Bibelot » Creative

Mar 26

by bibelotm_wp in Creative, Interview 0 comments tags: 60s, 70s, Illustration, Lunabeam, Sinead Yau, Travel

Luna Beam – Sinead Yau – Interview

We chatted to multi-disciplined and multi-talented designer Sinead Yau to talk travel, the 60s and 70s and dreams of being a mortuary make up artist! 1. Vintage style has clearly influenced your design process. What is it about the past that captures your imagination? My Nan was a young adult in the 60s and 70s and when I was little she used to let me try on her old dresses. My Nan’s house was like stepping into a time warp and I remember hanging out in her lavender coloured bedroom, admiring the floral patterned bed linen and towels that she had kept from that era. Looking at photos of my family, I always admired how much effort they put into their styling and makeup just for everyday outings. Past treasures such as book jacket covers, the smell of vintage shops, bold lined illustrations, curvaceous font styles to music had so much soul in comparison to some of those things today, and even though I didn’t grow up during that time, I always feel a sense of nostalgia. 2. Describe your perfect day. Getting up early to a perfect, cloudless blue sky. Having a clean and tidy house. Eating a well balanced breakfast that […]

Dec 07

by bibelotm_wp in Creative, Interview 0 comments tags: 60s, 70s, Artist, Graphic Design, HarleyandJ, Illustration, Retro, Vintage

Harley and J – Interview

Aussie based illustrator and graphic designer Jasmin Meier from Harley and J takes us on a trippy journey into her wonderful psychedelic world, where flowers flow through the hair of dreamlike figures in surreal settings of stars, moons and kaleidoscopic patterns. Bibelot joined Jasmin to talk about her inspirations, growing up in a creative family, and surfing the waves of Byron Bay. 1. What’s the first piece of art you can remember making? Apart from little bits and pieces, my first strong memory is probably my year 12 major art (that’s going back well over a decade now). I did four women for the four elements (fire, earth, water and wind). Huge A1 pieces hand inked with water colour, all naked with long flowing hair in all their glory (my main influences of women and nature are still the same, so not much has changed.) 2. Who or what were your early influences and how has your life/upbringing influenced your work? Without a doubt it has all been my mother. She is a wonderful painter and worked as textile designer for over thirty years. My father is a carpenter and although his work isn’t pen to paper he has an incredible creative mind as well. […]

Aug 14

by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative, Fashion 0 comments tags: Caroline Stansfield, Children's Clothes, Handmade, The Little Cloth Shop

The Little Cloth Shop – Interview

Today we chat to North London-based seamstress Caroline Stansfield, the woman behind children’s wear brand The Little Cloth Shop. Launched when her son Drake was born, her collection specialises in traditional and vintage inspired designs. Caroline talks Liberty fabric, vegetable dyes, and what she’s learned about running a creative business, with Bibelot. 1. What’s your first sewing memory/experience of sewing? I grew up in a house where my mother sewed everything for myself and my two brothers. She would often be in her study making something beautiful. I would sit on the floor and look through her mothers old silver buttons; I thought they were magical. On every special occasion she would make a new dress for me, I remember there was a particularly horrible pink puff sleeved affair that I loved more than anything. It was the 90s. 2. Your mother was a tailor and your Grandmother a seamstress, when did you decide to continue the family tradition? I have always been interested in sewing, and used to like making costumes for competitions. I started The Little Cloth Shop after my little boy was born as I found it impossible to find alternative but traditional boys clothes. […]

Jun 12

by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative, Interview 0 comments tags: 3D, Illustration, Model Making, Paper

Georgie Monica – Interview

We chatted to 3D illustrator and model maker Georgie Monica to talk about and paper, Greek mythology, and how to survive a zombie apocalypse. 1. How would you describe your work to someone who hasn’t seen it before? My work is a mixture of modern and traditional themes and styles, often featuring women and/or animals. I would like to think they are pictures that offer a snapshot of a wider story and that the 3D nature of them lends itself to that. And they’re all made out of paper of course! 2. What is it about paper as a medium to work with that appeals to you? Paper is sort of the original medium and so it’s fun to try to use it in different ways. I have used clay in the past and still very occasionally to sculpt certain elements of a model if I think it will add something valuable to the piece, and you can pretty much do anything with it. Conversely, paper is exciting to build with because it has limitations and will ultimately do what it wants. I have to work with whatever shape the paper wants to be in and sometimes that […]

May 15

by bibelotm_wp in Art, Craft, Creative, Interview 0 comments tags: Cats, Illustration, Morwenna Farrell, Norwich, Print, Screen Printing

Morwenna Farrell – Interview

Illustrator, artist and maker Morwenna Farrell chats family, fishermen, film and finding her passion. 1. Do you think growing up in Cornwall has helped shape the kind of work you do? I come from a very creative family, so I think I’ve been influenced by everyone a little bit. My mum is a wonderful painter and used to make the most amazing clothes. She made me a yellow Beauty and the Beast dress and everyone at my birthday party was jealous. My big sister, auntie and cousins are talented painters and potters. My stepdad was an incredible musician who used to play his harmonica while doing a headstand, and my great granddad was a beautiful photographer. My Uncle is also a collector. We’re very proud to have a link in the family to Alfred Wallis, so it’s most definitely in my blood and shows in the way I produce lots of different things – from film and photography to printmaking. I love to dabble in a bit of everything! My family is also very eccentric which influences and shapes my work. I see the little things and want to cherish them and bring them out in my work. I enjoy a quirky character and a good story. There […]

Apr 03

by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative, Interview 0 comments tags: Flowers, Georgia Coote, pattern

Georgia Coote – Interview

Today we chat to textile and pattern designer Georgia Coote, who’s vintage colour palettes and fabulous floral designs whizz you back to the 50s and 60s. We wanted to find out more about Georgia’s creative life, how she manages the work-family balance, and where she’d travel to in a time machine. 1. What’s the first piece of art you can remember making? I remember a competition I entered when I was really young where I painted a clown – I clearly remember sponging the background in a minty green colour and doing all the hotchpotch of patterns on the clothes. 2. What do you love most about teaching people in your creative workshops? I love introducing people to simple ways to be creative that can bring joy. I mostly spend time designing at home, so I love the hands on element. There is something so special about making things by hand, the conversations that flow while printing or sewing are wonderful and it is so lovely to see how different people interpret your ideas. 3. When are you happiest? When I’m spending time with my two lovely daughters and husband Ian. 4. Are there any textile artists/designers that […]

Nov 30

by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative, Interview 0 comments tags: Cats, Fairytales, Illustration, Japan, Miss Ella

Inside the Artist’s Studio with… Miss Ella

Find out what happened when we chatted to illustrator, craft market organiser and jack-of-all-crafts Miss Ella. It’s a great read if you like cats, the moon, reading on mountains and fairytales to name a few things. 1. Homeware, jewellery, cards… You make so many different things! How did you end up being a master of so many different craft skills? Sometimes I think I diversify too much! As a teenager I was forever making my own clothes and accessories, so when it came to further education, I did a Fashion Diploma. I then went on to study an HND in Theatrical Costume at London College of Fashion, and started work making dance costumes in London. Embroidery was a part of that and as the industry evolved I was soon digitizing for computer embroidery too. This led on to an interest in digital and motion graphics, so I finally did my degree in Animation followed by a Masters. So to cut a long story short, I’ve always been somewhat of a multi-tasker, eager to experiment with different techniques and media. My business has been the perfect platform to bring everything together under the name Miss Ella. At the moment I’m also […]

Nov 04

by bibelotm_wp in Creative, Read, Reviews 0 comments tags: Book Review, Collage, Cute Paste Create, Eleanor Shakespeare

Cut, Paste, Create: A Design Journal by Eleanor Shakespeare

Cut, Paste, Create is a brand new design journal created by Eleanor Shakespeare and finished by you! The book starts with some key collage tips from Eleanor which introduce 52 projects for you to complete ranging from building tree houses to designing cushions for a sofa and cheery umbrellas for rainy days. Leading on from the huge adult-colouring trend which seems to be dying down a little (although I am still loving Johanna Basford’s releases), activity books seem to be the big new trend in publishing. I read recently that this is down to the fact that publishers are looking to emulate the experience the younger generation are used to on screen, and that it is no longer enough for any form of media to be complete when published but instead should be interactive in one way or another. The increase in popularity has also made the activity book market a very saturated one and any book hoping to stand out from the crowd must have a fairly unique quality. Cut, Paste, Create’s niche comes from its vintage twist. Just like Eleanor’s beautiful portfolio of work, the book is filled with monochrome drawings and photographs, aged textures, retro […]

Oct 05

by bibelotm_wp in Art, Craft, Creative, Interview 0 comments tags: Floral, Flowers, Hanna Nyman, Paper, Paper Art

