Wedding Gown: Then and if I was doing it Now

Mrs. Sutherland from Glamour Girl Bridal and Formals, on Graham Avenue in Winnipeg, Canada, (no longer in business) wrote the following about my wedding gown:

The bride chose for her wedding day a gown of imported silk organza and re-embroidered Alençon lace. The gown is beautifully enhanced with miniature pearl beading. The gown, in Empire style, has a princess collar and long slim sleeves with a petal point finish at the wrists. The skirt flows in soft lines to the back to form a full chapel train. Scalloped beaded lace trims the collared bodice, sleeves, front of the skirt and train. Her veil of silk illusion in chapel length is edged with the Alençon lace and drifted from a head piece of matching lace trimmed with pearl beading. 

 

This is not a photo of my wedding gown. I only have paper copies and haven't seen the need to transfer them to digital format. 

Therefore, I have been looking for a photograph online of my wedding gown worn in the late 1970s. The closest I have come is the one you see here. The sleeve finish was different on mine. Rather than a cuff, mine had what was called a "petal point" sleeve - a double-scallop border/edge, which I believe looked more elegant than the cuff on this one. The A-line style was the same but it is difficult to assess from online photographs how the lace differed. The neckline was similar. I found this version, dated as late 1960s/early 70s, on Etsy. Mine was purchased in the late 70s so it was probably a popular classic style that lasted a little longer than usual contemporary bridal trends. It's selling there for $527.30. My parents, who ran an upholstery shop and were of modest means, paid $351.75 for my gown.

My mother and I spent a cold February Saturday in Winnipeg shopping and it was the dress I said was "the one" in the first bridal shop window we encountered. And she agreed! The floral Alençon lace (described as a re-embroidered chantilly lace) is imported from France featuring beading which shapes beautifully and if I had to do it over again, I would choose a dress made of the same lace. 

If I were getting married today, I would probably choose something that showed off the back more like this one from Marilyn's Bridal in Aukland, NZ.

The collar of Kate Middleton's gown appeals to me.

Or better still, a bateau-style neckline. This gown was featured in the Mori Lee 2015 Collection.

              

I've been to a lot of weddings in my lifetime and there is only one bridal gown I can say stood out. It was amazing and when I saw it I thought, I would have loved to have gotten married in the same one Carly chose. I wish I had photos! In this case, electronic files disappeared when my husband's first IPad bit the dust. (We lost 3 years of our photograph archived lives on an airplane headed to Vancouver. When we got to the Apple dealership, during this pre-Cloud era, we received the bad news. Nothing was retrievable!)

As I'm thinking about what I should do with this dress — no kids, all my nieces are married, and their children are a long way from being married, and who wants their great-aunt's dress anyway? I'm thinking to have my gown remade into a cocktail-length dress. The dress is a size 2 (now I live in a comfortable size 6 and sometimes 8) but a good tailor should be able to manage. I have a friend who can advise me and maybe even oversee the project. My plan is that I will eventually wear it on our 50th. My husband and I have full intentions of being around for that event! 

Re-construction — it's a thought . . . I'll keep you posted.

Project Closet De-Cluttering

Closet Fashion Analysis: 

Minimize and De-Clutter

During this COVID19 time of limited careful contact and distancing, most charitable organizations are curtailing or at the very least limiting clothing donations. Call your charity to find out about their policy.

Our self-isolation time provides an opportunity for getting our clothing donations ready. Very often I have procrastinated with the process because there are other tasks taking up my time. I really do not have any excuses not to de-clutter my closet now when I am staying in.

This last winter I sent off two full-length camel coats and several skirted suits to Dress for Success, the organization that helps women with their wardrobe needs when returning to the work force. I still have some old favourites that I am finding difficult to let go and so this may be the time to cull, sew on a missing button and clean my future donations.

NEED

You can visit your chosen charity's website or call to see what your location requires. When I called during the winter, they needed all categories of winter outerwear, classics such as simple tops and dark trousers and although they accept all sizes, they had a particular need for larger sizes. Owing to my past career, this charitable organization, whose mandate is to collect donations of business attire and accessories to supply women, who are experiencing financial difficulty, with the professional wardrobes needed to make them look and feel their best while job hunting and beginning a new job, is a perfect fit for me. I'm ready to let go of all of those items.

