Tag Archives: Craft

Shopping for gifts in Lisbon

Posted on December 2, 2013 | 4 comments

Shopping For Gifts In Lisbon-Embaixada-1-Photo MlleLeK-copyright 2013

1. EMBAIXADA : The Coming up Portuguese Designers. In a beautiful old palace (see all pictures), you get lost in a maze of rooms, where you discover various areas dedicated to the young Portuguese designers or brands. For the gourmet: I had a crush for the traditional Portuguese products (olive oils, sardines, biscuits …) with a really hype packaging! There are also great notebooks, pads etc… Many original gifts at affordable prices. Very nice coffee in the patio too (photo 3). Praça do Príncipe Real, nº 26. 

2. CORK & CO : jewelry in cork and silver. I didn’t know that cork is used as a traditional craft materials in Portugal. Better tell you right away, in a soft version: I do not like cork at all! But a friend took me to this shop selling fashion and home accessoiries with a modern design (lamps, jewels & bags). And I really liked the bracelets that looked like brown leather, with silver! Like what anything can happen! LOL! Rua das Salgadeiras n°6-10, Bairro Alto. 

3. ARTESARIA : memories of Lisbon. Yes, it’s true I don’t like souvenirs, but I can make exceptions (LOL)! Starting with this new boutique of Portuguese craft, where I let go my old obsession for notebooks. Notebooks of all sizes. The smaller ones are 2 euros with very cool covers representing the famous heart of Viana do Castelo, Azuleros etc … And you can choose several as a gift. Rua da Rosa, 14E.

Shopping For Gifts In Lisbon-Embaixada-2-Photo MlleLeK-copyright 2013Shopping For Gifts In Lisbon-Embaixada-3-Photo MlleLeK-copyright 2013

Photos : Mademoiselle Le K – copyright 2013, tous droits réservés.  

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DESTINATIONS, FASHION & LIFESTYLE

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Thailand: Visit of A Silk Workshop

Posted on July 10, 2013 | Leave a comment

Like in a road movie, today the road seems endless!

I’m really tired and we roll, roll … again and again in the direction of the famous Surat Thani town. And we often stops.

After a long lunch break on a desert beach, where I met a small community of fishermen: here I am in a silk workshop. I really enjoy the visit, I do like natural materials, workshops and crafts!

The first silk workshop I visited, was in Kyoto. There was the old weaver master who makes the kimono and obi silks for the Emperor of Japan. I was impressed cause he is a living legend, but very humble man too. He taught me the first  looms in Japan, came from Lyon (France).

After crossing a shop (last picture), I arrived in a rather large yard, facing a carved bird cage and  fifteen or twenty looms under a courtyard. At first glance, the workshop can seem a bit messy. And most of looms are busy. By women only of every ages.

An all-female world! Mixing the deafening sounds of looms with the ones of the individual radios and fans of the workers. The women are silent and focused in their work. Every move is executed with precision. Sometimes a smile appears. There is a bit of greenery in the back of the court.

Each loom customised by a weaver, expresses her personal world (picture 3). I wish I could stay longer. Spending a day with these women  to better discover their work (picture 1) . How do they weave, what are the floss silk used, the machines and their technique? Who are they?

But once more I’m the last one and I have to hurry to jump in the van. Cause the rain finally falls! Fortunately it won’t last…

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés  

Follow my whole trip in THAILAND and Twitter. You can also discover my other pictures in the Facebook of the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Facebook of the Royal Thai Embassy in Belgium. ENJOY!  

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Thailand: The Pak Tako Estuary in Chumphon  

   

DESTINATIONS

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