Designs of the Year 2013

Winning Design: it's not always black and white.

The people's Choice winners have just been announced for the Design Museums "Designs of the Year" (see the Design Museum's full list here). These are some of my favourite colourful nominees from my visit to the exhibition.

 Made in L.A: Work by Colby Poster Printing Company. The contemporary graphics were curated & designed by Anthony Burrill and produced by the family run Colby company, who have continued to use woodblock, silkscreen and letterpress printing methods since 1946. Their pleasing no-frills style and energising colours continue to have an impact.

Now how about printing...sounds???!!!

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These magical postcards are from Uniform. The prototypes include these cards and a special player. By slotting them into the gadget and squeezing the printed "buttons" the conductive ink controls a play, pause and skip track feature. 

Imagine combing these last two to create giant posters advertising bands, gigs and festivals where by being able to touch the special ink you could listen to their music!

Here's a link to the BBC website where Peter Thomas from Uniform talks about doing just this, with their "Listening Post" idea.

"There's a really different reaction from users to physical media as opposed to digital media, especially when it comes to music...

we're trying to recapture some of the tactile experience you got with vinyl records." Peter Thomas.

This could work brilliantly well for the partially sighted, posters containing spoken information or conveying a message.

Hands on again, but with Colour Porcelain! These exquisite pieces were hand painted by one the oldest Japanese porcelain manufacturers 1616 Arita. The simple modern design uses traditional Japanese colours, such as aquarelle blue, light green, red-orange and yellow ochre. Designed by Scholten & Baijings Colour Porcelain consists of three collections named after their decoration: Minimal, Colourful and Extraordinary. 

In the Design Museum's exhibition the collection was displayed alongside images of the workshops where they were produced to communicate the craftsmanship behind them. I think if a lot of products were accompanied with an image of how they were made and who by it make make people consider where they are spending their money. Similar to cigarette packets showing health consequences, would you still buy that "bargain" with a photo of a sweatshop child peering at you? Or on the other hand would you be more likely to spend a bit more if you saw an established workshop stocked up with the finest quality materials? 

WINNER: Child Vision

The winner of the visitor's choice Design Award (voted for by the public) went to Child Vision. These self adjusting glasses have been a great help in developing countries where it can difficult or expensive to receive eye tests and have an individual's prescription lenses made. These liquid filled lenses can be adjusted by the wearer to help them see better and this design is specifically aimed at young adults. What a clever idea, see well AND look good! :)

There's more to come on this exhibition, so don't worry if you missed it. Lots more great designs to share coming up...

Archaeology

Here is the Archaeology Editorial for new magazine Be Exposed. There is also a little interview I did if you click through to read. 

Be Exposed has been created to showcase the work of new designers, collaborating with stylists and support emerging talent. Some beautiful shoots in there as well as advice and information for working as a creative. Hope you enjoy a nice relaxing sunday read!

The Other Side of The Button

Tools from the trade, Silk Museum, Macclesfield

"The old craftsmanship will survive. There is room for it in the modern world....The man who builds a boat for his own sailing and the woman who embroiders a quilt for her own home are getting satisfaction far beyond that given by any passive pleasure. Making things is a good life." W.B. Honey

Jade Mellor "Fasten" Necklace, Resin, metal powder & leather. One-off 2013

The Button Project exhibition is still available to check out at Macclesfield Heritage Centre. With around 300 buttons each hand made by a range of artists, designers and crafts people it is a showcase for personal skill and the joy of creating an object which is beautiful as well as functional.

The museum curator, Annabel Wills, says "The great thing about The Button Project is the way that it brings together the historical collections with contemporary artists. The town has its beginnings in the button trade, and Macclesfield silk buttons were all handmade. Today's makers help to keep that heritage very much alive."

One of my photos from a recent trip to Greece, a collection of ancient Fibulae brooch style

fasteners

Life Before Buttons

"Unlike most modern brooches, fibulae were not only decorative; they originally served a practical function: to fasten clothing, such as cloaks. Fibulae replaced straight pins that were used to fasten clothing in the Neolithic period and the Bronze Age. In turn, fibulae were replaced as clothing fasteners by buttons in the Middle Ages. Their descendant, the modern safety pin, remains in use today." Wiki

Decorative and functional fibulae brooches were used to fasten clothing before buttons. 

