Eclectisaurus- Toronto Store Watch

This is a post on my favorite vintage furnishings shop in Toronto: Eclectisaurus.
The owner, Leslie, has an amazing eye and doesn't compromise. If she doesn't personally like and believe in a piece it will not end up on her shelves.

She acquires her stock from varied sources and as she becomes more and more known in the design community some excellent pieces are brought directly to her. She is passionate about her work and the never ending quest for finding the best of the best for her shop.

In the bleak grey light of winter, walking into this vintage store is positively uplifting; color, texture, shape and form, whimsy and elegance are all on show as your eyes rest on one lovely vignette after another.

She is a master of display and of course has great material to work with. This space is not static; you can go in on a weekly basis and always have something new to behold. Her prices being exceedingly fair, stock moves quickly.

If you live in, or are visiting Toronto be sure to check out this very special Cabbagetown Shop...

Acadia Art & Rare Books, Est. 1931

Another in my series of glimpses into stores I feel are 'done right'.
This is Acadia Books in Toronto, at 232 Queen Street East.
You can't fake this; the atmosphere created as a result of the space infused with
layer upon layer of history by way of books and art.

Every spot is utilized to give you pause to stop and perhaps flip through an old crate of postcards or maps... or perhaps just gaze at the wall of fabulous cover designs on all the coffee table books...

You could get lost in here for hours.
It is a great anecdote for high tech stress in case you are of need...
When I think of simple, obvious comparisons between... let's say digital and film photography and electronic and paper bound books... you get the idea. This is the ultimate in breathe in the old school way of information transfer. Good for the soul in my opinion!

Lamp Love

I have a love for vintage lamps.
The more colorful or stylized the better.
To me they are sculpture.
Sculpture that lights up... cool.
Sculpture that is functional as well... fabulous.

All these pieces I have found at thrift stores and sold on Etsy.
It makes me happy to see this (small) selection all together.

Kind of like I just created my own design poster.

1960's Pop Art Cat Illustrations

Found.
2 1960's era framed cat illustrations.
(reproduction prints, not originals).
To Keep?
To Sell?
For now, to keep... loving them too much!

I've Been Seeing Red

Some weeks you seem to find items
with a common thread; be it style, type or... color.

Lately I have been finding great vintage design in
RED.

Seasonal serendipity?

Bring it on...

Putting it Out There

This charming sampler caught my eye at the antique market recently. Charming, yes, but for me it went a little further. The words really inspired me; the feeling they evoked inspired me... It felt like a glimpse of memory in a dreamlike state that flickers and passes...
The only thing left to hold onto is the feeling of home; where it all started as far back as memory can take you...

I feel a strong connection to old textiles, stitchery and the time taken to make these pieces that were obviously meant to be saved, cherished and held onto within the family generations. As with so many such objects, I wonder about the path taken for it to eventually rest one day on a market table, up for offer...

My rather immediate thought was that I loved it and wanted to somehow 'make it mine', put my mark onto it in a way that will bring it back to life.

It is currently in a sorry excuse for a frame. My plan is to throw that away and look at it unframed. I want to create my own border, beyond the current one so as not to take away anything that was done originally. Blending my own style of textile stitchery with the original is a sweet challenge.

The title of this post is "Putting it Out There'. I have been neglectful lately of my creative side due to a heavy work schedule. That is easing up now so I decided to do this post as a promise to myself to get on with this project. I really want to do this and all I need to do is START. I know once it is underway I will be compelled to keep at it until I get it right. That is how I am. I will one day do a post of the completed work. I promise.

Highlights of My Day

My days working as a set decoration buyer for a T.V. show are never the same. In each episode there are new requirements that dictate which types of stores I will be sourcing in. I love this aspect of the job. One week I will be looking at a modern, streamlined aesthetic and the next I could be creating a visual with eclectic, colorful and antiqued decor pieces.
I was very into this weeks' search for a layered look that took me to shops with so much to see it was hard to focus my eyes at times!
Even if I come across items not on my current list, if they catch my eye I will photo them and put them in my "Of Interest" file. I have to say, there are so many amazing objects out there! I never get tired of searching for the perfect piece to fill the needs of the set. It is a challenge I happily embrace. I love my job! (most days)...

