Photo booth Beauties Revisited

One of my all-time favourite themes for my designs is vintage photo booth photography. These tiny little photos let you have a glimpse of the past and the mood of the person posing for the picture, but in a way that is so much more interesting that today's selfies...don't you think? I have collected quite a few and every time I look at them I wonder about the person on the photo...some looking confident and fierce,some hopelessly shy or just giggly having fun with friends or a loved one. Now and then I seem to recognize a look or a smile that reminds me of a person I know today and I wonder what people will think of our photo's in 60 or 100 years from now and if they in turn will recognise themselves in a cheeky smile or a distracted glance. I have been using these old photos as a theme my for vintage restyled handbags and with success, as they have become a very popular item at Things British shop in London. 

I wondered if there was a way to take the theme to the next level and perhaps create a jewellery collection that could connect with the handbag collection. I wanted something light and fragile, something that could bring back that feel of the little piece of photo paper that captured that instant moment of happiness, sadness or shyness so many decades ago.
I think I might have found it.

I used vintage puzzle pieces and transformed them into vintage photo booth picture frames. I embellished them with embossing powders and then I tied them up in very fine metal wire decorated with beads, rhinestones and other small findings. The result is a unique piece, elegant and shimmering (a lot more than you see in the pictures) and almost ephemeral...so light it might vanish into thin air in front of your eyes. I am so pleased with the results and will include pendants, earrings and bracelets in this new collection. It will be possible to request custom made pieces with vintage pictures of your loves ones. To find when this collection will be available, please favourite my etsy shop.

New Display at Things British, Carnaby Street London

New Display at Things British, Carnaby Street London

I went to London yesterday to change my display at Things British and I am so happy with the result! I decided to go with the Jules Verne/ Travel theme of my Around the World in 80 Stamps Collection and used three vintage suitcases as a raised platform. I think it looks a lot more appealing than having the bags on the plain shelf. I wish I had thought of this idea before! 

A Quick snapshot

I was in London last night and decided to have a quick look through the window of Things British while I was near Carnaby Street. The shop was closed, but one of my handbags was on display in the window. It is funny when I think about my first school trip to London when I was 15 and how I thought London was old fashioned ( didn't like Madame Tussaud's ) and ruled by weird habits and customs ( having crisp sandwiches for lunch??). I remember walking on Carnaby street and it still was stuck in a time warp with funky shops and hidden basements stuffed with crazy shoes and vintage clothes. I remember buying bright blue glitter lipstick from on of the shops there.  Never would I have thought I 'd come back, I'd end up living in England and most of all, having my own creations for sale on that same street! Strange, isn't it?

Hi and Happy New Year! GIVEAWAY!

Hi and Happy New Year! GIVEAWAY!


Hello :) And happy New Year to you! I am skipping the resolutions, but I do have a belayed new year's present for you: the chance to win a free handmade necklace! It's one of my matryoshka necklaces and it's cute, bright and fun because I am sick of winter and depressing news, so we need something sunny and happy to keep us going. Come over to my facebook page and enter the competition!

Spring is here

I woke up this morning with lovely warm sunshine and bird singing outside my window. What a great way to start the first day of spring! I have been working on new jewellery pieces inspired by spring. Think cute bunnies, tulip beads and cute little birds and a few crazy colour combinations...here are a few pictures.

All that glitters...

My tiny christmas tree doesn't have one empty branch this year. Since it is an ugly black plastic thing I though it would be better to over-decorate it and hide the fact that it was one of those cheapy £5 trees. Being a jewellery designer, I have lots of glittery things lying around so this year some of my supplies ended up in the tree. Longs strings of rhinestone chain instead of garlands and cypress cones, which I use for making rings, rolled in glitter instead of balls. The rest is a mixture of vintage 80s ornaments given to me by my mum( from her first christmas tree) and kitschy deer and high heeled shoes.

And what's a glittery christmas without glittery jewellery for the party? These "Barbie lost her shoe" rings are just perfect for it!

Hello! Just wanted to share this exciting news: since yesterday my one of a kind restyled bags are for sale in London! I have created a mini collection for Things British, a lovely shop in the heart of London promoting handmade designs by British designers. I am so happy to be part of this and to have my handbags on display! Sofar I have sent in five bags, as I have rented just one shelf and more bags won't fit on there. I have taken a picture of them before sending them off as you can see below. If you are in London and you are looking for unique gifts by UK talent then please visit this lovely shop. The address: Kingly Court first floor, just off Carnaby Street (postcode:W1B 5PW)

PS: with this post I have revived this blog (once again).Please join to stay posted about my upcoming projects and giveaways. I have found an antique suitcase transformed into a 60s cocktail bar with electric light(sounds crazy, i know) that needs restoring. I will be posting about the project soon!

