ANTIQUE SCAVENGER.

Last month was all about hunting and scavenging for antique frames. My motto: The more, the better. And where to buy the most beautiful bronze/silver Victorian-esque photo frames? Italy of course!

Rome is filled with second hand- and antique fleamarkets. The Borghetto Flaminio antique market was one of my absolute favorites. Stands filled with exclusive sheer/lace clothing from the 20s/30s, artwork from designers & jewellery makers and cute old couples selling some of their stuff (excuse me: treasures!) to get some extra money. I stumbled upon some precious frames, full of dainty details. I bought all of the frames that I could find and gave them a big 'thank you' in my best Italian (the look on that cute old ladies' face was all worth it).

Frames, spending all of their long years in the homes of the sweetest Italian people, were now on their way to Amsterdam. As soon as I got home I used all of them combined with my photography, and this is how they've eventually turned out:



Some of these are still available in my Etsy Shop (the "Enter the Forest" prints as shown above are already sold) and some others are still in the making, so keep an eye on it. There will be a lót more coming online soon! ♥

Now it's time to spend my night preparing myself for tomorrow, a day filled with hard labour and sewing. Never thought sewing can be that much fun. (Here's a sneek peak of a DIY Full Moon top I made last week). Can't wait to show you some of the clothes that are almost finished. Sneek peak photos will be posted very soon..

UNDER THE SHADOW OF A THORN TREE.

Yes, first time blogging in my backyard in the sun! I've neglected my blog for way too long (it has been a very busy month, weak excuse I know), so I thought it was time for a fresh new update. I just got back home from a sunny holiday in Rome, all refreshed and inspired. Italy is such a perfect place for me to gain new insights and inspiration (no wonder my photocamera is filled with more than a 1000 photos of this marvelous city and its history). But don't worry, I won't bore you with the "übertourist" holiday snapshots.

Better news is that a day before I headed off to Rome I received a huge package at my door. Last month I had a (nerve-wrecking!) meeting with a printing company who is specialized in printing on fabric. I made a small lookbook with some of my photos on a stretch cotton fabric (to eventually create them into maxi dresses, skirts and bags).

I had to present my ideas to them, which eventually turned out in such a positive and amazing experience. I was terribly anxious about receiving meters and meters of fabric with my photos on them. And there it was, waiting to be unpacked ♥



I literally squealed with excitement when I first layed my hands on these beautiful fabrics. This week is all about shaping these beauties into wearable garments and accessories. I can't wait to use, wear and photograph them!

ON TOP OF A FOGGY HILL..

"Anaïs", 2013.

CALL OF THE WILD.

"Have you wandered in the wilderness, the sagebrush desolation,
The bunch-grass levels where the cattle graze?
Have you whistled bits of rag-time at the end of all creation,
And learned to know the desert's little ways?
Have you roamed the arid sun-lands through and through?
Have you chummed up with the mesa? Do you know its moods and changes?
Then listen to the Wild. It's calling you."

Framing the "Call of the Wild" necklace by Nikki Beulen on a sunny march afternoon.



"Call of the Wild", 2013.