Recently, I was asked to put together some ribbon and craft packs.
As it's that time of year, I started with some rolls of ribbon I have stashed away and usually only bring out at Chrismas time. Some are half rolls and I try not to cut too much as I am clearly emotionally attached to most. ( only ribbon lovers could possibly comprehend my madness for not being mad !)
Anyhow, hesitantly, I cut a yard of ribbon from each putting them together in families.I think they work really well together.
For those of you that are ribbon lovers and use them to embellish all and sundry get yours now as stocks are limited due to being vintage and who's owner does not like parting with most of them...
Just go to My website and get them now whilst stocks last. ( and before I change my mind and hoard them for yet another year :)
There is no end to the inspiration a vintage button gives one.... These tiny little objects have so often been the very thing that have triggered off a hundred craft ideas I have made throughout the years of working with Accessories of Old.
Here is another five minute project easy to do and makes a Christmas decoration pop out and say "look at me"
I took some old cards I had of buttons where the stitching had come off and so the buttons had fallen off the cards .
What better way to keep these little beauties safe and display them bringing out their full potential then to display them in a ball.
What I did was take a photograph of all the buttons as the backdrop.
I found a ball that opens and divides in half allowing you to place a image inside ( available at all craft stores)
I cut my photograph to size and then I glued the buttons on top of the picture to hold them in place and make them pop just that little bit more.
Nice effect and simple to do. I love the photographic image and the using the actual item gives it that interesting 3D effect.
How fast this year has gone ... I blinked and its November and I know when I blink again its going to be the countdown to Christmas decorations and all things sparkly.
As I mentioned in a recent post, I have been working with the Create and Craft Channel in the UK.
The last show I did was different ideas for five minute Christmas projects using sequin,ribbon and buttons.
One of the five minute projects were these Christmas tree ornament balls.
Easy, quick and affordable not to mention a great way to display gorgeous ribbon.
I started off finding some empty balls to hang on the tree. These I found these at Michaels craft store for a cheap price of 99 cents each...
I have kept a stash of my own favorite vintage ribbons that I do not have the heart to sell and some that have been cut and stored in such a way that the ribbon has either faded or crumpled. So, what I decided to do was use the ends of the ribbon....and you will see how.
Firstly,I put some loose silver sequin in the bottom of each one and then stuffed the ribbon inside after ( about a yard of each)
A very simple idea really but one that has great effect...
And a great way to display that ribbon you have stashed that is too crumpled or faded to be used for anything else. The bits that we all have that are put away and brought out to look at once in a while never knowing what we are going to do with them !!! So, here is the perfect solution right in a nutball !!
My very own ribbon balls.
Ribbon and sequin available at www.accessoriesofold.com
I recently got back from Paris... what a visual treat to say the very least.
Apart from gaining 4 pounds in the space of a weekend(thanks to endless amounts of fabulous cheese, breads and pastries ) I too gained some lovely new vintage contacts after spending the day at a fantastic flea market in Paris called Les Puces de St ouen.
What a visual treat of all kinds Paris is.
From its famous Eiffel tower to its inhabitants...
Stimulates all the senses.
The flea market I visited ' les Puces de St Ouen' is a must for anyone who has a taste for vintage, and time to stroll and take in all the lovely goodies this fantastic market has to offer.
I was especially lucky as the sun shone on the day I visited which added to the magic of the place...and gave me a little bit more of a bounce to my step so to speak ..
A lovely variety of little sidewalks all covered with vintage treats on either side... if you want it you will find it - its all there.
From old vintage postcards...
To discarded old dolls....
to an array of bone handle knives ...
a brooch...
vintage buttons galore..
even a few old vintage garden elfs
marbles that remind me of my childhood ( not to mention the hours spent polishing my collection)
So, if you are ever lucky enough to find yourself in Paris go and carve out a few hours of your day and visit this fantastic market but do make sure you have plenty space in your luggage as I assure you it will be needed after a few hours here.
As I mentioned in a earlier post this week, I am in the throws of coming up with creative ideas for our next TV showing on Create and Craft channel. It is a show based around the Christmas theme and so I decided to once again try my hand at something that looks unusual but is in fact easy enough for everyone to do.
I have decided to use these tags as my backdrop to work on.
I found some lovely paper that I cut out to size to add as another layer of detail to the tags ..
I then found a old Christmas themed vintage image I love..