The Weird and The Wonderful

I have a pretty cool job. Working, as I am these days, buying for set decoration in the film business takes you to some interesting places. This is one of my favorites; a plumbing fixture shop like no other~ Adidison's in Toronto.

It is really an emporium and I don't believe there are many true emporiums left in the world these days...

Everywhere you look there are layers of ephemera. There are no carefully rendered vignettes here. By virtue of the sheer volume and quality of goods the effect is pure magic~ all the more enchanting to roam through and experience...

This is just a tiny glimpse into what this out of the way place has to offer~ unfortunately I had to leave and carry on with my day's agenda. Can't wait to return...

Valentine Enigma

a portrait
framed in a brass pin
of a Victorian woman.

once held close,
worn near the heart?

found.
on a vintage seller's table
at an antique market.
in the year 2010.

Timepiece

Found. A vintage, circa 1962, electronic wall clock;
the ATO-MAT S, made by Junghans, a German company known to be one of the most innovative watch companies in the world.

I love the look. Uber sophisticated with it's deep metal frame inset with the matte brushed finished face. Topping it off is a substantial leather strap with hefty brass 'hook'.

I like to give all items I sell a good test run. It is currently ticking consistently in my hallway. When I am confident about it's mechanics I will be listing it in my shop...

Does This Bag Make You Want to Party?

This gorgeous Vintage Parisian Rhinestone Evening Bag has been nominated in The Storque's (Etsy's Blog)
current 'Wanna Party' Items Poll!

It is a dazzling bag with rhinestones galore... it sparkles like old time glamour should!
You can read more about it in my shop, foundvintagestyle.

If it 'Makes You Want To Party' (you know it will) please cast your vote here: (you will have to click on another link from there in the first paragraph)!
http://www.etsy.com/storque/etc/vote-how-do-you-party-3424/

Thanks Everyone!

Nod to Valentines Day

I'm not big on sentiments on demand. I'm not sure I'm into creating art to market for holidays either. Somehow though, I felt compelled to do something with hearts. I guess I'm seeing it everywhere and caved.

Inspiring me however, is a fabulous stash of deep blood red antique silk velvet I have. It was just born to be used in such a way. Pairing it with equally lush and complex lace fragments took these hearts down an interesting path.

I realized each one emerged with a distinct personality. The first, more simple one is called, "my treasured heart". It is earnest and pure. The second, more complex one is called, "my fanciful heart". It likes to show itself off a bit...

So now I'm getting into it, having a bit of fun with them. Do I keep going... no one has shown much interest yet... I'm not sure a man would think to buy one for his love. It's not jewelry.

Would a woman buy one for herself?

...these are ornaments to hang, wherever your heart desires...

Timing Can Be Everything

Driving along, on a glorious fall Saturday afternoon, I decided to take a different route to go and visit my daughter at her cafe job. I was taking some unknown side streets through a leafy neighborhood when I spotted an enticing church rummage sale sign.

I quickly found a parking spot and entered the church basement, encouraged by the signs saying linens, glassware, art...

However what I was met with was people furiously packing up all their tables in clear bags ready to be shipped to a charity thrift store. I soon realized I was coming right at the end of this promising sale, the worst feeling as you can imagine! As I caught glimpses of exquisite lace and crochet work in the plastic bags I kindly asked if I could PLEASE have a quick look and still buy something. As long as I had exact change the answer was sure, go ahead...

So this is what I assembled in a couple of minutes. Perfect pieces of lovely lacey textiles to incorporate into my textile jewelry. As it was the end of their day a total of $5.00 was requested. I happily obliged. Since I have gotten home I have been experimenting with some natural dyes. Pomegranates produce the most delicate pale pink.... If anyone has some other natural dye favorites post them here and we can share some ideas... Happy good timing to everyone!

FoundVintageStyle/My New Etsy Store

A bevy of shoe clips from another era. Why did these stop being made?
I came across them at an estate sale and there was no question I had to have them for my new vintage shop.

They were just the vibe I was after. Fun, stylish and relevant to today's fashion mood. The kind of accessory you can interpret with your own flair.

How very Mad Men. That's what came to mind as I modeled these beauties on my shoes.

