Museum of Childhood

On Saturday, after checking out the BUST Summer Craftacular (post to follow, soon) I popped into the Museum of Childhood as it was just across the road. Needless to say, the old, unusual and sometimes very outlandish toys were a rich source of inspiration!

Above: These prototypes of heads for Daisy dolls, designed by Mary Quant, were one of my favourite things from the museum and have given me some ideas for projects . . .

Craftacular

This Saturday I'll be at the BUST London Summer Craftacular with two of my closest friends and Shoegazer Creative/Zine collaborators. Seriously excited about this! We'll be having a good browse and hopefully nabbing a goodie bag each!

I'm always surprised how few contemporary crafting events take place in the UK compared to how many pop up in the US, so it will be great to support this event and maybe encourage a few more!

Saturday 22 August 2009 - 12noon – 8pm - York Hall, Bethnal Green, London.

Maybe see you there! :)

Elsa Mora

If you haven't come across her work before, then please allow me to introduce you to Elsa Mora - a multi media artist living and working in LA. Originally hailing from Cuba, Elsa is an incredibly talented woman working with a wide range of mediums to produce jewellery, clothing, illustrations and stunningly intricate papercuts. Make sure you visit Elsa's main blog, her style blog, and please make sure you take a peek at her dedicated papercuts blog.

Examples of Elsa's work:

In a section of Elsa's "About Me", she describes her approach to work:
"My work is about human nature, about the way we are and the way we interact with each other, with ourselves and with the rest of the world. I enjoy working in different media like painting, ceramic, drawing, photography, installation illustration and in 2008 I discovered the magic of papercutting. I have a special blog within my main blog dedicated to the art of papercuts, I am fascinated with this art form. And I also have a blog dedicated to personal style and self-expression."

The item that inspired me to make this post was Elsa's Frida Kahlo inspired necklace, made entirely of paper! It is absolutely beautiful! If you visit Elsa's style blog you can see her wearing this necklace too.
Elsa's Etsy.

Joanna Rutter: Fox necklace

I've written about the wonderful work of Joanna Rutter here before, when I bought the Little Chick necklace. Since then that necklace has scaresly left my neck and has been much admired. Last week I re-visited her shop and was really happy to find a little fox cub necklace. I ordered it and was surprised when it arrived the very next day. It is so perfect. I love it! I'm now giving the little chick necklace some time off for good behaviour while the fox cub necklace gets some attention! Haha. Already this weekend it has recieved lots of nice comments from people.
I really do love Joanna Rutter's jewellery. It's well made, beautifully designed, nicely packaged and it really feels like you have something a bit unique on when you're wearing it. I would highly recommend anyone to take a look at her shop, blog and website :)

Haul: Lewes

Lewes antique and flea market haul...
plus some bits from a really nice gift shop we found:Above: Anyone who knows me will know I can never resist a flamingo! I found this little guy in Lewes' amazing flea market.

Above: This ususual Raccoon ornament originates from Russia. I saw it... picked it up and looked at it.... went off and continued shopping then just had to go back and get it! I guess £10 wasn't too bad for something to add to my collection of unusual ornaments!

Above: This purse was from a shop and tearoom called Wickle - if you are ever in Lewes make sure you go there! They had so much nice stuff! £12.50

Above: Also from Wickle, this phone/bag charm features a bird, a bow, a silver postcard and a charm with a paper plane on it. Lovely. £4.00

Above: These silver arm charms are Spanish Minagro charms. The word Minagro means "miracle" in Spanish and some believe Minagro Charms have spiritual or magical powers.

Above: This was such a good idea - vintage playing cards mounted with nice photo corners and turned into greetings cards. I couldn't find the right initial for my name, so I got my boyfriend's. I'll definately be keeping an eye out for packs of vintage games cards now I think! From Wickle. £4.00

Above: Vintage book - Birds of the British Countryside. From Lewes' flea market. £3.00. I plan to turn this into a journal or something. All the illustrations will be perfect!

The Old Curiosity Shop

Today I went to Lewes - the picturesque county town of East Sussex well known for it's range of antique shops. I'm not a big antique fan by any stretch, but many of the "antique" shops in Lewes are much more like "curiosity shops". They seem to go on forever, in all the nooks and crannies of these winding old shops that go up and up and up again and then deep down in the cellar where every surface is drowning in peculiar little things. Needless to say, I spent hours in these places!
I'm not sure is photography was allowed, but I tried to get some sneaky snaps for this blog . . .

Above: Part of Lewes Highstreet - You can just see the Lewes Antique Centre on the left.Above: Camp Pink Panther lamp anyone? Above: Is that a boar in a fez?Above: Yes. Yes, it's a boar in a fez. I'll have one to go please. Above: I absolutely loved this bashed up old bird cage!Above: The brilliant flea market! Next post: Today's haul!