A Ring from Bali

A few days ago I received a package delivered to my doorstep by DHL. It contained the loveliest ring which arrived to me all the way from distant Bali and Java. I purchased it via NOVICA an online shopping site which, in association with National Geographic, works directly with thousands of master artisans in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. This helps bring these artisans' beautiful creations and their stories, to collectors worldwide.

My ring was made by Putu Putri who, "Inspired by my family's spirit and their great support, I decided to venture on my own and design sterling silver jewelry in both traditional and modern styles."

The ring is called 'Comet' and includes faceted garnets on .925 sterling silver. It came in its own lovely box accompanied by a little descriptive ticket, order details and a lovely miniature postcard showing a Balinese dancer ..... NOVICA have a really efficient service - the ring only took a few days to reach me on my island in the Med.... great service!..... & absolutely stunning ring....

View more special Novica items here:

http://jewelry.novica.com/bracelets/pendant/

http://jewelry.novica.com/earrings/dangle/onyx/

http://accessories.novica.com/womens/shawls/silk/india/

http://accessories.novica.com/scarves/blue/

White Easter

The art in Jewellery

Most people seem to forget or may never have known that jewellery is considered a minor art form. It is not just the jewellery people wear. It is much more than that. 


Jewellery is usually an artistic creation, designed by a creative mind and made by creative hands. Even if it is machine made, it was first designed by someone and you can bet your bloomers that that design came from an original idea born out of a handmade, out of something from daily life, out of inspiration that something quit ordinary excited the designer or creator into making something lasting.....


Today I just want to treat you to some jewellery designs that have caught my eye and which I invite you to observe - look at the way a form you may have seen many times in your life, was turned into a jewellery form for others to wear and enjoy wearing. Look at the way colour and form have met to make a little jewel something special.... 


Move to the last image where a pretty unique and abstract design has been transformed into a precious jewel - what do you see? It will be interesting to get your comments and compare impressions....

The Queen of Spades and her Shoes

She is a professional poker player. She is also an infamous shoe addict. Meet Beth Shak as she gives us a private tour of her three closets of shoes - her entire shoe collection - and she owns over 1200 pairs!
The latest Director's Diary Episode 7 from God Save My Shoes.

Meeting Me

Hello World!


For the first time on this blog, I want you to really meet me. 


Since I launched Fairyfiligree in 2009, I never ever included a picture of myself on the blog. Strangely enough nobody bothered to ask about me, the person behind the blog,  until very recently somebody asked me why there was no picture of myself on the blog. They said they felt disconnected with the owner of the blog if they didn't see his/her picture. 


It made sense to me. So, I wanted to introduce myself visually to you all. All 130 followers and all the rest of the visitors who pass by on a daily basis and rarely leave a comment... but I know you pass through - I read the stats! As Fairyfiligree is presently registering over 5000 page views every month, its popularity is growing in the big wide world.


You can read more about me here. 


Have a good Friday!

A Box for all Seasons

I am especially inspired by curious looking boxes and own quite a small collection of boxes made of an assortment of materials. They are handy little things to keep jewellery, business cards, trinkets, pins.... so when I came across this seller today, I couldn't resist sharing all her beautiful boxes... Which one do you like best? They are all made by Kasia from Cracow.  Visit her shop - Lavandulavera on Etsy.  

Leaving winter behind,,,,,,

Flower - Lithograph - Alfons Mucha - 1897

Today is the last winter's day of 2012. It has been a tough winter season in most places and for varied reasons. But with the present bout of lovely weather, at least the kind we are experiencing here in the Med, with gloriously blue skies and warm soothing sunshine, the days of spring beckon.

Enjoy these beautiful images from vintage spring-times and enjoy your last winter's day of the year.....

Exposition d'art nouveau d'Eugenie Grasset - Paris - circa 1898

Malta from the inside out

Scooter in Senglea - C.S.Lawrence

Discovering Malta's most peculiar and picturesque angles is a bit like looking out at an ever-changing view - novelty is certainly guaranteed, especially with an artist like C.S.Lawrence. Her paintings are a great way to discover this tiny island in the Med....

Three Red Domes - C.S.Lawrence

Bibliotheque in Valletta - C.S.Lawrence

Whistler and his wistful Beauties

 Symphony in Flesh colour and pink - Portrait of Mrs Frances Leyland 
James Abbott McNeill Whistler  (1871 - 74)

Every so often I like to include paintings by eminent artists on this blog, because I find them a constant inspiration in style and elegance. Some artists are more inclined to portray women in their works and in doing so, they give us a rendez-vous of fashions of their times. Whistler is a case in point.....