After Buttons (clothing fasteners go electric! Well we all know of Lightening zips)

Selection of zips used in garments by Elsa Schiaparelli, a pioneer in this new garment fastening technology. Many of these pieces didn't survive or were in a fragile condition due to the unstable nature of the early synthetic  materials. Images courtesy of V&A curating dept.

I made this necklace to show the harder edge of buttons. Cast from a selection of old pressed metal buttons, they would fasten functional clothing for working in. Made to be used and last, they showed their quality by having the companies name written on the button, like a designer label or branding motif today. Cast as a one off in resin combined with metal powder, the rest is made from leather and secured with a small steel hook at the back.

 Lots of beautiful sewing machines, some huge and industrial, some small and neat for intricate work (in Macclesfield's Silk Museum)

Wood and metal printing block in Macclesfield's museum, it is full of  beautiful objects like these used in their textiles production, often displayed "in situ".

Here's my button which you can see at the exhibition at Macclesfield's Heritage Centre until 8th Aug.

Macclesfield's SIlk Museum has plenty of ephemera from the old silk production on show. These original tags were a sign of quality for their products-made in the style of sealing wax-just like my resin and silver trompe l'oeil button!

The Button Project has been the work of glass artist Victoria Scholes. I'm so glad she had the idea and passion to create this exhibition, bringing together so many people who love making things. 

Rainbow Rhombus

Is it a ring, or a Viking Compass to locate the Hidden Sun?

Recent bespoke Iceland Spar ring

Iceland Spar is an amazing material, usually found as a rhombohedral crystal and part of the calcite family. Calcite has a unique property of double refraction. This means that when rays of light enter the stone it is split, creating fast and slow beams of light. This causes the effect of anything and everything being viewed through Calcite appearing twice. This unique double refraction can also cause a rainbow effect in examples that have small crystal fractures. 

It is also thought to be what was known from medieval Icelandic texts as "Sunstone", used by the Vikings for navigation its light-polarizing property helping determine the direction of the sun on cloudy days!

Here's a triangular prism refracting light

An Iceland spar Sunstone was recovered from the Elizabethan ship Alderney  that sank in 1592, suggesting it was still used for navigation after the invention of the magnetic compass. Today it is used in the manufacture of Nichol Prisms, an integral part of optical instruments and polarizing microscopes.

In Norse mythology the sun is personified by the goddess Sól or Sunnabrother/companion of the Moon god Máni.

In the poem Völuspá, a dead völva recounts the history of the universe, here it is translated by Benjamin Thorpe:

The sun from the south, the moon's companion,

her right hand cast about the heavenly horses.

The sun knew not where she a dwelling had,

the moon know not what power he possessed,

the stars knew not where they had a station.

The Wolves Pursuing Sol & Mani John Charles Dollman (1851–1934)

Today is the longest day of the year, when the Northern Hemisphere receives the most sunlight. The official start of SUMMER! With this ring you can always find the sun, even when it's hidden. Happy Solstice!

Jefforgina Editorial - Twill Magazine

Here's an exotic shoot featuring my Hewn Collection shot by the talented duo behind Jefforgina!

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‘TWILL’s beauty aspires to cross many bound­aries. The utopian goal is that of giv­ing plea­sure to areas of the reader’s brain that are stim­u­lated by the beauty of seri­ous orig­i­nal points of view in fields as diverse as pol­i­tics, econ­omy, sci­ence, lit­er­a­ture, sex, pho­tog­ra­phy and art, some­times tak­ing shape as fash­ion. 

"We, at ‘Twill, have thus decided to reverse the golden rule of pub­lish­ing; instead of iden­ti­fy­ing a class of poten­tial cus­tomers on whom to foist a mag­a­zine, we have cre­ated a pub­li­ca­tion that defines ourselves."

The mag­a­zine is loosely divided into three sec­tions: seri­ous sub­jects, visual arts and our unique fotoro­manzi, an extrav­a­gantly lus­cious lit­er­ary retake on a clas­sic genre of Italian-French kitsch.

Based in Paris, ‘Twill is pub­lished by TWS Press France. But it is mis­lead­ing to place it in a spe­cific coun­try; ‘Twill is the result of a dis­trib­uted effort com­ing from Italy, Eng­land, France and the Amer­i­cas. A vir­tual edi­to­r­ial office, in essence, but this is what makes such new genre of mag­a­zine an inter­est­ing and dar­ing challenge.