TIP - make it more personalised by using an old family picture . Do not forget to make a copy of it ( do not use the original as you will be cutting it up for effect)
I cut my image into three panels ....
and then started embellishing them with some vintage velvet ribbon, flat backs and buttons.
I made little bows with the velvet at the bottom of each tag...
I then found a box frame and positioned the tags on the backing of the frame ... and voila a personalised and somewhat different gift to add as a Christmas decoration or give as a hand made gift to that special someone who appreciates all things arty and personal.
These days most things are available to buy. With Google search we can sit at our desk and the whole world is at our fingertips. There are gift buying sites dedicated for her, for him,for the young, the old and even the millionaire who has everything.
No matter what money can buy these days and easily available it all is, I still believe there is no gift like a personal one and one that is made with love.
It need not take a long time or very labor intensive.....it can be as easy as 1,2,3...
Like the one I made today for a family member.
I found at Michaels craft store a really cool box frame . The inside is backed with cloth and there are pins to hold whatever it is you wish to show.
As there is a family birthday coming up, I thought a nice idea was to look for a old picture, embellish it with some of my vintage goodies and frame it.
After going through a few boxes of photos I keep I came up with this one of my grandparents and together with a few bits and bobs ( vintage trim, buttons ,flatbacks and a old key I found ) I went to work putting it all together.
I had some tags I always keep as I find them really useful for different projects and decided to put the image on the tag and pin it in the frame.
A five minute projects, something that is personal and comes from the heart and I just know the person receiving it will be so very happy.
I simply cannot believe its that time of year again.. I clearly remember my grandfather telling me that the older one gets the shorter the years are.I laughed at the time, thinking how could that be as the number of days remain the same... But now that I am getting older I see it is indeed true.
It seems I just blinked and the summer is gone - the sun has started going down earlier bringing the nights in sooner and the leaves are changing colors and starting to make their way to the ground.
My favorite time of year I must add. The Fall season here on the East Coast of the USA is simply spectacular with its array of capturing tones and colors. It simply takes ones breath away when seen in mass. I am one of the fortunate ones to see it in mass as I live in a mainly wooded area. As the leaves start changing color so does my picture change outside my bedroom window on a daily basis. Never stagnant and forever changing right up to the point where the branches are bare.
As it is heading to Christmas season and I am due to fly over to the UK and work another show on beads and buttons with the Christmas theme in mind.Because of this, I started looking through some inventory today and came across a large box of the loveliest mother of pearl pre war Japanese buttons.
I had been thinking of making a framed wreath out of buttons using all the colors of the leaves but after finding these I changed my mind and instantly got my craft glue out.
I started with a ring of flat hank buttons and built the layer up slowely ...
I simply love mother of pearl. There is something so very calming about it, the feel as well as the look.
I decided to add a ribbon I made with black vintage lush velvet which is a real contrast to the calmness of the pearl.
I then I added a inner frame before placing it into a glass box frame.
A simple idea that is classy and I believe make a lovely gift for someone that collects buttons or appreciates their beauty.
So, if you have a tin that was handed down by a grandmother or a tin filled with buttons that you have collected over the years and are now ready to have them shown instead of hidden away this could be just the idea for you.
Final note : If you do not have your own collection of passed down buttons or collected ones you can always pop onto www.accessoriesofold.com and buy them too.
Now that I am involved in the UK Create and Craft channel, I have dived straight back into what I started off doing way back when and that is design jewelry. This time I have immersed myself back in my button collection using these colorful little objects in jewelry making.
Having done a show on using vintage buttons in paper crafts and Christmas decorations, we are now going to go one step further in the next show and use buttons in jewelry making.
Yes, I know all very exciting especially for those button lovers out there and something no one could possibly live without !! As I know how incredibly tantalising this is for you all, I have decided to give you a preview into one of the items I have made for the show... (calm ladies and get your brown paper bags ready for any possible hyperventilate at the very thought)
Here goes...
I took out my Bead board as its always easier when doing multiple rows to organise yourself with one of these, pulled out a few buttons that I planned to use and together with some beading wire and vintage pearlised seed beads I got started.....
I decided to use glass buttons and have intervals of beads between as not too use too many buttons as being glass the piece tends to get too heavy.
I found some loose crystal beads that I had saved from broken parts of necklaces and added these too.
After doing three rows of different lengths I finished the piece off using a toggle clasp.
This is the end result.. easy to do and makes a statement dont you think?
