In 2007 I got engaged to a wonderful French man, and for our engagement present, his Grandparents presented us with a montage of antique ribbons. Unbeknownst to me at the time (I promise!), I was marrying into a celebrated French silk family, the Faure family of St. Etienne.

A wedding and two babies later - we made the move from Ireland to France, to the little hilltop village of Lacoste in Provence. One Christmas, I came across a box of breathtaking antique ribbon echantillons, small sumptious treasures, some created over 120 years ago in the family’s silk factory, Les Freres Faure (now operating as Julien Faure), in St. Etienne, France.

Ever since, I have been lovingly collecting echantillons and passementerie trims (dating from late 19th to mid 20th century), from the family archives and crafting one-off (and truly so as no other piece of identical ribbon exists) handmade jewellery, combining these turn-of-the-century ribbons, heavily laden with gold thread and hand trimmed silk velvet, with Swarovski crystals embellishments to bring you luxe, contemporary pieces with a touch of old-school glamour.

Where some might see scraps of old fabric, I see miniature works of art, heirlooms with breathtaking detail, shimmering antique gold thread and long forgotten ancient techniques and each piece calls to me to be transformed into something that can be worn and enjoyed for years to come.

For updates, news, inspiration and photographs of my treasures please follow me on instagram http://instagram.com/familleribeaucourt

If you are feeling creative - please visit my Etsy shop, Exquisite Threads where I sell antique and vintage textiles, including silk jacquard ribbons, lace, metallic trims, appliques, buttons and notions. www.etsy.com/shop/exquisitethreads