Blue Jean Cuff

I have been going in some new directions with my fabric jewelry... I have to keep exploring & experimenting with different techniques to stay fresh and engaged!

I had a great linen jean jacket that I hadn't worn in years but hung onto because it was so unusual and high quality; made in Italy. I tossed it in the washing machine, probably shrinking it a bit but didn't care; it was the easiest way to clean it!

By using all the neat bits and bobs like the button-holes etc. it carries me in it's own direction... I like that. When given a new texture or color palette to work with I come out with a new look naturally...

This is the one I am most happy with so far. It is around my fifth attempt and my thinking is maybe I will try another color field for the next one.... do a monochromatic series... yes, I will try that.

Verner Panton

While I was browsing a thrift store the other day I came across this mid-century modern looking textile, 13 inches x 14 inches, stretched on a frame, ready to hang as wall art. It caught my eye as it was so well executed, I just really liked it and thought it would be a good piece for my vintage shop FoundVintageStyle.etsy.com.

A lovely vintage fabric seller, also on etsy, sent an email alerting me to the fact that this was likely a Verner Panton textile and worth some money. I took it off my site for now while I research it's value...

Verner Panton (1926-1998) was born in Denmark. He started his career as an architect and went on to design furniture, textiles and whole room 'environments'. He was influential throughout the 1960's and 1970's during the heyday of the pop art/ op art aesthetic.

He produced a series of these graphic color gradation designs in various forms. They were called the Spectrum Series and produced by the company, Mira-X.

I have sent some photographs to a couple of people who specialize in his work. We shall see what comes of it... All in all I'm pretty sure my $2.99 investment will pay off!

...a little update... this textile was cut from a wider piece, probably with 2 other squares side by side. That is why there is no selvedge edge and therefore no maker's mark. This of course will reduce the value for a true collector. It's still a great piece though!

New Vintage Textile Cuff

I have been busy sewing, getting ready for the up-coming Cabbagetown Arts & Crafts Show. It is held each year in Toronto, Ontario, the weekend after Labour Day. It runs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in a beautiful park setting. Approximately 160 exhibitors are selling their work in this juried sale. All we need is good weather to ensure thousands of visitors. This year I will expand my line of goods to include greeting cards, wrist cuffs & chokers. The work has been evolving lately; designs are more free-form and by hand dying some of the lace fragments the color has shifted to a more nuanced palette. This cuff is one of many new pieces I will have for sale. I will be adding more posts leading up to the September 5th. event, documenting the ups and downs of preparing, setting up, selling and recovering from a weekend in the 'craft show world'.

St.Lawrence Antiques Market/Toronto

I am taking you to the most lovely shop today. If you adore vintage, especially textiles, you will enjoy this tour. This tiny but crammed full of treasures shop is nestled in the corner of the St. Lawrence Antiques Market in Toronto, Canada.The market itself only runs on Sundays however this shop, Ephemera Too, is open on Saturdays also, from 8-2p.m.
Barbara Griffin is the owner of this emporium and is passionate about all things vintage. She specializes in fabrics but has plenty of other treasures that have caught her eye. Mounds of chenille bedspreads, quilts and blankets are stacked neatly on lovely worn wooden shelves.
Crisp cottons are laundered and ironed waiting for a sewing project to inspire. Barkcloth drapes and cushions adorn a corner light by 1940's lamps. Vintage clothing, purses, shawls; any type of accessories you can imagine are to be uncovered here. As you can see from the sampling of what this shop has to offer in these photos, it is certainly worth a look if you live in, or are ever visiting Toronto!

Lovely Vintage Textile

I wanted to share this lovely piece of embroidery I bought at an antique market last weekend. It is actually a little pouch that was used by ladies to hold their handkerchief. I just love the softness of the colors and the placement of the design.
I have it hanging by my work table. When I look up it feels a bit like looking through a window at wildflowers blowing in the breeze...