Hanna Nyman – Interview

We fell in love with Hanna Nyman’s striking paper illustrations in pretty, yet bold pastel palettes combined with snippets of printed text, that pop out at you, and come alive as each paper petal unfolds. We couldn’t wait to find out more about the Stockholm-based designer… 1. How would you describe your work to someone who hasn’t seen it before? Paper illustrations. 2. What is it about paper as a medium to work with that appeals to you? You know the feeling of when you have a small piece of paper in your pocket and you just roll it and bend it between your fingers, I like that feeling. I like how paper feels and how you can bend, fold or roll a piece of paper. Its a simple material and its easy to handle. You don´t need any machines or much equipment. But what appeals most to me with paper is that something that is just flat and plain can be built in to almost anything three dimensional. 3. Flowers feature a lot in your work. If you could be a flower what would you be? A light pink peony, that’s my favourite flower 4. When […]

Sep 26

by bibelotm_wp in Creative, Interview 0 comments tags: Illustration, Marta Monteiro

Marta Monteiro – Interview

Marta Monteiro is an illustrator living and working in the beautiful Portuguese town of Penafiel. A self taught artist, Marta boasts international clients, distinctive style and numerous awards. Her color-splashed, seemingly kinetic depictions of characters in every day life and dream world situations, couldn’t help but catch our eye! We wanted to catch up with her to find out more about the girl behind the colour palette… 1. What do you want people to feel or think of when they look at your work? I’ve never asked myself about it, but if I could wish for some kind of reaction I would like them to be inspired. That’s what I look for in other people artwork, whether it is a short story, a film or a drawing. 2. Your colour palettes are so vibrant and distinctive – from where do you draw colour inspiration? The use of colours is inspired by screen printing. I use a digital process that replicates screen printing color overlaying, where different layers of colour are printed separately on the top of one another. For me it works better with two complementary or with primary colours. 3. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning? If it’s not to cold I like […]

Sep 07

by bibelotm_wp in Art, Creative, Interview 0 comments tags: Eddie Perotte, Illustration

Eddie Perrote – Interview

Eddie Perrote is a prolific and distinctive illustrator and designer, his creativity currently emanating from Brooklyn. His high-contrast colourways are to be envied and his resume reads like All The Best Things You Can Possibly Hope To Do As An Illustrator. He’s got an amazing body of work, several awards under his belt and has worked with some of the coolest brands around. This isn’t the picture of a wallflower who waits for things to happen to him, nor someone who is afraid of hard work. We wanted to find out a little more about this exciting artist, to learn what makes him tick, and get his perspective on his own work… 1. As a Wisconsin chap, what are your best and worst things about living in Brooklyn? How convenient the city is as a whole, as well as how late everything stays open. Worst is probably having to go to the post office. 2. What type of artwork do you like to have in your own home? I enjoy having artwork of friends almost entirely, but I also keep a large stash of art books and small zines to flip through. 3. You’ve achieved some amazing goals and won so […]

Jul 28

by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative, Interview 4 comments tags: Book, Colouring Book, Colouring In, Competition, Zeena Shah

Zeena Shah – Interview + Competition!

We caught up with print and textile designer Zeena Shah who creates fun and colourful home accessories. The crafter-extraordinaire has recently published a new Scandi-inspired colouring book, full to the brim with intricate patterns and illustrations to add your own touch of creativity to. Would you like to win a copy? Find out how at the end of the interview. 1. What feelings, subjects or concepts inspire you as an artist? I am always inspired by nature and the things I see around me in my everyday life. Leaves, foliage, florals and animals all feature heavily throughout my work. 2. What do you do to keep your ideas fresh? I try to always find new inspiration, whether that is through creating mood boards by visiting galleries or just simply by drawing from nature itself. 3. Describe your perfect day. I live in Hackney and it’s just a short walk through the park to my Dalston studio and a lovely way to start the day. I’ll pick up a coffee from one of our lovely independent local cafes en route and head to the studio for around 9.30am. I’ll probably have picked up some leaves/ foliage from the park on the way […]

May 02

by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative, Interview 0 comments tags: Floral, Flowers, Paper Flowers, The Cobra Lily

The Cobra Lily – Interview

Flowers in her hair… Flowers everywhere… I love the flower girl… Kate Alarcón, based just outside of Seattle, is no shrinking violet when it comes to all things floral. The budding artist creates breathtaking blossoms, each one handmade with paper and artfully arranged into mesmerising, multi-coloured bouquets, so real looking, you can almost smell them… 1. What is it about paper as a medium to work with that appeals to you? Crepe paper in particular is kind of magical and lends itself well to organic shapes and textures. Sometimes I’ll just kind of fiddle with a piece of crepe, trying new things, and even after all this time, I still don’t feel like I understand everything it can do. But I don’t know that I would have been as interested in paper were it not for paper plants and flowers. I’ve spent a lot of years quilting, knitting, embroidering, crocheting – mostly textiles stuff. So although I’m in awe of some of the other forms of paper craft out there, at least for now, I’m only really enthusiastic about working with paper for this one specific application. 2. Where did your fascination for all things floral stem? Both of my parents […]

Apr 29

by bibelotm_wp in Creative, Reviews 0 comments tags: Children's Books, Illustration, The Printed Peanut

Playing with Food – Book Review

You already know Louise Lockhart, you actually know her very well. The name might not ring a bell and you might not know this pretty face, but trust me, you have seen her work all over the internet, in all good stationers, popping up in your Instagram feed and on the covers of none but the coolest magazines. She makes the work you wish you made. She designs and illustrates in a way that makes you want to seize a roller and become a printmaker. Her work is reminiscent of Eric Ravilious, but through a joyful 1960s Technicolor telescope. Can you tell we are her biggest fans yet? You have most definitely been acquainted with her first book, the quirky concertina book Up My Street depicting a romantic notion of a 1930’s high street and she is now preparing to launch her second, more substantial publication; Playing with Food. Proudly labeled ‘an activity book’ – and well, she’s not kidding. Just flick through the first few pages and prepare to make involuntary gasps of joy. It’s a hefty release, making its precursor seem like a delightful amuse bouche in comparison. Now Lockhart has fully opened the doors to her world and […]

Apr 25

by bibelotm_wp in Creative, Interview 0 comments tags: Carolyn Gavin, Eco, EcoJot, Environmentally Friendly, Illustration

Carolyn Gavin – Interview

We caught up with designer Carolyn Gavin, one half of the brother and sister duo behind eco-friendly company Ecojot. Here’s what she has to say about flowers, plastic and kids’ books. 1. How would you describe your work to someone who hasn’t seen it before? Happy, joyful, colourful with a twist of fun and the unexpected. 2. Which book illustrations have stayed with you from childhood/influenced you? I adored Roger DuVoisin especially Petunia. Richard Scarry, Dick Bruna and Brian Wildsmith. 3. Flowers feature a lot in your work. If you could be a flower what would you be? That’s a difficult one but I would choose to be a Poppy. 4. Describe your perfect day. A perfect day is the sun shining on me, feeling healthy and strong, creating beautiful work that I’m happy with and realizing that I have such beauty and love all around me. 5. What’s the best thing about being creative for a living? At the moment I love making creative decisions about my life and being in the drivers seat. I’m so lucky to be doing what I love. 6. You studied as a graphic designer; do you […]

Apr 18

by bibelotm_wp in Creative, Interview 0 comments tags: Alice in Wonderland, Andrea D'Aquino, Children's Books, Illustration, Mixed Media

Andrea D’Aquino – Interview

There is a sense of power and energy that flows through the multimedia work of illustrator Andrea D’Aquino. Fantastical animals enact strange rituals against intense sheets of colour. Anonymous, dreamlike figures move through vibrant patchwork landscapes which seem to mirror the terrain within ourselves. Influenced by everything from Mark Rothko to medieval art, and depicting subjects from spirituality to summer outfits, Andrea constantly reinvents her creative techniques, resulting in a freshness that has made her work much sought-after. Bibelot met up with her to discuss the imporance of playfulness and making mistakes – and the ultimate dog walk. 1. How would you describe your work to someone who hasn’t seen it before? I feel I should have a very succinct answer to this, but not sure I’ve come up with it yet. I usually say it is playful, but not child-like. I use a mix of medias and have a spontaneous approach. It’s often collage, but not necessarily photo-based. I draw and paint, then I cut things up and see what happens – though being contrary by nature, I don’t like to stay inside any box that is too pre-defined. Whenever someone calls me a “collage artist”, I […]

Apr 11

by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative, Interview 0 comments tags: Dolls, Mimi Kirchner, Textiles

