So Sylvie

Inspired by Susanne Bisovsky

Austrian fashion designer Susanne Bisovky takes traditional folkloric textiles and reinterprets them in her original designs, embellishing her outfits with vintage fabrics found at flea markets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barn Promises

I'm making a lot of progress on the barn conversion project. I promise! I've had a healthy creative outburst to start the year. Making lots of new musical friends has been a grand inspiration. I wish you could all live in the barn!

 

Rock 'n' Rolling Record Cabinet

I finally got around to making a cabinet for my records. I realized when I was sitting on the sofa the other day that I was surrounded by stacks to left of me, stacks to the right of me...the piles of records were accumulating faster than my dust bunnies. I took advantage of this beautiful weather we've been having to get the job done.

 

 

I used birch plywood for the body, painted it with a clear non-toxic coat to seal any out-gassing, then painted the top and bottom with a celery/sage green and left the sides natural. I used peg-board for the backing which works great for organizing the cords. I put twist-ties through the peg holes and gathered the cords and attached them to the back of the peg-board with the ties. 

 

 

 

Finishing touch, red casters! I'm putting casters on everything these days and it makes perfect sense for something as heavy as a record cabinet. Before drilling the holes to attach the casters I measured the depth from the top of the metal plate and the two thicknesses of plywood (includes the wood block). I then put a piece of painter's tape on the drill bit to mark my depth so that I wouldn't drill through the cabinet bottom:

 

You can see the blocks of wood under one of the casters. It elevates the cabinet a bit and allows you to see the casters better:

 

To prevent wear-and-tear on the album covers when sliding them in and out I lined the bottom of the cabinet with a 70s avocado green cushioned vinyl (it doesn't even smell!):

 

I have more records to add, but I got distracted in the middle of the job by an impulsive dance party.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marcel Loves Vinyl

 

Marcel will be reviewing his vinyl record collection ~ A-Z ~ in installments on his YouTube channel, while Jimi Hendrix looks over his shoulder...

 

 

Old School ~ New Life: Claire Basler's Atelier & Home in France

**NOTE**

Get in touch if you're interested in joining us

for Claire Basler's Open House 2018. 5 slots available.

www.artfulfrance.com

 

 

In the four years since I first wrote about Claire Basler she has moved from her ironworks property in Montreuil, Paris to an old school property set in lush surroundings in Les Ormes, an hour's drive from Paris. The long-neglected building was smothered in weeds and vegetation, with ivy growing through cracks in the walls, begging to be let in. It's as if this place was waiting for Claire, who gleans inspiration for her large-scale floral paintings from nature, inviting it to creep onto her canvases. 

 

 

 

 

 

Manifesting A Beautiful New Year

Il vero atto di fede  è vessor noi stessi, perché è mediante noi che il divino manifesta di sé il bello.

The true leap of faith is within ourselves, as it is through us that the Divine manifests its beauty.

 

~ my brother Jon with Marcel ~

 

Today I release the worries and the wounds from the year that has passed. I'll turn my face to the new moon and let it smile on me and prepare me for nourishing experiences in the newborn year.

Grazie mille to my dear friends who continue to guide me and love me when I need it most. XXX I wish you well in health, hearth and heart this year...and always. Sylvie