Karin's Style Blog

Jumpsuit from Thread Social for life after the stomach?

After having been to measure the fast-growing stomach, I strolled in the sunshine to a favourite café of mine. They serve their homebaked baguettes with Gruyere cheese and a fresh salad on the side. I really like that they don’t try to stuff everything into the bread. The salad comes with a lovely dressing called matsuhisa, here’s Martha Stewarts recipie. I bought myself a fashion magazine and dreamt about a summer wardrobe including perhaps a pair of hotpants, high heeled clogs and earrings… My feet are not really built for high heeled shoes and I’m pretty sure hotpants won’t be my dresscode of choice for some time, but that doesn’t stop me dreaming…

Last week a man from Holland came and bought a whole curtain of hangings which left my walls quite blank. I filled the gap with my new hanging flower pots. They’re available in the shop now!

Bigger.

Here’s some of the treasures at Skansens Klädkammare (clothes chamber). I’m lucky enough to know two of the talented women who work there and they showed me around. Thank you Yvonne and Berit!

Skansen is Stockholms beautiful outdoors museum where you - for instance - can visit historical buildings from Sweden and meet people dressed in period costume. Most of these clothes are taken care of and kept at the clothes chamber.

Bigger.

Poppy from another angle.

Summer is really here, the sun is shining and I’m working outdoors.

Isn’t this lovely?

I’ve been listening a lot to Concha Buika lately, I found her through a fado duet she’s done with Mariza. They both make music that touches me deep. So now you might find me hanging out here and here

I’m looking forward to flipping through Lines and Shapes volume eight!

Rosa mosa

I’m waiting for the rain to take a break so I can take my bike to do some shopping. It’s 10 degrees here today! I’m yearning for knitted sweaters, stockings, short skirts and scarfs in bright colours, like this. And perhaps a pair of Rosa mosa shoes?

The decal weekend at manos went great and 10 pattern makers were sitting round my workshop table creating flowery decorations mixed with motorcycles and teddy bears…

Decaf Plush, found via Tangled and True.

Here’s a moment of peace from my office wall this morning. It’s Tord Boontje’s garland making a beautiful shadow.
Apart from that, my days are pretty much jam-packed full of preparations for the opening of manos next week and the usual day to day running of the workshop. When looking out over my greenhouse this afternoon, I must say that it didn’t look like it will be an inspirational and beautiful shop in a weeks time… Whenever I feel I’ve taken on a bit much, I say to myself that it’s good to challenge yourself and this is a little seed of something that will grow and evolve with every day and it doesn’t have to be perfect!

I sent quite a lot of work to Le Bon Marché in Paris earlier this month and the other day I got their inspirations catalogue in the mail. My bowl is on page 26! I love seeing how others choose to display and “style” my work as it says something about how they interpret it. There were lots of inspirational pages in the catalogue, I’ve added some here (they’re towards the end of the set).

And a link…to 49 sensational skirts by Alison Willoughby, due to launch in the UK on April 24th. That girl certainly knows how to make wearable works of art!

Mr D and I went to a west coast wedding over the weekend in a beautiful windswept little town called Fiskebäckskil.

A small preview of some Easter related etsy odds that will be up on Wednesday (probably late as I’m so busy getting everything ready for manos launch in…two weeks time!!), until then here are some links I’ve enjoyed of late.

Photography by Masumi Kawamura.

Recent ceramics work by Gitte Jungersen, via Bibbi’s blog.

Gesundheit clothing, where did I get this from? I don’t remember I’m afraid, but it’s a lovely link. UPDATE: and the link has a lovely blog (thank you!).

I’m an early bird these days and get my share of beautiful mornings. Here are some pictures from a perfectly lovely frosty morning last week. The thistles grow behind my new studio.

I received this wonderful invitation to a Christmas market in Bergen, Norway. I went to college with Sarah Reed, one of the makers who’ll be selling her ceramics at the fair.

Another Christmas market I’d love to go to is the one in Iliffe Yard in south London, where I used to rent studio space for three years. I just had an email from Daniel Reynolds saying it’s on next weekend. You’ll find all the info on Daniel’s site.

The Christmas market at Överjärva Gård is in two weeks time and that’ll be the first time I open up my new studio to the public! Exciting!

I don’t remember now who tipped me off about Underground Italia, but I really like their site - for instance the leg warmers by Sartoria Vico.

The team behind the Brighton Craft Fair has a really nice blog called Made.

Sometimes mistakes turn out wonderfully. I’m glad I saved this porcelain vase that was torn while I was throwing it. The leaf is from the time someone else was residing in the green house and growing large tropical plants in there.

Production must not stop although a move is going on. I managed to throw some big bowls today, if they make it through the whole process they’ll be heading off to Weego in a couple of weeks.

The grape vine in my workshop was infested with some sticky creatures, I’m hoping it still have some life left in those dry but beautiful branches.

Stilleben online shop opens tomorrow.

Once upon a time I wrote a post about Odd Molly and it’s become sort of a forum for their fans around the world it seems Huset is a shop selling Odd Molly.

I love this necklace by La Fille du Consul and this illustration by Raquel Marín, both via les zigouis.

Last year Marie sent me some images from an inspiring exhibition she organized, however I never managed to tell you all about it. Now I got another chance… A leaf dress from the exhibition Inspiration Linné - on the importance of multitude at Stadsträdgården in Örebro.

On the Linné theme - another nice stamp from the Swedish post office!

Stina Wirséns illustrations on stamps - these make me want to send letters to everyone. Buy them online from the swedish post office. See the cover and more here.

I’ve taken down the ceramics sign outside my workshop and put a vase of autumn flowers in my new space. Am moving my kiln, the big working table and sink when I get back from Istanbul (where I’m going with Camilla and friends on Monday!). The light is flooding into my new workshop, it’s already influencing me and I’m so looking forward to start working there, what a treat!

And here are some more exclamations…

Poppytalk’s virtual streetmarket - wonderful!

I love all the new layouts - design*sponge and whip up!

It was mav who pointed me in Proefs direction and it’s so inspiring there!

Industrial chic jewellery from Ligia Dias via Refinery29 (thanks Philippe!).

Edizione has got a new b e a u t i f u l limited edition book out!

My new work has arrived at Landscape Products (well spotted Camilla!).

Finally, sometimes it’d be lovely to be able to be in two places in one time - Istanbul and Origin

I picked these on my way to work the other day - aren’t they beautiful? They’re just growing there at the side of the road, making my day lovelier.

There has been a most unplanned gap since my last post due to a runny nose and general pre holiday madness. I’m taking the train to Europe tomorrow and there is still so much to be done! Relax, I try to say to myself, put on a knitted bikini and go swim somewhere… This swimsuit is by Erica Laurell. It’s possibly the loveliest I’ve seen this summer.

Fog Linen Work is one of those beautiful shops one would like to visit some day.

Verandah is a nice name for a shop, it celebrates it’s first birthday in July.

Patricia at Crafty Synergy interviews Alicia Bock and I think this photograph of hers is just wonderful. Like being under water. It’s available from Alicia’s etsy shop.

New and old from mint and vintage in Stockholm and Helsingborg and online.

Selina Rose makes some wonderful things, I especially like the Rose lumbar cushion.

Tipi from wigwam sam. They look so well made and quite lovely to sleep in.

I’ll see you late August, take care!

