ma vie trouvée

Look what I won!

 

Linda over at the awesome blog objects and elements was giving away "what's on my workbench" and I won.  You know what they say...one woman's junk is another woman's treasure!

 

 

Oh what will I make?  A necklace?

 

Earrings?

Another necklace? 

 

A bracelet?

 

 

A collage on paper?  Can you tell I really like the bird?

 

I had so much fun playing with all the pieces.  I do better when I do not have my entire art room to select from.  If I choose a small group of supplies and force myself to only use the items I have in front of me, I am more productive.  If I know I have my entire art room to choose from - I just keep searching and searching....and never get anything made.

 

 

Maybe I should try this method for a few months and see if I am more productive overall.

 

The "K" is not working for me - but I do really like the disk - how about adding a metal flower to cover the "K"?

 

We are on holiday for the next two weeks - so I will not be able to create a final project until later in the month.  But I promise to share it once it is complete.

Thanks so much Linda - what a fun package to win!  

Be sure to pop over to objects and elements  where they are always showing great "how to" tips  on jewelry making.  They also sell unique elements to create with......and boy can Linda crank out the creative {finished}jewerly!

Jewelry from Bangkok

 

 

In a post last week I mentioned that I bought a bunch of "made" jewelry at the Chatuchak market and the wholesale mall.  I needed more jewelry.  Some are gifts :   )

The following group (and the one above) I bought at the mall from two young sisters. 

 

 

 

 a close up

 

 

 

 

 

 This is a gift so only a little peak.

 

 

 a ring (another gift)

 

 

Now for the price....I paid $10.50 USD for ALL seven pieces!  That's $1.50 each.  I asked them three times if this was correct.  They looked at me puzzled and said "this is good right?"  I said yes, it is very good! Seriously, you could not buy the beads for this price.

 Chatuchak Market

 

The next piece I bought from a mom and her two daughters.  They make all the jewelry they sell.  I bought several pieces from them for gifts.  Can't show those  :  ).  This is my favorite piece which I paid $5 for.

Look at the details - the one young girl that was in the booth told me her  sister hand paints the centers:

 

 

These are from random booths - I did not pay over $5 for any of them.

 

 

 

 

 

Next, my sterling silver "splurges".  Well, compared to the prices on everything else they were a splurge @ $16 USD each.  I have purchased sterling designs like these at craft shows in the US and have paid over $100 for them.

 

These are all gifts.  But the person does not read my blog so I am safe!

 

 

 

 

 

A bracelet - so pretty!

 

I have to STOP buying jewelry and start making my own!!  Soon!!  The art room might be finished next week and open for creating!

A new use for beads....

 

 

........men's accessories!

 

Bead vendor at the Chatuchak weekend market in Bangkok (THE BEST market in the world!).  I asked if I could take his photo - he smiled shyly and said yes as his two friends giggled at him!  Wonder how often he changes his beads? 

texture tuesday - vietnamese water pipe

This week texture Tuesday's theme is the color white.  Last week I purchased this Vietnamese (opium) water pipe in the streets of Bangkok.  I think it is very unusual and so beautiful....and it is white!

It appears to be late 19th/early 20th century.  The vendor assured me it was from Vietnam - he even pulled out his passport to show me HE was from Vietnam (funny - I was not even questioning him).  

When opium pipes were in the height of fashion, they were very decorative and considered an artistic item.  Most were handmade from ivory, jade, silver, cloisonné and porcelain. 

The hubby and I decided this was probably never used....but we still were a little concerned after I had purchased it....what if it had been used and the drug-dog at the airport picked up on it!  Now that would have been an interesting blog post!!  I have to say, I am glad I am NOT telling that story! 

The textures I used were all Kim's - her new one "happy heart" (multiply @31%), "stamped softly" (soft light @100%), and "fall in" 2x (multiply @100% and multiply @54%).

 

I am puplished in Somerset Studio!

 

January/February Edition

 

 

It is always a THRILL to be published in the fabulous Stampington family of magazines.  I actually found out on Christmas Day from a blog friend - Merry Christmas to me - what a GREAT present!! 

 

I was waiting to post it on my blog as I wanted to see the magazine first.  BUT, with the move, the mail is very mixed up and delayed........so I thought I would just share the photos I took before I sent it off to Somerset Studio.

 

In Brussels, I  bought a delightful old book, Les Douze Filles de Le Reine Mab, at a flea market.  The images were very whimsical and inspired me to create a variety of chartreuse collages.  For the cover (above), I layered several pieces of patterned paper and stitched on top of it.  In the circle, I placed a piece of text from the book and a photo of the queen and covered it with ice resin.   

 

The book was dated 1920.  When I looked up the translation of the title, I learned that Queen Mab was a fairy from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. 

