Our Blog

BLOG CHAT_14 DACIO LAMOUNIER

2012-01-25T13:59:00.001-08:00

We'd like to introduce you to a good friend of ours, Dacio Lamounier. Dacio is a Creative Consultant and founder of Casa Lamounier. He studied Interior Design and in Brazil and ventured to London when he was 24 to explore the diversity and intensity of this city. Since moving to London he has worked in Harrod’s and for the international team at The Body Shop, creating inspiring and innovative Visual Merchandising displays. From there, Dacio went on to become Head of Creative Design for Notcutts, a national chain of garden centres.

In 2011 he founded Casa Lamounier to help realise his dream of running his own consultancy and helping brands to develop their creative ideas. Check out Casa Lamounier's newly launched website here.

1. WHY ARE YOU WHAT YOU ARE?
As a Creative Consultant my passion for design started in Brazil where I had my own Interior Design business, moving to London lead me into Visual Merchandising and Marketing, working for companies such as Harrod’s and The Body Shop. Setting up Casa Lamounier was definitely the next natural move in my career, helping brands to develop and flourish by finding their niche using trend intelligence and bespoke services.

There are great trend websites out there; there has never been such great information on hand. Our main differential is that we collate the most influential and relevant trends to our customers and translate them into practical actions to help them get ahead of their competitors.

2. IF YOU WEREN'T A CREATIVE CONSULTANT WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
I love what I do! Helping brands to find solutions, improving their appearance, seeing their progress is very gratifying but if I wasn’t doing that I would definitely be working in the fashion industry as a photographer or designer.

3. HOW DO YOU OVERCOME A DESIGNER'S BLOCK?
I leave the office and go for a good walk in places I haven’t been before.
Sometimes we take it for granted, but living in London is a great privilege. You can find inspiration almost everywhere.

4. WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
I’m working on a new trend safari expedition in Brazil – watch this space!

5. EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL?
Night Owl definitely! Mornings are for cockerels!

6. WHAT DO YOU TREAT YOURSELF TO FOR ELEVENSES?
Macaroons and a macchiato

7. MY FAVE COLOUR IS...?
Red

8. MY FAVE SMELL IS....?
Because I’ve worked with fragrance development, I love perfume and find the entire process fascinating. My favourite scent is Carnal Flower by Dominique Ropion – it’s Intoxicating.

9. IF YOUR HOUSE WAS ON FIRE, WHAT 3 THINGS WOULD YOU SAVE?
My cat Sargent, my Mac (with all my photos and music that mean so much to me) and my vintage camera collection

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVE BLOG?
I have a few:
for fashion I follow bryanboy.com and bainser.com
for business tips: Seth’s blog - sethgodin.typepad.com
and of course Our Workshop blog for amazing design tips and new talents.

Our Shop featured...

2012-01-22T15:53:00.000-08:00

Ashley from Live Like The Boy blog, contacted us back in December to do a blog chat on us about Our Shop. Check it out here... Thanks Ashley!

Our Sale continues...

2012-01-22T14:31:00.000-08:00

We've placed more lovely products into our crazy spring clean sale! Grab yourself a treat from For You and For Home sections now. Grab them while you can!

Crazy Spring clean sale starts here!

2012-01-16T04:03:00.000-08:00

We’re having a Spring clean sale! To kick start our crazy sale, we have up to 50% off the For Work and For Kids sections. Stock up on some quirky, colourful stationery or treat your little ones to some cute toys and making kits! Also don’t forget to keep your eyes on our Facebook page and twitter where we’ll be letting you know of more sale offers in the coming weeks!

Happen Projects

2012-01-12T08:27:00.000-08:00

We stumbled upon this great project, based in East London. Various artists and designers collaborated with small local businesses around Dalston to create bespoke installations between the shopkeepers and the artists.To help boost the high street. Happen Projects organised this project, called the Exchange Series. The great thing was Hackney Council helped to fund the project. The installations actually end today, however you can take a peek here and find out more about the project. Artists that took part were, Hato Press, Damien Poulain, Alexandre Bettler, Aurelie Dellasanta, Olivia Hegarty, Pipa Greenbank, Sarah Cockings, Laurence Owen and Agi & Sam. Hato Press are a graphic design and print collective, they used their riso colour test prints that they had produced from printing flyers, posters, zines in 2011, to make up the wallpaper of their window installation. Which was really effective, and great as all materials were recycled. See BBC feature here.
Images from Happen Projects.

Have a Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T03:18:00.000-08:00

We're all set for Christmas! We wanted to say a big thanks for all your support this year! We're off to put our feet up now!
Here is a little treat for you.... sorry couldn't resist. a bit of Wham! Have a Merry Christmas all! x

Elphicks

2011-12-18T16:09:00.000-08:00

Hope you enjoyed your weekends. Not long till Christmas! Today, we strolled down to Columbia Road, to do a spot of Christmas shopping. As we were down there, we also popped into Elphick's, a gorgeous art/print shop that also stocks some of our Tree series products (Tree Towels, cards, postcards and Tree prints). Sharon Elphick, the owner of this cute shop, found us at the recent Bust Christmas Craftacular Fair. We're so pleased to have Elphick's showcase are work. The shop is packed full of goodies, from limited edition prints, tea towels, cards, ceramics and books. The perfect weekend mooching day.

BUST CHRISTMAS CRAFTACULAR!

2011-11-26T10:52:00.000-08:00

Hi, it's that time of year again, and to kick start the festive period, we're taking part in tomorrows Bust Christmas Craftacular! At York Hall, 5-15 Old Ford Road in Bethnal Green. 1 min from Bethnal Green tube station.There will be lots going on, from 70 stalls, DJ's, drinks and DIY workshops! Pop by and say hello!

BLOG CHAT 13_LAURA SPRING

2011-11-17T06:06:00.000-08:00

We'd like to introduce you to Laura Spring, a textile designer from Glasgow. For the past eight years Laura has been involved in the field of fashion and textiles. She graduated from The Glasgow School of Art in 2002 with a degree in Visual Communication and went on to work for various t.v and theatre companies in their costume departments before embarking on a career as a textile designer in 2007.

This year has been very busy and interesting for Laura, as she was selected to take part in a craft residency at Cove Park in Scotland during the early summer. Here she developed her interest in the relationship between a pattern and it's function as she continued with explorations about the British obsession with the weather. Once back in her studio in Glasgow she completed a weather inspired luggage collection and was invited to take part in 'Spotted by Charlotte Abrahams' at Top Drawer in September. Now Laura's back in her studio and preparing for "Spotted Plus" in January 2012.
We have also got Laura's Weather range of tote bags, make-up bags and wash bags on Our Shop, check them out, here.

1. WHY ARE YOU WHAT YOU ARE?
It's a bit of winding story..... I did a degree in graphics at Glasgow School of Art which was great but I always knew it wasn't quite right for me, especially after I spent more time avoiding the computer than using it! I began to do some screen printing as part of my course and instantly loved it, but after graduating I took a theatre design course and from there became seduced by the world of costume as I loved sewing and learning about all the techniques etc. After five years working in the costume industry I began to miss making my own work regularly, so I took an evening course in screen printing to refresh my mind and then realised it would make sense to combine my love of printing with fabric so a friend and I set up a design collaboration called Mouse and Bean. We set up a printing studio in Glasgow and worked together for three years printing fabrics by the metre and making cushions but decided to call it a day last year. We still share our lovely studio though and I decided to make a suitcase last Christmas after receiving a lovely old pattern from a friend in Canada and my current practice just grew from there....

2. IF YOU WEREN'T A DESIGNER WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
That's hard because I've always loved working with fabric.....and designing things! I used to work in the wardrobe department at Scottish Opera before I set up my printing studio which was lots of fun and very interesting, so maybe something along those lines....?

3. HOW DO YOU OVERCOME A DESIGNER'S BLOCK?
A cycle round Maxwell Park near my studio. I love being on my bike and the fresh air really helps clear the mind!

4. WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
A couple of new designs for my luggage collection to be shown at Spotted Plus in January 2012.

5. EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL?
Early bird, every time! Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day!

6. WHAT DO YOU TREAT YOURSELF TO FOR ELEVENSES?
A dark chocolate digestive.

7. MY FAVE COLOUR IS...?
Orange, for now....but it's open to change!

8. MY FAVE SMELL IS....?
Freshly cut grass...mmmm.

9. IF YOUR HOUSE WAS ON FIRE, WHAT 3 THINGS WOULD YOU SAVE?
My photo collection, my dandy trailer tent (although technically it lives at dave's mums, but I would be distraught if it got burnt!) and my great grandma's jewellery.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVE BLOG?
Fine Little Day, a total treat! i love this lady's work!