Mimi Kirchner – Interview

Boston-based Mimi Kirchner invites us into an enchanting world, where fabric foxes go on hikes and smoke pipes, felt owls perch, and fibre dogs don scarves and ties. Bibelot joined Mimi to talk about her ideas processes and where she’d go if she had a time machine. 1. What is the first thing you can remember making by hand? I have no memories of a time that I wasn’t creating. I came from a big family where making things and playing with tools and materials was part of life. I remember making lots of doll clothes including some using old and unmatched socks. I haven’t come too far from that! I have a little tin with doll clothes that I made at that age. 2. Tell us how the ideas process for each new doll begins. What inspired you to make (our favourite) the tattooed man? It is very rare that a fully formed idea pops into my head that I can act on. There are typically many months of thinking, collecting, and incubating an idea. The idea starts as sort of a brain tickle and if it keeps recurring, it moves forward. With the tattooed man, I started noticing […]

Apr 08

by bibelotm_wp in Creative, Interview 0 comments tags: Comic Book, Illustration, Ryan Heshka

Ryan Heshka – Interview

Vancouver-based artist Ryan Heshka’s penchant for pulp art and 1930s monster movies is reflected in his delightfully dark and surreal pop art illustrations. We were invited into the weird and wonderful underworld of prehistoric giant insects, David Lynch soundtracks, and a chaos causing cat called Louis. 1. How would you describe your work to someone who hasn’t seen it before? “Pulp Surrealism”, or possibly “Neo-Pulp”, although those terms might be too narrow. My work is rooted in comics and old magazine illustration, but also integrates industrial and architectural design, natural history, typography, and so on. Maybe “Displaced Retro” is the best summary for my art. Trust me, I have a tough time narrowing it down for people when they ask me what I paint. I usually just tell them “Weird Art”! 2. Which book illustrations have stayed with you from childhood/influenced you? Dr. Seuss first and foremost, in terms of book illustration. Specifically, the wonderful fish paintings from “McGelligot’s Pool”. The sci-fi covers of Frank R. Paul from the 1920’s to the 1940’s also burned themselves into my memory, and have remained a strong influence throughout my life. Also, numerous still photos (not illustrations, but still important) […]

Apr 06

by bibelotm_wp in Creative, Guests 0 comments tags: Books, Children's Books, Coco Chanel, Frida Kahlo, Illustration

Beautiful Books: April

As I am writing this month’s Beautiful Books list, everything feels very different from last time. It’s now April, Spring has officially sprung and there is a feeling of positivity in the air. Having gotten over the end of the Winter slump and recovered from the obligatory Easter chocolate coma, the start of Spring always comes with an excitement as to what the rest of the year has to offer. The publishing world has reacted to this exciting time by releasing a plethora of fresh and inspiring titles aimed at building on your general knowledge and sparking the imagination of your inner creative. As it’s such a jolly month, April feels like the perfect time to learn something new and here are my picks of the best titles to help you do just that… Professor Astro Cat’s Atomic Adventure Continuing on their war against dull textbooks, Flying Eye Books recently published Professor Astro Cat’s Atomic Adventure, which takes the reader on an education adventure through the incredible world of physics. Written by Dr. Dominic Walliman and illustrated by Ben Newman, the book is as entertaining as it is educational. If you are anything like me, boring science classes at […]

Apr 04

by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative, Guests, Make 0 comments tags: Circle Skirt, Craft Book, DIY, Sew, Tutorial, Zeena Shah

Zeena Shah – Circle Skirt Tutorial

Having always enjoyed making my own clothing, I’ve fallen in love with dressmaking even more this past year. So I want to introduce it to you with this starter project, which is just right if you’re a beginner. A circle skirt is very much how it sounds – made from a circular piece of fabric, it can be made to any length, a mini, midi or maxi. Add a waistband and a hem to your desired length, and you’ve made yourself a skirt! YOU WILL NEED Printed fabric, as per your body measurements (see Step 1) Extra fabric for the waistband, your waist measurement plus a 1.5cm (58in) seam allowance at each end Zip, 15cm (6in) in length Sewing machine and matching thread Hand-sewing needle Trick marker Pencil Scissors Tape measure Pins Iron INSTRUCTIONS 1. Start with a square of fabric measuring no less than 1x1m(40x40in) – the exact size will depend on your waist measurements and the desired length. I chose my fabric to measure 115 x 115cm (46 x 46in), as I want my skirt to be a mini length. 2. With the right sides facing, fold your fabric in half, then in quarters. 3. To […]

Mar 16

by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative, Interview 0 comments tags: Gretel Parker, Handmade, Needle Felting

Gretel Parker – Interview

Gretel Parker invites us into a miniature wonderland where pink cats perch, geese zoom around on wheels and elegant ladybirds don handbags and rouge. But how are these fantastical creatures made? Gretel uses the little-known art of needle felting – for the uninitiated, this involves taking a handful of wool and jabbing it repeatedly with a needle until it takes form – to bring her little animals to life. To see the technique in action, have a look at the video tutorial on her website. Bibelot joined Gretel to talk about the healing power of creativity and how to avoid stabbing yourself in the finger. 1. What first attracted you to needle felting? Frankly, I wasn’t at all interested in it at all to begin with. Previously, I was a freelance illustrator and artist. My speciality was painting old imaginary toys, which I often posted pictures of on my blog. I had a few comments suggesting that I should ‘needle felt’ them. This was back in 2008, when needle felt was only just beginning to trickle over to the UK and very few people knew about it – including me. I did some Googling and wasn’t impressed with what I saw. […]

Mar 14

by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative, Guests 0 comments tags: Artists, Ceramics, Festival, SIT Select, Textiles, Workshops

SIT Select

SIT select is an exciting busy arts organisation based in Stroud in the Cotswolds. It focuses on the applied arts and crafts and is passionate about promoting and profiling contemporary artists both local and national and emerging new talent as well as established big international names such as Ptolemy Mann, Matthew Harris, Mary Butcher, Carole Waller, Cleo Mussi to name a few of the hundreds of artists who have exhibited and been a part of the SIT select programme over the 10 years it has been running. The job of running a successful busy organisation such as SIT select, is varied, creative and can, at times, be challenging. There are deadlines to meet as well as the demanding and difficult job of fundraising. We are mainly funded by the wonderful Arts Council England but recent cuts to the arts mean that nothing is a given. Renishaw plc is a sponsor and their recognition for innovative design and creative skills is a welcome addition. SIT select director Lizzi Walton: ‘’We run an annual festival that takes place every May with a month of exhibitions, events, workshops, talks, a conference and a recent addition of selected films. We partner with […]

Mar 07

by bibelotm_wp in Art, Creative, Interview 0 comments tags: Illustration, Megan Reddi, Screen Printing

Megan Reddi – Interview

We caught up with Birmingham-based illustrator Megan Reddi to find out more about her passions for print, pens and her adorable pooches. How would you describe your work to someone who hasn’t seen it before?  Probably quirky and colourful, with lots of texture. I try to avoid depicting things exactly as they should be – I like my work to be a bit playful! What feelings, subjects or concepts inspire you as an artist?  I’m really inspired by printed textures. I work a lot with screen printing and I love going through my old mis-printed items and squirrelling them away to cut up and use within my illustrations! Other than that, I’m inspired by those weird little thoughts and ideas that pop into your head during the day when you’re not really thinking about anything in particular. How does your creative process work?  I still feel a bit ‘new’ when it comes to illustration, so my process is constantly developing at the moment! Right now, I’m trying to find a comfortable balance between working traditionally and digitally. I usually start with my brush pen and my sketchbook where I’ll work really loosely to flesh out some basic […]

Mar 04

by bibelotm_wp in Creative, Guests, Read 1 comments tags: Books, Branding, Children's Books, Design, Illustration, Interiors

Beautiful Books: March

Hello again! I’m back with the second edition of my Beautiful Books column – a monthly round-up of some treasured titles from my ever-growing collection of illustrated books. The first two months of the year always feel like a bit of a slog to me – it’s cold and wet and not in the fun festive way I love at Christmas. This section of the year just seems to go on and on… but then March comes. Bringing with it promises of Spring and an air of positivity and excitement, the start of Spring is the perfect time to launch a design project and I hope my March book list inspires you to go on your own creative adventure this Spring! How to Style Your Brand A few weeks ago I launched my very own creative venture – a new design blog by the name of Headless Greg – and whilst designing the new site, I found Fiona Humberstone’s How to Style Your Brand to be an invaluable resource. When planning any new design project with lots of elements to think about it can be easy to get mentally overwhelmed but worry not as Fiona’s best-selling book guides you […]

Feb 26

by bibelotm_wp in Creative, Interview, Read 0 comments tags: Children's Books, Ella Bailey, Flying Eye Books, Illustration, Illustrator, Nobrow

