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Best British Designer-Makers: Laura Slater
The 12th Holmfirth Art Market launched over the weekend with a selection of British designer-makers selling original art, design and contemporary craft. To celebrate weekend one (of two), What I Always Wanted, an online marketplace selling the work of British designer-makers, were chosen to judge a new award this year – the Contemporary Craft award. Deborah Bancroft, Laura Slater and Ann Ellison The worthy winner was Laura Slater, who designs and makes bespoke hand screen-printed interior products. Laura has an…
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Best British Designer-Makers: Leanne Lucas
Leanne Lucas, creator of label Lulu and Luca, is a fashion and textile designer. She makes a unique range of accessories and home furnishings, all made using natural fabrics and silkscreen printed by hand. I caught up with Leanne to discuss her inspirations, favourite makers and goals for her design label. Pop that kettle on! Prior to studying at Northumbria University, did you always want to be a textile designer? I remember having my first careers interview at school aged 15 and being…
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Made! DIY Pressed Flower Greeting Card
To make a pressed flower greeting card you will need: A pressed flower Card stock Washi tape Letter stamps and ink (optional) Scissors Instructions: Again, another very simple greetings card idea using things you may already have at home. Either use wild flowers or the odd stem from any flower or plants you have in your home. This was a carnation that had snaped off from his friends, it felt only right to rescue her. Pop them in a book, weighed down,…
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Best British Designer-Makers: REcycled REscued REstored Exhibition
What’s better than featuring awesome designer-makers on the blog? Featuring an exhibition that houses a rather large bunch of them, that’s what! Heart Gallery in Hebden Bridge (my home town) is launching a new exhibition on Sunday, celebrating all that is recycled, rescued and restored. Featuring a new body of work from local photographer Ross McGinnes and multi disciplined designer-makers including David Howey, Lisa Slater, Kate Lulham, Aiden Spencer, Heather Shaw, Sian Atkinson, Ian Swales and Rosy Maddison, to name a few. Images courtesy…
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7 No-Sew Craft Projects
I was planning to start a new DIY craft series on the blog this week (simple paper crafts), however my camera charger has gone walkabout so it will have to wait another week until I’m back on track! Instead, I thought I’d make a round-up of my favourite no-sew projects I’ve discovered that will keep you occupied on a grey afternoon… 1. No-Sew Bow via Why Don’t You Make Me 2. No-Sew Bandana Bibs via Swoon Studio 3. No-Sew Felt…
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Best British Designer-Makers: Seija Chowdhury (Moha)
Moha is the creation of graphic designer, Seija Chowdhury. Her collection of contemporary products for your home include, art prints, cards and lovely tote bags using her own ink, illustrations and typography. Taking inspiration from a vintage peach floral wallpaper design and her love of nature, she created this delightful limited collection of wildlife prints; the stag is my favourite and would look perfect above our telly (adds to wish list). Or if you’re partial to geometric patters and lots of colour,…
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Gift Guide: Gifts for Weddings
When it comes to buying a wedding gift, I’m perfectly happy going along with what the couple request on the invitation; a donation to their honeymoon fund perhaps or buying something from a curated wedding list. However for wedding couples who don’t ask for anything but the plesaure of your company or if you can’t make it to the wedding at all, it’s nice to find a little something to pop a smile on their faces. A screen print is…
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Best British Designer-Makers: Buddug Humphreys
I first came across Buddug Humphreys last year after her charming Teacup Brooch caught my eye. Last week, I was gently reminded of her awesomeness via the ever delightful Ella Masters blog so I thought it was time to take another peek into Buddug’s world. Buddug Humphreys, once native to Snowdonia in North Wales, now lives and works in London specialising in metalsmithing and enamel. Her hand forged plates (and jewellery) are individually made using layers of enamel fused on metal, to create unique, delicate and…
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Best British Designer-Makers: Ruth McAllister
Ruth McAllister is a self-confessed lampshade obsessive, with an eye for beautiful fabrics and a talent for making striking and unique handmade lampshades. After starting her business, Quincy Lampshades, she learned her grandfather also had the same talent and passion, making lampshades in the 1950s – what a discovery! With a clear passion for the craft, Ruth passes on her knowledge and enthusiasm by running 3-hour workshops across the UK. Be gone dull, beige lampshades (stares at ceiling with shame). To…
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Inspiration: Blog Love
I’ve been reading some wonderful new (to me) blogs lately, the type where you lose an afternoon pouring through their archives – ah Sunday afternoon bliss. I’m a sucker for great photography, personal style and home inspiration, in which the following blogs all deliver. My Creative // Hilda Grahnat // Charlestown Vintage // Skunkboy Blog // PeaSoup Cardboard Cities // Nishaantishu //Secondhand Sundays // Seit What are you reading? ♥
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Tote Of The Week: Embroidered Daily News Tote Bag via Sew Lomax
Sew Lomax is a London based embroidery canvas bag company making the best quality bags I’ve ever owned. FACT. Shall I leave it at that? Oh OK, I shall continue. I appreciate a good tote bag don’t you know (ahem) so I was pleased as punch when Emma Lomax, the designer of the eco-friendly bags, kindly sent me the Embroidered Daily News Tote and Makeup Brushes Bag to feature on the blog. All the bags are eco-friendly, hand finished and treated…
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Best British Designer-Makers: Layla Amber Rous
Poppy Bouquet Necklace – £20 How stunning are these hand painted jewellery pieces from Layla Amber Rous’s ‘In Bloom’ collection? Shall we all take a moment and dream of days filled with sunshine and flowers? Yellow Flower Earrings – £9 Purple Flower Ring – £9Blue flower earrings – £9 Yellow Flower Ring – £9 Flower Hair Clip Set – £18 Rosy Posy Brooch – £15 Layla Amber is a painter and illustrator who brings her work to life through wearable pieces…