Mermaids Tears

What're you going to do? I find them when I go to the sea shore....

They report that small plastic pellets called "mermaids' tears", which are the result of industry and domestic waste, have spread across the world's seas. The scientists had previously found the debris on UK beaches and in European waters; now they have replicated the finding on four continents. Scientists are worried that these fragments can get into the food chain.

Plastic rubbish, from drinks bottles and fishing nets to the ubiquitous carrier bag, ends up in the world's oceans. Sturdy and durable plastic does not bio-degrade, it only breaks down physically, and so persists in the environment for possibly hundreds of years.

I have been collecting these harmful but strangely pretty little pieces of plastic for years, they have a faded delicate quality that only time spent at sea can bring to the tone and weight. I plan one day to collaborate with my friend who's a silversmith to create some jewelry pieces using mermaids tears and precious metals.

Saw this and thought of....me!

This is exactly what I need to see on my studio wall every morning! Thank you very much.

New Cross dreams...

Grass roofs, flag poles and an open heart...

New Cross Project....

Just a close up dusting of the textures within the one place I truly feel at home... it may not be perfect, but it's bloody amazing! Coming together slowly, watch this space!

The Choir with no name...turns two!

I was lucky enough to attend the second birthday celebrations of The Choir with no name last night at the wonderful Drill Hall venue! It's always such a treat to witness the positivity, energy and sense of pure joy that oozes from these brave and talented choir members! We were treated to some very moving solo performances, pass the parcel and birthday cake! Tooting horns and a happy birthday rendition for mummy berry we were all on our feet singing and providing audience percussion for the choir! Fun Fun and more fun!

On a serious note, this choir has been put together by Marie who is one of the most wonderful, exciting and energetic people I have ever met! and is made up of people who have experienced homelessness. This is an opportunity for people to come together, let go and leave their problems at the door, becoming and instant member of a singing community which is as uplifting as it is supportive! It works because of peoples support, volunteers and kind donations, so get on the website now and sign up for notations of future Choir gigs and get your vocal chords ready! La la laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Pop Up Phenomenon

It seems we cannot move these days without stumbling across a 'pop up' somethingorother...not that I am complaining! I think it's a great way of using neglected spaces and for new businesses and ideas to be tested. This was one I stumbled into on Hackney Rd last weekend, I couldn't take any pics inside, but the artwork was beautiful! I distinctly remember being quite moved by a low down collection of random objects and a very detailed hand drawn puffin.

Cockpit Arts Open Studio;Deptford

Melting rainbow paintings by Ling-Ting Kao.

Hand printed wallpaper by Lizzie Allen (soon to be featuring in my new flat!)

Todays outing was a trip to the much anticiapated Deptford branch of Cockpit Arts Studios; a hub of designer makers of all ages and crafts bases, carving a place for themselves in the contemporary crafts market.

This was a unique opportunity to talk to the makers and designers themselves to find out the history, story and methods used in making these fantastically unique pieces. Porcelain scenes (Katherine Morling) and clay chains, laser cut lace and reclaimed rubber....the inventive spirit is alive in Deptford, a creative community of experimentation, art and ideas, all fostered in a friendly and supportive environment.

One can really get into the nitty gritty here and see how each piece is conceived and executed, not only an inspiration, but a much needed opportunity to support British makers and designers. Go to the Cockpit website to sign up to the newsletter to find out about the next open studio and a list of all the makers.

10 years of Fabrications

My good friend and textiles inspiration Barley Massey, is today celebrating ten years of her wonderful shop Fabrications on Broadway Market, Hackney. This shop, one of the first of its kind, represents a return to quality of craft with it's contemporary approach to textiles design, making and workshops. Many a happy Sunday afternoon has been spent sitting on Barleys hand made cushions learning to crochet, spin and knit!

Fabrications is a gallery/outlet dedicated to contemporary textiles and design by new and established designer/makers through regularly changing exhibitions and events. It is also textile designer maker Barley Massey's studio, where a commissioning service is available.

