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.