weekend in Belgium (2)

weekend in Belgium

Last weekend Sophie took me to Belgium as a gift for my birthday (last April). We went to Dranouter, to the folk festival. It's such a great festival, nice people, beautiful surroundings and good music. Eight years ago we went for the first time and this was the second time. The festival got bigger in the meantime, but is still a good size. On Saturday the weather wasn't so good, but the artists play in a big tent, so we could listen dry and warm. On Sunday we went to Watou. Sophie went there before to visit an "art festival" and wanted to show this little village to me. The art festival was there again as well. On very nice locations, such as old houses and farms, work from artists, inspired by poems was shown. Very worthwhile to visit.

Curacao, shades of white

It's been a while since my last post, but that's because I just returned from a wonderful trip to Curacao, together with my boyfriend and his family.
The island was very wet, and although we had beautiful weather sometimes, it also rained a lot.
Probably still because of the hurricane Tomas. For Curacao the weather was extraordinary.
But luckily for us it didn't rain all day, so we could often relax at the beach (with big turtles swimming in the sea) and we made daytrips.

Each house is painted in bright colours, you hardly see white. So I thought it would be nice to start with these pictures. More pictures are coming soon.

(and I got some sad news while on holiday, there was a burglary in our shop. They stole a lot of jewelry from Bonne and me. I was very happy that Bonne took care of everything. We also got a letter saying the whole building, including our space will be sold in January. So we have to leave our tiny little shop. We both think something good will come out of this, we both wanted a bigger studio, so maybe it was time anyway for new plans. I'll keep you updated.)

a day in Rotterdam

Last Saturday I visited Sophie in Rotterdam. She picked me up from the station and while walking to her house we stopped by for a nice cup of tea at CHEZMo-i at the Nieuwe Binnenweg. There was a selection of books to read at the table, among those there was a cooking book from Sofia Loren ( Cucina con Amore). The pictures of her in this book are wonderful. After having a cup of tea (with some delicious cookies) we had a lovely dinner at Sophie's house. I took some pictures of sketches and maquettes made by her.

Russia (3)

I think my love for markets began right there. The vegetables looked so different from the way they are displayed in the Netherlands and the colours were more bright. The market was in a really old building, the contrast made it even more beautiful.

Russia (2)

a market in Saint Petersburg

Russia

In 2001 I was studying at the Rietveld Academy. Iris Eichenberg (at that moment head of the Jewelry department) was asked to give a workshop in Lappeenranta (Finland). She asked me and another student, Maaike to join her. It was an amazing trip. It was great to be in Finland and we also made a trip to Saint Petersburg. The pictures of the house and man I took during our car ride to Saint Petersburg.

sophie (2)

sophie

Last Saturday Sophie gave a housewarming party. She has found a beautiful appartment in Rotterdam. On the ground floor she will have her studio and on the first floor are her living room and bedroom.
It was a really nice party. And we were very lucky to be treated to a delicious meringue pie made by her mother.
On the pictures you can see a lamp from Bertjan Pot and ceramics from Mara. She also made the beautiful drawing of a house.