Yesterday I finally finished a project that I have been working on solidly for 3 weeks. It was such a relief to see the finished results last night. My little shoulders feel a touch lighter now. Unfortunately you won’t be able to see the results for another 6 months! Oh, waiting sucks doesn’t it.

Today I am going to show you one of the ateliers that I was not able to include in Paris: Made By Hand because it is not open to the public. I figure, it may not be open to the public, but that doesn’t stop me from sharing the artist’s beautiful work and workspace with you! The above pic is a little sneak peek. Any guesses? (Josephine you are not allowed to guess as you always guess right!).

More soon…

xx

PS apologies for the repetition in my use of words lately, I admit I have been rushing my posts of late and haven’t dedicated as much time as I usually do to editing. Reading back I’ve noticed alot of wonderful wonderfuls and absolutely absolutelys. I’ll absolutely be more mindful of such wonderful wonderfuls from now on.

That is the last poster I printed out of the 7 that are currently featured in the window of WHSmith bookstore in Paris. My giant cardboard eiffel tower will come out of the window very soon – can you believe it’s been a month already since it was erected? It feels like yesterday. So if you are in Paris, and you haven’t yet seen it please do pop down to the store, pick up a copy of my book, and then go and have a sweet treat at Angelina’s. And then a wander through the Tuileries… and then go on a wander to some of the boutiques/ateliers from the book that are in the 1st arr – there’s La Drougerie (where I took the photo above), Alexia Hollinger (beautiful handbags), Astier de Villatte (for some of Nathalie Lete’s gorgeous ceramics, featured on the cover of the book) and Ultramod (for vintage ribbons and silks). Enjoy!

xx

PS I’m thinking it’s about time to show you into one of the ateliers that I photographed but that did not make it into the book, what do you think? I have one in mind…

Bas Bleu bookseller-by-post, based in the USA, publishes a gorgeous catalog of “odd little books” of which they mail a million copies 5 times a year. I am extremely honored that my odd little book made it into their summer 2009 catalog…

They describe their selection of travel books to offer more than lists of hotels and restaurants; “they’re the stories of gifted writers.” And I love this quote included in the introduction of their catalog:

“Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.” P.J. O’Rourke

Brilliant advice! Thank you,  Bas Bleu…

Bolig Liv is a beautiful Danish interior magazine, and Paris: Made By Hand was featured in one of their recent issues. Thank you Bolig Liv! (check out their online gallery for some delicious Danish interior inspiration)…

And a little closer to home, I was wrapped to find out that Paris: Made By Hand was one of the editor’s choices in this month’s issue of VT Wonen, one of the leading interior magazines here in The Netherlands. Thank you so much VT Wonen.

I’m completely stunned that my odd little book has had such incredible press since it’s release in April. I had no idea it would get such a wrap all over the world and I’m barely able to keep up with the coverage. It gives me courage to continue on my chosen path, and such hope that big media sources are interested in the little people – independent writers, artists and crafters who are just doin’ their thing, and loving it.

Thank you to everyone who has featured my first little book on your blogs, websites, in your local newspapers, and magazines. Your support is immeasurable, and I am forever grateful. And a big thank you to each of you who have bought my book – you have enabled me to continue writing, photographing and publishing for a living.

merci à tout.

The other day I received an email from (blog)house reader Judith who so kindly, at my blog request, went to check on my cardboard eiffel tower in the window of WHSmith in Paris.

Here is Judith’s fab report:

“At last made it over to WH Smith on Sunday to check out your tower and pick up a copy of your book. The tower is doing just fine, standing tall and léger, with no signs of constructional weakness. All the little print-outs etc seem to be holding up too – no fading. The little table attracted a few browsers while I was there. The little pile on the table and the small stack on the shelf opposite are probably all that’s left (a dozen?).”

……………………………………….

I can rest easy now, knowing the tower is not leaning, that the print outs are still intact, and the books are selling well. I think there were over 40 copies to start with, so this is wonderful news. Thank you Judith!

This weekend will be the last weekend of the window display (how fast does a month go by these days?!), so if you are in Paris, please be sure to check it out before it is taken down.

Here is another poster which you’ll find hanging in the window alongside my cardboard eiffel tower at WHSmith bookstore in Paris. I like the two guys outside in the background chatting, Parisian style, in intense conversation while inside there are these fabulous, opulent handcrafted chandeliers.Turn to page 153 in the book for the atelier/boutique details.

………………………………………………………………………….

I’ve received so many wonderful emails from very happy (blog)house readers lately. Thank you! I wish I was able to manage my time better so I can reply to each and every one. If you have not received a reply from me then please know that my heart has replied to you, it’s my body that is slow on the mark. I am busy on lots of incredible projects that I am dying to tell you all about. Next week, I might even be able to talk about one in particular, so do make sure you come and visit then.

In the meantime, (blog)house reader & Aussie expat living in Sweden Sam sent me a rather wonderful report about her recent trip to Paris using Paris: Made By Hand as her guide! Sam has a fab blog and she wrote a number of posts describing her experiences and which shops she visited. Her reports are so terrific, I just had to share them with you. So, please go and visit sam’s notebook and read about her Paris: Made By Hand wanders.

Please click here, here, here, and here to read Sam’s posts. Thank you Sam!

xx

PS I’ve decided to call it an early night so I can continue reading Treasure Island. I’m hooked, it’s so goddamngood. That means I will be saving the rest of my posts for tomorrow. À bientot!