58 SEPTEMBER 2019 By Tom Helms Most Americans have no idea what a “coddler” is, how to identify one, or its functionality. Coddlers are small containers made of porcelain or pottery with a decorative, cup-shaped base typically sitting on a pedestal and featuring a screw-on lid with a lifting ring used to prepare – wait for it – coddled eggs. Coddlers have been used in England since the early 1800s and were also known as “pipkins” or early medieval cooking containers. Using a coddler begins with breaking an egg into a buttered coddler, adding seasoning, then closing and partially immersing in boiling water and cooking the egg until the desired firmness is reached. Coddlers come in a wide variety of styles and sizes. They are often painted and glazed with various patterns and designs. With so many from which to choose, the collector searching for something unique can become addicted to these kitchen and breakfast containers. There are more than 160 patterns available, such as butterflies, flowers, birds and vines. Coddlers are made by 13 porcelain factories including Spode, Wedgwood, Adams and Porcelaine de Paris. There are coddlers made for multiple eggs and others with unusual designs that make for a collector’s delight. Values range from as little as $5 to as much as $75. As appraisers, we thought we had seen everything until one couple shared their special collection with us, comprised of coddlers (hers) and chamber pots (his). Chamber pots – or pot de chamber – are also offbeat collectibles. If you are 60+ years old, you know that this container normally came with a lid and a handle and was kept in the bedroom to relieve oneself at night. Such pots were in use until the middle of the 20th century and are still used in developing countries. Much can be written about chamber pots, especially since they date back to the 13th century B.C. They have been made of tin, lead, earthenware, stoneware, ceramic, pewter, copper, silver and gold. However, the most popular were constructed of earthenware, porcelain and metal. Numerous designs were created, from elegant to political – with cartoon statements added to the inside of the bottom of the pot. Values can range from as little as $5 well into the thousands. The adage “I don’t have a pot or a window” comes from the early Victorian era when bedroom windows were sealed to avoid the “window tax” and no money was left to even buy a “thunder pot” – another common name for the piece. Uses of chamber pots and coddlers today are as varied and as interesting as the collector. Coddlers are still used for the proverbial egg, kitchen décor, or in one case, a family with six brothers and sisters who used their coddlers to hold their mother’s cremains so each family member could keep a “little bit of mother” with them. And today, we’ve seen chamber pots used as plant containers and used to store dry foods such as rice, beans and pasta. We delight in people sharing their treasures with us. The depth and variety of people’s collections and their uses never ceases to amaze. — Contact Tom with a question or an appraisal issue: damshill@yahoo.com or send your letter to 5525 N. 12th St., Phoenix, 85014. Strange collections: coddlers and chamber pots ASK THE APPRAISERS NEWS BRIEF MAPLE & ASH Founded in 2015 in Chicago, Maple and Ash celebrates its newest location at the Scottsdale Waterfront on Camelback and Scottsdale Road. Opened in August, the restaurant is an “innovative take on the traditional steakhouse, mixing a modern aesthetic with authentic service to deliver classic wood-fired dishes.” Two-Michelin- star Chef Danny Grant creates plates such as the Snake River wagyu filet mignon, seafood and handmade pasta. For more: mapleandash.com.

59 SEPTEMBER 2019 Religious Instruction • Strong Academics • Cutting Edge Technology • Service Learning Leadership Programs • PE and Interscholastic Sports • Instrumental and Vocal Music “Arts Attack” Program • School Nurse • Bus Transportation Available See what sets us apart! Join us for our Open House Monday, Nov. 4 from 9am – noon & 5pm-7pm Kindergarten Information Meeting - 6pm 3901 East Indian School Road • 602-957-7010 • www.clsphx.org CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Christian Values. Quality Education. Preschool through Grade 8 By Kaylee McClaine Beads of Courage is a public charity that focuses on helping children with cancer and other serious illnesses through the use of colorful, unique beads. These beads help to “record, tell, and own their personal stories of courage throughout their treatment journey.” Each colorful bead signifies different programs and treatments received by the child. Red is given for each blood transfusion, white is given for each dose of chemotherapy, etc. Children can accrue hundreds of beads during treatment. “We have been working diligently to transform the treatment experience for children coping with chronic life-threatening illness through our arts-in-medicine programs,” said Jean Gribbon, executive director and founder of Beads of Courage. Gribbon, a pediatric oncology nurse, started Beads of Courage while she was working on her PhD in Nursing at U of A. With help from friends and family, Gribbon piloted the program at Phoenix Children’s Hospital in 2003. Now, the program is active in more than 240 hospitals throughout the United States and eight other countries. Beads of Courage serves about 60,000 children, from birth to age 18, and offers additional programs to support families and caregivers. Beads of Courage also works with various partners and collaborators to further its mission of improving kids’ quality of life. “I am so grateful to be a part of this amazing program. Beads of Courage brought my journey to life. It reminds me that there is a light at the end of every tunnel – and a bead,” said Katie C., a child in the program. “The fight against cancer can be filled with moments of fear and pain. Today, I am able to view these bumps as moments of triumph rather than struggle. My beads remind me that this battle is never fought alone.” Valerie Thompson is a celebrity sponsor for Beads of Courage. She signed up to support the program because she feels that helping children with serious illnesses is both rewarding and needed. Thompson’s high-speed motorcycle racing career gives her a platform to promote Beads of Courage and maximize awareness of the program’s cause. “These kids suffer a wide-range of serious maladies so they need all the help and emotional support we can provide,” Thompson said. Thompson wears a set of beads every time she attempts to achieve a new land speed record and during other significant events in her life. She helps build awareness for the program in a variety of ways, including displays at her team fundraisers and promotions on her social media. “To know I’m bringing a smile to a child who really needs one makes me feel I’ve done something worthwhile. The program is very easy to support, and I know it makes a positive difference in the lives of thousands of sick and suffering children,” Thompson said. For more: beadsofcourage.org. Supporting kids with courage one colorful bead at a time The beads are used to signify strength and courage, carry value and are believed to hold protective and healing powers. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JEAN GRIBBON & desi g n FEATURED HOME: Rancho Del Cielo Old Mining Meets Mexico Treasure Hunting! A look at Arcadia area resale shops Holiday Tablescapes FALL / WINTER 2012 Favorite Spaces • PAGE 4 D I S T I N C T I V E H O M E S I N A D I S T I N G U I S H E D C O M M U N I T Y COPENHAVER KEEP NATURE’S GRACE ICELANDIC PRECISION OPENHAVER OPENHAVER K K K K EEP EEP EEP K EEP K K EEP K K EEP K ATURE ATURE ’ ’ S S G G RACE RACE P P RECISION RECISION The gift of The gift of Smaller Spaces Phoenix H  50,000       . With the real estate and remodeling business going strong, it’s the ideal time to advertise your business to Arcadia homeowners. Contact Roni Mier at roni@arcadianews.com or 602-840-6379. FALL/WINTER Deadline: October 11 @ Noon | Release date: November 1 2019 Home & Design Guide roni@arcadianews.com or 602-840-6379. Hurry! The deadline for the November issue is: F, O… ††  . · Special pull-out section in Arcadia News . · Featuring home-related content and advertising. · A go-to guide for Arcadia’s discriminating homeowners. · Prices as low as $545*.