Ella Bailey – Interview

Today we chat to Nottingham-based Illustrator Ella Bailey, who’s big break came when she wrote and illustrated children’s book ‘There’s No Such Thing’ for innovative publisher Flying Eye Books, the children’s imprint of award-winning publishing house Nobrow. She’s since published a second, ‘One Day on Our Blue Planet… In The Antarctic’, and has already collected an impressive client list under her belt. Ella talks picture books, cats and ketchup with Bibelot… 1. How would you describe your work to someone who hasn’t seen it before? I would say that I take a lot of inspiration from illustration and design from the 50s and 60s, so my work often has a retro feel to it. I love using limited colour palettes combined with fresh, contemporary colours. Wide-eyed characters, of both the human and animal variety, feature often in my illustrations. 2. Describe your working routine – studio, kitchen table, caffeinated beverage of choice, music, silence? I have a desk, which is mainly dominated by my computer and tablet, tucked away in the corner of a room. My work is mainly digital, so that is often all I need to get things done! There is always a minimum of one […]

Feb 22

by bibelotm_wp in Creative, Fashion, Interview 0 comments tags: Nick Ozanne, Scarves, Silk, Weave, Weaving

Nick Ozanne – Interview

Today we catch up with weaver Nick Ozanne, the man behind the luxury brand Leto & Ariadne. He’s an award-winner, a workaholic, and a 1980’s film buff. Like his scarves, he is also something of a timeless piece, full of old-school elegance and charm. We wanted to find out more about Nick’s working life and how he manages his growing business. 1. Hello Nick. So tell us, have you always been a weaver of beautiful things? I can’t say that I have always been a weaver of beautiful things or a weaver at all. I did elect to study weave at the Winchester School of Art but at the time the subject hadn’t really gelled with me and I just never hit my stride during my three years of study. I actually graduated declaring that I was never going to weave again. 2. How did you rediscover the joys of weaving? Years later when I was working in London in a very different career I woke up one morning feeling that I would like to try weaving again. This came on the heels of a fairly traumatic time in my life that culminated with the death of my Father. […]

Feb 19

by bibelotm_wp in Competition, Craft, Creative, Interview 5 comments tags: Earrings, Handmade, Jewellery, Lasercut, Lorelai, Necklace, Win

Lorelai Halls – Interview + Competition!

Colour, pattern and 60’s kitsch; a groovy new jewellery brand inspired by all things retro – we’re sold! Lorelai shares her future ambitions, guilty pleasures, and what she’s learned about running a creative business, with Bibelot. 1. What was the first piece of jewellery you ever made? In primary school, I used to make earrings and necklaces from small toys and other bits and bobs. Once I dismantled a necklace full of fruit charms to make in to earrings, which I then sold to my friends for £1 a pair. So I guess it’s only natural that I gravitated back towards jewellery making as an adult. 2. The 60s and 70s clearly influence your work. What is it about the past that captures your imagination? I have always loved vintage styles in clothing and homewares and I particularly love the Sixties and Seventies because of all the bright colours and psychedelic patterns. I shop in vintage and charity shops for all of my clothes and home decor, and I take a lot of my design inspiration from my own collection as well as from museums and other vintage collectors’ Instagram accounts! 3. What is your creative space like? […]

Feb 10

by bibelotm_wp in Creative, Interview 0 comments tags: Illustration, Illustrator, Nobrow, Paul Blow, The New York Times

Paul Blow – Interview

Provocative and thought provoking, Paul Blow is an illustrator whose work has a striking graphic style, and trademark wit. His work has appeared internationally in a variety of projects for an extensive and impressive client list. We had a chat with the award winning, dorset-based illustrator to learn about his childhood inspirations, skills for rapping 80’s hip hop tunes (Freeze… Rock!), and how juggling gets him out of a creative block. 1. What’s the first piece of art you can remember making? It was 1980 and the film Grease was out with John Travolta, all the girls loved him and all the boys wanted to be him. I made a drawing from the cover of the John Travolta annual. I didn’t trace it I just looked and drew. I was so pleased with it I pinned it to my wall next to my bed so that when I woke up it was the first thing I saw. I was 9. 2. Describe your working routine – studio, kitchen table, caffeinated beverage of choice, music, silence? I work from a studio in an old rope making factory, so the studios are long. When I’m working on ideas – silence and […]

Feb 01

by bibelotm_wp in Creative 1 comments tags: Crowdfunding campaign, Dolls house, Paper, Print, Retro toys, Spot-lithography, The Printed Peanut

Up My Street – The Printed Peanut

Illustrator Louise Lockhart from The Printed Peanut has created a paper dolls house inspired by 1960s decor and mid-century furniture design. The super-stylish house is crammed full of nostalgia, with illustrated details, including Ercol daybeds and Eames chairs, and is guaranteed to be a hit with art and design buffs. Each one even comes complete with cut out people and pets! Louise has started to crowdfunding campaign to print the house in Great Britain by old fashioned spot-lithography. Help Louise to raise enough money to cover the printing costs so she can get these sweet toys produced in a timeless and beautiful way, by pre-ordering yours now www.crowdfunder.co.uk/paper-dolls-house www.theprintedpeanut.co.uk Chloë Owens

Jan 25

by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative 2 comments tags: Ecommerce, Website design

9 Mistakes That Crafters Make With Their Online Shops

As a person that makes a living out of your work, it’s important that your website supports you by acting as a sales channel, showing the world what you do and putting your products in their best light. At We Make Websites, I’ve had the joy of working with many different designer-maker businesses and of learning about the tremendous work that goes on at charities like Cockpit Arts and Craft Central. The designer-makers I’ve met over the past 6 years running a web agency have always been interesting, fun and dedicated to their passion. The question we have to answer is: how do we convey that online? Your website needs to do justice to the work you create. I’ve seen hundreds of designer-maker websites and here are the most common mistakes I see. Most are missing key elements that would otherwise generate instant business. 1. Not being clear about the proposition All businesses need strong clear selling point. As a crafter, yours will be related to the unique design and production of the items you sell, so this needs to be clearly explained in a short sentence on the homepage. Ideally this sentence should also touch on the […]

Jan 22

by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative, Interview 0 comments tags: Ceramics, Clay, Illustration, Jen Collins

Jen Collins – Interview

Toronto-based illustrator Jen Collins’ work is expressive, narrative-rich and full of childlike charm. In fairytale fashion, Jen’s illustrations have more recently popped out from the flat pages of a sketchbook and into wonderful three-dimensional ceramic characters and objects. All made by hand and glazed using non-toxic materials. We caught up with Jen to talk about children’s books, guilty pleasures and the challenges she faced translating her illustrations into clay. 1. What’s the first piece of art you remember making? I can’t specifically recall the first piece of art I made, but I do distinctly remember that one of my favourite things about colouring books was the two empty pages found on the inside of the covers – this part was my chance to draw an image to colour in. 2. Describe your working routine – studio, kitchen table, caffeinated beverage of choice, music, silence? For the first time in 20 years or so, I don’t have my own desk set up at home. Our current apartment is too small for my boyfriend and I to have a desk each. However, since I spend my weekdays at a ceramics studio, it’s nice to come home and not feel the […]

Dec 11

by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative, Interview 0 comments tags: Embroidery, Liz Payne

Liz Payne – Interview

It’s guaranteed to be a g’day when you lay eyes on the bright and very beautiful work of embroidery artist Liz Payne. We couldn’t wait to talk to the award-winning Sydney-based stitcher to find out more. 1. What’s the first piece of art you can remember making? Oh heaps of different things! I was lucky to be surrounded by a lot of various creative practises growing up – I remember making a huge mess painting (some things haven’t changed!) I also remember swimming around in piles of my Mum’s fabric and beads, and making jewellery and clothes for my dolls. 2. How would you describe your work to someone who hasn’t seen it before? Very colourful hand embroidered textiles, hopefully unlike anything you’ve seen before! 3. Describe your working routine – studio, kitchen table, caffeinated beverage of choice, music, silence? I work from home in my studio (which is really just our spare bedroom!) but I spread out all over the house, kitchen table, dining table – there are piles of wool and sequins everywhere, and my dog is always covered in bright coloured thread! I like to work with music in the background and […]

Nov 23

by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative 0 comments tags: Handmade, Instagram, Lucky Dip Club

Lucky Dip Club Meet Up

This month the first EVER Lucky Dip Club Meet Up happened at The Hoxton Hotel and it was set to be a night filled with the kind of fun that this particular Club specialises in; rainbows, popping candy, kittens – you know the drill. Featuring workshops with some of the hottest names on the scene, we knew this event would be irresistible and that we absolutely had to take a look. The lineup featured pompom making with Caboodle magazine, retro brooch painting with Hollie Harris, unicorn marshmallow decorating (and mostly eating) with B from with Nugget and Mallow, and superbly kitsch kitten decorating with In Twos and Threes. With Kelly of Sun Jellies fame on party bag duty, our lives were complete. At The Hoxton we discovered a room filled with people who knew one another by their creative work and the Instagram community, rather than in REAL life. It was everything we had hoped it would be; Lucky Dip Club came to life in a world of candy floss, pastel paints and huge happy mantras floating like flags. We overheard people being addressed by their Instagram handles and girls getting to know one another around wonderfully overcrowded tables, […]

