My Favourite Dress Of the Moment!

Just a quick post- I just had to share with you this new dress for my Etsy Vintage site. Its a lovely structured well made body con dress upcycled with a piece of wonderful vintage folk embroidery. The colors are stunning. I'm almost tempted to keep it for myself...

Something's Gotta Change...

It's been six months since my last exhibition and indeed, since I last created a body of art work. After I started my 'business' in October, juggling that with being a mother has pretty much consumed me. Even last night, my first planned night out in months and months, I fell asleep before the night had even begun. Or indeed before I had even left the house. Art, exercise, writing and me time has all gone to pot and something's gotta change! Life is too short...

From a family of hoarders...

Whilst I was in England I tried to take a few photos of things that caught my eye. My family are such magpies and my clock maker dad just has the most incredible capacity for unearthing the wonderful and at times the downright strange treasures of random discoveries.

Busy Busy Gone!

I have been so very busy this week and it's still not over yet...a quilt to finish for market tomorrow and a few other bits and bobs before I can get ready to go out! Here is a sneaky glimpse at the bibs that will soon be available at my Etsy shop; Wild and Beautiful. www.wildandbeautiful.etsy.com

Hitching a ride...

Just a quick post today as I'm sooo busy with a million and one things to do before the weekend! I just wanted to share with you this fantastic chair we picked up in the street last night. Its the perfect curl up and read a book sized seat! So, lucky Elqui, got a cool ride home the last few blocks in the chair pulled along ontop of the skate board.!

Besos De Mar

Yesterday when I went to see the flat that I actually never found I took a few photographs of the barrio; Besos de Mar (directly translates as 'Sea of Kisses'- sounds pretty but don't be fooled!). The area is quite near the industrial part of Barcelona called Poble Nou which is filled with cool industrial buildings and artists spaces. Its a strange area, quite central, but kinda forgotten. Lots of run down garbage filled places and communities of squaters, romanian gypsies and stray dogs. Lots of half finished, half started projects and abandoned burnt out buildings...

Tie me upTie me down...

I've seen a lot of designers that have used ties creatively to upcycle clothing and to create statement neck pieces and jewelry. Ive been slowly collecting vintage ties from Encants over the months- all lovely posh silk ones from Paris and Milan; Dior, Nina Ricci, YSL etc. Here are the first three statement jewelry designs that Ive created as well as a beautiful dress that I upcycled using a wonderful YSL silk tie around the neckline.

More Treasure From Encants...(and a lion too!)

Oh the joy of Encants and treating myself to these amazing pieces of jewelry. The blue necklace, which I'm utterly in love with i actually bought last week. The other two pieces, the large chain made out of delicate little beads and the ethnic carved stone animals I bought today and I can't wait to wear them (but it could be a while as I really cant take the blue necklace off!!!) I also bought this cool carnival get up for my gorgeous son...two very happy customers!

A Wonderful Installation By Naoko

http://www.naoko-ito.com/website01.html

I just stumbled across this wonderful installation on the blog 'The Forgotten Things' - http://theforgottenthings.blogspot.com/. The work by Naoko is wonderful and unexpected, such a great experimentation and freedom of materials.

Market and Random Wanderings...

Yesterday was market day which was why I didn't get a chance to blog. I always used to take photos everyday of everything...especially architecture, street art and random momentary compositions of inanimate objects! But its been so long and I'm rusty from not looking around me, I mean really looking...here are a couple of photos I took yesterday and also a few from my market stall. Tomorrow it's off to Encants, fingers crossed I make some great vintage discoveries...

Barcelona Graffiti

Barcelona is a city noted for its rich and diverse graffiti and street art. Here are a selection of some of my favorites...

Dresses as Treasure!

Just a quick post to give you a sneak peek at the dresses that I'm going to be listing over the next few days on Violeta Vintage. Some really great vintage finds and a few upcycled pieces too...

Wonderful treasures from Encants...

I was very excited to find this beautiful cushion and throw set at Encants today. It was a bit of a comic struggle getting it all back on my bike (imagine a big bag on each handle and another between my legs...good exercise though, cycling bow-legged!) andwell worth it. How amazingly beautiful are they? All hand embroidered by an amazingly talented mystery person...definitely a worthy heirloom. There are 9 cushions and 2 large throws on all. Only the other day I was saying how I wanted my sofa to be a haven of shabby boho chic with hundreds of cushions (I'm intending on making my own from some of the gorgeous vinatge fabric I've collected). So this is a great start!

Aby mackie on Etsy

This is a selection my work that went into my previous exhibition. I'm really looking forward to moving on...a new camera to play with and a few ideas floating about! I really want to get back to my textile roots- embroidery, vintage fabrics, recycling and upcycling and collage...

Encants...

Here are just a few snaps of the latest treasures that I've picked up from the local flea market, Encants.
-A beautiful vintage lace and delicate silk nightdress to go with all the numerous others I'm hoarding for future upcycling projects.
-A photo of all the latest great vintage finds for my shop Violeta Vintage that I need to photograph and list over the next few days. (http://www.etsy.com/shop/violetavintage)
-An amazing 1920's hand beaded and heavily pleated evening gown. The pleated part of the skirt actually has a fine wire mesh beneath to create volume. As with a lot of fabulous 1920's clothing it looks quite eighties due to the influence of 1920's fashion during the 1980's! I'm not really sure what I'm going to do with it though, at the moment I'm just letting it haang there and be admired!
-A wonderful bread bag, just so kitch and cool. I am actually going to us it to store our bread! There's something quite Frida Kahlo about it...

It's been a while...

Well folks its been a while, months in fact, since I last updated my blog. So busy with a million and one things; juggling being a full time mother with working full time...but thousands manage it a and more! So no more excuses! I will now be updating my blog at least once a week but will try and aim for everyday! There's so much amazing stuff I want to share- This city, Barcelona, for a start; The local flea market that has the weirdest and most amazing bargains ever; of course all the stuff that I'm making each week for the local craft market and online shop; the amazing vintage finds for my online vintage shop; my art work; and, well, just a million and one pretty, weird and beautiful things that I stumble across each day. Its difficult to keep consistent when i have a billion interests and I'm so fickle with a very short attention span but I'm at least going to try and be consistent with updating this blog!