Showing posts with label london. Show all posts
Showing posts with label london. Show all posts
A day trip to ... London
Have yourself an Independent Christmas
Makers Month Lets Meet: Hackney Potter
We wouldn't be able to have our Makers Month without our Lets Meet section that we run throughout the year and it just makes it extra special when its in this month too. H has been obsessing over the ceramics that Hackney Potter has been making and showing on their Instagram page and so it only seemed fair to have a little chat with them.
What was the first thing you remember making?
I’ve always been making things; ever since I was little I’ve been drawing and creating. My favourite thing to do as a little kid, was draw with candle wax and reveal the image with washes of black paint, the image appearing seemed like magic to me. Ceramics has the same effect on me now, when glazing something it looks nothing like it will when it fired, so when the kiln is opened and the final product is revealed its magical.
How did you find your creative side?
My mum always did activities with us kids, and TV was full of creative shows like, Smart, Tony Hart, Art Attack, Bitsa, Penny Crayon and Smarty Arty in Zzzap!! I can’t think of a time that I wasn’t trying my hand at someone thing creative, and luckily for me it was encouraged. It seemed obvious to me to do arts at college and university. After university I struggled to find time to be creative, 9-5 jobs really disrupted things. Until I found out about the drop in pottery workshop at Hackney City Farm, then I was hooked.
What has been your favourite ever make? Whether that be for your business or pleasure – tell us about it.
The marbled mugs I’m making at the moment are my favourite. Although the most recent make is usually the favourite. Then as new ideas develop, new things are made that replace the last as favourite. I never feel 100% satisfied for long, which pushes me forward and keeps me making.
What are your favourite ways to stay inspired?
I believe inactivity breads inactivity, and that creativity works the same way. To stay inspired and full of ideas you have to keep making, it keeps your brain ticking.
I am part of a shared studio space called Clay Collective and the other makers there are incredible, everyone is so different and it’s a constant inspiration. Going to exhibitions never fails to inspire, and Instagram is another great place to gain ideas; I’ve got a huge folder on my phone of screenshots that I look through regularly. Also it’s important to give yourself time to explore new ideas and possibilities.
Who are your favourite Designer/Makers right now?
I have so many favourites! The 11 other makers in Clay Collective are huge favourites right now; being able to see their processes, and watch work develop makes the end product more amazing to me.
The Hilma Af-Klint at the Serpentine is mind blowing, she was in an all-female collective called ‘The Five’ in Victorian Sweden, and made these epic works through challenging the spirits as a mystic. Her work was unseen until way after her death, and so it was only recently we discovered her work. Her abstract style pre-dates Kandinsky and other abstract painters. (exhibition on till 15th May)
On Instagram im currently loving:
What crafty item is top of your wishlist?
Everything on the bath potters website!
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
Watching films and videos online, hanging out at the studio and going to the pub with my boyfriend
Tell us a bit about what you have coming up? any little projects you want to tell us about.
I have just been taking part in Pick Me Up Festival at Somerset House with Clay Collective, and that has really taken all of my attention for the last couple of months. I am next taking part in the Clay Collective open studio on 4th and 5th June, and the Independent Ceramics Market in Peckham on 17th July, so please come visit me!
Hackney Potter
Seriously you guys, you have to check out Hackney Potter's work, total love! I just need a big house with lots of visitors to require use of ALL the beautiful ceramics! ha ha.
Thank you for chatting to us Hackney Potter and hope you guys enjoyed this little delve into their world.
H,xxx
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Check this out: We Built this City
Now you may have seen on Instagram a few weeks ago we took a look at this shop when we were in London. We Built this City is a souvenir shop with a difference!
It showcases all that is good about London design, whether that be illustrated maps of London, chutneys made in London kitchens or designers who have their studios in London. It means that tourists to the very popular Carnaby Street where the shop is based, can have a very different souvenir experience to go back home with. Or, of course, people can just get cool stuff from the shop wherever they are from.
I particularly love a print and the print wall made me want to plaster my flat in them. The designers work on display is fresh and interesting and will give people a different view on what makes London great.
If you are able to go to the We Built this City shop it is at the further end of Carnaby street, near Beak Street. If not, get someone you know to have a look for you and post it up! ha, ha. Or, you could have a look at the artists individual websites once you have found them on the We Built this City site. Anything to help designer/makers.
Is there anywhere near you that we should take a look at? We love to find new designer/makers and shops full of fun things, so let us know in the comments and we can go have a look.
H, xxx
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Love it: Renegade Haul
Once again there was so much to look at and instead of our usual post about the whole event, as you can read all about them in previous posts - we thought we would show you what we bought, much more fun!