 

 

I paid 8 Euros ($11.50).  It was a bargain, as I saw it on-line for $65.  For the inside pages of my folder, I selected four images I liked and layered them with text from the book along with patterned paper.

 

Collette

 

 

I colored on top of the collages with watercolor crayons and painted over the colors with a wet paintbrush.  I stitched around the edge using chartreuse thread.  I glued the collages onto pages I had from an old photo album from Poland. 

 

 

La Sauterelle

 

 

I added mica and ephemera:  vintage lace, leaves, and buttons.

 

Janine

 

 

Minnie

 

 

On the inside of the cover I glued the table of contents from the book. And highlighted those “daughters” I featured.     

 

The very last page is patterned paper, text, and a piece from the cover of the back of the original book.   

 

 

 

I can't wait to see which image made the magazine - maybe more than one??

Texture Tuesday - stories edition

 

the story hidden in my locket

 

Kim's theme for TT for this week was "stories".  I continue to be intrigued with this "piece" I am calling a locket I bought at the Brussels Flea market.  Tucked inside is a newspaper clipping in French and a photo of a soldier. 

What story lies behind it?  Was it a mother's locket?  a sister?  a wife? a fiance?  did he ever make it home?

I layered several photos and used Kim's textures including frame it, confidence and she loves you (how appropriate) to create the final image.  I also used one of my own textures of an old letter.

One last post from Brussels - the mega flea find!

 

I have one last Brussels “flea market find” post.  I was hoping to close out all of my Brussels posts in 2011, but with the move and the holidays I had one stray…….but oh so fun and worth posting.

 

On Dec 22^nd we went to one of our favorite restaurants for the last time for lunch.   In that neighborhood is a “petite rien" – a treasure trove of a shop…….like a big, BIG thrift shop.  They have one big room with nothing but books.  And one section of old books at very good prices.   Plus the money goes to charity.  

 

 

There was a big wooden box filled with cigar bands.  I don’t collect them per se, but have used them in cards and they sell very well.   

 

 

 

The ENTIRE “lot” was 15 euros ($19 USD)

 

I started to sweat……you know the feeling, when you find a real treasure at a great price.  BUT HOW ON EARTH WILL I GET IT TO SINGAPORE?   Our shipment was gone.  We were down to three suitcases.  This "find" would fill one whole suitcase.  WHO CARES…….mail it!   The hubby rolls his eyes and walks out of the room to read his blackberry, thinking......

"she knows better than to buy it"

 

Ha!  Me know better?  The man behind the register handed me a sack……as I told him I did not want the wooden box as it was too heavy to carry on the tram.  I started shoving the boxes and envelopes of labels in the bag before the hubby sees how many are actually there.  I call him for money to pay……..he hands me a 20 and does not say a word.   This is why I love him   :   )

 

 

There are THOUSANDS of cigar bands.   What a collection!  There are ten boxes filled and many envelopes stuffed full.  I am sure it is would be worth quite a bit of money to a collector.  

 

 

....there were lovely ladies

......and castles

........and a playful jester

 

 

....and ducks and birds

 

 

and matching sets (cigar box label included with this one) .....

 

 

big ones (the small one shown is a normal sized one)

 

 

 

You name it - I have it!  

Oh by the way….if you are still wondering how I got them to Singapore…....six days before we were schedule to fly out, we discovered that embassy staff are able to ship DPO to DPO FREE.  WOAHHHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

 

Lovely finds at the Paris Flea

 

 

I has such a good day for my very last European flea market.  The first table - a pin.  It had three stones missing, but still a beauty.  Cambien (How much)?

 

She replies 4 euros  ($5.22), I say 3 ($3.91) she says okay.  I pull out my money, not enough change to make up three dollars so I go to hand her a 20 euro note, she grabs what I have in my hand for change - maybe 2.50 (3.26)?  Deal!  So cheap I better take a second look at her table.  Three more items, we agree on 10 Euros ($13.00).  I am happy, she is happy - off I go.

 

 

 

 

 

I passed up several items I feel are too pricey.  Plus I have to be careful as what I buy needs to fit in my suitcase for the flight to Singapore.  I find these sweet old recipe cards.  She is asking 15 euros ($19.50).   I offer 10 ($13) - sold.  There are 23 recipes and 15 blank cards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And this pretty little nib box filled with old nibs.  Asking 3 euros I say 2 - deal.  I bargain on EVERY item I buy - it is half the fun!

 

 

Next, the postcard man.  I tell myself I can only buy five.  They are only one euro each.  There are hundreds of cards.  I sort for about 15 min, not even through half of the box and make my decision.  I hand him five cards and he tells me to pick one more for free.  Bonus.  Oh no, but now it is like I am starting over.  No time, I just go back to the four I discarded and pick from there. 