Nov 18

by melinosa in Craft, Creative, Interview 1 comments tags: Christmas, Kirstie Allsopp, The Handmade Fair

Paint the Town Red with Annie Sloan – Interview

Visiting The Handmade Fair at Hampton Court this summer, it was clear that all the onlookers- ourselves included- were irresistibly drawn to Annie Sloan’s stand, regardless of whether ‘paint formulation’ is something they had ever considered before. It was a rainbow of beautifully curated painted furniture alongside sold out workshops throughout the show, it has come as no surprise to learn that she is back for another installment at The Handmade Fair this Christmas. A paint and colour expert, with unique formulations and decorative style, Annie launched her Chalk Paint back in 1990 with huge success; although it is only more recently that she has exploded in to the mainstream consciousness and placed her brand firmly at the forefront of current influential trends. We caught up with Annie to ask her about The Handmade Fair, the Seventies and what she’s doing when she’s not setting trends… 1. Annie, you have amazing world roots stretching from Australia, to Cuba, to Africa and back again. To what extent do you feel this background has influenced your sense of colour and your decorative approach? It most certainly gives you perspective when it comes to styling and decorating a space. I see it […]

Nov 13

by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative, Inside The Artists Studio 0 comments

Inside The Artists Studio – ChiliPhilly

Most people use social media for selfies and cat pictures. Not so Phil Ferguson. Inspired by Melbourne’s foodie culture, he rediscovered a dormant love of granny’s favourite crafting technique, and started crocheting colourful food headpieces that are as witty as they are wacky. His Instagram account, featuring the artist deadpanning as he’s transformed into a hamburger or piece of sushi, makes for joyous viewing. Bibelot sits down for a yarn with ChiliPhilly. 1. How and when did you discover the joys of crochet? A few years ago I taught myself from Youtube. I studied Fine Art so I already had crochet as a skill set, but I didn’t do it as much as I have been within the last year or so. 2. Tell us about your creative routine – do you work in a studio or at the kitchen table, what’s your caffeinated beverage of choice, do you listen to music or work in silence? I drink a lot of coffee and just sit in my room with something playing! I sometimes work in silence because it helps me work within a time period, sometimes listening to something distracts me and I take longer than I should! […]

Nov 11

by bibelotm_wp in Creative, Interview 2 comments

Kitten & Co – Interview

The Handmade Christmas Fair is back! Floral designer, stylist and horticulturist Kitten Grayson will be appearing alongside Kirstie Allsopp next weekend. Inspired by nature and the gifts each season brings, Kitten started her floral empire in 2007. We had a chat with her to learn find out what flower she’d choose to be, dreams of living in a tree house and how she enjoys saving Minnie Mouse in her spare time… 1. Where did your fascination for all things floral stem? My love and fascination with nature started at a very young age. Growing up on a farm in Somerset, I became obsessed with Butterflies; their colours and the way that they move. The romance of them is so beautiful and I love to bring this naivety into my work. I’ve always dreamed of living in a tree house – this is yet to be fulfilled! 2. When are you happiest? I am at my happiest when I am surrounded in my workshop full of flowers and plants, ready to make something beautiful to be shared with others. 3. You work with a lot of gorgeous fragrances, which scents conjure up the happiest memories for you? When I was 17 I lived on a Cattle Ranch in Oregon, […]

Nov 06

by melinosa in Creative, Interview 0 comments

Natalie Foss – Interview

After gratuating with a degree in illustration at Kingston University in London, Norwegian illustrator Natalie Foss is now based in Oslow. Her magical, dream-like illustrations are meloncholy and beautiful, and drawn in intricate detail, primarily with colouring pencils. She tells us what inspires her work, of future aspirations, and how she’d spend her perfect day. 1. How would you describe your work to someone who hasn’t seen it before? That’s a good question! My work consists mainly of portraits of women and girls. I mix details with flat colours, and I often work with a limited palette. My work is colourful, a little bit melancholic/sad, and a little bit fresh too. It’s kind of bright, but also dark! 2. What’s the first piece of art you can remember making? I don’t really remember! But I do remember that a guy in kindergarten bit my hand when I reached out for my coloured pencils. I’m glad it didn’t scare me from drawing more! 3. Which book illustrations have stayed with you from childhood/influenced you? There aren’t really any book illustrations that have influenced me, not as far as I can remember. But I really loved Hans Christian […]

Oct 05

by bibelotm_wp in Creative, Interview 0 comments tags: Creative Spaces, Interior Design, pattern

Mini Moderns – Interview

Keith Stephenson and Mark Hampshire understand the power of pattern like no-one else. Launched in 2006, their interiors brand Mini Moderns specialises in bold and quintessentially English designs for wallpapers, fabrics, and ceramics. With influences ranging from literature and records to childhood memories, their nostalgic homeware will make you feel as if you’re living in a Penguin paperback novel, and has led to commissions from the likes of TFL. Another collaboration led to the recent launch of their eye-catching enamelware range, perfect for a chic camping trip as well as brightening up your kitchen. The pair cite their shared love of ‘field trips’ as a source of inspiration. Bibelot met up with Mini Moderns to listen to records, play boardgames, and pick up some sound business tips for aspiring designers. 1. Tell us something about yourself that might surprise people. Unusually, Mark and I were both at college in Newcastle at exactly the same time. Mark was at the University studying English and I was at, what was then, the Polytechnic doing a degree in Graphics. But we never met. When we met in London, about 10 years later, we realised that we had the same friends in common […]

Sep 30

by melinosa in Creative, Interview 0 comments

Takashi Iwasaki – Interview

Japanese-born visual artist Takashi Iwasaki creates stunning and vibrant works, each piece is like a dream-like adventure inside his imagination – abstract but not without meaning. After studying English and Fine Art in Canada, he now calls the city home. He tells Bibelot what it was like growing up in Japan, plans of future collaborations, and what he’d do if he could travel in a time machine… 1. What’s the first piece of art you can remember making? I remember making a lot of origami pieces when I was little, though it probably wasn’t the very first piece in my life. But as far as my memory goes, I remember that more clearly than other things. Some of the instructions on my origami book were too advanced for my age back then, and I didn’t finish some of them, even after hours of struggle. My mom keeps a few of my early drawings from when I was two or three or so in photo albums. I don’t quite remember drawing them, but they’re there as evidence. I drew them on the back of my dad’s blueprints. My dad used to work in architectural projects and brought home a lot of […]

Sep 23

by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative, Interview, Learn 0 comments

Jonna Saarinen – Interview + Tutorial

Designer and screen printer Jonna Saarinen is not bashful when it comes to colour and pattern. Her beautiful eco-printed and sustainably sourced textiles are inspired by happy memories of summers spent by the sea in southwest Finland. As well as her Hundreds and Thousands collection, Jonna will be showcasing a 4 metre one-off piece at this months London Design festival, Tent. She also shares with us an exclusive silk screen tutorial, which you’ll find at the end of this interview. Come with us for a peek behind the screens, and hear of her love for Mid Century architecture, memories by the seaside and dreams of discussing top hats with Moomin Papa and Ringo Starr… 1. Your Hundreds and Thousands collection is all about memories and the experiences you had growing up by the sea in Finland. How do you think this collection would compare to the new memories you’ve made since living in London? I think the London collection would be just as busy, colourful and happy! The memories here are also about growing up, but actually finding my feet as an adult as I was only eighteen years old when I moved over. As a grown up my adventures have been different to the ones I […]

Sep 21

by bibelotm_wp in Creative, Interview 0 comments

Esther Aarts – Interview

We simply adore the retro creations of Netherlands-based illustrator Esther Aarts. We caught up with her to find out more about her inspirations, techniques and why she flings herself around on trampolines in her spare time. 1. What feelings, subjects or concepts inspire you as an artist? Living things, especially humans, and the way they express themselves through their posture and body language. More recently, I’m exploring how body language manifests itself through spoken language. So I enjoy playing with visceral words such as “wrung out” “schlepping” and “buoyed”. 2. Your illustrations are influenced by traditional printing techniques such as Mimeograph. Tell us a little bit about this technique. Mimeograph is the technical predecessor of the (currently trendy) Risograph printing method. I learned about it through local printing house Extrapool, who started working with this method in the 80s. It was a gritty technique considered obsolete at that point. Colours are limited, registration not tight. (The Riso is technically similar, although more advanced.) When designing for these machines one has to be flexible, yield to the whims of the contraption. I love the raw, colour intense, limited palette results. 3. What 5 things can’t you live without? Chilli peppers. […]