I don't feel like a 'grown up' most of the time. Sophistication? Well, in my own way, yes, but not in the getting all dressed up for an evening of socializing kind of way...

These little satin & rhinestone clips on my little black shoes however... strike just the right note. Not taking myself too seriously; classy but with a sense of playfulness...

This must be but a fleeting temptation to keep these enchanting clips for my own dress up fun...

See them for sale here foundvintagestyle.

Craft Show Preparations...

This looks much better in person. It was tricky to photograph this sign I made but you will get the idea... My thought was, in the instant you have to get someone's attention, let them know what you are selling. My work is on the small side so at a distance it is hard to read what it is. By making this approximately 3' x 2' sign and placing it just outside my tent I hope to attract people to come into the tent and have a look. In the center I added a short bit of text describing the essence of the jewelry and what products I am currently selling. When I set up at the show I will take more photos of it in place and of course report if my idea worked!

New Freeform Cuffs for Fall 2008

Here is a little preview of where I am at creatively these days... These are details of 2 of my cuffs laid side by side.
My textile work is becoming more freeform; I refer to it as 'me coloring outside the lines'. I am having a great time with this. It is very liberating in that I impose no rules upon myself! Keeping an open mind I dye some of my lace fragments and let the surprise outcomes take me where they may...
They seem to need less button adornments as well. One or two well placed exquisite pieces from my collection is all that is needed to make the final creation 'sing'!
If you see anything on my blog currently not listed for sale but you are interested in, just send me a convo through my Etsy site. I am gathering inventory for a show in September but I can part with a few if asked!

The Kitchenette, NYC

This will be my last New York City post, I promise! ...at least for a while...
We came across this totally charming eatery in the Tribeca neighborhood we were staying in. It is my dream restaurant, the kind I always imagined opening. What fun it would be gathering all these vintage goodies and decorating the space 'just so'! (I work on sets in the film industry so it is a very familiar process).
The menu is a dream! All comfort food! Carbs, carbs and more carbs... mashed potatoes with meat loaf, oatmeal with cooked apples, french toast, pies and cookies and cakes...
The place was bustling with business, the waiter had just enough attitude to keep it entertaining and you felt like you were in the coolest place on the planet. I do know that running a restaurant is a tough business. How do I know? My husband ran a french bistro for 13 years and that is where we met. I was a loyal customer and he asked me out one evening and we were married less than a year later. I know he would never want to go back into that business but I can still dream...

Featured Artist #1 in a series: Debra Dorgan

Every so often I will feature an artist that I find inspiring.
I am very pleased to begin this series with Debra Dorgan, AllThingsPretty, an artist currently residing in Auckland,
New Zealand.
Debra's shop name perfectly describes her aesthetic. She seems to have a natural ability for beautifying everything around her. Whether it is a bag to sling over your shoulder to shop with at the market, a tea cozy to adorn the kitchen shelf or a pillow to nestle with on the sofa, her approach to these day to day items is to infuse them with joy.
She collects vintage fabrics, trims, buttons and anything else that catches her eye to embellish her creations. With these materials at hand she hand dyes, cuts, sews, paints, re-configures and makes them her own. What I love so much about her work is it's pure artistry. Her work comes straight from the heart and it shows.
This photo features one of her signature slip dresses. They are works of art with their slouchy side pockets adorned with bits of embroidery, asymmetrical hemline of crochet openwork and lace fragments and detailing of vintage linens & buttons. I love her hints at how to wear these dresses; "alone or with flares, leggings, long stripy socks, ankle-length skirts, jeans, boots or flip flops...".

Be sure to check out her shop!

Vintage Button Shopping

From time to time I will share some of my adventures in button collecting...

Here is a lovely group of 1940's plastic buttons that I bought together on one card. As soon as I saw them at the vintage market I frequent, I knew I wanted to buy them. (and at $3.00 for the lot there was no question)!

The colors have that vintage tone that is so evocative of an earlier, simpler time. They are 'simple' buttons, nothing fancy in the day but yet sweet and charming.

my first post

Today I decided to photograph my latest textile collage. I'm not sure that the lighting is the best yet but I'm putting it out there as a start!