Olympic Posters 2012

2011-11-07T14:57:00.000-08:00

The Olympic posters for next year 2012 have been released. Designed by british artists, Ofili, Martin Creed, Anthea Hamilton, Gary Hume, Howard Hodgkin, Bridget Riley, Rachel Whiteread and Tracey Emin. The artists brief was to celebrate the Games coming to London and to look at the values of the Olympics and Paralympics. They are all pretty abstract, which we like. Our favourites are Tracey Emin, Sarah Morris, Martin Creed and Howard Hodgkin. It's unusual for Olympic posters to not have the hosting country's landmarks in, which we found quite refreshing! (tho Sarah Morris' Big Ben is evident, though very abstract too!)
Via BBC

BLOG CHAT 12_GEORGIA BOSSON

2011-10-23T14:59:00.000-07:00

We'd like to introduce you to Georgia Bosson, a textile designer from Greenwich, London. Georgia graduated last year from studying Embroidery at Manchester School of Art. She has been working on a variety of projects, which include:
The Floating Cinema- creating structural curtains for a critically acclaimed cinema which toured the London canals this summer and will be used during the Olympics. Working for a successful textile collective Puff and Flock, including exhibitions such as designers block as well as projects with Elisabeth Buecher including costumes for the V&A- Siamese monsters, and a Music video- costume production for Saint Saviour. Georgia is currently setting up a new London studio practice developing new print designs and continuing to explore structural textiles. Georgia has created some gorgeous printed cushions for Our Shop, please check them out here.To see more of Georgia's work, please click here.

1. WHY ARE YOU WHAT YOU ARE?
I have always made things, from peg dolls to extravagantly decorated rafts, I love being creative and making things, whether it is to make a living or just for fun. I’m not sure I could do anything else!

2. IF YOU WEREN'T A DESIGNER WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
There isn’t really anything that I wish I was doing instead however if I had to choose another job it would be an air hostess but one who worked about twenty years ago when it was mandatory to have a weeks holiday before flying home again.

3. HOW DO YOU OVERCOME A DESIGNER'S BLOCK?
The only thing that ever works for me is drawing. If I look at other people’s work I get frustrated that I am not working but if I draw I find the ideas eventually start to flow again.

4. WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
Developing my work into more commercial products and continuing to explore the architectural side of my work that I started to develop with the Floating Cinema.

5. EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL?
Early bird, I am rubbish at night, my brain stops working properly past 9!

6. WHAT DO YOU TREAT YOURSELF TO FOR ELEVENSES?
Oatcakes with nutella on.

7. MY FAVE COLOUR IS...?
All of the colours between yellow and orange!

8. MY FAVE SMELL IS....?
Baking cakes.

9. IF YOUR HOUSE WAS ON FIRE, WHAT 3 THINGS WOULD YOU SAVE?
My cats, My portfolios and My Nana’s engagement ring.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVE BLOG?
verydesignersblock.co.uk they always have an insight into the new designers coming out of degrees and MA’s.   puffandflock is great for new technologies and exhibitions.   The designboom newsletter is pretty good too.

Mary Mary

2011-10-22T09:14:00.000-07:00

We were mooching around town last week, and decided to pop by and see Mary Portas' shop in House of Fraser. We've been watching Mary's 3-part tv series, on her creating a fashion collection for women. As we arrived on the third floor, it was very buzzy in Mary's shop. Mary's shop felt very quite different to the rest of House of Fraser, it even had it's own shop signage by the entrance. What struck me was how edgey and modern this was and I loved the little details, like the small area where you could have a perch and drink a Mary coffee and flip through some fashion magazines while you wait for your friend/partner etc shop or change in the changing rooms. It felt like a lifestyle store, abit like Anthropologie, but on a much smaller scale. Selling coffee, gorgeous notebooks, ceramics, beauty products as well as clothes, shoes and accessories. The branding of the shop was great, really consistent and still quirky. There was even a 'moan phone' so that you could pick up and call and leave a message on Mary's voicemail. If you had a complaint or wanted to voice your opinion you could, and apparently Mary picks up the messages herself at the end of each week. I thought that was a nice idea! The mannequins made were fun, they're all Mary clones, with her trademark orange burst hair and statuesque frame. I came away thinking, this is a great shopping experience and also all the products were of high quality too. It's true, Mary is the queen of shops!

Pinocchio!

2011-10-13T12:03:00.000-07:00

We've got some great products coming into Our Shop in the coming weeks. We especially love this Pinocchio pencil sharpener!
Watch Pinocchio's nose shrink as your sharpen the pencil. Keep your eyes peeled, more goodies to come.

Tree Prints

2011-10-08T06:09:00.000-07:00

Hello! We've just launched our Tree Prints on Our Shop. The Tree prints come in the four seasons; Spring (Japanese Cherry Blossom) Summer (Orange Tree), Autumn (Oak Tree) and Winter (Fir Tree). Each tree has a limited run and is printed on a riso press. The prints also come in a set of Tree Postcards too. Have great weekends!

1955-2011

2011-10-07T05:30:00.000-07:00

Steve Jobs. Genius.

R.I.P

Bermondsey Street Festival

2011-09-27T14:37:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was another busy one for us as we took part in the annual Bermondsey Street Festival. It was our first time to have a stall at this event, and we had such a great time. The festival felt very relaxed and intimate and many of the local businesses got involved too. The day was jam packed with lots going on. From fashion shows on the tennis courts, dog show, chinese dragon dance, kung fu demonstrations, live bands, lots of delicious food stalls and quirky craft stalls too. There was even live performance/plays dotted around the market, total randomness, but all good fun!

Bermondsey Street Festival

2011-09-23T05:03:00.000-07:00

It's nearly the weekend! Just a quick post to let you know that we've got a stall at Bermondsey Street Festival tomorrow, by Tanner Street. From 11am to 5pm. Pop by and say hello! More info here.

Calling all designers + Makers!

2011-09-22T06:10:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again, we're starting to think about organising our annual Christmas Pop-Up Market! If you're interested in getting involved, do drop us an email with samples of your work. Also, feel free to forward this on to any friends you think maybe interested too. Date and venue yet to be confirmed.

BLOG CHAT 11_VICTORIA SPRUCE

2011-09-19T16:17:00.000-07:00

We would like to introduce you to Victoria Spruce, a footwear designer based in London. Her designs are sculptural, abstract and unique. Victoria has recently graduated with an MA in Womenswear Footwear from Royal College of Art (2011), and has previously achieved a 1st Class BA(Hons) in Footwear Design at Cordwainers, London College of Fashion (2008). Victoria has worked successfully as a footwear designer for a high street wholesaler and supplier but is now keen to develop her own more creatively experimental collections. Find out more here.

1. WHY ARE YOU WHAT YOU ARE?
Weirdly, I've always known that I wanted to design shoes. I can't remember a time that I didn't know! It was only when I finished my A levels that someone recommended to me the Footwear BA at Cordwainers, London College of Fashion and I was lucky enough to be accepted without studying a foundation in art first. The degree was 4 years and it ignited my love for shoes even further, so after working for a year I then decided to complete an MA at Royal College of Art where I was lucky enough to be accepted as one of two students for womenswear footwear. And that was 2 years ago... so now I have just very recently graduated and I'm out into the big bad world of trying to develop my collection into something that I can sell!

2. IF YOU WEREN'T A DESIGNER WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
I think that if I wasn't designing fashion then I'd probably be selling it instead. I've had a few part time jobs within clothing and shoe stores, and I actually find that really enjoyable too... so perhaps I would start my own boutique specialising in new upcoming and undiscovered designers. Or alternatively, people always seem to think on my appearance that I am hairdresser, so maybe I'd give that a go!!

3. HOW DO YOU OVERCOME A DESIGNER'S BLOCK?
Ahh, good old designers block... it happens, and its a nightmare when it does. But I find that fretting over the fact that I can't design what I want to just makes the whole situation worse and the block becomes harder to budge. I find the best thing to do is walk away. There is no point trying to force something. I think creativity is a very fluid organic development and you have to let it naturally occur. So in my case, I take a day off, or maybe two if I can afford to, relax, try not to think about it, and then I find it will gradually come when I do sit down to it again.

4. WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
I'm currently trying to work out my next steps in terms of developing my shoes for production. I have the designs and the samples but I now want to push it further onto the next step.

5. EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL?
Definite night owl... my brain doesn't really function before lunch time!

6. WHAT DO YOU TREAT YOURSELF TO FOR ELEVENSES?
Crisps... unfortunately!

7. MY FAVE COLOUR IS...?
It changes constantly! I don't think I can pinpoint one exactly. I always tend to use quite neutral colours in my designs though.

8. MY FAVE SMELL IS....?
Petrol...!

9. IF YOUR HOUSE WAS ON FIRE, WHAT 3 THINGS WOULD YOU SAVE?
1 - My laptop because it has all my work, music and photos on it
2 - My handbag, because just having recently had mine stolen, I now realise how much I rely on its contents everyday.
3 - My Boyfriend!

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVE BLOG?
The Sartorialist, I love the collection of photo's that he posts.

Sheep Couture

2011-09-18T14:07:00.000-07:00

While roaming around London, we stumbled across Esprit's collaboration with The Royal College of Art project, The Sheep Couture Collection. The RCA invited graduating Knitwear students to create a collection for Esprit. The outcome was fun and interesting, and the winning entrants had their quirky designs made with british yarns and are being showcased in their stores for a limited time only. Some of the pieces are quite sculptural and the more wearable pieces are available for sale to the public too. Well worth a peek, check out the mini pop-up gallery spaces in Esprit stores around London. The show catalogue is also really well designed and quirky! Illustrations are by Kevin Lyons.

Thames Festival Weekender!

