In the centre of busy Crystal Palace, lies A L’Etage 2 - an art shop selling high quality handmade pieces of jewellery and other crafts by designers and artists including ones by the owner of the shop, Tine Bladbjerg.
When stepping into A L’Etage 2, you are immediately greeted with a whole host of art. A plethora of ceramics are placed carefully around the shop – there are jugs, plates and sculptures along with lots of stylish cushions and cloths with decorative designs. In addition, displayed are exquisite pieces of jewellery by Tine Bladbjerg herself. These include rings with decorative ornaments and finely crafted pendants depicting many different subjects such as a daisy or a running man. Hung up on the walls are an array of screen prints with bold, creative designs. This shop began one and a half years ago when Tine Bladbjerg finally achieved her dream by setting up her very own shop. Her inspiration dates back to at age 14 years old when her and her sister set up a little shop in her bedroom known as A L’Etage 2 as her room was the second room at the top of the stairs. Together, they would make jewellery which they would then sell at school. This inspired her to, later on, create her own jewellery business in 1996. Ever since then, she has been selling at fairs. However, after more than 20 years she finally decided to open her own jewellery shop which had been her ambition for a very long time which she called A L’Etage 2 as that was what she had called her little shop in her bedroom.
On her website, she says that ‘A friend once asked my Sister and I what games we liked to play as children. We looked at each other and replied that we made stuff and played shop. I guess some things don't change…’ Claire Lams, an employee at A L’Etage 2 described that Tine Bladbjerg ‘wanted to do less shows’ and ‘was fed up of being in the whim of someone else’.
A L’Etage 2 allows local artists to bring their own handmade products for Tine Bladbjerg to look at in the shop and provide the opportunity to showcase their art. Claire Lams said that ‘anyone can come in. She (Tine Bladbjerg) would see if she wanted to sell it’. Whilst in charge of this, Tine Bladbjerg also makes her own jewellery to sell.
A L’Etage 2 is very beneficial in allowing many artists to flourish including the owner as well as allowing locals living in Crystal Palace to explore the wonders that art really has to offer and inspire them to create their own art.
