Friday, February 28, 2014

You've Got Paris Mail !

No, I did not fall into the Seine this week.
I've been walking round the island fishing for an idea...something to entice you with.
It's impossible to go two steps on Ile Saint Louis without noticing marine influences...
Like this ornate golden dolphin at Hotel (particulier) de Lauzun. Granted if you live by the water (the Seine) decorative marine ornaments are a natural are they not?
As a big scallop lover I moved to the right part of town.
Multiple variations on a theme everywhere.
At one time scallops/coquille were rare and highly prized by the wealthy who kept them as keepsakes and displayed as a sign of luxe.
 On a more practical level traveling monks carried the shells around as eating implements.
Their sinuous curves suited 17th century Rococo designers perfectly. The word Rococo/Rocaille means rock - shell garden.
I see Rococo curves in the many ice cream holders/support pour cornets on the island.

I'm starting a new monthly subscription sketch letter on Etsy. The February sheet is full of scallop shells on Ile Saint Louis among other nonsense.
You can subscribe for 6, 12  or 18 months and receive a piece of Parisian whimsy in your mail.
I'm not sure exactly what the subject will be from month to month. I'd love to hear your ideas. I'm open to suggestions.
Of course there will be bits and pieces of Paris paraphernalia.
THE 1ST 100 SUBSCRIBERS WILL RECEIVE A BONUS GILLOTT WATERCOLOR SCRAP added to their envelopes. Bear has subscribed. He lives right here (and is French !) 
Please take a look on Etsy .
Do tell me if you'd like to get mail from Paris.
Bon Week-end PBers.

30 comments:

  1. Lane Rosenthal9:03 PM

    Very excited to see the pictures of Hôtel de Lauzun, Carol. Check out the ten or so pages devoted to its colorful history in Edmund White's The Flâneur, if you haven't already.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Lane, I'm hungry for any info on the Island but especially that beautiful building!

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  2. Mes Vitrines Paris12:03 AM

    What an adorable idea! Now we can all have a piece of Paris(breakfast)

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  3. Lucile2:22 AM

    Beautiful video of the Hotel de Lauzun here-

    http://culturezvous.com/project/visite-l-hotel-de-lauzun/

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  4. Carolyn2:59 AM

    Carol, LOVE your idea of receiving a monthly Parisian letter sent from you! I just checked out Etsy! So clever. I of course love my original watercolors from you, and was especially surprised with all of the cute little pieces of "paraphernalia" that fell out when I opened the package :) Little momentos that took me back to my visits to Paris. I think these letters with reproductions of your original watercolors would be a fun gift to give or receive!!!!!

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  5. You have been busy, Sounds like fun for you and lots of your followers. Not very 'au fait ' with Etsy ! Do I have to subscribe/register. whatever ?

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    Replies
    1. 'Au fait'?
      You mean is it easy to register with Etsy?
      Easy peasy.
      They have millions of artists/customers.
      Just click through and they will walk you through the steps.
      Big Merci Barbara ;)

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  6. you cover Paris so well....
    you have a talent to share.....
    so you want to see everything.....
    You found a great way for yourself to
    have "the new" all the time!!!
    its fabulous! great Curiosity!

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  7. Anonymous8:17 AM

    Caro, l are you living on Ile Saint Louis? Wow, what a lucky girl if that is so! And how do you walk on by that amazing ice cream shop, the really famous one whose name completely escapes me at 8 am on the east coast.

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    1. Very easy!
      Berthillon is closed mon-Tuesday and all this week for the kid's vacance. Like working in a candy store...you build resistance. I do really miss the old Charlotte d'Ile. It's cha ges hands and no where the same. Triste...

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  8. Etsy is so easy Barbara..and I have never ever had a disappointment:) And of course we all know in this case..there could never ever be one..
    :)
    What fun the little collections too..

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  9. Carol ... I love this idea and will probably subscribe.

    There are great ideas for "mail art" on Pinterest ... just put "mail art" in the search bar .... I looked on Etsy, but only saw the 12 Months offer ... I could go for 6 months maybe ... I'm excited for you, this is a great idea.

    Karen in CT

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  10. Bonnie L10:33 AM

    I have subscribed! Love your work, Carol!

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  11. Oh, I love this idea!! "Little bits of Paris" in the mailbox...what could be dreamier! x Katie

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  13. Just when I was set to comment on how much I liked the montage of things Parisienne, you announced that I could get one for my own! Looking forward to a far, far better class of mail! Merci!

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  14. Winewalker2:35 PM

    Great idea!
    Did you know that scallop shells were also displayed by people who had done the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella.

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  15. Well, if Bear has subscribed, how can I resist? ( I love his little scallop shell chair!) I've just signed up; can't wait for my first letter to arrive!

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  16. Hi, Carol Just got back from frigid NYC and was thinking of you. This looks creative and charming; just like you. xoxo

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  17. Jennifer9:27 PM

    I love your watercolors - they always make me want to grab the first flight out to Paris!

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  18. This is a brilliant idea!!! I treasure my travel items and make cards from them myself. I hope you get lots of signups. SLV

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  19. I love that island! You're very lucky!

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I feel very privileged to live here.
      I pinch myself everyday.

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  20. I LOVE this idea. I'm adding it to my birthday list...

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    Replies
    1. It will make a Great Birthday Gift I promise !!!!

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  21. What a great idea, Carol. Talented lady! And who knew about the scallop shells as portable plates? Now I'll look at Ile St Louis with different eyes.

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  22. Une idée formidable! Je m'y suis abonnée!

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  23. Anonymous6:17 PM

    What a wonderful idea! These days all the fun mail comes electronically, the mailbox usually just brings bills and catalogues. It will be quite the treat to find your lovely arworkt in my mailbox instead !! :)

    Best, anne-craig

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  24. I love mail!!!! I am so excited that you started this.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Elizabeth,
      For the kind wishes
      This is a very exciting project for me too !!!

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