2011-09-13T14:48:00.000-07:00

We've had a very busy week last week, what with getting preparations ready for our stall at this years Mayor's Thames Festival. We launched our Tree Series prints at the event too. The location of our stall was amazing, we had the most wonderful view of the Thames. The 2 day event was great fun, and our friends and families popped by to say hi too, which was a nice surprise! We managed to survive some of the rainy showers luckily and had a good time. Meeting lots of interesting people and soaking in the buzzy atmosphere. Here are some pics from the weekend.

Thanks!

2011-09-11T23:55:00.000-07:00

Last week was a very busy week for us, preparing for the Thames Festival, which was this weekend gone. We asked Hato press to print our tree series for us. We were amazed by the vibrancy of the colours, and we're so happy with the end result! They featured us on their 'Print of the week' section. Thanks Hato! you did an amazing job printing them. These prints were on sale on our stall at the Thames Festival. They will also be launched on our shop in a couple of weeks.

Come join us at the Thames Festival at the Crafty Fox Pop-Up Market

2011-09-08T07:40:00.000-07:00

We have a market stall in front of the Tate Modern and by the Founders Arms pub as part of the Crafty Fox Pop-up Market. The Thames Festival is a 2 day event opening from 12noon until 10pm this weekend. It celebrates London and its iconic river the Thames – there will be market stalls, dancing, live music and to end the festival fireworks on Sunday evening.

We're launching some new cards and prints which we've made for the market. They're not online yet but will be very soon. We'll also be selling some vintage items, our tree towels and other designers products that we're proud to have on Our Shop. We hope you can stop by to say hello! And please keep your fingers crossed it doesn't rain!

Our Shop Summer Sale

2011-08-28T07:41:00.000-07:00

The end of Summer is almost here and while that makes us a little bit sad we're looking forward to autumn leaves, hot chocolate and wooly socks. Check out our End of Summer Sale for something else to smile about, why not bag yourself a bargain.

Nido

2011-08-23T02:57:00.000-07:00

Hello! we received a copy of Nido magazine this morning, featuring our red apple storage jars. Thanks Nido! Nido is a german family/lifestyle magazine that features lots of interesting design features and stories. We love the design of the magazine.

ROB

2011-08-18T02:23:00.000-07:00

We'd like to share with you a funny and clever product that caught our eye. Jemil Saka's eyeglass stand is just so quirky! Inspired by an old teacher of Jemil's, 'Rob'. For the spec wearers out there, now you have a cool accessory to display your specs on when you're not wearing them, so there is no excuse for losing them again! Check out more of Jemil's work here.

The Broom Brigade

2011-08-14T01:03:00.000-07:00

We found these amazing photos on The Guardian website. Makes us so proud to live in London! When all the worlds eyes are upon us for something so negative, it's so great to see people pulling together to help clean up our neighborhoods.

Post-It!

2011-08-13T15:26:00.000-07:00

Japanese architects, Tato Architects, Yo Shimada has created a stunning installation series of Post-it Note Structures. Created in collaboration with students from Kyoto University of Art and Design. The installation consisted of 30,000 post-it notes in its full neon glory. Each note was positioned onto one another carefully
to form a structural wall, which ran throughout the gallery space.
Via pics via Designboom.com

London Love

2011-08-12T04:00:00.000-07:00

It's been an odd week in London. What with the riots going on in London, Birmingham and Manchester. Making us all feel vulnerable going about our normal daily lives. We hope that shopkeepers and people affected by this will get support to help rebuild their livelihoods and homes. Here is a pic outside our studio arch, against the backdrop of the developing Shard building. This is a reminder of what we love about London, the old and new.

BLOG CHAT 10_YIYING WANG

2011-08-05T01:11:00.000-07:00

Hi, it's Friday, nearly the weekend! We'd like to introduce to you the talented designer and author, YiYing Wang. YiYing is the brainchild of Noodoll. YiYing created the World of Noodoll as part of her Master’s course - an MA in Communication Design from Central Saint Martin’s, London. She has global experience in character design; licensing; clothing, bag and accessory production; and writing. YiYing has been a guest lecturer on design topics at a number of universities; has written for a wide range of publications; has written six successful books- including two bestsellers in Taiwan - and Noodoll’s debut children’s book: Ricehead’s Revenge published by Blue Apple, New York. Take a peek at her gorgeous world of Noodoll here. We loved her stuff so much, that we've got some of her gorgeous Monster Bookmarks and quirky monster and cloud toys in Our Shop, check them out here!

1. WHY ARE YOU WHAT YOU ARE?
For some unknown reason, I turn everyone into cartoon characters in my head when I meet them so I decided I should make a career out of it. It makes me laugh! After a while I just felt I needed to do different projects to keep me entertained and to avoid boredom so I started to write books... that's how all it started.

2. IF YOU WEREN'T A DESIGNER WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
I would be.... a chef or chocolatier. I would work in anything food related.

3. HOW DO YOU OVERCOME A DESIGNER'S BLOCK?
I feel so blessed and happy to be able to express myself through my works, therefore the things that bother me are not related to creativity or ideas. All of my anxieties are caused by running a business. I just can't yet manage my time and finance properly!

4. WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
I have been working on a new range of stationery called 'Noodoll's friends', collaborating with designer friends like Donna Wilson and Luckyboysunday. It's been an exciting process as I get to use their designs and turn them into stationery products.

5. EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL?
Definitely earlier than early bird! I love mornings!

6. WHAT DO YOU TREAT YOURSELF TO FOR ELEVENSES?
A stretch, a breath of fresh air, some biscuits, chocolate, more FOOD!

7. MY FAVE COLOUR IS...?
Neon yellow in summer, navy blue in winter.

8. MY FAVE SMELL IS....?
The smell of burnt wood and country side.

9. IF YOUR HOUSE WAS ON FIRE, WHAT 3 THINGS WOULD YOU SAVE?
My laptop, my passport, and my toys.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVE BLOG?
I am not a regular blog reader and don't stick to any particular ones, but, I do love lots of blogs like Marimekko, ohcomely, fifilapin, it's nice that and lots more!

AND THE WINNER IS.....

2011-08-01T05:29:00.000-07:00

WE HAVE A WINNER! Congratulations to Hannah Davies. Please email us your address to info@ourworkshop.co.uk and we'll send you the whole kit and kaboodle. Enjoy and well done.
Thanks to everyone for taking part!

Vintage at the Southbank

2011-08-01T03:39:00.000-07:00

We visited Wayne Hemmingways Vintage festival at the Southbank yesterday and enjoyed a beautiful sunny day pottering around the various vintage stalls. There was a lot on offer from fashion, clothing, design and live music. As always we were drawn to the homewares and the helter skelter of course! Here's a little taster of what we saw. We actually have some of the vintage Gaytime ceramics (bottom left pic) on Our Shop if you like the brightly coloured folky look.

Cake + Art

2011-07-31T04:04:00.000-07:00

What a perfect combination, Cake + Art! We do like cake over here at Our WorkShop. So when we found out about artist, Amy Stevens' cake artworks, it made us smile. Amy first started making Martha Stewart's cake recipes, then realised that her cakes didn't look perfect like Martha's, hers looked more imperfect. So she thought they were better off imperfect. It's the cakes imperfections that make them so striking to look at. Amy also uses handmade and vintage fabrics and wallpapers for backdrops for her photos. More of her cakes here.
Via cocandme and amystevenart

P.S OUR SHOP'S 1ST BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY, ONE MORE DAY TO GO!!! Talking about cake....it's Our Shop's 1st Birthday tomorrow! Pop over to our Facebook page and help us celebrate, by giving us a 'LIKE' and you'll be automatically entered into our 1st Birthday giveaway! Click here to enter. We'll announce the winner over at Facebook tomorrow. Good Luck!

New One Stop Gift Shop

2011-07-25T06:45:00.000-07:00

Hi there, we'd like to let you know about our new One Stop Gift Shop service. Making gift buying easier for you. Choose a gift, a card, a gift wrap and email us your message. And we'll wrap your gift and write the card and post the gift for you, so no queuing for the post office for you! For more info, please click here.

Vintage Treasure Hunt

2011-07-21T00:56:00.000-07:00

We've managed to get a day out of the studio this week to do a spot of antique shopping. Keep your eyes peeled over the coming week for some new treasures that will be cropping up in our vintage section. We have some great utensil pots and storage jars for the kitchen plus loads of other treats. Here are some pics plus a sneak preview of a gorgeous sugar shaker we picked up.

Sunday Market

2011-07-17T15:31:00.000-07:00

Hey, we had a stall at today's Sunday Upmarket, Spitalfields. It was a rainy Sunday, however it was really nice to meet some of our online customers, thanks for popping over to say hello! and it's always great to get feedback from the public too. All in all, a fun day!

Say it in a letter

2011-07-14T14:16:00.000-07:00

Check out this website that plays homage to letterhead designs for the famous. It's quite intriguing to see what Bowie, Johnny Cash and Marilyn Monroe's personal stationery looked like, to name but a few. Have a peek at letterheady.com for more designs.

BLOG CHAT 09_ALEXA MOTTRAM

2011-07-12T07:52:00.000-07:00

Hi, we would like to introduce you to Alexa Mottram, a product designer. Alexa was working in a furniture company and realised that all the offcuts of upholstery leather were being thrown straight in the bin. Confident that there must be an alternative, she started taking it home and making it into slippers! Making lots of gifts for friends, and enjoyed it so much that she decided to set up a business. Do check out more of her work, click here.