Prepare 6 large bags or boxes and label them: Donate to charity, Give to a friend or family member, Garage sale/Online sales, Throw Out, Mend, Remodel or Clean, Keep. Or just go through your closet with a Donation box and never mind the rest. Sometimes having to make too many decisions will keep you from focused de-cluttering time. 

I like to concentrate on one thing at a time. Last spring before I left for France, I invited a niece who is presently working in management to raid the closet and she did. What amazed me is that I hardly noticed the difference and have already forgotten what she took. Now I am ready to donate. 

NECESSARY

1. Items have to be current and clean. 

My question is what is current? In business dress - a good quality white shirt is timeless, a blazer of medium length - not too short, not to long - can span several years. A good pair of trousers, not too wide and not a skinny fit are also timeless. Accessories? A scarf is a scarf. Colours that are basic - black, camel, navy, grey - these are not easily dated. I do understand that an 80s suit with football size shoulder pads and mid-calf skirts are dated. But I have a navy tuxedo shawl collared blazer that I still wear and still enjoy wearing. I bought it in 2011. 2011 is not current. And I'm keeping the shirt you see on the left which I also bought a good while ago.

So rather, I like to follow my definition of classic because classic, no matter how old, can be current.

If you would not wear it because of a stain on the sleeve, you should not expect anyone else to. Stained clothing ends up in my "housework" clothes drawer and if I have too many pieces, I give the 100% cotton things to a woodworker friend.

2. Items have to be in wearable condition. 

But of course. This seems rather obvious. And now is the perfect time to sew on a button or teach your children how to sew on a button, to repair a falling hem, to stitch a seam that came apart. Rips and tears pretty much should be thrown out because repairs can cost more than what the item is worth.

3. Items should be seasonally appropriate. 

Many charitable locations have limited storage space and so you should donate summer clothes and winter clothing in their relative seasons. Heavy coats, mittens, gloves, scarves and boots are all appreciated by charity volunteers because we don't own as many of these things and we wear them longer, therefore fewer are donated. Do the same for anything you want to try to sell online. You will get a better price selling a pair of Tory Burch boots in winter than in summer.

NO THANKS 

Now you're ready to take a closet inventory and ask yourself the following questions. Your answers will help you determine which box it belongs in.

When was the last time I wore this? A year or more, get rid of it.

Why am I not wearing it? It doesn't fit right; it hangs funny; I just don't like it anymore; my lifestyle has changed. If it doesn't feel right when you try it on, chances are it will not feel right the next time you try it on either. Any one of these responses is reason enough to get rid of it.

Happy Closet De-Cluttering! 

😃Spring 2021 Update: Does dis-order in your life overwhelm you? Changing Spaces by Design has recently published a guided journal with inspiring affirmations, suggested daily strategies to create clutter-free spaces, time management recommendations, and charts to record your project. Shirley B says, "I embarked on the process and am pleased to say that it really does work. I put my stuff in order, found stuff I had forgotten I owned, and got rid of stuff I no longer need (that is somebody else’s stuff now). The result – I know what I have, and where to find it. Amazing!"

You can check out their launch page at 30 Day Journal to Triumph Over Clutter.

Re-Constructing from Previously Worn Clothing

In keeping with my perpetual clothing resolution to "remake" I decided to start easy . . . or at least I thought it was going to be easy.

I have always been impressed with shawls and scarves that have been re-made. I have seen a few examples at artisan markets in France and so I decided to design a shawl using fabrics from no longer serviceable clothing items. Essentially this is a form of patchwork.

Skills: sewing a relatively straight line
Tools and Sundries: scissors, iron, thread, and sewing machine

Like with most things, I started by searching scarf re-construction online and found All Free Sewing.