I’m sitting outside my workshop on a pile of clay that was just delivered. This week, me and Liisa went on an inspirational tour through SoFo, perhaps you can say its Stockholm’s Nolita or Hoxton. Here’s some places we went into or just passed:

Grandpa, a shop with a great mix of vintage furniture, fashion, books and jewellery. Cafe String on Nytorgsgatan, all their furniture is for sale so the place is in constant good change.

Next door to Grandpa is vintage fashion shop Påkläderiet and Coctail Deluxe.

Cafe Skåningen on Skånegatan. Stadsmissionen second hand. I got a pair of very cool sunglasses for SEK 20.

Kunigunda sell for instance Ivana Helsinki and Jenny Hellström.

AH’s ice cream bar on Skånegatan 92. Many believe they have the best ice cream in Stockholm… I also thought they had great table cloths outside. While we enjoyed our ice cream we passed Lolla Palooza, Sara Clausin and Tjallamalla.

King Lily looked interesting but it was closed for the day. We went into crafts galleries 125 kvadrat and Galleri Hantverket.

This is just a little snippet of SoFo, but they’ve got a great website with lots of info about the area. See the whole tour as well as more Stockholm sightseeing on my flickr.

I have to tell you as well that last weeks inspirational afternoon we went to the Architectural museum. Go there!! The summer exhibition with Japanese architectural duo SANAA is just stunning! I was overwhelmed! Of course I forgot my camera at home - I will have to go back I’ll show you later. Here’s designboom’s interview with SANAA with lots of great pictures of their architectural work as well as product design.

More Japan: don’t miss the beautiful stone like vases at Play Mountain Villa.

Last but not least - Abigail’s Sweet Horse Chestnut Mismatched Earrings are on sale!

Erika Janunger, taking her MA from interior and furniture design, has made a shelf called Glue and presents her project in a totally capturing video (image below). She’s done some wonderful work - go explore
her website!

I found lots of favourites in the Ceramics and Glass department this year. Marjolaine Lombard paints on glass wall panels for official environments. Her work is inspired by memory and thoughts. I was inspired by the way she’s displayed them on that cart as well. See another view here.

Quite a few projects related to taking care of the environment. Ninna Berger is the designer behind this reconstructed recycled sweater. Jenny Bergström, also from the Textiles department, discuss how design can impact on and raise questions about fear in her case study “Fear of Global Warming”.

I still have some Konstfack things to tell you about, but that’ll be on friday.

Following an address in my comments section, I found out about Elisabeth Dunker and realize that she’s been sort of everywhere lately and now here I love her photos, here they are on flickr, she’s got a fine little blog and is part of design collective LULA - lots of greatness there!

Here’s a bunch of other inspirations of late.

Stina Persson’s exhibition at Gallery Hanahou opened yesterday. Above is one of her fashion illustrations.

Tara Hogan’s work. The illustration below is titled “Modern nature".

Happy Cavalier - a new blog discovery.

Cecile Belmont sent news about her line of emotional clothes.

I’m off to Konstfack this afternoon so you’ll soon be seeing what I saw. Three little red baby squirrels are jumping around in the trees outside my workshop - they’re so quick I haven’t managed to catch them on camera.

We’ve had a long weekend and I’ve been lazy, doing nothing much in a very slow tempo. The other night I passed Svensk Hemslöjd, one of Stockholm’s craft shops, and was inspired by their window display. Here’s some more on flickr.

I agree with Shiny Squirrel, the necklace makes this outfit from Peter Som special, but that green colour is what makes me go weak in the knees.

Floor decor by Cilla Ramnek at Saturnus Café, Stockholm. Here’s Gustaf Forslund’s photo of the cinnamon buns at Saturnus.

Bröderna Erikssons Dammode is a marvellous little shop here in Stockholm selling clothes, jewellery and hats. The changing room is quite lovely. I bought the black dress and tried this one on, but it stayed behind. Here’s a picture of the shop interior, the wallpaper is great.

Camilla is coming tomorrow! I’m renting a little car so that we can easily get around. I’d love it if the car was green like the Streamliner classic by Playsam.

mav’s new Photographs and Prints project is out and lovely as a spring morning!

This is a Brompton S-type foldable bike. It’s nice, but is it good? Does anyone have tips about foldable bicycles? I’m thinking about getting one but I know absolutely nothing about them!

My tulips have come out and the pink one spreads a sweet fragrance around the workshop. On Monday afternoon we had a 5 hour power failure and I packed orders in candle light…

Fashion Minute found these Prada footless two-tone socks. I love knee high socks and I also like those shoes.

Lovely shape, handwriting and little diamond in these Jeanine Payer ‘Coco’ earrings that I found on Cursive’s blog.

I am being spoilt. The other day I was treated to this beautiful looking and amazingly tasting dessert. The colours are lovely, they could be the inspiration to a new set of glazes.

The Craft2eu shop is now available in english. These beautifully coloured rings comes from their jewellery collection, by Ozzi Oswald.

Photos of Love Hotels by Misty Keasler, via Conscientious.

Pinks and reds in the shop window at Iris Hantverk. See the whole window and more close ups here.

It’s the Stockholm Fashion week (link to the pdf guide) and Lolita’s going to the shows. Aia Jüdes has curated The Fair Made exhibition (February 15–18) for the Style At Sthlm fair at Stockholm International Fairs, this will later move on to Svensk Form. Read more about swedish sustainable style.

Happy weekend! I’m popping down to Göteborg to visit Camilla, perhaps I will get a glimpse of Morran in yoga position

I’m on the look-out for some dancing shoes and saw these beauties from Eley Kishimoto over at Shiny Squirrel.

2007 is the Linnaeus Tercentenary as it’s 300 years since Linnaeus was born. Lead words for the tercentenary are Creativity - Curiosity - Science. That’s a good choice.

Yesterday, I went to a Linnaeus celebration at Svenskt Tenn - the launch of a chest of drawers decorated in reproductions of 45 botanical plates from Plantae Selectae and a book about that chest of drawers.

We were treated to nibbles on a table beautifully decorated with wild flowers. The nibbles, made and created by Kring Mat, were also decorated with flowers.

Thank you for all the sweet comments! The water came back and no 3 is blossoming Here are some things I’ve liked lately.

Willow bark basket (I love the sound of that) by Jennifer Heller Zurick, via Design DNA.

Crinkled porcelain paper cup, from Rose and Radish via Joy’s guestblog.

From the spring/summer 07 collection by Gypsy and Loic, via Jill Danyelle at Inhabitat.

Pilha, a project by Angela Detanico und Rafael Lain via Beton & Garten and VVork. I just really like the way the way the boxes are stapled on top of each other against the wall…

I like the simple cut in this sweater from Pia Sellin, designed in 2000, but it still holds out well.

A ceramic shape-patterned kind of dish cloth from Neutral Store, one of mav’s excellent links from the other day.

Bags like this make me wish I was a knitter. Via Craft blog.

Some yellow in the poor daylight

One last link: Into knitted design available from Velvet Boutique.

Fabulous example of Harris Tweed, Vivienne Westwood style, via SuperNaturale.

Paulina Reyes via Here & There.

This fashion is getting to me now, Cutie booties from Le Trainblue.

Two links found through Popgloss:
Beautiful, it’s in porcelain by Vic Bevan.
Baks - danish jewellery.

I thought it was such a coincidence the other week when mav wrote about Landscape Products and I’d had an order from them the same day! This is the first shop in Tokyo that will sell my work and I’m so glad to be in it. They sent me their catalogue as well as a couple of catalogues from exhibitions they’ve had.