Bling Pong

As part of The Rocks Exhibition at the Goldsmith's Centre they are hosting a range of activities combining geology and jewellery in interesting ways. Their Bling Pong is one that's on today 'til 9pm:

"Show us your sporting prowess and indulge in your artistic side with the most 

creative table tennis you'll ever play. Beat your colleagues and friends at our 

table tennis table and use the ping pong balls to create your own piece of 

contemporary jewellery." 

​Not wanting to miss out on the fun I opened up my studio and invited some chums round to get creating our own rocky balls, complete with cakes, crisps and adult fizzy beverages...

​Faye's Hematite is geometric and metallic with portions carefully sculpted out with a blade

​Louise's was textured with granite and lots of elbow grease!

​If Gustav Klimt ever played Ping Pong...

​Here's Natty drawing her lovely design

​This yarn is so much like Perthite I had to use it!

​Here's mine! (It still bounces quite well, the texture makes it go in some unexpected angles though!)

​I hope you're inspired to have a go yourself, it was a really fun thing to do together and reminded me of youth club days playing ping pong and reading Smash Hits magazine. To be honest, it was pretty much the same but with an issue of Vogue instead and no curfew! 

Here's a link to the Guild of Jewellery Designers who have more information on these events!​

Goldsmith's Rocks Exhibition

​I am so happy to be exhibiting at this fantastic geological jewellery event which starts tomorrow at the Goldsmith's Centre in Clerkenwell, London.

​This gorgeous necklace on the poster is by one of my fave jewellers, Imogen Belfield! My own jewellery box has one of her little golden nuggety rings in it.

​Rocks, minerals, meteorites, they are all a big inspiration for me as well as the geological processes that create the world around us on a big and small scale. The piece I chose to show at the exhibition is my Malachite Green Hewn Ring.

It combines some of the techniques I have developed in resin to evoke the naturally occurring patterns of mineral formations, as well as featuring inclusions of golden pyrite nuggets.

Here's some more on the exciting events that the Goldsmith's Centre will be running:

"From 21 May we're taking part in Chelsea Fringe - a festival celebrating and encouraging us all to engage with our landscape, gardening and the natural world. As part of the Fringe we are creating our own rock garden (sponsored by Indoor Garden Design) in the atrium, surrounded by work from jewellers and goldsmiths' whose inspiration comes from geological formations.

We don't stop there, come and enjoy some of the events that we have alongside the exhibition…

LIFE DRAWING WITH LONDON DRAWING

Tuesday 21 May: 6.30 - 8.30pm
£10 in advance or £12 on the door. Supplies are available to buy at the class.

This is the first of our monthly life drawing classes to be held in our Exhibition Room and will have a special Rock theme! Book through London Drawing's Website.

BLING PONG

Thursday 23 May: 11am - 9pm
Donations Welcome

Show us your sporting prowess and indulge in your artistic side with the most
creative table tennis you'll ever play. Beat your colleagues and friends at our
table tennis table and use the ping pong balls to create your own piece of
contemporary jewellery. Our experts will be on hand to make sure you have this
season's must-have bling to wear!  Send pictures of your creations to us on Twitter and you'll be in with a chance to win lunch in our Café.

When you've exhausted your talents, recoup with lunch or after work drinks in
our café.

NEWTON'S APPLE - POP UP PLAY ON THE CAFÉ TERRACE

Thursday 23 May: 12:30pm and 1.15pm
Free

Have you ever fallen in love in a tree? Liminal Space's five minute play is
about two people who do, and then come back down to earth. Grab some lunch, sit back and enjoy.

FAMILY FUN DAYS

Friday 31 May 12pm - 5pm &
Saturday 1 June 10am- 4pm

Scratch Patch will range from £2 - £5

Other activities - Donations Welcome

Climb into our Scratch Patch - a sandpit filled with gemstones and learn about the different types of rocks used in jewellery. Pick your favourite, see them being polished by our very own Lapidary, Steve Stavrou and create your own gem stone jewellery to take away."

Museums At Night

​A tremendous thank you to everyone who was involved in Museums at Night this year! The event on Thursday evening went fantastically well, The Manchester Museum has always been a big source of inspiration for me so it was wonderful return to this environment and present my response to their treasure trove of minerals and fossils. 

​I was so happy to meet such an enthusiastic gathering of jewellery and museum lovers and absolutely overjoyed to see some familiar faces and the new and old friends who came out to show their support, it was so good to have you there! I hope you are all inspired by your visit and I hope to see you soon...