1. Find items in the same colour tones or in contrasting tones that work together. I ended up with:
• a pale beige cashmere shawl whose fibres had caused splits in the length of the fabric
• a striped white and beige linen shirt that my husband has always hated and assures me he will never wear - now that I have it, he is right
• a beige linen shirt that was splitting at the seams and was impossible to fix
• an ancient white jacquard linen napkin whose fibres were also splitting
• a dark taupe pair of linen pants that my husband promises he will never get big enough to wear again - he hasn't yet
• a meter length of beige and white trim that I bought at a vides greniers (household sale) for a euro.

Photo Source: JoyD in France

2. Wash the items, iron and then cut out the largest salvageable pieces that you can.

3. Lay them on a work surface and stare at them. (Or put them in a large box that you can hide after you have stared at them and not come up with any ideas. Bring out the box when you feel inspired.)

In my jewellery design, I have never been a sketcher. I put my materials on a working surface and stare at it for long periods of time, walk away, return, stare at it some more, try an idea or two, take it apart and stare at it some more. Seems like a waste of time. I wish I could take a sketchbook and draw what I will make but it just doesn't happen that way for me. So . . .

4. Decide if you want finished edges or raw edges on your finished product.

5. Plan the approximate size of your square or triangle.

6. Start putting the pieces together in an agreeable pattern. Don't concern yourself with getting your size dimensions perfect right now. Just pin it together until you have a bit more than what the finished product will be.

7. Now you can start sewing the pieces together.

8. Trim the edges and hem your rectangular or square piece.

So far my shawl is hovering between stage 3 and 6 of the process, and presently in a box without inspiration. It will happen, I'm just not sure when.

Garage Sale for Clothing - Good, Bad & Funny

With garage sale season in full force in Canada I thought to share some of the commentary I have encountered while trying to get rid of some of my closet content. 

I decided to try and get rid of the loads of clothes in my extra closets that I haven't worn in years. My life changed after leaving an administrative style job where I was teaching and consulting. It is going on now seven years since I no longer do that or want to do that. I dabbled in those seven years and that was reason enough to hang on to my "professional wardrobe". I did a couple of stints at a Polytechnic and a university and then decided I don't want to jump those hoops anymore. I reintroduced myself to freelancing as a writer and am called upon by a local lifestyle print magazine which suits me just fine. I can work in my pyjamas and I am happy.

I thought that a garage sale would be the quickest way to get rid of many things without any hassle. Here are some of the comments and questions that I encountered . . . for the most part they are amusing at best and slightly annoying at worst.

"Do you have this in a larger size?" This is a garage sale not a boutique. What you see is what there is. I suppose if I had the same item through several periods of weight loss, perhaps it could be a valid question.

"This is not my style. Do you have anything more "bohemian"? Again, the person selling has a particular style and that is what you will see for the most part.

"I saw you have a sewing machine for sale. Can you alter this for me?" Excuse me . . . You can buy the sewing machine and alter it yourself.

"I never find anything I want at garage sales." Ok then why are you wasting your time going to garage sales?

"This sweater has a button missing." It's a wool sweater in the 50¢ bin, you may have to buy a button.

I shall donate the rest of the clothing.

"Thrift" or "Recycle" Store Purchases

Previously Used Choices
A Closet Content Analysis: Scarves from the Thrift

NICE             NO THANKS         

There is a "recyclable" storefront in Pessac-sur-Dordogne (south-west France) that I like to visit occasionally. It is an interesting place since it is run by the "commune" and was originally established to help out those who were in economic difficulty. Donations of anything and everything were accepted (although now they are getting pickier) and then priced at sometimes ridiculously low prices. Not only those in economic difficulty come here since there are treasures to be found. Keep in mind, there is also a lot of junk.

Many who are setting up a second or vacation home can buy household items for a pittance. One can live here for a couple of months in the summer having bought what their vacation home does not provide and then simply donate it back. Those who do not have the time or disposition to sell things when moving or leaving the country end up trucking everything to Pessac. Or those who just want to get rid of their old and dilapidated stuff will also donate to the commune storefront. 

Now you may ask, "What does this have to do with scarves?"