The days are so dark here in November and all I can do is light candles. Here are my tealight holders on my parents mantlepiece. Something I’ve noticed this year is how deep and full the colours in nature become in the little light there is. It’s accentuated by the wetness as well. This is the outside wall of my workshop today.

Razu Mikhina - fashion from Russia that I found in this book I’m reading.

Hella Jongerius is at Nationalmuseum on Tuesday.

Geren Ford fall 06 via clothes-pin.

Sunday morning and I’ve been browsing bloglines. “How small can beat the big” is something I bookmarked ages ago, but it stands the test of time. And on a similar theme, I agree with Rena!

I’ve ordered a diary from Cecilia. Her diaries are exquisite. She makes them in pink for instance, but mine will be cognac.

My etsy shop is coming out of it’s long sleep.

Morran has made it to flickr top ten!

I almost got myself thrown out of Liberty for taking photos, but it’s hard not to when it’s so inspiring in there! They mix new and vintage and the dress above belong to the latter, it’s by Celia Birtwell for Ossie Clark. Here’s some info from the V&A about Celia and Ossie.

So Many Shoes purse by Miss Budd holds all my coins. Here’s a detail.

I’ve added a flickr set for my ceramics. These bowls are a couple of weeks old.

A friend of mine wanted to know about scandinavian crafts magazines and I thought you might be interested too so I put some info up on flickr.

Thank you for sweet words and kind comments on my new coat (no, that’s not me above! that’s number 50)! It warms my little autumn heart (this is how autumnal it is here now). As do these things:

Shilo cardi from keepandshare

A pouch is always useful, this one is from Sheila D, whose work has been featured on modish and daily candy and Outblush and many more!

The adorable number 52 and number 50 (above) from neststudio. Modamuse told me.

PS my guestblogging time at d*s is drawing to a close - don’t miss out!

It’s a rainy and muddy day here at Överjärva, so I thought it appropriate to dress up and fight the moody feeling that came creeping up on me. The whole outfit makes me feel like Mary Poppins, my childhood heroine. Note that I have tried to improve my choice in shoes since my last show off

The coat is “reclaimed-to-wear” by UK-based company From Somewhere. Just look at the lining! Unfortunately, their website is not as it should be, but here’s their email should you wish to contact them!

I bought my coat at fair trade and organic boutique Equa in Camden Passage. Another angle on flickr.

While searching for traces of From Somewhere I found the eco design fair, taking place in London’s Camden Saturday 2nd December.

designagent blog is full of treasures, I especially like the uncool brooch from bless.

Oh yes, I by other people’s ceramics. Big time! Is there anything better than drinking your tea out of a cup made by someone you know or at least have met? These two pebble shaped vases by Miyoko Onishi, I just fell for - the touch, the shape, the colour! They’re small, I can hold each one in the palm of my hand. *Swoon* as Abigail would say! Miyoko doesn’t have a website, but she was at Origin.

One can tell that Tanya Goodwin is a stylist as the images on her webshop home from the sea are so beautifully composed. Found via Sue Paraskeva.

Here it is - casual style. I could just live in it and I know it’ll keep me warm all through our cold winter. Read more about Alison’s skirts in my d*s post from the other day.

Now I really have to go and do some work!! (I mean, get clay all over my hands.)

In the second week of Origin I got inspired by the ladles from silversmith Chien-Wei Chang. They look so well balanced and I like the combination of materials and shapes. They’re not all as tiny as they appear on this picture, some of them are human sized sculptures - take a look at Chien-Wei’s website.

I’ll be spilling the beans about Origin and all the beauty I saw there both here and at d*s where I’ve been invited to guestblog the following two weeks. Exciting!!

Beautiful ring by ma roulette.

Ms Spinach’s post about BooksActually made me want to get on a plane to Singapore now!

I didn’t browse through all the collections but found this fantastic combination of colours by Vivienne Westwood at Style Bytes.

Hi everyone!
I’m so enjoying Origin, it’s going really well and one after another lovely blogreader is popping up!
Yesterday, I had a good look around the fair and bought some beautifully tactile porcelain vases in the shape of pebbles, made by Miyoko Onishi. I’ve got gorgeous presents for my paper loving friends from Rachel Hazell and I have invested in a skirt for myself. You know by who.
Camilla is here to help me out and the other night we had dinner with Abigail and Claire at Baltic. All in all, I couldn’t imagine having a better time. Will be back next Thursday (or perhaps not)!

PS I hope no one has missed the d*s shop??

Things are slotting into place for Origin. My three big boxes has already arrived in London so I will have something to show… My table is made, by the lovely Roy and Jane (thank you!), so I will have something to show my things on… My postcards are printed and they are great! Eva designed and Lars photographed.

It’ll be easy to want to spend at Origin, just look at the wonderful porcelain pieces by Ninna Gotzsche. Alison Willoughby’s skirts are fantastic. I experienced them last year at Chelsea Crafts Fair and next week I’ll be seeing them at Origin!

We’ll have quite a swedish representation during the first week - I’ll be in the good company of textile artist Åsa Pärson (above) and silver smith Niklas Ejve (below).

My evenings will be spent in the company of lovely friends and I’m looking forward to a blogger meet up on Wednesday! It might be a bit quiet here on the blog though…

PS I think you’ll like howies and the photos by Alun Callender. Thank’s Kathleen!

Oh, yes - autumn has arrived so I uploaded some glimpses from my summer on flickr.

The other night I stayed over at a friends place and walking through Stockholm early the next morning I spotted this wonderful trellis outside the Carl Malmsten shop on Strandvägen. It’s designed by Stefan Borselius, a designer of many a lovely product.

Isn’t it good to take another route once in a while? At another time of the day and the year.

I so enjoyed Abigail’s autumn inspiration posts last week - Petra Borner and Saltwater and all the other lovely finds.

Phoebe at silkfeltsoil wrote about the wonderful rings from Helsinki.

A page from my website is looming over the panel members. From left: Tom Hedkvist (head of Beckmans, graphic designer), Anders Ljungberg (designer, silver smith and teacher at Konstfack), Karin Eriksson (famous swedish potter ) and Katarina Renman Claesson (Ph.D. candidate in law at the university of Stockholm).

Perhaps you’re wondering how yesterday’s panel went? Well, it was an interesting clash between the other panel members more intellectual approach and my belief in the down to earth viewpoint. I find it difficult to approach and understand terms like “design” or “crafts” without boiling them down to concrete examples. Examples tickle my curiosity.

PS This is to all you odd molly lovers in the US.

Thank goodness for mav, shiny squirrel, clothespin, style bytes, fiftyRX3, sartorialist and Joy so that I can enjoy NY fashion week from afar.

My heart is beating faster for the gorgeous coat from Lela Rose, the colour and shape from Derek Lam and the fantastic dress by Marc Jacobs (top picture). All the images are from style.com.

Refinery 29 highlighted runway headgear, for instance the beautiful gemstone tiara that Marc Jacob’s models wore.

I’ve got two tickets for Origin to give away! Email me before 5 o’clock pm GMT on Saturday 16th September when the big draw will take place. The ticket will get you entry for one week of Origin - I’ll be there week one

Oh, if you crave more potter bloggers the parade continues at whip up.

I was thrilled to hear that Toast was here at Överjärva to shoot some of their autumn catalogue. I really like their style and they got some lovely shots from around here (see them on my flickr)!

This is what I’d like my display table to look like at Origin. Isn’t it just elegantly simple? It’s from the current exhibition at Nutida Svenskt Silver. Some of the pieces on that table are worth a lot of money and that contrast between the table and the silver is another thing I like.

