures and ornaments. Each year, I make a selection of Christmas ornaments, which I sell on Etsy and, for the last few years, I have been making wreaths. It all started as a way to use up lots of scrap lace and ribbon. But as the commissions have grown, it’s evolved to include all manner of things – old skates, shoes, gloves and photos. I start taking initial Christmas wreath orders in May and the decorations go on sale in September. I also send all my orders out in vintage tins and boxes or wrapped in old maps and papers – that way, they get a second life. I !nd that people love this kind of use and re-use, over and over.
Some of the materials that you work with, such as old papers, are very fragile and usually quite dusty. Are there any special techniques you use when ge ing rid of the grime?
Cleaning paper is not easy! First, I freeze the sheets for 48 hours and then I lay them out in the sun for a day. This dislodges the dust particles and gives me a chance to make any repairs I may need to do. We have a house !lled with antiques, and we also have a dog and a cat, so I have invested in a powerful Rainbow vacuum and an autonomous iRobot Roomba that runs daily and keeps it under control.
You also run workshops – can you tell us about these?
I help people bring their design ideas and items with sentimental value to life. People have strong feelings for furniture that has personal associations, but the piece doesn’t always work with their home. That’s where I come in! First, I ask them: ‘Do we make the item !t the look you already have in your home, or do we create a new look using this piece as the inspiration?’ More often than not, we make the item !t. It might be that it’s through painting it or embellishing it, or simply playing the piece up as art.