On Monday I will be flying to Gran Canaria, to take part in the most exciting event happening in the island for quite sometime. It is a creative platform where people will be selling, and showing their creations alongside, professional workshops and talks. I have always wanted to contribute somehow to the design/craft/teaching scene back home, and taken part in this fair will give me a great opportunity to meet creative people, and find out more about what is going on over there as well as bringing some of the knowledge I have acquired over all this years studying and working in London. 

I will have a stand to show chocolate creative's products, as well as teach some workshops and give a talk. I must admit that I am very nervous about the perspective of talking in front of a lot of people, I rather stay behind the scene and let the others do the talk, but this time I am going out of my conform zone and embrace this unique opportunity. I hope to do it well, and inspire others to follow their dreams...

I love the campaign behind Fashion & Friends, the photos and their quotes are very inspiring and that is the whole point of this event, to inspire and motivate people to explore their creative paths. 

Above, a photo of Jose and Paco, the talented owners of the most glorious interior shop, 'Trastornados',  in Gran Canaria, and below snaps of the last year event. 

Photos by gcfashionandfriends

WOONBEURS – ARIADNE AT HOME

Continuing as promised with the Woonbeurs posts, here we have another house, this time created by the Dutch magazine Ariadne at Home. On the picture above I am with my sister Carmen on the left, and my friend Nadya on the right. We were so taken by the cosiness and lightness of this house, a bit girly and romantic at some stuff, but very simple and perfect at others. I so much want the tiles, the most beautiful I have never seen...and I relaly liked the simplicity of the furniture, vintage, with plenty of wood and natural linens, wild flowers, etc... 

I felt so cosy and confortable in the huge kitchen that I didn't want to leave. I closed my eyes and pretended that I was in my house, cooking and entertaining my family and friends...Loved the victorian style displays for my trays and plates and the open shelves to have everything well kept but at hand. Do you like this house style? 

Photos by me

WOONBEURS – 101 WOONIDEEEN

Hello everybody, back to Monday and a very busy week. A few weeks ago I went to Amsterdam to visit Woonbeurs, an interiors fair that I have been wanted too see for years. I was very attracted to it, as the concept was very different to the fairs I am used to, which are more design/designer stands and trade focus. I was very curious to see how each of the magazines that compose the Sanoma publishing group displayed their interiors ideas. Basically each magazine creates a house from scratch, and fill it with the most gorgeous products, furniture, etc… 

I so much loved it, the houses, the ideas, the atmosphere, the restaurants and cafes. They do everything with so much love and care, down to the last detail. My sister joined me from Germany, and my friend from Spain, we had a really good time looking around, and of course took photos of some of my products which were used in some of the houses. 

Needless to say that I was over the moon when I saw my casas wooden pencil holder at the 101 Woonideen house, this doesn't happen everyday haha…One of my latest stockist in the Netherlands, the lovely Sandra form Accessorize your Home lent it for the fair. 

This photos are from the 101 Woonideen house, a very colourful and fun space, with many things and practical ideas, my photos don't make justice to the real house! I will post about the rest of houses next. Well done Woonbeurs for putting together such a great event, maybe some of the UK based fairs could look at them for inspiration and perhaps start offering something a bit more unique and interesting?

Photos by me

I am glad it is the weekend, the decision making process continues...I just had a very stressful week and I am looking forward to have some rest and social time with my friends. Yesterday I spent all day at my friend Bree's wedding, love and romance makes me happy, and today spent the afternoon at the Renegade craft fair in London. I met some of my designers friends and got to see new designer's work, bought some stuff and had a nice lunch by myself. The fair was busy and very warm, it was glorious and busy outside, and you could feel the buzz an heat indoors too. Have you been at renegade? I hope it becomes as big as it is in the States. People need to know about all this amazing designers and crafters out there.

 Above, 1 nice prints by hello dodo, 2 cute products and display by mrnico.

 Love the ice cream prints by Sean Mort.

 Entrance to the fair, plus leather goods by Love Jules leather.

 Making lounge, plus Folksy stand, the English equivalent to Etsy.

Friends Zeena (above) with her textiles, and Mary and James (below) stands at the fair, 

it is always so nice to see and chat to them. 

And gorgeous vintage paper woods by Ladybird likes

See you at 100% Design

Stand is up and finished, looking gorgeous, and ready to welcome people tomorrow at the opening day of 100% Design Fair in London. It took us all day yesterday, but I am glad we managed to finish it on time, as I wanted to have today to rest a bit and focus on other things. If you are visiting the fair, I am at stand G29, near the entrance on the right hand side, come and say hello. I leave you with some photos that Vini and I took last week, my poor living room, suffers continuos changes, furniture, cushions and objects normally move around, depending on my mood, or if there is something new I just made or purchase.

See you next week after the show, and if you are exhibiting at any shows in London, within the London Design Week, good luck and all the best for your stand!

(photos Vinicius)

Of cabbages & kings market

Free this weekend?? Fancy some good quality design products, delicious cakes and tea? Then head to the Of cabbages & kings Market, up in Stoke Newington, North London. Kate and me, spent a Saturday afternoon, admiring the different products for sell, and discovering new shops around the area, including the of cabbages & kings shop itself. She will be selling her gorgeous products at this weekend's market, together with many more talented designers/crafters, shame I could not make it, as I am flying to Spain on Monday, and need to leave a lot of stock ready before flying home.

Kate Clarke London colorful and fresh products

The gorgeous of Cabbages & Kings shop

Gorgeous illustrations by seventy tree

They will be at the market as well, so no excuses to miss their cute work.

Grand Designs LIVE fair in London

Just got my ticket to assist to the Grand Designs LIVE fair in London. I am a fan of their magazine and eco-friendly message, so can’t wait to go to the event and see the newest interiors, materials, designs, etc…If you love your home and have an interest in design, this is the place to be in May!! I will do a full report after visiting the fair, but if you are in London, don’t miss it!!

Ya tengo mi entrada para asistir a la feria Grand Designs LIVE en Londres. Soy una fan de su revista y mensaje ecológico, así que tengo muchas ganas de asisitir al evento. Si te gusta decorar tu casa y tienes interés en el diseño y la decoración, no te la pierdas!!

Grand Designs Live, ExCeL London, 1-9 May 2010

I missed Craftacular!!!

I am so sad I missed this fair, paid for it, made tons of work to sell, etc...I was so much looking forward to be there with kate, but have to cancelled due my stupid flu, so here are some photos courtesy of my very nice friend Gillian from Fabric Nation Adventures. Next time I hope to be there!! 

Fotos de la feria de artesania en Londres, que por culpa de una estupida gripe tuve que cancelar, las fotos son de Gillian una buena amiga de Fabric Nation Adventures, espero estar e la proxima que organizen!!

Chocolate Creative at the BUST fair in London

Just a quick note to announce that Chocolate Creative will be at the BUST fair in London. Kate and me will be there selling our beautiful textiles. If you happen to be in the city, pop around and come and say hello, it is going to be a FUN day!!

ONE DAY ONLY!

SATURDAY, 22 AUGUST, 2009

NOON – 8pm

York Hall, Bethnal Green, London

  

Following the huge success of the Christmas event, BUST Magazine brings you the London Summer Craftacular! It’s an all day shopping and music extravaganza featuring the nation's hottest DIY talent. Cool off with a spritzer or down a pint while you learn to craft. Then listen to DJ’s as you browse handmade wares, from jewelry and essential summer accessories to home décor and cards. Goodie bags for the first 100 attendees, raffle and more! Admission: £ 2