Inspired at the Haberdashery

Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while. That’s because they were able to connect experiences they’ve had and synthesize new things.

Steve Jobs

Have you ever been inside a really cozy vintage Haberdashery Shop? The kind that you don’t want to leave. The kind where you wander around and touch materials. Where there are ribbons, buttons, thread, needles and similar sewing goods for all your needs and wishes.

When I was in Visby recently we found a vintage looking fabric and yarn store there, and had to stay for a while. And it was a haberdasher’s shop for sure! A friend called it overstocked and difficult to navigate. I called it beautiful and chock full of inspirational materials. I wouldn’t want to work there, but in the piles of embroidery thread boxes I see color combinations, new patterns, and magic.

Today I’ll give you a glimpse of that magic, through the lens of my iphone…

I find such delight in always having my iphone camera with me these days. The pattern of what and when I photograph has changed since I got an iphone, especially as a tool to collect inspiration. Taking photos with my big girl camera is a lot about being artistic and/or documenting everyday life. But using the iphone is like snapping a mental picture, to remember something when you get back home.

At art exhibitions, flea markets and stores, and when out and about in town, I snap a tone of photos! And I share very few of them on Instagram (where I’m @ihannas) because I don’t have the time/energy to upload all of them when I’m on the go…

Plus, I don’t think thats what instagram is about.

For me, instagramming is more about sharing that one image that I really like. I want to share something happy and simple. Often it’s me being creative or sharing something I just painted, collaged or created. But on this very blog, hehe, it’s totally another matter. Photo posts are fun!

I hope you don’t mind spending some time with me here?

So I’ll start looking through my photo folder to see what I can share with you. I think you’ll be inspired by my inspiration snaps too. Here we go!

Embroidery floss and a tone of (rather expensive) buttons:

I adore the DMC boxes:

Embroidered ribbons. I don’t even know when I’d use any, but I want them!

Zippers are rather boring, but hanging like this – yum!

A palette of sewing threads…

And also: Glitter yarn. Yum again.

Overall not a very pretty or organized shop, but the details, the details! Magic Haberdashery inspiration, don’t you agree?

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