 

 

One last booth before lunch .... of my favorite vendors.  Interesting stuff - lots of paper and fabrics.  She sorts her tables by price:  one, two, three, five ten, etc - easy.  No need to ask.  And she has always been very sweet.  I find the old text you see as the background in most of these photos for 3 euros ($3.90).   I purchase it.  I do not negotiate with her as she has set prices. 

 

 

The hubby comes along and tells me we need to go.  I had not looked at three more of her tables - one is 3, 50 and 100.  I say let me look at the three euro one really quick.  She has wonderful old victorian images from a book.  Price - 3 euros a page.  I pick three.  A little pricey but I love the images and my mind was racing on how to use them.  So worth it in the end.

 

 

C'est tout.  Finished. Complete.  We have to go to lunch and I do not want to push it since it WAS HIS b-day weekend  :   )  I am super happy with my purchases and when I get them home and lay them out - they look perfect together.  Funny how this happens to me often.  Guess it is the mood I am in while I am shopping.

 

 

 

Christmas Eve at the Paris Flea

 

What is the perfect way to spend Christmas Eve Day??  At the Le Puces (Flea Market) in Paris!  We went to Vanves, one of my favorite.  It is not the largest one, and some of the vendors are quite pricey, but I always find a bargain or two.  Even on Christmas Eve it was in full swing and the vendors seemed quite festive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The displays at the Paris flea markets just keep getting prettier and prettier.  But you can be sure the nicer the display - the more money you will pay!  Like this precious red striped dress, so sweet but too pricey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know used paint palettes are popular right now to make collages out of...... and this one was quite beautiful but too pricey and I am not sure this is my "thing".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did I mention this was the honey-pie's birthday weekend?  And we all know how he loves flea markets  :  )   He was rewarded with lunch at one of his favorite Brasseries just down the street from the flea - La Porte Didot.  It is a very local place and fills up quickly so on your way to the flea, make a reservation for lunch. 

 

Me, digging though the stacks of postcards. 

 

 

 

I like this shot with the three old men chatting away - think they are talking about how they are going to use their postcards in a collage?

 

Okay, enough of the "posed pretty" stands - here are a few of what most of the market looks like.

 

 

 

  

Need some keys?

 

 

 

Or candy molds?

 

or pastry tins?

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is bound to be some sort of treasure in this pile!

 

 

So this REALLY WAS my last european flea market for many years!  And it was a GREAT one.  What did I buy?  Check back for tomorrow's post!

And if you want to see more on the Paris trip including the magical windows at the department stores - stop by our travel blog, donald and cathy's world adventures.

And the pretty glow to the photos was created using Kim Klassen's new free texture edward.  Thank Kim!

one more flea!

 

I know.... I said the last one was my last one...but this really is the LAST one as the movers come on Monday!  I was tired of packing and needed a break so I wandered to the flea market.

 

 

Aren't these purple crystal beads beautiful?  From the looks of the clasp, they are pretty old.   Paid 6 euros.

 

 

I am not a huge fan of old pearls, but I wanted the clasp on this one.  The pearls are actually pretty nice - they are very heavy.  Paid:  5 euros.

 

 

 

 

 

The stack below - 11 euros plus the plate at the end (from 20 euros).  The rosary is made of real beads not plastic ones.  The black and clear glass beads are very nice, they are strung on a chain.

 

 

This one deserves a close up.  Looks like three of the rhinestones were replace with yellow ones.  That center hole is crying out for a design using resin. 

 

 

This pin is very well made and I think really old.  I paid 4 euros.

 

 

 

Look at how the clasp is designed, with a push pin end.

 

 

I found another of these crazy cases.  No one responded in the last post as to what they are - do you know?  This one had old gauze and a small piece of linen.  I really think they are like miniature shrines.  Isn't it odd how you find a piece you have NEVER seen then the next week you find a second one?  Guess they are out there but my eye never picked up on it before.  Paid:  3 euros (from 6 euros).

 

 

 

Old letters - 5 euros.  It was a much bigger stack than what I am showing.

 

 

 

I love this photo that was with this stack of letters.  The man is sitting at a desk writing.  Are these the letters he wrote?  I think so.  I see a collage and story with these.

 

 

My bargain at 50 cent euro.

 

 

An old book of sheet music.  I used this for my Christmas cards.  Paid:  5 euro.

 

 

 

 

An old cookie tin for 6 euro.

 

 

I liked the shape of this one.  It was taller than most.

 

 

 

A pretty plate.  I paid 11 euros with the jewelry grouping in the begining.

 

 

I needed a few more old small spoons.  Paid:  5 euro (down from 6).  Nothing super special, just cheap.

 

 

I have no idea why, but the flea was very crowded and I have mentioned before, that the vendors do not haggle when there are a lot of people around....so no great deals today.  I did get a few vendors to go down on a couple items.  A good farewell trip!