Happy Birthday Fabrications, I am looking forward to the creative adventure of the next ten years!!

http://www.fabrications1.co.uk/

Very Sanderson...

Twas my first day working on the front of house at the Fashion and Textiles Museum London today, and tomorrow is the last day of their 'Very Sanderson' exhibition; celebrating 150 years of English decoration.

Nothing says classic English ditzy eccentric than some of these prints, papers and textiles. With a historic reputation of bringing beautifully designed and crafted surfaces into the every day persons home as well as specialist commissions and collaborations, not only does Sanderson stand for quality and style, but is a long standing advocator of British manufacturing and employment, opening famous printing and colouring factories around London over the last 200 years. An inspiration for those of us who are starting small on lovingly produced bits of beauty for the home.

Go tomorrow or forever hold your peace!

Exhibition report: MMM

Last night took me on a much needed visit to the new Maison Martin Margiela exhibition at Somerset House London. (until 5th September)

Inspiring to say the least, at once overtly provocative yet closely related to that which is familiar and friendly. The sense of joy and creativity, freedom and experimentation captured in the work, experiments, show-reels and photography was a positive message that from the deep dark depths of a f*$%ed up fashion system there are people who are committed to pleasure, positivity, playfulness and unselfconscious beauty, without the added expense of anxiety and exclusiveness that much fashion embodies.

Real people wearing the clothes for moving look-books, gaffer-taped beautifully wearable jackets, flattened pattern structures and embossed detail, scales of +100%, mixed with the breed of thoughtful presentation and curating that one comes to expect from this master craftsman and his team!

A favourite was the collage of screens, to absorb the many projects, moods and philosophies of the brand, and a room stacked with white boxes and mood-boards of various shop spaces taken over around the world and turned into more sections of this creative mind! I even spied photographs of a fast food place in another major city, that was transformed into the most beautiful art and design shop and space; an inspiration when it comes to tackling our 'New Cross Tandoori' project turning it into our very own creative community and culture hub! I have been provoked into a feeling of endless possibilities and purposeful making.

Crafty Calculations =

As we now know, it is no longer a luxury to buy a new pair of shoes...as it has turned into something we can achieve so easily... clothes made in sweat-shops are no longer a treat and 'stuff' is so readily available to us, it is no longer a treat to shop, but a national pass time. So what do we value, and what does 'luxury' now mean?

After much debate with some industry experts at a conference I attended, it was decided that peace of mind, safety, space and time were considered the new luxuries, prompting new calls for experiential design... what can we offer our nation of consumers in the way of experiences, that could halt our tragic greed and disposal whilst still keep designers and manufacturers in work.

What do we value? How is value communicated through a product? The making process, the skill, the time and love that is captured in the essence of a product, the story it tells and the feelings it emotes in us.

These are all philosophies I am exploring in my textiles wok, and I hope to be able to show you how at my open studio event in September, where I can demonstrate the time, love and effort that goes into each of my products.

Can I boil craft down into a simple scientific equation:

Value = time + love x effort

Luxury = time + peace x space

Have you seen this?

This is the work of Jack Neville, Kingston product and furniture graduate 2010. What simply stylish and functional utility bits of design! Reminiscent of the not-overly designed Scandinavian ethos of purity and clarity of line! And what wonderful, together presentation and branding! I would not be surprised to see these pieces in a design boutique near me soon! (possibly in the new New Cross project space???)

Kingston University Degree show. 5th-11th June.

Always on the look out for inspiring projects, new ideas, visual stimulus and entertaining treasures, I spent a sunny Saturday afternoon sipping wine from plastic cups and wondering round my old stomping ground that is Knights Park Campus: Kingston University!

From birds wearing birds, to the joyous floating balloons, it was a pleasure to see the years work exhibited in this coherent and professional looking show. Experiencing fine arts live performance of shelves made from ice, melting under a spotlight to send tumblers of water crashing to the floor was a highlight, as was the colourful illustrations at the main entrance. Well worth a visit!