Oh my, another of those wonderful japanese craft books…

Thanks to the magazine swap that Holly organized, I now have a stack of lovely magazines to plow myself through - thanks Kristin!

I like the card that Sabine has done.

Beautiful cover of japanese magazine So-En, via Cafe Pause. I’m loving all these rich autumnal colours, like living in a plum tree.

Just look at the colours in the winter 05 collection from Sphere one.

I liked the handmade animals from Clive and Sunshine that Lena Corwin wrote about at d*s guestblog the other day. And the sofa from Shimna that Grace herself blogged about - it’s so simple with that chunk of wood and yet it makes such a difference. And the colour of that blanket….

I love the paper dolls from egg press and the other paper dolls that Maitreya posted about at Whip up.

It really is pretty here at Överjärva, the sun is shining through a crack in the dark clouds and thousands of raindrops are glittering in the grass. And in the background is the constant sound from the motorway - it’s not visible but always there and I’m not saying that to ruin the wonderful image above. I actually think it’s kind of an exiting clash.

Lovely Julia dress from Cecile Belmont that I found through Shari’s blog.

This Marni coat from Browns is my kind of coat.

A Butterfly Egg Stand from Polly George, designer of exquisite and witty ceramics.

I thought this was quite funny, no offence!

I’ve been trying this ring on in last night’s dreams, I guess my brain was digesting all the info I put into it yesterday… I found the ring via Felipov.

Origin is coming closer and I’m deciding on how to furnish my tiny stand, it’s tricky to do it from another country so I will opt for a very simple solution. Probably something clever from IKEA. I was browsing through the exhibitors yesterday and found so much that I’m looking forward to seeing in person.

Millinary by Karen Henriksen - the ’silk satin cap with curled feather fringe’ from the modern bride collection (it’s not the hat on the picture, that’s called something as fabulous). Just the name is beautiful, I almost can’t stop saying it. And what about ‘velour felt windswept cap with contrast edge’ from autum/winter 05-06? Karen Henriksen is exhibiting in week one.

The charcoal head broach is made by Lynne Murray, who will be exhibiting in week two.
Don’t miss her illustrations, they’re lovely.

I’ve got a new post on whip up, it’s about potter bloggers. Talking about whip up - I love the new US postal stamps Weeks posted about the other day?

In the latest issue of Lantliv the fashion spread is photographed here at Överjärva Gård (where my workshop is). It’s a country romantic mix of frilly skirts and Wellingtons and thrown in are a couple of my cups and vases!

I’ve uploaded the whole spread on flickr.

Life took over and it was lots of great free events during the Stockholm Cultural festival last week. Here’s a fire juggler from Carmina Burana, quite a magical night and I’d never heard Carmina Burana before.

It’s also been Stockholm fashion week and I’ve loved seeing Stina Wirsén’s illustrations (click on the links under “Bildspel” in the middle of the second column) in Dagens Nyheter. Dagmar and Dada’s Diamonds have shown their collections.

Polly’s Shadow from Dada’s Diamonds’ latest collection.

This picnic is from today outside the workshop, it’s cups and plates heading for ABC Carpet & Home.

Tomorrow, I’m picking up a small rental car and am off for a few days. Not far and not for long but oh, so lovely! Am leaving you to browse the archives, links and these lovely sites…

Ruahands - don’t miss the Jellybean and Wildflower bag from season 1 and the Toah bag from season 2, the beautiful fabrics etc in the collection and the DIY of the Jellybean. Actually, don’t miss anything! Ruahdesign is the furniture design site with wonderful photos.

Bits and Bobbins fashion scrapbook and studio shot.

Joy blogged about a lovely red Kate Spade bag.

Coolchiq spotted denim boots at Chanel. I believe that when I’m in the right state of mind I can wear whatever I feel like and it looks great. I don’t think I’d ever have the confidence for these boots though, but they’re seriously cool.

The rose outside my workshops smells wonderful.

A cup with a whale by Ayumi Horie. I like her drawing so much. Don’t miss her Pots in Action page.

A Yohji Yamamoto dress, captured by the Sartorialist today.

Recycled (looks like a piece of a porcelain cup and handle) ring, by Gabriela Felgenträger at alternatives (lots of inspiring jewellery there). Found by Ma Roulette.

I like checking back to see what I blogged about a year ago.

I received my first card of the month cards today and they are so lovely - thanks mav!

Found this ever so covetable Turquoise Circle Dress by Rebecka Turbow via fashion is spinach. I also fell for Rebecka Turbow’s large rectangle bag with long strap.

The turquoise dress is available from Mighty flirt who also carry Katrin Schnabl’s great Lipstick Red Liza top.

PS The Sartorialist is in Milan.

I found dutch jeweller Ted Noten via Valdemar’s New Jewellery blog. Although Valdemar’s blogwas born only yesterday, he’s got some great links up already. Noten’s wedding ring pendant can be found through chi ha paura..?

Diana Fayt is another recent blogger and a “voice from inside the studio” (her tagline, which I think is great and very promising!) as she’s also a fellow potter.

Like hoping for happy accidents and Lena Corwin, I like the textile designs by Hau Hauz.

More enjoyable new aquaintances to me are Ms Spinach and No Good for Me.

Tim Gough, via 30 gms. The print above is called Grr.

Holly at decor8 posted about watercolourist Mizue Hirano.

Wonderful quilts by Ian Hundley, via Eva Noveau and Moco Loco.

Sew Recycled has a tip of where to buy Japanese craft books in the UK.

Style Bytes found this lovely cherry patterned Anna Sui dress from Spotlight Vintage. I own an Anna Sui jacket and skirt set which I treasure dearly.

If I were into lists, mine would have accumulated into a novel by now. When I reach the limit for how many things one person can prioritize at once I sometimes (on good days) react with accepting that in my handmade world, things just take time and it’s really no use pushing because that only results in cracks and breakages. It’s much better to sit down with Ninni and have a cup of coffee.

Delicious days has been to Lisbon and it looks fantastic.

Rare Device sell this bag from Kristen Aronsson. That kind of handle makes my heart beat faster.

A sneak preview of the fall/winter collection from Odd Molly. Love it.

fiftyX3R posted a great story of how ugly sweaters and a creative mind can work wonders.

Swissmiss found Maria Bussman’s mouse hotel bed some time ago. Just because they’re tiny doesn’t mean they should be ignored.

Now, I really have to work on my next post for Whip up. Am very late indeed with that.

Nancy of Loopy design design and produce a small collection of girls handmade clothing, some of which use recycled materials. The pictures are just so charming and if I could shrink myself, I’d wear this coat and these wrist warmers!

Some lovely links that i found through le vestiaire de jeanne:

Oona

Chigo

Tantetini

At minky in the north laines, I found Peter Jensen’s clothes and instantly fell for them. Here are a few from the spring/summer collections ‘05 and ‘06.

I didn’t buy this top, but I was very tempted. It’s silk and the print was just so gorgeous… It’s from the spring/summer collection 06 (link to pdf) from designer Sarah Arnett, who runs the beautiful shop Simultané (and the staff was lovely too which added to the whole experience). Instead, I bought a stunning smokey quartz bracelet by Kirt Holmes…

That fitting room had a pretty lamp climbing up it’s wall. I know I’ve seen it somewhere, but can’t remember the name of the designer, let me know if you know and I’ll update.
UPDATE: It’s by Helena Christensen for habitat (thank’s dear reader!).