Sep 09

by bibelotm_wp in Art, Craft, Creative, Interview 0 comments

Poppy Chancellor – Interview

London based papercut artist, Poppy Chancellor is running with scissors to create something unique in the craft world. She’ll be appearing alongside Kirstie Allsopp at this Summers Handmade Fair at Hampton Court, sharing some of her impressive skills in workshops over the weekend. We asked the cutting edge illustrator about her influences, inspirations and paper related injuries… 1. What is it about paper as a medium to work with that appeals to you? I love that it’s a cheap everyday object that people often disregard. Paper is such a familiar thing to us, something that we’d probably just chuck in the bin. I enjoy that I can elevate it and turn it into something really beautiful. 2. Tell us something about yourself that might surprise people. My best friend growing up was my pet duck. 3. Who or what were your early influences and how has your life/upbringing influenced your work? My early influences were shadow theatres and silhouettes. When I was at uni I discovered Pollock’s Toy Museum just off Tottenham Court Road. I often visit to see their Polish papercut collection and admire the paper theatres. My upbringing was very ramshackle. No rules […]

Sep 07

by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative, Learn 0 comments

Washi Tape Chest Tutorial by Hester Van Overbeek

Painting furniture can seem daunting, as once you have painted a piece of wood, it feels like there is no way back. (There is, of course, but it involves a lot of sanding!) In addition, you might not know which colors you want to live with, so testing out a non-permanent color scheme can only be good. In these cases, cue the washi tape! This tape is easy to remove, so it’s the perfect partner for the craft beginner or the fickle of mind. Simply stick the tape to a chest of drawers to create great geometric patterns that almost look painted on. Materials Chest of drawers Washi tape Scissors 1. Gather together your tapes – I use washi tape a lot, so I keep the reels close to hand in a big basket on my desk. 2. Have a look at which colors go well together. Here I’m decorating four drawers, so I want four colors that complement each other. By lining up the reels of tape next to each other, you can decide which combinations you like best. 3. Start sticking lengths of tape to your drawer, making different sized triangles, […]

Aug 31

by bibelotm_wp in Creative, Interview 0 comments

Mai Ly Degnan – Interview

We caught up with Baltimore based illustrator Mai Ly Degnan, who’s intricate illustrations immerse you into a fantastical world of dream-like scenery and eerie humour. She tells us of her creative inspirations, of a new found love of cooking and how she’d like to be remembered as a happy pug lady. 1. What feelings, subjects or concepts inspire you as an artist? Much of my work is inspired by humor, relationships, childhood nostalgia, and awkwardness. I enjoy finding ways to make unfortunate events humorous using overly angsty stylized characters in everyday situations. 2. Describe your working routine – studio, kitchen table, caffeinated beverage of choice, music, silence? My working routine usually begins with a cup of coffee in my studio, and then slowly migrates to my coffee table in the living room, which is conveniently placed in front of the television. I really enjoy meaningless background noise when I work, so the trashier the tv show, the better. 3. How do you combat creative blocks? To combat creative blocks, I usually have to step away from whatever I am working on, decaffeinate… and turn on a movie I’ve seen a million times before. Buffalo 66 is usually my […]

Aug 24

by bibelotm_wp in Creative, Interview 0 comments

Alice Potter – Interview

Alice Potter is an illustrator with a passion for pattern and colour. She tells us of her inspirations, how she divides her time living in two different cities, and her aspirations for the future. 1. What’s the first piece of art you can remember making? I have strange distinct memories of making a brown clay lidded box, with a cross handle and dog on top. It was very rustic. I’m sure my mum loved it, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s still stored away somewhere. 2. Which book illustrations have stayed with you from childhood/influenced you? Reading was a big part of my upbringing. I would get through a lot of books as a child, and as a young child I read a lot of Roald Dahl and Beatrix Potter. Quentin Blake’s illustrations are erratic and capture the life of the stories so well. Other illustrators that have stuck with me are J.R.R.Tolkein’s. I first read The Hobbit when I was 10 and a few years later started The Lord of the Rings. I adore the world he created. 3. You’re self taught, with no formal illustration training. Tell us more about your journey, do you […]

Aug 12

by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative, Lists, Read, Reviews 0 comments

Paper Only – Review

Paper Only by The Papered Parlour includes 20 varied and beautifully written tutorials teaching you how to make everything from delicate paper roses and wreaths, to printed wrapping paper and origami bows. Since being founded in 2009, The Papered Parlour has hosted experimental workshops, critically acclaimed masterclasses and mini festivals, welcoming thousands of participants to their craft-centric events. Their passion for crafting, and adoration for paper and its versatility, shines through on each page of Paper Only. With this, their debut book, The Papered Parlour endeavoured to create more than just a craft book – they wanted to create a book about creativity, pushing the boundaries of paper-craft whilst simultaneously encouraging creativity. Below is a list of five reasons which make Paper Only much more than your average craft book: 1. Personality Unlike some books, the goal is not to create exactly what is on the page but rather to adopt The Papered Parlour’s messy, carefree way of working; take some artistic risks, experiment, let your artistic flare go wild and see what happens! This experimental approach injects excitement into each challenge and means that 20 tasks can in fact create an endless amount of unique, personality-filled crafted […]

Aug 10

by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative, Fashion, Interview 0 comments

I Love Crafty – Interview

Laura Hunter lives in a rainbow-hued world, complete with iridescent flowers, shiny cats and glittery treasures. We caught up with the Disney loving jewellery maker, entrepreneur and all round lovely lady to find out how her passion for fairy tales and all things crafty, have served as inspiration. 1. What was the first piece of jewellery you ever made? It was a necklace for a Christmas present to my sister. It had a bird that could move around the chain and a tree so it looked like it was flying away. She loved it so much she suggested I sell them! I guess I owe her a lot of necklaces since then! 2. Tell us about your typical working day. My typical day works around my daughter and how many naps she takes! I tend to start the working day with coffee, replying to emails then making and packing up orders. In the afternoon I might pop out for more coffee and sketch some designs but I work best at night really, it’s when I have my best ideas! 3. How do you balance family life with your business? It’s really tricky and something I think […]

Aug 03

by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative, Interview 1 comments

Little Birdy – Interview + Competition!

We swooped by for a flying visit with a creative little finch who’s been ruffling feathers in the craft world, creating colourful and curious creatures out of porcelain, and hand painting each one individually – No two are exactly alike. The sky’s the limit for this determined Little Birdy, so we found out what’s inspiring her work, what it’s like to be a finch, and why she enjoys nothing more than squidging clay. 1. What’s the first piece of art you can remember making? The first thing I remember doing creatively was taking a pair of scissors and giving the Venetian blinds a fringe effect much to my mothers horror, aged four! My father was a painter so I was used to the sight and smell of oil paint and paintings, but I was more interested in making little television sets out of paper with slits in so I could pull a paper ‘film reel’ of images I’d drawn through, instead of painting. However, I can’t remember a time that I wasn’t being creative in some capacity or other. 2. What first attracted you to working with clay? The texture! As soon as I felt it I was hooked! I find it equally addictive and […]

Jul 31

by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative, Interview 0 comments

Lucky Dip Club – Interview

Take some handmade crafts, add a selection of colourful curiosities and a sprinkling of handpicked personalised presents, package it all up with pretty papers and ribbons, and what do you get? A sell-out membership that goes by the name of Lucky Dip Club. Thrifter-extraordinaire Leona Baker, aka Leona Thrift-ola, is the mastermind behind the subscription service where you receive a wondrous box of surprises on your doormat each month. Makes a change from bills and junk mail eh? We caught up with Leona and discovered how a thirst for thrifting and a hunger for all things handmade have served as inspiration. 1. What sort of objects are you drawn to? I love thrifting objects that have a novelty, fun and colourful character. I’m drawn to them because they look like they have a story to tell and I fill my studio with all sorts of things to inspire me when I’m creating products for Lucky Dip Club. 2. Why do you think people are so drawn to kitsch? Are we all ‘big kids’ these days? Haha! I think we are! I’m drawn to nostalgia when it comes to patterns, colours and materials that existed in my childhood […]

Jul 27

by bibelotm_wp in Creative, Guests 0 comments tags: Creative Spaces, Decorate, Interior Design, Nooks

Defining the Undefined Space

Every house has one: an awkward corner (or a bit of “blah”) in an otherwise well-dressed room. So what’s the solution? A seriously show-stopping nook, that’s what! You don’t need a lot of physical space to create an environment which fills your heart with joy and relaxation. All you really need is to designate an area and furnish it with things you love. The first step is deciding what your area will be used for, as this will determine what you need to include. You may want a spot to place your essentials when you come through the door, a space that you can flop down in with a book or magazine, or perhaps you’d like a defined work/create space in part of a larger room. Here are some easily implementable ideas: Create a bold, colourful reading nook In this teensy reading nook, a bright area rug has been used as the base for a really fun and colourful corner, making the space seem much larger. The cane chair is the perfect size for the space and all the open wicker means that it creates light in what could otherwise be a dark and unused corner. Adding lots […]

