Tis a season to be Brocante!

April in Paris, four seasons in one day... Did the Crowded House write about it with Melbourne in mind or April in Paris? Nonetheless it seems to apply to us here of late. Anyway, all I care about is that it's the season to be jolly as the bric-a-brac, vintage, antique markets are now popping up in every arrondissement :D.
Here's to last weekend's finds(pic. wise)... no pics of my purchases sorry!

Our weekend

Whilst uploading these pics I'd remembered how my partner and I met almost 6 years ago whilst we were both on vacation, I was in fact one third way through my 6 month 'back packing' experience. We had both done our part of the Pyrenees just prior to meeting; him the French part and I the Spanish/Andorra(which I truly recommend). I guess we were both destined to meet as the chances of our paths crossing in the remote tinee tiny Hendaye train station was one in a million(there was one other person there). Though I must emphasize that it was not love at first sight for either of us, but then again it did only take a week before both our hearts pitter patter for each other.

Point is that we both love an adventure big or small, so most of our weekends no matter where we'd be living would always be filled with explorations of areas, towns, restaurants, cafes, routes etc. We hardly disagree on where to go and what to do.
Anyway, before I rat on and show my age here are some pics of last weekend's little outing to an 'outdoor/nature' expo thus the area surrounds by foot on our way home.

Pictures are of:
• A Swiss (of course)kinetic display at the 'outdoor' expo
• a unexpected stall selling herbs, spices and teas of various awesome mixes from all over the world, found at the expo of all places
• fun and interactive lenticular(I think it's making a comeback) advertising by Nespresso
• a sexy vintage Renault in cream! In bon condition... we both love

Paris Ceramic Festival 2011

Saturday was such a unusually beautiful day, a hint of Spring appeared willingly greeting the start of the weekend with hope of warmth and some curiosity.  So I thought ok since you've made an effort Mr Sunshine I will! So why not make my way to this year's Ceramic festival 2011, not far from the famous Pere Lachaise.

I'd been to the one last year and was awestruck by some gorgeous work, work that awakens one's goose bumps and wish you could decorate your whole house with and take the artist home with you to have cups of tea with. This year I was surprise to find jewelry work by Violaine Ulmer; jeweller, sculpturist/installation-ist(if there's such a word). I've exhibited with her a few times at the Gallery Goutte de terre though this time I lucky enough to see a much bigger collection as a whole installed with her own signature style of display. I mean... who would've thought to combine silver with porcelaine/clay creating a granulation effect. One day I tell myself, I'm gonna have one of those tasty morsels on my many finger. 

Here are some pictures of her work from the show, and a handful of other ceramicists that I thought you'd enjoy.

Here are links, if not their contact details:
Violaine Ulmer

www.violaine-ulmer.com

05.61.20.22.44

Benedicte Vallet
tychen@wanadoo.fr
06.37.96.43.98

Beate Ronnefarth
oseramik@neuf.fr
06.28.22.52.07

Caroline Wagenaar
lesateliersceramique.com

Virginie Preux
virginie.preux@laposte.net

Maya Micenmacher
nicolas.rousseau19@wanadoo.fr
06.19.24.04.27

Goutte de Terre
06.98.63.77.32

Thank you to all those who have agreed to have their work taken.
Enjoy!

March 19-20th! 32 Creator's event at Hotel Boheme

Hopefully by then Spring will be upon us for real, and I'd be able to store my winter woolies away for at least a few months as winter in Europe seems to take up 90% of the year. To find out, why don't you pop around to see me and 31 other artists and enjoy some warmth and smile emanating from the handmade atmosphere.

It'll be the first of the quarterly event held by Hotel Boheme at the same location each time in the 2nd arrondisement near the metro 'Bonne Nouvelle'. Without fail one will be tempted in every way possible(trust me!); to adorn yourselves/friends, decorate your home, your kids or nieces/nephews, your husband/boyfriend etc etc. Your presence will show support to small businesses and without handmade our lives will be forever taken over by big shopping centers and big brands making huge unreasonable profits... making our connections with each other less and less humane. So, what are you waiting for? Go get yourself a train or plane ticket and lock in the date!