Sammy's Stash; Bag and Succulent from Oh No Rachio, Candle from East Wick, Bag, Pencil cards, Fabric tag and note books from Oh Squirrel, midi ring from Star and Metal, 'We're all mad here' ring from The Silver Shed, cards from Emma Margaret Illustrations, the Paper Hare and Hello Harriet, Succulent from Geo-fleur, Camera print Pouch from Duck and Duffel, Window necklace from A Weathered Penny, Constellation bracelet from Fleur Caroline, Necklace made in the I am Acrylic workshop.
Phew! That was a lot of shopping, we did well. All new goodies for us! It was such a lovely day aswell so a pop to Rosa's for some Thai food (a favourite) and what a great post birthday day out for me too! yey. We really did have a truly magical day - Thanks Emma Margaret Illustrations for the very apt business card!
H
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Check this out: Sketch
If you have not heard of Sketch, it is a restaurant in London famed for it's lovely food and unique decoration. There are a few different eating and drinking areas to Sketch and all are decorated differently. The Gallery where we went is currently decorated by David Shrigley of greeting card and forth plinth fame. The plates, salt and pepper pots and menu's were all decorated with Shrigley's unique style with around 239 new works adorning the restaurant walls.
The food really was lovely and we are planning on going back for afternoon tea soon as it looked so good. Definitely a place for a special occasion or just a treat, why not! Also if you follow them on Facebook, there is currently an offer to get £50 off your bill until the 1st March 2015 for Lunch or dinner, no Afternoon Tea unfortunately.
H
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Makers Month Hidden Treasure: We Make London
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| Image courtesy of www.wemakelondon.co.uk |
Last year we attended their 5th Birthday celebrations and they have gone from strength to strength with visits to other shows and markets alongside their shop in Camden. You will be able to see them at The Handmade Fair this weekend, so go check them out if you are going for a visit.
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| Image courtesy of www.wemakelondon.co.uk |
Is there a place like this in your town? There is a shop where Sammy lives called the Craft Coop which do something similar and H's work, The Lightbox always pride themselves in having designer/makers work in their shop.
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| Image courtesy of www.wemakelondon.co.uk |
H
Live, Love, Make, Like, Share, Follow, Tweet, Pin, Add, Enjoy.
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Who's Who: Designosaur
Who are you?
We are Jacques and Karli the CEO's, founders, designers and
makers of designosaur.
What do you do?
We make fun, bright, brash, sometimes dinosaur inspired
laser cut jewellery and screen printed tights. We hope that we are creating
jewellery that stands out from the crowd and is exciting to wear. Everything we
design, is hand drawn, laser cut and assembled by us.
How did you start?
Jacques and I both have Product Design degrees, in fact
that's how we met. In the beginning Jacques started making children's mirrors
for the laser cutters he was working at. There was one shiny Brachiosaurus
which took my fancy, I held up to myself and suggested that it would look great
as a GIANT necklace. I was so excited about it that Jacques made it into the very
first designosaur necklace for me! I'm not really sure what happened between
then and now, we didn't really plan to have a handmade business but it's great
to be able to design and create everyday! We have so many ideas with very little
time!
We have achieved so much over the last (nearly) two years.
We have done craft fairs including Renegade London, a trade fair, we now have
around 30 stockists and things just keep getting bigger and better! We would
love to do one of the American Renegade Craft Fairs, have a Pop Up shop and
continue to take over the world ;)
Don't doubt yourself so much. I think this one still applies
and although it is good to look at your work with a critical eye. I don't think
we would have started our business if other people hadn't seen, and liked our
designs right at the beginning.
We love these guys work, it's just nice to see fun and interesting jewellery out there. One thing that H find's difficult is that she can't wear anything with nickel, so the plastic and wooden rings are great and the necklace chains can easily be replaced! What do you guys think of designosaur? Let us know in the comments below.
H & Sammy
Our Fashion and Textile Museum Adventure
Now you may have noticed that we both have a bit of a thing about fabric and pattern! So it will come as no surprise that when we found out their was an Artists Textiles exhibition on at the Fashion & Textile Museum in London, we hot-footed it up there.
For those who have never heard of it, it's a small museum around the corner from London Bridge Station (near Borough Market too for an added foodie bonus) and let's just quote the website here:
"The Fashion and Textile Museum is a cutting edge centre for contemporary fashion, textiles and jewellery in London. Founded by iconic British designer Zandra Rhodes, the centre showcases a programme of changing exhibitions exploring elements of fashion, textile and jewellery as well as the Academy which runs courses for creative students and businesses.
