Something beautiful, creative and very, very colourful is brewing.
On Saturday, assistant rainbow follower Elise and I, along with a brilliant army of helpers, strung and hung one thousand white paper cranes in Adelaide’s botanic park, underneath the shady branches of the dreamiest Moreton Bay Fig tree imaginable.
We are not ready to reveal exactly what we’re up to yet, but it’s called Let’s Chase Rainbows and we’re too excited not to share these behind the scenes iPhone snapshots OH, and a time-lapse of the setup!
Benjamin Liew of Benjamin Liew Photography kindly took some amazing photos of us frolicking amongst our crane sanctuary come macaron picnic in the late afternoon light. You’ll see these soon!
Tucked away in a narrow passage amid the windy heart of Montpellier’s old town, you’ll find Les Petits Papiers de Flo.
It is a teensy store bursting with light, warmth, colour and creativity; a utopia for paper, stationery and trinket lovers alike. When I stumbled on this shop during my first week in Montpellier, it drew me in completely, and of all the artisan boutiques I’ve since discovered in this creatively driven town, it’s still my favourite.
I met the shop owner and artist, Florence Van Handenhove, by chance at a private exhibition that my host mother was also a part of and I had been invited to. Florence is just as lovely as her creations, and to my delight, she welcomed my proposal of an interview and to feature her gorgeous creations on my blog.
What’s your story? | Parlez-moi de vous.
I studied drawing and photography at the Beaux Arts school in Montpellier, and after finishing I opened the shop straight away. I had initially thought about selling my creations on a sales/return basis in local shops, but I quickly worked out it wasn’t going to be viable and so the idea of having my own shop came about, where I could sell notebooks, cards, key rings, magnets, decorations and whatever I wanted to work on.
We will have been open for 4 years on the 1st December, and we’re only getting business and busier!
What’s your creative process from idea to shop floor? What inspires you? | Quelle est votre procédé creatif? Comment passez-vous de la conception à la fabrication?
As well as researching the marketplace and products on the internet, I think about everyday life and activities we do, and this informs me about what products would be useful to have for the house and handbag, etc. Everybody needs a diary to organise their daily schedules, and so I design them. Once, when my shop was in a mess, I felt the need to create lists of products to sort everything out. I designed a list book and then that became a product.
I change the illustrations on products from time to time and I introduce about ten new designs per season. I do everything from idea generation to production myself, including the artwork, layout, printing, binding and selling. I start with prototypes to try them out, and if they are popular they become a part of my product range.
What is your product range? | Est-ce que vous pouvez me décrire votre gamme du produit?
I have birthday books, scribbling books, notebooks and recipe books, badges, magnets, tins, boxes, jewelery and decorations for the home.
What is the best part of having your own business? | Quelle est pour vous, l’avantage d’être votre propre patron?
The freedom of having my own shop and doing whatever I want to do! I can organise my own workload, and apart from extremely busy periods of production, for example creating diaries for the start of a new year, this gives me a lot of flexibility.
What is the worst part of having your own business? | Qu’est-ce qui est le plus dur quand on a sa propre société?
If there’s something I don’t want to do… I don’t do it! Although I have to manage my accounting to see the future of my business.
Do you have a creative tip to offer? | Avez-vous une astuce?
Take pleasure in what you’re doing, so you can transmit the pleasure of your creations to others.
Communication is also important. My customers arrive by word of mouth. To be successful in business you must be an all-rounder, well organised and good at all the little parts of business…if you have all of the right ingredients for the recipe, you’ll make a successful cake!
What do you love about Montpellier? | Qu’est-ce que vous aimez le plus à Montpellier?
I love that Montpellier is a small town within a magnificent framework. It has a real village atmosphere, unlike a big city, which is too impersonal. I live in the Beaux-Arts quarter and I know a lot of people in the neighbourhood. When I cross the town on my way to the shop, I will often meet fifteen people. In the north of France, people go home after work. In the south of France, after work people don’t go home – they go to a nearby cafe and meet friends. People are more open here.
Do you find the creative energy strong in this town? | Est-ce vous trouvez qu’il y a une forte énergie creative à Montpellier?
I thought I was going to be alone in running a creative business, but there is a real buzz and it’s only getting stronger. With a number of local studios, we’ve put together a brochure that is distributed by the tourism office. There’s a great creative energy in Montpellier.
Thank you so much Florence!
If you find yourself in Montpellier one day (and I really hope you do!) you can find Les Petits Papiers de Flo at 9, rue de Vallat.
From my tiny little writing desk in Montpellier, I tap away on my keyboard, allowing the words to spill out and make their own sentences freely, whatever they may reveal.
It is late afternoon on Sunday, and the cool dark of night is creeping through the air, even though it is just after five. I am burning a candle from my favourite florist au nom de la rose, the sky outside my window is a dark, thick grey. The outside light is gloomy and dull, but the candle beside me illuminates my workspace, glowing its soft but strong warmth.
Pictures, photos, words and memories blue-tacked on the wall above my laptop screen dance and flicker between light and shade while the candle’s playfully throws its light about. I’m back in my beautiful little sanctuary, my home away from home… finally.
Gosh there is something so comforting about jumpers, leggings, slouchy socks, slippers, unbrushed hair and a makeup-less face, endless cups of tea and vegemite toast, a whole day with the camera switched off and no sightseeing to tick off the list or people to talk to or things to remember and be inspired by. As amazing as that all was, and is, today, this little spot in the world, quiet and still, is my happy place.