Jul 24

by bibelotm_wp in Art, Craft, Creative, Interview 0 comments

Kitty McCall – Interview

We chatted to print designer Catherine Nice about Ireland, aspirations and the success of her interiors and accessories brand, Kitty McCall. 1. There are loads of things we fancy on your website – what’s your best-selling piece? It’s a tie between the Matisse and Rousseau Butterfly. 2. If you could only choose one colour to represent yourself, what would it be? Green – every shade of green! 3. Being an artist and textile designer sounds like a dream job – are there any downsides? Not for me. Getting to do what I Love everyday and see other people love it too is such an amazing feeling. 4. What’s your ultimate ambition as an artist/designer? To create something that other people get joy from. 5. You say on your website that you like old patterns. What’s you favourite past era for design? For artwork inspiration I’m a huge fan of the Bauhaus and De Stijl movements, butI also love mid-century modern furniture. The chairs from that era are fantastic for reupholstery. 6. What’s your most treasured possession? My children. 7. Where’s your favourite place in Ireland? Blackrock. 8. As […]

Jul 20

by bibelotm_wp in Art, Creative, Interview 0 comments

Jade Spranklen – Interview

We first discovered Jade Spranklen, aka Sprankenstein, through an Instagram hashtag #Instasprank. A super-cool project she’s currently working on doodling monsters, colourful patterns and weird creatures over the top of Instagram photos. Her eerie and sinister characters are reminiscent of the scribbles found in John Lennon’s sketchbooks, and the bizarre characters in Miyazaki’s animations. She tells us of her dreams of becoming the next female Tim Burton, of strange childhood habits and what’s inspiring her work right now. 1. Tell us something about yourself that might surprise people I have to eat a handful of raw pasta at least once a day. A daft (and really unhealthy) habit I have carried with me from childhood! Oh, and I dream about the world ending most nights of the week *big sigh*. 2. What do you like to do when you’re not illustrating? I am also a bassist, so I like to spend time playing and writing nit-bits of riffs and songs. Although, I get distracted VERY easily all the time and just go in to my own world. This means I always have parts of ideas for songs here, there and everywhere just floating around like dust, waiting to […]

Jul 13

by bibelotm_wp in Competition, Creative, Interview, Vintage 49 comments

Play Purse – Interview + Competition!

Sometimes a product takes on a life of its own! The star of the Item No design collection was an adult-sized version of a childhood favourite – the colourful beaded purse we kept our pocket money in. The breakaway piece is going from strength to strength, with an ever-expanding range of sizes and hues. The London-based designer behind the brainwave talks nostalgia, cracker toys and stylish dolls with Bibelot. 1. Tell us about the story and inspiration behind Play Purse. When I was little I only ever wanted to go to the gift shop, never the actual museum. And when I was six I stole a Troll Doll from someone at school and told my mum that I had found it at the bottom of my bed when I woke up in the morning. She seemed to believe me. I was totally drawn to novelties and souvenirs, vending machine toys and cracker prizes. That aesthetic has stayed with me and has been the inspiration behind Play Purse. Play Purse started off as No. 5 in an ongoing design collection called Item No (itemno.co.uk) but broke off as its own project. Item No. 4 is a watch-strap style leather cuff printed with the picture […]

Jul 01

by bibelotm_wp in Art, Creative, Interview 0 comments

Nanna Prieler – Interview

We caught up with Vienna-based illustrator and graphic designer Nanna Prieler to find out what inspires her work. 1. How would you describe your work to someone who hasn’t seen it before? I would say it’s a colourful reflection of a strange girls mind. 2. Tell us about the techniques you use to create your illustrations. The main part happens with photoshop, on the computer. I only need the path tool on different layers to create. But the sketch is the heart of every illustration. Without doodling it wouldn’t work. 3. When are you happiest? Lost in thought whilst doodling in nature, enjoying barbecue’s with a glass of tasty wine and sleeping in a tent. 4. Which book illustrations have stayed with you from childhood/influenced you? There is one decisive book who has accompanied me since my childhood. It’s Eric Carles classic ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar“. I have been fascinated and influenced by its style since I was a little girl. 5. You’ve worked on some very cool graphic design projects. What’s next for you and who would be your dream client? Oh, thank you. There are exciting projects planned in the near future; Logo design for an […]

Jun 29

by bibelotm_wp in Art, Competition, Creative, Interview 0 comments

Yasmin Mason – Interview – PLUS Illustration Competition!

Yasmin Mason is an illustrator with a passion for all things pertaining to art and papery goods. Bibelot asks where she draws her inspiration. 1. How would you describe your work to someone who hasn’t seen it before? Colourful and probably somewhat offbeat, without being too self-consciously ‘quirky’. 2. What’s the first piece of art you can remember making? I’m not sure I remember much of the actual making, but I know there’s a collage somewhere in the house called ‘Boy Holding the Moon’ that’s dated 1997. I haven’t seen it in a while but as I recall it’s made of different coloured scraps of paper with some perforated metallic blue plastic stuff in there somewhere. 3. When are you happiest? Artistically speaking, there are two moments. The first is when you manage to produce something which comes close to measuring up to the vision you had in your head for the piece. The second is kind of the opposite, when you have a ‘happy accident’ or an experiment that turns out better than expected. Both can be very satisfying. 4. Do you have a favourite subject to illustrate? Not as such, but, having done a couple of portraits […]

Jun 19

by bibelotm_wp in Creative, Interview 0 comments

Ashley Le Quere – Interview

Illustrator, pattern maker, and self-confessed crazy cat lady Ashley Le Quere shares with us her penchant for pens, punting and paint brushes… 1. What’s the first piece of art you can remember making? I remember being in primary school, it was near Christmas, we were drawing cards to give to our mums and I had drawn an angel on the front of mine, she had no neck, her arms came straight out of the bottom of her head and her body was a triangle! So weird how you see things when you’re a kid! 2. Which book illustrations have stayed with you from childhood/influenced you? I think the books that I remember most, that have definitely influenced the way I draw, would have to be Roald Dahl’s books and the illustrations by Quentin Blake. Roald Dahl’s books are so imaginative, I still find them fascinating! 3. You’ve admitted to being a crazy cat lady, do you have a feline friend who keeps you company while you work? At the moment I am living in a house with a really cute dog, called Charlie – he keeps me distracted most of the time! But I would love a cat… for […]

Jun 17

by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative, Learn, Make 0 comments

Fresh Flower Chandelier Tutorial by Clare Youngs

The little bottles that feature in this project are easy to find if you look at online stores for flower arranging and wedding favours. Hung from a wire base and filled with a pretty mix of fresh flowers they make a truly stunning decoration. Be sure to use thick wire—the bottles have water and can get heavy. Materials Thick wire Tape measure Wire cutters Bullnose pliers Thin wire 5 small glass bottles Fresh flowers 1 Cut a length of thick wire measuring 33 in. (84 cm). Bend the wire to form a ring and use pliers to bend a small loop at one end and a small hook at the other end. Place the hook into the loop, and squeeze together to secure. 2 Cut two lengths of thick wire measuring 1 1⁄4 in. (3 cm) more than the diameter of the ring you made in Step 1. Use pliers to wrap one end of the first wire around the wire ring—I started at the join. 3 Stretch the wire across the ring and wrap the opposite end around the ring. Trim off any extra wire. 4 Rotate the wire ring by 90 […]

Jun 15

by bibelotm_wp in Art, Creative, Inside The Artists Studio, Interview 0 comments

Inside The Artist’s Studio – Lally Macbeth

We get a glimpse into the magnificent and many-splendoured studio of artist Lally Macbeth. Come with us for a gander and learn how an up-bringing in the wild and windy landscapes of Ireland, and an appetite for all things bordering on the bizarre has shaped her creative work. Enter Lady Macbeth… 1. We love your use of bright and bold colours in your work. Which artists/designers inspire you most? I’ve always been a bit of a visual magpie; I’m constantly on the lookout for new artists and designers both contemporary and historical. At the moment I’m feeling really inspired by the work of the late 19th century photographer and painter Alfonse Van Besten he created beautiful dreamlike photographs- very painterly in their style. There are also people who I constantly refer back to: Collier Campbell, Matisse, Niki De Saint Phalle, Kim MacConnel, Sonia Delaunay – mainly artists / designers who use(d) lots of colour and pattern! 2. Tell us something about yourself that might surprise people. I grew up in Southern Ireland. It’s such a beautiful landscape; windswept and wild. I constantly see its influence in my work – my interest in folklore particularly. Cornwall, where I live now, is similar in many […]

Jun 01

by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative, Learn, Make 0 comments

How to: Make a Felt Ball Garland

Hilda decides to spruce things up a bit… Materials you will need A towel Wool tops for felting A bottle of warm soapy water A bowl of clean water Embroidery floss (thread) 1 Hilda lays down a towel to soak up any water that might spill and grabs a handful of wool. She separates the fibres out evenly so there are no heavy clumps, and lays it over the palm of her paw. 2 She takes her bottle of soapy water and pours a couple of glugs over the wool. 3 Hilda then squishes the soap into the fibres and scrunches the wool from the centre until it begins to gather into a ball. 4 Very gently Hilda rolls the wool in the palms of her paws until it starts to take shape. She keeps rolling, round and round… 5 After a few minutes of rolling, the felt ball starts to form into a firm shape. Then she dips it into the clean water to rinse it, and gently squeezes out the excess water. She carries on rolling and rinsing until the ball feels dense. 6 Once she has […]

