Special Feature Friday: Cruel Candy

Edition 41

Avgi is the owner of Cruel Candy, an Etsy shop filled with handmade clothing and accessories.
The unique but fashionable style of  the clothes made by Avgi makes this shop a lot of fun to browse trough.
Avgi works with wonderful fabrics all with wonderful prints. We can find items in retro style, with cupcake print or with flowers. All in all the clothing produced by Avgi make for a wonderful fashionable addition to any closet.

This cute mini dress comes in 4 colors, white, black, red and emerald green. It reminds me of a 70s mini dress. It is made of a medium weight cotton garbadine. 

This wonderful skirt with a flower print is a real classic item. It is made of a medium weight toile with a lovely French print of flowers and people. This model is available in many wonderful prints, like cupcakes, checkered, and retro prints. This model is timeless and assures of a fashionable classy look.

Avgi was so kind to give the readers of this blog a 10% discount with this code: ISHJESBITS10

Special Feature Friday: Minouc Brocante

Edition 40

I have a thing for vintage and antique's. Everything old has a story, and even though I often do not know that story, I find it fascinating to wonder where an piece has been in it's former lives. 

Minouc Brocante is a shop that sells wonderful vintage items. The shop is run by mother Nienke and daughter Minouc. Many of their family holiday's where spend in France, where they came about the most wonderful treasuries at antique markets and in secondhand shops. 

In Minouc Brocante we can find a great diversity of products. Wonderful tea sets, postcards, tablecloths, candleholders and handmade fabric buttons. The way the items are presented makes them very attractive, and in the photo's it is easy to see their charm and detail.

This wonderful tea cup trio was made between 1966 and 1969. It was made in Germany and marks '100 jahre Bareuther Waldsassen, Bavaria' . The fine gold decoration and the teal give this trio a fresh look. There is a beautiful collection of trio sets to be found in Minouc Brocante, from very elaborate designs to the more fine ones.

These apothecary jars make a great decoration for any kitchen. Besides being a decoration, they can be useful  for storing. More kitchenware is available in Minouc Brocante, including old copper ware.

For anyone in to sewing or quilting I would really suggest to have a look at their collection of fabrics. These vintage french fabrics are difficult to find in any shop but would make for great quilts or bed spreads. 

You can also visit Nienke and Minouc's other shop Minouc where you can find lovely hand made accessories.

Minouc Brocante offers a 10% discount to the readers of this blog with this coupon code: BLOGSPECIAL 

This discount code is valid until the end of September 2014.

Special Feature Friday: Ali Brown Photography

Edition 39

It has been 2 weeks since the last special feature Friday. I have been on a 10 day holiday to the Netherlands, to see family, but also because of my sister marriage. It was a wonderful day, even the rain did not matter. Both bride and groom where looking amazing, and the cake was delicious!

But now, back in France, and back to work again! I will keep it short this week, but there is a lovely shop I would like to share.

Ali Brown Photography is an Etsy shop I found today. Alison is a photographer and always spend a lot of time looking for the perfect props. Eventually she decided to try and make her own props. With her knowledge of sewing she created a bonnet, and immediately she loved designing her own items!

In Alison's shop you can find adorable head pieces for your little one, but also beautiful vintage inspired accessories for adults. These items are not only usable for photo-shoots, but they will also be great to wear to a party or evening out.

This fine floral headband is handmade by Alison. Because it is handmade it will be slightly different every time. This insures you own an unique item! There are many other headbands available in Alison's shop, and you can order matching tutu's to go with the headbands.

The vintage inspired headbands will make great accessories for a themed party, Halloween or a festive evening. Of course they can also be used as a prop for a photo shoot! 

Special Feature Friday: Silver Spoon Creations

Edition 38

I always figured there where a small number of  things one could do with a spoon, scooping being the most important of those things. But, recently I found out that spoons are actually way more versatile! 

Silver Spoon Creations is an shop that sells jewelry made from spoons. Mostly bracelets, to be precise. 

At first you might not realize that they are spoons, but the more you look at them the more you see the spoon it was in a previous life. The spoons used for these bracelets are mostly the vintage type that are beautifully decorated. Silver Spoon Creations is run by the wonderful couple Tim and Veralyn. Together they work for this shop, Tim being responsible for making the items, and Veralyn being responsible for making sure the listings are online and handling the orders. 