Thank you!​ :)

Walk the Line: Printing and Fashion

​Last Week's Thursday Late at Manchester Art Gallery allowed us to take a closer look at a particular item in the collection. The extensive costume collection from Platt Hall has started to venture out of the wardrobe and into the art Gallery on Mosley street. Displayed with a selection of Pre- Raphaelite paintings, the flowing fabric draping over the heavenly bodies of the women is seen in real life in the gown by Mariano Fortuny.

​I've always loved this painting by Charles-August Mengin. It depicts the greek poet Sappho who lived around 600BC, from the story that she threw herself into the sea for an unrequited love. Apparently it appealed to the Parisian men attending the salon exhibition at the time, but I think the expression in her face is what makes it. SImilar to nudity in fashion photography today like a Dazed & Confused shoot of Kate Moss with her top off.

​Delphos Dress 1908 - 1912 

​Mariano Fortuny

​Self portrait by Fortuny

Described as a Renaissence man, Fortuny was the son of accomplished painters and repertoir included architecture, interiors & stage design, fashion, painting, ​photography, lighting and textiles design. The Delphos dress we discussd in the gallery late was inspired by ancient Greek art and his method of the beautiful intricate pleating was his own secret. Art nouveau beading would trim the dress, for decoration and also to weight the fabric. The construction is what makes this dress so timeless, with detail such as a laced sleeve making it make contemporary so that his designs are still worn on the red carpet today. It really is worth investigating more of his work, the more I find out the more amazing it is and not just from a fashion/design history perspective - it is all still very desirable. Sighhhhhh

​Dress details

​Fortuny label

​The group discussion was organised by Connie Witham. Hopefully there will be some more fashion related chats like this as there are plenty of amazing garments in Platt Hall in Rusholme that are worth appreciating in depth with details that are easy to miss on a quick look round.

​Careful-it's sharp! Removing the shiny surface to get through to the fuzzy papery layer meant that the ink would stick here and transfer onto the paper.

​After discussing the dress (and quite a few other things) with the group we headed to another part of the gallery where artist Adam Quinn was holding a printing workshop. I didn't think I would have time to make one as I was heading to meet friends but I'm a big fan of printing and hadn't used this technique before so I made a quick drawing in the foil card using an H.B pencil, scalpel and an unknown attachment on my Swiss Army knife. The theme was portraits so I used an image of one of my pyrite Hewn rings.

thick squidgy ink-similar consistency to nutella! (erm n.b do not put on toast bleauch!)​

​Inked up 

It was very satisfying working the gooey black ink into the lines in the drawing. The rest was wiped off the shiny metallic areas so that the pressure of the rollers would force it out of the lines and onto the dampened paper.​

​Removing the excess ink-messy business

the resulting print!​

​My finished "self portrait"

up on the new studio inspirationy wall of things and stuff along with a collar from the V&A and my fave fashion week outfit by Simone Rocha

Push The Button!

The Button Project is coming to the Heritage Centre, Macclesfield. Launched as part of the Barnaby Festival Visual Arts Trail the exhibition will feature hand made buttons from hundreds of different artists and designers. It will begin on the 14th June and run until August 8th 2013.​ The project is being organised by Victoria Scholes a glass artist, curator, writer and organiser of lots of other brilliant events such as the "Glass Games" inspired by the Olympics.​

The museum curator, Annabel Wills, says “The great thing about The Button Project is the way that it brings together the historical collections with contemporary artists. The town has its beginnings in the button trade, and Macclesfield silk buttons were all handmade. Today’s makers help to keep that heritage very much alive.”

​"When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece" John Ruskin. Expect some mini masterpieces from the skills and patience of the contributors... details and gallery of some of the buttons can be seen here.

​Schiaparelli's "Trapeze" Buttons

During my degree I worked a lot with buttons and the details of clothing and amassed a collection of buttons in every material, from every era. I was inspired by the details of these historical garments and ways they could become contemporary pieces. The button, such a tiny addition to a piece of clothing could easily be overlooked as just a fastening device but ​is a vital finishing touch, a sign of quality utilised to add interesting detail.  Couture designers such as Schiaparelli commissioned amazing sculptural buttons that were more like pieces of art made by skilled artisans, and Coco Chanel's "double C" button is as iconic today as ever.