It was just such a pleasure having time to stroll around - in and out of shops, trying on a little something, having lunch with a glass of wine, reading a book… Here I’m sitting in Nia café and when I googled on them I found this Brighton gastronaut’s review. I actually did get decent service and the chicken salad with crispy bacon was not bad at all.

On the plane over to the UK, I read an article in which trend oracle Li Edelkoort says that restaurants is the new fashion, that’s where the trends are created. The article was illustrated by Stina Wirsén, a truly talented swedish illustrator and I find her work very inspiring.

That’s all for now, but there will be more Brighton to come this week. I’ll leave you with this flowershop on St James’ street call Planted. I love what they’ve done with the wood.

This was one of those jolt-in-the-stomach discoveries - I love the sheer simplicity and casualness and naturalness of Ninh Wysocan’s jewellery. And got completely mesmerized by the intricate image puzzle on her website (click your way to the 01 collection and you’ll see what I mean)… Found via Andrea Tung’s blog Making things.

Ninh Wysocan’s jewellery and Tess Giberson’s F/W05 collection.

And a quick link: check out the lovely collages by Tisdagsregn…, found via Red Instead blog.

I’m happy today! I got a letter saying I’ve been excepted to Origin - the new London craft fair, hosted by the Crafts Council. It’s in October and that feels so far away which lulls me into thinking I’ve got plenty of time to prepare…

Tonight, I didn’t watch SATC but I tuned in to Treehugger TV and followed Jill around the sustainable fashion shops on Manhattans lower east side. Coincidentally, in the program Jill picked out the Worn Again shoes from Terra Plana that are also featured in the current exhibition at the Crafts Council gallery, in good company of Alison Willoughby’s skirt.

Am off to bed now, wish it was this one by John Houshmand (via hoping for happy accidents). Love it!

DesignKlicks brought me to some fine fashion photography by Julia Blank and portable hard drive in the shape of a stone from Studio Leung. German Der Spiegel is one of the three behind DesignKlicks, I wish the swedish daily’s would catch on to this idea, perhaps CraftKlicks?

It’s like a little factory in my workshop at the moment. Fortunately, these tealight holders are off to Copenhagen tomorrow.

Wonderful jewellery by Raquel Moreno (especially the mah-jong/butterflies series).

Stylish things from small businesses: notonthehighstreet, via Daily Candy.

Organic clothing from stewart + brown via fiftyx3.

The snow is starting to melt and the streets are drying up. I’m relishing in the sound of my steps against the asphalt and am starting to believe that there will actually come a sunny warm day when I could wear a this dress from Erica Tanov, spring 2005 collection (many nice dresses in the 2006 collection too!).

Once in a blue moon I did a summer course in ceramics at Capellagården on Öland, an island in the Baltic Sea. It was a three week course and I loved my stay in this idyllic village. After whole days in the ceramics studio, we went swimming in the evenings, painted water colours on Alvaret and went for a “fika” at café Mejeriet. Bliss.

Capellagården was founded by Carl Malmsten, designer and cabinet maker. Here’s the Carl Malmsten shop in Stockholm. Apart from offering courses in crafts and design, Capellagården also has a biodynamical gardening course and the most beautiful and restful herb garden.

Now, I’m tempted by this summer’s courses, especially the textile workshop with Pasi Välimaa (maker of the beautiful rug above) and the japanese box course with Norio Tanno (Japanese master in box making!).

Here’s a link to other places to see on the south of Öland.

I love this image from Camilla Norrback’s spring/summer collection 2006. It definitely communicates her philosophy: “In a camilla norrback garment my hope is that you feel beautiful, empowered and sharp.”

Machine Made Patchworks 2 - I think I’m going to have to try and get hold of this book, it looks so inspiring!. Found it through Amy who’d been given it by Sally.

I liked this image from Wallwear that Sabine Brandt bought for her office.

Here’s my dreamed up outfit for FiftyX3 sustainable carnival!

I love the pocket skirt (above) from Out of Line.

If the Tokyo Recycle Project ever comes to Stockholm, I’ll bring something from my wardrobe to have remade into a top for the carnival. Tokoy Recycle Project was initiated by Japanese fashion designer Masahiro Nakagawa, I first heard about it via Coolchic, when the project was at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney. I enjoyed watching this video following a garment being transformed by Masahiro Nakagawa.

To this, I’ll add a colourful bag from slingfings. Here’s an interview with Rachel Bending (who started slingfings) at chaosgeneration.

The shoes will come from swedish Knulp, who’s been making sustainable shoes and bags since the 1970’s (click on the red link just above the address to see their collections). I’ve got one of their purses and it must be 15 years old by now and more beautiful than ever.

I’m turning into quite a low-key coloured carnival goer, aren’t I? Well, well…it ain’t gonna change with the jewellery either. I fell for the philosophy behind Sofia Björkman’s new line of jewellery (best viewed in explorer):

“There are places once populated but sparsely inhabited.
There are houses once with living people but now empty of people.
There are industries once in full works but now with machines idle.
There are cemetaries once with a lot flowers but now forgotten and overgrown.
There are cars, furniture and a number of other things that once had a shining period but now put at the scrap- and junkyard.
There are also jewelry that people has left but that is more unusual because jewelry has always been one of the most important status symbols and are connected with glamour and value. This series of jewelry is made of my memories of empty places and forgotten objects. The question is what status these objects have at present?”

The jewellery will be exhibited at Platina Gallery in September this year. There is an interesting and inspiring article about jewellery in today’s Svenska Dagbladet, unfortunately not a lot of it is shown online.

Oh, my, this winter just never seem to end! Today has been a glorious sunny day and the branches were creating shadows on the roof of my workshop.
Thank you all for the comments on the previous post! I’ll most certainly invite you in to see more of what what my working day looks like.

Today, however, the theme is sustainability. It’s been demanding my attention lately, popping up here there and everywhere - and rightly so! I’ve added it to my categories list and perhaps, in a while, I can get a clearer view of what it means to me. Here are three things that belongs in that category.

fiftyrx3, a blogger “perusing the crossroads of style and sustainability” who’s goal for 2006 is that 50% of what she wears should be reused, recycled and reduced (you have to visit her blog to see what that means!). This dress was runner up in her Sustainable Oscar Style nominations.

o2nordic is part of the global o2 network, who believe “the development of a sustainable future is the greatest and most inspiring design challenge of our time". In collaboration with others, o2nordic is organizing a Saving the Planet in Style design competition, open until 20th April 2006. For information in english, email ellika@albaeco.com.

Kath at Whip up wrote about altered clothing and that post made me think of Do Redo, a swedish “recycling project".

The image is of the lamps above the entrance to lingerie shop Tekinoktay in Copenhagen. If I’d had money to spend, it could have been done in there! “A true aesthetic lady’s universe” as Danish Design Centre describes it. (DDC has a very good list of design shops to visit in Copenhagen.)

Holly Golightly is the name of Audrey Hepburns character in Breakfast at Tiffany’s and it’s also the name of a small fashion shop in Copenhagen. I flicked through the Marni sweaters and Marc Jacobs tops and thought they were stunning. The images are from Marni’s spring/summer 2006 RTW collection at style.com.

I also admired the beautiful jewellery by Jo Riis-Hansen in her shop on Møntergade 14. You have to press the bell to get in and it’s worth it!

I saw the ice chandelier by danish designers Refer+Staer dotted around Copenhagen, it was awarded the Wallpaper design award for best lighting 2006.