Clothing is also available and there is even a "designer" section. The physical space is not a pleasing showcase for clothing. Unlike consignment stores or online consignment that require you to have everything dry-cleaned and in impeccable shape, the stuff here is probably donated without any preparation at all. The best that happens is clothing is hung on wire hangers and if you start thinking about it . . . well, it's best you don't think about it. You probably wouldn't be in a place like this in the first place if the thought of previously worn clothing "makes your skin crawl" as a friend described her feelings. I too tend to ignore the clothing.

One could call some of these clothes "vintage" and that is always a possibility. I like what Isabelle Wolfe wrote in A Vintage Affair . . . 

What I really love about them . . . is the fact that they contain someone's personal history . . . I find myself wondering about their lives. I can never look at a garment . . . without thinking about the woman who owned it. How old was she? Did she work? Was she married? Was she happy? . . . I look at these exquisite shoes, and I imagine the woman who owned them rising out of them or kissing someone . . . I look at a little hat like this, I lift up the veil, and I try to imagine the face beneath it . . . When you buy a piece of vintage clothing you're not just buying the fabric and thread - you're buying a piece of someone's past.” 

You probably will not find anything like "exquisite shoes" or a little hat with a veil in Pessac but then again, one should "never say never". Hems may be undone, buttons missing, along with stains or rips that are not trends; these are all part of the "thrift" possibilities. 

That being said or written, after my most recent visit to Pessac, I question buying another scarf at retail again. (Well there is a Hermes scarf I may indulge in someday.) However, for my regular everyday in France kind of scarves I am not embarrassed to admit that I found three beautiful scarves, two silk and one a cotton and linen blend. Yes, I had to rummage through at least 30 other scarves and check out labels and hems but I ended up buying three scarves at 1 Euro 20 centimes - about $1.80 Canadian each. The silk ones are comparable to the scarves I have purchased in the past at 40 to 60 Euro each.  

I do have some advice for those who might want to visit thrifts and re-sale businesses of this nature . . . 

1. Check for stains and tears and never buy anything with either.  It is very likely the item was given away because the original owner could not remove the stain. As well you have no idea what the stain might be and the longer it has been there the less likely you will be able to remove it. As well, leave behind whites that are grey or yellowed. 

2. Check labels for fibre content and washing instructions. Very often these do not exist. If you know the feel of fabrics then go ahead and buy however be mindful that there are synthetics that can feel surprisingly similar to the natural fabric. In the case of the scarves, I was only looking for natural fibres such as silk, linen and cotton. As well for scarves, run your fingers along the hem to make sure it is still intact. The fabric and print has to be pretty special if it is necessary to re-hem with pain-staking blind stitches. As with stains and tears, check for pulls and fraying.

3. There is usually nowhere to try things on and you wouldn't want to until you washed the clothing anyway so know the size potential of the piece for you.

4. "When in doubt - don't buy it", no matter how inexpensive; you'll just end up donating it back. Even a couple of Euros/dollars/pounds is a waste if you will never use the item.

5. When you get it home, first let the fabric soak for an hour or so in cool water then wash according to fibre content. Unfortunately "hidden" stains sometimes manifest at this stage. Try to deal with it before you add a detergent. When in doubt, use cool water with a delicate detergent such as "Woolite" or even a shampoo. Shampoos designed for oily hair are good at removing bio-oils and safe to use on wool, angora and cashmere - after all, those are natural "hairs". Remember always cool to cold water for wool and cashmere. Silk can withstand warm water and linen or cotton can be washed in hot water. Careful though, linens often are blended with other fabrics. Be mindful of colours as well. Never mix whites and colours. When you rinse after hand washing, you can add a tablespoon or two of vinegar. It removes the residuals of soap suds and does not "build up" the way fabric softeners do. I use vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser in my washing machine.

There are psychological considerations and you know your personality type so no matter what how good the experiences you hear about thrift buys, follow your heart. If your first thoughts make you cringe, don't bother even going to a place like this. 

NICE: There is a "feel good" factor about re-using and wearing previously worn clothing. Many do it with ecological pride. I had a friend who made a New Year's resolution that she would only buy consignment or thrift clothing for a year. 