Situated in the heart of fashionable Bermondsey Village, in a fantastic building designed by Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta, the FTM aims not just to display and collect items relating to fashion, jewellery and textile design, but to offer inspiration to a new generation of creatives. Now redeveloped and operated by Newham College, the museum is a hub of learning, ideas and networking for the fashion and jewellery industry."
Just about sums it up really.
Anyway, H has been before to a Sanderson Exhibition a few years back and so it was a great excuse to go back and see what treats were in store this time. The Artist Textiles exhibition (to once again quote the website) "traces the history of 20th century art in textiles. Highlights include work by Georges Braque, Alexander Calder, Marc Chagall, Salvador DalÃ, Sonia Delaunay, Raoul Dufy, Barbara Hepworth, Fernand Léger, Henri Matisse, Joan Miró, Henry Moore, Pablo Picasso, Ben Nicholson and Andy Warhol.
The exhibition features examples of key European and American art movements: Fauvism, Cubism, Constructivism, Abstraction, Surrealism and Pop Art; as well as the work of leading fashion designers and manufacturers. Artist Textiles shows how ordinary people were once able to engage with modern art in a personal and intimate way through their clothing and home furnishings. With over 200 rare pieces, many of which have not been on public display before."
When we walked in, we walked through a small room and a corridor which started us on our journey to learning about Sonia Delaunay and Salvador Dali pieces, to name but a few. One thing that struck me was that there was so much crossover between artists and designers in the 20th century, which seems to have been separated in recent years, but I really feel that we are starting to go back to that way of working, to Artists being fashion designers, architects planning exhibitions and designers making art.
The main exhibition room itself is two floors and this is where we started to see mannequins with dresses on and large pieces on the walls covering artists such as Picasso, Andy Warhol and of course Zandra Rhodes herself. It was lovely to see items made up with the fabrics and the fabric pieces themselves, some of the lighting could have been a bit better for them to be shown in their best light, but it is difficult to get light on everything. Of course there is the added concerns of fading fabrics also, so that may have been why.
Overall, the Artists Textiles exhibition was very interesting and for fabric lovers it was a feast for the eyes. I think for someone who didn't know much about the artists themselves it would have been difficult to pick up on what the artists were famous for outside of these pieces. This exhibition was geared more for those who already know artists and what they are known for. It is hard to half every little piece of information on display, but I think for the fanatic there could have been more in depth knowledge gained and for the novice it was pitched too high.
It did inspire me to go home and draw some patterns and look at all my 50's and 60's pattern books again. I love the era and it reminded me why I love it.
The exhibition is open until Saturday 17th May and so you still have chance to go and see it. If you do go, let us know what you think? Or if you have been to see anything else like this, let us know in the comments below so we can check it out.
H
Who's Who: Mister Peebles
Our first Who's Who of 2014 is someone that has caught our eye and our hearts, many a time. Their quirky prints and cards have just that right amount of humour and you may well just recognise Owl Capone further down the page from H's instagram feed! They have just been stocked in Liberty's too, exciting!!!
Hidden Treasure: Sacred Cafe
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| Photo courtesy of http://sacredcafe.co.uk |
Something which I pride myself on is finding little treasures on my travels and I always have to research a place before I go there - sometimes maps included! Yes I am THAT person. I love to find the unusual and the places that other people might not go to, or those places that others recommend.
I thought that I would share some of those places I have found or do find on the way.
I guess, as I lived in London, people are always asking me about places to go and I usually always know a 'little place just up the road from ...' and so its only right that I start with a little place that Sammy and I love to go to when we visit, and it's only a stones throw away from Liberty's, so it can't be bad.
Sacred Cafe brings the New Zealand Cafe experience to London, all I know is that they do a good brew and a lovely slice of cake! We love to go to the one on Ganton Street off Carnaby Street, but there are also venues at Westfield White City, Covent Garden and Highbury. They have a wide range of Teapots and plates so that no one gets the same. So many different types of tea too and the cake slices are a good wedge rather than a sliver - nothing beats that!
It makes a great excuse for a bit of a sit down after some Oxford Street shopping or just a place to relax before you start. There are so many places to have a drink around Oxford Street but you can't beat an independent cafe to get your coffee fix.
If you have been or you go and try it out, do let us know in the comments below, we would love to know what you think!
