paper cuts

Paper cuts. Not the most delightful subject, but here, fortunately, we are not discussing those most annoying of injuries when paper is whisked carelessly from a desk, we are talking about the craft of paper cutting. And I have decided to feature Tina Tarnoff. Because…well, she’s amazing and I love her work.

I mean really. Isn’t this sublime?

In here store she has jewelry, note cards, brooches, plaques, and prints.

And yes, they are all cut out of paper. Paper cuts. Now you see?

Just had to throw this out there. Paper cutting is something I shall never endeavor to try. But I can mightily appreciate the masters of this craft.

ottermei

video…flea market buys

Yay! My first video post! Enjoy!

ottermei

3 days of…/ pt 2

Saturday. A day of sunburns and brass knuckles. And baths.

We began latish. Woke up around 10 I believe. Had a glass of wholesome raw milk for breakfast, then proceeded to an organic burger joint for lunch.

Does the background remind anyone else of the Mystery Machine of Scooby-Doo fame? Because that’s all I think about when I see it.

(This one is sort of embarrassing.)

From there we went to the Flea Market. It was quite an ordinary market, with quite ordinary stuffs, but, as is also ordinary, there are a few extraordinary things to be found. Like brass knuckles, feather earrings, Girl Scout cookies, and teapots shaped like clocks.

There were a ton of old windows and doors. Courtney Rae was looking for some, but decided not to buy any there. How on earth would we have fit them into my sedan, I wonder?

After the flea market we headed to Starbucks. Again. A different one this time though. Closer to our B&B. Check-in wasn’t until four, so we had hours to kill. Starbucks was definitely a savior on this trip.

(You can sort of see the feather earrings I bought at the market.)

When we did check-in, we were greeted by a very sweet couple behind the lace-curtained door of an old blue and white mansion.

I, quite stupidly, only got a few pictures of the interior and none of the exterior. I guess I was just too bowled over?

It was definitely lovely, and I fully utilized the whirlpool tub in the elegant bathroom. It was ornate but tasteful, although our room was a little dark for my tastes. Like red wine, heady and stupefying.

I’ll do another post about my purchases. They are just too fabulous to be added in willy-nilly here.

Anywho, part 3 coming SOON!

ottermei

Victoire de Castellane

Is it jewelry or pure art? You decide.

Heroïna Romanticam Dolorosa, 2010
Lacquered silver, white gold, diamonds, jonquil diamonds, rubies, white gold, rock crystal
Necklace: 10 3/8 x 5 1/2 inches (26.3 x 14 cm); With base: 3 3/8 x 10 1/2 x 6 3/4 inches (9.8 x 26.7 x 17.1 cm)

Opiom Velourosa Purpa, 2010
Lacquered silver, white gold, rubies, diamonds, rhyolite
Necklace: 7 1/2 x 7 1/2 inches (19 x 19 cm)
With base: 5 x 8 3/4 x 8 1/2 inches (13 x 22 x 21.5 cm)

Cana Bisextem Now, 2010
Lacquered silver, yellow gold, white gold, diamonds, emeralds, garnets, cucumber jasper
Bracelet: 3 1/4 x 3 1/2 inches (8.4 x 8.8 cm)

Cracbouminalum, 2010
Lacquered silver, yellow gold, brown diamonds, diamonds, iron eye
Necklace: 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches (21.5 x 13.7 cm); With base: 9 1/2 x 7 inches (24.5 x 17.5 cm)

I start with a story, a world, never with the material. I find my stories in everything I observe and experience — and my taste for fairy tales…
~Victoire de Castellane

Victoire de Castellane is a French based artist for Dior who creates pieces of indescribable beauty and delicacy. In this line, Fleurs d’excès, “she has gone further to create ten works that recall the jeweled obsessions of times past, such as the mechanical nightingale of Hans Christian Andersen’s children’s tale, Fabergé eggs, and the fabulous ‘bestiaries’ of animals real and mythic. De Castellane’s intricately made hybrids each contain a wearable element, becoming ‘jewelry at rest, waiting to be worn.’”*

Drawing on such inspiration as the Brothers Grimm and Disney, her pieces are very organic and naturally shaped, resembling the beautiful yet deadly flowers found in nature. Think deadly nightshade and foxgloves.

Quo Caïnus Magic Disco, 2010
Lacquered silver, white gold, diamonds, smoky quartz
Bracelet: 3 3/8 x 3 3/8 inches (8.6 x 8.6 cm); With base: 5 7/8 x 5 inches (15 x 13 cm)

ottermei

Pictures and information courtesy of Gagosian Gallery.

some things I need(want)

The grey love life maxi ruffle skirt and Love is a Song necklace from Ruche. I’ve been wanting a maxi skirt for a long time now, and I think I might reward myself with it if I finish a big school project by this weekend. Having a reward system is quite useful when unpleasant tasks loom on the horizon. And right now I have about three, so let’s see…that gives me three things I can buy without feeling guilty…

                 

        

These items from Topshop. Love love <3 the florals; and the shoes in powder blue…oh yes. The dress directly above makes me think of a butterfly. Imagine waltzing around town in that garment. I would be such a spectacle of patterned goodness.

The Dive Right In and Sketching Memories dresses from ModCloth. The bird patterned one reminds me of Miu Miu. Remember those divine shoes they had recently? Sadly it’s out of stock currently. Not that I could buy it anyway. And it has a *bow*!  Utter perfection.

ottermei