1. WHY ARE YOU WHAT YOU ARE?
This is quite tricky to answer! I guess I’ve always loved making things and creating objects. I’ve gradually realised that this is the thing that makes me happy, and that I’m best at.

2. IF YOU WEREN'T A PRODUCT DESIGNER WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
I think maybe a writer. I used to write weird stories all the time when I was little.

3. HOW DO YOU OVERCOME A DESIGNER'S BLOCK?
I usually have a coffee, which I don’t normally drink. It makes me hyper and also like a ‘proper designer’,
because I reckon they all drink coffee all the time!

4. WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
A friend is helping me overhaul the website, which is really exciting, and I’m about to start designing a new product range.

5. EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL?
Early bird. Chirp chirp!

6. WHAT DO YOU TREAT YOURSELF TO FOR ELEVENSES?
Cake and/or biscuits. (Same goes for tensies and twelvsies…)

7. MY FAVE COLOUR IS...?
I’m mad about brown at the moment.

8. MY FAVE SMELL IS....?
Freshly baked bread. It’s a cliché, but I love it.

9. IF YOUR HOUSE WAS ON FIRE, WHAT 3 THINGS WOULD YOU SAVE?
I think I’d probably be too busy panicking and flapping about like a headless chicken to save anything! I’m a total wetbag.
I’d just have to hope that someone would save me.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVE BLOG?
www.itsnicethat.com

Our Giveaway - The products!

2011-07-11T04:44:00.000-07:00

We thought we'd go into more detail about our fab giveaway which we'll be revealing
on our Facebook page on 1st August 2011. Just give our page a 'like' for automatic entry.

Salt & Pepper Sailboat worth £40
Earthenware shakers to brighten up your Summer table. read more

Sukie Bright Idea Notebook worth £9.50
Each page is printed with a different lightbulb for your bright ideas. read more

Cassette Wallet worth £13
A nifty way to store your cash, bank cards and oyster card. read more

Pocket Pencil worth £5
A pencil with a clip so you can carry it in your pocket. Simple and genius.
read more

Pencil Sharpener Pen Pot worth £16
Giant pencil sharpener to cheer up your desk. Made of wood and stainless steel. read more

Vintage Pineapple Ice Bucket worth £30
What can we say? Use it as a pen pot, to store your teabags or for your ice! read more

Good Action Notebook worth £7
Chunky, durable, lined notebook, scattered with good karma actions.

Tea Sub worth £9.50
Super cute yellow submarine tea infuser. read more

Limited edition Notebook worth £12
Exclusive hand-made notebook with plain light grey pages. read more

Vintage Ships wheel Brooch worth £7
Ahoy there! Cute vintage nautical brooch in a kraft gift box. read more

Sukie Plain / Lined Notebook worth £5.50
Plain or lined paper, can’t decide what you need?
Why not have both? read more

MT Patterned Tape worth £3
Decorate your papers, presents, envelopes, notebooks etc. etc. etc. with
this yellow patterned tape

Our 1st Birthday Giveaway!

2011-07-01T10:46:00.000-07:00

It's almost our 1st birthday! We can't believe that it's gone so quickly! We want to say a huge thank-you to all the people out there that regularly check out our website and have supported us in our first year.

Yellow is our favourite colour (you'd never have guessed!) and so to celebrate, we are giving away all of the yellow lovelies above to one lucky person (worth over £180). All you have to do is give our Facebook page a like and that’s it! The winner will be randomly picked by us and revealed on our Facebook page on our birthday which is 1st August 2011.

We do hope you like Our Shop and we invite you to leave any comments you have here on Our Blog, on our Facebook page or email us direct. We'd love to know what you think as your opinions are very important to us. Without our customers we wouldn’t have a business, so we say a big thank you to you all. We’re looking forward to Year 2 and have some exciting things in the pipeline. We’re going to be introducing a gift wrapping service to make present buying really easy. Thanks for staying interested and good luck for the giveaway.

Love Pui and Gemma

Click below to give us a LIKE and enter to win our big yellow giveaway!

Coming Soon

2011-06-30T08:29:00.000-07:00

We're so excited... Our Shop is almost one year old! We're planning a great giveaway for some lucky duck out there to win. We'll be announcing the details in a few days so keep checking back in.

What a bright idea!

2011-06-30T07:50:00.000-07:00

We've got this brilliant Bright Idea notebook that's just come into Our Shop. A notebook to fill your bright ideas in. Each page is unique and different to the next. With a different shaped light bulb on each page, never a dull moment!

Sergeant Salt + PC Pepper

2011-06-24T03:34:00.000-07:00

Allo, allo, allo, what’s all this then? We've got a lovely pair of salt and pepper shakers come into the vintage section in Our Shop. Check them out, along with other vintage goodies that have just come in!

Ahoy there!

2011-06-16T08:46:00.000-07:00

Hello! Just to let you know that a fleet of yachts have arrived back in town.... catch them while
you can from Our Shop.

Made in Japan

2011-06-14T14:53:00.000-07:00

Check out this beautiful japanese mobile phone ad...

Art for everyday

2011-06-12T06:54:00.000-07:00

We found these lush vintage grocery store window posters on Wary Meyer's lovely blog. They're so beautiful, definately worthy of being framed as art. Silkscreened back in 1965. Perfect for graphic lovers!

Going Popsicle

2011-06-10T08:46:00.000-07:00

It's nearly the weekend, and we think it maybe a rainy one. But hey, it shouldn't stop us from enjoying some fun lollies like these! Comes in quirky sailboat, rocket and castle molds. What more would you want from an ice lolly? Have great weekends!
Via Swiss Miss + Refinery 29.

BLOG CHAT 08_STINA LANGLO ORDAL

2011-06-07T09:02:00.000-07:00

Hello, we're excited to introduce you to Stina Langlo Ordal, a norwegian illustrator and children's book illustrator/author. Stina has worked with a variety of publishing houses throughout the years to bring her curious and magical stories to life. Stina not only illustrates, but she also writes children's books, a very talented lady! Many of her stories are based on a child's eye view on life. She also regularly exhibits her work in galleries. Check out more of her work at illustina.no.

1. WHY ARE YOU WHAT YOU ARE?
I've always been drawing and when I discovered illustration I knew it was what I wanted to do

2. IF YOU WEREN'T AN ILLUSTRATOR WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
I'd be a flower decorater (is it the right word?) My dad was a florist, and I wanted to take over the business when I was old enough.

3. HOW DO YOU OVERCOME AN ILLUSTRATOR'S EQUIVALENT OF A DESIGNER'S BLOCK?
Ohh, I tend to dive into the internet. Reading the news. Reading interesting blogs, or perhaps plan dinner. Or sometimes I´d just bang my head against the wall..... I wish I´d be better at leaving my studio to go for a stroll, enjoy nice weather and get some air.

4. WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
A picturebook about jealousy.

5. EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL?
Early bird, that always fall asleep on the couch trying to keep the night owl company.

6. WHAT DO YOU TREAT YOURSELF TO FOR ELEVENSES?
Dark chocolate and peppermint tea.

7. MY FAVE COLOUR IS...?
Right now: Green in various shades. blue-ish green....

8. MY FAVE SMELL IS....?
Freshly baked bread. sharp cool air, christmas, do I have to pick one??

9. IF YOUR HOUSE WAS ON FIRE, WHAT 3 THINGS WOULD YOU SAVE?
My family, my cat and the mac.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVE BLOG?
Ourblog:-)

The Lost Collection

2011-06-05T06:33:00.000-07:00

Stumbled upon this intriguing exhibition at KK Outlet in Hoxton Square yesterday. A great little exhibition packed with all things lost on the TFL Transport for London. Sadly these items have not be claimed, and have remained in lost property for some time, even years! TFL have opened up their Lost Property Office to KK Outlet, who have curated a unique exhibition of art and objects that was left unclaimed on London's Tubes, buses, Overground trains and black cabs. This forgotten collection features art and photographs from anonymous artists. Even hundreds of sets of false teeth, wigs, a prosthetic leg, arm etc. Funnily enough, since the exhibition has been launched, from last Thursday. Two pieces of art works have been reunited with their creators, via seeing their works in an article in The Evening Standard. Artist Ana De Lima lost a painting she created when she was a student at St Martin's College of Art, she spotted her work in the paper and has since been reunited with her painting. Pop along for a peek, it's well worth it. The Lost Collection, 3rd June-30 June.

Daddy Cool Gifts!

2011-06-03T10:17:00.000-07:00

Remember 19th June is Father's Day! Check out our shop for some great goodies that will make your Dad's day.

The Fancy

2011-05-23T06:16:00.000-07:00

We thought you might like website The Fancy, here's a link to our page. It's a part store, blog, magazine and wishlist. By dragging the Fancy Icon to your toolbar you can curate a collection of things you love from the web which all link back to the store you can buy them from. Use it to build a collection of things you love. When you discover wonderful stuff on the web, Fancy it — save it to your collection and share with the Fancy community. Our Shop's just signed up and we're offering a Fancy promotion. If you fancy more than 10 products from Our Shop you will unlock a secret reward.

