{ CUCULAPRALINE - FRENCHIC }

Art or Craft ?

2010-06-14T22:37:00.000-07:00

Soon the pictures of our last Artwalk, I am gathering the different sources.

Recently I have been told that we couldn't mix Art and Craft, that Art needed to be watched without distraction, while Craft was a kind of distraction.

I was naive enough to think that we were far, far away from these has-been kinds of considerations and distinctions.
After all, Picasso used to make crafts, which became art, because it was made by Picasso, Klee used to make puppets in papier mache for his young son, which are now exhibited as art works, Matisse was wondering if paintings shouldn't be used in decoration, and I would have loved to see Rothko paint my own walls, since I love the blurry style.
And what should we say about the Andy Warhol' s screen printings ?
So, it seems we are still there, in that kind of distinction...
I thought that Art was where the sacred and the fun met, while showing the artist's thoughts and soul, without caring for the media employed ?
I must say that sometimes, I don't even know myself if I am doing art or craft !
Maybe it depends on the intention we put in our work ?
But sometimes also, I think I am just making craft and at the end, I find myself with a piece of art without understanding how it could happen !
In my store, a customer was watching one of my many scrapbooks, and told me it was a piece of Art. Actually, I would say it is a piece of me, but if it is artful, good for me !
And do we need to be a jerk to be an artist ?
I like happy art, does it mean I am not an artist ?
Whatever... I think art should make the artist feel better and happier, and that's what I feel when I work on my art, so who cares what people think ?
As long as we are happy, as we have the feeling to have made something necessary for ourselves, that's the most important, I believe.
An artist should be sincere and true to himself. He shouldn't follow trends just because it's cool.
Actually a true artist makes the trend without even noticing it.
I think art is everywhere, some people would just need to learn how to look at it more closely.
And I think a true artist should also learn tolerance towards the other kinds of expressions. After all, despising the other artists around, is the best way to close the doors forever...
That was my thought of the day.

By the way, I glued my wallpaper and it is exciting too !

JUNE ARTWALK on Saturday 12th

2010-06-09T18:55:00.000-07:00

Hello Guys,
Craig Casey and myself are inviting all of you for our June Artwalk
at CUCULAPRALINE-FRENCHIC'S and PERCUSSION ART'S
4704 Eagle Rock Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90041 USA
on
Saturday, June 12th 2010 from 6:00 pm to midnight (yes !)
- I will prepare myself some French amuse-gueules (amuse-bouches) to amuse your mouth, served with French red wine and other beverages.
- My friend Craig Casey who is settling in the place has invited the artist Spencer Elden who works on canvas, wood, and with stencils
and the DJ Tony Watson to amuse your ears.
We would be really very glad to have you with us !
xoxo to you all !
Yael

Hello tout le monde a l'autre bout de la terre,
Craig Casey et moi-meme serions vraiment tres heureux de vous avoir tous samedi prochain 12 juin pour notre Artwalk de ce mois, de 18h a minuit, chez
Cuculapraline-Frenchic et Percussion Art
4704 Eagle Rock Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90041 USA
- Je vais preparer moi-meme de mes blanches mains des petits amuse-gueules a la francaise pour amuser votre bouche, accompagnes de vin rouge et autres boissons en tous genres.
- Mon ami Craig Casey qui s'installe dans la place, a invite l'artiste Spencer Elden qui travaille sur toile, sur bois et a l'aide de pochoirs, ainsi que le DJ Tony Watson pour amuser vos oreilles.
Je sais bien que la plupart d'entre vous ne peuvent etre la, mais je vous promets de vous envoyer des photos prochainement, faute de pouvoir vous faire gouter mes amuse-gueules !
Toutes mes pensees vont vers vous !
Bises a tous,
Yael

MIS-MASH of THINGS and of EVENTS at CUCULAPRALINE-FRENCHIC

2010-05-16T19:32:00.000-07:00

Hello Guys,
We have seen the arrival of very original, almost weirdo things in our Store, but you know how we like the one-of-a-kind special things

Like this Chair for example, I should say this "High Chair" since the back is so high, I would perfectly imagine it in an old English castle. It needs a few small repairs, and a good fabric cleaning, someone maybe will re-upholster it with a newer fabric, but so far, we will live with it, just like that. A nice find made by our friend Craig Casey.

And what do you say of this funny Dog Lamp ?
What do you think of this incredible crumpled lampshade ? I think I have never seen something so ridiculous, but I absolutely LOVE it, it is sooooooo cute. A find from Japan.

Then, I had to prepare my sign for our last Artwalk.

I painted it under the sun, I burnt a little but, voila ! Here is the result :

Then, we prepared our Buffet, as you can see, Laszlo seems to appreciate it a lot !