My limbs feel heavy and weary, my eyes are glassy and overworked from taking in so much beauty over the past weeks, my heart is a little twisted and out of sorts from so much emotion and such big days of adventure, but my fingers, they are so very eager to tap tap tap away and pour out these words; to tell you the story of my recent adventures. There is so much to say.
I’m looking at my calendar pinned to the curtain…November already? My days in Europe are numbered. I have now got just three short weeks left in Montpellier before a travel finale in Italy, then back to Australia.
Two weeks ago I couldn’t begin to imagine getting on that plane and going back home, but now, I think about home and feel nostalgic, I miss it, I miss everyone I love and i’m kind of almost feeling ready. As much as I love this side of the world, there’s something about home that is irreplaceable.
So, where have I been? I have just returned from sixteen nights in Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam with a certain beautiful man/best friend in my life, Tim. And before that was a couple of weeks in the UK, namely London and Edinburgh with my dear friend Becca. I’ve snapped hundreds upon hundreds of photos and I have soaked up so many enchanting moments and experiences… many of which I will share in the coming posts. Now that I have my writing desk back, and some spare time, that is.
But for now, all my love, and umm… aren’t these flowers breathtaking?
They were a special gift from beautiful above-mentioned man amid our travelling adventure. I can’t tell you how many times I have wandered past this florist over the past months and wished for a bunch. A whole, dreamy bunch, just for me! I’ve never received anything so beautiful.
I’ve kept some dry buds to treasure and they’re scattered on my nightstand.
Another little part of my french life is fresh flowers.
When I first settled into my house, the first thing I bought to make it feel like my home, was a fresh flower and single-stem vase. It brought life and colour to my unlived-in room, it made the space feel like it was mine. And it has become a bit of a habit.
Whenever i’m not travelling, I always go to my local florist Les Floralies par Muriel et Bernard (14, rue du Fabourg de la Saunerie) and pick a fresh flower for my room.
I am still floating on a cloud from an absolutely enchanting, magical experience last night: seeing my favourite dreamy duo, Angus & Julia Stone, perform in the ruins of the ancient Théâtre Antique d’Arles.
I purchased this ticket many months ago when I heard they were touring in France when i’d be living there, and I realised that Arles is only about an hour’s train trip from where I would be based in Montpellier. To be honest, I expected it to be a pretty small event, in a tiny theatre or bar, in a regional, non-descript French town. I clearly had absolutely no idea of the treat I was in for!
The even better thing – Arles is a tiny town, and the Théâtre Antique is outdoors, so not only was I privileged to see the show, I actually listened to and watched them warm up in the afternoon. I had just checked into my hotel and made it to my room, when Julia’s sweet melodic voice swirled right in through my window. I wandered across the road to investigate, and sure enough… there they were! Julia started to sing the first lines of Hollywood, and I was suddenly overwhelmed with such an intense, beautiful sense of familiarity. Her whimsical voice reminded so much of everything and everyone I love and miss so much back home, and while i’m not usually a crier, suddenly the tears were flowing! I have never before been so profoundly moved by music.
Aside from that, I have absolutely loved my short stay in Arles. Forget being fascinated by the fact i’m surrounded by the streets, cafes and nature that inspired Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings; I have become completely transfixed on every single window and door here. Odd? No! Everything is so old, so decayed and i’m totally enamoured. There’s such an understated beauty to decay, and it is all I want to photograph. Every single window shutter tells me a story.
Gotta catch my train back soon, had better post this and pack up.
Bisous xx
PS. Am realising i’ve got commitment issues when it comes to blogging. And it’s usually all or nothing with me, so maybe posting this will inspire me to upload the million photos from London, La Cote d’Azur and the many wonderful weeks in-between.
Or, maybe some lovely comments would inspire me too. Hint hint. Yes, you!
Such a gorgeous place. Best part? The Saturday flower markets near Hôtel de Ville. And €1 punnets of fresh raspberries (I ate 4 punnets in 2 days). A-mazing.
The photos below aren’t spectacular, as I couldn’t use my proper camera (two hands required, only had one functional arm) so the Canon IXUS point-and-shoot it was… but I think you’ll get the gist.
Don’t have time to write more right now… Too busy planning the next travel destination: Edinburgh with my gorgeous darling friend B x
Things have been very busy and artful behind the scenes at Emma Kate Creative.
A new creative venture has involved collaborating with the lovely Julie Parker from Beautiful You in the publication of our first e-book. This is going to be the first of a number of e-books Julie and I will publish, bringing to life areas we are both passionate about, including self esteem, body image, life inspirations and helping you be the best person you can be.
The ‘Be Yourself, Be Beautiful’ E-book has given me the joy of ink-stained hands and hours tucked away in my little studio (or afternoon sunshine when the weather was nicer) illustrating imagery to pair with 30 inspirational quotes written by Julie, a counsellor, life coach and positive self esteem activist, to inspire you to love and honour the most important person in your life… You.
Each page is lovingly illustrated in bright colours and can be easily printed, laminated and even framed. Your favourite quotes will be a gorgeous addition to your vision board, desk or special space. This is going to be an e-book you will likely want to print and keep forever.
The ‘Be Yourself. Be Beautiful’ E-Book is available online for $15.95.
See below for a sneak peek of the pretty pages inside.
Come play in Emma Kate Creative's bowerbird nest of words, colours and loveliness. Here you will find behind-the-scenes snippets of creative projects, dreams and ideas collected in the pursuit of living he{art}fully.
COURTESY NOTE
This journal is a shared space, so please feel welcome to comment and interact with kindred folk freely.
I love sharing, so also feel welcome to spread my images and words far and wide beyond this site. However, I ask that all shared content be credited to Emma Kate Creative and linked back to my original post.
