pamgarrison

more paris

Ahhhh Paris, I miss you so. I miss seeing sights like this while walking down the street. Such style. I was especially taken with the colors while there, the creamy taupe and charcol grey everywhere, and the doors and buildings. Here are just a few:

and the other street sights:

To walk around and see this? Oui, s'il vous plait.

bonjour!!!

And a joyous anniversary it was! Thank you for all of your well wishes!! (The yummy treat above was waiting for us upon check-in at our second stay-more on that later.)

Well. You can thank Teresa McFayden for playfully forcing me to blog...not that I haven't wanted to fill you in, but where to begin, and how can I possibly sum it all up? Overwhelming. So I'm just gonna start and maybe do it in installments.

I kept a little journal while there in hopes of capturing it, seen above. The gist of the journal is: I love Paris! Love love love love it. All of France that we saw actually, both Paris and a bit of the South of France. Love the people, the history, the architecture, the sound of the language, everything. We walked and walked and walked everywhere, trying to soak it in. See? I was really there. Here I am in the jacket I had to buy the first day because our luggage did not make the connection along with us in London. (It came a day later.) We left home late Friday night and arrived late Saturday.

Have to show you the classic Eiffel Tower shot. I love the "champagne fizz" of sparkling lights that occurs for the first 10 minutes of every hour. Magical. Wonder if Parisians hate it. Couldn't really capture it on film, but you can see a bit here.

Sunday morning we woke up late and (after buying jackets) headed to Les Puces de Paris Saint-Ouen... the flea market!! You know me well enough by now, don't you? Ahhhh, Paris flea markets! Well, it was not as I expected, not nearly as much junk as I'd like to sort through, although it was so big, I'm sure we probably missed the best streets for my type of finds. Everything was very expensive. There were wonderful antiques, but of course, I was only in the market for items that would fit in the extra suitcase we brought along. And I was with my husband, who is not nearly as fond of junk or my shopping as you and I are. Here's a photo of a couple different streets where we were.

And here's what I bought:

an old birdcage, the perfect shade of grey/blue...it was 10 Euro's (about 13/14 dollars). It fared pretty well in the suitcase, getting broken at the top there (see the crack?). and an old tablecloth for another 10 Euros.

an old pillowcase from an old chateau...10 E
2 wire baskets (like in-boxes) 12 E each

Here's a little box, 10 E, a pink "P" handtowel, free, a pair of bullion tassles, 15E, an old big flower, 3E, other small flowers and velvet leaves, 25E, a tiny paper box, free, some jewelry bits, 14E,

some old letters-VERY expensive-5E each was the starting price, my husband was able to negotiate a small bunch for 20E, some old postcards and ephemera, 20E, an old silver cigarrette (?) case, 12E, some little jewelry findings, 7E

and an old ledger 30E, and an old music book, 5E...and that's it! Can you believe it? My friend came over and was so disappointed that I didn't come home with more. Of course, I am too, but we didn't really time our visit based on flea markets, and we were moving slowly. Now, if I went back with some girlfriends to flea market, I'd do it differently...maybe someday!

Other than the flea market, we did the classic tourist things, climbing the Eiffel Tower...and finding the view breathtaking...

touring Notre-Dame...

visiting the Louvre...

being wowed by everyday streets...

the Arc de Triomphe...

and just loving the hustle and bustle of the city...

Isn't it all gorgeous? ...With that, I'm going to have to stop for now...the bus-stop beckons...more in a day or two.

be back soon

the last stretch

On the last day of our trip, we woke up and headed straight over to Connie's home, which didn't disappoint either. Her home is as sweet and pretty as she is. The photo above is a snapshot of what she had bought at the flea market the day before (I think), I saw the bag and couldn't resist, you know how I love flea market purchase shots. Connie and I mentioned how quickly the time flew and that we didn't even get to really talk supplies much, which is fun too. Next time! Here are some shots of her home.