This bracelet was created out of 2 vintage spoons from a company called Rogers, the spoons themselves where probably made around 1948. Today they make this beautiful bracelet! It is possible to personalize a bracelet by having initials or names engraved in them. This will be great as a gift, or as a memory. It is possible to order multiple bracelets from Silver Spoon Creations to give to your bridesmaids. 

Besides bracelets you can also find necklaces and key chains in Tim and Veralyn's shop. These items will be great to wear as a set! Just in case you can't get enough of spoon jewelry, I suggest you visit California Spoon Rings. This is a shop run by Tim and Veralyn's son, and his wife. 

Tim and Veralyn have been very kind to offer a discount to the readers of this blog: BLOG15

It is only valid for Silver Spoon Creations and gives a 15% discount. 

Special Feature Friday: China Teaware

Edition 37

China Tea Ware is an shop based in Shanghai run by a family who has been in the tea business for generations. Mike is now the owner of his family's shop, and his mission is to brink China tea wares to the lovers of tea in the world. Different tea sets are used for different types of tea, this helps do draw out the best flavour of the tea. Because of the long history of tea ware makers and tea dealers in his family, Mike knows the ins and outs of tea drinking. It is the place to go to, for anyone who likes their tea time to be extra special. 

This is a Xi Shi teapot with a capacity of 190 ML. It is a piece of Nixing pottery of Qinzhou from the Fuangxi Province. It is one of the most famous types of pottery in China. Nixing pottery is well known for its unique functions. It can withstand strong acids and is non toxic. Furthermore, the clay maintains the taste and color of tea for days, the tea can be kept in the pot and will not spoil. The tea scent will linger in the pot long after it has been used. 

This is a pet monk made of golden yellow clay. His high is 10 cm. Tea pets are traditionally used in the Chinese tea ceremony. A tea pet will accompany you on every tea drinking adventure.

Special Feature Friday: Venus Velvet

Edition 36

Venus Velvet is a jewelry shop on Etsy, it is run by Carolyn. Carolyn is from a family of artists and is delighted by any form of art. She gets great satisfaction from creating versatile jewelry. Carolyn took up jewelry making during her studies on the Ontario College of art. She loves working with precious metals and different colour variations. Her work is influenced by her Baltic background and the strong connections Latvians have with nature and craft. Each piece of jewelry is made by hand, in her green powered studio. When possible the tries to use ethically sourced and recycled materials. Respect for the planet and its inhabitants is a important aspect in the Carolyn's life, and  this can be found back in her jewelry. 

This is a modern geometric necklace created from brushed brass triangles. It's simplicity really stands out! It comes on a 18" sterling silver chain. The triangles are black and gold coloured, but it is also possible to get the item in full gold colour. 

These cute little earrings are shaped in two little raindrops. The second raindrop is made from a slightly thinner wire which makes it free hanging. This allowes for the second drop to swing around as you move, making them very playful. They are available in solid 10K or 14K gold, sterling silver or 14k gold filled.

Carolyn offers a discount for the readers of this blog, It is a 15% discount, valid for every purchase over $30. It is valid until the 31st of August 2014: SummerHeat15

If you would like to see more of Carolyn's work, you can visit her website, or if you would like to stay updated you may want to follow her on Twitter.

Special Feature Friday: Eve's Little Earthlings

Edition 35

Eve is the owner of Eve's Little Earthlings on Etsy. In Eves shop we can find the most adorable little friends for young and old! Eve makes all the plushies she sells by hand. With 10 years of experience in daycare Eve was able to create items that stimulate imaginative play. Her items also encourage the use of motor skills. Eve's plushies are gender neutral and make for great gifts that will be cherished!  On top of these the items are made of eco friendly and often recycled materials. 

This adorable armadillo is made of re-purposed sweater wool, it is stuffed with wool fleece. He is very strong and sturdy, and is therefore able to withstand a lot of imaginative play! He can be washed in cold water and will last for years. 

These sweet woolly sheep stand by themselves, they are made of soft white wool and details are added in embroidery floss. Eve offers a lovely selection of farm animals, and sets of multiple types of animals are available in her shop as well. 

