Love letter June 12, 2009

 

 

Perhaps it’s because I am a writer by trade, but I have always loved letters and I’m a complete typography nerd so this post is dedicated to the humble letter. First up is the cool “Alphabet bag” - made of 100% cotton and, at a tenner a pop, they are are simple and cool – perfect for nipping to the veg shop or carrying your swimming things in!

 

If you haven’t yet come across her, Emily Peacock is doing wonderful things for the revival of tapestry. No longer the domain of medieval castles or grandma’s carpet bag, these circus-inspired tapestry cushions rock – mothballs not included. Also you have to DIY so it kind of becomes an heirloom – genius!

I spotted these bookspine bracletts on Etsy – they are the handiwork of the very talented Leah Makin whose passion for ‘papers, persnickety punctuation and discarded library books’ make for some really creative items in her Etsy shop.

 

 

 

While I was pouncing about on Etsy, as is customary for a Friday afternoon, I found these lovely laser-cut lovelies by Isette - she does a whole range of letters and words in lots of different colours. I love the delicate curls of the ampersand, which I rarely get to use as house-style at work doesn’t like the pretty little symbol  so instead, I can wear one – they are a bargain at $24 plus P & P.

Ok so it’s not typography, but I think Isette’s cute glasses ring (below) would style up any hand ($9 USD)

 Finally one more Etsy find for you – this time from the wonderful imagination of Vintage Inspiration - it’s a really cute antique typewritter key set in a novely button – how sweet! Again it’s  a snip at $10 USD.

Micro trend: maps February 14, 2009

Maps are p-r-e-t-t-y handy things to have about one’s person, particularly when in an unknown region but what’s even better is that they are fashionable now. Yup, maps are big in interiors, fashion and general fabulous design-type offerings. Perhaps it is something to do with our globalisation obsession, or that travelling is cool, or maybe it’s because people like others to think they are well travelled, and nothing say that more than a big old map on your wall. It’s the stuff of dreams: plotting your sejourns across the globe, imagining what life is like in these strange, foreign lands…

Anyway, I digress. To illustrate this little micro-trend, as I am calling it, I have found some places to source some of the best travel-inspired objects, from fashion to jewellery.

First up is the map bowl above, which can be sourced from Not On The highstreet . Made by Bombus, each one is orginal – and start from around £65.  In fact Bombus does lots of map-inspired goodies like the love heart art  which sells for £25 – totally unique!

 

Or how about this rather lovely pair of earrings I spotted on Etsy. They are  made with recycled silver and snippets of old dictionary text and vintage maps. Created by ‘Foundling’ there are lots of other unusual jewellery offerings available too.

 

I love this map badge too and the best thing is you can choose your own home town and get it made up! Nothing like a bit of patrotism eh?

 

So you get the idea…

However, this rather charmless jacket might be taking the trend j-u-s-t a little tooooooo far…but don’t let that put you off!

 

 

Cup of tea and a slice of cake October 22, 2008

 

Image found here

Ah,  just look at the sun blazing in the blue sky, and the leaves crunching underfoot. I truly love autumn. As such I have found a few little treats to prolong the fuzzy feelings of warmth and contentedness – and how better than with a cup of tea and piece of cake…

 

One of my favourite textile designers is Maija Louekari who creates patterns for Marimeko – I have an ongoing love affair with graphic monochrome prints so I just had to put this new black and white Hetkia latte mug into the mix. It can be purchased here.

 

I also think that Etsy has some fine offerings too such as this Chickadee cup by Kristen K Swanson and this quirky ‘love bird’ dish by Paloma’s Nest.

 

 

 

And if you like your crockery simple but stylish, you can’t go far wrong with Polly George’s new set of designs. I love her Bow range but she also does butterflies and flowers too…

 

Now I have to mention cake – well food – and if you are seeking some inspiration, you should definitely check out The Barefoot Kitchen Witch blog (the recipes are divine!) I have also come across the “Baked” cookbook which is on Amazon for around £8.50 – I have already ordered mine and can’t wait – the choclolate brownies are to die for, so I hear.

 

And what about the humble toffee apple? Another great autumn treat that makes me want to wrap up warm and go strolling through the park! Easy to make, hard to forget and totally worth indulging in!

And being as it is nearly Halloween, I rather like this horror plate from ceramic designer Superpanda.