In modern times they are often used to customise clothing by those who want to make their off-the-peg purchase more individual.  The fact that all of these different artists were coming together to be linked by this format is really interesting, each producing their own take and showcasing their creativity.

Tessa Wolfe Murray's Ceramic Button reminds me of an arrowhead

​Hazel Terry's button uses found thread

​For this new project I again started thinking about what a button represents. Communicating who we are through what we wear is as important today as it has ever been. From the choices we make between ethically made pieces or cheap sweat shop bargains, second hand, vintage or the finest bespoke tailoring... colour, style, how much flesh we reveal, it is our first impression we make on the world.

Wearing buttons as your identity; ​Carole and Pat Jolly, Pearly King and Queen of Crystal Palace - members of The London Pearly Kings and Queens Society  image courtesy of www.pearlysociety.co.uk

​Rampant Lion Button, inspiration for my own creation for the project

Through researching buttons I always loved the brass ones from military clothing. The symbols and animals would often represent a regiment giving the wearer a sense of belonging to a group; to be worn with polished pride. These are like signet rings but for clothing.

​The reverse side of my button, the maker is Gaunt London, est. 1884  known for their military buttons. This one is probably mid 20th Century

As far as traditional jewellery is concerned, the seal/signet ring is a very old form of identity. The wearer would use it to protect their privacy when sending letters and documents, to make sure they were sending their own unadulterated words,  tamper proof by the wax seal being intact when it reached its destination.

Gold seal ring, England 1580-1600

From the V&A collection

​Gloopy drip of hot sealing wax

"A seal is a device for making an impression in wax, clay, paper, or some other medium, including an embossment on paper, and is also the impression thus made. The original purpose was to authenticate a document, a wrapper for one such as a modern envelope, or the cover of a container or package holding valuables or other objects. The sealing process is essentially that of a mould, with the final image represented on the device for making the impression by a mirror-image design, incised in sunken- (or counter-) relief or intaglio" (Wiki)

.

Combining these ideas I wanted to create a Trompe L'oeil button appearing to be a wax seal. The imprint was made using a brass button, being the individuals insignia.​

Trompe L'oeil sealing wax button. Polished red resin with a silver shank 

Talking of communication, it is also Stationery Week! As we feel taken over by technology overtaking us, the lost art of letter writing and the paraphernalia involved can become decorative objects.

"​The pen is mightier than the sword"

​National Stationery Week is a celebration of the written word and all things stationery.

"We want to get more people putting pen to paper and writing by hand more often...Some would have us believe that letter writing and writing by hand in a digital age is dead in the water and no longer matters but as all stationery devotees know, nothing could be further from the truth!

The truth is, technology has merely distracted us from the joy and importance of writing, it hasn’t replaced it. Today, stationery and pens are also the new must-have fashion accessory – it’s where fashion meets function! There is something special about stationery, and receiving a handwritten letter or card."

Eva New York

My pieces have made it all the way from the North West of England over to New York City. EVA is ​a forward thinking boutique in downtown Manhattan, situated on the Bowery steps.  

An established venue curated via the pioneering eye of Stephanie Pappas  for 12 years, "EVA has acted as a retail launching pad for both established and young designers in New York City, offering exclusive pieces from designers such as Henrik Vibskov (Denmark), Acne (Sweden), Alexander Herchcovitch (Brazil), Olivier Theyskens (Paris), Bruno Pieters (Antwerp), Marjan Peijoski (London), Pamela Love (NY), Mandy Coon (NY), C Neeon (Berlin), and Anne Sophie Madsen (Denmark)."

'"EVA manifests the innovative spirit of Now and Next through its smartly curated selections from new and emerging designers."

"In keeping with EVA’s modern ethos, the boutique’s expansive interior is a dynamic, shapeshifting space--an idealized, minimalist environment that invites clientele to explore art alongside fashion.  EVA has housed photography by Mick Rock, paintings by Tony Ward, a sculpture installation-cum-video by Bland, and an interactive furniture installation by designers ffiXXed commemorating Pleasure Principle and Friends Shop at EVA." 

​Shop the pieces here: EVA Shop 

Rites of Spring

Craft & Culture new lookbook; "Rites of Spring" has comfy light fabrics and suggestions of colour to gently ease us into getting out in the fresh air after months of snoozing. Just what we need!

