Of Eggs Atlantic and writer's block, good coffee and companionship

Breakfast at Home Of Delicacies (Melburnians -- it's located @ Tunstall Square in Donvale, next to Doncaster Road), a local family-owned business, barista Bill and his dad Peter the chef. I reckon Peter makes the best ever poached eggs, just the way I like them, soft on the outside, and runny yolks inside. His Eggs Atlantic (poached eggs, smoked salmon, fresh greens, Hollandaise sauce, bruschetta) are my breakfast/brunch staple, when I have a long day ahead of me. If I'm in for lunch, I like to go for the Caesar Salad. Afternoons? Well, in the summer I like their ice coffee, but now, as winter draws near, it's their Italian hot choclate :)
Anyway, having suffered writer's block for yonks, meeting up with my good friend Dorothy (blogger of Ink Dots) over coffee this morning at Home Of Delicacies and hearing about her latest writing adventures, I felt inspired to overhaul a couple of drafts and get going again on some serious writing. Thanks Dottie -- your friendship and support is always heart-warming, and I wish you God-speed on your magnus opus xoxo

Timeless Classics: Of Swarovski pearls, angel's wings, vintage diamante box-clasps & glass fishes.

Angel's wings necklace, comprising Swarovski crystal white pearls and an angel's wings box-clasp (rhodium plated, Swarovski crystals, Swarovski crystal white pearls). It was a customised piece for InkDots, the blog of my dear friend Dorothy Adamek. (See her post dated 15 April 2013, "Yesteryear -- Wear Vintage Pearls" http://dorothyadamek.blogspot.com.au/)

This is "Constantia", named after the recipient, Connie, a generous kind-hearted lady. The box-clasp is vintage 1940s Czech craftsmanship, with intricate diamante inlay. Multi-strand necklace comprising green aventurine beads, white and mint glass pearls, mint Czech glass fishes, red Czech glass beads etc.
The box-clasp was one of a kind, but I do have other quality (and less expensive!) vintage-inspired pieces, the angel's wings clasp featured above is but one of several styles.

It's mid-afternoon and i'm starving, guess where i am right now? Middle Fish on Cardigan Street, Carlton, on the perimeter of Melb Uni's Parkville campus. Great for authentic affordable Thai eats, cool rhythms blaring from the overhead sound-system .... (30 mins later) Banana roti & coconut ice-cream, seriously strong Thai-style coffee, awesome combo, now to walk it off!

Siyias on Smith Street, close to intersection with Johnston, is another fab location for good food, decent prices, great coffee ... Lunched there last Friday -- petite beef patties, coleslaw & Caeser salad,  washed down with blood orange juice. Delish!

Brunched this morning at Storm In A Teacup on Smith Street (Collingwood), near the corner junction with Gertrude Street -- awesome chai latte, and baked eggs with tomato & ham in a cute little tureen (accompanied by ciabatta for dipping, leafy greens, and "real" organic kwark). Definitely adding this place to my list of favorite hang-outs in the bohemian heartland of Melbourne :)

Thanks, ladies, see you soon xxx

Updated post of select items from my private collection. Main themes: Le Sacré-Cœur (roses & crucifixes), Avalon (roses), Arcadia (butterflies) & Retro Flower Power. I am happy to accept individual commissions based on my designs or yours, provided that I'm allowed sufficient time to source suitable materials & to craft the item in mind. For enquiries, email wearable_art@aol.com, or SMS/voice-mail 04-04208390. The URL to my Facebook 2011/2012 sale album is available on request.

Le Sacré-Cœur, signature piece #1: Trinity Brass filigree, matt & resin black petite roses, laser-cut walnut wood hearts (two of them, stuck together for reinforcement because each piece is very fragile), Chinese silk collar. Petite Celtic crucifix (London, ca. early 1990s).

