Vintage Paris Ribbon Necklace

I always prefer to wear more fiber in the summer.  It is so lightweight and colorful.

This necklace is a perfect example of everything I love.

My unique pendant beads are actually vintage french ribbon.

Each year in Paris, I look for ribbon samples 

that salespeople used to show customers a ribbon collection.

This year I did really well in the Paris antique markets.  I found several boards like this one.

You can see an entire collection of the same design in many color options.

The strips are just long enough to create these little ribbon "pocket beads."

I folded my ribbons and secured a ribbon edge metal component to create a finished edge.

I stuffed the beads with a little felt and hand sewed the sides closed.

With my beads completed, I strung my necklace with beads in a similar bright color palette.

The bead strands were a gift from Sarah James and Candie Cooper.

Thanks girls!

The French Mannequin Head

2010

Every year in Paris I look to see if this tiny store in the 6th still features this mannequin head.

Happily, they never disappoint.  This is five years of styling.

2011

2013

2014

2016

Paris Painting by Coco Fronsac

This is the little painting I brought home from Paris this week.

It just called to me from this table at the "Le marché aux puces de la porte de Vanves" on Saturday.

The painting is acrylic on glass by the artist Coco Fronsac.  The vendor was so happy I liked it and said he knew the artist as well.

The frame I will keep because the painting is not a standard North American size.  I did a little repair work on it today.

I could not be happier with this find!

On My Way to Paris 2015

My next posts will be from Paris.

If you want to read about past trips and activities I have a link on the sidebar to all my Paris posts.

Paris Silouette Cuttings

Every time I go to the Montmartre district in Paris I get a silhouette cut.  I can tell by looking at them if the day was sunny or raining.

Let's hope I get a good one this year!  This is my 2014 paper cut silhouette.

 2011 - My artist was very kind.  He added in the earrings.

2010 - I took off my glasses and let my hair down.  I was prepared after 2009.

 2009 - Had no idea he would capture my disheveled hair!

Paris Postcards

 Some days I wish I was in Paris so much that I have to stop and just make something with a memento I already brought back from a trip.

These two postcards now are finally framed and in my line of vision to enjoy.

Art Jewelry From Paris - mi amor and sic amor

 Over the years I have visited the same two stores in Paris; mi amor & sic amor.  

They are two stores on the same street about a block a part.  

I have never left empty handed.

This leather necklace is full of inspiration for me.

 The artist hand coloured each piece of leather that was attached.

If you work with leather, I am sure this will inspire you as well.

French Brooch Necklace

 This new necklace is a fun recycling project!

 On one of my annual trips to Paris I came across this group of brooches in a department store sale bin.  The $3 Euro price tag had me scoop up the pile.  They were so unique and appeared to be handcrafted.  I knew I could do something with them.

 My first task was to cut away the back and remove the stuffing.

 Then I cut a new felt back for each piece.

 The brooches look so much better shown as a group.

 I hand stitched the backs and then joined all the brooches together.

An interesting gold chain completed my project.

Now I have a necklace I can wear this April in Paris!

The Yellows

If the blues are the colour of sadness, then surely the yellows must belong to happy!

Possibly my feelings for yellow developed after visiting the Chagall exhibit - go see it if you can as it is open until July.

For this April's trip to Paris, I would have to say the colour of spring was indeed yellow.

I saw flashes of it everywhere.

From regular yellows to florescent.

 In all sorts of materials including leather.

As a cookie.

 In cakes.

Even the occasional pie.

Modern furniture.

Antique furniture.

 

I didn't even realise I was loving the yellow until I reviewed my photos.

I am truly inspired and motivated to add a little yellow to my life here at home.

 I'll start in the garden.