As I said before, shopping the flea markets in Paris was one of my favorite things we did while on vacation. In many ways they weren't  THAT different from american flea markets, but they all had beautiful french treasures and french ambiance that you don't find back here.
There are two main flea markets that are open year round on the weekends; puces de vanves, and puces st. ouen. Puces st ouen is actually a flea market district which has seven different sections. The sections range from  old garage like storage units lining a crazy maze to indoor mall-like set ups.  Tres fun!
Puces de vanves is simply one long street with vendors on both sides who each set up under their individual tents.  Much more american in my opinion.
Trying to communicate with some vendors did get a little frustrating, but for the most part everyone was very nice and helpful. The euro to dollar conversion definitely hurt.
I made it a point not to bring my camera to the markets since I had read that they can get very busy and pickpocketing is not unheard of. I did snap a few pics of the Puces st ouen.

Ive started to unpack and find places for all of my new treasures. One of the most fun vendors we came across sold vintage ribbons and trips.  I was in heaven. Unfortunate it was one of the most crowded booths we went too, and also one of the booths where communication was a bit of a problem. It didnt stop me though, i picked up a few meters of each. Im already wishing I had sucked it up and gone back for more. Next trip maybe.... ?

Im back! Paris was just perfect, and we had a FABULOUS time. I tried to blog several times while we were away, but blogger wouldnt allow me to log in from France. I was always redirected to pages that were all in french, and while I do speak a little french I didnt feel comfortable trying to reset my password in a language i cant totally read- im sure you understand :)
So anyway, it was just AMAZING. The things we saw and experienced were beautiful, and so rich with history. Its hard to visit such a place and not feel very small in this huge world of beautiful things. I love travel :)
One of the highlights of the trip for me was definitely the Paris flea markers. SO MUCH FUN! It made me feel like a local french girl doing a little shopping. These markets were just amazing and I spent lots of mola. ( I'll share with you some of my purchases in the next few posts). Although communication was sometimes tough, we somehow managed and come home with lots of treasures. Im looking forward to lots of crafting and seeing how i can put all of these french things to good use :)

Since I was in Paris from my birthday this year, I didnt get to celebrate with my friends until Friday night. We all gathered at a local bowling ally for some birthday fun and drinks.  Then the next morning I took off  to Atlantic City for a good friends Bachelorette  party weekend. It was a crazy fun night, but im glad to finally be home and sitting in bed with no where to go in the near future. I feel tired to my core, but wouldnt trade it for the world- im having the time of my life :)

Happy Sunday! Can you believe i slept until 11am this morning. 11AM!! I was totally shocked when i rolled over and saw 10:58 on my phone. Immediately the guilt set in as i realized I had lost valuable weekend hours by sleeping. I hate when i do that!


Anyway, im getting the morning/day/afternoon started with a cup of tea out of my new favorite mug. They are perfect pour moi! Je t'aime Paris is right! Less than two weeks til our big trip :)

And since my birthday is in March, I received this card in the mail yesterday. From one of my best friends- Anthropology :)  The candle on the front of the card is actually a necklace. Although I'll never wear a birthday candle around my neck, I will enjoy the 15% off coupon that comes along with it. I may even enjoy it today...we'll see!

I love ledger books.  There is just something about the oddly long shape, old and yellowed lined pages, and beautifully penned entries.  They always make me so curious about who used them, and what their lifestyle may have been like. I wish we still used something as cool as ledger books...

These are my latest ledger book additions- and they are all AWESOME. I dont actually know what technically/historically makes a ledger book "awesome" value wise- but in my opinion these are just FABULOUS. A wonderful Valentines day gift from my mom. Thanks mom!

Check out the new butterfly garland I made. Soon to be available in my etsy shop!

I have been loving all the vintage Valentines Day and loved themed postcards Ive been finding! Ahhh amour!
Ive taken a few of my favorites and turned them into tags. These over sized tags are postcard sized, and are a perfect finishing touch for a gift you may be giving. They can also be used as a Valentines Day card for that special someone. Printed on heavy card stock, they could also be propped up someone or hung on a wall for decoration. Each card has been hand embellished by yours truly and includes gold accents and beautiful shimmering glitter. The back of each card is a pale distressed pink print and has plenty of room for love poems, or sweet nothings to be written. They are available now in my etsy shop. If you'd like to receive your tag before Valentines Day be sure to order by Tuesday. But remember, any day is a good to to show some love!