NO THANKS : Others cannot bear the thought of wearing something that someone else has worn. I feel that way about shoes and lingerie; yet I have sold shoes at garage sales and given away shoes that I haven't particularly liked. I had no qualms about others wearing my shoes.

There are treasures to be found so good luck to you at your next 
thrift excursion.

The most confident of women are those who believe in every scrap of fabric they wear . . . (Sarah MacLean in Nine Rules to Break When Romancing the Rake).

And may I add to that . . . no matter where it was purchased or for how much.

Reconfiguring Your Stash into the Industrial and Bold Jewellery Trends for 2016

Harpers Bazaar illustrates the jewellery trends for 2016 in an 84 pic inspiring slide show. Industrial, bold, and asymmetrical demonstrating a slight variation on a five year theme is my assessment of what you will see for the spring of 2016.

Scarlett Johansson at the Oscars. Photo Credit: JCKonline

Here are four ways to take what you already own in your stash and reconfigure it into the 2016 spring trend.

1. Choose the biggest earrings you own and find another pair in a complementary colour. Take one from each pair to produce an asymmetrical pairing and you are on the edge of the 2016 wedge. Take a second look at the earrings Scarlett Johansson wore at the the Oscars. Do the same with the biggest crystal sparkly ones you own and wear a smaller sparkly version or stud on one ear.

2. Statement necklaces are never out of style because they are a "statement of your style". If you bought one in the past five years, whether it sits at the collar or is long, wear it with confidence in 2016. If you want, do the same as suggested with the wrist - add a heavy rectangular chain link.

Christian Dior.
Photo Credit: Harpers Bazaar Slideshow No. 22

3. Re-configure a brooch into a choker. Wrap a scarf around your neck and pin it in place with a large gemstone brooch. If you saved a broken chain from another piece of jewellery, attach it to the brooch pin, on both sides, and let it hang as it will atop the scarf. Or take a gemstone necklace and adjust it to the choker length sitting on top of the scarf.

4. Add a heavy link chain bracelet to a bright colour bangle and you have 2016 on your wrist.

Re-Constructing a Fur Coat

Original fox trimmed mink coat that was re-constructed.
Photo taken by MachelleP.

NO THANKS: One of my resolutions for 2016 was "to update my clothing through some method of reconstruction rather than buying new". I actually began with the thought of re-constructing my fur coat and completed this resolution through 2015. It was a mink trimmed with fox, purchased in the 1980s. The fox had deteriorated in colour and grade over the 20 year gap when I never wore it and never had it "professionally" stored. Last April I began the process of having it re-made with a visit to The Bay (a previously Canadian owned department store but now in the hands of an American company since 2008) fur department. 

It was a friend, Louise K, who had successfully transformed her coat into a short jacket at the Bay and it was through her suggestion that I began the process. She too found that she was wearing her jacket more than she ever wore her coat.

NICE: I had it re-made into a short reversible jacket. I have only seen it in photos because I am still in France and the work was done in Canada. I am satisfied with what I see in the photographs. I feel that I will wear this short version more often than the long. Although it was in the making in 2015, it arrives just in time to qualify it as my 2016 resolution.

The reversible feature offers so much more versatility . . . I am very pleased.

Re-constructed reversible mink jacket.
Photo taken by MachelleP.

Re-constructed reversible mink jacket.
Photo taken by MachelleP.

The successful reinvention of the coat gives momentum and motivation to keep this resolution of re-constructing and even re-purposing clothing. 

If this is a project you have thought about, The Fur Coat Revamp blog post outlines factors to consider if you want to re-create a fur coat. The writer was given a coat by her mother and so her initial motivation was different than mine but other than that, she presents a good cross-section of ideas to move you through this endeavour. 

Re-constructed reversible mink and all-weather fabric.
Photo taken by MachelleP.

A New Year; A New Set of Clothing Resolutions

Resolutions for my closet have been easier to keep than any others. I have had a minimalist 2015 and I imagine that 2016 will be similar. Or should I say "should be" because my clothing 2015 purchases were functional and so my mother's voice tells me that this is something I should strive for in 2016 as well. Although I recognize that this is the most practical, I am not excited about this approach.

