Fetch the Trumpets!

Well well well....this is Captain Hector. He is a very important little chap who likes cigars and shooting (clay pigeons only, of course).

Made with a vintage Coronation Medal, he is on his way to Sandhurst for some new adventures.

I also wanted to show off this charming writing tin that I found that is joining Hector on his travels.

It's been a rather surprising month for me, I shall be appearing in the latest vis/res, a lovely limited publication which should be out towards the end of February. I shall also have some drawings in the Spring edition of Anorak magazine, which is possibly the most beautiful children's magazine I have ever laid my eyes on.

AND I'll be at Of Cabbages and Kings new monthly design markets on the 6th and 7th of March, in Stoke Newington, with new writing sets and other splendid treats.

But for the moment, rather unexpectedly, I am temporarily somewhat of a boarding mistress at my old prep school.

I am also holding a workshop this week teaching 10 year olds how to monoprint which I'm very excited/terrified about.

How did this happen?!

Roll Up, Roll Up...

Finally all of my favourite original prints are now for sale in my Etsy shop. Keep your beady eyes out for some new writing stationery too....

Artist of the Day.

Today I pay homage to Lizzy Stewart, illustrator extraordinaire. I bought her splendidly splendid zine of fine vintage women, and here it is for all to see.

Lots of her other work can be seen here.

Happy New Year!

My etsy shop is now fully stocked, ready for the new year ahead. I have a pile of projects yet to do that I'm very excited about.

But for now, here is George. He is a king.

BUST.

Saturday was the day for Christmas shopping and I went to get myself some fine treasures. Bust was splendid as usual, beautiful ceramics by Louise Graham, Glazed and Confused, and Me me me, and general lovely things by Jessie Chorley, Jill and Custom Made and the most beautiful but slightly disturbing taxidermy by Jazmine Miles-Long. And of course my favourite handmade cosmetics by Andrea Garland.

The Mangle Xmas Fair was a pleasant surprise too, I purchased an A1 newsprint screenprint from Rob Ryan for £5 and he signed it for me. JOY! I totally abandoned buying anything for anyone else and bought myself a tote bag with one of my favourite prints by James Brown of General Pattern.

Now for my favourite festive part... wrapping!

Letters for the Regal Writer.

Finally some of my new writing paper is available from my shop. It is all screen printed by me, in hope that you will all write more letters. Hooray for letters.

Available here.

My First Ever Craft Fair.

On Sunday it was the Christmas Craft Guerrilla Fair at the lovely William Morris Gallery. I was a little nervous as it was my first fair but it was a very good day, with the help of my assistant Mared Edwards who also makes lovely things.

There was a cheery, festive atmosphere, surrounded by the beautiful architecture itself, and a choir even came to sing to us.

A very good day indeed.

Bust Craftacular!

Cripes! Only a few days until my favourite event maybe ever (apart from my annual camping trip). Yes, Bust Craftacular has returned once again in Bethnal Green. Possibly the finest selection of crafty designs one could hope to lay one's eyes on.

There'll be D.I.Y lessons, a Pop Up Tea Shop from Lady Luck, and some excellent records being played all day, and over 60 designers.

What more could you possibly want?

Also on the same day is an excellent Vintage Fair which looks well worth a visit.....

The World Famous Tea Cosy Tearooms.

Today I visited Brighton to deliver all my work for the Brighton Ourhouse Fair, and decided to visit the Tea Cosy. I had heard that there was a strict tea room etiquette, so I read all the rules on their website and wore my Sunday best. It was exactly as I had hoped; a shameless shrine to the Royals, every crevice piled high with incredible memorabilia. I got to sit underneath a splendid portrait of Queen Victoria, and whilst embracing the spirit of the venue, listening to some of my favourite songs, including Vera Lynn, we decided to order the full works:

"Lady Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales, Queen of Hearts, 10 year Anniversary, Your Death Has Torn Our Lives Apart, Fairwell Dear Princess Queen Of Hearts, Forever In Our Thoughts, Memorial Afternoon Tea"

Oh my days, it was the most glorious afternoon tea I have ever had. A giant tea pot of almost never ending tea, and a cake stand which featured unashamedly soft white bread with no crusts, and lashings of salad cream, scones and all the biscuits you could ever want for. To top it all off 'Candle in the Wind' was played on the piano when it was served to us (this may have been a coincidence).