"Waking up to sunlight shining through a chink in the curtains, I'd almost forgotten what it looked like. It's going to be a good day..."

​Details on the bangles seen styled are available here. You can also see the rest of the shoot on the Craft & Culture site here.

Fruitenkhamun

Orange you glad you stayed after hours?

So when I'm not in the studio I will probably be doing something like mummifying an orange "After Hours" at Manchester Museum. In case you fancied having a go yourself here's how...

choose your deceased Ancient  Egyptian royal...orange

​giving my "Ancient Egyptian" orange a bit of character

If you're interested in Ancient Egypt and free events at the Museum on Wednesday 1st May 1.15-2pm  their collection bites features The kneeling statue of the Admiral Hor. A bit of lunchtime learnin' this is when you can hear about an object in depth from one of the museum's experts, see it up close and sometimes even handle them! Campbell Price, Curator of Egypt and the Sudan at the Museum, will discuss Hor’s role and the meanings of his temple statue. Details here

Modern Art Oxford NEWS!

You can now find my work in Modern Art Oxford! 

Founded in 1965, Modern Art Oxford is a visual art gallery devoted to presenting exhibitions of modern and contemporary art. With financial and creative backing by Arts Council England their fantastically high quality community programmes and exhibitions have earned them a national and international reputation-with events and exhibitions free and open to the public!

It is also the last few days of the current Hans Josephsohn exhibition. This major presentation is the first U.K public show of the late Swiss sculptor.

'I have spent sixty years, day after day working away calmly in my studio. I have simply followed my imagination… all the crises, the human ones that occur in life, and all the possible adventures and all the paths through the woods where you don’t know how you will get out again, they have all taken place in my studio. Hans Josephsohn

​"Josephson’s powerful and imposing bronze reclining nudes, ‘semi-figures’ and abstract relief panels reveal a sensitive and dedicated examination of figure, form and plane.

This extensive exhibition includes many works seen in the UK for the first time and focuses on works created in the last 25 years of his life.

Josephsohn employed plaster and lost-wax bronze casting to create a body of sculptural forms that emerge through his careful and intuitive manipulation of materials. 

Sharing affinities with the work of modernists such as Alberto Giacometti, the sculptures are also reminiscent of Medieval friezes, ancient Egyptian art and the totemic sculpture of the Easter Island Moai figures."

From Modern Art Oxford webite

Collection Bites-Conservation

Yesterday's Collection Bites let us see behind the scenes with Manchester Museum's precious objects. Two conservationists from the museum showed us some of the objects they had been working on and their methods.

The steps to looking after the objects as a conservationist are as follows:​

RECORD

CLEAN

CONSERVE

RESTORATION

​ Norwegian Headdress restored at Manchester Museum 

This beautiful Norwegian headdress was worn to show the in-between status of the bride, as a crown for her wedding day. Before this girls would wear their hair down or a hat to show they were maidens so this was a special symbol for an important day. It would be a treasured possession passed down throughout the family with each bride wearing it and adding their own extra embellishment. I asked if there were any signs of additions but the piece was in such a state that it was hard to tell although the beaded fabric section at the front was pinned in place rather than sewn, as if too precious to actually commit to making a change. 

This echoes what many conservationists believe: that the originality of the object should be preserved with restorations being made in non-permanent ​ways wherever possible. 

​Map of replaced beads-many conservationists use methods which are reversible so they can be undone and don't harm the original object.

I also learned a new method for protecting the pieces - I had not heard of "Scavengers" before.​ This is the term for the method of attracting corrosion or decay from the precious artefact to another item as a decoy. The wool in the headdress will erode the silver pendants of this headdress so they plan to put something else nearer so that it takes the effects. This means the silver pieces can be left natural and untreated. Many display cabinets have their controls built in so you can't see them such as the cloth they are upholstered in.

Creative Showcase at Somerset House

Nice bit of carrot cake

Congratulations to The School for Creative Startups for the Somerset House showcase. There was a wide range of new independent brands to discover and I met a whole bunch of entrepreneurs who's passion for their business  was a real inspiration, including the lovely Katie Harris  providing the refreshment​s from Nana's pop up cafe, a social enterprising scheme and all round jolly good idea set up in Hackney, "NANA is a comfort food and craft café run by older ladies from the local area. We’re serving up the very best in traditional home cooked food. Customers get delicious, heart-warming grub at a reasonable price, and NANA’s get a chance to put a lifetime worth of nurturing and cooking skills to good use!" With her hope to make this idea accessible as a franchise It would be so great to see these popping up to perk up tired villages or get together the folks in local towns.

