La Belle Brocante

Elepants

Vintage tin elephant toy. Perhaps made in Japan, perhaps not. Took his eye off the ball and lost it. Still having a good time.

Send peanuts.

Inspiration

Inspiration is everywhere. Children are practically bursting with it. As adults, sometimes we have to look a little further afield. To a path that has been walked upon for hundreds of years. To a hope that did not blossom into what you had imagined, but still brought forth sweet fruit. To a kindred soul or spirit. To rust and dust and the beauty of the forgotten. 

Sometimes inspiration is more tangible. A line. A lyric. An image that captures your heart.

Or a title.

A Collection A Day

A collection a day? Hmmm. The lovely Lisa Congdon devoted an entire year to documenting her collections, both actual and imagined. A different collection each day. Simple and brilliant, all tied up in one. 

And how inspiring for one entangled in such a passionate love affaire with la Belle Brocante. 

Have you ever seen collection of handmade straight pins? When desperation sets in at day 362, handmade straight pins might just find their starring moment.

So tempting, this opportunity to explore one's treasures in a new light. I am itching to get started, though of course it would be prudent to rein it in a bit and begin at the beginning. The New Year is fast approaching. 

What are your thoughts?

Cachets Anciens

Turned wood handles, worn smooth with use. Brass heads with finely etched initials.

Used to seal love letters.

Petite stamps, each with a day of the week. Lundi. Mardi. Mercredi. Jeudi. Vendredi. Samedi.

Sunday was a day of rest.

Cancellations, postal and otherwise.

Business stamps to make those forms and papers look extra official.

P. Le Clerc. Alger

Les Salles-Du-Gardon (Gard)

84-BB

Mme. Daugeard, Sr.

 And so on.

Thin rubber stamps on squared-wood bases. Old fashioned numbers. Sparkly silver.

 

But For The Grace Of God

 

Brocante Girl's Blog Crush

A lovely mention from the gentlemanly and über-talented Mr. McMahon.

Go on, have a peek.

You'll be glad you did.

 

Mon Père

Recent Brocante Finds

French Pharmacie and Parfumerie bottles, and a petite plaster lamb.

Hand-lettered Apothecary bottles and ground glass stoppers.

Laboratorio bottles from Peru and Estonia.

Favourite Dino Tee

The magic of a child's drawing. 

A generous helping of vintage paper ephemera.

Cut and paste.

Weekend happiness.

Apothicaire Ancien

Antique French apothecary labels. Sharp black ink on tissue-thin sheets, uncut. Many Eaux and Sirops, but some blanks, too, to pen in your own potions and potables.

Serious Men in Striped Ties

Now and then there is the gift of a free day.

A free day to spend with a dear friend.

Making.

Drawing.

Cutting and Pasting.

Smudging.

Sticking.

Laughing and Listening.

Creative Mayhem.

Soul Food.

 

Delicious Inspiration.

Endless Possibilities.

 

Thank you, Dear Friend. 

Thank you.