The (Ri)Charmed Life: Chinoiserie

Showing posts with label Chinoiserie. Show all posts

Richarme Autumn 2015 Collection

I'm so excited to have put together a fall collection this year! I'm the sort of person that has to be really inspired to create things. As the school year started and summer drew to an end, I had very mixed feelings and that's why there are several elements to the collection.

When I came across the pottery beads, I was just immediately drawn to the dappled speckling. Initially they reminded me of whale shark skin. As I worked with them though, I got more of a cozy kitchen crockery feel and I just had this image of snuggling up with a book and an afghan and a mug of something delicious. That's my inspiration for the first part of the collection.

Available at Richarme.Etsy.com

My favorite autumn activity is antique shopping, especially open air markets or streets just full of thrift and vintage shops. I love vintage books, vintage jewelry, vintage china... This year I've absolutely loved all the images of blue & white chinoiserie on my Instagram feed. I'd been hanging onto some Chinese beads in that color palette and I just felt like the time was right to debut them.

Available at Richarme.Etsy.com

I really debated about the last part of the collection as it's not really a traditional fall theme. Here's why I decided to go ahead with it: this was a good summer for us- lots of time with friends and family. We spent half the summer swimming! Every day was a potential beach day and we kept a very loose schedule. Part of moving into the fall is leaving behind summer and I don't feel ready for that this year so I wanted to keep part of it with me. Gold is a nostalgic color so I wanted to edge beach shells in that- almost like sepia toned photos. It also gives each shell a polished look so that it can be worn with both casual and more structured clothing.

Available at Richarme.Etsy.com

The entire collection is live in my Etsy shop, so please go check it out! I only have two of the blue & white bead necklaces left, so hurry over if you're interested in those.

posted under asian, beach, beads, blue and white, Chinoiserie, pottery beads, Richarme, Richarme Jewelry, Richarme Jewelry Designs, shells, summer, whale shark skin | 0 Comments

Asian Paper Bird Fans

Even I grow tired of moaning about the heat! I imagine one day we will finally install central heat & air and my body will have complete season confusion. Anyway, a few years back I found two boxes of vintage Asian paper fans. I started to photograph them to sell and as I went to list them, I just couldn't get my wording right or decide to sell them by the box or individually or even really if I wanted to sell them. Here in Florida, having a ready supply of cute fans isn't a bad thing! Anyway, until I make up my mind, here are some photos of said fans.

posted under asian, bird, Chinese, Chinoiserie, etsy, fans, heat, mockingbird, paper, peacock, phoenix, sales, sparrow, TheRicharmedLife, vintage | 0 Comments

Swamp Things

July 25th-

Back to the Museum! Today it was all about pretending to be cool things.


Ship Captain Juju

Fire Chief Julian

July 24th-

Still hot and muggy- at least Jane's got a lot of light weight little cotton dresses. This one is Koala Baby and has pink embroidery and smocking- classic!

July 23rd-

I love the decor in my house- until I have to dust and de-cobweb it all! I'm hopelessly behind and, in this swampy warm house with no air conditioning, not feeling much like even trying to catch up!

posted under asian, Chinoiserie, cleaning, dress, fireman, Florida, Glazer Children's Museum, hot, humid, Jane, Juju, Julian, make believe, pilot, pretending, ship, swampy | 0 Comments

Sleepytime

Wednesday, September 19th~ Not sleeping well lately. I just wake up every hour. After 4 am, every time I wake up, my mind starts racing and I have a horrid time going back to sleep. I've always struggled with sleep and I think that's exacerbated by caffeine later in the day and just being under a lot of stress.

Here's some of the stuff I've got listed on eBay at the moment:

White party GAP dress

Vintage bamboo print halter top

My prized embroidered jacket, I can't believe I'm selling this!

Blue peasant top

Children's Chinese Prince outfit

Another favorite I really don't want to sell- padded Asian brocade jacket

Peacock top

Red Chinoserie jacket- this one you have to go to the auction to see the amazing embroidery on this- pagodas, geishas, birds, oh, my!

posted under asian, caffeine, Chinoiserie, costume, dress, ebay, embroidered. jacket, GAP, ikat, insomnia, mind, peacock, racing, sleep, sleepytime, stress, top | 0 Comments

Identity Confusion

September 13th~

More Chinoserie goodness listed today! These are things that I like, but they don't have much sentimental value to me. It's funny, I just thought of the goblet-like cups as ice cream dishes. The lady I got them from had used them as wedding goblets. After about an hour of research, I discovered they were actually tea bowls. That's a lot of tea! Click on the photo for more details.

I also listed this. I'm not sure if it's male or female. It's a Pat! I read Middlesex recently and that endeared this little friend to me. But... I have nothing else like it and I'm really trying to streamline and focus my collection. Guess it'll have to take it's secret to some other home. Click on the photo to see Pat's face!

posted under asian, bowls, Chinese, Chinoiserie, confusion, dishes, drag queen, dragon, fisherman, goblets, hermaphrodite, ice cream, identity, Pat, tea, TheRicharmedLife, transgendered, wedding | 0 Comments

I Love Lamp

August 28, 2012~

Look what I found! This lamp was still sitting in an unsorted box at one of my favorite thrift stores. It was untested and unpriced. When I took it up to the check out, I put on my sternest "I'm still deciding" face and asked how much. The lady barely glanced at it before she said "$4.99". Then all porcelain was half off and I had 10% off my whole order. I got this for $2.25. How is that even possible?! When I got home and tested it and saw that it worked- I really couldn't believe it! Of course, it has a very old plug and wiring so I'll want to replace that and put a new base and shade on it, but even with all that it's a great deal. Here's a comparable one going for $150 on Etsy.

Not quite sure where it's going to end up being

That bird is giving the stink eye

posted under asian, bargain, birds, Chinese, Chinoiserie, discount, etsy, I love lamp, lamp, Put a Bird on It, repairs, thrift, vintage | 2 Comments