I spent the last nine months in France and believe it or not, bought fewer items of clothing here than I do when I am in Canada. The problem this year was the Canadian dollar which was dismal against the Euro. My only significant accessory purchase was another Lancel purse and that was at the beginning of my stay.

My resolutions are in keeping with a re-use, re-purpose, reduce theme:

Resolution Number 1: To update my clothing through some method of reconstruction rather than buying new or to de-construct pieces and then put individual pieces to other uses.  I have done this with jewellery and so it should be able to be done with clothing.

Resolution Number 2: To update my creative skills. I have a number of basic skills in knitting and sewing and crafting generally. I would like to learn techniques that will allow me to create something that I would actually wear, other than my jewellery. I have re-used and re-purposed in my jewellery making and now it's time to expand. This resolution should help with my first one.

Resolution Number 3: To give up one something when I buy one something new. I have had this on my resolution list for the past few years and I never have actually continued with it. I started admirably at the beginning of the year when the resolution was fresh in my mind but then have easily forgotten to continue. This year I hope to target my "give-aways" before I even go out shopping. 

I will keep this list short this year so that I can concentrate on fulfilling three resolutions instead of forgetting ten.

I'd love to read about your clothing or closet resolutions . . . it's easy to comment . . . 

Happy New Year . . . wishing you success, prosperity, health  and loving relationships in 2016.

Bravo H&M!

The "Close the Loop" commercial that to this date has had over 4 million hits deserves the accolades it is receiving. The message at the end is "There are no rules in fashion but one - recycle your clothes"; an innovative position for a retailer to take, but also one that is astute enough to recognize individual differences, beliefs and waste. Sweden's H&M (Hennes & Mauritz) is not the only one doing this. Marks and Spencer in Great Britain and Calzedonia in Italy also collect clothing for recycling purposes. I understand H&M is conducting ongoing research in the process of recycling fabric fibres but until fabric fibre recycling is more cost effective and refined any financial benefits H&M receives will be going into social programs. The prospect that your donations (fabric - the raw material) may eventually become new H&M products incites the development of a new type of re- "cycle" in terms of benefits for the company. Visit Garment Collecting to find out more. 

Finnish, Swedish and Japanese companies have already produced 100% recycled cotton. Fibres that have been around for centuries, such as hemp, are now being used to make blue jeans. My great-grand mother's everyday work wear was made out of hemp. 

Another thought: why is it that the Canadian prairies produces flax but not linen?

Today, in keeping with the theme, I pulled out my sewing machine. The best I could accomplish was a tea towel, albeit an oversize well washed ancient linen tea towel. Here in France, you can go to recycle, re-sell shops, brocantes or vides greniers and pick up old linen sheets for centimes/pennies and re-work them into whatever you want. I was going for simple this time around and chose to cut up an old linen flat sheet for a 90 cm bed (avoiding the holes and worn out spots) and I ended up with an oversize tea towel. Not quite in a fashionable closet, but certainly in a "green" kitchen.

The feel of old linen, cotton and silk is amazing. This tangent may have strayed slightly from the blog theme but there's a necessity to recycle fibre and what is clothing and fashion but fibres fashioned to cover the body?

I have written about re-cycling before: 
Re-Using or is it Re-Cycling Clothing

Re-Using or is it Re-cycling Clothing?

NO THANKS          NOTE-WORTHY

The "recycleterie" in Pessac (department Gironde, France) has reorganized their product sales areas. At one time, clothing was placed in an alcove off the main go-round of the floorspace that included recyclable possibilities from housewares to furniture and a lot of garden and outdoor stuff. Initially I imagine the commune looked at everything people were throwing out and decided that with the help of volunteers, they could make a few dollars. Over the years the "recycleterie" has become more popular and now I imagine it is bringing in a tidy sum. After all, inventory costs them nothing.  