And I send you a few picks of the store itself :

We brought new Basket bags also, the exotic one, the poetic one and the secret one :

We found a new Lamp in the very 60's-70's style, look at it :

Finally, I couldn't prevent myself to put a touch of Recycling in our new window installation :

More precisely, this :

And what would be these days, without a few white flowers given by my younger son for Mother's Day ?
I precise my elder one, who is in Tokyo, found the way to call me in spite of the difference of time.
So here are the flowers, cute isn't it ?

The sun is coming back, and the fun too !

2010-03-25T18:19:00.000-07:00

With the sun coming back, our tall Balinese umbrella became more than necessary !

Our animals, the raccoon and the bear, are laughing in the garden,

while I decided to display new shoes, which are vintage actually, but new in our store.
You will have just samples on these photos, but come and check out all the different kinds we have, and gorgeous boots as well, all made in the finest leather from the "chicest" French boutiques of Paris, France.

Etageres27

2010-03-17T21:16:00.001-07:00

Etageres27, originally uploaded by yaelbolender.

Messages of Love made by myself,

Messages d' Amour faits par mes soins

Etageres26

2010-03-17T21:14:00.001-07:00

Etageres26, originally uploaded by yaelbolender.

Treasures from Siecle, Paris, salt and pepper holders in gold and silver platted.

Tresors venant de chez Siecle, Paris, saliere et poivriere en plaque or et argent.

Etageres24

2010-03-17T21:13:00.001-07:00

Etageres24, originally uploaded by yaelbolender.

On a rocking bench, here are a Chinese blue rug, vintage pillows from the 60's-70's from England, cute cats and dogs pillows, the red one is named "Scottie", a dyed green bedspread and a crocheted one in gorgeous colors.

Sur un "rocking-bench"(banc a bascule), voici un tapis Chinois bleu, des coussins vintage des 60's - 70's d'Angleterre, des coussins chats et chiens, le rouge s'appelle "Scottie", un jete de lit teint vert et un autre crochete dans des couleurs superbes.

Etageres23

2010-03-17T21:11:00.001-07:00

Etageres23, originally uploaded by yaelbolender.

My lacquered shells, if you have some, don't throw them away, and send them to me, I will lacquer them.

Mes coquilles Saint Jacques laquees, si vous en avez, ne les jetez pas, et envoyez les moi, je les laquerai.

Etageres22

2010-03-17T21:10:00.001-07:00

Etageres22, originally uploaded by yaelbolender.

:Louise Marler's prints, Paints by Number of Cats and Dogs, stained French flags from Paris and a white flowers from "I cost nothing".

Les impressions de Louise Marler, les "Paints by Number" de chats et chiens, des drapeaux francais patines venant de Paris and une fleur blanche venant de "Je ne coute rien".

Etageres20

2010-03-17T21:09:00.001-07:00

Etageres20, originally uploaded by yaelbolender.

Here more mini bags made with Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic fabrics.
They have been made by a wonderful seamstress, I added some sequined appliques or knitted brooches that I made.

Voici plus de mini sacs faits avec des tissus Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic. Ils ont ete fabriques par une merveilleuse couturiere, j'y ai ajoute des appliques de sequins ou des broches tricotees que j'ai faites.

Etageres19

2010-03-17T21:07:00.001-07:00

Etageres19, originally uploaded by yaelbolender.

Look at the blanket on the right, yes, the purple one. It has been sold just now !

Regardez la couverture a droite, oui, la violette. Elle vient juste d'etre vendue !

Etageres18

2010-03-17T21:06:00.001-07:00

Etageres18, originally uploaded by yaelbolender.

Another painting of Tracy Porter "Blossom" mixed with a little apple from "I cost nothing", Florentine golden trays, a pink bottle/vase with a bird, Bone China cups and saucers, a "tea-for-one" by Tracy Porter, painted glass again, a cat cushion, mini bags made with Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic fabrics and small silver metallic Indian boxes in a Carnaval dish.
Behind, the mannequin covered with decoupage papers made by...me (Yael Bolender).

Une autre peinture de Tracy Porter "Blossom" melangee a une petite pomme venant de "Je ne coute rien", des plateaux dores Florentins, une bouteille/vase rose garnie d'un oiseau, tasses et soucoupes en porcelaine de Chine, une theiere pour une personne de Tracy Porter, a nouveau du verre peint, un coussin chat, des mini-sacs faits avec des tissus de Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic, et des petites boites en metal argente venant d'Inde dans un plat "Carnival".
Derriere, un mannequin recouvert de papiers pour decoupage, fait par...moi (Yael Bolender)

Etageres16

2010-03-17T21:04:00.001-07:00

Etageres16, originally uploaded by yaelbolender.

A lot of Tracy Porter here : the ceramic candle holders, the horse paintings and this amazing bag made in lacquered straw, leather and sequins, with bamboo handles. Three other vintage candle holders : one silver platted from England, the second one in ceramic and the third one in metal and colored glass.