Coming to Copenhagen makes me realize that I live quite far north, where February is a winter month and snow is to be expected. In Stockholm, you will find no furniture or flowers outside the shops for a long while yet…

After a train journey that left me despondent of SJ, I finally arrived in Copenhagen two hours late. This was however quickly forgotten and I had a lovely stay! Thursday was spent around and about town and I saw some different sites than at last years visit. I quite like finding my way through a city on foot and with a good map, but having a local showing you the hotspots is really very very nice.

We got off the bus at Blågårdsgade in Nørrebro and found fashion shop Klædebo, run by four young local designers. On the same street is a cute little shop called Mayol and I liked their door handle…

Across the street from the door handle is second hand shop Time’s up. The whole area of Nørrebro is filled with a mixture of shops, cafés and bric-a-brac - more to come in the next post!

My heartshaped stone was given to me by my dear friend Caroline and today it’s for all of you!

Some smooth websites - layout and content - I’ve come across lately:
Verzameldwerk gallery, explore the birds.

Aaron Jansinski Via Coudal, like music.

Ghulam Sakina is featured in the February 06 issue of Selvedge, the website is like an inspirations wall. His clothes are sold at Browns in London.

And this is a dress made out of a Norwegian postsack! I like the idea of something old finding it’s way into something new. The designer Susanne Hæstad has made a whole collection out of postsacks from all over the world.

For at least two years I used to pass Antoni + Alisons studio everyday on the no 19 bus. I found their window decorations intriguing, but never really understood what it was they did. Now I know. Vogue are showing their spring-summer 2006 collection. I like it.

The image from their sketchbook (above) is from the archives at the V&A. Below is an image from the Photographers Gallery in London where Antoni + Alisons photography is represented (I enjoyed reading the text about them).

Talking about fashion, check out the new Odd Molly collection. I like their way of inserting a ribbon just above the waist, very pretty. And the lovely cardigan is now available in pink, *sigh*.

Energy is what’s oozing out of my computer when I check out the daily happenings on all the crafts blogs and tomorrow it’ll ooze even more as it is the launch of Whip up. I’ll be dressing the blog up with more links and that’s where you’ll find the craft inspiration (any day now…).

I love knitted stuff and found Weardowney (I liked their spring-summer 2005 collection) and Clare Tough’s work in Selvedge (the images above and below are from her degree show), which led me to this article on fashioncapital and on to the beautiful, beautiful work of Anuk Harvey.

Do you remember Thompson Street in NY with the fabulous nonchalantmom and Clio? Well, it’s going to get even better as Les Petites Chapelais is moving there on February 1st with their childrens clothes shop. Dresses with names like frou frou just have to be gorgeous - and they are! Above is the Pantalone soleil and below is Robe polaire. 86, Thompson street. Thanks, Dominique!

The spring-summer line from pattern wizards Eley Kishimoto. These images from are from British Vogue and it was Erandi who pointed me in that direction.

Here’s an article from Icon about Eley Kishimoto.

I’ve just updated a post from September last year, about Odd Molly . Thank you for all the tips about aquiring Odd Molly clothing in various parts of the world! Today Tracey came to the rescue for all of you who live in Exeter, UK, as Garnish and Winkle in Gandy street carry Odd Molly clothing.

Agathe at Style Bytes posted about the first issue of N.E.E.T and you mustn’t miss it! What a treat and all the yummy things featured has direct links to the designer. “N.E.E.T Magazine showcases grassroots fashion and creativity.” Mmm, me like.

Of course the designer of these rugs, Akira Isogawa, would be a fashion designer. The rugs are a collaboration with Australian company Designer Rugs. Via Land+Living, who more recently posted about the Thorncrown Chapel which is a beautiful building with quite a remarkable structure.

This kid print tote bag from Frecklewonder is in the same crazy style as a mug me and 3,5 year old Rasmus made the other day. And the andhurst vest, love the tight hip-bit!

I found the link to Frecklewonder at hula seventy where I also spotted Reverie, I like the images there but haven’t figured out what products they do with the vintage finds…

And here’s one I found all by myself, bric-a-brac is a swedish fashion brand with a shop on Swedenborgsgatan in Stockholm. I bought a lovely dress there for my goddaughter Emelie, it’s in the same fabric as the Tiffany dress from the winter 05 collection. More of their lovely childrens clothes in the collections from Spring & Summer 05 and Winter 2004. And of course all the other clothes, I love the Svartlöga top for instance.

I have some links to unload…

swedesres posted about illustrator Karin Mårtensson. Don’t miss her threedimensional work.

Check out the Norwegian vintage fashion windows on Style Bytes!

And two links from Designspotter: Eva Kimheu and Elena Kikina - both have lovely fashion images. Above is Sunny by Eva Kimheu.

This is the kind of hat I’d wear if I wore hats. Handmade by Anna Kula and I did not write down where I found the link - sorry! And rather than wearing a knitted hat because its so cold, I’d like to be here, a Jonathan Adler resort heaven found through the always enjoyable fountain.

I read an article about Antonio Marras in Case da Abitare and found his clothes and artistic installations so very inspiring. Above photograph is from Case da Abitare and do take a look at Marras website, it’s got some stunning images -dramatic and theatrical (below). The black-and-white images made me think of these images but with a touch of Dries Van Noten…

Before I started blogging, I had a page on my website called thoughts. This page was inspired by shoedesigner Tracey Neuls, who had a similar page on her site. A page where she wrote about things not directly related to shoes. So, I guess this is a - well past its duedate - thank you for inspiring me!

The reason TN popped into my mind again (apart from making superb shoes that needs to be checked out now and again), was that I learnt that morphous, my agent in Australia and New Zealand, is also agent for Tracey Neuls. Fancy that!

TN has opened up a shop in London and it looks like one of those rare shops where you find an inspiring mix of things, chosen with care.

I was browsing through old portfolios and clippings and came across some fashion shots that I’ve saved because I liked them so much - and still do.

I’m afraid I’ve been very neglectful when it comes to writing down which magazine the images comes from or who’s photographed them… What I do know is that the stunning coat above is made by Marjan Pejoski (if you, like me, is not allowed very far into his website, check this site out) and the dress is Swarovski crystals. My bet is that tthe page is from Italian Vogue. By the way, Marjan Pejoski is the designer behind Björk’s swan dress from a couple of years back…

Chelsea Crafts Fair is a juried show for applied arts. It lasts for two weeks and each week present new artists. Here’s what I loved this years first week and here’s a link to both weeks exhibitors.

The skirts by Allison Willoughby are like pieces of art and I adored flicking through them, feeling the weight of the beautiful materials.

I always judge my own material the hardest…but Kathleen Hills ceramic light I love. Another light I fell for was Sheldon Cooney’s Bull Dog Light, one of those glass lamps where the bulb becomes an important part of the design and you see it through the glass.

The willow work by Lizzie Farey is made with such feeling for shapes, the piece above is called “Willow wallsketch".

I wish Diana Irani and Kei Ito had websites so that I could show you their work. I was inspired by the cuts of Irani’s suit jackets (Irani is currently working on a project about healing garments, read more) and Kei Ito makes stunning sculptural bags and garments (Craftscouncil’s Photostore has a large image collection of Kei Ito’s work and she is also represented by Lezley Craze Gallery).

There’s always some great jewellers at Chelsea and I liked Sarah Lindsay and Clare Hillerby (below).

Angry chicken have had some unmissable links this past week. The little purse (I agree with Amy, this is my favourite as well) and bag comes from hum. And from kawana comes these cute oven gloves.

Designspotter linked to feindinge who’se vase looks stunning.

Crayon had a link to Miun, who’s fall/winter collection included this happy green dress with arm warmers.