Now for all your jewelry makers, button collectors or anyone who wants to pass the time doing something creative tune into Ideal Home Channel, Create and Craft on 8th September live at 4pm.
If you are in the USA and cannot view the channel then keep checking this site as I will post the link to the show . It is going to be jam packed with all different jewery using buttons so don't miss it.
I recently returned to the USA after spending most of my summer in London. What a incredible time I had in one of my favorite cities in the world.
What I love most about London, and have always loved about this city is the diversity.The people watching is endless.
There truly is not one particular style that can be labeled and this to me is more refreshing than an ice cold Coke on a hot summer day. I love the expression of freedom and individuality that most walk around with displayed in their wardrobe chose.It truly is so very hopeful not to see bold big letters on the front of shirts identifying where the clothing was bought.
As for the shopping ... The stores along each road mostly remain with their own quirkiness and believe it or not have not yet succumbed to the power of the oh so mighty chains..( and hopefuly will not )
So, yes people my dear fellow shoppers looking for unusual items still remains possible in London shopping. I have to add sadly apart from Cath Kidson which has been bought over by a powerhouse and thus lost its uniqueness and gone over to the dark side of mass production. This screams at you the moment you enter their huge new flagstore .
On my adventures of seeking out and adhering to my ongoing love of fabric, pattern and fine things I came to the road less travelled.. to a street called Berwick and here I found a wonderful shop filled with all the things I do love.
Introducing the one and only Cloth House.
After touching and admiring the bolts of gorgeous fabrics ranging from linens to cottons to whatever your heart desires in terms of fabric, I sat and spoke with the owner Niki for a while and went through all her fantastic wares from rolls of gorgeous mouth watering fabrics ( yes fabrics can do that to me !) to vintage embellishments/ haberdashery.
Eye candy at its best people. My advice is make it a destination on your next trip to London.
This shop is filled to the brim with creative items all waiting to be used or merely to stimulate ones creative juices. What I loved too was the fab way in which everything is displayed. There is not a space anywhere within the shop that is not crammed with something that draws your eye in. From cards of vintage buttons to rolls of gold trim... its all a visual treat.
My advice if you are visiting London anytime soon pop in and have a look yourself you will most certainly not be disappointed but instead feel inspired to create and no doubt walk out with a bag full of goodies.
The address is 98 Berwick Street , Soho, London W1F 0QJ
I recently got engaged and so began my hunt to find the perfect engagement ring.
Being a girl who shys away from big bling and salvates over originality, I was not sure where to start looking. I was looking for something that was unique, eye catching telling a story of its own - a little piece of art I could wear on my finger.
I searched for a few hours until low and behold I found just what I was looking for. A beautiful collection of jewellery that made me sit up and de-mist my glasses.
Each and every item tells a story.....
Each and every item is a whole world onto its own of little crevaces,stones and shapes all coming together to make up pieces of beautiful jewellery...
Each and every item could on its own be a conversation piece on design and structure.
and each and every item I could own (want to own ) and wear proudly as a piece of art.
On my next visit to London I went off to find the designer and try on the wonders myself hoping to walk away with something on my finger to have as my very own ...and so I did.
In the heart of London tucked away in a little courtyard full of artists lies the studio of Ruth Tomlinson.
Now, as one knows,its one thing finding that object you totally lust after and fall in love with but what adds to that intense feeling of admiration is when the designer is just as lovely and unique as the creation she has created. Enter Ruth Tomlinson.
What a delight to deal with Ruth - her love for her work shines through.
For anyone who is looking for something positively unique have a look at Ruths website Ruth's website or call her and she is happy to set up a private viewing.
Oh my.. once in a while I come across items in my vast amounts of vintage stock that still make me dizzy.
It does not matter how long I have seen these or how long I have been dealing with beautiful objects, these still do it for me and are just as breathtaking as the first time I saw them all those years ago.
They come in different sizes. Were made in Czechoslovakia in the 1920s and I am sure you will agree are stunnnnning.
The flecks of gold are real as is the weight of the glass ball itself.
All are real little beauties in their own right... as I always say its all in the small detail ... can you imagine having these sewn onto a white plain shirt ?
For more details and prices go to www.accessoriesofold.com
Recently,I decided to clear out some shelves in order to make some holding space.
I need the space for a whole lot of new vintage items that I am bringing in from my warehouse in order to create a new website .
Where? What? When?