Some of my latest work- this is the "Roses Mirror". Its quite a departure from jewelry, but this is the kind of work i have been doing lately. This wooden mirror has been hand collaged using historical images, text and ephemera. I just love it, I hope you do too!

We have snow... and we have a lot of it! Although I havent braved the winter weather for myself yet, I know there has got to be between 1-2 feet out there. I do plan on going out and playing at some point today, and I'll take more pictures then. The snow has turned to soft, smoothy falling big flakes right now which is a nice change from all the wind and blowing snow ive seen all morning. They say the snow will continue into the evening :)

My two little robins have returned a few times to the tree right outside my studio today. I really wish I had picked up some bird seed for the little guys.. next time for sure! Will birdies eat anything that i may have in my cabinets?? Please let me know!

I think there are many of us on the east coast bracing ourselves for the next big snow that is going to hit us tomorrow. The weather channel even used the word BLIZZARD in the storm warning. I love it!! I hope it snows, and snows, and snows some more. I am so looking forward to being trapped in the apartment all weekend! Tonight I went to Michaels and wegmans stocking up on all the necessities for the weekend (glitter and brownie mix :)  )

Check out this AWESOME sheet of paper from an old ledger book i got over the weekend. It's just amazing! Its entries run from 1900 to 1905. There are 5oo pages and they are filled front to back, and top to bottom. Aside from a small plastic container full of fake wedding rings i found in an antique store when i was about 13- its my best treasure to date!
And whats even better is this amazing ledger book was one of 4 that i picked up last weekend. Ive decided to open a new etsy shop selling supplies- both new (but used) and vintage. The other three books will be available there in the near future :)

More later- stay warm!

I had a fabulous day with my mom in  Adamstown PA, where we were looking for treasures! And boy were we successful- I stocked up on die cuts and postcards. This valentines day card is new, and there is something i just LOVE about the post office stamp- 8 am Valentines day morning :)

Here's a peek at some doodles Ive done while on the phone. Do you doodle while you chat?

Here are a few shots of what the studio looked like after tidy-ing it up a bit. The next step is to get rid of the green. It drives me nuts!! its just so GREEN :(

My friend Annie is marrying Steve. This is how i presented her with a little gift earlier today. Made with lots of love!

I think im going to apply that same "it doesnt matter how you start, as long as you start" philosphy to cleaning the studio today (and prob into tonight).
NO- it doesnt ususally look like this. I replaced my BIG jewelry bench with this long skinny white bench earlier today. And in true Liz fashion, i decided to build the new table before removing the old one. Thus making it nearly impossible to move around. And then i basically took everything off my jewelry bench and stuck it on an flat, clean surface i could find while i dis-assembled my old bench. And now it looks like a bomb went off....
wish me luck!

Ok, so heres the thing...
Ive been really hung up on how i was going to create this big, fabulous blog post to end the break that i have been on FOREVER. I wanted it to be really great, and i wanted it to make everyone go "ohhhhh, thats what shes been up too. now i understand why she NEVER blogs anymore".  But i dont have anything that even comes close to doing that. And this morning I realized it doesnt really matter how I get started again, as long as i just START.

So thats what im doing! Starting again :) My posts might not always have a real point behind them, but there will be posts. Promise!

I still have yet to work on any sort of jewelry (outside of my 9-5), and it still feels great!!!! Ive had time to work on other projects and crafts. Im reading lots of new blogs,  checking out lots of new artists,  and finding out that i have many more interests then i ever knew.

Ive currently been obsessing over some food blogs I stumbled across. On top of being entertaining they have also been inspiring. Ive actually caught myself thinking "what do they eat on ______ for breakfast" while at the grocery store.  These are my two favorites. Eat, Live, Run and Carrots and Cake. If you have a few min to kill stop by and check them out!

Im so excited to be spending the entire day- uninterrupted, in the studio. I hope to make lots of progress on the MANY projects i have floating around in my head. And with this Black Friday deadline ive set for myself, im feeling the pressure! But since Ive always been the kind of person to work well under pressure, this is a very good thing.

New journal

Italy

France

Be sure to stop by my etsy shop to take advantage of some AMAZING sales on jewelry. Seriously, AMAZING :)

Im going to be saying goodbye to the production jewelry feield, and all of the stress that comes along wtih it. Wish I could say I was sad, but im really just excited about all the other crafts ive been doing lately. Its been so much fun!