Special Feature Friday: Rachel Nadler Ceramics

Edition 34

The ceramic shop of Rachel is the place to go for unique lightning designs for your home. All the lamps are handmade, and this makes that Rachel has possibilities to change a design to your wishes. 

Rachel works from a small studio in her home. From time to time she collaborates with architects and designers. Her goal is to offer product that are functional and decorative. Rachel works mainly with stone and porcelain. Porcelain is translucent, and creates a warm effect when the light penetrates the thin walls of the lamp. Rachel often leaves her designs unglazed, so the item keeps its rough character and the natural beauty of the clay and porcelain remain. 

Besides lamps, one can also find vases, bowls and dishes in Rachel Nadler Ceramics. 

Why have one lamp as a centerpiece in your living room? This is a collection of 7 egg shaped lamps. The curving of the porcelain creates a special effect. The shades hang at various highs, creating a playful centerpiece for any room. The translucent porcelain creates a beautiful effect, when the lights are on.

This is a handmade wall light, it is made of white stoneware. Rachel uses a technique she calls "knitting" to create the holes in the clay. Some of the holes are filled up with colored porcelain, allowing for a soft colored light to shine trough.  

At this moment Rachel has a sale in her shop, so it is definitely a good time go and check out her items! 

Special Feature Friday: Eye Poetry Photography

Edition 33

Irene opened her Etsy shop in 2007. She has been photographing for a long time, but it did not become a obsession until 2005. The success of her Etsy shop, Eye Poetry Photography, meant that she could quit her day job, and become a full time photographer. Something most photographers dream of! 

Irene combines "her love of travel and nature with a dreamlike aesthetic to create visual poems that evoke a sense of magic, delight, nostalgia and romance". Cities like Paris, New York, Venice and London who have been photographed over and over are photographed in unique ways trough her camera's lenses. 

I remember a school trip to Paris, we entered the Galeries Lafayette, and everyone spread out shopping. All I could do was stare at this huge glass dome, above an impressive open space with balconies at the sides. The craftsmanship and detail that went into the making of this building made me fall in love with it, more than anything else for sale in the shop. I only had to see this picture to know this was the glass dome I looked at all these years ago. Irene has captured this dome in such a way, that my memories, that where put far away, came back right away.

The focus on this picture is the bench, but the pillars of the bridge in the background are so well known, that everyone knows right away where this picture was shot. The soft light gives a feeling of romance and rest, even though it was shot in a busy urban environment.  This is what makes Irene's work so interesting. 

These are the horses of the Camargue, a beautiful nature area in the South of France, near Arles. This picture proves that Irene is not only a great urban photographer, but also knows her ways around nature. These horses look like they could come running out of the screen at any moment. The colors and composition would make this photograph a great addition to any minimalist designed home.

Irene's work has been featured by Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,  The Nate Berkus Show, Apartment Therapy, Daily Candy, Decor8 and Domino Magazine. Her work has been exibithet at the San Diego Natural History Museum, The Sundance Film Festival and Galerie Sakura in Paris. 

I can say that this blog was difficult to write, there where so many amazing pictures to choose from! Please go directly to her shop, to see all the other wonderful work Irene has done. All the pictures in Eye Poetry Photograpy are shot by Irene herself, every single one is a work of art! 

Irene kindly offers the readers of this blog a 15% discount on her items with this discount code: ISHJE15 

Special Feature Friday: Ella's Bows

Edition 32

Last week my mother in law was staying with us! We had a great week, but because we where so busy all the time I had no time to write the Special Feature Friday. This week I am back with a wonderful shop called Ella's Bows.

Robin is the owner of Ella's bows, she started her shop on her own in 2009. She has 3 children, one girl and two boy's. What started as a one woman show has grown, and now many talented friends of Robin contribute to the items found in the shop. Because of this they are able to offer high quality baby clothes and accessories.

These headbands for newborns make for a beautiful accessory for your baby, it can be made in different sizes. Whether it is for your babies first pictures, Christening, or maybe a party, they will look beautiful! There is a wonderful collection available in the shop, in many different colors and sizes.

These adorable turtle hat and shield are made of the best and softest yarn. The outfit is crochet and has a unique look. If you are planning to have a series of photo's made of your baby, these items will certainly make for a wonderful, cute and funny image!

Robin offers the readers of this blog a 15% discount: Bows15