Beaucoup de Tracy Porter ici : les bougeoirs en ceramique, le cheval en peinture et cet etonnant sac fait de paille laquee, de cuirs et de sequins, avec des poignees en bambou. Trois autres bougeoirs vintages, l'un en argent plaque venant d'Angleterre, le second en ceramique et le troisieme en metal et verre colore.

Etageres15

2010-03-17T21:02:00.001-07:00

Etageres15, originally uploaded by yaelbolender.

Shell vase on the back, Tracy Porter wooden candle holders, all kinds of frames, my mother's cups and saucers, all white in a very Frenchy style.

Un vase en coquillages a l'arriere, des chandeliers en bois de Tracy Porter, toutes sortes de cadres, tasses et sous-tasses de ma mere, tout blancs dans un style tres "Frenchy".

Etageres13

2010-03-17T21:01:00.001-07:00

Etageres13, originally uploaded by yaelbolender.

Other cute burlap bags crafted with some Cath Kidston fabrics.
On the front : burp clothes for babies, very cute too but the sun hides them.

D'autres sacs mignons en toile de jute faits main avec du tissu de Cath Kidston.
Sur le devant : doudoux pour bebes, tres mignons aussi mais le soleil les cache.

Etageres12

2010-03-17T20:59:00.001-07:00

Etageres12, originally uploaded by yaelbolender.

Vintage painted black tray, Wedgewood pins plates, painted glass and burlap crafted bags.

Plateau noir vintage, assiettes a epingles Wedgewood, verre peint and sacs faits main en toile de jute.

Etageres11

2010-03-17T20:57:00.001-07:00

Etageres11, originally uploaded by yaelbolender.

Bone China cups and saucers, religious incense, nicely packed soaps and funky dish holders. Depression glass for salt and pepper. Crafted French fries pocket and bottle.

Tasses et sous-tasses en porcelaine de Chine, encens religieux, savons joliment emballes et funky maniques. Le sel et le poivre sont en Depression Glass. Poche a frites et bouteilles decores

Etageres10

2010-03-17T20:54:00.001-07:00

Etageres10, originally uploaded by yaelbolender.

Plush throws and hooded baby towels.

Couvertures en peluche et serviettes a capuches pour bebes

New Shelves for Cuculapraline-Frenchic

2010-03-17T19:51:00.001-07:00

Etageres1, originally uploaded by yaelbolender.

In our Boutique CUCULAPRALINE - FRENCHIC at 4704 Eagle Rock Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90041, as carrying the French style (among other stuff), we absolutely had to have new built-in shelves to display all these goodies.
A friend of mine, Gilles, came for holidays and spent two whole days to build this treasure. I chose the molding on the front, since I wanted to give a very Louis XVI style to these shelves, but it has not been the hardest part !
Then, I painted it off-white and here it is, gorgeous and useful.
Isn't it cool ?

And the sun is coming back !

2010-03-13T21:27:00.000-08:00

Finally we are settled in our comfy little shop at 4704 Eagle Rock Boulevard in Los Angeles.
We have a wonderful Art Walk every second Saturday of each month.
On that special day, we are still open very late in the evening, so if you want to visit us and have no idea what to do on a Saturday evening, you know where you can find us. Even if you don't buy anything, we can chat a while and drink a glass of wine !
Here the vintage is mixed with the new, the raw with the crafted and every single item has its little History.
I hope to see you soon in my cozy shelter !

GOODBYE PARIS, BONJOUR L.A.

2010-01-31T16:22:00.000-08:00

Finally, we're going to open ! Come visit us Saturday,

the 13th of February, 2010.

What a long way we had to walk, but we made it !
We will be glad to see you enjoying our Art, Accessories and Home Décor items, most of them unique in their very own style.

This is a notebook with collages.
We stick upon everything and paint everything.
We can mosaic too.

We are absolute customizers and crazy about Art.
The frontier is very thin between Art and Craft, whatever it is, it must be fun !

And who says we can't have an artistic notebook ?

Catch a glimpse of our hairpins, bookmarks, brooches and more. They are all hand-made with great care, thus are all one-of-a-kind.
Do you have a girlfriend but you don't know how to tell her she's special? Are you missing the "tiny little thing" that will make the difference? We have it for you!

Bits and Bobs, Antiques and Collectibles are among our products.
These come from Paris, though these plates/trays are Florentine.
We love searching for incredible finds, gorgeous and elegant, as well as kitschy and quirky.
Uniqueness is our motto.

My Sign

2009-09-01T13:23:00.000-07:00

I am about to paint my sign on my new store, which will open very soon.
I thought of Stencils for my "CUCULAPRALINE - FRENCHIC" letters, as it is very hot in L.A. right now and I don't want to roast under the sun while making it, nor be lost in the smoke of the fires on the hills, not far from us.
I have thought of this sign during a while and I hope I found the right solution.
Photos to come, soon, I promise,