One of my favourite things about the neighbourhood I live in (Queen St. West, downtown Toronto), is exploring and hunting in the little vintage shops that are scattered around the area. A new discovery, and now a staple on my random wanders, is Art History, a little shop that is full of antiques, knickknacks and curiosities.
On a little break-time visit last week, I stumbled upon a box of two-for-$1 alphabet blocks, and after digging through, managed to surface with eight pieces, perfect for the studio. Now I’m just missing two.
One of the reasons this find excited me so much is that after coming across the Cabin 7 site awhile ago through Eat.Live.Shop , I’ve been wanting to recreate and customize their gilded alphabet blocks.
photo cred: cabin 7
Now it’s just a matter of deciding on a colour scheme. I was thinking of silver instead of gold, as it’s more consistent with the Bicyclette branding and would be the perfect accent in the studio. Any suggestions?
I am now the proud owner of a button-making machine, as many of you will know if you follow me on Twitter, or if you read last week’s post. From the beginning, I’ve wanted to have some sort of little takeaway item that I can use for promotions and include with purchases. I was originally looking into laser cutting the shape into card stock and using that (inspired by my laser cut brand book cover back in the spring), but after the pricing turned out a little high, I decided on the promotional tool that everyone knows and love: buttons!
Anyways, thought I would do a little how-to in photos. Excuse the not-so-great phone pics, my DSLR decided to die on me, leaving me with no choice in the meantime. So far, I’ve just been experimenting, and this batch was using photos from the last shoot, and superimposing the little bike icon on them. Some turned out better than others, but overall, I’m pleased with the results and excited to play around with more ideas and designs. I have supplies to make 1000 buttons, so no shortage there!
So… what do we think?? Any special requests?
I’ve been busy writing product descriptions for the website, which means, inevitably, that I’m also scouring blogs as a means of procrastination and gathering ideas and images. I like to think it’s still productive, just in a different form.
It’s been awhile since I’ve done a post that focuses on interior design and decor, which I suppose makes sense as I’ve turned my focus towards the online store and put the physical store environment on the back burner. But I came across a few images that inspired me to do a little more research and after putting together these images to share, have decided that a branch chandelier DIY is definitely on the agenda. Not quite sure whether it will be a studio or home fixture (or maybe both?), but I think either way, it will be a simple addition with a great deal of impact. I also love the use of the branch as a means to display clothing, as in the third photo, and can see this being used for jewellery and accessories as well.
There’s a magical quality that these all evoke, almost ethereal or other-worldly. I’m picturing spray painting the branches white for a more modern feel, maybe adding a touch of silver leaf to catch the light, and intertwining strings of delicate fairy lights. I’ve edited all of the below pictures to be in faded black and white, as I feel it better evokes the spirit I want to capture.
Any other ideas of how you could customize this DIY, or thoughts on how it would be most effective?
click on images for sources / editing by bicyclette
Time for the second installment of the studio preview!
The other day I got out my handy toolkit (thanks Dad!), and finally hung the frames in the studio. I had posted about possible jewelry display ideas awhile ago, and Renee from Eat.Live.Shop (one of my favourite local blogs) suggested I use my collection of frames to do so. I started collecting vintage frames a few months ago for my exhibition display, spray painting them white and using them for the various branding elements that I had designed for Bicyclette. I’m so glad I’m able to reuse them now, and I love the overall effect they have hanging above the vanity (also a thrifted piece that I reworked and painted) and between the two shelving units I have for storage. Keep in mind that this is still a work-in-progress, and yes, I know that some of them are slightly askew!
On display are some of the pieces that I’ll be selling from Soos Rocks (vintage-inspired jewelry) and Oh Dina! (feather hair fascinators). Pretty, aren’t they? Trust me, it’s even harder to resist temptation when I feel the urge to accessorize now that they’re so nicely displayed. I think it’s time to start collecting frames again, as I’d like to continue the display out to the sides and across the tops of both shelves.
Keeping with the studio inspiration theme from yesterday (I’m a little obsessed, can you tell?), here’s another quick home DIY, courtesy of P.S. I made this. I’m already somewhat on top of this idea, what with my obsession with spray paint and my belief that a quick coat can magically transform anything, but I hadn’t really considered spray painting such random objects, and I usually stick to white. I must say though, I’m liking the toys (especially the animal figurines) and there’s something about the gold and silver that is so very luxe. Perfect for accessorizing the studio! Thinking a scouring of the apartment and a trip to the dollar store might be on tomorrow’s agenda …
Thoughts?