We think this will be great to create a visual shopping list. No more writing on scraps of paper and forgetting where you saw that amazing thing. Here are some images we found on The Fancy.

BLOG CHAT 07_MATT GOODALL

2011-05-11T06:18:00.000-07:00

We would like to introduce you to Matt Goodall, originally a print designer, working at various sales promotion, marketing and experiential agencies over the last 10 years for some of the worlds most recognised brands. The last two years has seen a full transition to digital media and an embracing of the inner nerd. Inspired and equally excited by new technologies and how brands can use them to connect with consumers. Matt has become a social media/mobile evangelist. Check out his work at Arnold and Pearn or visit his facebook page.

1. WHY ARE YOU WHAT YOU ARE?
Crumbs, first I’d have to know exactly what I am! I’ve always been uncomfortable having to talk about myself. (you’re regretting asking me these questions now ;-)

I do know I’ve always been passionate about creating and making stuff, interested by thoughts as well as images and things. I think the need to show off this creative side is why we make careers out of it. Even as a small child, sat alone in the corner surrounded by pens and scraps of paper as the other children played outside without a care in the world I knew it was crucial I have a career in design or advertising ;-)

2. IF YOU WEREN'T AN ART DIRECTOR WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
I did consider computer programming. This wouldn’t have been a bad choice at all, but despite my mild autism – no offense to programmers! – I’m a bit rebellious so want to break rules and I’m not sure this works for computers. That or an engineer, a bad one probably.

3. HOW DO YOU OVERCOME A DESIGNER'S BLOCK?
I don’t seem to have a problem starting a project but I do get moments of doubt halfway through and this can be a bit crippling. Like everyone I guess you just have to wander off and do something else until you feel happy to go back and keep chipping away at it. There are so many distractions out there it’s not hard to snap out of your funk soon enough.

4. WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
I’ve got a few projects on the go at the moment. It’s really early days for Arnold and Pearn so it’s still kind of sussing out what it is, and exactly where it belongs. Having said that, everything I’m doing is very exciting.

5. EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL?
Such an early bird it’s ridiculous. I can get more work done between 7 and 9am than I can in the rest of the day.

6. WHAT DO YOU TREAT YOURSELF TO FOR ELEVENSES?
Crisps are my Achilles’ heal. Maze based snakes to be precise, onion rings are so filthy but sooooo good. ** licks orange dust off fingers and cries **

7. MY FAVE COLOUR IS...?
#2d6985

8. MY FAVE SMELL IS....?
The first time you smell freshly cut grass in spring is amazing. But so is frying garlic, Play Doh, sun cream, mulled wine, my cat’s head, hot tarmac and new carpet.

9. IF YOUR HOUSE WAS ON FIRE, WHAT 3 THINGS WOULD YOU SAVE?
As long as everything living was out safe, I’d have to go for my back-up hard drive. I got an amazing brass pineapple from an online shop – that would have to come too, and I’ve got a pair of antique medical prints that I just love.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVE BLOG?
I can’t really say I have a favourite because I read different blogs for different things but the ones I check religiously are twitter (if you want to class this as a micro-blog) notcot.org gizmodo.com and ffffound.com. Mashable.com, www.tumblr.com and Flipboard on the iPad is a great aggregator and finally foundmagazine.com is great if you need reminding how beautiful and strange people are.

Write a bike

2011-05-11T01:56:00.000-07:00

We found these fun images of bikes with names written on them, pretty cool. By Juri Zaech.

Pink Ladies!

2011-05-06T11:34:00.001-07:00

It's Friday! and us at the WorkShop decided to treat ourselves to some colour. Not usually into the colour pink, we decided - errr well, why not! Have a great weekend!

Tall painting

2011-05-04T14:41:00.001-07:00

Stumbled across the making of this stunning tall painting by Holton Rower, pretty cool hey.

1940's Fashion illustrations

2011-04-25T14:22:00.000-07:00

Hope you enjoyed your easter breaks!
We thought we'd let you know that we've put some new vintage finds on Our Shop. This includes, these wonderful french fashion drawings from the 1940's. We found them last week, and instantly loved them. They're so beautiful that we’re finding it hard to part with them. The sketches were drawn in 1948, illustrating and giving you an insight into the season’s collection. The style back then, seems to echoe alot of tailoring and nipped in the waist details. Each drawing is numbered, and has a small sketch of the back of each outfit to accompany it. There are quite a few on Our Shop, do check them out.

Happy Easter

2011-04-23T09:36:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter everyone! We hope you are enjoying the long break. I just thought I'd share the Easter egg my hubbie bought me from Rococo Chocolates as it had the most amazing packaging complete with box, ribbons and tissue paper. I speak in the past tense as I have been bad and opened my Easter egg early. The smaller box contains real eggs which have been emptied and refilled with chocolate!

Kate Loves Willy

2011-04-23T08:21:00.000-07:00

When we think of Royal memorabilia our minds go back to the chintzy Charles and Diana plates and mugs from our childhoods. This teatowel has to be the best of 2011's offerings. So funny and available to buy on etsy. I hope Grandma Lizzie dries her finest china with one of these!

Limited Edition Japanese Postcards

2011-04-16T06:07:00.000-07:00

Hello! We just launched some beautiful postcards by illustrator Julie Labulle with iconic Japanese symbols. They are exclusive to Our Shop and each one is numbered. We are donating all profits to go the Red Cross Japanese Tsunami Fund. Each set comes with 5 postcards that feature a unique japanese icon that represents courage, strength, good luck, good health and prosperity.
Click here to find out more.

BLOG CHAT 06_SHELL THOMAS

2011-04-12T05:50:00.000-07:00

Shell is a furniture and product designer living and working in London. Her work marries a whimsical spirit with sustainable materials and digital processes, signified by an ever-present element of playful quirk. Shell's work includes a range of bespoke cardboard furniture, retail window installations and her first product, Reggie the Eco Rocker- a flat-pack cardboard rocking horse for cool and creative kids. Check out more work at, shellthomas.com

1. WHY ARE YOU WHAT YOU ARE?
I've always really loved... well, things. I know pretty-much everyone likes stuff, but I became aware of how lovely objects can make me feel warm and fuzzy pretty early on. My Mum says that when I was 2 or 3 and people would ask me what Santa might bring for Christmas, I'd tell them I was hoping for a new pillow, although I pronounced it 'pellow' back in the day. I got proper into home-wares. It's no secret I've coveted my Grandad and Grandma's vintage glasses and harlequin sets of anodised aluminium tumblers FOREVER and, although my early interior design and fashion concepts fell well short of successful, I was never short of a bonkers vision. It wasn't until I was already a grown-up that it ever really occurred to me that what I love might somehow be what I do.

2. IF YOU WEREN'T AN PRODUCT DESIGNER WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
Oh, I like the idea of all sorts. I love cooking and I've always fancied being a shopkeeper, too! I'd love to have a design store, offering a bespoke design service alongside vintage and new furniture, objects and books, with a lovely cafe inside. I would bake the cakes and my husband Huw would make the best ever coffee. I'd also love to learn about set dressing for film and TV, sourcing and arranging props to create the right look.

3. HOW DO YOU OVERCOME A DESIGNER'S BLOCK?
Get out and get happy. I am uber-proiductive when I'm feeling upbeat, so if I'm not feeling it, I'll pack it in for a bit and come back when my spidey senses are tingling. Specifically, this might be a natter with Huw or whoever's working in the studio, or some blog-spotting or you-tubing. People falling and getting hurt makes me laugh. A lot. To an untrained-eye it may seem like I'm a great big procrastinator, but it's all just part of the magic!

4. WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
Some new products - new specs and some desk accessories. I'm working with some new materials so it's relatively experimental at this stage.

5. EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL?
Early Bird, although this winter's been particularly tough one and I have struggled to get out of bed some mornings, but I start out each day on maximum-productivity-power and it steadily diminishes throughout the day.

6. WHAT DO YOU TREAT YOURSELF TO FOR ELEVENSES?
I've recently become a biscuit freak, but that has got to stop! Fox's biss quits. I do love that gangster panda!

7. MY FAVE COLOUR IS...?
Green. All sorts, but what really gets my jazz-hands working is a well-curated palette of colours rocking it together. Perfection

8. MY FAVE SMELL IS....?
Pool Ponies.

9. IF YOUR HOUSE WAS ON FIRE, WHAT 3 THINGS WOULD YOU SAVE?
Huw, (assuming he can't save himself) and practical things, I guess. Nothing really crosses me as truly irreplaceable. That's a bit sad, isn't it?

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVE BLOG?
Oh my goodness, SO. MANY. These are probably my favourites...
The Design Files for getting in-touch with Melbourne design and peeking at lovely Australian interiors.
Dlisted for ridiculously hilarious, yet equally unimportant gossip.

Wild Raspberries

2011-04-03T05:32:00.000-07:00

While sorting through stuff, we came across this gem of a book. Andy Warhol's work is one of the most recognisable, however it's his early work that we were intrigued with and loved most. Warhol started out as a graphic artist, working on commercial projects for a variety of advertising clients in the 50's. This book, Wild Raspberries by Warhol and Suzie Frankfurt, is a lovely and whimsical cookbook with a difference. Illustrated by Warhol in 1959, packed with quirky illustrated, funny recipes from Fighting Fish, Baked Hawaii and...... Roasted gyuana??

