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!....