Tussie Mussie's

'Tussie Mussie's were introduced to England in the early 18th century. A small circular bouquet like a nosegay, but carries symbolic meaning, based upon the language of flowers, where specific flowers represent specific sentiments. They were commonly exchanged by lovers, who sent messages to one another.' Wikipedia.

I have been making Tussie Mussies's for Nanabelle's Vintage Tearoom's in Antrim, some of the materials I have used in my arrangements have the following meanings : Lavender - devotion, distrust, Geranium - gentility, coral or orange Rose - desire, passion, Rosemary - remembrance, Thyme - thriftiness, purple Violet - daydreaming. I find the whole subject fascinating, and love the thought of those 18th century lovers sending little coded messages to eachother. Except if everyone knew the language then everyone would know what they were saying.

My home town of Antrim has been a little short of somewhere lovely to go and have a coffee or tea, but not anymore!. Nannabelle's is a beautiful gift shop selling a variety of quality merchandise, for your home, or to give as gifts. The owner Kathleen McCurdy and her husband George,. decided that they would convert the store room at the back of the shop into a tearoom. Kathleen and her sister bake all the wonderful cakes themselves and Marie who manages the tearoom, bakes the scones. It is small, but totally delightful. They play 1940's music and the staff wear tea dresses and old fashioned apron's. The table's are prettily dressed and they use new china in a vintage style and silver teapots.
I think because it is small, and the staff are so friendly, that it somehow creates a family atmosphere and you end up getting into conversation with the other customers. I take my hat off to the owners, as I think they have created something rather wonderful.

They kindly agreed to showcase some of my work in return for some free publicity, and so this is why I have been making the Tussie Mussie's. I decided that because of lack of space, the best thing would be to make something small and low. I decided to use garden flowers ,as the scale is better, and they are so 'of the season'. I used some of my own little jugs and cups, but they would look equally nice in glasses or jam jars.