Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Flickr Favorites in ebony


Hop over to Artminds blog to find more Flickr favs!

Did you notice that Ebony Lady is back in my shop?
I started with the collection in October last year and I still love the design.
The beautiful black combines so beautiful with lively colors!
Most of the designs are one of a kind as I work with flowers that are rare to find. I like it like that, repeating is so boring to me!
The materials are gemstones, glass, cinnabar, corozo and enameled copper.
I don't use plastic.
You can find the pieces below in my shop.











Want to know more about the beautiful ebony wood?
Ebony is one of the most intensely black woods known, which, combined with its very high density fine texture, and ability to polish very smoothly, has made it very valuable as an ornamental wood.
Did you know (because of it high density) that ebony wood is the only wood who not floats on water, but sinks!The best-known ebony may be that from Diospyros ebenum, native to southern India and Sri Lanka. Ebony has a long history of use, with carved pieces having been found in Ancient Egyptian tombs.By the end of the 16th century, fine cabinets for the luxury trade were made of ebony in Antwerp. (bas-relief), Within a short time, such cabinets were also being made in Paris, by ébénistes, which remains the French term for a cabinetmaker.Nowadays it is used for instrument making like piano's and guitar plectrums.


Monday, September 14, 2009

Oh my deer!!

I got a lovely package today, haha, I should really start a brooch collection,
(well, is there anything I collect not?).


I bought this deer brooch on Etsy from this lovely shop!, She has some great designs!


I found this pin years ago on a flea market in France, I think I only paid 1 Euro :-)


I bought this fawn in Maastricht in a very cute polkadot shop : 'De sprookjeskamer'. If you live not far from there, keep an eye on their webiste, they give great creative workshops, and are also on the hunt for people who can give workshops.!
You can also shop their cute stuff online.


Finally I bought this one on the market, yesterday.
We still are the proud owners (LOL)of an oldfashioned video recorder, and now that everyone throws away their cassettes, you can buy them for almost nothing (à,50 euro).
Did you know that the movie 'Bambi' made by by Walt Disney is based on the book 'Bambi, ein Leben im Walde' (1923) by Austrian- Hongarian author Felix Salten.
My kids are fond of it, and so am I!

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Little treasures

I have a crush on vintage brooches, I haven't shown you these the ones below.
I bought them on a thrift market in Maastricht.


The flower brooch is very pretty: a handcarved cornflower, poppy and daisy, a little cornfield.
Fits perfectly on lmy blue shirt!


Yesterday the two eldest daughters attended a dance workshop and I spend the time waiting, on the thrifted market near the dance Studio. I found some little treasures : lovely things to craft with when I find some time :-)

I love old stamps, especially the ones with flowers and birds, I used to collect them when I was a child, now I just buy them just to have them. Maybe use them with my teapot collages, don't know yet....
A silk shawl, in orange, perfect color for autumn! will soon be repurposed for some new silk beads!

A pile of cute vintage buttons, I found exactly the ones I use for my cat Brooches, the red ones with white stripes, I bought the whole stock!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Weekend Deal Win a 20 Dollar gift certificate

One of the next 5 purchases in my shop will get a 20 Dollar gift certificate!

click on the pics to go to the shop:



















Friday, September 11, 2009

My friday night outfit


I chose a pair of my Touareg Blue earrings and combined with the following accessories:

Touareg Blue oearrings by Fleurfatale
Muted Blue Puff sleeve top-Made to order by Larimeloom
Ruched Bag in Sage w Leather Handle by Jennyndesign
Vintage Garolini Double Ankle Straps Suede Leather High Heels by Pansycottage

I love these colors
just for fun I googled the color names
(can be handy when you are looking for accessories in specific color tones)

benzine blauw / prussion blauw, indigo / Veridian blauw / blauw arseen
Teal groen / groene asperges


Note: In Google you can find a Toolbar that translates this text automatically to Dutch,
well it's not translated that good, but can be a help for who has problems with reading English.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

My creative space

Ok, here we go....
I finished some felted necklaces-chokers and have to take pictures of them, the weather is with me today! the light is perfect outside, so I did take some beautiful pics!

Thinking already about new 'pebbles necklaces', so I also mixed and matched some pebbles with other beads.


I just added the turquoise stones to this group and think this match is perfect!
or maybe I should add some silver pieces too? what do you think?

The pictures here below are fresh taken this morning! These necklaces closes with a suede ribbon and can be adjusted as a choker or a longer necklace.They will be listed in my shop as soon as I have time to edit the pictures. ;-)
and of course I have to find names for them, any ideas?



I am doubting about this one, I do like the simplicity, just some indigo blue pebbles and turquoise ceramic stones on a thin waxed cord, or should I give it a light grey leather cord, and maybe add one silver bead??? will be continued....

I got also a custom order to make a stone necklace on this beautiful lilac shirt, so it is already on my model, and I made some pictures with my 'pebbles' necklaces on it.


Here below already a try out for my custom order, a long stone necklace...
to be continued alos! :-)

want to see other creative spaces today, hop over to on kootoyoo's blog!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

How to store your jewelry!

Something I have been struggling with for a long time is the storage of my own jewelry, I put it here and there and in the end, when I am looking for that piece to fit with that outfit, I don't know where I have left it.
Browsing Etsy and the internet I stumbled on some great jewelry storage ideas. Here are some cool ideas for your own bed or bathroom or maybe also for your booth when you attend a show or fair.

So go ahead and be creative with a branch from you own gardentree, frames you buy in Ikea , wood from old barns, thriftwood, vintage porcelain teacups , saucers and chandeliers, or go shopping in some of the cool Etsy shops mentioned here below!


A beautiful multibranched wooden tree that keeps necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings nicely displayed.

Great storage for eaarings, rings, necklaces, bracelets and other adornments. Each nail hook is 1.5” long so plenty of space to hang lots and lots of things. To use for bedrooms, closets, bathrooms, dorm rooms, kid’s/teen’s rooms, and also as a display piece for Arts and Craftsshows.

A hip design to hang your shorter necklaces, bracelets, and rings in style!
by saraschalliol

A very simple but gorgeous design that serve as an alternative or supplement
to your jewelry box. Designed to be wall-mounted,
so within easy reach without taking up space on bureaus, dressers or table tops.
by lcmollica

A cute and whimsical way to organize all your favorite baubles!
This jewelry stand is made from a lovely vintage white tea set.
Vintage brass candlesticks seperate the layers.
by mandicraft

A vintage chandelier turned upside down, can be an original way to store your necklaces
by inthelight


Orange your favorite necklaces, bracelets and earrings by putting them creatively
on the wire grid. This is perfect for keeping your favorite jewelry out in the open where
you’ll remember to wear it everyday.


A metal barre, ment to be used in the kitchen for your kitchen tools,
why not put it on you bedroom wall to collect your jewlery :-)
Ikea
A fun way to keep your earrings safe and easy to find. It's a great display too if you have a shop or sell at shows. It's made of salvaged wood siding and galvanized metal screen.

Unclutter that old jewelry box! A great space-saver for your dorm room .
ReclaimFrames


This wall hanger is a great alternative to a jewelry box, keep your favorite jewelry easily acessable for changing with outfits.