More delicious things, but from further afield let me introduce Cocoa Hernando! Created by a cool couple inspired by their exotic travels this is not a guilty pleasure to be fed on lying on some velvet couch from a silver tray.

This is the delicious package you delve into, pulled from your rucksack as you climb the last stone temple steps. Or unwrap up on the train as you ponder the foreign trees and long roads pan out from the window. Or break off a square with your new guide and maybe share a sip of fiery whisky from a hipflask too. This is Fuel for adventures, I loved it!

The illustrations are a treat for the eye and with exciting flavours such as Chai, Chipotle and pink diamond salt the chocolate definitely lives up to the gorgeous packaging.​

It was great catching up with Shoreditch Muse, who stock Jade Mellor in Dubai. They had a fantastic selection of fashion and accessories adding a pop of fresh colour. Presenting a new collection of garments, they including a nicely tailored short jacket and some tailored tops and trousers contrasted by the comfortable fabric choice- the most wearable squidgy leisurewear fabrics and cotton jerseys. Deborah said the idea was to appear effortless yet stylish, and these looked like fail safe items to enjoying wearing for any occasion dressed up or down with no need to change into something else to relax in the evening (just swap the designer heels for your totes toasties) so I am all for that. The collared "T-shirts" with rolled hem short sleeved were my favourite, really nicely cut but in a casual rather than structured fabric so great for any/everyday when it gets a bit warmer or layered under jumpers with a nice chunky necklace- can't wait to see more of those! You can check out more details from the event on Somerset House we​bsite here.

NEON MEETS NEUTRAL

Resin bangles available online now from Craft & Culture. For exclusives on new pieces sign up to the mailing list as the NEW SHOP is coming soon...

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Karl Fritsch at Manchester Gallery

​It was Fritsch mania at Manchester Gallery the other Thursday night! The exhibition on his exciting jewellery work is running currently at the Gallery on Mosely Street, who's outer façade  inner hall and staircase are currently cascading with luscious leafy foliage and blooms to lift your heart in this Narnia March we're having.

​Fritsch Mania!

The curator ​of this exhibition is Jo Bloxham the driving force for many amazing shows such as The Sting of Passion in 2009, uniting jewellery artists with Pre-Raphaelite  paintings to create some remarkable work. aiming to show jewellery as an artform, rather than purely a decorative commodity, something she believes that the U.K is a little behind in.  Manchester museum's site reads on The Sting of Passion: "The works portray women as a femme fatale, a seductress, and in some cases, purely as an object of beauty. You can see how this was a perfect union to push preconceptions of jewellery as an artform and show it is much more than something nice to look at, the same as the iconic women depicted in the famous paintings, with equality and the portrayal of women in the media today a continuing topic for debate.

​Ophelia, Arthur Hughes part of "The Sting of Passion" exhibition combining Pre-Raphaelite paintings and contemporary jewellery.

Necklace by Kepa Karmona to accompany the painting

As Karl dashed across the globe from Germany's Schmuck fest over to New Zealand where he is based he stopped over to talk to us about his work (as part of Manchester gallery's Thursday lates). Often controversial, his approach caused many a "heated discussion" while he was studying under his mentor, and now friend non other than Hermann Junger. When asked about his unconventional ways and his opinion on learning the recognised ways of working in order to be an artist jeweller Fritsch said: "You must take ownership, do it the way you think right. If it is new it will always be a challenge."

​Expressive, strong, unconventional looking, tactile and defiant  

​A Fritsch Ring poking it's tongue out at convention (or excerpts from my imaginary online dating profile?)

"Yes, of course the ring wants to be beautiful. The technique also wants to be beautiful, and most often it’s the idea that wants to be the most beautiful.

But sometimes a piece likes nothing better than to sit in the mud and not give a damn about how it looks. If it is exactly what it wants to be in a given moment, it is precise, perfect and the most beautiful."

(From Fritsch's new publication on his work)

A series of his earlier work he himself describes as intentionally ugly, at a time when he was looking at the concept of wearing jewellery to attract attention and thought that an "unattractive" piece would draw the eye as much as one with a conventionally "pretty" aesthetic. The selection of work on show in this exhibition showcased the diversity of his work, giant sculptural pieces, including dinosaurs and mountains of gems down to simple, pared back oxidised metal work of lines and forms.

