The Sale Goods From Paris

I am sorting and putting away everything I brought home from my trip this week.

Yes, those are 50% off stickers.

I don't think I have ever bought anything in Paris that was 50% off. I look for jewelery that I can break up and recycle into several other projects. In most of these pieces I see charms and other items I really like and can never find in North America. So today is a fun day for me. Thinking about future and current projects while reviewing my sketches from my week away.

Here is what the beading gang was up to this week!

About.com Jewelry Making Tammy has developed a quick link list to help you find the jewelry info you need.

Art Bead Scene January's Art Bead Scene Challenge is a snowy landscape with a solitary magpie painted by Monet.

Carmi's Art/Life World Carmi has a special Paris post on photographing jewelry.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva Rewind: Cindy's Art Noveau inspired Stile Floreal bronze clay pendants.

Jean Campbell Oh, geez. Jean's tooting her horn again about her new book, Steampunk Style Jewelry...

Jewelry & Beading Cyndi wants to know, wanna be facebook friends?

Katie's Beading Blog See pix of Katie's workshop offerings for the Bead & Button Show in June. Registration opened this week and classes are already filling up!

Strands of Beads Melissa has a fun time exchanging bead stashes with a friend to create a new bracelet.

Bon Voyage

Heading home now. Bon voyage to me!

I have scheduled a really neat post for later today in lieu of the jewelry post I usually have on Thursday.

Last Night In Paris

One of the "Le Bon Marche" department store windows for Louis Vuitton.

I didn't want the purses...I love the bird cages!

My last dinner in Paris at the Crepier across the street.

Purples In Paris

Nancy had purple flowers in her post today.

I thought of her when I saw this flower shop.

It is a sneak peak at spring.

It won't be long until April!

Marie Goes To Musee d'Orsay

Bonjour! Our last day in Paris for now.

The morning was spent at the Musee d'Orsay. I love this museum...more than the Louvre. The lighting is natural and as long as you don't use a flash you can take pictures to your hearts content.

This Van Gogh is actually a very muted blue.

It might be faded a little. I got up close for some detail shots and brightened him up a little.

Olympia was as popular as ever. This whole family had their portraits taken with the painting. Must remember to do this next time. Must remember to take a friend with me for portrait.

I took so many photos that I am only showing you a few highlights.

This is a Renoir I have never seen before. I stared at it for a long time.

Isn't he beautiful? I hope this child had a good life.

One of the featured exhibitions was this salute to art nouveau.

Sadly, the audio was only in French. I love to walk around with a headset! You have an expert in your head.

They showed original art nouveau and the 1960's revival of the art form.

Isn't this a cool breakfast nook?

The new restaurant is open. It is a huge open space and I only photographed one end of it.

I didn't have time for the restaurant so I had this fast lunch in the cafe. Salad Parisian and a cafe creme.

Window Shopping

I waited until I saw someone go into this tiny store so I could snap this photo. The proprieties seems like the "no photo" type, so I thought I would avoid the confrontation.

Look how how full the window is! I might go in tomorrow to see how much those silhouettes are in the very back. The shop is right across the street from my apartment.

Isn't this backdrop wonderful! I didn't even notice the clothes in front of it. This is from shopping tonight at the big department stores. Most of the windows are full of sale signage, so there aren't too many images to collect. But, I finally did it. I got to be a part of the great Paris post-Christmas sales. Markdowns are on everything. Even a number of stores are full out 50% off. If I lived here I would save all my money to shop now. And I guess that's what lots of people do because it is very busy everywhere. The weather is finally settling to something close to normal. I didn't have to wear my mitts at all today. Tomorrow I plan to really get a good walk in since it is my last full day here.

Reason One Million For Loving Paris

I have not written much about the cute little apartment I am staying in. It is perfect for a couple or in my case one person. It is two stories. That sounds grand I know, but the main floor is a kitchen with a small living room and then there is a set of stairs to the bedroom in the loft. It is very quiet too. Double glazed windows means it seems like the cone of silence falls over me once I step into the space.

Right downstairs is this very nice restaurant. And it is the reason for my post. I really like the black walls. One day I hope to paint the outside of a building shiny black.

But it is the detail that makes me swoon.

You would have to be walking close by to see these stunning inlaid panels. I can't imagine too many store owners at home spending $ to decorate the outside of the building. We all think the same...it will get stolen or vandalized. Here in Paris, you see decorative touches everywhere. It is why I can walk for miles and miles and never get bored.

My Morning In The Fabric District

I could have used a cart like this today!

Only someone who loves fabric could spend a half day with me in this part of Paris. I could be there longer but I always run out of cash and my bags get too heavy for me to go into any more stores.
This is my favorite store. We have nothing like it at home.
It has top of the line fabrics already cut into 3 meter pieces. And they are all labeled and priced.
(Some of the prices would make you fall off your chair though.) But the pricing lets you know immediately if you should put something back before you fall in love with it and find out it will be $120 Euros at check out.
I held some pretty spectacular silk today.

