The tassel suq

We had a lovely day several days ago, when two friends went with me on a search for notions and odds and ends, and found the tassel suq. This is a long row of shops selling all sorts of handmade upholstery bits and pieces - if you can make it with silk cords or fluff (which I have doubts about as they look like rayon to me) then it is here!



I have always loved chairs because ever since seeing Vincent Van Gogh's yellow bedroom I have realised they imply the presence of people. Also - they are great shapes, especially repeated.





I have been exploring back streets of the suq area by happily accompanying strange men who tell me to come with them.



No children, don't follow my example. I did have friends with me, but this is Achmed, who brought me to a really interesting place where people were dyeing silks (though I suspect rayons) in old baths and in industrial quantities.



Keep on going through the photos to see the tassels and cords that are made with this stuff!


Look carefully and you will see the three of us with the street behind us in the reflections.

The card suq is a revelation. If it can be made in paper it is here. It can be remearkably over the top, adn efffusive, but also so elegant. It is cheap, with lovely embossed card blanks with envelopes selling at about one hundred for twenty Australian dollars.



Wedding invitations from an order for fifteen hundred, with the bride and groom's first names in Arabic and gold.


Wedding dolls, labels, tulle and lace, all ready for wedding favours with the glue gun waiting.