Pick Me Up!

2011-03-29T05:02:00.000-07:00

Last week we popped along to the 'Pick Me Up' exhibition at Somerset House. It was packed with talented graphic artists and illustrators from around the world, showcasing their work. There was alot going on, from puppet/shadow shows, live drawing sessions, live stop film animation, open studios from Anthony Burrill, Print Club and Nous Vous. Our faves were Anthony Burrill and Nous Vous. Check out some pics we took..

BLOG CHAT 05_TAMSIN ALLEN

2011-03-17T03:50:00.000-07:00

We are really happy to introduce you to a good friend of ours, Tamsin Allen. Tamsin is an Art Director based in London. She has specialised for fifteen years within the fashion and beauty industries as an art director and designer. Amongst others, she has worked with Rimmel London, John Lewis, Free Lance Paris, Thomas Pink, The Body Shop and Jigsaw gaining a wealth of experience managing projects, from concepts through to final deliveries; her experience varies across all platforms - print, tv and digital. Check out Tamsin's work at tamsinallencreative.com

1. WHY ARE YOU WHAT YOU ARE?
I had always loved art and wanted to be a graphic designer since the age of 15 (without even fully knowing what it was!). Nothing else was really an option and I went on to study graphic design. I met my (now) husband at the end of my second year at Uni - he's a fashion photographer and totally opened my eyes to the world of fashion and photography and we started working together (the rest, as they say, is history). I love art direction and how it can span many aspects of design, photography, illustration etc and you're the one who ties it all together. I believe there is art direction in all aspects of the arts.

2. IF YOU WEREN'T AN ART DIRECTOR WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
Probably something more humane like psychology or life-coaching. Or running a B&B in Italy.

3. HOW DO YOU OVERCOME A DESIGNER'S BLOCK?
Stress normally causes my 'writers block', but soya chai lattes are my latest obsession - they chill me out (even more than normal).

4. WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
Some Rimmel TV ads at JWT featuring Zooey Deschanel and, in my spare time, I run my husband's blog for his photography courses business. www.focushubcourses.com. There's never a dull moment!

5. EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL?
Both, strangely enough. I can work all night and still get up early to go to work the next day. This, however, seems to be a rapidly decreasing talent as I get older.

6. WHAT DO YOU TREAT YOURSELF TO FOR ELEVENSES?
Soya chai latte and maybe a cupcake or muffin.

7. MY FAVE COLOUR IS...?
Black. It's intense, powerful and goes with everything!

8. MY FAVE SMELL IS....?
Diptyque Figuier candle. And my address for all donations is...

9. IF YOUR HOUSE WAS ON FIRE, WHAT 3 THINGS WOULD YOU SAVE?
Daughter, husband, cat.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVE BLOG?
I love blogs! I look at blogs for different reasons - interiors blogs because we are also renovating our house in South London and fashion ones for research for my husband's blog. My friend, Pui, introduced me to Bloglovin' - 99 blogs later I just can't pick a favourite. I would feel unfaithful. :)

BLOG CHAT 04_JULIE LABULLE + DEVA

2011-03-02T04:01:00.000-08:00

Meet Julie Labulle and Alessandro Barbieri. They are new contributors to Our Shop and have each created their own range of seriously gorgeous notebooks! Julies are labelled the 'Hairy Series' and show her unique, detailed, illustrative style. Alessandro's 'Neon Geometry Series' have a two tone cover structure that matches the geometric grid of the inner pages. They are all hand-made and printed on a Riso press. All are unique to Our Shop and Limited Edition.

JULIE LABULLE (GIULIA DOLCI)

Julie is an Italian illustrator and graphic designer currently based in London. After graduating in Industrial Design at IUAV University of Venice in 2008, she started working as a freelancer for some personal and commissioned projects, including a collaboration with Replay jeans. In 2010 she decided to come to London with her boyfriend to begin a new adventure. Her work enclose a world of patterns, textures, lines and Japanese reminescences. She loves cats, birds, black ink tattoos, alchemy, black & white photography, books, folk music and hair. Check out: julielabulle.com, julielabulle.tumblr.com

1. WHY ARE YOU WHAT YOU ARE?
Since I was a child I have always been fascinated by art, old patterns and handmade little things. At that time I was an only daughter and I used to play on my own, creating paper castles, dolls, dresses and strange cardboard monsters; it was my magical world. Growing up, it came naturally for me to choose the high school of art and, then, the Industrial Design course at IUAV University of Venice. I then ran away from Italy to discover new cultures, ideas and places.

2. IF YOU WEREN'T AN ILLUSTRATOR/DESIGNER WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
I think I would anyway be linked to art, maybe as a collector of little precious antiques found all around the world and I would create my own pieces, giving life again to these things as handmade objects.

3. HOW DO YOU OVERCOME A DESIGNER'S BLOCK?
If you are an artist, an illustrator or a graphic designer for most of the time you work inside a room/studio so the designers block is a common issue that happens every time that room becomes a cage for your thoughts. When I feel I am getting into that state of mind I just leave my desk for a while and I try to entertain myself with pleasant things such as having a hot shower, making cakes, reading a book or simply going out to breathe fresh air. Coming back to my desk I might not have the solution to a problem but, for sure, I can easily find one.

4. WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
I am working on some handmade notebooks and postcards that I will be selling on 'Our Shop' super nice on-line shop and I am starting a new range of illustrations and graphic design little publications.

5. EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL?
I am definitely an night owl: I love to sleep in the morning and I work better in the evening, but living with my boyfriend, I am learning how to be an early bird. Despite that, the owl is one of my favorite animals so it will always be my favorite one!

6. WHAT DO YOU TREAT YOURSELF TO FOR ELEVENSES?
Due to the influence of London, my breaks are becoming more British: tea with milk and buttery biscuits (or delicious carrot cakes) is my favourite afternoon break. During the morning I prefer fresh fruits.

7. MY FAVE COLOUR IS...?
I really like subtle antique colors but my favorite one is black, followed by skin pink and red.

8. MY FAVE SMELL IS....?
I have a big nose so I really like to sniff at things. But my favorite ones are these three: the smell of new and old books, clean laundry and the parfume of the skin of people I love.

9. IF YOUR HOUSE WAS ON FIRE, WHAT 3 THINGS WOULD YOU SAVE?
My laptop with all my life inside, my drawings, my cat (I don't have one now but I will have it for sure in the future).

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVE BLOG?
What often happens that having a blog is just an excuse to share and reblog little anonimous things without knowing exactly where are they from and what are their stories, but, fortunately, there are also many interesting blogs about art, photography, illustration and typography. My favorite one ever is butdoesitfloat.com. I can't stop myself from taking a quick look everyday.
I am also happy about my own one because is a sort of diary in which I put any thing I find, I see, I know everyday here in London: I can tell a little story for each post. julielabulle.tumblr.com

DEVA (ALESSANDRO BARBIERI )

Alessandro "Deva" Barbieri is an italian visual artist. A controversial graffiti artist and "progettista grafico" who gather both experiences together with the aim of creating something forward-looking. Currently living in London with his girlfriend and artist Julie LaBulle, he's working on personal projects who encompass paper/digital publications, illustrations and works of art.
Check out Deva's work on alessandrobarbieri.net and grafitemagazine.com

1. WHY ARE YOU WHAT YOU ARE?
Once upon a time I was the perfect example of what-parents-want-their-son-to-be, trying in my free time to be what myself felt I was. I suddenly found that my free time was much more important to me than whatever people think I should have been. That's why now I'm a creative problem solver. That's also why I confuse myself too often working time, with free time!!

2. IF YOU WEREN'T A DESIGNER WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
I guess I would have been a musician.

3. HOW DO YOU OVERCOME A DESIGNER'S BLOCK?
Playing with my juggling balls around the room. If the problem persist the solution is eating chocolate biscuits.

4. WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
On something that needs a lot of chocolate biscuits!

5. EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL?
Early bird. Definitely.

6. WHAT DO YOU TREAT YOURSELF TO FOR ELEVENSES?
I swear I usually eat fruits, not biscuits.

7. MY FAVE COLOUR IS...?
Prussian blue.

8. MY FAVE SMELL IS....?
Uuuh... bread!

9. IF YOUR HOUSE WAS ON FIRE, WHAT 3 THINGS WOULD YOU SAVE?
My girlfriend, my sketchbooks and my HardDisks!

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVE BLOG?
julielabulle.tumblr.com, butdoesitfloat.com and grafitemagazine.com

Fragolina Bijoux

2011-02-28T04:37:00.000-08:00

Fragolina Bijoux was one of our stallholders at our Christmas Pop-Up Market. Check out Fragolina's new website! Here she showcases her new Rockabilly Tea Collection accessories, very cute!

Enough to make you smile!

2011-02-25T07:20:00.000-08:00

Look at these cute sticker sets! They're to stick onto your dull light switches. Perfect for kids or adults! They come in Animal, Boy and Girl themed sets.

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Note Perfect!

