The Kraken

de Montfort 1801

Ah, the Kraken.  Our t-shirts featuring an image inspired by the pen and wash work of Pierre Denys de Montfort  (above, "Colossal Octopus" based on accounts of an attack on a French ship off the coast of Angola) are favored by Heiresses and  guests alike.  Just in time for Father's Day, we have these awesome shirts available in men's sizes. A gift without a story is just a shirt in a box, so here is the scoop on the Kraken:

What was Liam thinking?

 In Clash of the Titans  chief of the Greek gods, Zeus, utters one of the most spoofed lines of dialog in movie history.  Melodramatic, yes, also ridiculous because the Kraken is a Scandinavian myth.  Dating back to the 13th century, the Kraken is first mentioned in a charmingly bizarre  text called the Konungs Skuggsja (circa 1250, "The King's Mirror,"), and again in an Icelandic Saga, the Orvar-Oddr (circa 1270, then called the Hafgufa, or Sea Mist).  It was thought to be so huge it could be mistaken for an island.  It could bring down full sized ships by grabbing hold with a tentacle, or  by sucking them down in the enormous whirlpool it could create.  In Norwegian/Dutch the word means "unhealthy animal," or, "something twisted."

Erik Pontoppidan- Bishop of Bergen, Cryptozoologist

Early on, the Kraken was thought to be sort of crab-like in appearance, based mostly on guess work (like the blind men and the elephant). In 1735 Carolus Linnaeus ("father of modern taxonomy") classified the Kraken as a cephalopod in the first edition of his Systema Naturae.  In 1752 Erik Pontoppidan, a man of varied interests, published his "Natural History of Norway," in which he wrote extensively about the Kraken.  He described it as  round and flat, full of branches, and as large as an island.  The ability to attract fish with its own excrement, a penchant for coloring surrounding waters, and turning them thick and turbid, are among the attributes he ascribed to it.  Some of his assertions may have seemed a wee bit fanciful, but he may not have been all that far off.

Our prime suspect

In Mari Multa Latent, "In the ocean, many thing are hidden."  Today, we believe the Kraken myth is based on encounters with real Giant Squid (a cephalopod, hooray Linnaeus!).  Living specimens are rarely observed, so we know little about them.  The largest modern specimen found measured over 59 feet long and weighed over a ton. We know they have  viscous serrated suction cups and virtually indestructible beaks for tearing apart prey (many many giant squid beaks have been found in sperm whale stomachs completely undigested). 

Apparently, this happens a lot!

In 1965 a Soviet whaler witnessed an epic battle between a giant squid and a sperm whale that ended in a fatal draw.  In the 1930's  one reportedly stalked and repeatedly attacked a Norwegian Naval vessel.  We don't know for sure what the giant squid is capable of,  but some of its cephalopod relatives can propel themselves up to 50 meters in the air, and some can form  psuedomorphs (a type of decoy body) by releasing ink and mucus (thickening and discoloring the water around them, hooray Pontoppidan!).  Oh, and the colossal octopus I mentioned above?  That wasn't just a great adjective, that is a different and larger and more armored species  (fortunately, thought to be quite lazy).  All very scary, all very sea monster-y, and maybe not just a myth after all.  

Available at Ocean Heir!

All Finished!!

We've thrown all caution to the wind, and opened our new space.  The construction is complete (at least all the dangerous stuff), we have bid Cully goodbye (at least for the time being), cleaned up the dust and moved into the brand new space!

The panoramic view

We think it looks pretty darn good too!  There is a little more elbow room for shopping and a little more to choose from.   And best yet, all the things that make Ocean Heir such a fun place to shop are still here, though you may find them in a different place.

Kraken shirts, and candles

Our Kraken shirts and travel tin candles have moved to the center of the new space.

Masks and postcards

Those too-much-fun paper masks and classic black and white post cards are nicely displayed and easy to reach at the back of the sofa between the old and new spaces.

 

The Free Thinkers table

The likes of Kerouac, Muir, and Steinbeck are stashed in this new corner.  Let's call it our California Free Thinker's section. While you're back there checking out "On the Road" check out our new jewelry display and the dress rack. 

Glamper's Corner

Our camping and outdoor section has rotated one tick counter-clockwise, finding a home in a corner of the back room.

New window, favorite shirts

The ever popular three button cuff shirts are enjoying a place of honor under our brand new window.









 

The Yummy Armoire

 We found a great space for the food and drink section.  Everything that was stacked in that dark, cramped little back corner is now easily accessible, for your browsing pleasure.  You probably never realized we even had that many cookbooks.

There is a lot more, you just need to come in and see for yourself.  In fact, you are probably going to find stuff you didn't even know we had (it's a bit embarrassing, but we did find some stuff we didn't know we had).  And, worse comes to worse, ask an Heiress (NOW we know where everything is!).

Mother's Day, May 10, 2015

 

 Mother's Day, May 10, 2015, is just around the corner.  We're sure that Ocean Heir has everything you need to pick the perfect bouquet of gifts to please any Mom.  If you're feeling stuck, here are some great ideas:

 1. Cards

 Of course you have to start with a really great card, and we have the best selection.

2.  Accessories

 We have a great collection of accessories.  There are handbags in great shapes and fun colors, and our assortment of scarves ranges from gauzy whimsical prints to soft cozy knits. And hats?  We have hats that can protect Mom from the sun or shield her from the cold.

3. Jewelry

 Whether Mom likes bling, or prefers more subtle jewelry, Ocean Heir has something for every taste.  There are sweet beaded necklaces crocheted on silk cord, trendy wrap bracelets packed with crystals, and plenty of hot turquoise.  And if your Mom likes impact jewelry, don't forget about our collection of LaLou statement pieces.

4.  Small Treasures

If you're looking for that just right little thing to complete your Mother's day bouquet we have plenty a unique gifts to fit the bill. Consider one of our exquisite fragrances, or one of our candles, perhaps a sweet little framed stitchery will be just the thing.  We are here to help, you can always ask and Heiress.

5. Books

What about a great book?  We have a really great selection of all kinds.  Books on architecture, style, glamping, cooking, rock and roll, manners, recreation, and fortune-telling.  If Mom likes to read, you will find something at Ocean Heir.

Oh and there is so much more.  Come on by, see our new space, and let an Heiress help you find the perfect gift for your Mom (you probably owe her).