Coasters (or: Beatrice’s Does Her Mother’s Bidding)

“Beatrice,” my mother said (except she used my real name), “I need a new set of coasters. Stalk coasters for me.”

“Yes Ma’am,” said I, because I am nothing if not compliant. And because, if not compliant, she’ll likely remind me of that event where something the size of a watermelon . . . you get the picture. And now that I’ve been there/done that myself, this watermelon guilt trip actually works on me every time.

Coasters (or: Beatrice Does Her Mother’s Bidding)

This first set truly speaks to me. Delica has taken the popular felted pebble motif and applied it to a coaster set. The result is brilliant; perfect for the side table in a modern but earthy living room.

Looking for something whimsical? Look no further than these button coasters by Mad Hatter Ceramics. Made to look like giant buttons, they are the perfect accessory for her button mugs, which I absolutely should have included in my recent mug exhibit. Talk about the perfect set! Dear Mr. Curator: Christmas is coming. Thank you very much.

I’m pretty sure I’ve found my mother’s coasters. She’s a freakishly obsessed avid bird watcher, and this tends to filter into her home decor. Bird watcher or no, you have to love Ingrid Art Studios’s stone tile coasters. The tiles have been taken to the next level with drawings, stains, and original linocut stamps.

It’s a blackboard! It’s a magnet! It’s Super-Coaster! Purpose Design has taken something functional and made it doubly functional. Triply functional, even. These coasters can be stored on your refrigerator because of their magnetic backs, where you might just want to jot phone messages on them. Better yet, use the chalkboard feature at a party to keep track of which gin and tonic is yours by scribbling your name along the bottom.

While we’re on the topic of multi-functional, allow me to introduce Sweetbriar Studio’s “Quadro Pod”. First, it’s a set of organically shaped felted coasters for individual drinks . . .

. . . and then, once your guests have gone home, line them up and enjoy it as a beautiful table runner/centerpiece.

This curator has fallen in love with Carolina Cottage’s Fabulous Fonts Gift Set. Four marble tile coasters and a wooden tray are decoupaged with a bold graphic font paper. As the artist says, this “would make a great gift for the writer, avid reader or graphic designer in your life.”

Indee Studio’s has created a set that would be excellent for the holidays. The “Winter Berry” fused glass accent pieces come together as a square platter, a bowl, an elongated dish, and five coasters. Sheer elegance:

Stalkers, I hope you leave this exhibit having learned two lessons: first, never leave your drinks on bare furniture. And second, listen to your mothers.

Until next time,

Curator Beatrice