DIY : Making a stunning fabric cuff from scraps - Perfect last minute gift! This is my tutorial for the perfect last minute gift. A really fun project, very quick and easy with maximum result!
Here's what you need:
Fabric scraps (enough to cut about 13 circles of 4cm diameter) sewing machine or good sewing skills fancy or contrasting thread contrasting fabric for the flower embellishment a snap button, for the inside a decorative button or bead, for the outside Start with cutting circles out of fabric. You can use a glass or round lid as a template. Don't use delicate fabric because you don't want it to start fraying. I used vintage fine italian leather- leftovers from my dad's past as a Florentine salesman - and it's a gift for my mother so I want it to look luxurious. You can use different types of fabric and alternate them, all options are open! Dab a bit of paper glue ( pritt or uhu stick) at the right half of each circle and layer the next one on top of that to form a straight line: The reason for using glue is because it's easier to sew the pieces together for the next step. Get your sewing machine ready and choose a nice thread. I used metallic gold for my cuff. Start with a first line straight in the middle and then one on either side. You can do any type of stitch. I used a zig-zag line for this cuff.
Now it's time to decide where to place the snap button. Sew one on the back of the first full circle ( first circle from the left in the 3rd picture) Try it on and find the best spot to sew the other part of the snap button.

The finishing touch: gather a piece of fine fabric ( I used lace here) and sew it together with a decorative button on top of the full circle. Your cuff is ready!

DIY : Making a lip balm container from a vintage brooch.

Are you one of those people constanly looking for their lip balm in each and every pocket, handbag or drawer? I have to buy a new one nearly every other week as I keep misplacing mine. No more of that! I have a trick and I am going to share it with you.

A while ago I bought this beautiful vintage Avon owl brooch from the local car boot sale. It was in absolute mint condition, with the perfume glace still intact in the container behind the wing. Sadly, the pin broke after a couple of times and another thing...the perfume didn't smell very nice after all these years.

So, the brooch ended up in the drawer and that was it. Then winter came and with that, the annoying problem of dry lips. After yet another trip to the shops for new lip balm I came up with a solution: I took the broken pin off the brooch, glued a blank ring base to the back and cleaned out the perfume container(took a few washes as the perfume really stinks!) and replaced it with my favourite lipbalm et voila : A statement ring and much needed beauty product in one. I hope this will inspire you to make something new and useful out of the old and forgotten!

November Randomness

It's a dark november day and there isn't enough light to do any decent work in my studio, so why not post a few dark november photos I took in London last Sunday while being stuck in traffic. My favourite picture is the one with the black branches and a pristine white St Martins church in the background. Not bad for an iphone camera, is it?

Alice, I'm falling, I'm falling....

Help, I'm falling for it too! Ever since I saw the interesting trailer for the movie I wanted to do something with this theme. While I haven't seen the movie (yet) and I like to stay away from the next big trend I couln't help getting caught up in the whole Alice hysteria. While a few people told me they never liked the story as a child and found it creepy, I have always loved the illogical twists in this magical story. I do admit I was scared of the Queen of Hearts, though. So, one rainy afternoon I made my own Alice drawing: she's holding the magical potion and contemplating whether to drink it or not. I transferred it to fabric appliques and matched it with vintage embroidered and lace trims. The result : a new fun and quirky jewellery line for the Alice in Wonderland fan. And please excuse me now, time for tea!

What's on the work table today? - part two.

Nearly a month ago I showed you a picture my worktable and today I am happy to say that the bag I was working on, together with two other bags, are now for sale at Qetty Bang Bang Boutique in Tetbury. This is one first big step I've taken since I've moved to the UK, and it feels good!

I am feeling motivated and therefore I have something new on my work table today. This time I am working with another favourite theme of mine, the photo booth beauties. I rediscovered a few boxes in the back of my storage, full with beautiful trims and fabrics. A few of them handmade my grandma, others given to me by the daughter of a belgian seamstress who tried her luck as a designer in America in the early sixties. And more unique pieces picked up in thriftstores, bazaar shops and other unusual places. I am giving each photo booth picture a different trim... it's almost like a photoframe collection on handbag instead of on a wall!

What's on the work table today?

On mine: loads of postage stamps! I am working on a new postage stamps handbag and the only way for me to do this is to have all the stamps scattered around me. I know this will probably give stamp collectors a small heart attack, but I can't keep stamps in neatly sorted books and folders, organized by year or theme...no! I simply stuff them into boxes and envelopes and then when I start working I keep emptying box after box and rummage around till I find the perfect stamp for the perfect spot on the bag. Sometimes I lose track of what I am doing and end up staring at the mini artworks of countries that no longer exist, extinct butterflies, scientists from different eras. It's like walking through a history museum, but in the comfort of my own home. Some stamps are still partly attached to their envelopes, a far-away address still visible, and I wonder who sent them and what was written in the letters that travelled around the world. Funny how a tiny piece of paper can have so many different meanings, don't you agree?

Vintage Illustration of the Day Saturday 16-01

A few years ago I bought the complete edition of a local Belgian women's magazine, published only for a few years in the 40s and 50s. I paid quite a lot of money, but the investment was worth it. It was a traditional magazine, full of inspirational tips for housework and decoration, romantic stories, recipes and fashion. I love browsing through them, it's like being teleported to a different world where etiquette was the new black and the readers would seek advice on how to tell their fiance politely to cultivate some table manners without sounding offensive. I wish I had the patience to translate these letters and articles! I will be posting scans from this magazine from time to time. The illustration of today comes from a 1956 publication and part of the story "And Lea chose a Mule" ( as I said, it's from a different world...).