H
Liberty of London
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| Photo courtesy of Channel 4 |
The thing I love most about the show is the brilliant honesty that is relived from the staff and the GM himself that Liberty, like any business struggles to stay current whist classic and to stay out of the red with the bank. You don't expect to hear that a store of this stature and age, only five years ago was struggling to make payroll. Like many of the shows before it though, it is that characters within the staff that make the show. From the floor staff in the haberdashery department, to the fabric designers, to the sales lady who has worked for Liberty for 40 years (and as their top sales person makes over 1/2 a million for them in sales every year), each of them is a gem and more than anything is truly in love with their life within Liberty.
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| Photo courtesy of Vogue Italy |
Hope you have a lovely weekend
Sammy xxx
Our Renegade Craft Fair adventure
Renegade Craft fairs have jumped across the pond from the US for the past 3 years to East London and this year we just had to pay a visit - and what a great day we had too. Renegade have made a huge stamp in the US and have fairs in Brooklyn, Chicago, San Francisco, Austin and Los Angeles - just a few then! As their website says 'The Renegade Craft Fair is a curated indie-craft marketplace showcasing the brightest talents in contemporary craft and design.'
This year in London was bigger than before with over 100 designer/makers and so the popularity is definitely growing over here in the UK. These crafts are not for the feint-hearted though as there are no country crafts in sight. You are more likely to find rude cross-stitches and jewellery that will definitely make you stand out from the crowd.
Well, firstly, where to start! We are likely to miss some people out, but we thought we would go for some of our favourites rather than trying to get everyone in. The full list of who was there can be found on Renegade's website.
The Fox in the Attic had the sweetest collection of hand embroidered plushies.
Sammy had a tough time choosing between all the beautiful jewellery from Eclectic Eccentricity but settled for a blue crystal pendant.
Cute envelope brooches by Amy Panda.
Quirky badges by Kayleigh O'Mara.
Sammy picked up one of these beautiful calendars from Cotton Post.
We love a bit of printing and Passa Pa had some lovely hand printed bags on offer and one of our favourites Zeena had some of her lovely screen printed goodies on display.
DYFALNONC had a fab display of their wooden pendants, we loved the ones using vintage stamps.
The prize for the most unique stall had to go to the girls from The Compartment Store, whose stall was a vintage suit carrier fitted out to hold all their gorgeous stationary wares. Described as 'a department store in a suitcase' it was packed full of goodies!
There was also yesterday's Who's who and H's all round fun jewellery favourite, I am Acrylic. They were pretty much the first people we saw as we walked in the door and they didn't disappoint, H may well have bought a few goodies! Thanks guys for the treats!
We loved Anna Wiscombe's wooden birds and necklaces.
Some Jewellery that neither of us had seen before was by Coatt. They use the Morse code for the word of your choice to give you a bracelet or necklace. They had come all the way from Hollywood too!
H fell in love with these bears from Pygmy Cloud, they are so cute. One day she is going to have a house and will be surrounded by little animals!
We love the very unique style of Ella Masters who Sammy featured back in July for her Love it ... Illustration feature.
Made by Loulabelle had some great Vintage inspired bags that utilised different pieces of fabric to make some really different clutches and bags. Can you guess which one H liked?
Some more cute acrylic jewellery came in the shape of Bonnie Bling whose fun phrase necklaces were a hit.
We were there on day two of Renegade and by this time Debbie Greenaway had lost her voice, thankfully she had a trusty helper to do some talking for her on the Sunday.
Whilst walking around aswell we spotted Make Thrift London doing a lino printing workshop. Daisy was so sweet, even after H admitted to seeing her on Instagram - which kind of made her feel like a stalker!
One of the great things about Lucie Ellen's stall was that you could put together your own favourite colours of her bunting shapes to make your own necklace. We did both love her dipped wooden diamonds too.
We saw our friend Mr Peebles had a stall and couldn't help but have a look what was new. We both have prints from previous visits and now have a Christmas card each to boot, thanks!
One of our Craft Coop friends, Isamo Crochet was there and so we couldn't resist a look.
Now can you guess what Designosaur do? Well, apart from dinosaur jewellery, there is also animals and flowers all lasercut, just for you.
More acrylic came from Hand over you fairy cakes and it was stars aplenty, which kept Sammy very happy.
So, as you can see there was plenty to see and spend our money on! I feel We were very restrained given all the goodies we could have bought! Although, now I feel plenty of these will be on our Christmas lists.
The venue was great and as we went quite early on Sunday morning it was a nice relaxed atmosphere. As we were leaving though it was definitely filling up and made it more difficult to take photos let alone get to the stalls. No bad thing for the designer/makers I am sure! So we swiftly hot footed it down to Giraffe for some late lunch, well needed after all the pretty!
Thanks Renegade for a great day and we will definitely see you next year!
H & Sammy
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