2011-02-25T06:49:00.000-08:00

We've just placed some gorgeous hand-made notebooks on Our Shop. They come in two series; Geometry and Hairy Series! Designed, illustrated and made by graphic designer Alessandro Barbieri and graphic designer/illustrator Julie LaBulle. These limited edition notebooks are exclusive to Our Shop. Check them out here. We'll also be doing a Blog Chat with Alessandro and Julie next week, so watch this space!

Thank you!

2011-02-25T05:58:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday! We're really excited to be featured on The Financial Times, shopping website- HowToSpendIt.com yesterday. This site features some lovely finds online, and we were very grateful and happy to be asked. Thanks Victoria! To read the full feature, check it out here.

BLOG CHAT 03_CREEA

2011-02-22T04:21:00.000-08:00

Adam and Mik are model makers and create props for theatre, retail window schemes, prototypes, bespoke exhibition stands and furniture, models for advertising and sfx for film. You can see their work in the windows of Hermes on New Bond Street, London and also on the stage of the Welsh National Opera where they made all the armor for Aida. They enjoy taking an idea from the clients imagination and creating it in 3D form, be it a magicians mask or a giant spray can. They set up their workshop in
Battersea called Creea 4 years ago and are currently working on a product range of their own. For more info, do check out their website: www.creea.co.uk

ADAM

1. WHY ARE YOU WHAT YOU ARE?
I was always interested in drawing and sketching, then during my art foundation course I realised that I always made a model of some desription for my final piece on any assignment. I then looked around at different degree courses and found model making that encompassed all the different aspects I enjoyed and the rest as they say is history.

2. IF YOU WEREN'T A MODEL MAKER WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
A formula one driving, wildlife filming camera man, who on spare weekends turns out for his beloved Liverpool football club(midfield maestro)

3. HOW DO YOU OVERCOME A DESIGNER'S BLOCK?
In my line of work I usually go back to basics, start over and create in as far a removed way as possible from the last attempt, this strategy usually works on about the fifth go which is usually an amalgamation of all the previous attempts.

4. WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
We're currently developing a few products ideas, making up maquettes and solving the unforeseen problems in taking ideas from the sketch pad into a 3D working form.

5. EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL?
Definitely not an early bird, more a growling hungry bear who went to bed too late and got up and found someone had nicked his porridge.

6. WHAT DO YOU TREAT YOURSELF TO FOR ELEVENSES?
Peanut butter on toast.

7. MY FAVE COLOUR IS...?
This week is red.

8. MY FAVE SMELL IS....?
Raisin toast.

9. IF YOUR HOUSE WAS ON FIRE, WHAT 3 THINGS WOULD YOU SAVE?
My wife, Bed(memory foam, so comfy) and Insurance policy.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVE BLOG?
creearetaildisplay.blogspot.com of course but I do follow WeHeart.co.uk

MIK

1. WHY ARE YOU WHAT YOU ARE?
A heady combination of Loving Airfix models as a kid, enjoy having my own workshop space and not listening at school, enough!

2. IF YOU WEREN'T A MODEL MAKER WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
A wood turner? a sculpture? a boat builder? a ceramist?...its important to me to work with my head and hands and the outcome being a crafted object.

3. HOW DO YOU OVERCOME A DESIGNER'S BLOCK?
If in workshop by myself; loud music , if in company through discussion.

4. WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
A combination of retail and shop display projects alongside our own self designed projects. Its important that we have time and energy to design and create our own products as well as working to other designers briefs.

5. EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL?
Unfortunately due to having two active kids; early bird!

6. WHAT DO YOU TREAT YOURSELF TO FOR ELEVENSES?
Vimto and toasted cinnamon bagel.

7. MY FAVE COLOUR IS...?
The colour of diluted vimto.

8. MY FAVE SMELL IS....?
Guiness.

9. IF YOUR HOUSE WAS ON FIRE, WHAT 3 THINGS WOULD YOU SAVE?
ipod, ipad and iphone.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVE BLOG?
Not exactly blogs but Needlesandsins.com, DesignBoom and last but not least creea.co.uk.

Kwaii Tokyo

2011-02-22T03:58:00.000-08:00

Here are some snap shots from a trip to Tokyo from January. There was lots to see and do, and I'm always inspired when I go there. Things are continuously changing, but at the same time the beautiful architecture and traditions stay the same. A real contrast of old and new.

Nani Birds

2011-02-21T09:58:00.000-08:00

Created by Josh McKible, Nanibirds are a flock of downloadable templates from which you can create your own paper bird. Just download the template, print it out and create your bird. Or you can buy the glueless versions from his shop. 'Nani' is the Japanese word for "what?" which Josh says he felt like he said all the time when he moved to Japan. He has used this as a theme for his 100 birds created by himself and other designers.

Blog Art

2011-02-12T09:15:00.000-08:00

Hey! We found this fun blog, packed with quirky and eclectic valentine gift finds. Curated by Amrit Richmond. Happy Valentines!
Via SwissMiss

BLOG CHAT 02_BEN SHUAR

2011-01-31T02:00:00.000-08:00

Born in Bangkok, Ben Shuar (aka 'Benja') grew up in Australia and has been based in London for the last decade. With a background in graphic design, his screen-prints have a style that is bold and contemporary. He uses minimal colours; black and bright neons which punch their way through and demand your attention. Ben finds inspiration in nature, history and the bright lights of the big city where he feels most alive. You can buy one of Ben's limited edition Rose or Bubble Girl screen prints here.

1. WHY ARE YOU WHAT YOU ARE?
Drawing had always been one of my favourite things growing up, so I figured I'd go with my strengths and did some research into careers with an artistic leaning. After I started a design fundamentals course I was hooked on the versatility and competitiveness within graphic design, rather than doing just pure illustration. That and I'd be rubbish at anything else.

2. IF YOU WEREN'T A GRAPHIC DESIGNER WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
I think I would also love to have been an industrial designer. When I was 8 or 9, I used to do dorky stuff like sit for hours re-designing my camping torch or our family car. I love the idea of designing objects that can be used in different ways. If I took design out of the equation, I think I would like to try being a baker because I'm a whore for cake.

3. HOW DO YOU OVERCOME A DESIGNER'S BLOCK'?
I tend to listen to music with a bit of pace and push loads of other people's (good) work under my nose, design, photography, illustration, anything visual. It seems to make me feel oddly competitive and my brain starts jogging and having ideas which hopefully lead to others again until I'm happy.

4. WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
I'm currently on some brand refresh work, overhauling my website and more screenprinting.

5. EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL?
I love getting up early, the prospect of a new things to happen and do fills me with excitement. I make people sick.

6. WHAT DO YOU TREAT YOURSELF TO FOR ELEVENSES?
Cake is always my first choice, but I will also settle for some 'Nairns' stem ginger oatcakes and/or a banana and/or some nuts & raisins and/or rice crackers. I like elevenses.

7. MY FAVE COLOUR IS...?
Neon orange.

8. MY FAVE SMELL IS....?
Food either cooking or baking.

9. IF YOUR HOUSE WAS ON FIRE, WHAT 3 THINGS WOULD YOU SAVE?
My girlfriend, my computer and my record player.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVE BLOG?
I don't know if these are technically blogs but I'm addicted to designspongeonline.com and visuelle.co.uk

New Cards!

2011-01-31T01:51:00.001-08:00

Happy Monday! We thought we'd let you know that we've got a great selection of cards that have just come into Our Shop, from quirky valentine cards by Alison Hardcastle, graphic super hero cards and collectable vintage cards.

BLOG CHAT 01_OUR WORKSHOP

2011-01-28T06:38:00.000-08:00

This is a new feature for Our Blog, introducing a variety of designers, illustrators, photographers, textile designers, model makers etc. To kick it off, we thought we'd go first. We are graphic designers, Gemma and Pui. We set up Our WorkShop in 2009, and then we launched Our Shop last July, as a platform to showcase other designers/makers work and also allow us to create our own products too, we have been balancing the two ever since.

GEMMA

1. WHY ARE YOU WHAT YOU ARE?
It felt right at the time! When i was younger I was always excited by advertising strangely. I loved the idea of creating a concept that would sell a product and the creativity involved in that process. It seemed like a game. The processes of ad creation and graphic design can be a nice bubble to walk around in.

2. IF YOU WEREN'T A GRAPHIC DESIGNER WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
I would like to have been a conservationist of some sort. Or write a novel, but everyone says that.

3. HOW DO YOU OVERCOME A DESIGNER'S BLOCK '?
A walk outdoors and a coffee

4. WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
One job is for creating a new kitchen and bathroom range and running the shop of course.

5. EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL?
Early bird when I'm working, night owl when I'm not

6. WHAT DO YOU TREAT YOURSELF TO FOR ELEVENSES?
Cup of tea and Jaffa cakes

7. MY FAVE COLOUR IS...?
Yellow

8. MY FAVE SMELL IS....?
Clean washing.

9. IF YOUR HOUSE WAS ON FIRE, WHAT 3 THINGS WOULD YOU SAVE?
My husband
My charley harper prints
My laptop with all my photos on

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVE BLOG?
www.swiss-miss.com

PUI

1. WHY ARE YOU WHAT YOU ARE?
I was always making things when I was younger. From recycling old clothes to drawings cartoons. Going to art college seemed the most natural path to follow, and explore more. I experimented with theatre design, textiles, animation and realised that I loved designing. And loved the process of design. From thinking up an idea to exploring and crafting a final campaign, and seeing it in print.