So even though I couldn't really make much of a dent to the biscuit mountain, and I kept having to silence my mother, loudly singing the words to, 'We'll meet again', whilst clearly breaking etiquette rule number eight of, 'Conversation should never be louder than two tones above the chink of a tea cup and good table manners are expected at all times.', I highly recommend a visit.

But seriously, don't break the rules. I've heard there are consequences.

Christmas is a coming!

Another little look at what will be on offer at the Brighton Open House Fair, which opens it's doors next weekend!

Those teacup candles are my absolute favourite, I am almost sad to part with them. Weep.

They are laced with lavender as it's lovely and calming after a hard day's Christmas shopping, and they are all sourced by me, quite literally from all over the country.

I have also been playing shop with my awesome new stamp as modelled by Edward the royal bear. He has a little rosette made from a 1900's edition of a women's newspaper, and is made from reclaimed tweed and my Grandmother's finest blanket.

He will also be making an appearance at the fair.

Brighton Open House Fairs.

These woolly creatures are ready to be stored away in their little travelling case and sent down to Brighton for the lovely Open House Fair where I will be selling some of my wares. It will be full of splendid handmade festive treats and gifts and artwork, check out the list of participating artists here.

Some Right Bobby Dazzlers.

A sneek peek of some little friends from the Brick Lane studio of Bobby Dazzler.

I am nowhere near as fast as Rosie and Fumie who make them, but my stuffing and stitching is getting super fast (for me anyway).

Click here to see my favorite.

Christmas shopping ahoy!

I am very excited to announce that I think I have just confirmed a stall at this years Craft Guerrilla Christmas Market. It looks to be a lovely festive day with a Christmas Choir and crafty DIY lessons being held. I will be selling my brand new range of writing paper and lots of friendly creatures too. Come and say hello!

I am also taking part in Ourhouse Brighton Fairs which look splendidly fabulous too.

Open for 3 weekends:
November 27th 28th 29th 
December 4th 5th 6th 
December 11th 12th 13th

Opening Times:
Friday evenings 5 - 7pm 
Saturdays 11 - 7pm
Sundays 12 - 5pm

Why don't people yodel more?

this. is. amazing.

Treasure Chest.

What a splendid surprise. I was instructed to visit Spitalfields Market on my Thursday lunchbreak, and what a delightful sight to behold. It was filled with beautiful curiosities and antique treasures; I admit, I was foaming at the mouth.

Anyway, as I was speeding around trying to sneak a peek at everything without being late, I picked up this creation for my imaginary stall that I do not have yet.

Note to self: visit every Thursday.

The chap inside is my experiment of how to put a crown on a bear...not yet perfected.

Lenka and Micheal.

I am thinking about new projects to do now that I (think) I have found a printing studio, and new writing paper is on my list. While I was working on new designs I remembered how inspiring this 'Mysterious Letter's Blog' is.

'In April 2009, we sent a personal, handwritten letter to each of the 467 households in the small Irish village of Cushendall. We hoped these unsolicited letters would prompt neighbourly discussion, spreading across the town, promoting community curiosity.'

An Excellent Weekend.

This weekend I went exploring at Broadway Market and had my usual 'Island Refresh' juice, and then had a jolly walk down the canal to visit Craftaholics. The amazing Emily Warren was there and I bought my very own bear head.

Now I'm saving up for an owl head.

Artist of the Day.

I bought one of her matchbox books at Bust Craftacular earlier this year, but I have just discovered that Emily Warren is also the creative genius behind these amazing giant creature heads.

Mmmm. Woodland creatures.

Craft. Craft. Craft.

Mmmm lovely craft fairs that I will be visiting.

Artist of the Day!

Well well well. What a find. I have just stumbled across Victoria Whincup's work and I like it very much!