That concludes my tea and cake treats – now get baking!

 

 

 

 

 

diamonds and pearls October 15, 2008

…and silver and gold and jewels. Yup my new love is jewellery in all its forms – old, new, borrowed and any…um…colour I fancy.

Image found here

There is no end to the plethora of fabulous jewellery makers out there – of course, what you choose is very much down to personal choice, however, here are some of my faves…

 

Emma Ferguson has totally nailed her own individual style – like the ‘I Heart Tea’ pendants and her lovely metallic leather feather necklace (another of my new acquisitions).

 

 

 

You may recall a few weeks ago I was rattling on about Untamed Menagerie – a mother and daughter team based in the US who create exquisite designs using acrylic. I recently purchased the divine “Whatever Lola Wants” necklace and have gone back for more… excellent price, excellent customer service and unique jewellery – what more could a fashionable, yet budget conscious gal want?

 

 

Another fab find is Bonbi Forest - full of heavenly creations . They stock all sorts from tee-shirts to graf-illustration, but I have taken a particular liking to this ‘Little Shard’ necklace which is a very reasonable £28 and the extra lovely ‘Secret Garden’ piece by Lee May Foster which is a snip at £18. It hits this season’s nature and bird trend in one fowl (haha) swoop!

 

 

Ok, are you ready for Buddug?  If you haven’t ever come across this site, then take a deep breath because I guarantee not only will you favourite, Digg or Stumble It, but you will find it impossible to resist wanting practically everything on it! You can’t actually buy direct from the site, but there is a comprehensive list of stockists and they are spread across the globe…

 

 

 

I know a hair band isn’t strictly jewellery, (hey, it an accessory) but I adore this birdie version – now even nest hair can look cute! I also love the bird pin (I have a bit of a bird fetish, you might notice) and look at this beautiful flower brooch too. Nature-inspired accoutrements never looked so good!

 

 

 

 

 

 

They came, they saw, they crocheted April 9, 2008

 

Well, who would have thought it? Crocheting is back in again.

 

I have long been a secret crochet fancier and when I was a poor student, my home was swathed in macramé and crochet style plant pot holders purchased for a few pence from the myriad of charity shops I frequented.

 

 

However as time moved on so did my tastes. I will even go as far as to say that I felt the whole crochet lark was, ahem, a little passé. How wrong I was! This wonderful arty craft is back with a vengeance. I have noticed it cropping up in the wonderfully styled photographs in a plethora of interiors mags and I am truly delighted.

Much of the mainstream popularity of crocheting has been thanks to Erika Knight who kicked off the revival with her books – which are beautifully produced and full of inspiration.

 

However, there is also a huge – and I mean HUGE – crochet community on the web.  Here are just some of my favourite crochet -inspired bits and bobs, including a few tutorials to get you started if you are new to all this.

This funky monkey is from Niche Stores – they do a good rang of cute and quirky products that not everyone will have found – a real treat!

 

 

These cushions are a work in practice from a very creative young lady who goes under the name of Moline – check out her amazing designs at Etsy 

 

And if you are after inspiration to create your own crochet clothing, it isn’t all shapeless cardies and beenie hats, Knitboy’s creations stick two fingers up to crochet’s fusty reputation – likewise, Alessandra Hayden’s beautiful bag below is testament to how tasteful a little touch of crochet here and there can be – visit her profile for the full measure of her talent…

 

 

 

 

 

In fact the more I started researching, the more I found. Goodness me!

So here are the pick of the bunch for tutorials and inspiration – all that’s left is to get those fingers crocheting!

 

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Cottage/3606/tutorialpage.html

 

http://crochetme.com/

 

http://www.beehandmade.com/

 

http://moonstitches.typepad.com/moonstitches/2007/11/rhubarb-scarf.html

 

http://applehead.typepad.com/applehead/2008/01/a-good-start.html

 

http://goodhooking.blogspot.com/2006_03_01_archive.html

 

http://www.coatscrafts.co.uk/Crafts/Crochet/Projects/Crochet+Project+-+Corsage.htm

 

http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/2006/9/6/vintage-crochet-pot-holders.html

 

http://www.primrosedesign.blogspot.com/

 

http://indiefixx.com/2008/02/26/tuesday-tutorial-stitch-school-with-primrose-designs-a-contest/