by Shanna Hatfield
As a person who relies on visual cues to spark my creativity, I often look for resources that help me as I write descriptions in my historical sweet romances.
Dresses, shoes, household items, even the labels on tin cans from bygone eras inspire me to capture the most accurate details possible for my readers.
One happy day several years ago, I happened upon a catalog from Victorian Trading Co. If you asked my husband, Captain Cavedweller would tell you I was as giddy as a six-year-old on Christmas morning.
Filled to the brim with reproductions of antiques, I flipped through page after page of clothing, jewelry, decor, books, kitchen ware, lace curtains, furniture, lamps... be still my heart, there were even greeting cards and stationery.
Not only could I see photos of things that once graced the home of our Victorian and Edwardian ancestors, I could even order exciting things like a wax seal set. (Haven't you ever wondered what it would be like to dip a quill pen into a jar of ink then seal that letter with wax and a your initial?)
Let's say you're curious about serving a proper English tea.
I would definitely start with Mrs. Crumpet's Tea Cart. Oh, the times I have drooled over this particular item... I dearly love it and hope to someday have my own tea cart.
You'll find teapots and teacups (or silver tea service if you rather), sugar spooners, tea cozies, silver dinner bells, hostess tongs, compotes, serving trays, and even those adorable little sugar cubes with the pink frosting roses on top. And if you really have no clue about serving tea, check out the vintage tea party book.
From tiaras and corsets to chandeliers and rose-scented soap , you'll find a grand selection of items that speak of romantic yesteryears.
There are also many modern-day romantic items, too!
If you're a fan of the splendor of Victorian days or a Downton Abbey fan, you might want to take a peek at what they have to offer.
*Note - Victorian Trading Co. do not know me and this is not a paid endorsement. I just enjoy perusing their products (okay, and buying them, too!).
~*~
USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield
is convinced everyone deserves a happy ending and is out to make it
happen, one story at a time. Her sweet historical and contemporary
romances combine humor and heart-pumping moments with characters that
seem incredibly real.
When she isn’t writing or indulging in chocolate (dark and decadent,
please), Shanna hangs out with her husband, lovingly known as Captain
Cavedweller.
The author is a member of Western Writers of America, Women Writing the
West, Romance Writers of America, Sweet Romance Reads, Sweet Americana Sweethearts, and Pioneer
Hearts.
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Always have loved the Trading Co. Shanna, it is like going on a treasure hunt. Hope you get that tea service! Here's to 'happy hunting'. Doris McCfaw/Angela Raines-author
ReplyDeleteThanks, Doris! Someday...!
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