Second hand ceramics

 

Anyone who's familiar with me and my blog knows I can't resist snapping up second-hand ceramics and kitchen goodies!  I found these little beauties last week on a trip to the other side of the city where I went op-shop exploring for a few hours.  The stainless steel teapot (top) I've decided to use as a plant pot as its a perfect size. 

The Wade (England) vintage ceramic salad bowl and serving spoons I thought were particularly cute too!        

 

I also bought a mixed selection of little teacups and glasses, with the glasses being perfect for serving strawberries, blueberries and ice-cream.  Yum!! 



Orla Kiely 'Pattern'

I'm still trying to plod my way through my Christmas books, and this lovely book by Orla Kiely has been on my list to share for a while.  The book is called 'Pattern' and is full of fab images of Orla's colourful and fun graphic prints, fashion ranges and bags.  Its also a book I'm enjoying reading, as well as oohing and ahhing over the images. 

The book covers the background of how Orla created her own business, the path she took and how she started out.  I love reading about how other designers have set up a business, what they have learnt from the process, and the highs and lows of running your own creative enterprise.  Its reassuring to know successful brands started out as small businesses, with many of the same problems and hurdles to jump that other small start-ups face. 

The book is divided up into chapters on inspiration, colour, print and home etc, and is punctuated with lots of beautiful photography of her products and designs.  However, it makes me want to go shopping and spend too much money on gorgeous bags.  I LOVE the orange bag above!! 

I love that much of Orla Kiely's design and styling has quite a retro look to it - with many pictures used for brochures shot in old 1950's houses and cafes.  Her clothing range also has a modern-retro aesthetic, with often very simple pieces in stunning colours and her signature bold prints.

I'm such a big fan of the simplicity and graphic nature of Orla's prints and designs.  Yet again I'm drawn to this bold and graphic style of design - which is so different to my own work.  There's something about being attracted to a style of design which is opposite to how I naturally work and create designs, and I'm fascinated by the style and strong brand image she has.  Oooh envy!  

Orla Kiely 'Pattern' published by Conran Octopus, 2010

Lost & Found Market

After my recent trip to the Lost & Found Market I thought it deserved a post all of its own.  Lost & Found Market is based in Smith Street (near Gertrude Street) and is jam packed with funky vintage, retro, second-hand and gloriously kitsch items!

Its quite overwhelming at first as there is so much to see spread over four levels, so you need to allow plenty of time to rummage!  There's furniture, bric-a-brac, fashion, kitchen goodies, books, records etc etc....

I can happily lose myself for quite sometime whenever I pop by for a looksy, and it takes some serious will power not to go mad!  The only downside is it's cash only - although this can help to curb the spending!  Happy shopping - I might see you in there! :)

Latest second-hand finds

Busy, busy week this week!  I've been pretty flat out with some freelance design work, but I did manage to find time to pop into the fabulous Lost & Found market in Smith Street yesturday.  Always very dangerous - as I always manage to find things to buy! 

I bought this retro tomato ketchup sauce bottle in the shape of a tomato - genious!  I've actually wanted one for ages as it really reminds me of visiting old-fashioned cafes in England as a child!  Tomato ketchup, Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce and HP sauce - ahh the best of Bristish!!  

I also picked up this rather stunning long-length vintage green leather coat!  Green is my favourite colour and this leather coat is a beautiful dark British racing green colour.  Its in superb condition - the brand is Merivale which was apparantly the first specialty fashion boutique in Melbourne.  This quote about Merivale is from The Powerhouse site - which I found via Circa Vintage Clothing;

Established by John and Merivale Hemmes, the landmark House of Merivale and clothing designed by Merivale revolutionised the Australian fashion scene. John and Merivale Hemmes were mavericks in Australian fashion. Modelled on London’s famous concept boutiques and catering to 18-25 year olds, the House of Merivale was the first specialty fashion boutique in Australia.

The House of Merivale was not just a shop; it was a phenomenon that significantly influenced a generation of young Australian’s attitude to shopping and the fashion experience. The House of Merivale was the place to go to for the latest trends in music, fashion and make-up and was the first store in Australia to sell the mini. The popularity of the boutique was such that teenagers would be lined up outside the door.

Town & Country

I spied this very cute children's book in a second hand bookshop a few weeks ago.  Its not a particularly old book (it was first published in 1984) but I really loved the naive style of illustrations and the story about the difference between living in a town or big city, and living in the country. 

In a big city, you may live in a furnished room or a town house or a mansion, but most people who live in a really big city live in a block of flats and almost everyone who visits a big city stays in a hotel.

When you are hungry you can go out to eat in a restaurant - any kind of restaurant, an Indian restaurant, a Chinese restaurant,, or a French cafe.  There are Kosher restaurants and Fish Bars and Salad Bars and Health-food cafeterias.