Symphony in White, No.1: The White Girl 1862

Rosa Corder 1878

Harmony in Pink and Grey 1881

Antique Silk - the way it was made

God Save My Shoes with Baroness Monica Von Neumann

Once again in shoe heaven, this time the focus of God Save My Shoes' Director's Diary Episode 5 is on Baroness Monica Von Neumann and her shoe collection. Get a sneak peek before the rest with this exclusive episode - an anteprima ahead of the rest, only at Fairyfiligree.....

Where on Art......? - Ferry Meewisse Folded bags

My last post was all about shoes... so I thought why not follow on with a post about bags? And hey presto, here it is.... 


In the Where on Art? series comes Designs of Ferry Meewisse on display at the Museum of Bags and Purses - Folded bags for everyday use. Opening next Tuesday March 13, it is open through to April 29, 2012. The exhibition features bags by designer Ferry Meewisse.  


Meewisse's frrry collection began in 2002—after he graduated from art school in Arnhem—with an A4-sized sheet of leather folded to form a wallet. This design characterizes his way of working: a chance discovery is combined with the practical applicability of an idea. Over the years his designs have developed into complex geometric experiments in folding that result in refined bags for everyday use.

The frrry designs start with a simple base, such as a rectangle. This is subsequently worked into a folding bag whose seams appear not at the corners, but along lines where the bag folds. Because of this, the bag folds beautifully and always in the same manner. Meewisse's approach to making bags is ingenious and well-considered. Using one of his designs is a pleasant experience. Remaining independent of trends, the bags are, as designs and products, meant to last for years. Furthermore he employs materials that have a nice 'feel', that age well and have been produced in a socially responsible way. Meewisse tries, as much as possible, to utilize the leather's inherent qualities in his designs so that reinforcement material or lining is scarcely necessary.

The Musem of Bags and Purses is home to over 4000 objects including bridal bags, pockets, coin purses, reticules, satchels, evening bags and designer bags by top fashion houses such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Hermes, This makes is a collection that offers a broad view of this item's history. In 2011 the museum was granted the Time Out Award for 'Best Speciality Museum' in Amsterdam.

God Save My Shoes

God Save My Shoes - Photo by Victoria de la Torre

Fairyfiligree has been invited to shoe heaven and the only fitting prayer for me to utter is God Save My Shoes. This blog is collaborating with God Save My Shoes producers to bring you a weekly round-up of what goes on behind the scenes of God Save My Shoes.

The production written and directed by Julie Benasra is a Caid Production, produced by Thierry Daher. The document which explores the intimate relationship between women and their shoes was launched in 2011 and premiered during Fashion Week in Paris in September of the same year......but the journey of discovery continues.

Julie Benasra, Writer and Director, with Meghan Cleary

Journeys in women's psyche and closets; close shoe encounters with glamorous shoe lovers, wearers and collectors like Burlesque Dancer Dita Von Teese, Black Eyed Peas Singer Fergie, Philanthropist Baroness Monica Von Neumann are just a few of the women interviewed. Then there are the designers.... Shoe Designers who have made women drool over the next shoe to possess - Manolo Blahnik or Christian Louboutin to name just a couple.

Find out more about this exceptional docu-film by visiting

www.godsavemyshoes.com

Then stop to view this latest update, freshly presented exclusively to Fairyfiligree readers:

Director's Diary Episode 4 - 'Designers on High Heels' featuring Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin, Bruno Frisoni  and  Pierre Hardy. 

Women frozen in Time

'The Yellow Jacket' - William McGregor Paxton 1907

' The Figurine' - William McGregor Paxton 1921

'Pretty Girl' - William McGregor Paxton 1926

'The Letter' - William McGregor Paxton 1908

'In the Sunlight - Mrs Paxton' - William McGregor Paxton 1900

'In the Sunlight' - William McGregor Paxton 1902

'The Samovar' - William McGregor Paxton 1926

'Tea Leaves' (detail) - William McGregor Paxton 1909

'Leaving the Studio' - William McGregor Paxton 1921

Take a careful look at these inspiring paintings by the American painter William McGregor Paxton (1861-1941). Note the dates of each image and how, through his paintings of women doing the most ordinary of daily doings, this artist managed to grasp the changing fashions, hairstyles, poses, attitudes. Don't you find it all so amazing?