The museum is also part of the fantastic Own Art scheme allowing the purchase of these pieces with affordable payments trying to make artists work accessible to as many people as possible who may be put off by a one off splurge. There was a live discussion on this subject  via the Guardian website last week (read it here). Hopefully this will make art become more attainable and also help artists by selling their pieces without having to water down their ideas or compromise to make a more affordable piece. It is definitely something I am continuing to learn, buying one amazing well made perfect thing you really really want instead of compromising and ending up serial buying inferior things in a bid not to spend too much.

​Karl Fritsch Screw ring from Unexpected Pleasures at The Design Museum earlier this year.

 With the hard work of curators, artists and organisations like Manchester Gallery for this show and The Design Museum's Unexpected Pleasures exhibition and Aram's Beautiful Objects already this year hopefully this is something that is transforming before us, so we must do everything we can to encourage it to become the Island for jewels of intellect, intrigue and substance.

“Over the last 30 years there has been a movement within the jewellery world which has pushed the boundaries of what is possible to achieve within this practice. This has led to work being produced that has a narrative – a conceptual element to it."

Jo Bloxham

​Fritsch rings, available to purchase via the "Own Art" scheme

​"Different rings for different things. It doesn't have to be for every occasion. You might put it on to sit and watch T.V. They are a luxury to be enjoyed."  Karl Fritsch when asked about the practicality of some of his pieces. 

​This was my favourite, I love the soft green gold tones and the old fashioned blue and coral coloured cabochons and the playful shape.

​Not just "glue". SUPERGLUE!  ​As an accomplished silversmith Fritsch combines his technical training and skill with an open mind to realise his ideas. Sometimes simple is best.

"Jewellery should excite, surprise, intrigue and stand alone." Jo Bloxham

​This ring with it's shiny towers of gold was another of my wish list choices. 

​Whether you know of Karl Fritsch's work or not this a great exhibition to look around as there is such a variety of materials and styles it will get you thinking and discussing your opinions. Guessing each other's favourite, or even psychoanalysing "which ring would represent so-and-so" is a good, fun game as well. I think with wearable objects there is always another level of engagement to enjoy as you automatically imagine wearing it, touching it and how it would interact with your life. Many people may feel more at home "browsing" objects than viewing and critiquing a piece of art, so I hope this kind of exhibition encourages more people into galleries and museums.

​Exhibition runs from 15 February 2013–23 June 2013 and it's FREE

Somerset House Showcase

This little collection of images show some of the pieces that will be at Somerset House in London next weekend. The event is the School For Creative Startups Showcase where my work will be available through Shoreditch Muse. "The Startup Showcase is a two-day creative festival celebrating the best and brightest of London’s new creative startup scene. The event features a truly unique pop-up marketplace with over 100 creative businesses showcasing the hottest new products and services of 2013."

As well as showcasing exciting designs also available to purchase there's a packed schedule of fantastic talks and workshops with advice and skills for young entrepreneurs and new creative businesses.​ So whether you are a design magpie, involved in a creative company or a maker yourself, hope to see you there!

You can find the schedule and information on their site here

Somerset House

Embankment Galleries
Victoria Embankment
London
WC2R 1LA

Saturday 23 March: 10 – 6pm
Sunday 24 March: 11 – 5pm

Pins & Needles

​My very good friend (& talented textile designer) Nat Stoker and I were on a bit of a last minute mission to find a smart but interesting scarf for a certain occasion recently. Looking at the scarf designs available on the high street most of them seemed to fall into two categories: Bright and flowery or skulls. Skulls. Skulls. 

Now I don't mind a bit of noggin anatomy but there are other ideas to use for interesting, bold, edgy motifs. This is where green fingered Natty (her apartment balcony is spilling over with a forest of foliage), was inspired by her visit to the Royal Horticultural Society Flower Show to create this design.

Nat says: "What particularly caught my eye was an incredible display of cacti, with their natural, prickly symmetry perfectly designed for surviving in harsh landscapes." 

These bold cacti and spicy succulent silhouettes combined with a trans-seasonal colour palette make for something really fresh and different. 

Her design now features in an online competition via Front Row Society so if you have a spare minute and like this original design show her your support and give her your vote!

​VOTE HERE

 for Nat Stoker's Pins and Needles Design