Solid gold....

Mmmm..well almost. These last few days have been anything but solid gold - the internet server has been haywire...I have not been able to post, AND I lost out on the most beautiful pair of vintage boots on eBay because the server would not connect. I am more than a tad annoyed...and not quite over the loss yet. ;(

I am making, making, making like a mad bench monkey..and today, I bought my own Gold Plating equiptment, {the huge OUCH!! as I paid for it was heard echoing around the world} which should speed things up and make life easier...{I take all the pieces to have them done by someone else at the moment}...so, lots to do, and the things to do them with. No excuses now then ;)

Link for today is to the site Actions Words which is a brilliant social project that's motto is 'actions speak louder than words' and encourages you to incorporate good deeds into your life on a daily basis...just what this world needs I think!!..enjoy.

I am off to saw, and saw some more!!..fuelled by tea and a ginger biscuit {or two}.
Take care, xox

Autumn Inspiration - Saltwater....

Fist off...thank you to Selvedge magazine for planting so many seeds of inspiration in my mind over the last few days.....

For my last day of Autumn Inspiration week...I have been exposed to, and filled up with, the beauty of Saltwater clothing - a small designer brand that has been slowly building in popularity over the last 8 years and have recently opened their first shop at 98 Marylebone Lane, London. As well as the divine garments that Saltwater has produced for Autumn/Winter 2006, what I am especially inspired by is the styling, and photography for their delicious campaign which was styled and photographed by the amazing and talented Kristin Perers {see her work by clicking on her name in the sidebar}....who is perhaps best known for her work for Toast. The hues, colours and contrasts Kristin has created in this campaign are just perfection....so evocative of Autumn in every way. I even love how the images have a slight grainyness...that clear crisp mist that Autumn brings that makes everything so clear it becomes blurred in a mixture of colour and texture {does that make sense??}....mmmm.

I have really enjoyed this week...just looking, and letting my fancy explore. Inspiration is never as far as you think..that's my lesson for the week. I hope you have enjoyed it too!!

Happy Friday! :)

ps:: I have a few more quick links for tomorrow as well.....just to kick start the weekend you understand, so see you then ;)

xox

Jewellers at Origin - on Whip-Up....

I have penned a little post on Whip-Up profiling some of the great jewellers who will be showing at Origin this coming October. Read all about it here .....

ps...the last installment of Autumn Inspirations will be later tonight :) xx

Autumn Inspiration - Petra Borner....

blueberries and pomegranate tree

poppy print, for cacharel

Swedish summer {papercut} :: growing hand {embroidery}

Oh the joys that come from Sweden!!;) - I found Petra Borners work through Selvedge Magazine...and was enchanted by her amazing work that she showcases on her delightful website...it is one of the most fun sites I have seen for quite a while!! Petra was born in a small town in Sweden, and now lives in London. She graduated from Central St. Martins in 1999 {textiles}, and now has a huge range of clients including Cacharel, Selvedge, topshop and elle decoration.

What I love about Petra's work is the variety of medium she uses...that she works in textiles {both for fashion houses} and in stitch, creating amazing embroidered illustrations. I just love her prints and drawings which have more than a hint of Scandinavian folk influence {love, love, love that!!}....and how she interprets these fluid illustrations and mark making into the most beautiful paper cut patterns, that are part repeat pattern and part free formed image.

"I like making illustrations and patterns from paper because it's hands-on and kind of technical playtime but, the best thing is that it lends time to think....." {petra borner}

I think you can see this strong sense of process in Petra's work...the way she allows a natural evolution of form, line...idea. Just lovely. Do visit her site as it is more than worth browse {and a bookmarking!!}

xox

Autumn Inspiration - Aiko Machida...

Aiko Machida's work with leather {folded, formed and pressed} in the form of 'bags and accessories' really blows me away. I adore the processes and materials she uses, and the considered and inherent perfection of the construction { her placement of them for photography purposes and her sense of space is divine}....I have seen Aiko's work though coverage in Elle Decoration magazine, and also in the exhibitors list for Origin....and am so inspired by it!! I am very much looking forward to seeing her work when I visit the show!!..in fact, I can't wait :)

"I make bags for wearing, not so much for carrying things in. They are as aesthetically perfect as I can make them. Clothes have to fit, but accessories don't. I see my accessories as clothes that don't have to fit, which will suit all sorts of people for all sorts of reasons...." {Aiko Machida}

I really love Aiko's thinking here....how accessories occupy this special ground where they don't really have to be functional - but can be acceptable {and desirable} purely on aesthetic or decorative grounds. I think that's nice...sometimes something being stunning to look at is more than enough. Have a look at her website and prepare to fall in love, and be in awe.....

xox happy Wednesday ! :)

Autumn Inspiration - Maiko Dawson....

Oh how I love Maiko Dawson's shoes!!! - her wholly hand-made forms and subtle detailing really make the work quite sublime and unique.....these shoes are made for walking { I couldn't help myself ;)}.

I first saw Maiko's shoes two years ago at Chelsea Crafts Fair in London..and am delighted to see that she is showing again this year at the new craft fair Origin in October. Maiko came to London in 1994 to study footwear technology at the Cordwainers College after graduating in Home Economics from Japan's Womens University....

" My inspiration for design has always been the shapes, forms and colours found in nature"....and I "thought there was a lack in the market for quality shoes that were actually comfortable and good for your feet".

....do have a look at Maiko's wonderfully quirky, and beautiful shoes on her website where you will see a much larger selection of images of her designs. Many of my favourite items are there..but I was unable to download them - but seeing as how I love them all anyway - I probably would not have been able to choose if I tried!!Just how perfect is Maiko's colour pallette for the coming season??

..enjoy :)
xox

Autumn Inspiration - Philippa Robbins....

Clogs on a cushion cover Karvol Capsules

Okay m'dears..get set for a week of simple inspiration! I will be posting things I have found on my travels in the last wee while that have stirred my soul and blown my mind!!...when I said linky goodness, I meant it ;)

Today, the amazing artist Philippa Robbins whom I found a few weeks ago via her flickr photo-store. I was firstly moved by her wonderful paintings of knitting....the detail and quality of the work is just sublime..by the time I found the images of her tablet works I was hooked { I am especially enamored with the image above of Karvol capsules which were my best fried as a child when I had a cold!!}...and then I was love struck with the painting {top} of the clogs. *wow*. It is the quality of image in Philippa's work I really admire, the technical brilliance of her observational painting..her style. I would love to live with some of these, to own one....{maybe one day!}

To find out more about Philippa's beautiful work check out her lovely website...:)

xox