I also enjoyed the massive moose at Groupies!

It really is autumn now. When I bike to the workshop I need a scarf around the head and something to warm my hands. But that’s ok, I have these lovely knitted gloves from Pernilla Svenre to dress up in.

I recently read an article about Pernilla Svenre and I was so impressed. She runs a creative bussines and seems to have had found a balance between creativity and economy. This is the kind of article that I like to read - about someone who’s doing what I’m doing, trying to grow a small creative business.

The article about Pernilla Svenre was one of the few interesting articles in the KIF magazine. KIF is a Swedish organization for artists and designers. I find their members magazine perfectly booring, most of it deals with grants and funds out of which artists can apply for money.

I’d like to read articles dealing with the entrepreneurial side of being an artist or designer. I’d love to hear others opinions and experiences on things that I’m sure we have in common: which freight companies to use; how to deal with order confirmations that are not kept; which trade shows to do etc. And it wouldn’t hurt if the layout of the magazine was a teeny bit inspiring.

So please KIF, if you want to keep me as a member, more of those Pernilla Svenre kind of articles!

Ses vi här på onsdag morgon?!

“Hej! och välkommen på kollektionsutförsäljning på DAY Birger et Mikkelsen Onsdagen den 21/9 mellan 8 och 18. Adressen är som vanligt Åsögatan 115, 4 tr (Stalands Möblerhuset). Välkommen!”

How strangely cut off one feels when one has server problems!! Am hoping it’ll not happen again. It’s a beautiful autumn friday in Stockholm and I’m going out for a drink in a bar where they have a fire place. How cosy! Here’s a jacket from Odd Molly that I’d wear tonight if I owned one.

UPDATE: All of you who live in Exeter, UK can get your Odd Molly clothing from Garnish and Winkle in Gandy street. Tracey came to the rescue - thank you! If anyone has tips of other places around the world where Odd Molly can be purchased - please feel free to leave them in the comments.

Is it the colour? Or the texture? The shape? I don’t know, I just like it. Very much.
It’s a Mondet bag, found it in the Satin Boutique on a search for more info on Tsumori Chisato, who’s beautiful dress I saw at candlemomo.

Cia Wedin told me about Johanna Hofring and you absolutely have to have a look at her “top page” (as well as the other pages of course, but the first page has something special). Johanna runs two shops: Ekovaruhuset in Stockholms Old Town and The Art Fiend Foundation in New York. The crocheted red boots are from an exhibition in 2003.

Polarn o Pyret is for me great quality, colourful stripy clothes in 100% cotton. My childhood was filled with P.O.P clothes and I still enjoy my redstriped bed t-shirt (they last for ever). swedesres mentioned that P.O.P have launched a new website and I couldn’t resist the pregnant stripy belly picture!

Saw at the Stylephile that Net-a-porter is having a sale. Oh well, as Cinderella would’ve said.

I thought it was really clever of Cecilia Nykvist to open her design/fashion/interiors shop Frank Form opposite one of the big hotels in Stockholm, where usually all you can find are not-so-very-special souvenirs with moose or polar bears on them. Contrary to this, Frank sell Cecilia’s personal selection of things that will last far longer than any polar bear mug (having said that, it would be a challenge to make a polar bear design souvenir with a difference).

Enough about bears… I love getting Cecilia’s newsletter every other month or so, gently and humoristically reminding me about Frank’s existence and all the new things available. In the most recent one I spotted the Granny purse (I love that style purse) by danish fashion team Becksöndergaard and “Stitch” light by my friend Kathleen Hills.

I very seldom afford things but when I do buy it’s usually something I really fall in love with and so I splashed out on a skirt from Lorek Mendian, one of Frank’s brands. And I can’t write about Frank without mentioning another friend of mine, Hanna Tonek Bonnett, who’s soft boxes from the “Rush of Plush” series are available at Frank. By the way: Frank is nominated as Best Shop by Alltomstockholm ("everything about Stockholm") and he certainly got my vote!

Am home with the flue and I figure blogging wont make it worse so might just post half a metre today! Lots of nice links at swedesres which stands for sweden design resource, new to me and looks promising! Here’s one of their links to Hundräven (dogfox) - fantastical line drawings on t-shirts and cards. Above t-shirt is the “Fire Monster” (eldräven) from the “Angry animals” (animals trying to look angry but who really are very sweet) collection.

Also loved the link to BankerWessel (below) and the Hola Sombrero Exhibition and…

Was lured by NotCot to Le Train Blue, where I spent a blissfully happy time browsing through all the great fashion. As NotCot, I fell for Erotokritos (in Sweden for sale at Mrs H in Stockholm) emerald green dress and lots of other pretty dresses. Do read the story behind the name Le Train Bleu, about a creative time when art and commerce mixed it up!

Från Tjallamalla’s webbshopp.

Recent net surfing have resulted in the following:
applique t-shirts from Random Nicole,

garden apron from Urban Aprons,

bags and stationary by Lotta Jansdotter.

Anano, everything on this Japanese site is just exquisite, all the keys unravel small treasures.

This dress against that wall is just wow. From Pita, found via Layers of Meaning.

Processor is five talented women who after their Textile degree wanted to work together and lucky for us, they were inspired by our theme, flora and fauna, and have done some great things that are included in Amongst Tigers and Rhubarbs. This limited edition sweater is a labour of love and it is also “eco-friendly” and for sale for £67 in five different patterns, here are the dog and the fox with his paws sticking outside the frame (on the back as well!):

Processor are also responsible for the tiger precense and lovely purses (£10), scarfs (£13) and pillowcases (£16) that I wrote about yesterday. This is their postcard:

My absolute favourite Processor items are the two fragile and yet strong trees made up of layers of transparent textiles cut in fab shapes, here together with Elin Basander Lundins rocking chair “A Swedish Tale".

Hi Mav and everyone else who likes the thistle t-shirt by FLiT’s Eva Grinder:
it is under production and for sale! £25, postage included within Europe. To order: contact info@flit2005.com.

Freedom of Creation is based in Amsterdam: technology and design in a cutting edge mix resulting in lighting ("Dahlia", above), nail extensions, the “Punchbag” and the “Paris” shoes - aren’t they just the perfect wedding dress accessory? Found via Sensory Impact and MoCoLoco.

Kul att läsa om Maria Westerlind i dagens DN Söndag (tyvärr fanns inte artikeln på nätet - ännu). Jag älskar att läsa om duktiga entreprenörer! Och så gillar jag hennes kläder förstås, speciellt förtjust i den Puccimönstrade topen. Butiker på Drottninggatan i Stockholm och Östra Hamngatan i Göteborg.

6th June is the national day in Sweden. I am celebrating by bringing to you some more New York images!

These are from the day I met up with my friend Judy, here sporting a blue and yellow Marimekko hat from Clearly First on Madison. Clearly First bring a selection of scandinavian design to upper east side - they spotted my swedish heritage through the Fjällräven rucksack on my back.

At Felissimo designhouse we saw the exhibition Designed in Sweden, where for instance my friends Åsa and Malin of Design Dessert showed their lamp “The Emperors New Clothes".

After the scandinavian start to the day followed an afternoon of walking through Central Park over to Upper West side (Seinfeldt neighbourhood - I tried to figure out where in NY Carrie lives and I thougth she’s probably a Nolita kind of girl? I should have gone on an SATC tour of course) and a delicious picnic from gourmet heaven Zabar’s on Broadway and east 80th Street.