Here Amy and Jenny are checking out some of Connie's many doll shoes. (And speaking of Amy, she has listed some new jewelry for sale over at her etsy shop...and maybe some more tomorrow too.)

After our morning visit, we began the long drive home. I had done the same drive just a month before with my children, and let me tell you, it was so much faster and more pleasant with art gals, they didn't fight or whine once!! Like I said, the trip was a dream, and I came home with lots of good finds, but the best find of all was the one I discovered once home...

awww, sweet boy. It's nice to be missed by them, and it's nice to miss them. This trip was easy mom-wise, because it was Saturday and Sunday while my husband was home, and they didn't have school Monday, so it didn't feel like things were out of control and falling apart while I was gone. We did talk on the trip about being moms and the challenge that that sometimes brings to living as creatively as we might want. It is hard sometimes, and I just mention it because I know for me, it always feels nice to remember that I am not alone in learning to balance so many parts of ourselves.  Probably also because my husband and I are leaving  together this week for what is our first real trip alone since they've been born, and I am feeling guilty and worried and everything in between. More on that later, one trip at a time. As for this "art" trip, thanks for sharing the adventure with me, it was so fun!   

the adventure continues

While at the Alameda flea market (antiquesbythebay.net), we had a lovely chat with Wendy. She invited us to come to her studio after it was over. (!!!) Now, just so you know, you too can go to her studio, which is about an hour outside of San Francisco (don't quote me on the time)...she is happy to open up for you if you call her...Wendy Addison 510.787.2164 ...and let me tell you it is soooo worth the trip! So Jenny, Amy and I headed over to see the magic first hand. Here Jenny and Wendy are outside her gorgeous doors. The town she lives in, Port Costa, has a population of 200. It was a ghost town not too long ago, and is now a wonderfully small, sleepy, tattered dream. Wendy didn't go to a salvage yard and find the doors, they are the real deal, just like Wendy herself.

Talk about eye candy...

Aren't you just dying to go there? So, after we went a little crazy with the visual feast before us, we settled in to hear Wendy share her journey with us. Her journey of finding her own Theater of Dreams. She showed us the art piece with which it started...

and then the art piece that lead to...

and then the final piece in that series...

Wendy is very into mechanical devices and using them in her art. It was a thrill to see her work them while explaining each piece and it's symbolism.

As if all that wasn't special enough, she then welcomed us into her art studio where she crafts her products.

The glitter! I credit Wendy as being the first one to really bring the German Glass Glitter to all our attention. I remember seeing her on Martha years and years ago making her signature stars. This box was huge, makes a glitter lover giddy. And she showed us how she runs her printing press.

and then her home...and her art journals...

which were every bit as amazing as these pages here. Her daughter Monica is grown up now, but here she is captured years ago. Wendy's talent had no bounds, her illustrations blew me away. Her lettering amazing, her endless amounts of creations and ideas for future creations wonderful.

And then, to top it all off, we went to dinner with her across the street.  She indulged us while we picked her brain and heard her insights on everything from women in the arts, dreams, licensing,  inspiration, anything we could think of to ask. We brainstormed about possible collaborations with Sommerset, and Jenny left with original artwork and journals to publish. Wendy is very passionate about helping others find/create their own Theater of Dreams, and it sounds like that is where her creative energies are going to be going next. Bring it on is what I say!!

After dinner we went back and shopped (you knew that was coming) and just because I love you, I'll post this hideous photo of me because it sums up the experience so well. While Amy looked through all the treasures, Wendy put me to work, and of course, I couldn't resist hamming it up that I was working for Wendy, and she had a great sense of humor about our silliness. Here's a photo of my purchases.

All in all it was truly a dream. I'd thank Wendy here for sharing her magical world with us, but she is not into computers at all. I have a feeling she understood how much we appreciated the experience while we were there anyway, ha ha. And again, Wendy welcomes visitors by appointment only, no shipping requests please. Theater of Dreams, 510-787-2164.