May 20

by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative, Learn, Make 0 comments

Flower and Herb Wreath Tutorial by Catherine Woram

This lovely and fragrant wreath is made from rustic, dark brown twigs and decorated with a selection of colorful summer flowers that are interspersed with sprigs of rosemary and mint. Materials Dark wood twigs (for making the wreath framework) Florist’s wire Large flowers such as peonies and hydrangeas Scissors Artificial ready-wired pink berry picks Pliers (optional) Stems of fresh rosemary and mint Small delicate flowers such as Alchemilla mollis (lady’s mantle) for the wreath surround 20in (50cm) ribbon, ¾ in (2cm) wide, for the hanging loop 1 Bend the twigs to form a circular wreath shape with a diameter of approximately 14in (35cm) or whatever size is required. You will find it easier to bend the twigs if you soak them in water for a few hours first, as this will make them softer and more pliable. Use lengths of florist’s wire to hold the twigs in place to form the wreath. 2 Cut down the large flower stems to a length of about 4in (10cm) using the scissors. Wrap a length of florist’s wire around the peony stem and then attach this to the twig wreath, wrapping the wire around several times to keep the flower […]

May 06

by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative, Events 0 comments

BUST Summer Craftacular

SUNDAY MAY 17 – 12PM TO 6PM AT YORK HALL, 5-15 OLD FORD ROAD, LONDON E2 9PJ – NEAR BETHNAL GREEN TUBE STATION London’s original hip craft fair is back with a summertime fête of the hottest in handmade – featuring 80 stalls, DJs, DIY activities and a pop-up café and craft beer bar by King’s Cross hotspot Drink, Shop & Do. On Sunday May 17, New York-based women’s pop-culture magazine BUST brings its popular alternative craft fair back to York Hall with a curated line-up of designer-makers. Shoppers will have the chance to buy one-offs, seconds and “some super bargains” from Rob Ryan’s studio and meet some of the UK’s most talented jewellers, ceramicists and illustrators. Highlights range from limited-edition screen prints by Scout Editions and quirky animal-emblazoned tableware by Jimbobart to neon-bright screen-printed fashion by Bristol-based Dakota Rae Dust and east-London-made scented soy candles by Eastwick. See the full list of vendors here The BUST Summer Craftacular offers a whole day of DIY culture, with a host of craft workshops and a Stitching Station by Mollie Makes magazine. Even the refreshment fits the theme: Drink, Shop & Do, an exciting independently run space (“Cafe by day. Bar by […]

Apr 24

by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative, Learn, Make 0 comments

How to: Up-Cycle a Lampshade

Materials you will need Lampshade frame Damp cloth Fabric strips 1½ in. (4cm) wide and 5 in. (13cm) longer than the length of each bar Glue gun Lots of beads/old necklaces Pliers Ribbons Beading wire Masking tape Embroidery floss (thread) Gathered lace trim Buttons Felt flower embellishments 1. Thrifty Thelma and Woolly the Lamb are stripping the ugly fabric from their lampshade. They want to give it a fresh new look. Once all the fabric has been taken off, they clean it with a damp cloth. 2. They tear strips of fabric to wrap around each bar. Then they add glue to the top of the bar with a glue gun, wrap the strip of fabric round tightly all the way down to the bottom, and secure it with another dab of glue. They do this to every vertical bar. And because they tore the fabric, the strips are frayed, which Thelma and Woolly like. 3. Next, Thelma measures around the inner circular section where the light bulb goes. She finds an old necklace that she never wears, cuts it to size using pliers, and then attaches it to the frame using a glue […]

Apr 17

by bibelotm_wp in Craft, Creative, Guests, Learn 2 comments

Cane Handled Bag Tutorial – Kate Marsden

I spotted these cute cane handles in my local wool shop a couple of weeks ago and just had to get them. I decided to make a little handbag using one of my fabrics and some contrasting Liberty print. Here’s how… You will need: 2 pieces of fabric for the outside of the bag – each measuring 37cm x 26cm (I used my Park Hill Bold fabric in teal) 2 pieces of contrasting fabric for the lining (same measurements – I used this Liberty print design) A pair of cane bag handles (mine are a medium size measuring 14cm across the bottom and 10.5cm high). Thread Sewing machine, hand needle, pins 1. Pin the two outer pieces together (right sides together) along the bottom edge – take care when using a directional print as I have. Pin two long edges of the lining fabric together as well. 2. Stitch both of these edges with 1.5cm seam allowances. 3. Press both seams open. 4. Pin the lining fabric to the outer fabric (right sides together), taking care to line up the seams. Leave a gap along one of the short edges (to enable you to pull through […]

Apr 15

by bibelotm_wp in Creative, Interview 1 comments

Louise Lockhart – Interview

Louise has been drawing ever since she first held a pencil and she is so happy to be doing it for a living now she is a grown up. Based in a small town in England, she takes inspiration from the every day things around her, such as hand painted signs, food packaging and old toys. Her work is colourful, jolly and playful as well as being unusual. She creates her designs by drawing, printing, cutting and finding collage material and textures, then compiles them using a computer. Never one to follow current design trends, her work has a folk art aesthetic and a timeless feel. She has her own little company called The Printed Peanut where she applies her illustrations onto household products, books, toys and games. 1. What’s the first piece of art you can remember making? I loved doing those self-portraits for school tea towels. I still like drawing on tea towels. 2. Tell us something about yourself that might surprise people. Last year as part of the Tour de France coming through Yorkshire where I live, I created a huge line drawing on a hillside that the public could cycle around. It was a […]

Apr 10

by bibelotm_wp in Creative, Guests, Lists 0 comments

10 Tips for Seeking Inspiration

Whether you’re working in the creative industry, planning fun summer projects or want to refresh your home, seeking exciting inspiration is always important. As creative duo – Buttercrumble – we know this first hand! We are illustrators and we are always on the look out for new ideas, methods and trends. But how do we continue to seek fresh inspiration? Here are our top tips for you! 1. Keep a journal or sketchbook 2. Watch, read and write 3. Follow blogs 4. Go for a walk 5. Visit flea markets, charity shops and antique shops 6. Be mindful 7. Collaborate 8. Take photos 9. Make mistakes 10. Smash the system We are lucky that we get to spend a lot of time by the sea which is wonderful for inspiring walks and photography. Also, as a creative duo we collaborate on a daily basis! However, the inevitable creative block occasionally appears. When this happens, we turn to our favourite artists. These include Mary Blair, Orla Kiely and Charlie Harper. We also love mid century films – Breakfast at Tiffany’s is our favourite. Who do you turn to when you’re running low on […]

Apr 06

by bibelotm_wp in Art, Craft, Creative, Interview 1 comments

Ingela P Arrhenius – Interview

Stockholm-based illustrator Ingela P Arrhenius tells us what inspires her work, where she’d like to go in a time machine, and how an invasion of shampoo bottle and yoghurt pot people are slowly taking over her studio with no sign of a retreat… 1. What’s the first piece of art you can remember making? We had a big cupboard in my kitchen filled with fun artistic materials when I was kid. I remember making a lot of different characters in clay; rock artist, priest, cowboy etc. It is fun when I think of it because I still like that theme, I have done several “character products”, like my 3D Character puzzle, Mix and Match game. And of course my own projects like all the wood block figures and painted bottles. 2. Who would play you in the movie of your life? I said this question out loud, sitting by the kitchen table and my 16 year old son is sitting here aswell doing his homework, and he immediately said Partricia Arquette. Good choice, I’ll take that. 3. Do you have time for personal projects, if so, what are you making right now? Yes I do. Even though I […]

Mar 30

by bibelotm_wp in Birds, Creative, Guests 2 comments

A Birds Eye View – Polly Fern

My name is Polly and I am an illustrator living in Norwich, UK. I am currently studying the final year of my degree in illustration at Norwich University of the Arts. I first started to keep birds as a child, I used to hatch and raise chickens and nurture injured birds that had found their way into my garden. After a long, hard think about owning a canary I then decided that it was the right choice for me, as I’m at home working a lot, and I thought that owning a canary would be a nice companion to have whilst I’m illustrating. The first canary I owned was called Ellis, he was a very special, lovely natured bird, we use to have breakfast together everyday, and would even nap together on the sofa, his favourite place to sleep was under my chin, nestled within my hair. Ellis is where my love for canaries began, sadly after his passing I waited sometime before I got another. I couldn’t stand how quiet the house was, so I visited a lot of canary breeders before I came across some gorgeous green chicks. This is when I bought Ernest. One morning I […]

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