Of moths and marbles
Sometimes I want to say things that don't quite hang together; humour me!
First, the pherome moth traps work, trapping the males so they don't breed. When we left the apartment for our recent trip, one lonely SOB had stuck on the trap in Le Duc's clothes closet. By the time we returned, a dozen of the males (who think they have found a hot girl moth) had snuffed it on the sticky cardboard. Give them time; we had the traps in closets for maybe two months before we got this result.
Le Duc essayed a major closet cleanout, and found a bag of cotton balls had been turned into a nursery. (Yes, moths will lay eggs on cotton; it's not just wool and silk that appeal.)
I noticed carefully-written copy on some sites that sell this or similar pherome traps, which stated that they "alert you to the problem". (I suppose they cannot say they will kill all the pests.)
We also came back from France loaded...with moth products. I could not find a Kapo supplier in Canada, so I stocked up on this diffuser, designed to kill mature moths and larvae.
Listen, this moth thing is big, and they are supremely hard to vanquish; I am still fighting their low-level but stubborn presence. Even my Buddhist friend who will not swat a mosquito has the traps. If you are entrepreneurial, I suggest you start an e-commerce biz that specializes in proven products. Everyone I talk to has a moth story, none are pretty; climate change seems to have enhanced the pests' ubiquity.
Let's segue to the marbles.
In reading how to best accessorize my newly-grey hair, I ran across a quote from Betty Halbreich, Berdorf's famed personal shopper, who said, "My grey-haired ladies? I bead 'em up." She's a fan of chunky strands of peridot, coral, amethyst, and of course, pearls. Then Kirsten Giving showed us her luscious pieces. Though not for sale, they danced in my mind.
Last week, I saw my friend Susan, a retired investment banker who now makes jewelry, which she occasionally sells at art fairs and by-invitation shows. (Please e-mail me if you would like to be invited to a fall 2015 show in Montréal.)
She threw a selection of pieces made over her winter in Florida into her tote bag, and I wanted every one of them!
My newest piece: Big marble-sized Greek porcelain "donkey beads", antique silver buttons, trade beads and assorted bits from her travels. The Greek-flag-blue enlivens a white tee, denim shirt—nearly everything I have.
And a moth will not even be tempted by beads.
First, the pherome moth traps work, trapping the males so they don't breed. When we left the apartment for our recent trip, one lonely SOB had stuck on the trap in Le Duc's clothes closet. By the time we returned, a dozen of the males (who think they have found a hot girl moth) had snuffed it on the sticky cardboard. Give them time; we had the traps in closets for maybe two months before we got this result.
 |
| Eeeww! |
Le Duc essayed a major closet cleanout, and found a bag of cotton balls had been turned into a nursery. (Yes, moths will lay eggs on cotton; it's not just wool and silk that appeal.)
I noticed carefully-written copy on some sites that sell this or similar pherome traps, which stated that they "alert you to the problem". (I suppose they cannot say they will kill all the pests.)
We also came back from France loaded...with moth products. I could not find a Kapo supplier in Canada, so I stocked up on this diffuser, designed to kill mature moths and larvae.
 |
| Aha! |
Listen, this moth thing is big, and they are supremely hard to vanquish; I am still fighting their low-level but stubborn presence. Even my Buddhist friend who will not swat a mosquito has the traps. If you are entrepreneurial, I suggest you start an e-commerce biz that specializes in proven products. Everyone I talk to has a moth story, none are pretty; climate change seems to have enhanced the pests' ubiquity.
Let's segue to the marbles.
In reading how to best accessorize my newly-grey hair, I ran across a quote from Betty Halbreich, Berdorf's famed personal shopper, who said, "My grey-haired ladies? I bead 'em up." She's a fan of chunky strands of peridot, coral, amethyst, and of course, pearls. Then Kirsten Giving showed us her luscious pieces. Though not for sale, they danced in my mind.
Last week, I saw my friend Susan, a retired investment banker who now makes jewelry, which she occasionally sells at art fairs and by-invitation shows. (Please e-mail me if you would like to be invited to a fall 2015 show in Montréal.)
She threw a selection of pieces made over her winter in Florida into her tote bag, and I wanted every one of them!
 |
| Mmmm! |
My newest piece: Big marble-sized Greek porcelain "donkey beads", antique silver buttons, trade beads and assorted bits from her travels. The Greek-flag-blue enlivens a white tee, denim shirt—nearly everything I have.
And a moth will not even be tempted by beads.
Comments
I use Raid fumigators 3 times a year, so that the only insects I see in my house are dead ones! You have to remove plants & pets when you set them up, then leave the house for a few hours while they're working.
Perhaps you too can stock up when you are in France?
Those beads are gorgeous, I love the rich colouring and variety of materials. Isn't it wonderful to have such talented friends.
A few years back I saw an ad for a pretty blue bracelet and became determined to make one. While not as spectacular as yours, I do enjoy it.
Re the moths. Years ago we partially lined our closets with cedar boards, and used leftover pieces to the drawers of one of my chests of drawers. Everything in the dresser and closet has been safe, though good screens on windows and the sliding door help!
Kirsten
Though the webbing and casemaking clothes moth can enter a home from outside (attached garage storage is a prime culprit), even down chimneys, they are also carried in on shoes, clothes, and upholstered objects and fabric like wool or silk imported from a vendor- the eggs are too small to be be seen.
And timely post on the jewelry -- I was just thinking that when I'm in New York this weekend I should look for another chunky necklace -- the single one I have is getting a lot of wear, and the second one I have (had?) has come apart and needs to be restrung on leather cord.
NYC is a fun place to shop for jewelry though in the last few years I have done so, I’ve had sticker shock. But then, I do about so many things, these days.
So, beads are better (LOL).
Kirsten
Love the beads. Lynn
Lynn: I'm freezing too (but alas, big, deep chest freezer did not make the move). Right now we have a carved Mexican mask in there b/c I found a moth crawling on it. You are right, the traps are not the sole solution, but they are easy and non-toxic. (Also, they have to be fresh. I'm changing them every other month.) I am into all the weaponry I can assemble.
We'll go a few days, even a week, and think "There!" and then see one. Dadgummit they're stubborn.
That necklace is magnificent.
It showcased her attire accented with wonderful collages of bead necklaces and armfuls of bracelets. I was sorry when it ended. Anna