Envelope patterns

Illustration by Clemens Habicht
My ever expanding bag of recycled envelopes and papers
Assortment of collected envelopes featuring different patterns



Some of my experimental illustrations below, featuring envelope pattern detail on the
coffee pot and cup & saucer. With these I've scanned in the envelopes and
changed the colour to suit the artwork.



Below are some examples of experimenting with the Gocco printer by printing
directly onto the envelopes.

In the weekend papers a few weeks ago I spotted this collage illustration using the patterns found on the inside of envelopes, created by the very talented Clemens Habicht.  I too am an avid collector of envelopes, so I thought I'd share some of my envelope patterns.

There is surprisingly quite an array of different patterns, textures and colours to be found on the inside of envelopes - and I always love opening an envelope to find a new pattern waiting patiently to be discovered on the inside.  (It actually makes opening bills a bit more interesting).  Mr B know's never to throw away an envelope before I've given it the once over! 

The patterns on the envelopes remind me of Japanese patterns with their miniature scale, perfect repetition and symmetry.   I use the envelopes for collages, printing with lino prints or gocco prints, and for experimental sketches and illustrations - I've included a few examples above.    

So next time you get a boring bill through the post, remember to look inside the envelope to see what patterns you might find.

Clipper Tea Packaging

 
 
When I first started writing this little blog I did a post about some fabulous packaging for Clipper Tea.  I had originally bought the tea when I was in England because I loved the packaging, but I have since become a big fan of the range of teas they produce, as well as their continuing lovely packaging design.  I love the simple but slightly quirky graphic imagery, and of course the teapot and teacup theme is a bit of a favourite subject for me!

I bought some more of the teas when I was in England recently to sip in the cold weather - and bought the empty packaging home with me (does anyone else bring empty packaging home with them after a holiday?!...)  I have previously bought some of the Clipper Tea from Prahran Market, but they don't stock the full range so it was nice to try sample some new flavours whilst back in Blighty.   

The Clipper Tea team have great ethics with their tea production and are Fair Trade affiliated, and they have a pretty cute website too!

New christmas ceramic goodies!

Ceramic Kofti pot (above) by Kathie Winkle c.1967             


Japanese coffee set (above) & decorative mugs (below)
I got quite a selection of vintage ceramic goodies for Christmas this year from Mr B - he certainly knows the way to my heart! 

The Kofti pot by Kathie Winkle (manufactured by James Broadhurst & Sons) is actually a mix of a coffee pot and a tea pot - clever! Designed in 1967 it has a fabulous retro pattern and I love the tall modern shape to the pot.  I have quite a few plates with designs by Kathie Winkle as I love all the classic retro patterns she produced in such a recognisable style.

I also got this rather amazing Japanese coffee set with coffee pot, jug and little mugs - very cute!  The set features an embossed circular geometric pattern which I'm guessing dates from about the 1970's.  The Kathie Winkle Kofti pot and this Japanese coffee set now sit happily on my shelves amongst the rest of my assorted cups, saucers, jugs and coffee pots.

Mr B also managed to find some more Japanese mugs with different patterns to add to my rapidly expanding collection!

Sneak peak....

  
It's been a busy start to the year which has seen me working on some new watercolour illustrations.  Here is a little sneak peak of the artwork!....

Happy Christmas!

 'Happy Christmas' tableware exclusive to David Jones (designed by me!)



Original artwork and design concepts by Lucy King Design


I was doing some Christmas shopping last week, when I came across a display in David Jones of a range of ceramics that I designed last year!  It's always exciting to unexpectedly stumble across designs I've worked on and to see them as finished products.

The 'Happy Christmas' range of ceramic and tabletop items were designed exclusively for David Jones, and created as simple, graphic motifs - rather than my usual hand-painted artwork.  The design features traditional Christmas motifs assembled in a fun layout with a bold colour scheme.  Cute!

Wishing everyone many happy festivities and lots of seasonal cheer!  Merry Christmas!!

Japanese mugs - update!

I have two new additions to my little Japanese mug collection.  How super-cute are these two green mugs - and the best part about these new additions is they were sent to me by a lovely lady who spotted them in her local op-shop!

I already have a similar mug to the one on the left, but not with the fab scalloped handle this one has.  I've never seen this style of handle before so its great to add to my collection. 

It was so thoughtful and generous of the lady who posted them to me....although Mr B is a little worried that other people are sending me cute second-hand ceramics to fill the house up!  Sending out a big 'thank you' as I love them - and don't worry I can always find room for cute little patterned ceramic lovelies! 

Avoca Handweavers, Ireland








When I was in Ireland recently I visited the historic Avoca hand weaving mill, situated in the beautiful rural village of Avoca, County Wexford.  Established in 1723 Avoca is the oldest working woollen mill in Ireland and apparently Ireland's oldest surviving business. 

The mill was originally set up as a co-operative where farmers could spin and weave their wool, before being turned into tweeds and blankets.   Initially the wool was collected from the local sheep of the surrounding hills and valleys and through a process of carding, spinning, dyeing and weaving it was transformed into clothing and blankets.

In 1760 a Fly Shuttle Loom, capable of weaving up to 20 metres of cloth a day arrived, and workers concerned about possible unemployment resorted to burning some looms.  

It was great to walk through the working mill and view the weaving process first hand.  Whilst some of it is now mechanised, there are still several original fly shuttle looms being operated.  The mill is surprisingly noisy with all the machinery - but I loved seeing the different processes involved with the weaving, and all the bright coloured wools and yarns being turned into exquisite fabrics.

Avoca has a gorgeous shop selling a range of their beautiful woven textile products - I treated myself to a lovely red woven jacket whilst I was there!  You can shop at Avoca online too.   

Goodies from England

I've just recently got back from a big trip to England and Ireland, where we took little baby Jasper to meet his grandparents.  Sadly, travelling with a baby means not a lot of spare luggage allowance for hunting down British second-hand ceramic goodies.  However, I did manage to squeeze this very cute china jug and bowl in my suitcase - somewhere in between babygrows and nappies!

I don't know who the original manufacturer is, as unfortunately there's no backstamp only a 'Made in England' stamp on the bottom.  I loved the classic retro pattern, colours and the use of dots for texture.  Super-cute!
Here's the little guy in England, just catching up on current British news and reading about the Euro crisis!

Lark

 
Old fashioned English style and vintage nostalgia at Lark

Bright coloured melamine and party ware 
Cute stationery, books, stickers, tins and baking goodies 



Fab door covered in old Ladybird children's book jackets (I recognise a lot of these as I used to read them as a child!) 
 The Lark Christmas catalogue - featuring my vintage tea themed melamine plates!

A few weekends ago I was in Daylesford to visit the super-cute shop Lark.  Lark is brimming with old fashioned English style, vintage nostalgia, brightly coloured party ware and all things seriously cute!

Lark stocks a mix of hand selected children's designs, adorable homewares and accessories, designer products such as the Cath Kidston range, as well as a range of products from local designers (including me!)  It's a gorgeous shop perfect for buying gifts, with any presents expertly wrapped in pretty papers, coloured ribbons and sweet patterned tape. 

The Lark Christmas catalogue is out now and I'm very thrilled that it includes two of my vintage tea-themed melamine plates!

You can visit the Lark online shop here, pop over to the blog, or browse the Christmas catalogue - or you could be really retro and actually visit the shop in person!

Lark - 4A Duke Street, Daylesford, Victoria.