The Old Man and the Nile

Mr Pastore and his beautiful houseboat in Cairo in the NY Times. Amazing.

Flotsam and Jetsam NY in January 2011 Lucky Magazine

This months issue of Lucky Magazine is featuring shopping in Dallas. Thanks to the amazing store, The Shining for carrying our work in their Natural History Museums meets jewelry and design store.

Peter Francisco

Inspirations for the Armada Collection....

As a child my grandmother would tell us the local legend of Peter Francisco.

It was a story she unearthed while preparing to teach local history for Hopewell, Virginia. She lit the fires of many children’s imaginations regaling the tale of a little boy put ashore in 1765 on the docks of City Point. The jettisoned child was wearing silver buckles and velvet pants and speaking a language no one understood. Later they discovered it was Portuguese, and he was abducted by pirates from his parent’s home in the Azores They believe while traversing the Atlantic a great storm was endured and like the biblical story of Jonah being offered to the Sea, he was expelled from the ship and the proverbial whale that absorbed him were the colonies of what would become the United States.

A painting of a little boy on the dock watching his captor’s ships sail away hung on our walls and reminded me of the tragic beginnings of this boys life and the adventures that begin at sea. The beautiful crucifix-like masts of the Pirate ships told the story every day of the most interesting occurrence on the banks of the James River since Pocahontas spared the life of Captain John Smith.

Recently I devoured a book entitled, Hercules of the Revolution, a page turning historical fiction by a descendant of the little orphaned boy. It turns out little Peter Francisco led quite the life. Originally he was sold into slavery where he learned the art of blacksmithing. He was greatly appreciated by the plantation owners and fellow slaves as well as a local family for saving their daughter’s life. He grew to be a whopping 6 and half feet of strength and integrity, which drew the attention of patriots like Patrick Henry and others as they planned to assert their freedom against the British crown. Francisco went on to fight in the American Revolution with a 6-foot broadsword custom made for him on the orders of General George Washington. In doing this he earned both his own freedom as well as that of the colonies.

The 6th generation grandson, Travis Bowman, shares his ancestor’s height and charisma. He not only authored the book, he also produced a documentary and travels around the country bringing the story to life for audiences as an actor.

Hercules of the Revolution, a true American legend of Peter Francisco can be purchased here. It is a great stocking stuffer for fans of history and adventure.

Flotsam and Jetsam Holiday Shopping Guide

We hope this finds you enjoying this holiday season. Here are a few ideas of pieces that make fantastic gifts.
Flotsam and Jetsam NY is offering a discount of 7% off all items in our store.
Enter code: A017G387VY12

Have a beautiful Winter.

1- Seahorse Salt Cell
These salt cells make fantastic gifts for many occasions from house warming to Mother's Day.
Pair it with pink salt for your gourmet friends.
Add it to Mark Kurlansky's book Salt for your intellectual friends.
Purchase it for caviar from Russ and Daughters for an elegant New Years treat.
Mix it with a bottle of india ink for your artist friend.

2- Black Arm and Chandelier
Black Arms are sold individually and come in handy as key and necklace holders.
The dangling Chandeliers are perfect for displaying earring collections.
*Arms are $90, Chandeliers are $90, Sold together they are $180
They are perfect for the person who has everything, or perhaps even too much of everything.

3- Gazelle Earrings
These animal totems lend beautiful brutality to those that wear them.

4- Lancelot Monkey Ring
Affordable, Comfortable, Adjustable. Memorable.