Chocolate Creative

NEW DESIGNS at Chocolate Creative shop

2009-10-31T21:12:00.006Z

NEW designs at Chocolate Creative shop, the Davide design, vintage and Xmas card designs are the new addition to the Vintage line. I am so happy I have managed to finish this new designs before Xmas. I am working towards expanding the vintage line to incorporate some toys and personalised cushions, but for the time being I hope you enjoy this new additions.

Xmas vintage card cushion

Vintage card cushion

Davide vintage paper doll cushion

Inspiration (Bambi)

2009-10-31T20:55:00.005Z

Photo via The selby

Photo via Etsy

Photo via Visual-notes

Photo via Emmas Blog

Photo via Dos Family

Photo via Adele Blog

Photo via Dos family

Saturdays!!

2009-10-24T13:46:00.007+01:00

I don’t know how you get to spend your Saturdays, but mine are about cleaning, tidying up, washing, shopping for food, cooking, etc…by the afternoon I am so tired and of course have to get ready to meet my dear friends, which sometimes have to say not to, due to my body and brain exhaustion…Ideally I would love to dedicate the weekend to my textiles and blog, and hang around with my mates…Today it has been a little different I decided to move my bedroom to the spare room and have the studio in the bigger room so I have more space to work!!

Here are a few photos of my new bedroom, smaller but cosier, and full of things I like, such as the little wood carved deer from Caravan, Amelia’s art, a poster of a movie I love, a knitted blanket my mother made for me, a gorgeous french mirror, a few vintage finds from different shops and market around London…Well, job done!! so now can get some food and ready to meet my friends later on, as it should be. Nice weekend to all!!

Looking for inspiration??

2009-10-23T23:25:00.003+01:00

Creative people and their spaces, Selby is my place to look for inspiration, I like houses that tell stories about the people that live in them, their dreams, loved curiosities, great finds, unexpected pieces, I share this same need of surrounding myself with all the things that I like, create and inspire me...

Clutter City

2009-10-22T12:09:00.006+01:00

Clutter City is the alternative market in Norwich for crafty types, there's always something wonderful to buy and a festive atmosphere.

The Christmas market is coming up on Sat 28th Nov and as always entry is free.

Have a look at the write up on these other fab blogs Fabric Nation...Retro Chick and Lady Luck's Journal

and whilst I'm at it Clutter City have kindly reminded me of other great design blogs..a quick nod to the excellent Indie Quarter and of course superdouper UkHandmade

Amelia Critchlow beautiful art

2009-10-19T22:07:00.008+01:00

I met Amelia for first time last weekend at the Wandsworth Artists’ open house event, together with some other lovely girls!! We spent a weekend eating cakes, drinking tea and chatting, and showing our work to the public. In between all of this we exchanged a cushion of mine for a piece of her that now seats in my bedroom!!

In her words…My work continues to explore an art (craft) often associated with a feminine tradition, with the use of hand-stitched household textiles. This is then combined with images from contemporary popular culture (magazines), to highlight issues faced by women; particularly the airbrushed and unreal imagery that encourages women to starve, cut and stitch themselves to physical ‘perfection’, making them ‘objects’ to be looked at, rather than active individuals and intelligent contributors to culture and meaning in society.

By the way her blog is very inspirational, not only her work is beautiful but the way she writes as well, her words are full of advice and positive thinking...I love reading about her creative philosophy.

{Origin 2009} James and Tilla Waters ceramics

2009-10-17T15:29:00.004+01:00

Origin is always filled with a wide variety of ceramics, and this year’s show wasn’t an exception. I saw very beautiful and well crafted work on display. James and Tilla Waters design’s were one of my favorites, for the delicates shapes of the vases and pots and the range of colors and marks on its decorations.

{Origin 2009} Anna Lewis jewellery

2009-10-17T15:17:00.009+01:00

Anna’s stand at Origin was the most well arranged and beautiful I saw, not only her jewellery is stunning but the way she stylish the space was very inspirational…I love black birds, rabbits, old finds, vintage clocks lace, etc…and that and much more is what you can find in her pieces. I couldn’t resist to post so many photos of her work as they are amazing!! I always say that good quality photos are essential to show your work and attract potential clients…Browsing through her website has been like watching a gothic fairy tale …and her studio is a box full of details, old things such the baby shoes and all the laces, buttons and photos…

Photography by Elliot Daves

I strongly recommend to read her statements for each collection, myths, witches, amulets, superstitions, family memories and so much more…In my very modest opinion She has been the highlight of this year’s Origin show, well done Anna!!

{Origin 2009} Nicola Malkin extra large jewellery

2009-10-15T20:55:00.006+01:00

I first saw Nicola’s ceramics at her degree show in Camberwell back in 2002 and was delighted to see her new pieces at the fair. Her work is very distinctive and full of humour, think extra large jewellery for the home!! She uses traditional ceramic techniques to explore love and death, fragility and power and personal relashionships…I wish I had a lot of money and a big living room to put one of her so collectable pieces in my house!!