When the guard wasn't looking I snapped these two fast photos.

I didn't get a chance to take a picture of my purchases. Too dark right now. But I'll show you soon!

Sounds In The Paris Metro

Everyday, all day, this space is occupied by different musicians. I look forward to coming through this section because I never know what to expect. Their was a small symphony last time I cruised by.

Silver and White

At some point in my life I just have to have a couch that I can repaint and recover whenever I feel the urge for a change. I love this couch. But I can also see it re-done in red and black. Or pink and grey. I am going to have to join the girls at upholstery school!

The Mean Shop Keeper Of Paris

Isn't this a pretty window. I walked by it and thought I should get a better photo to share with my lovely blog readers. I should get a card so I can tell you where this great little shop is.

But I won't.

Because this is the mean shop keeper who yelled "NO PHOTOS."

Honestly, one day I will yell back...yes and no sale!

I never take photos in stores without asking. In fact, most of the time I ask even out in public. But if I am standing on a public street...I shouldn't have to ask anyone for anything.

Shopkeepers should soap up their windows or use curtains if they want to hide their wares.

So, here is a lovely shop I'll never send anyone to. She has no idea what a sale she lost.

Morning At The Market

The antique market north of the city is open Saturday, Sunday and Monday. I have never been on a Monday and was curious to see what would be open. I was hoping it wouldn't be as busy as it usually is on the weekend. I was very surprised to see that all my favorite stalls were open! Unfortunately, the weather has not changed and I can honestly say it was too cold to stand around browsing very long. I guess I thought some of the enclosed buildings would be warmer....but they felt even colder. So It was a quicker visit that unusual. I did find a few vintage postcards though!

I really would like one of these. But then I would end up having a collection, so I took a photo instead.

The market looked very festive with their Christmas wreaths still up. I always love how new things look next to old.

Gnomes. International gardening favorites.

If I lived in Paris I would want one of these vintage glass water bottles. They make my big plastic water jugs seem so homely by comparison.

More photos soon!

Big Is Better

Its only been two days but I am seeing a trend.

Huge jewelery.

Isn't this like a sci fi special?

So many windows to see tomorrow!

A Little Shakespeare In Paris

I finally found this bookstore!

I bumped into it completely by accident and started to do a little hop while pointing at it from across the street. Shakespeare and Company is one of the oldest bookstores in Paris that sells books in the English language. This is really important to know if you lost your book enroute and need something great to read on the plane ride home. I always see it in movies and recently there was a large story in a newspaper at home about it. The store is now run by the daughter of the founder. They still have small rooms to lend authors who need a place to stay while working on their books. Can you imagine? An author in residence program. The whole building feels very giving.

The place was packed. Every nook and cranny had people in it. Reading or chatting. It really is an experience to be here. Books crammed to the ceiling both new and old. You won't know where to look.

Their quote out front.


This sure beats the huge bookstore I normally go to on a Sunday at home.

I left with one book smiling. I know I will go back.

It is Sunday! Here are my bead links too!

A Bead A Day
If you are looking for some unique findings to use in your valentine jewelry (or Twilight jewelry), Lisa uses some interesting domed filligree pieces to house a bright red mysterious bead.

About.com Jewelry Making
Artfire, Zibbet, Etsy, which of these is the right selling venue for your jewelry?

Art Bead Scene
ABS Rewind: Art Bead Scene isn't just about art beads, it's about artist made buttons too!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Demon Monkeys appear in Carmi's projects this week.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Cindy's made a New Year's resolution to clean out the studio with a January clearance sale!

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie starts the new year with a new source of inspiration... a project she calls Song Lore.

Jean Campbell
Jean is sharing stories and images this week about her stops in CA. Monterey brought the most creative inspiration of all.

Jewelry & Beading
Cyndi has started a new series, called "What would you do" to discuss some of the sticky dilemmas we face in jewelry making.

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Looking for just the right clasp? Lorelei reviews a few from Artbeads.com.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean meets a cool new friend who offers us a great jewelry teaching site!

Strands of Beads
Melissa is the author of Softflex Company's Spotlight On...Article for January 2010

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
A luminous Golden Cloud Series Basha Bead inspires Andrew to create a bracelet ready to take flight!

King Tut and I Are Freezing Our ......

Went to Notre Dame today. Yup, that is snow on the ground.

I won't lie. I was a popsicle by this point. It is bone chilling cold here...and I left winter in Canada. There isn't enough hot chocolate in Paris to compensate for the icy wind.

But here's someone who made me feel warm.

Gold covered and parked by the front. Could he be more out of place?

King Tut, who is perhaps colder than I, given his lack of a coat.

The things I do for this blog.....photowise. Maria, you better be laughing.

I had a lot of candles to light today. Being inside was just slightly warmer than outside. This church is clearly too big to heat. The choir was rehearsing, so it was nice to walk around quietly.


This was my second bride today. All I can say is that she must be frozen...and boy has she ever ruined the bottom of her dress.