The Bowerbird

Old childrens illustrations

I have a real fascination at the moment for old childrens illustrations, so I thought I'd share one of my own books from my childhood. I think it's one of the only books I have kept, and it finally made it's way out to Australia last year.

The book is called 'Lavender's Blue' and is a beautifully illustrated book full of classic (and some strange) nursery rhymes. As a very young child I loved leafing through the large pages - and rather than reading the nursery rhymes I was always drawn to the illustrations (well before I knew why!)
The book was first published in 1954 and contains a mix of black and white linear artwork and full colour pages of lovely naive and soft hand-drawn images illustrating the rhymes. As with the other books I have been collecting the appeal is in the style of the artwork which is so different to todays illustrative style, and the fact they are all hand generated with all the lovely quirks this brings.

"Lavender's blue, dilly, dilly, Lavender's green, when I am king dilly, dilly, You shall be Queen."

Decorative tiles - London

When I was in London recently I took these photo's in Richmond of gorgeous old blue and white tiles decorating shop fronts. It's lovely to see such beautiful decoration and detail that went into older style architecture - and in such contrast to todays modern (and rather plain) style. Although they are old tiles I think they provide great inspiration for modern pattern creation.

Vintage teacups and saucers

I love finding and collecting second-hand vintage or retro teacups and saucers, and I have been using a few of mine in some recent artwork for a design commission (these are all painted in watercolour).

I found a few more vintage lovelies on a recent second-hand shop hunt - and have decided I should do some more painting as they are just too cute to have sitting lonely on my shelf!

Fab packaging

When I was back in the UK recently I bought some teabags (well - it is the done thing in England) and I was drawn to buying these rather yummy bags because of the fabulous packaging! I loved the simple, but slightly quirky graphic imagery - and green is my favourite colour too!

The packaging is biodegradable, the teabags were unbleached and organic - and the manufacturers of the tea only work with producers who are striving to improve standards of welfare for workers and their families. How good is that! Great tea, great packaging, great ethics.

We could all learn a lot from this about how to produce goods in a thoughtful and sustainable - but beautifully packaged way. Visit Clipper teas here!

You can also visit the very clever design-firm 'Big Fish' who created the packaging here:

Lulamae!

I thought I'd do a couple of features on the boutique stores that are currently stocking the 'Me Old China' range of pendants - and the first store is Lulamae!

Lulamae is named after an Audrey Hepburn character (you've got to love that for a start!) and is the inspiration behind their range of colourful vintage-esque range of clothes and accessories...... they also stock a great range of coloured shoes (you can never have enough coloured shoes if you ask me) in greens, reds, purples etc....too cute!!

The colourful, vintage-inspired and mix and match approach of Lulamae fits in perfectly with the style and character of Me Old China - and is definitely worth dropping by for a looksy.

(It is the South Melbourne store only that are stocking pieces from the jewellery range - click here for the website and address details).

Second-hand finds in England

Cute vintage florals and the classic monochrome 'Homemaker' pattern

Detail from one of my favourite floral patterns with its beautiful backstamp and a stunning unusual interpretation of the Willow design by Wedgwood.

I picked up these plates (amongst some others that I am now eagerly waiting to be shipped out)whilst on my recent trip to the UK. I was especially pleased with the 'Homemaker' plates; the pattern is one of the best known ceramic designs of the 1950's and is considered a design classic and one of the most popular patterns of the 20th Century. Cute backstamp too!

I also found several retro teatowels - I love the simple stylised graphic patterns - especially the cocktail fruits! The small cute floral pattern is from the 1960's, but I'm not too sure about the others. I love the Queensland print - how fab are the colours and it does seem very tropical in contrast to the Scottish brown and purple design with recipies for haggis, scotch broth and clootie dumplings!

Time for tea

After returning from my trip to the UK I am missing the customary afternoon tea and cakes, so I thought I'd share some illustrations I did a while back of cakes and cup-cakes - always a favourite to draw especially as I get to eat any samples purchased! ;-)

The artwork was painted in watercolour and commissioned for a range of ceramic tableware and servingware items - which eventually went on to be applied across a complete range for Target.

Time for tea anyone?....

Spitalfields Market

On my return to the UK I had the chance to visit my favourite market in London - Spitalfields market in the East End. The whole area around Spitalfields including Brick lane, Cheshire street and Columbia road has a fantastic mix of vintage, original design and independent shops. There is a vibrant and eclectic mix of artists, designers, jewellers, bookshops, homewares and second-hand treasures - and it's great to shop away from the dominating high street department stores.

I visited Spitalfields on the antiques and vintage day - it was a good job I was limited to a suitcase or the day could have become very expensive! Just check out the retro white moulded chairs above with the blue and red seating, plus vintage military and naval uniforms below - brilliant!

Of course what I was really interested in was all the ceramic and kitchenware items...

So many dinner and tea-sets in mint condition, servingware from the 1960's with coloured handles, decorative enamel ware and patterened storage jars - all so colourful and pretty.

Richmond and the Thames

I have been spending the first few days of my trip to London in the beautiful area of Richmond which is situated alongside the river Thames. Richmond houses a vast array of stunning old buildings and architecture, and with its location next to the Thames and Richmond park it has a casual village feel - and you would have no idea you were just outside of bustling London!

Richmond centre with the old red telephone boxes and of course a local pub!

A local pigeon in Richmond park

Taking it easy on the Thames

A British classic - the ice-cream van!

Off to the big smoke!

I'm off to the UK for a few weeks - hooray!

Whilst I will be getting the chance to catch up with friends and family (plus a wedding) I will also be making the most of getting to some second-hand shops in London and the burbs! Can't wait to be back in London and don't think the above pound notes will last very long!

Second-hand shop crockery

I am always on the hunt for second-hand shop plates and crockery - and I love collecting a mix of colours, patterns and styles! I am quite selective with what I chose to buy - but it's always more about the pattern rather than the maker or period of the plate. I always love it when I find new second-hand shops to explore and come back with an assortment of plates, cute cups and saucers and silver flatware to boot!
Some of these items will be used within our home, whilst others will form the basis for a jewellery range or piece of artwork, it's always exciting to see them transformed but there are some that I just can't bear to part with! Here is a selection from a recent trip - check out the beautiful engraving detail on the silver knife, fork and cake slice. So decandent!

Me Old China - stockists!

I'm really pleased to have the Me Old China jewellery range now stocked at the following boutiques;
i dream a highway, Northcote
Lulamae, South Melbourne
Ruby Patootie, Brunswick

Second-hand shop book finds

Finding books on second-hand shopping trips is always a treat! I picked up this book 'The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady' a few weeks back - and I was delighted to find it in such good condition.

The book is an illustrated diary of an English naturalist (Edith Holden) during the year 1906. It is full of beautiful illustrations depicting the English countryside covering each month of the year.

The hand-written diary entries include poems by Chaucer, Coleridge, R.L. Stevenson and Tennyson for example relating to each month, and personalised observations on either her subject matter or the weather (so very English!)