 Avalon Celtique au Clair de Lune: Trinity Brass filigree, Swarovski crystal pearl cabuchons, petite black rose cameo, hand-dyed navy blue rolled silk string, Chinese silk collar. Pewter Celtic crucifix (Leiden, circa mid-2000s).

 

 Avalon signature piece #1: Limited edition giant rose cameo, Swarovski crystal pearls & butterflies, black onyx, faceted Czech glass beads.

 Avalon Celtique signature piece #1: Limited edition giant rose cameo, Swarovski crystal pearls & butterflies, black onyx, faceted Czech glass beads, pewter Celtic crucifix (Leiden, ca. mid-2000s).

 Le Sacre-Coeur d'Arcadie. Pewter fleur de lis heart, pewter butterflies, hand-dyed black silk ribbon.

 Antique gold enamel cast metal pendant with dual phoenix feature, green cloisone heart, Chinese silk collar, hand-dyed silk ribbons.

St. Christopher medallion (Antwerp, ca. early 1990s). Black rose cameo, hand-dyed black purple rolled silk string, Chinese silk collar.

Pewter crucifix (Dublin, 2005). Hand-dyed black silk ribbon.

Pewter Celtic crucifix (Leiden, ca. mid-2000s). Hand-dyed turquoise silk ribbon. {Private collection/ template}

Palestinian hand-carved olive wood crucifix. Laser-cut cherry wood Celtic knots, petite black rose cameo, hand-dyed auburn silk ribbon. {Private collection/ template}

Laser-cut walnut wood pendant, hand-dyed black rolled silk string, Chinese silk collar.

 Laser-cut cherry wood pendant, hand-dyed black rolled silk string, Chinese silk collar.

 

 Laser-cut walnut wood pendant, hand-dyed black rolled silk string, Chinese silk collar.

 Ornate black cameo setting, a rhapsody of rose cameos.

Brooches made from handcrafted Czech glass buttons.

 Mini vintage-inspired rose cameo rings.

 Large rose rings & brooches. Small vintage-inspired cameo butterfly rings.

Large vintage-inspired cameo rings & brooches. 

La Petite Princesse d'Avalon (vintage-inspired rose cameo pendant) & La Petite Princesse d'Arcadie (vintage-inspired butterfly cameo pendant): pink sweet-water pearls, silver rhinestone rondelles, silver balls, pewter rosebuds & Swarovski crystals (mini flowers & butterflies).

The Book-mark Pendant: wear as a pendant by tying the silk ribbons/strings together, or use it to mark your page by tucking the ribbons/strings inside & having the pendant rest on the book-cover!{The ribbons & strings are pure silk & dyed by hand}

Avalon Chinoiserie: Rose cameo attached to a replica of a traditional Chinese coin; red Chinese silk collar.

Avalon Celtique Chinoiserie: Rose cameo on laser-cut cherrywood/walnut Celtic knots, Chinese silk collar.

Retro Flower Power: vintage-inspired enamel brooches and rings.

Dancing girl cameo & vintage-inspired lucite flowers on giant filigree: wear it as a pendant, or hang it up! {The ribbons & strings are pure silk & dyed by hand}

 Apricot dahlia (also in aqua) & cream  flowers (olive background), ring/brooch.  Large vintage-inspired rose cameos with ornate cabuchon setting - can be worn as conventional brooches or as hat/bag pins.

Ornate peacock pendant on hand-dyed silk ribbon, flanked by gold foil Czech glass beads with rose motif.

Matinee-style necklaces made from cream rose pearls and silver foil Czech glass beads with rose motif; lampwork beads with floral motif; green & pink rose-shaped stone beads.

An assortment of filigree brooches & rings, with a rose focal-point.

 

Of pineapples, watermelons, aubergines & right-angle weaving

French summer school ended two-plus hours ago, now chilling @ Boutique Beads and watching the Devine Ms. A demonstrating the right-angle weave ... This, after a long late lunch (pineapple/watermelon frappe, aubergine moussaka) at The Green Grocer ... Bliss!