It all started with this.
What is in Queen Elisabeth’s hand? I started asking around. I discovered that this Queen of Romania was a poet and author. Her pen name was Carmen Silva (song of the trees). Queen Marie, her daughter-in-law from England, was also a prolific writer.
I went to my favorite bookstore, Cărtureşti Carusel, and asked the young clerk if she had any English books by Queen Marie. She asked, “Our Queen Marie?”. Yes, and no books. But I found everything online: http://www.tkinter.smig.net/index.htm
Did you figure it out? (and, by the way, don’t you love this book stand!)
A tatting shuttle! She was making lace! And I am not alone in this art today. Many Romanian women make lace. Be sure to read Queen Marie’s The Country that I Love and The Story of My Life. Great stuff!