The souvenir shops of Amsterdam are full with many kind of goodies made from ceramic, they really work very well this technique and make the traditional conventional objects as well as new more modern ones.

In one of the shops i got in they even show you a video of how they work in their workshops and how important they considerate this craft as well as the crafter who makes it.

Of course i got the typical Dutch shoe it is just very cute!!.

In this image below you can click and read a short text about the Old Dutch Tiles, it is interesting to know how everything started in the 16th c.

They also work very well the wood and you can find a big variety of wooden shoes and even plain wooden shoes which you can paint and decorate yourself, sorry i do not have pictures but, i can show you this video, it is suuuuuuper cool please watch.

And i brought you these Tulips wich cannot be more typical and i do find them very sympatical to decorate any corner at home or office.

In general i found their local craft very cute especially the ceramic, it is not often that souvenir shops have nice things you can bring home, in fact just a couple of cities i visited this time had decent souvenirs in their shops, the rest have just this "made in china things" that it is not really something you want to have as a memory of your visit but in amsterdam you can find really nice objects made in Holland or Netherlands.

Oh in the Rijksmuseum website you can find two interesting web-exhibition here and here of the Dutch work with the ceramic that you will find beautiful if you are into this craft or just enjoy art in general.

That`s it for today, take care.

So, today it is about the Amsterdam´s streets, how could you not love this city when you are walking around and find yourself with this...

Come on!! what kind of person takes the time in a cold day to make such a pretty thing at the house door?

Just little details that charm your day...

Just for be cute

This i found it at the flea market in Waterlooplein.

Some people call this vandalism but i like it, it is like a mixed-media wall it makes me think of whom have been the persons adding all that things to those walls, definitely you can find beauty where you want.

And because it was Christmas time they made these Christmas trees from different recycle elements, clothes, umbrellas and even bicycles, how nice is that?

Well last Amsterdam post will be about local craft and magical shops, see you soon...

I am going to re-do my trip to Europe through this space, so i can share what my eyes saw during those three cold winter weeks and all the new inspiration i brought to my craft work from it.

I collected various information, from museums, local crafts, interesting shops and other art or crafts aspect of the cities. I went through seven different cities in three weeks, so obviously i did not see the whole city and i am sure i left many interesting places behind, but for what i had the chance to see i took pictures and information, for you!, just in case you live close to that city or are going there for vacations. I will dedicate one week for each city because it is a lot. Here we go...

Amsterdam was love at first sight, this is the place where i started the trip and where i finished it.

I was surprised!, i never imagined this place will be that magical and beautiful, and yes... i am in love with it, it is now officially my favorite city.

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  RIJKS MUSEUM

http://www.rijksmuseum.nl/

"Never have the Netherlands been so wealthy and powerful as in the 17th century, the Golden Age.

Rijksmuseum, The Masterpieces offers a unique view on this period of wealth in the history of the netherlands".

This museum is very pleasant, at this moment they have a special exhibition of Hendrick Avercamp with whom i`m now fascinated with See trailer.

Sorry, no pictures allowed inside the museum, but i decided to start my own mini-masterpieces collection with postcards from the museums and i bring you this.

Johannes Vermeer 1630 - 1675 / The kitchen maid

Still life from: Hans Bollongier, Ambrosius Bosschaert, Jan Van Huysum, Jan Breughel, Jan Davidsz de Heem

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VAN GOGH MUSEUM

http://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/vgm/index.jsp"The museum contains the largest collection of paintings by Vincent van Gogh in the world. It provides the opportunity to keep track of the artist's developments, or compare his paintings to works by other artists from the 19th century in the collection."

And these are some of the Pieces you can find inside this museum.

Vincent van Gogh 1853-1890 / Self-portrait with felt hat. Paris winter 1887-1888 Oil on canvas

Vincent van Gogh 1853-1890 / Agostina Segatori in the café du Tambourin. Paris, winter 1887-88, Oil on canvas

 Vincent van Gogh 1853-1890 / irises Saint-Rémy, May 1890. Oil in canvas

Vincent van gogh 1853-1890. Almond blossom. Saint Rémy, February 1890. Oil in canvas

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TASSEN MUSEUM / MUSEUM OF BAGS and purses

Last but... not least. Super interesting museum, much more than bags and purses exhibition, very interesting from an historic point of view. History of the museum.

http://www.tassenmuseum.nl

It is an unique museum that shows the history of the bag in Western culture from the end of the Middle Age until the present day.  

The museum manages a collection of over 3500 bags, pouches, suitcases, purses and other accessories.

it was not allowed to take pictures inside but you can check here the information and pictures of the bags and their periods and... i´ll show you a picture from the oldest bag in the museum from the early 1500 year.

Goat`s leather bag with metal buckle and 18 pockets for storing money, among other things. The bag was used by men, and worn attached to the belt. France, early 16th c.

I strongly recommend this museum if you work or are interested in fashion, design, accessories, craft, jewlery, curiosities, accessorie`s history or just love bags, purses and beautiful things.

I went with my husband he did not want to come at the beginning, but it was winter and snowing so he did not had too much options. He was gracefully surprised when we finally got there, took lunch, admire the place and even enjoyed the exhibition.

The museum is worth it even just for the building where the collection is held, the decoration of the rooms, the restaurant, seals, walls, textures, colors and furnitures are just gorgeous!!!.

Ufff... that`s it for today, in my next post i will be showing you the Street Art in Amsterdam.

See you soon.