Shopping For School Supplies

Oxford Shirtdress - A.P.C., Men's Loafers - Secondhand John Lobb, Men's Tote - YSL, Watch - late grandpa's old Seiko

After spending a whole day yesterday mulling over it, I now have some sort of a vague idea what I'd like to do for the Beading & Embellishment evening class project - looks good and do-able in my head but I don't know about the actual execution bit yet.

I thought I should go look at what's available out there, in terms of material, before I go wild with ideas and not have the means to bring them to fruition. The suppliers and wholesalers on the list that our teacher gave us, I have been before for various bits-and-bobs for previous projects except for one - Photios Bros, "the oldest supplier in Australia of beads, crystals, sequins, feathers, dress trimming and jewellery parts in Australia, having been established since 1920 in the heart of Sydney, near the QVB building". I love discovering new things in Sydney, especially shops, so I trotted down today.

From our teacher's description, "a huge beads heaven", the picture I had in my head was a cold warehouse-type store with rows and rows of wall-mounted drawers of the stuff but boy, was I pleasantly surprised to find this quaint little shop that seemed untouched by the passing of time! That would be nearly 90 years.

I've wandered down Druitt Street many times but I've never noticed it (and nearly walked by it again today!) and my eyes are usually super-magpie-like! How I could have missed a shop with that display in the window before, I don't know.

After I've silenced my internal squeals of delight, I walked in and fuck, it's even cuter inside.

The first thing that caught my eye behind the old-school glass service counter was the huge bunch of feathers in all colours imaginable.

Then the cardboard cartons upon cardboard cartons that I assumed hold the multitude of beads that they stock. It is indeed a beads heaven!

And loads of other different types of pretty feathers and trims displayed on boards on all available wallspace.

There was no one behind the counter so I got to ring the bell for service, adding to the old-school charm of the place!

The extremely friendly and helpful lady who served me, after asking about my needs, brought out these huge sample boards and folders. They are supposed to help you decide but when presented with so many choices, I was lost even though I went in with specific shapes, sizes and colours in my head. There was just too much distraction.

I left with only two different types of glass beads, after a long time in there. No, it's not Protios Bros' fault that I didn't leave with more. It's just that what I had in mind maybe do not exist at all. So I guess it is a fruitful trip afterall because now I know what's out there and what's not.

Their customers are good fun too! Two lovely ladies came in while I was decision-making away and we got chatting. I left with Kandy and Yolanda's business cards and Kandy, a personal stylist, left with a photo of me because she liked my hair and my socks-and-loafers combo. Oh, and Yolanda said I'll get mates' rates if I visit her pearls and gems store.