On our way to moss gallery, we passed a parade of rubbish bag carts that looked as if they were on display but it was most likely someones life belongings. One of the incredible things with New York is that opposites live side by side and it seems to be a friendly jargong between them. I also was happy to find that I felt safe and well taken care of by the New Yorkers: if I was lost standing with my map someone immediately would ask if they could be of assistance and I very much appreciate that.

moss is located on Greene street and show a fusion of contemporary crafts and design, items that are handmade or production manufactured. Most of the work in moss is displayed in glass cabinets as if it was a museum. Usually I want to touch an object and lift it up so that I can feel the texture and weight of it in my hands, but I didn’t really mind the glass interuption. The display and mix of the objects in the cabinets were interesting and I was intrigued by them. Next to Moss is a shop called Troy (like moss, named by the man who owns it), where we admired the fantastic sculptural glass chandeliers. Unfortunately Troy was the only place in New York where they completely ignored us, everyone else was very charming and helpful, and so I didn’t find out who the chandeliers were by. Oh well. Vivienne Tam has a shop further down on Greene Street and I fell totally for her adorable clothes.

I’m trying to stay awake late tonight as I’m off to New York tomorrow (!!) and thought I’d sleep on the plane instead and arrive all alert. Erica Tanov is one of Camillas lovely links today. I especially liked the striped skirt and hand knit belted tank from the spring collection. I recently stumbled over insurgent muse and I have a feeling it will become a favourite, just like Bricolage. According to Webster’s online dictionary, insurgent means “In opposition to a civil authority or government.”

New aquaintance, Derek Lam, autumn collection 2005. As always, I fall completely for green, perhaps the crystals in the scarf and top and love the collar.

I like the combination of pebbleshape and rectangle in this bottle from the Armani Privé range of scents. I’d love to have that pebble as a ring - does anyone know who makes that kind of jewellery?

Anyway, the four Privé scents were originally created for Armani and his friends and according to this article, Armani’s personal favourite is Bois d’Encens: “It brings back his childhood memories of going to church with his grandmother, when the smell of incense suffused the church.”

Wallpaper has written a little something about Privé, but I spotted it in the March issue of french Vouge.

Alltför ofta shoppar jag loss på Pressbyrån, häromsistens blev det Elle Interiörs specialtidning Sommarstället, modebranschtidningen Habit och danska interiörtidningen Bo Bedre. Jag tyckte verkligen om Habit, det här numret handlade en del om butiksinredning och belysning och jag är lite insnöad på det just nu. För övrigt tyckte jag det var en schysst mix av trender, konkreta tips och skön layout. Dom andra två tidningarna innehöll samma gamla vanliga mix av trevliga interiörer och kommer snart att malas ner i min utmärkta dokumentförstörare och användas som förpackningsmaterial.

Thanks for the tips leading me to more info on Ritva-Liisa Pohjalainen! The dress I mentioned earlier is from the Allegria of Fashion exhibition. This is currently on show at the Lahti Historical Museum. A movie of the exhibition can be viewed on her website, it takes about 4 minutes. I understood from the adjoining text on the website that the film was going to be about her workingprocess - which would have also been really interesting - but it “only” shows the dresses.

I was interested to read the story of Ritva-Liisa Pohjalainen’s design. Her dresses are very sculptural with beautiful lines and wonderful materials in them. My no 1 is still the red one, but these two are very close.

Jag har förgäves försökt hitta något om Ritva-Liisa Pohjalaisen, som gjort den här fantastiska klänningen, men zero luck.

Vill-ha-klänningen Avenyn av StellaSofia. Hittade via Unik Design Shoppen.

Mailorder catalogues can be so alluring. Here are some of my favourites:

Bailey’s by Mail, sell for instance vintage garden stuff , wellie racks, ceramic sinks wooden wine crates, vintage tailors dummies and a 1960’s zink desk.

If I had the money, I’d buy this bikini from Toast By Post and perhaps the Deep indigo skirt?

The Karim Rashid miniature dining table from AKTA.

I also like the catalogues from R.K. Alliston and Found.

I’m a sucker for botanical drawings so it was easy to be intrigued by the Flora Danica paper dress by designer Annette Meyer in collaboration with Royal Copenhagen. The dress is made out of paper with prints of Flora Danica services flowers and golden board.
In order to make the paper suitable for clothing so-called “crumble parties” took place where several workers from Royal Copenhagen rubbed the necessary 200 meters of paper between their fingers. The Flora Danica Dress is on show 2/4 - 8/5- 2005 at Malmö Konstmuseum.

I found these presscuttings of Meyer’s work really inspiring:

Annette Meyer calls her one of a kind wedding dresses “From FLOuR to FLOweR". The dresses are made in paper flour wrapping materials that originates from individually selected countries around the world. Bride-to-come can order their customized designed wedding dress for this special and unique occasion!

Saw at Coolchiq that fashion label Jovovich-Hawk is opening up shop in Greenwich Village. Lucky me who’s going to New York in May!

I went to Copenhagen with my friend Eva, and its thanks to her I’ve got most of these pictures as my own photographic skills turned out to be poor…

At the corner of Kompagnistræde and Læderstræde is Creme de la Creme a la Edgar (I think it’s named after something out of Aristocats?) which is a gorgeous shop with a very inspiring way of displaying childrens clothing, toys and this charming moose which I just fell in love with.

Opposite from ‘Edgar’ is Wettergren & Wettergren, a fashion and accesories shop run by mother and daughter selling costumized vintage clothing.

Stilleben is dedicated to selling ceramics, a personal mix of industrial and studio ceramics. Take a look at their website for a clever and beautiful way of mixing and styling objects!

We now strolled down towards Nyhavn and on to Bredgade to visit the Danish Museum of Decorative Art. We had a lovely omelett with spinach and goats cheese in the cafe and talked for so long that the museum was closed by the time we were ready to see the exhibition… We did manage to see their Design Studio which is like an educational room where design objects are chategorized after which material they’re made out of, several of the objects can be touched and even tasted. It’s so well put together and a great resource for children and grown-ups!

I was looking forward to visiting Gallery Nörby, Denmarks leading ceramics gallery for studio ceramics and we happend to come on the day of switching exhibitions. Paul Scott, well known for his research into ceramics and print, was in the middle of putting up his joint exhibition ‘Body Blue’ with Ann Linnemann.

Crafts Collection promote and sell danish applied arts and design. Their showroom might be a bit tricky to find if you don’t know it’s there, but we just followed our expert guide through the streets of Copenhagen, Sabine Lavigne, and arrived at the second floor of Amagertorv 1. Unfortunately most of the collection was at the Ambiente trade fair in Frankfurt, but we did get to see some of their latest collection CC09, recently featured by Design Sponge.

Designers Zoo is situated a 20ish minute walk on Vesterbrogade away from the city centre and it’s well worth it. Lots of danish ‘gemyt’ on the way and when you get there the shop is light and airy with some great crafts in it. I especially fell for Charlotte Ostergaards ethereal clothes.

Lucky for us, the Danish Design Center was open until 9 pm on wednesdays and no entry fee. We tried out seating by the Campana brothers from Brazil and Eero Aarnio from Finland, saw graphic design and the Danish Design Prize winners from 2004.

Before bording our train, we just had time to peak through the window at Koenroeg and Moshi Moshi.

Dries van Noten is one of my favourite fashion designers. I love his use of materials and patterns and the casual feel with which the clothes are combined. This is from the spring/summer collection 2005.

Isn’t it a beauty with the width in the skirt and all those marvelous roses? From YSA.