A few weeks ago I finally made to The New Craftsmen shop, a place I have been meaning to visit for a long time. What a beautiful and well curated space this is, dedicated to showcase high quality craft from British makers. They represent a network of makers, showing their work, skills and processes. I think it is very refreshing to see a place/gallery such as this, where people can appreciate and buy handmade sustainable products.

As a designer/maker myself I am tired of constantly being presented by high street brands with version/copies of our products being mass produced to target a much wider audience. I am not naive to think that everybody, (including myself) have the spare budget to purchase these gorgeous but rather expensive products; but I wish we all made a more conscious decision when purchasing things. The realisation that less is better, and that buying handmade products by independent designer/makers is more sustainable in a long term. I rather save and save to get a piece that I really love, and I know I will treasure for ever, than buying cheaper similar options.

The New Craftsmen shop is a gorgeous shop, well worth a visit. A very inspiring space, surely you will fall in love with many of the things on display. Here are some of my favorites pieces.

(Photos by thenewcraftsmen)

THE COLD PRESS STUNNING ARTIST'S WORK

I got to know about The Cold Press, a printmaker's gallery/studio in Norfolk at Tent London, past September. I loved their stand of selected artists, work on display from different materials and disciplines,  all very simple and beautiful. Simply stunning!. Photos of the gallery/studio over at Remodelista. 

Photos by me @TENT London  | The Cold Press

CHOCOLATE CREATIVE AT MOLLIE MAKES HOME MAGAZINE

Hello Monday and everybody. Good weekend? I hope so, mine was easy and restful. I needed it some quiet time after spending 6 days setting up and exhibiting at TENT London. This shows are a killer and take a lot from us, exhibitors, I always end up not knowing what day of the week is it, or where exactly I am, so now that the show is over I am happy being back at my home/studio. 

I wanted to share with you the latest mention of chocolate creative in the press. This time, it is a long feature showing my home, work space and a bit about my personal life and work, including Missi, the cat and a big picture of me. Oh dear I don't feel very confortable with it, but hey you never know how the final photos are going to be used, and I must admit I almost fell off my chair when I saw it. I love it, but I wish I would have worn something more flattering...  

This pages are from the second special issue of the Mollie Makes magazine, about creative spaces and designers. I am very grateful to Caroline from 91magazine who approached me about taken part in the tea and chat section of the magazine.

It is a delightful publication, filled with gorgeous interiors, work spaces and very inspirational stories from different designers/makers. I hope I don't come across as the lonely woman, who lives with her cat in South London haha...as Missi gets mentioned quite a lot and is fast becoming famous in instagram.
You can see and read more over at caroline's blog, or get a copy from WHSmith, (in waterloo and some other big ones), Tesco, or order online.

Thank you so much Caroline for having me over, it has been a pleasure working with you on this feature, and a super big THANKS to Piero, who always take the photos for chocolate creative. You have both done and amazing job.

London Design Festival is on and there are plenty of events going on, I always plan to have this week free to try to see and visit as many things as I possibly can, specially this year as I am not exhibiting myself....Monday was Craft Central one day designers sale, where many of my friends were exhibiting. I fell in love with the tea for one table by designk, as well as the salt & pepper pots by Alison Brent.

Later on went to the design shop Mint, please don't miss this shop and the amazing curated space they create for each year festival, shame on me for forgetting my camera...followed by Skandium round the corner, to end the day at the Heart Home magazine 1st year party, where I mingle with friends at the new Squint show room in South Kensington. What a day, being a social butterfly is tiring haha...got home freezing and hungry as I was wearing summer sandals in a rather cold day,  but happy to get to see many interesting places, designs, venues and talk to new people as well as my friends. If in London what shows are you visiting?

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

Things I like...

Nice things to put a smile on your face and make you home prettier, I just bought the monkeys tray for myself. Thanks Dottie Angel for making beautiful things and keep inspiring me. Nice weekend to all of you, I am not feeling well, so need a good rest, and catch up with my sleep...

Are these textiles?

I have always been a fan of Solenne Morigeaud's work, she would be exhibiting at the Salone del Mobile 2011, so if you happen to be in Milan from the 12-17 April, don't miss her work, it will leave you inspired and wanted to see more and more...

Country Living Xmas Fair review

Well I finally made to the Country Living Fair on friday, the event was packed, so many people...They went mad shopping...Well that is what we all want!! I have missed this fair for a few years, so I didn't know what to expect this time. As soon as you walked in, it was like a big Xmas tree, decorations, garlands, impossible not to get into the season mood. Apart of all the Xmas goodies there were plenty more on display. One thing that surprised the most was the amount of product being mass produced and the luck of handmade/craft/design I was used to see, that is perhaps the reason why each time I spotted a handmade products stand was so refreshing and exciting!! Overall was a positive experience, I met lovely people, chatted about their work, and realised I share with all of them the same passion for vintage, recycling and handmade!!

Enjoy this talented designers/makers selection of work, I admire them all for their creativity, drive and passion!!

Petra Boase has got a talent for collage and mix match fabrics and patterns, my favorite the Owl print!!

Acorn and will run by the lovely Daniella, it is all about vintage and quirky finds.
"I wanted to create a range of products using vintage fabrics that are beautiful, practical and eye catching. The acorn & will collection consists of jewellery, hair accessories, cushions and a collection of vintage essentials all of which are handmade using vintage fabrics and finds. To this core range I couldn't resist adding some of the gorgeous things I find on my travels".

The angel Bill Trading Co. is a small, family-run business based in Hertfordshire. All the products are designed by Kate Toms and hand-crafted in various parts of their home!
"Our range of quirky decorative items are often inspired by my long-standing love and ever-expanding collection of mementos of times past (and present!)."

Dee Puddy is a eclectic shop full of handmade pieces, decorative pieces and vintage finds, selected for their uniqueness, aesthetic materials, pleasing nature and practicality.

Calon Company is a Welsh based company run by Catrin and Liz.

"We put a lot of time and love into everything that we create so that the finished product is of high quality. We also aim to set reasonable prices that are fair to everyone. We strive to create pieces that are unique; and our products constantly evolve to reflect changing trends and styles".

Rosie's Armoire, Helen Ashworth is the designer/maker behind this gorgeous work.

"I love sourcing old fabrics and haberdashery, then giving them a new lease of life within my work. My textiles are mostly one-offs, having slight variations through the detailing. I think my customers appreciate that they are buying something which is completely original."




Vintage Inspiration is a beautiful shop run by 3 sisters, Amelia, Louise and Amanda.

"We are offering hand-crafted vintage style goods all made by ourselves, as well as unusual vintage items including china, glass and small furniture items. Our intention is to encourage and inspire others to create a personal style with a “green” emphasis, as items are not just made or bought, but also reclaimed"

{Origin 2009} Abbott and Eellwood figurative brooches and sculptures

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...