Thursday, 28 July 2011

burfdee pressies

I made a tea cosy and a scented drawer box for my dear friend Nicola..

her birthday was on Friday but again "Happee 23rd Burfdee" :)

Today

my big, big sister (the second eldest of my 3 sisters) has turned the big 3-0!!!

and I made her two cushions in the colours she had been hinted not so subtly that she wanted..

Happy 30th Birthday Vicky!

Tuesday, 26 July 2011

Vintage Pop Up Bonanza in Stoke

I'm looking forward to this event this weekend!! Hope I spot some good finds! :)

Come along!

OPI Automata & Mechanical Toys by Jane Ryan

http://www.opiworks.co.uk/index.asp

These toys were one of the best things I saw at Art In Action last weekend, they are so fun and cute!

Take a look and me and sister having a little play with them here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNUBiTdBf_U :)

OPI is based in Cornwall and is the very talented work of Jane Ryan. Her toys started off as a way she could continue her artistic flare, after studying fine art at Chelsea School of Art, whilst starting her new journey into motherhood. These 'toys for grown-ups' were very popular this weekend, I saw them dotted around at other artists tables! I am going to have to get one soon, they're just too darn cute not to!

Staffordshire Handmade and Vintage Fair

http://www.staffordshirehandmadeandvintage.blogspot.com/

I received an email last week of this little beauty! It looks amazing and its so local too :) ..and I am getting involved!! yay!

This will be the first time nortsandcrosses will be selling at a fair! I couldn't be more excited about it! Unfortunately I am unable to make the August event but remember the date

Sunday 25th September 2011

as that's when I will be there and would love to see some happy familiar faces so do come down and see me!! :)

Monday, 25 July 2011

inspired and showered

Well, Art In Action was so much fun! Such an inspiring and interesting camping weekend! I have so many business cards and artists names ready to research and blog about, so much in fact I feel like it will take me months to tell you all about everything I saw.

My sister, Lizzie Norton, was assisting a brilliant glass artist, Tim Boswell and along with his other assistant Elliot Walker they performed an amazing popcorn trick whilst making glass!Which is the video above!

As well as glass, there was a textiles tent, sculpture, drawing, illustration, ceramics, woodwork, jewellery and others. To see all the rest of my photos please visit my facebook page!!

Thursday, 21 July 2011

Art In Action

Art In Action, in Oxford, is already well on the way!! I'm already hearing super things, it is so exciting! I can't wait to be in the midst of it all tonight! Myself and my sister are heading up today to be inspired and visit some of our friends that are taking part this year!

"Inspired by the simple principle that people are fascinated when artists and craftsmen openly demonstrate their skills and discuss their work, Art in Action was born.

In 1977, 51 artists and musicians took part and 14,000 visitors arrived. Today Art in Action welcomes approximately 25,000 people over four days. Visitors come to learn, buy and enjoy, the exhibitions, classes and performances of 400 demonstrating artists, designer makers, teachers, musicians and performers. Disciplines include painting, sculpture, glass, woodwork, textiles, ceramics, metalwork and jewellery"

follow the link below and get involved

http://www.artinaction.org.uk/

time to pack the tent and air-bed, oh and find my wellies!

Hope to see you there!

Tuesday, 19 July 2011

Chez Williams

Another find on madebyhandonline..

I am loving Chez Williams illustrations on her interior crafts, they are so cute and bright. Real summery cheerful quaint stuff, lovely lovely :)

Chez Williams designs her colourful and playful images and digitally prints them onto cotton fabric to make cushions, bags and tea cosies. She often incorporates vintage textiles and aims to mix the old with the new.

Such cheerful work!

Ëlodie

Ëlodie is a french illustrator specializing in fashion illustration and portraiture

she is currently based in paris.

and i am in love with her work.

i really want one of her illustrations and with some of them priced at just 30 euros i would be mad not too,

so roll on next payday!

check Ëlodie's website out here

and her lovely shop here

Sunday, 17 July 2011

madebyhandonline

Before I hop to bed I want to share with you a great site, if you like all things handmade with great care, unique craftsmanship and stunning beautiful pieces of art and craft you will love this site! Similar to etsy and folksy madebyhandonline aims to promote and encourage the handmade beautiful work of talented artist-makers! Of course, firstly, I am going to promote my sister who is a member of the site and you can buy her tink*s through there too!! Here are also a few other pretty talented artists I found, and love their work! But don't take my word for it, have a look and rummage through http://www.madebyhandonline.com/

Tink*Glass

my very talented sister and her stunning tink* paperweights.

perisandcorr

Welsh Blanket Tote Bag

ecoh BY eiko yoshida Ringo babe

Loosethread Beach Hut Doorstops

John Fishenden Lettered oak bowl - 'Let love'

Goodnight!

Thursday, 14 July 2011

Nightowl

Note to Self: Buy Pukka oat flower, lavender and lime flower bedtime tea = tasteful and makes you sleepy!

Jessica Lennox

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Nightowlhandmade?ref=pr_shop_more

I am absolutely loving Jess' work, I have been wanting so many of her handmade items for so long now that when I visited Trentham Gardens at the weekend I popped into Yellowstone and bought myself one of her mugs! I love it! Now I just need to buy some of her coasters, and her teapot, and her selection of plates and and..