Baker’s Twine
13th January 2012
Our wedding is getting closer (39days 02hours 23minutes 06seconds according to Si’s Dashboard Countdown Widget - yikes!) so I’ve been busy designing cards, making signs and getting things finished.
My Baker’s Twine finally arrived in the post a couple of days ago and I love it. Si vetoed bunting from the beginning, but a little Baker’s Twine won’t go amiss! I might have to make it my new favourite thing for 2012 and order some more colours so I can wrap this year’s birthday presents in it.
Commentblackbox
4th January 2012
A few years ago we spent a month in Oaxaca over New Year and it was one of my favourite places in Mexico by a mile. With a beautiful zocalo, gorgeous old buildings, quirky shops, fun bars and great restaurants, there was also a really cool art and graffiti scene with awesome stencils and images pasted all over the city walls.
This morning an article in Dwell caught my eye and I found myself reading a great story about a studio-cum-shop in Oaxaca called blackbox.
blackbox finds and collaborates with local artisans who use ancient techniques to churn out the same woven rugs, wooden carvings and pottery pieces again and again for uninspired tourists. By helping them bring their designs up to date and to use design as “a tool for social improvement”, new products (that wouldn’t look out of place in the MOMA store) are created using craftsmanship that’s been around for centuries.
I love the idea of developing these crafts – it helps ensure these techniques are not lost forever while producing some awesome new designs along the way.
Industrial designer Gustavo Fricke who opened blackbox says the shop’s overarching goal is: “To build trust and working relationships with these communities and give them a new channel for their work. I want the younger generation to feel proud of their skills, to realize: “Shit, man, this is cool and I made it. I learned this from my grandpa, and now this is giving me my bread.” “
Very cool.
(via Dwell)
Knit Stools
7th December 2011
These knit stools by Claire-anne O’Brien are gorgeous. My awesome friend Lynnda Needles would love them me thinks.
(via TheFoxIsBlack)
Wrap Up
29th November 2011
How awesome is this Pendleton Glacier National Park Blanket? I found it over on the National Geographic Gift Guide and although it’s expensive at $178, it’s also been in production since 1916. Good old fashioned design at it’s best, which says enough for me.
Get yours here.
Legotron Mark I
7th November 2011
How amazing is this Lego camera by Cary Norton? And what’s even more exciting is that is actually works!
(via DesignMilk)
Béatrice Coron: Stories cut from paper
1st November 2011
Charismatic artist Béatrice Coron talks about the stories and worlds she creates using the craft of paper cutting.
Another awesome TED talk.
(Thanks Bub)
Absence
18th October 2011
I picked up this linocut card by James Brown in Pedlars last time we were in London. Cool huh?
It makes me want to go back to my college days of printmaking and getting crafty with pieces of lino and aluminium.
Globe Bird Feeder
12th September 2011
I love these bird feeders made from old glass lamps. They’re simple, elegant and would be a cool addition to any garden. Get the low down on how to make them over at Design*Sponge.
Gandia Blasco
15th August 2011
I wish I had one of these beautiful Mangas Pouff Ottoman’s to lounge around on this Monday morning.
That would be a perfect start to the week.
Mini-eco
1st July 2011
I’ve just spent the better part of the last hour looking through the awesome blog Mini-eco.
It’s packed with super cool craft projects for kids (& adults) and is so colourful and fun I just want to ditch work to go home and get crafty! Be sure to check out these amazing garden bird feeders…
(via swissmiss)
Light Up Your Mood
9th June 2010
After a few days back in London I’m getting used to the funny English weather again!
For year round happiness check out these amazingly cute stickers by London designer Henrietta Swift. So much fun!
My lovely friend Lynn sent me a packet for my birthday – check out my and the amazing S!’s efforts here!