{Origin 2009} Abbott and Eellwood figurative brooches and sculptures

2009-10-15T20:48:00.006+01:00

Mike Abbott and Kim Ellwood live and work together, by the sea and moor just outside St Ives in Cornwall. Their contemporary collection of hand printed figurative brooches, with themes including the garden and the sea, are made to wear, display and hopefully to bring a smile!

Their one-off hand printed figurative sculptures explore narrative themes loosely drawn…. individual characters emerge through the process of making, using images printed onto metal and found objects to tell a new story, creating objects with humour and pathos!

I love the fact that they recycle the materials they use in their pieces, the colors, the patterns...they definitely put a smile on my face...

{Origin 2009} Annette Bugansky

2009-10-15T20:45:00.008+01:00

I have always liked Annette ceramics, I remember seeing them in Loop, (where I used to sell my cushions when they first opened the shop). I like the warmth quality of her vases, very much inspired on knitting patterns, they are full of textures and made to be touched and felt

{Origin 2009} Elli Evans Cross stitch work

2009-10-15T20:31:00.005+01:00

I am so taken by Ellie’s delicates work, it reminds me very much of my mother’s stitching pieces, that my sister and myself used to wear so proudly, I wish I would have kept those beautiful dresses from when I was a child…

Ellie’s work combine traditional craft with digital printing, and explores…‘the curiosity I have about my heritage and identity, particularly the absence of my grandparents. Looking at the documents and artefacts relating to them, I embarked on a discovery of their complex lives, and how, coming from very different backgrounds (Poland and the Netherlands) they ended up settling in England.’

I always admire designers who try to preserve traditional skills and use them in a new more contemporary way, and by doing this pass on the knowledge of these crafts to future generations.

{Origin 2009} Claire Loder ceramics faces

2009-10-15T20:06:00.010+01:00

Claire’s faces were calling me from this little corner of the show, I looked at them from the distance and felt very intrigued by the big heads with small sad eyes. They all have the same mouth and expressions, as if they were there to be watched, not saying much…I had a lovely chat with Claire while I was staring at them, I her words… The focus of many of my larger pieces is the eyes; typically the gaze is averted inviting the viewer to contemplate the interior world of the subject or what may have just happened 'out of shot'. As the work has developed the communication of the interior world continues to be significant, other themes and fascinations are being woven around this framework.

I find her work very fascinating and interesting, and have enjoyed browsing her very funny website, full of nice surprises!!

Betty Pepper

2009-10-14T21:51:00.004+01:00

Aren't they beautiful?! Delicate, multi-layered stories. I've seen Betty Pepper's work at a few shows but stumbled upon it again recently.

"The ways in which time changes and decays objects interests me greatly and I like the notion that all things are ephemeral and constantly in a state of deterioration. My work often deals with stories from the dim and distant past. This is why I choose to work with faded colours. I like the way they look as if they have lived a little."

Origin Part 1

2009-10-13T13:34:00.004+01:00

It was great! That's all..an absolute joy to be in London again and see so many inspiring designers. I know times are hard at the moment for small businesses which is all the more reason to visit and buy, buy, buy from these hard working people. I for one am very grateful that they keep on making interesting, thought provoking work.

Here are just two of my favourites from last week, more to follow....

Smith and Coates, totally unique, recycled knitwear which had a previous life as adult jumpers, now felted and made into stunning children's clothes. The are next exhibiting at

Made09 Brighton
www.brightoncraftfair.co.uk
Brighton Horticultural Halls
November 19th - 22nd

Homeworks Christmas Sale
20th Century Theatre, Notting Hill
November 26th - 29th

Check out the Homeworks Blog too

Teresa Clark's beautiful collected objects caught my eye too, each one seeming to tell a story, she's a natural magpie and it comes as no surprise that her background is in production design.

{MINT SHOP} at the London Design Festival...

2009-10-08T20:29:00.003+01:00

Together with the main shows, many shops and showrooms in the city were exhibiting as part of the London Design Festival. For this year’s Festival, Mint showcased and intriguing and thought provoking show called ‘Escapes 2009’, and as usual managed to surprise me with the most amazing pieces of art, furniture and design. One of my favorite pieces is the old door with the engraved glass by Solenne Morigeaud ,who I met at her final year show. Visit their blog for an extended review of the show and the artists, not to miss!!

(Photos via Mint, by Uli Schade)

{Charlene Mullen} London Design Festival review...

2009-10-08T11:09:00.006+01:00

As you all know, The London Design Festival happened two weeks ago, and as I said here before I was going to see as much as I could fit in 2 days. It was amazing, my friends from Spain came along and we all went to stroll the events, shops, city, etc…I hope you enjoy my little review of what was on show, starting with 100% Design…

First thing on Friday I headed to 100% Design, which tend to be more corporate and industry oriented than Tent, (I only visited this 2 shows, but much more was on show). 100% is perfect for looking for materials, gorgeous fitting for the houses, etc…but I always expect to see emerging designer and very talented people that are not necessarily running big business or own a very well known brand, and it is this niche market that I am specially interested in.

One of the highlight of the show was to meet designer Charlene Mullen, her designs are very distinctive and well crafted and I love her black drawings embroidery on gorgeous fabrics. Her cushions of the London theme together with the Folk line are my favorites. She is not only a talented designer but a very friendly and approachable lady. It was a pleasure to met her and I hope we can catch up soon over a cup on tea, as we both live near by, enjoy her work...