Below are some of the links of the participants involved:
• Japanese charcoal jewelry! http://www.eskimeit.com/
• Bags ladies!! http://www.sacadidie.com/
• Cold enamel brass jewellery http://www.marinedediesbach.com/
• Cutesy home deco http://www.pieddepoule.com/

Come hither...

My next Expovente at T-mode

If you're in town(Paris of course don't be silly) on the weekend of the 26th, 27th and the 28th of November come visit me at the marathon Creator's market, and I'll be sharing my space with Lunaticart from Etsy of course.

T-mode (Espace d'animator des blanc manteaux)
48 Rue vieille du temple
75004 Paris

Firstly I must say on a personal note, that I'm not a huge fan of the organizer's choice of images so far especially with these 2 twin Barbie dolls fondling each other in full glory, but hey beggers can't be choosers right. Ahmm but how is it representing tactile creations as such? It's somehow lacking some kind of intelligence just like the subjects you've chosen. There'll be 95 creators showcasing their finest handmade wares... not 95 naked chics possibly shopping or selling their "wares", oh great and it says 'Free entry' as well.

Thank goodness the saving grace is in it's location; at one of the most popular places for hipsters from around the world to visit in Paris, Marais. One can find in the immediate area of this venue are shops like Muji(one of my fave places to shop for non-label zen looking items, hence the name Muji in japanese means 'no label' indeed!), Corpus Cristie, COS(again my absolute fav!), Comptoir de cotoniere, yummmmy-to-die for falafel and cheese cake etc. It's nearer to St. Paul metro if you're thinking of coming, in a massive space that can fit up to fully clothed 100 creators.

Ok, pixel off now ciao ciao poodles

Collective exhibition on 16th November...

... it's official! Flyer attached with dates, location confirmed. If you want to learn more about the artists involve please read the previous published article.

The dangling porcelain hand in the foreground is one of my creations, to have a closer look click here!

See you! x

November up-coming collective Exposition/Exhibition

I'm so excited by this small exhibition which I'd be showcasing at Carmen Ragosta's Boutique together with the fabulous Paris based contemporary photographer Dana Cojbuc celebrating the start of the Annual photography fair Paris Photo, from November 18th to the 21st... though for now the advertising image is the only thing all 3 of us are working on together, nonetheless I'm chuffed. I find her work to be contemporary and surreal, capturing flighty moments, yet poetic, whimsical and smart... see the pics attached.

The exhibition will be located at Carmen Ragosta's boutique. She runs on tandem as a cook and designer at her boutique/restaurant NAPOLIPARIS, yes you heard me! It's also a vegetarian restaurant that operates on occasion just below in the cave of the boutique. Carmen has retained some of the old rustic Parisien fit-outs; floor tiles in the shop with my favorite 'Trompe l'oeil' pattern(see last pic), un-painted 100 yr old cast iron railings guiding one down towards the cave, open stoned walls on all sides with many stories to tell etc. All in all, just the perfect ensemble harmonizing her creations nicely in contrast with the rustic vintage interior; as well as her use of finest fabrics of silk, linen, velvet with small surprised details of subtle pleats and folds here and there... like icing on a cake. Chocolate or black forest cake... maybe both.

So go get yourself a plane or train ticket now if you're not based in Paris... the opening is on the 16th of November 2010, starting at 6pm. You'll have both your visual and oral sensory filled with joy as The Carmen Ragosta will be serving her Italian dishes to boot!

NapoliParis (near the Canal St Martin: nearest to the Quai de Jemmapes)
8, Rue de la Grange-aux-Belles
75010 Paris
> Metro Jacque Bonsergeant or metro Goncourt

See you there with your bib too!