Nouveautes

It occurred to me the other day that Christmas is getting closer even as we speak! Where does the time go? Its true that its easy to lose track of time when you have ten million things to do. There isn't enough hours in the day right?

And as I haven't done a shop update in awhile, now is as good a time as any to  show you some of the goodies I've been working on. They are all pretty and would be great for Christmas gifts, either for yourself or your loved ones! I can just see them peeking out of the Christmas stocking.

So without further ado, here are some delightful bracelets... I'll be back later to show you some necklaces and maybe even some earrings...

Coral colored pate de verre beads from the 60s

Green glass made in Germany in the beginning of the 20th century

Pretty flower charms from the 70s, French made

Colored glass cabochon from the 30s

Simple black beads from the 60s 

Pearls and little blue stars make for a great combination

Spotted black and white glass bead with little red beads

 All will soon be available here

Polkda dots

Isn't this a gorgeous window display? I've such a serious crush on this polka dot ensemble!

Shoe candy

I've just discovered this wonderful site called Upper Street where you can custom make your own shoes based on their amazing collection of shoe shapes and colors.  I love all things handmade and artisanal and shoes (not necessarily in that order either) and this site is seriously addictive.

Check out the two designs I've come up with since discovering the site.

I'm calling this brogues in pink

Sunny yellow flats

Not a bad start right? Of course being handmade and pretty,  they are not by any means cheap but they are a worthy splurge.  Now which do you think I should order first?

And for the first time, I'm linking up with other fashion loving bloggers! Check them out over at Fashion Fridays!

The color of the day is green

The little gold balls on top and bottom are actually little carved flowers

For some reason a number of the new pieces making their way to the shop is in green.  These three here which are now in the shop even make a sort of fun parure.

I loved how this bracelet turned out...

Here's the focal bead in focus...

And this necklace has gorgeous Venetian silver foil beads from the beginning of the 20th century and silver faceted glass beads from the 60s. A groovy piece if I do say so myself!

Salon du Vintage

Hello friends! I have some great news to share with you all.  De Petites Merveilles will be  at the Salon du Vintage this weekend (29-30 October).  This 8th edition of the Salon marks the grand opening of the Cite de la Mode et du Design to the public. Situated on the left bank of Paris, the Cite was built in 1907 as a warehouse for goods traveling by barge on the river Seine.  It was one of the first buildings in Paris built from concrete.  After many years of disuse and neglect, the city of Paris decided to revive the building and to dedicate it completely to fashion and design.

Here is a first glimpse of the place.....

Photo courtesy of Docks de Paris.com

For this very special occasion, the Salon du Vintage has joined forces with T-Mode to present the public with only the very best in vintage fashion, accessories, furniture and all things handmade.  I hope to see you there!!

Practical details

De Petites Merveilles at the Salon du Vintage
Cite de la Mode et du Design
32 Quai d'Austerlitz 75013
Paris

A not so common little terrace

in a Parisian apartment. Perfect for drinks and apero!

Italian, Czech and French

Here are some of the lovely new earrings that are going into the shop today!

A pair of vintage Italian handpainted Murano glass beads

Lovely art deco era Czech bead earrings

Pair of French 50s glass beads

All available here.

The trade bead collection

Blue and white Chevron beads with red French glass

I love trade beads. They've travelled so much and must have seen so much over the course of their journeys. If only they could talk, what stories they could tell!

This shop update is a wonderful collection of trade beads from the 19th century!  All are available in the shop

Red and white striped Murano trade beads with gold focal bead

Millefiori beads with carved metal beads

bracelet of brown and red trade beads

Vintage made new

40s midi tea dress

One of the things I love about doing my jewelry is giving new life to some very old beads.  Its a wonder to me that these lovely old things have survived for so long and its a shame to let them go to waste. I guess you can say that its my way of recycling!  And its funny too how in the past ten or so years, vintage has become such an accepted and popular way of dressing and even living.  Such has become the influence of vintage that nowadays, new fashion (be it off the rack or couture) references with great facility those fashions of the past.

While doing some online window shopping, I fell upon these great looks from Asos.   And they very clearly proudly wear their vintage origins on their sleeves. The red dress has a very 40s vibe while the yellow midi-skirt is clearly a throwback from the 70s. Any or all of them would certainly be great additions to my fall wardrobe!

I loved this lurex sweater

which would go perfectly with this metallic fuschia skirt!

all images courtesy of Asos.com

 

I guess this means that vintage is here to stay!

Clever

Here's a clever but risky way of parking your bike.

Navy and white with pearls

Hello folks! Hope your week is off to a good start! For my part, I've been trying to put some order into my bead supplies and its taking some time to finish. Probably because I spend more time admiring them rather than actually sorting them out. They are so pretty! And while sorting out, I found myself drawn to these blue and white striped tubular beads from the 20s.  They're french glass but they're called les bonbons anglais (English candies) because they resemble the English candies from that period! I bought them because I liked the stripes and how they're all a bit irregular. Its  a sign that the beads were handmade.

I put them together with some creamy glass pearls from the 50s and this is what came out of the mix...

I like how the creaminess of the pearls is set off by the blue and white color. Its kinda nautical but elegant, I'd like to think.

I'm sure someone out there has the perfect outfit for this beauty!

Inspiration jewelry

People have been wearing jewelry since time immemorial. I suppose we were born with this desire to adorn oneself.  In ancient cultures, jewelry was a sign of status and also a means to ward off evil. Jewelry was often believed to have magical properties. It fascinates me no end to see pieces of jewelry retrieved from archaeological digs and sites.

The set  pictured here featuring a necklace, bracelet and earrings are of Islamic origin dating back from the 10th century. It is gold worked in a filigree pattern.  I would've loved to try them on, especially the earrings but as they were locked up behind a locked glass cabinet, I had to content myself with imagining them on me.  Isn't it beautiful?

If I could create something this beautiful in my little atelier, I would be a happy happy gal!

Back with some lovely new beads

In a little seaside town far down South of Spain, I found some lovely lovely beads for the new season.  

I couldn't resist the  wonderful czech glass from the 30s and I'm excited by the possibilities they offer.

 After the summer break, I'm happy to be back in front my table, sorting and putting beads together.

I can't wait to show you all the lovely new jewelry for the season!

Chain chain chain

 While working on this latest batch of jewelry, I was listening to Aretha Franklin and I think it might have influenced these necklaces. They're all made of vintage charms and chains.

First up is this charming star necklace..

Hand strung little star charms

 Then little glass charms with bells that tinkle as you move

 This one is simple but the focal bead is handmade from the 18th century. Not bad huh?

a close up shot of the focal bead

 And because I love sautoirs, I made one with vintage lavendar glass ball charms

 This two strand necklace has two focal beads from the 50s.

And finally, a bit of an oriental touch with the filigreed inserts of this necklace!

All will soon be available in the shop!