Today was spent looking at lines for Fall (slightly odd, I know, considering that we’ve just started to enjoy our summer weather finally!), and doing some studio fix-ups/organizing. It always amazes me how short the days begin to feel when there is so much to do. I’m still trying to get in as much as I can before I call it a day, but I wanted to share some sneak peaks of what the studio is starting to look like. As I mentioned before, the whole room is still in complete disarray, but I tried to capture a few of the pieces that are coming together. Tomorrow is dedicated to painting the chalkboard wall, which I’m extremely excited about, so hopefully I’ll be able to share more once that’s done.
Vintage luggage vignette, in keeping with the retro travel theme that I always love. And of course my Eiffel tower statue in the background, one of Bicyclette icons.
Organization system: I have two huge honeycomb shelves and individual bags to hold each style. What you can't see is the little Instax snapshot on each bag that will indicate what style is being held within. More on my new camera in the future!
Vanity and vintage frames from the exhibit. The frames will be arranged above and used to display jewelry pieces. The vanity will be home to business cards and various other takeaway pieces.
New lace curtains that cast the perfect amount of light across the room and have that vintage-inspiration that I'm so drawn towards. There's a large window that runs the entire way across the room, so these are perfect, light and airy. J'adore.
I’ve been on the lookout for some interior DIYs lately, after the exhibit and then planning out my studio space, so when I came across this one from Country Living, I immediately bookmarked it.
What a great idea: Instead of tossing the old dresser, turn it into a colorful, customized shelf display to house any books or knickknacks that need a more exciting home.
Find a boring old dresser and liberate the drawers. It doesn't really matter what they look like or what the sizes are. In fact, various sizes would probably make a more dynamic display.
Choose a colour scheme and brighten up each drawer with primer followed by a coat of eggshell-finish latex paint.
Decide whether each drawer will be horizontal or vertical, and cut sheets of wallpaper to fit. The quirkier the pattern, the better!
Coat the bottom of each drawer with a spray adhesive and place the wallpaper inside. Stack in your predetermined configuration.
Source: Country Living
I’m running on very little sleep and still have a lot of work to get through tonight, but I wanted to get in a quick interiors post. I was working on a project last week (or was it the week before? Oh my…) for my visual merchandising class in which we had to research and design an idea for a window display, and the first step was to find two inspirational stores. The first one I used was Love of Mine, which I posted about here, and the other choice was easy: Anthropologie. I had the pleasure of working at the opening of the location in Yorkville back in the summer, assisting with setting up the store and being part of the visual team, and it was a great experience, as there is no store that has such a strong vision when it comes to interiors. Anthropologie does an amazing job with their visual displays and merchandising, using found materials, handcrafted props and art to create stories and themes that are innovative and inspirational. They make organized clutter and chaotic creativity work and breathe new life into seemingly useless junk.
Here are a few of my favourites, collected over time and tucked away into my inspiration folder, so unfortunately I’m unsure as to sources …
Also, here’s a quick snap of the thrifted goods I found this past weekend that I mentioned yesterday, to give you an idea of what I’m working with. As soon as I finish my brand book (due next week, wow), I’ll be focusing my attentions on the exhibition props and adding a bit of bicyclette flair …
First weekend of freedom, and I must say, it was well spent and much needed. Red wine and catch-up chats … Sleep ins and lazing at my own leisure … Drinks and impromptu dance parties with the ladies … Afternoon walks in the sun and good food … DIY planning and projects … Catching up on John from Cincinnati and Dragons Den.
Beautiful, yes.
Thought I’d share a few of the DIY projects I’ve completed recently. They’re simple, but this is just the beginning, I still have a long list of to-do’s in this department!
Sequin Decal on Batwing Top
Studded Bag
Lace Bib Necklace and Earrings
The jewelry isn’t quite done yet (the chain’s not attached), but I’m pretty happy with how it’s turning out so far. I’m taking orders for it, as I have lots of supplies left over! I think I’m going to start looking for vintage lace (wedding dresses, perhaps?) and repurposing it into jewelry. The possibilities are endless, and each piece would be completely unique, an aspect I love. I just wish I had more experience in knowledge in jewelry-making. Hmmm… possible extra-curricular activity?
DIY projects are definitely something I want to incorporate into bicyclette, though I’m still trying to figure out what the best way to do so would be. I would love to hear your thoughts on this … selling pieces DIY’d by us, under a bicyclette label? Offering DIY sessions to customers?
Also, if you want to share links to other projects that I might be able to pursue, or projects that you’ve completed, I’d love to see!
On that note, I leave you with this lovely bicyclette-esque illustration that I found, courtesy of illustrator Clare Owen’s blog. It’s love. Expect to see more on her soon.
I don’t think I’m alone in saying that Balmain sparked a love for embellishment, glitz and all things rock-and-roll these past few seasons.
- Fall 2008
Fall 2009
Unfortunately my bank account doesn’t fully support this affair, and so I am forced to settle for alternate methods of fulfillment.
Forever21 Jezebel Beaded Skirt
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