A farm in the country is a quiet place with lots of space.  Beside your house there are barns and stables and tool sheds and tractor sheds.  There are fields and fences and streams and trees.

There are lots of things you grow, like eggs and apples and all kinds of vegetables.  Everything tastes so good when its fresh from your garden.  Digging, raking, planting and weeding a garden is a lot of work, but it is worth it. 

It sums up my dilemma - do I want to live in a city where I can eat at any kind of restaurant, or in the country where I can have a quiet place with lots of space..... 

Town & Country by Alice and Martin Provensen.

Coffee pot sketches & collages

I've been experimenting some more with my ink pen, sketching my tea and coffee pots and also adding in some collage backgrounds and details.

Here I've added some collaged coloured paper to replicate the colourful pattern around the top of the old Studio Meakin coffee pot.

Normally my work is so colourful when painting with watercolours, so I quite like the monotone black and white contrast acheived with the black ink pen.  Working with the ink pen also forces me to simplify what I'm drawing, as I can't add all of the shadows and subtle details that I can with paint.

I've also liked using torn newspaper print as a background to draw onto as it reinforces the simple black and white palette, and helps to add some detail and surface interest - whilst keeping the drawn images to a minimum.

Off to put the kettle on now!....  

Me Old China at Small Space Jewellery

Last week I dropped some new Me Old China jewellery designs to the lovely Small Space Jewellery in Fitzroy.

Small Space took a selection of Clarice Cliff pieces and Vintage Floral designs, to add to the Willow 'Fancy a Cuppa' collection they already have.

The range above features pendants cut from a Clarice Cliff dinner plate.  I picked up two of these second-hand plates from the local Oxfam shop when I was back in England.  The plate pattern is called 'Tonquin' and was designed by Clarice Cliff in about 1954.  This particular pattern was originally designed for the American market place and was one of her most popular tableware designs, it depicts a traditional English landscape scene and printed in this unusual pinky-red colour. 

The Vintage Floral designs are also taken from a second-hand old English dinner plate.  The sweet floral patterns (taken from the centre of the dinner plate) feature alongside sections taken from the rim of the plate!  You can see the ribbed texture on the bottom of the jewellery pieces, that ran around the very edge of the plate rim.  So as well as adding some textural detail to the pieces, it also helps to reinforce the origins of the jewellery by highlighting their previous use as a domestic dinner plate! 

A big 'Thank You' to Small Space Jewellery for their support with Me Old China! 

10 years in Australia!!

Today I celebrate 10 years in Australia! 

We arrived in Melbourne 10 years ago, on Valentines Day feeling very, very jet lagged!  It was about midnight when we landed - and still about 30C.  Our first few days the temperature steadily rose from the high 30's to the low 40's and we were so unaccustomed to the heat - especially given it had been snowing in the UK in the weeks leading up to our departure!!

My partner Mr B had back-packed around Australia before going to uni and always knew he wanted to come back.... I didn't even think I'd get to visit Australia on holiday - let alone end up living here!  Australia to me was a very exotic far-away land that I would never in my lifetime see, so to have been living here for 10 years is quite surreal.

I've attached some snapshots of a few of the amazing places we've seen, experiences we've had and things we've done whilst living in this beautiful country......

 

Hung out in beautiful Melbourne.....

Visited the stunning harbour of Sydney more times than I can remember.....

Did a cycling wine tour of Rutherglen - highly recommended!....

Visited WA to see her gorgeous beaches and visit more wineries in Margaret River.....

Swam at Palm Beach - famous for being the Home & Away beach (very exciting for an English person!!)  That's me trying to edge my way into the surf - still haven't mastered how you Aussies just dive in! 

Visited Port Douglas in FNQ - there's the rainforest meeting the reef just like the advert promised!

Spent a fair few hours, yawn, driving to Merimbula stuck behind boats and caravans - but very worth the long trip......

Seen in a few New Years Eve's - not all of them in 1970's fancy dress though!......

Took out a boat in Noosa......

Explored Fraser Island which is amazing......

Had the odd Derby day.....

Hiked around the Blue Mountains......

Visited stunning Port Stephens......

Snorkelled with Dolphins at Rottnest Island.......

....And met some of the friendly local Quokka's!.....

Cheered on England (sorry!) at the Boxing Day Test, even in the rain!.......

Snorkelled at The Great Barrier Reef......

Chilled out in Byron Bay......

Re-stumped a house.....

....And renovated it.......

Took a sunrise balloon flight over Melbourne........

Entertained many friends and relatives.......

And had my fair share of Huntsmen visiting my bathroom!...... (Ironic that he was hiding behind the can of insect repellent!!)

Over the last 10 years my hair has changed lots.....but the friends we've made and our joy at living here has remained constant.  Thank You Australia for many wonderful years and memories and for allowing us to experience life here :)