As we drove home the car was alternately abuzz with conversation and quiet with the soaking in of the experience. I knew all of us were still thinking through all the ideas and topics discussed as we slept. This became very clear when, after being asleep for a few hours I got up to close the curtain a bit more, as I did this Jenny sat up (yes, we all shared a room...had to save our money for shopping, after all) and yelled at me, "What are you doing!?! What's going on?"  Which started Amy and I giggling and saying things like, "Give me all your glass glitter lady and no one will get hurt."  Gotta love having friends who understand your passions! So, what is your theater of dreams? 

a fun filled few days

I'm home from a weekend away with nothing but artsy fun on the agenda. Here's how it all happened. Amy and I were in the Somerset Offices talking to Jenny Doh, when Jenny mentioned that she wanted to go flea marketing. Well, say no more to us, we'd love to take you. We talked about Long Beach, Irvine, Rose Bowl, and I mentioned that I'd always wanted to go to the  Alameda (sp?) flea market. A month later I found myself driving up the 5 freeway with Jenny and Amy with the main agenda being the Alameda flea market...I should have realized then that I'd soon be calling Jenny, Miss Get-it-done. (The art supplies shown here are shown as found at the flea market, by the way.)

Jenny hooked us up with her dear friend and artist Connie Stuart. Connie is the sweetest, and met us at our hotel with a big basket of craft supplies and a welcome card. She'd tried to put it in our room before we got there, but the hotel wouldn't let her. (That tells you a little bit about her thoughtfullness.) I'd show you some of Connie's work here, but I think it's all being published in all the various Sommerset magazines, so I can't. Check out any  issue and she'll be in it, she's that prolific. She's  the artist that did the cool doll shoe art on the cover a few months ago. Connie took us on a guided tour of the area.  The first place we stopped was the adorable shop Sweet Magnolia...loved it, and the owners, and their baby, that the Dad introduced as "Shop Baby". Here you see Connie and Jenny with the owner Jill Cox and Shop Baby :). And here are some more photos of Sweet Magnolia.

You can visit Sweet Magnolia at 404 Hartz Avenue, Danville or call (925) 855-9845.

After Sweet Magnolia  we popped in to say hi to Connie's artist friend Bari. Another  sweet gal.  She is a handbag designer and hopefully soon  scarfs, because I want one of these!

She also had yummy things like this sitting around.

You can buy your own Bari original at her website, barijonline.com

After that it was time for bed, but not before  one more treat. Amy gave us each a special necklace wrapped so beautifully (as usual!) Oohs and Ahhs were shared by all. Can never have enough of her jewelry.

After a fitful night of sleep, it was a very early wake-up call for the reason we came, the flea market! Here we are in the dark when we arrived. Left to right, Amy, Jenny, Connie and me.

Here's Jenny and Amy trying to get each other's cell phone numbers since Amy and I had heard that Addison Endpapers would be selling there and were determined to go off and find them.

Find Addison Endpapers we did, and Wendy Addison too, whose art I love love love (don't most?). Like strange star struck crafters, we asked to take a photo with her. I didn't feel too bad though, because some ladies after us said they came all the way from Pennsylvania (?North Carolina? can't remember) to meet her and made a bigger fuss, so we weren't the only ones.

Here are Connie, Amy and Bari.

I also saw Lisa Congdon, and like a freaky blog stalker said, "Are you Lisa?" and proceeded to introduce myself. Sorry Lisa, I love your blog and art so much, it was like seeing a friend I had to say hi to, but I'm sure that just had to be a weird experience for you. Thanks  for being so graceful about it. I had to laugh at myself even.

So of course, you want to see what I got, right? Just remember, I've wanted to go to this flea for a long time, and saved up my mula for the occasion. In other words, I got a lot, (and we didn't even finish the whole flea market it was so big). In case your wondering, I love the Alameda flea market, it did not disappoint.

Yummy stuff. The trip, nor the day, ended here...but motherhood beckons (do your kids get out early one day every week?)...I'm sure you'd like a breather anyway! I'll fill you in on the rest of the trip soon...