The Flea Affaire

Every year about this time, a fan of Sierra College, in Rocklin, Arts Programs opens her beautiful yard to the public to host "The Flea Affaire" - a flea market in the California foothills!  Here a vintage tricycle welcomes guests with its basket filled with flowers!

As visitors drive through the gate, visitors are asked to donate one dollar to the Arts Programs, but get a raffle ticket for one of the prize baskets in return.  The site is gorgeous - a home site which includes a bass pond, barns, vegetable garden, etc.   The garden theme is repeated in all the vendor spaces as well!

Jennie and Doris, two Melange vendors, shared a space - Jennie brought her gorgeous gray upholstered chair along with lots of darling tutu's and other shabby furniture

Doris has been a regular at the Flea Affaire for years!  Here Doris displays some of her bird house creations on a shabby plant stand.

Doris filled this wonderful little cart with seasonal flowers for her display!

Karryann and Lisa, of Gracefully Vintage in Historic Folsom, brought this whole tabletop of vintage candlesticks along with shabby furniture and a space full of treasures!

My friend, Diedre, teamed up with Lisa and Karryann to display her creations in their space.  I just love these paper wreaths she made - I bought one to use at a bridal shower I am having for my niece!  The addition of the "Je t'aime" tag sold me!

The turquoise blue framed mirror in Heather's space caught my eye - it is one of my favorite colors, reminding me of my beach days growing up!

Saturday is my day to work at Melange, so I had to stop by really early, shop, and then get back on the road to the store.  I was one of the first to drive through the gates and found some wonderful treasures!  

The six Mica chandelier shades I found will be the perfect addition to my rust chandelier.

An original floral, oil painting; a funny mirror that reminds me of my age; some sheer, pink, ruched gloves for my frilly friend; a sweet vintage doll dress to put in my hope chest and the shabby paper wreath made by my friend, Diedre, were my cherished finds this day.

As I was leaving I noticed this baker's rack filled with vintage hats - it was so hard to walk by - but if I had stopped, I would have been late to open the store.  Vintage hats are so much fun and people come into the store looking for them all the time - mostly for theme or costume parties.  "Mad Men" parties seem to be really popular, the Kentucky Derby is always a big hat day, and lastly, the Royal Wedding added to the popularity of hats and fascinators this year!  I recommend the "Flea Affaire" to all shopping enthusiasts and I love that it supports the arts - something my heart will always cherish.

Artist Spotlight : Doris Bell

Welcome to my first Artist Spotlight!  I know so many incredible artists and craftsmen who create amazing things and I'd like to introduce them to you, and show you their work. So at least once a month I will be spotlighting an artist whose creations I cherish.  I'm starting with the artists at Melange, my fellow vendors! 

Look closely into the mirror and you can see Doris's space at Melange!

Have you ever dropped a cherished piece of china and collected the broken pieces, thinking you would glue the piece back together again? Ever get around to it?  Next time, give the pieces to Doris and she will wow you with what she creates with them!  

Doris Bell creates gorgeous furniture, mirrors, planters, pots, with broken china and tile. 

This artform is known as "Pique Assiette".  Doris has been creating these wonderful, one of a kind Mosaic pieces, since 1995.  Doris told me "What draws me most to this Art is being able to take something that is old and many times discarded and giving it new life.  Bringing times past back to the present.  It is an Art form that adheres to almost any surface, and the creativity is endless and so rewarding."  

I have seen many pieces done by lots of artists, but none are more elegant than Doris' pieces.  Doris has a knack for picking just the right mosaic pieces and colors for each particular project - and like she says, no two pieces are the same.

One of a Kind Double Bed!

Detail of headboard center!

Doris offers one day workshops teaching the Art of Pique Assiette through Melange, in Historic Folsom.  The classes are smaller and more hands on,

allowing for your creativity.  Doris also teaches this wonderful Art form through the Learning Exchange off of Howe Ave in Sacramento. Doris organizes her classes by project.  For example, once she gets a group who are interested in making a birdhouse, she sets up a class!  

In each class, Doris gives tips to make your project aesthetically pleasing, and teaches how to use the proper tools and techniques.  Everyone who has taken Doris' class loves it and appreciates Doris' artwork even more, since they know all what is involved in creating a Pique Assiette piece.  Contact Doris directly for more information on her classes, 916-390-9597, or leave her a message by commenting below.  Doris' artwork can be seen and purchased at Melange, which is open Tuesday - Sunday, 11 am - 5 pm.  If you are in Historic Folsom stop by and see her beautiful work - it is something to behold and cherish!