Write a bike

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

Pink Ladies!

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

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

1940's Fashion illustrations

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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