I’ve had two groups recently on French la Vie where some of the guests were looking for jewelry. Each mixes medals, chains, pendants, and rhinestones. The other searches for vintage jewelry with bling and bang.

I wear very little jewelry myself, and I can count on one hand how many times I’ve looked for jewelry at the brocante. But I’m here to tell you: after seeing so much of it lately, I realize I’ve been missing out. There is an incredible amount of jewelry at the brocantes.

And honestly, women who wear jewelry often seem so chic, so stylish — everything thoughtfully put together, so much attention paid to the details.

There’s gold and silver and pearls, collectible pieces, designer treasures like Chanel and Dior, cool funky pieces, 1980s styles, boho, avant-garde, statement jewelry… I saw it all- and we’re looking for jewelry one sees clothes and shoes and hats and purses…

One thing I learned is that if you’re a jewelry maker, you’re going to need a lot of chain — and there’s plenty of that here too.

Jewelry isn’t fragile to send, but it’s heavier than sin. Okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration… but it is heavy.

I even started creating jewelry in my mind, because that’s probably as far as it’s going to go. There are plenty of techniques you need to learn, the tools you have to have, and then you either wear it or sell it. I’d definitely have to sell it — probably tied together with ribbons.

The two guests who came looking for jewelry knew exactly what they wanted, exactly what they were going to do with it, and already had the tools and clients to make it happen. It was fascinating to watch.

So if you come to France and visit the vintage or antique markets, look for jewelry. You’ll be pleasantly surprised. From every period of time, you can find so many bits and pieces just hanging around looking for a home. The prices vary, so there’s truly something for everyone.

                

Comments

• This would not be what I'd be looking for either, but wow (!) I ... by Diogenes
• I would LOVE to go shopping for jewelry at the brocante! When I ... by Ann of Avondale

Related Stories

• French Craftmanship: Aubusson Cartoon
• Antiquing Today: A Pair of Chairs, Green Shiny Things, and a Pinchable Butt.c
• What to Know Before Antiquing in France

 

Funny how a poppy field finds me whenever I am wearing a white dress.

                

Comments

• Beautiful! Oh to be a little girl running through a poppy field. by Marilyn Miller
• In reply to Stubblejumpers Cafe. Never thought that. But ... by Corey
• In reply to Diogenes. ❤️ by Corey
• Nice legs, Corey! -Kate by Stubblejumpers Cafe
• The color! It's so vivid. Great pics of you! by Diogenes

Related Stories

• Roses to Say Hello
• Straw Hat Days
• A Painting of the Ordinary Beauty

 

An Aubusson cartoon is a full-scale painted design used as the template for weaving an Aubusson tapestry. The cartoon guided weavers by showing the exact composition, colors, and details of the final textile artwork.

These cartoons were placed behind or beneath the loom so the weaver could follow the image accurately while working.

They are the “before” of a tapestry’s “after”—a glimpse into the creative soul of French craftsmanship.

Isn’t it wonderful how these cartoons hold the blueprint for such grandeur?

                

Comments

• Yes!!! Lovely! by Marilyn Miller
• Oh, how I love these! by Kathy

Related Stories

• Antiquing Today: A Pair of Chairs, Green Shiny Things, and a Pinchable Butt.c
• What to Know Before Antiquing in France
• Whatever You Fancy Let Us Take You There… in Provence that is

 

Our guest loves to go antiquing which is fine with us. The last few days we have done just that. A lot. Thankfully, we all like different things which makes life so much easier when you’re all out for the hunt.

Merle likes jewelry, purses, hats, and vintage clothing, which makes antique hunting easy when you’re not in the same field. Luckily that’s usually the case- everyone has their interest, and even though they might overlap a tiny bit, they don’t overlap completely.

Nevertheless, we influence each other don’t we? That is something I enjoy about antiquing with other people is seeing what they like hearing them talk about it. It opens my eyes to new stories, creativity, knowledge… all that good stuff.

For example, let’s start with this one. This fabric with gold and silk threads has very interesting shiny green bits. Do you know what they’re made from? Caught me completely unaware! I’ll give you the answer in the comment section if you guess.

Never in a million years would I have thought to make a collar, or a scarf out of gloves. But, Merle did. The fashionista has the eye, creativity, and experience.

Then just like that a pair of armchairs screamed my name so loudly I jumped! One could dream in that chair, one could have a cup of tea in that chair. One could find a place for that chair.

But then this guy stood there with that gorgeous behind knocking me off my feet thank goodness for the armchair, I fell into it instead of him. Yeah, he had to come home with me – he was naked – I had to bring him home – had to give him some clothes – now he’s standing on my dining room table, his beautiful butt refuses to get dress. Oh me.

                

Comments

• I had to smile, of course that naked man went home with Corey! ... by Marilyn Miller
• In reply to Corey. Wonderful! by Ann of Avondale
• In reply to Ann of Avondale. I will be back at that shop in ... by Corey
• In reply to ML. Thank you for this information! I can imagine ... by Corey
• The purse has beetle wings on it. Yes, they are fragile. You ... by ML
• Great pictures. I'm interested in jewelry, purses, vintage ... by Ann of Avondale

Related Stories

• French Craftmanship: Aubusson Cartoon
• What to Know Before Antiquing in France
• Whatever You Fancy Let Us Take You There… in Provence that is

 

Sunlight spreads over the garden. A blanket unfurled. A picnic basket laden with olives, radishes, buttered baguette- A straw hat cheers the day. Spring leans towards summer, hand in hand until one lets go. The melody of bees busy amongst the lemon blossoms. Time loosens its grip.

Bare feet wiggle into the warm earth. Fingers trace the edge of embroidered cloth. Cherries stain lips crimson. The scent of lavender mingles with cut grass and sunshine. 

Nearby, someone laughs.

Spring and summer dance hand in hand. One still carrying the coolness of morning, the other promising tender evenings that linger long after supper. Everything feels suspended between seasons. Between moments.

A breeze lifts the brim of the hat. Pages of a forgotten book flutter gently. Clouds wander overhead without urgency.

A picnic beneath an endless sky. 

                

Comments

• So poetic, Corey! by Marilyn Miller
• In reply to georgeanne. Ah! I am happy to hear from you! ... by Corey
• the imagery painted in your words makes me feel alive-my most ... by georgeanne
• In reply to Kathy. Miss you by Corey
• In reply to Ann of Avondale. If only I had taken a close up by Corey
• Beautiful, my friend… 💕 by Kathy

Related Stories

• Pop – Color French la Vie
• Roses to Say Hello
• Poppy Field at Last