"And even though Dad and Luc would get enraged by the glamorous hustle and bustle, Tessy simply wouldn't care about it!"

Etsy Finds 12th January 2010 Have you ever played around with the Pounce feature on Etsy? I must warn you : it's addictive. I keep finding more beautiful items to share with you! Catherine from Cramoxx22x is a talented young designer, inspired by her grandma's closet and the recyling of beautiful textures and fabrics. This Fairy Flight Sweater is just one of the beautiful creations in this shop! Next find is this lovely Lily Purse by London Designer Ammagyan. Amma's feminine and romantic handcrafted leather creations are made in the heart of London with locally sourced materials and are truly unique and individual pieces of art!

If you like spicing up your home with unique pieces, then I just found the perfect Etsy shop for you! Kelly McDavid from RustedRoof makes her own - very cute and quirky! - chandelier shades and has a small selection of impressive vintage chandeliers for sale as well.

Fresh Finds for the New Year

Happy 2010 everyone! First post of the year and it's literally a fresh start of the new year as I am nearly up to my knees in the snow here in Ascot.

A beautiful scene it is, but one day of snow is enough so I am staying inside and discovering some fresh new shops on Etsy!

I found this stylish pillow in brand new Etsy shop fancy4u. Fancy4u makes glamorous handmade pillows featuring beautifully handpainted shoes and boots...a shoe lover's must-have!

If you have read my bird stories on this blog you might know that I have a soft spot for the feathered babies. It is not surprising that I fell in love with this cute pair of bird earrings from FERNandDANDY.

Next up is an old favourite of mine, the vintage bag! I discovered this quirky green leather purse in New York based shop SelectiveMemory. This shop sells vintage treasures picked by twin sisters Alice and Brooke.

And if you are looking for bold jewellery, OBRDESIGNS might just have the right piece for you! I fell in love with their bib necklace, featuring shiny sequins and chains designed by the mom and daughter duo.

Hope you enjoyed today's finds!

Just for me

Thrift shopping is not always about finding a great unique piece. Sometimes the piece finds you. My all time favourite second hand shop is in Belgium, and every time I go back home - even if it is just for a weekend - I have to stop by and have a peek. The shop has gone through a makeover in the last few months : funky wall paper, crazy chandeliers ( not for sale, unfortunately!) and their latest addition...a grandma's wardrobe full of vintage coats, hats and handbags! I was still opening the entrance door as I saw this beautiful straw-weave handbag peeking out underneath a pile of vintage leather and vinyl purses at the bottom of this treasure wardrobe. In two steps I was there and picked it up, clutching it tightly before anyone else could get their eyes or hands on it ( yes, my sweet mum-and-thrift-shop-ally included... sorry mum!). I didn't even look at the beautiful sixties coats and cloche hats, all i wanted was this bag. Funny enough, I was told by Yuku, the lovely lady that works there, that this bag had been sitting there for weeks and she had been thinking about me (she knows I'm handbag crazy) and knew I would have bought it if I had the chance to be there...and there I was. I paid and left, packed it in my suitcase and now she's here with me in excellent condition and ready to enjoy her second life in England as my new favourite bag!

A note: both mirrors and the closet in the picture are from the same shop!

Sunday Breakfast

I can't help it, but I just want to show off my balcony today. I think it looks absolutely cute with all the flowers and the little breakfast table (which is foldable, so perfect!) I am an outside person. If the sun's out I have to be outside or else it feels like a wasted day. Unfortunately I have to get used to living in a small flat, but getting to decorate the balcony makes up for it. The big tea pot is not our actual tea pot. It is my great grandmothers coffee pot, but al long as everyone can remember it has been used as a flower vase. In is standing on a little black and white tiled table that belonged to my grandma and is fact a fifties magazine rack. I now use it for my parsley and basil plants. I also love a proper sunday breakfast with boiled eggs and a croissant, so setting the table and making it look inviting and fun is part of my sunday ritual.

Silhouette Lady Summer Jacket

I am not a fashion designer but once in a while i get the fashion designing bug and i have to pull out all of my trims, sequins and fabric scraps and attacht them...to something. The victim of my itchy designer fingers was this summer jacket, bought by my sister but a size small for her. " Maybe you can transform it, do something fun with it.", she said when she left it here on her last visit. I hate stuff sitting around. These things always end up in a big "to do" bag and are out of fashion by the time i decide to work with them! Not this time, though. I locked myself up in my work room the other day, pulled out all the fabrics and trims I could get my hands on and just started adding bits to the jacket. I can only work directly on the mannequin,not on a table. I dont know why that is, I just feel like a painter with his easel and the jacket is the canvas. I am really happy with the way I transformed this piece and almost wish it was my size so I could wear it myself!

I designed the cameo lady silhouette years ago, but I keep going back to it. ( her nose isn't really crooked, it just looks like that in this photo!) I really enjoyed stepping away from the jewellery and the bags for a day and do something different. I'm thinking of doing a few tops with the same silhouette...we'll see how it goes!