Wednesday 27 May 2009

Compact and Bijoux!

Do you remember the old chestnut that Estate Agents would roll out in the 80's and 90's? "This lovely studio apartment....all mod. cons..... central location......compact and bijoux!" It would turn out to be a slightly over sized airing cupboard in central London that would cost almost as much monthly as a mortgage on a 5 bedroom property in the Cotswolds! (Lovely, leafy, desirable area in Gloucestershire, in the West of England for all international readers!).


Now the phrase is never used in that context, well not in the Estate Agent's particulars that I read anyway, but is popping up all over the place in connection with beads. In Bath, there is a lovely shop called Bijoux Beads, and I see the word in connection with beads all over the Internet. Of course it is a French word meaning small, compact, neat or little (if my French is incorrect here, please someone correct me!). It fits well in front on the word "bead".



It also fits well as a description of my working area!



A fellow member of the Craftsman's Market in Cirencester, recently saw a photo of my so called "studio area" and was astounded that I could get anything done in so small a space! "How on earth do you manage?" he asked.




Well, it is a matter of having to! I feel very lucky to have a dedicated area to work on - it used to be the dining room table! - at least I don't have to clear away half way through a project so that the children can have their tea! Ahhh happy memories (not!).

It maybe small, it may be bijoux, but to me it is a little slice of heaven, where I feel totally comfortable and have everything around me that I need!

Mind you, that is not to say that I would not like a studio down the garden! The plans for that are just awaiting the lottery win!!

9 comments:

Stitches said...

Is that desk from Ikea? Thats the desk I wish for!
xx

Eve Smith said...

Snap, I also used to use the dinning table, But i now have a desk in our room, so now the bedroom looks like a bomb, the table is still covered in jewellery when i put the tent up and take photo's and never tidy upafter myself, Eve x

Emma said...

You are lucky, I still use the dining table (and any other space I can find that's free). I am contemplating giving away one of my children so that I can have a studio, any takers?

Pips said...

Hi Stitches - yes it is from good old Ikea!! It is a really good desk, but I could do with another also - maybe even 3!!!

Eve - my desk looks like a bomb now!

Emma - Hmmmm now there's an idea lol!!

Anonymous said...

Oh I love your creative space. It is so tidy and organised and full of exciting things. I love your funky memo board and lovely colourful magnets. The contents of the glass jars look fun. It all looks like a really ace place to be and plenty of ideas for inspiration in all those mags.

Gill said...

What a lovely area for crafting! I'm hopeless at tidy up my crafting areas and I'm another one that spreads out around the house! Gx

Pips said...

Hey Woolly and Gill! Do not be deceived by tidy pictures - it looks nothing like that now - and the "clay creep" has infected the kitchen, the sitting room, bedroom and other places it should not also lol!

Izabela said...

I love your creative space, my needs not only tidying up but sorting and some nice shelves up...
xxx

Pips said...

Hi Izabela - I could do with more shelves too and more things to put on the shelves lol!