Electronics once attracted those who first walked through the main doors but that is getting to be a tricky business. The reorganization suggests that clothing manifests a good turnover. As soon as you walk in through the main doors you have the opportunity to browse through the men's, women's and children's clothing. Most items are pretty shabby but this is no ordinary "recycleterie" any more. Now there is a rack that indicates "marques" and so you do not have to sift through the nondescript articles to find the treasures. Levis are no longer grouped with all the no-name-of-consequence jeans selling for two Euros a pair; they are now in the designated area of "marques" and being sold for considerably more.

I also noted that there were a number of "supermarket-brand" t-shirts, all brand new with the original markdown prices that obviously even the store could not get. You would think that the "recycleterie" would have priced them at that amount or less, but in fact, they priced them for more than the supermarket's last sale price. I suppose it must be a matter of what the market will bear.

I guess I can't blame them. Re-sellers were coming through, buying for pennies and then selling at the brocantes and "vides greniers" for 300+% markups. That had to be disconcerting for the staff and so I can imagine that they were thinking, "if re-sellers can buy here and make money, we can sell for a higher price and cut out the middle man". The "recycleterie" reminds me a little of the North American reality show, Storage Wars. In fact, Storage Wars is on TV here in France. I propose a reality tv show situated in France featuring re-sellers who scavenge the vides greniers, brocantes and recyclerteries finding treasures that they sell for a profit.

The foreigners who have retired, settled or perhaps just summered here, like anyone else, love a bargain and there will always be the stack of plates for a Euro or two. It is the perfect place to outfit a summer kitchen if not yourself. You could buy a set of dishes for what the paper version would cost. I can imagine someone buying at the "recycleterie" and then donating everything back at the end of the summer. Now that is truly a "recycleterie".

NO THANKS: If you do decide to buy clothing at any "recycleterie", keep the following in mind . . .

. . . Check for odd smells and don't buy if there is any "old" or mildewy odor; it will be almost impossible to get out. Actually this is also good advice for any cloth, wooden or rattan items or furniture. There are many suggestions for removing odors from natural fibers but they seldom work well. It becomes a constant and never-ending battle.

. . . Check for stains and marks. Stained clothing is another "no-no"! You have no idea what it could be or how the original wearer may have tried to remove it. It may be embedded and there is nothing that will remove it. Better not to buy if something is stained.

. . . Check for tiny rips or holes and do not buy. 

. . . Check again and walk away. 

NOTE-WORTHY: However consider the buttons on something that you may reject. You never know, the buttons may be unique and salvageable and you may be able to re-use them on something else. A woman told me about her greatest second-hand-treasure, a Chanel jacket that was moth-eaten and beyond repair but the buttons were still beautiful - definitely a recyclable lotto win.

A Gift to One's Self

Part of the Stash. Photo by JoyD.

A former jewellery maker and client called me last week and asked if I had anything left in my pre-Christmas inventory of jewellery. But of course - Bien sur! When I sell, I am motivated to create more and so I always have a stash. When she arrived I asked what she needed. "A gift for myself", she responded. 

The beauty of buying from an artisan like me is that you can say, I'd like that chain with this pendant or I would prefer a shorter/longer chain with larger/smaller links and so it goes. She chose the piece with the oversize silver heart that you see in the photo. Because she knows the production process, she asked that I replace the black links with a medium size silver chain link. My sense of balance was slightly nudged but the customer knows what he or she likes. She chose another large black enamel heart but only wanted the pendant and I was able to accommodate there as well. 

This year will not be as profitable as last when I had two major sales before Christmas. Arriving from France the first week in December this year created a void for me. The shows I usually participate in were over and the timing was such that I was unable to organize a gathering of my own. However I am still creating to round out my inventory; I have a commission; and I am planning a March sale. As well the former jewellery maker offered to host a show at her home in the new year.

I enjoy the home environment for shows since I can accommodate many different requests. I bring my tools and extra findings and am able to work as guests are browsing. As well guests have often brought old pieces that they have grown tired of and would like reworked and updated. I receive the most satisfaction from recreating something that has lain dormant in their closets, making it more wearable as a reconstructed piece.

