Sometimes, contemporary artists break with traditions, and sometimes they follow them. But some of the most interesting works of art come about when they put their own spin on well-established forms and techniques. The man-in-the-moon jug pictured here is the work of contemporary South ...

Weller Pottery, operating in Zanesville, Ohio, from 1872 to 1948, was, at one point, the world’s largest pottery. Some of its most famous artists came from around the world. French designer Jacques Sicard created the iridescent glazed Sicardo line, which even today includes some of Weller’s ...

The difference between literary fiction and genre fiction can be highly debatable. For my purposes here–sharing great new books–I’ll offer loose definitions. Literary fiction is character-driven and tells a story using complex characters and themes. Genre fiction is plot-driven and tells ...

English inventor Charles John Roswell patented the first graphoscope in 1864. The graphoscope, a device to enhance viewings of photographs and other still images, consists of a round magnifying glass attached to an adjustable stand. Later models, like the one pictured here, included a ...

School days are soon coming to an end and summer vacation plans have begun. Are you thinking about an epic road trip this summer? I have some road trip books for you to check out. Experience the beauty of Minnesota by taking a drive with “Scenic Driving Minnesota: Including Lake ...

“Say It With Flowers!” No wonder it’s one of the most successful advertising slogans ever. It works for nearly any occasion and is especially appropriate for Mother’s Day. In fact, the slogan was created for the Society of American Florist’s 1918 Mother’s Day campaign, but flowers ...