Strings of Inspiration

A Victorian ensemble is never complete without multiple strands of pearls!

One of my true passions/pass-times is jewelry-making. I am a bonafide jewelry fanatic as well as a self-taught beader. I am always voracious for information on the history and inspiration behind intriguing pieces. Like any artist/crafter, I relish taking an afternoon or evening (or entire day) to create something wearable and beautiful and totally unique. But what to make? - this is la question du jour. I find it handy to keep a notebook or scrapbook of inspiration, with notes, drawings and even printed images or magazine cut-outs of ideas and things that inspire and delight me. I also find many sources of inspiration in movies! I am a cinephile through and through and will watch a film over and over just to oggle the costumes and set designs. Of course, one of my absolute favourite films is the BBC adaptation of Jane Austen's 'Pride & Prejudice' starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth. *sigh* So it comes as no surprise that when I spied some of the jewelry featured in this Regency masterpiece I began to wonder how one would make such pieces... One of the very first examples I became enthralled with was a necklace worn by the character of Mrs. Hurst.

Mrs. Hurst's neckline - where it all began...

One of my first signature scalloped designs

The pearls, the scallops, the artistry...it is all so elegant and refined. I searched shops for anything similar and found nothing so I decided to play with my beads and figure out how to make one for myself!

Miss Bingley in all her artistocratic glory

Another design of mine, more complicated this time

 Of course I couldn't stop there! I began to see other designs I loved and pulled elements from them into more of my designs.

Mrs. Jennings from Sense & Sensibility

One of my most intricate cameo necklace designs

A treasured motif to use for my jewelry is the darling cameo. From a young age I have loved this time-honoured symbol of true Victoriana.
























When I saw the film 'Sense and Sensibility' (another Austen adaptation *go figure* with Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet) I became enamoured with Mrs. Jennings' fantastic 3-cameo pearl necklace. I simply couldn't rest until I created something akin to it!

Helen Potter (Beatrix's mother) wears a lovely collier

Another example of a multi-strand pearl & cameo design is featured in the film 'Miss Potter' (about the life of beloved Beatrix Potter, starring Rene Zellweger).

My fresh-water pearl & cameo creation.

From Louis XV royal dramas to Regency love stories to Victorian and even Edwardian tales these stunning necklaces make an appearance every now and then. So, why shouldn't a 21st century girl get to wear one (or two or three!) as well?

So, you see, inspiration is everywhere! In the pages of a book or magazine, in stores or online or (as is the case here) within the delicate costume and set details of fabulous period films! What began for me as a relaxing hobby has transformed into an enthusiastic pursuit which I hope one day to translate into an occupation!

My latest creation: fresh-water pearl and black crystal design with cameo pendant

Now, I encourage you all, my friends, to find your inspiration - whatever it may be - and seize it and pursue it with all your heart! You shall see what wonderful things come of it!

P.S:   As I create more designs here at The Clever Cottage, we hope to accumulate enough stock to open our very own Etsy shop and website! Jewelry is just one of the many items we'll have to offer! In the meantime, please feel free to contact me for custom orders. These one-of-a-kind, personalized pieces make gorgeous accessories for weddings and special events and even for a dash of elegance for everyday!    theclevercottage@outlook.com

September Blooms

A blushing lady among her peers.

There is something truly magical about the progression of seasons from one to another.  From summer to fall there is a tangible change in the air; all of a sudden the wind changes direction and the hazey heat twists and turns away to be replaced with a cool breeze flavoured with the barest hint of chill. Here in Montreal we were blessed (some might say cursed) with a very hot summer, hot and sticky and humid enough to have me longing for the refreshing crispness of autumn. Earlier this week I was on my way from work to vote (the Quebec provincial elections took place just after Labour Day) and the day was a blaze of tropical humidity. Now, I am all in favour of warm summer weather (I love wearing sandals and summer dresses as much as the next gal) and far be it from me to complain about 30 + degree weather in Canada in September but as I trudged to the polling station, the heat of the asphalt radiating up through my shoes into my legs, my cotton blouse plastered to my back and my thick curls angrily escaping my coiffe in a fierce frizzy frenzy, I admit to being ready for Fall. "Give me chilly winds, pretty boots with long sweaters, shawls and scarves anyday!" I muttered to myself.

A Summer Souvenir

Then something caught my eye; I passed a house with flowering bushes shaping the driveway. I did a double take and stopped in my tracks. They looked like...could they be? They were roses!! Roses in full bloom in September! I don't know why but I seem to have a special kinship with roses (I adore all flowers but roses really do it for me). My favourite fragrances and images always feature roses and even my favourite colour shares this name in French. I stooped down to catch the soft rosey sweet scent of these pale pink and white beauties and couldn't help but smile. I thought to myself, "Well here now, if these pretty blooms are basking in this extended summer weather than so shall I!" After voting I changed into my summeriest of summer outfits and made the most out of the heated September afternoon. Later that day I reflected on the fleeting beauty of summer roses; just a few short weeks and they're gone for another year, just like summer. One blustery windstorm, one harsh rain and their delicate petals are shorn from their stems - so too can the summer be wrenched away with one cracking thunderstorm, leaving the whisper of autumn behind.
Indeed, I made a vow that very day; to savour and enjoy every day for what it is. To waste no time longing and wishing for better times to suit my mood, but to recognize the beauty in the Now and let Tomorrow bring what it will. Here's wishing you all the beauty of the season and the awareness to appreciate every moment.

"Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses. "
- Alphonse Karr

Treasures Found

Me, just before shopping ( with my sweet boyfriend snapping the shot).

Since I truly believe I was born in the wrong century, my heart always manages to find places, products and services which remind me of a gentler, softer time. I love to go antiquing, marketing, historic site visiting and of course: shopping! One of my favorite places to shop is in Pointe Claire Village, just outside of Montreal, Quebec. There one finds quaint cobblestone sidewalks, attractive storefronts and traditional architecture (some from as far back as the early 1800s). It's a wonderful place to leisurely browse gift shops, read a book in a quiet café or perhaps, seeing as how it's right on a beautiful lake, soak up the sun and breathe in the breeze to the gulls' cries by the shoreline.

I have visited Lakeshore Drive (or Bord-du-Lac en Français) many times but never with as much excitement as when I discover a shop with everything I could ever want! Yesterday, on such an excursion, I found Piorra Maison; talk about a Shabby Chic Heaven for this Victorian gal! The shop occupies a portion of a larger building and tantalizes customers with displays of gorgeously colorful painted wood furniture outside and hints of lace-covered mannequins in the window.

The first of many beautiful displays to greet me as I entered Piorra Maison - I wanted it all!

Entering the store is like stepping inside another time; everything seems to slow down and the senses take on a heightened aspect - one begins to note the fine lines of a cabriole leg, the gentle contrast of pastel color tones, the impeccable detailing on a sweet lace blouse and the delicately painted posies on a bone china teacup. Within the first minute I knew this was a place I could spend hours upon hours in!

It's details like these that interior designers like me are dying to see!

Being in the furniture industry myself, I was entranced by the amazing paint product used to refurbish tired dressers, commodes, desks, tables and vanities. Annie Sloan Chalk Paint www.anniesloan.com allows one to completely change the look of a piece, apparently without sanding, striping or any prep work prior to refinishing - What's this? A paint that allows me to get to the good part of giving new life to wood furniture? No sweat, just sweet? "Shabbifying" (yes, that's a word) has never been easier! Piorra is the area's leading distributor of this remarkable paint and even provides courses on how to apply it and start you off on your own path to Do-It-Yourself furniture face-lifts! "Chalk" it all up to good taste!

Everywhere I turned I found something else to delight and inspire.

 As I delved deeper into this perfect world of vintage beauty I discovered a beautiful selection of ladies apparel! Lace, lace and more lace! And a a good helping of crochet too! Makes my heart go "Whoop-dee-doo!" Sadly I resisted the urge to dive head-first into the racks of lacy, tasseled, beaded & embroidered goodness (that will be my mandate next visit!)

I did, however, manage to find several clothing pieces that I believe I will need to add to my wardrobe. Through Piorra I was introduced to this absolutely fabulous clothing line: "Cream". Let's just say that these pieces truly are La Crème de la Crème! Romantic, feminine and fresh; each piece is a work of art and of course fit in perfectly with the finds at Piorra (I want everything else, why not some beautiful tops, dresses and sweaters too!) www.cream-clothing.com

What I did splurge on were the vintage linens! Oh my goodness gracious! The very word "Vintage" really is a synonym for Heaven isn't it? There is something so romantic and idyllic about picking up a pretty pack of cloth napkins, smoothing your fingers over the contours of an embroidered linen handkerchief and the airy feel of a hand-crocheted Swiss doily. I've said it before and I'll say it again, everything looks better behind lace! One can never have enough of it!

An entrancing pink painted vanity with everything a girl desires! This girl desired the cut-work embroidered doily on the right and took it home!

Clever jewelry displays add oodles of charm!

A treasure at every turn, I found even more inspiration at the jewelry counter. Poring over the strands of elegant fresh-water pearls and silver pendants gave me the undeniable urge to bead! Everything is presented so lovingly, right down to the pale periwinkle and sea-foam button-tufted upholstered display boards and the Shabbified chalk painted mirror (perfect for admiring oneself while adorned with such precious pearls).

Up-cycle a birdcage into a Shabby Chic candelabra!

After making my purchases and taking one last leisurely tour of the shop (I was so reluctant to leave but the hour was speedily approaching closing time) I realized I was leaving with much more than a bag of goodies. Friendly chat with owner Caroline, a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere to generate a wonderful mood, and inspiration to last a lifetime were all coming home with me.

Piorra Maison will definitely be on my list any and every time I visit Pointe Claire Village from now on. As an interior designer and aspiring entrepreneur I can absolutely see this enchanting shop becoming a top resource center for me in my work. Specializing in romantic, Victorian & vintage inspired style is a passion as well as a profession and I look forward to sharing the beauty of Piorra with my clients and my friends.

I may just have to go back for this darling dish!

Now dear friends, I implore you to take some time this lovely Labor Day weekend to stop and admire the beauty around you. Absorb the calming scent of a lavender sachet, sip tea on a balcony from a china cup, light a candle, read that book or magazine you've been saving for "just the right moment" or simply take a walk and savor the last fleeting delights of summer. And when the shopping bug bites, take a drive to Pointe Claire Village and stop in at Piorra Maison (tell them Dawn sent you!) and get lost in the treasures found!

 

Piorra Maison inc. (Détaillant)

274 Bord du lac (Lakeshore)

Pointe-Claire, Quebec H9S 4k9

514-694-7979

www.piorramaison.com