I am putting together a sister site to Accessories of Old...I am so very excited about this and not only will it have all our gorgeous vintage goodies but some giftware too chosen by yours truly.
( to be launched soon and I will most certainly keep you all posted.)
Now I know that the thought of clearing out shelves to anyone is a horrendous one to say the least and given the choice most would rather drink poison! Saying this however it is therapeutic in its own way and we most times land up finding treasures that have long been forgotten.
I, for example came across this rather beautiful Vintage Royal Albert tea set my late grandmother had passed down to me. It is so beautiful and what a waste sitting in darkness for all this time only with the pleasure of perhaps a visit from a spider or two.. In fact the last time I had used this set was at my daughters naming tea eight years ago!!
Not only are all the tea cups and saucers intact but so is the milk jug, sugar bowl and pastry plates.
What a beautiful set too and so unusual to find a complete tea set. Gorgeous lipstick red with bright white polka dots edged with gold trim.
Now, I know we all have items that we have stashed away for "that one day". And instead of using our lovely items we have hidden we use ordinary others to take their place waiting or the special occassion to use what is truly beautiful. Its the ordinary that should be hidden and the stashed used.
I myself am guilty of this... eight years proves it.
Why am I blogging about this you may ask? Answer is because it made me stop and think.
I know we all have gorgeous things that we hoard away waiting for the right time and place but what about now?
So what have I done? I have given up that old mug and swopped it for bone china... it out of its hiding place, clean and I have even had my first cup of tea in it ... and felt like Royalty doing it ! ( even if I was sitting in my pajamas)
So, go on ladies( or gents )throw away those chipped or old tea mugs - stop hoarding your good things and use them .
NOW is the right time to use your best items and surround yourself with what is beautiful for everyday use...it makes one feel good and offers everyday eye candy to the weary eye.
It truly is one of the most diverse cities in the world. A place where you can simply be yourself, wear what you want and just be. A total melting pot of different cultures, fashions and individual styles.
A feast of color and objects to keep one interested and wanting to come back for more.
One of my favorite destinations to visit in London is Portobello Green Market.
For all my blog followers in London, or those that are lucky enough to be visiting London this weekend, I have some really exciting news...
This Friday March 15th we will be in Portobello Green Market!!! Oh yes dont bother fetching your glasses..you read right.. Accessories of Old is coming to you.
We will have a stand in Portobello Road Market and we are selling our goods.
What does this mean?
No shipping and no gawking at a picture of something you are dying to touch but cannot.
Now ,If you are anything like I am which is a tactile being you like to touch and feel the object you are buying (as most vintage buyers do) instead of just seeing image online ..well now you can..... So make your way down (or up) to the market and prepare for the ultimate visual feast.
For all those that have not been before easiest way is to get off at Ladbroke Grove Tube station... Portobello Green Market is just a stone throw away.
The market is under cover and is located between Portobello and Ladbroke Grove.
Opens 7am.
If you are desperate to find us and cannot for some reason call up Danny who is the fair contact and he will be able to direct you . His number is 07967 198 985.
Now last but certainly not least for all of you who is looking for eye candy and not just in the sense of a vintage sparkly brooch.. we have Ali who is going to be running our stand and is in charge of Accessories of Old .
Ali the poster boy of Accessories of Old.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Have fun. Touch as much as you want (the jewellery that is :)) and hopefully you will all leave with a sparkly vintage treasure to take home.
Whilst going through some boxes as I do, I came across these darling little embellished Easter bottles.
I had bought these in NY from Bethany Lowe ,had used them for a Easter display in our store and stashed them away.
So you can imagine how excited I was to see them again... I so love the detail in the embellishment
I thought that I would share the joy and you too could be the owner of one of these little beauties by showing us your Easter ideas .. and whoever came up with the sweetest and simpliest idea in our panel of Accessories of Old judges would be the new owner of one of these glass bottles.
All you have to do is get hold of me on our Facebook page and send in your image...
In love with detail . Miniature detail...and all in the form of a tiny little plastic leaf made in France in the 1930's.
Have a look at what I have just unwrapped, dusted off and put on our website for a incredible price of a $1.00 for 24 pieces. Why? I want these little beauties to be affordable so everyone can use them in their craft projects.
And if the AB white is not enough... there is pink too...
Now seriously are those not the prettiest little things ? Enough to inspire any project.
And just in case there is any more room for inspiration .... there are shell shaped too... all to come.