"Junk" jewellery is a challenge. Many people have unwearable bric-a-brac that they pick up as souvenirs, especially when done so on the beach during a warm weather vacation. A woman in Edmonton once brought a bag of wooden souvenir baubles - those inexpensive wooden and shell trinkets that you kick yourself for buying when you get home but still accumulate on every vacation. I combined and recreated them into one statement necklace. She could identify pieces from her mother's Cuban vacation, her sister's gift from Mexico and her own purchases while in Spain along with other warm weather spots. Hers was the reaction I remember the most and from which I received the greatest satisfaction. She told me that she could not believe that the trinkets she was thinking about discarding (and feeling guilty doing so) were so beautiful and meaningful in the combined product. I never did take a photograph of that piece. Too bad.

Often, many pieces that people want reworked are family keepsakes. One woman handed me a green seed bead flower brooch that truly was questionable, insofar as spending the money to reconstruct. She sensed my hesitation and then explained, "I know it's kind of ugly but it has a special meaning to me". I added some metal leaf elements, mounted it asymmetrically on an oval metal disc, added a complementary chain and remade it into a necklace. She now claims that she feels more comfortable wearing it and it no longer languishes in a box under her bed.

Women hang on to the the strangest things - a single earring, a broken necklace, a tangled chain, unwearable, oddball, yet beautiful pieces that sit and wait to be thrown out but somehow never do. We keep them for their beauty and maybe more so, for the memories they evoke. Those were exactly the items I found in a box when going through my mother's estate. I dismantled the lot and reworked them as bracelets that I gave to the granddaughters and even one to a grandson. Now rather than being tossed, they can be worn to bring forth memories of the original owner and perhaps even become heirlooms in their own right.

So now you have an option - instead of discarding, have the pieces remade as a gift to yourself (or someone else) at any time of the year. 

2014 Style Resolutions Review

Now that it is the end of September, I thought it a good idea to review my 2014 style resolutions. I did in fact do one post demonstrating one particular resolution that was essentially only partially filled and that was my #2 wear a smaller handbag resolution. My objective then is to analyze my resolution status in this post.

Stacked cuff, bracelet, bangle, watch and medic alert bracelet -

my signature. Photo by JoyD.

Number 1 was to wear more statement jewellery. I wore statement necklaces for awhile, and that "while" was during the time I was working at the Polytechnic in Canada. It was easier to do then, than it is now, when I am not employed outside the home. As well, here in France, my jewellery cache is not as extensive as the one in Canada. Therefore, because I have less to choose from, I am wearing fewer items. That pretty much goes for my entire wardrobe. However, I am wearing my stacked cuffs, bangles and bracelets and it is here where I may have developed this fashion signature.

My number 2 resolution has already been recorded and so I shall let you read about it by clicking here for the post.

Number 3 was to dress up more. This takes more analysis than I care to give it at this moment because there are so many factors to consider. First, "dress up more" has to be defined and described. Essentially I was dressing up more, until the end of May, because I was working in a professional environment. Now "dressing up" could mean wearing long pants instead of shorts, putting on a blazer over a t-shirt and jeans, wearing loafers instead of sandals . . . so you see, this resolution too can be considered only partially fulfilled. But then again, even my casual summer clothing here is more "dressed up" than when I am in Canada, so this resolution may have been fulfilled "relatively speaking".

Resolution 4 was to review my clothing and see what could be re-created and updated. I wrote of a loose mermaid-style skirt that hits below the knees that I thought I would have re-made into a pencil skirt. The more I think about it, the more I think not. So far I haven't attacked the skirt because I am considering that it was made in a particular style so let it be. Re-making it could cost more than I want to pay and it might not turn out well. This resolution is pretty much on hold because most of the clothing this resolution applies to is in Canada.

My fifth and last style resolution was to create a clothing budget. Now why would I have even entertained that thought? I am not an out-of-control shopper nor do I have the motivation (work) to shop often. I do tend to spend a tad more on clothing because of my "trademark" preferences but . . . here I go rationalizing, which is probably the reason I made a budget resolution in the first place. As of September 27th, I haven't made a budget and so I anticipate that this resolution probably will not be fulfilled.

I'll keep making resolutions since they keep me on track, whether I actually keep them or not.