2. IF YOU WEREN'T A GRAPHIC DESIGNER WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
Hmm, I probably would have been a fashion/textile designer or a tailor, as when I was younger I use to make alot of things for plays etc and was always sewing or making something, taking clothes apart and trying to remake things. I think I drove my mum mad as she was always pricking herself with pins that I left around the home. I would have love to have had a stint at old school tailoring, like Savile Row. I've always been fascinated by the art of tailoring. But now, I think I would like to be a pastry chef and have my own tea shop, I fancy being a shopkeeper.

3. HOW DO YOU OVERCOME A DESIGNER'S BLOCK'?
I would probably go for some fresh air, if there was time, I might go to an exhibition. It's always good to give your eyes a rest and a change of scenery I think. Fresh eyes= fresh ideas.

4. WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
We're working on an exciting home range project at the moment. It's quite challenging and good fun at the same time. Also we are constantly developing our online shop, and working with different designers, which is always good fun.

5. EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL?
I'd like to think I'm an early bird, but I'd be kidding myself. I'm an night owl.

6. WHAT DO YOU TREAT YOURSELF TO FOR ELEVENSES?
A nice cup of coffee, and some biccies. Or cake is even better, lemon or carrot cake.

7. MY FAVE COLOUR IS...?
Greens, from peppermint green, olive greens to forest greens. I tend to like quite dirty or subtle colours.

8. MY FAVE SMELL IS....?
Fig, maple syrup...food especially, and also I'm also bit of a design geek, I love the smell of freshly printed work, be it on a poster, flyer, book.

9. IF YOUR HOUSE WAS ON FIRE, WHAT 3 THINGS WOULD YOU SAVE?
My photos, my passport, some of my fave old books.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVE BLOG?
I am addicted to blogs. I can spend hours reading them, one leads to another..but my fave is The Selby as its portraitures and also a peek at interiors too, which I love. www.theselby.com

New Blog Chats

2011-01-27T08:42:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! We have decided to start the new year with a new section to Our Blog. In the past year, since setting up Our shop, and also organising our first pop-up market. We have met lots of talented creative people, from graphic designers, illustrators, photographers, model makers, textile designers etc. And would love to use Our Blog as a platform to introduce some of these people to you. Giving you an insight to what they do and what makes them tick. Watch this space, we'll start with Our WorkShop.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-22T08:50:00.000-08:00

Hey! we found these quirky badges by Lazy Oaf. Would make the perfect Christmas dinner ice breaker don't you think?
Merry Christmas, hope you all have a fun one! x

Our Christmas Pop-Up Extravaganza

2010-12-14T02:58:00.000-08:00

Our first Christmas Pop-Up event has been and gone. And all the early starts and late nights have all paid off. Right to the run up to the event, we were still busy rushing around handing out flyers and getting as many people to come to it. Pushing our lovely bikes by Creea around London Bridge, to drum up attention! We were very grateful for the turn out and happy that we were able to create a platform for a variety of designers and makers to showcase their work at this event. A big thanks to Adam and Mik from Creea, who created such gorgeous Christmas decorations and dressed our arch space. And also a big thank you to Dave Walters for creating the '80s film extravaganza! Here are some piccies from the 2 days...We'd love to hear your feedback, so do feel free to comment. Thanks everyone! x

2010-12-14T01:51:00.000-08:00

2010-12-14T00:52:00.000-08:00

Christmas Pop-Up Market Blog!

2010-11-19T10:55:00.000-08:00

Hey! We managed to complete Our Christmas Pop-Up Market Blog! Please check it out, and do give us feedback.
We've set up the blog especially for this event happening on 9th/10th December. This blog showcases all the exhibitors who will be taking part this year, to give you a taster of what to expect. This is our first pop-up event, so it's pretty exciting! We have a great eclectic mix of designers and makers all under one railway arch. It would be great if you could make it, for a mince pie and a mulled wine!

Sneaky peek...

2010-11-18T14:41:00.000-08:00

Hey, we've been a bit busy lately trying to get the Christmas Pop-Up Market organised. The poster and flyer are off at the printers now. Here's a little peek of it, also of Our WorkShop HQ....yes, we're tidy girls.

Limited spaces left for Christmas Pop-Up Market!

2010-11-01T03:18:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday! just a quick post to let you know, we still have limited spaces left for the Christmas Pop-Up Market in December!! So If you need more info, please get in touch as soon as possible! Email info@ourworkshop.co.uk

Thanks Living Etc...

2010-11-01T03:06:00.000-07:00

What a Monday morning!! We have been featured in the Christmas issue of Living Etc... Magazine this month! In their Christmas gift guide.
The little Face Book was featured, how exciting! Thank you!

Thank you!

2010-10-29T01:42:00.000-07:00

The little birdie bookmarks got featured in the Stylist magazine yesterday, yeah!! Thanks Stylist!

A tale of two cities

2010-10-28T14:33:00.000-07:00

These brilliant illustrations, created by french graphic designer Vahram Muratyan made me smile. Muratyan illustrates the differences between the Paris and New York in a quirky and humourous way.
Via CupofJo

*** REMINDER! Deadline for Christmas Pop-up Market

2010-10-27T03:33:00.000-07:00

Hey, just a little reminder to let you know that there is only 2 days left for submissions for the Christmas Pop-Up Market!
If you need more info, please get in touch. Email, info@shopaholics.co.uk

Sneaky peek

2010-10-26T02:14:00.000-07:00

We've been busy the past week preparing for the launch of our Christmas shop. There is still plenty to do, before it's ready, however we thought you might like a peek...full of lots of new goodies. We're launching next week. So keep checking in! x

Calling all Designers + Makers!

2010-10-13T09:18:00.000-07:00

We are hoping to create a unique Christmas shopping experience situated in a railway arch in London Bridge this December.
This pop-up market will only be around for 2 days/nights. We hope to fill the space with quirky, talented designers and makers, like you! And invite the public to browse and buy!
If you are interested or know of anyone who would like to exhibit at this market. Please get in touch for more info and application details, email info@ourworkshop.co.uk
/deadline for submissions is 31st October.

Allo Allo Design Sponge!

2010-10-08T03:44:00.000-07:00

We are really pleased that Design Sponge decided to feature Our Shop. All the bright and cheery things to brighten up this chilly weather, such as the London Tray and handmade bowls. We are also in love with the french tea towels by Darling Clementine. I have the Ooh La La one framed in my bathroom! The little wooden pin badges are a great gift for someone you think deserves a medal, they are handmade and painted by Lost at Sea. Big thanks to Grace for deciding to feature us. It's great to get so many lovely comments, and from across the globe too!

Sunny Stockholm

2010-10-07T06:15:00.000-07:00

We took a little trip to sunny Stockholm last week, which was lovely! Full of design inspiration everywhere. Stayed in a cute hotel called Story Hotel. Very relaxed and eclectic, each room was decorated differently. Rooms had limited edition art posters plastered on the walls, which was called ' WonderWall' showcasing local artists and photographer's works, in which people who stayed at the hotel could buy. So quirky, that even my bed headboard was made out of an old door! The city was full of old and modern quirks, and scandinavian charm.

2010-10-07T06:11:00.000-07:00

2010-10-06T10:11:00.000-07:00

Maps

2010-09-26T15:09:00.000-07:00

Found this interesting book of illustrations, Maps. This is no ordinary book of maps. Maps illustrated by Nigel Peake is crammed full of aerial views of fields, paths, forests, blocks, places etc. I love the illustrations, they're so intricate, yet so simple at the same time. Check it out.

P.S....

2010-09-17T08:25:00.000-07:00

We were featured in STYLIST***!! It was about a week ago! The Your Story notebook was the star! Only just got our hands on a copy! only teeny, but we're very happy :) Thanks Stylist!

We've got mail!

2010-09-17T08:11:00.000-07:00

It's Friday!! and this morning I received a lovely little package through the post, packed with colour!
This House Industries, Font collection book, is just too lush to describe! Take a peek below...

2010-09-17T06:27:00.000-07:00

Everyone's a winner!

2010-09-15T15:44:00.000-07:00

We've got some real goodies that have come into Our Shop. Look at these quirky gorgeous medal badges, designed and made by talented design duo Lost At Sea. Each medal is made out of wood veneer, and lovingly hand painted. Don't think you deserve a medal? how about treating someone you think deserves one! Choose from ribbon, round or star designs. We only have a limited number, so catch them while you can.

A little birdie told me Our Shop has a new product...

2010-08-20T09:29:00.000-07:00

We just put these cute bird book marks in Our Shop. They come in 3 colours, silver, gold and lime green. This has to be the best bookmark around?

Paint the town red, blue, yellow, green......

2010-08-15T11:18:00.000-07:00

I found these brilliant and striking images by The Favela Painting Project. The Favela Painting Project creates striking artworks, collaborating with local people, in the slums of Rio de Janeiro. To encourage, learning and making art in their enviroment. These particular images are from the Santa Marta community. The artwork spanned over a total of 34 houses! Hoping to raise more funds for the future, they would love to continue to paint more, and their dream is to paint an entire hillside favela. Go to The Favela Painting Project to find out more.