Teddy Tells You...

These are what I got from the local bootsale this morning. I tried not to buy anything but I bought these two vintage books, some dvd's and some fab buttons.

I couldn't resist Teddy so I picked him up for just 50p. It's a bit battered and it has some additional colouring on the illustration (courteous of a a small child I imagine) but I just loved all the little drawings of Teddy. This edition was called "Teddy Tells You...How To Be Safe" so it's full of all little rhymes and poems about crossing the road and playing safe. I think it was published some time after the war in the 50's.

Camper

I just did this for my mum's friend. It will soon be a pendant.

Knocking at 78.

78 Derngate that is, the previous home of Bassett Lowke and his wife, but decorated by the quite unpopular at the time, Charles Rennie Mackintosh. After being at uni in Northampton for 3 years I never went, until now, after I have finished. Better late than never I guess.

Anyway tucked away, disguised inside a victorian 3 storey terraced house lies a magical land of design. It is so fabulous, you just wouldn't believe what is behind that black door. The whole places was designed with Rennie Mackintosh (or in the case of some rooms, his advice) and most items were handcrafted especially for the occasion.

The interior, is laden with Mackintosh's love for squares and super modernist flowers and triangles. It's a small place, but is especially convenient with mod cons such as mock mosaic tile wall paper in the bathroom and huge trellis style stair bannisters cleverly disguised as hand rails. It is just so surprising to see, it really did take my breath away and actually made me think twice about using black in a interior, which to my own surprise looked so cosy and calm and what I imagine would be such a tranquil place to live.

Unfortunately no pictures were allowed and so I had to borrow these ones from the internet. Even the website doesn't supply you with any, just a 3D tour, but I hope I have assured you that any time you might be passing through Northampton town please stop off and see this grand design. The food must be good too as the somewhat small restaurant was full up to the point they had no room for us to eat. Next time maybe, and I'll make the visit in time for tea too!

*Sold* Junk jewels

I have all this junk jewellery up for sale if anyone would like it. There are all sorts of things from broken bits and pieces, unfinished pieces, beaded necklaces or simply the odd earrings (including one or two gold) and loose findings. It all weights around 2kg so there is a whole load of stuff. I'll never get around to making anything from these anymore so they'd be better off going to a junk jeweller. They'd be great fun to rummage around in.

There are lots more pictured than those shown, but I couldn't get around to photographing it all and i've put some into little bags. If anyone is interested I would be asking £22 including P&P which will be a fair bit due to the weight. I used to sell 1.5kg of junk jewellery on ebay for over £30 so this is a bargain.

Let me know if you are interested, have any questions or simply pass on the details to anyone you know who might like all these goodies.

You can email me at Laura_figiel(at)hotmail(dot)com.

Thanks!

Crippling pebbles.

My holiday to brighton was great, very hot and sunny, we were so lucky. I was so windswept all the time which was a tad annoying and i'm not sure I could deal with living by the sea, but visiting is great. We walked so much seeing everything, strolling and swimming but yet I still put on weight? It could be down to the food being too good to give up, or it's pure muscle that I have gained (apparently it weighs more than fat).

I have been very inspired by my seaside escape, yet I failed to fill the sketchbooks I made. I find it so hard to draw when i'm away, I just love to sit and take it all in while I'm there and not ruin the moment. I hope to do somethings afterwards though and put them on a silk scarf for myself.

Mr. Wick

Not sure if my sister wanted me to show this yet, but this is some design I did for her last night. She's opened a shop on Folksy and I won't reveal what she is selling yet but I will let you know as soon as she has listed some things. In the meantime I hope you enjoy Mr. Wick!

Meriwether.

May I introduce you to Prof. Augustus Meriwether and his fabulous new Emporium.

I did this banner and avatar for Gloria to help her open her new shop selling steampunk jewellery. Prof. Meriwether himself was kindly bought to life by my boyfriend.

I hope you like them and go and take a look around the shop, it's open!