'From angular prints to craft embroideries, it is the process of 'making' that I love. This is achieved using techniques that are age old but interpreting them in a contemporary way. The aim is to create modern design within a historical context. Inspiration can, and does, come from anywhere - from Victorian Christening gowns to prison tattoos. Nothing is taboo.'

Problems...

2009-10-08T11:04:00.001+01:00

OK it is official, there is something wrong going on with our blog, have you not noticed that we have lost our background image?? Well it is not there anymore and it is driving mad!! I was hoping that would come back to normal in a few days but it seems to be taken longer, the reality is that I don’t know how to fix it, as I don’t understand html very well, so please be patient ultil I find another solution to this problem, I hope you can still enjoy our blog as usual and this bug is not bothering you so much…

Gretchenmist beautiful drawings

2009-10-08T10:50:00.004+01:00

Another great find on Etsy, this drawings are very simple and effective, I specially like the use of color and the pencil marks. The calendars are a must!! Check their blog for inspiration and work in process...

Chicpea Studio handmade tea towels...

2009-10-08T10:41:00.002+01:00

A few days ago I started a post on Etsy about sellers who blog, etc...and I have been getting emails from very talented people, not only they run very nice blogs but make beautiful handmade pieces. This hand embroidered tea towels from Chicpea Studio remind me very much of my mother's work, and are very cute!!

{Manos} beautiful curated objects for the house

2009-10-07T13:12:00.003+01:00

I have known about Manos shop for quite a while, and just found them again browsing the Bigcartel site, and couldn’t resist to make a post about this beautiful curated shop in Sweden, not far from Stockholm. If you are lucky enough to live near by, I am sure you won’t miss the opportunity to pay a visit to the shop, otherwise they have an online shop where you can find beautiful objects such as old blankets bags, delicate ceramics, linen tea towels, etc…I love the way Karin Eriksson have styled the space and the photos…

Blogs, Etsy, and the great designers community out there...

2009-10-06T18:38:00.006+01:00

I have taken 2 days off work this week, (graphic design) to dedicate my entire time to my textiles business, plus Thursday which I already have to work on my cushions. But there is always something else going on that doesn’t allow me to focus on my work. Anyway here I am doing some bits on the blog, I just wish I could dedicate a few hours everyday to write and make beautiful posts, most of the time I am rushing, and that translate into very bad writing, even in Spanish, (my native language). So I apoligize from here for not writing as well as I would like and not posting on both languages all the time. I am sure once the economy recover I will be able to work full time on my textiles and therefore have more time to dedicate to our blog.

I wanted to thanks two clever ladies who recently posted about my Cameos cushion on their blogs, they found me on Etsy, the same way I have come across very inspirational work from many talented designers and makers that you get to see in here. I just wanted to point out how important the blog community has became to spread the word about our own work and get to know people from all over the world who share the same interests and passion for craft and design.

Carisa just started her blog 'Hello Little riley', I can see a promising future in here, so far so good...She made a nice selection of silhouettes...check it out here...

Suzy from 'Beyond the Pale' made this very insteresting post about cameos, and funny enough just got her email after I have seen the new series 'Emma' on TV, as well as her...read her post to know all about it...

{atelier abigail ahern} Interiors

2009-10-05T23:03:00.003+01:00

I have spent the past hour browsing Abigail’s blog, reading her views on interiors, and stearing with my eyes wide open at the amazing photos of her house and other interiors that are featured in her blog. Since the first time I stepped in her shop in Islington I fell for her sense of styling and the things that she finds for the shop and the different spaces she helps to create. I am sure that by now you are all familiar with her work, if not, here are some photos that I selected from her beautiful and inspirational blog.

(Photos via atelier abigail ahern)

{Merci} wonderful concept shop in Paris

2009-10-05T22:12:00.005+01:00

I have discovered a new very special shop, well not personally just yet, my friend Nadya, who have just been in Paris brought me back some gifts from Merci last week, a hand painted cup and a poster, she explained me all about this new concept shop in Paris, that opened in early march this year. It is a big surface, more similar to a living space than a shop itself, created by the former owners of French kids top brand Bonpoint, Marie-France & Bernard Cohen. The space is spread trough out several floors, fill with the most exquisites things you can think of, including vintage furniture, clothing, jewellery, books, flowers, etc….But the best thing about Merci is that all profits after breaking even, go to operate a co-op for young women, in Madagascar, so merci for creating such a magical place and help to develop work and training in not so developed parts of this planet.

kjoo crochet Jewelry

2009-09-29T13:58:00.009+01:00

Crochet and jewelry together?? Why not? Maria from Kjoo, makes through the use of colorful elaborate crochet techniques very special one off pieces of jewelry: earrings, bracelets, necklases, etc… I am in love with the cameos brooch!! It doesn't get any better that this...

Crochet y joyas juntos? Porqué no? Maria de Kjoo, crea piezas únicas de joyería, con mucho colorido y una elaborada técnica de crochet, mi favorito el broche con el cameo…