Karin's Style Blog

Gifts for Aurora who turns a month on Sunday… Bought from Zèbre à Pois, the shoes are by Oeuf, made in Bolivia and the hat is by Ketiketa made in Nepal.

I wanted to show you the newborn lambs at Överjärva Gård, but my computer is behaving very badly at the moment so it’ll have to wait…

Happy Easter!

My workshop.

I’m finally ready with the compilation of my 2010 collection wholesale price list so now it’s only the bookkeeping for 2009 remaining. Phew. Each year I say to myself that I’ll do the bookkeeping continually over the year rather than saving it all… And still, here I am with three huge files to enter into the system… And I actually like keeping track of what comes in and goes out and to know what I spend on and how much I can spend. This year I’ll do it differently

Textiles from Bantie.

I went to the Stockholm Furniture Fair last week and met lots of nice people and spent a good long while at Konsthantverkscentrums stand where all my 4 pictures are from. That’s where Ulrika Krynitz wonderfully green rug was and you should check her website out because of the ecolodges she rents out… read more about this poetic wilderness retreat on the National Geographic blog. You’ll find Emma’s much more extensive report from the fair at the d*s guest blog.

Ki-Ki - a Japanese design shop on Renstiernas gata here in Stockholm.

The sunshine in my workshop.

I had the best day on Friday, there was a beautiful flow through that whole day. Mmm.
I’m not going to tell you the details but it started out with feeding the pigs at Överjärva, it’s a good way to start the day.

I’m getting one of these.

Bigger.

I ordered yarns from habu textiles again (not through the selvedge shop but directly from habu) and they are beautiful, so simple and elegant.

Bigger.

I read in Camino that swedish childrens clothes brand Polarn & Pyret has a page on their web where you can sell second hand clothes from them.

Have a lovely weekend!

Bigger.

Camilla and I will have a “progress report show” at manos in August. We’ve gone from plump little bowls and plates, to clay faces and desserts and now it’s a mix of chubby-rimmed bowls, smooth door knobs and wall hangers with noses… We are curious to see where this is going?!

To my alarm all my websites were gone during much of yesterday! My webhost was upgrading their servers and it went a little woopsy daisy. It’s ok now though.

It’s been raining all weekend and today it is grey, I could do with all the woolies from Reny van der Kamp.

The last of the yarn I ordered from Selvedge (in September!) arrived and it is a very special yarn indeed. I like it a lot. It’s a linen yarn from habu textiles called ami ito.

Pictures by Hanna.

My tealight holderswith a pattern exclusively designed for Cosas is now available in english (so to speak)!

Here’s a quote from the book I’m reading at the moment, “The Elegance of the Hedgehog”:

“The camelia against the moss of the temple, the violet hues of the Kyoto mountains, a blue porcelain cup - this sudden flowering of pure beauty at the heart of ephemeral passion: is this not something we all aspire to? And something that, in our Western civilization, we do not know how to attain?
The contemplation of eternity within the very movement of life.”

Wishing you all a Happy Sunny Easter!

Paper pot maker, available at manos. Bigger.

Here’s a wonderful little tool, called a “potter". I bought one for myself last year and made hundereds of pots and planted hundereds of seeds. Here’s some. Now I’ve bought it for manos, so you can also make your own paper plant pots!

More manos news is the hand silk screened pine cone t-shirt and baby bodies. The print is a take on Philippe Starck’s Juicy Salif.

Otherwise, I’m making lots of rose covered cups and planting all the little cutting plants I’ve collected lately. And I’m getting ready to get some cuttings from a beautiful geranium that is thriving in my greenhouse.

Yellow Something Old Something New Bag. Bigger here.

Last week was the last of Nicoles six month work placement with me, so now I’m all alone… At least for one day, because tomorrow comes Josephine who will be with me for up to a year! I’ve been so lucky with my assistants. They make my days at the studio so much more easy and companionable! And I make new friends

Last week was also delivery time at manos, I received lots of new beautiful things of which most are now available in the webshop, but for some items you have to visit me at Överjärva… Thursday-Sunday 11-3 pm.

Linen towels with classic red, blue or beige stripes. Bigger here.

Rustic natural linen towels. See the whole picture bigger here.


Recycled plastic baskets from Handed By! Only available in the brick n’mortar shop…

Coriander and Lemon Soap.

Bigger.

In the end of September I ordered yarns from the Selvedge shop and was bewildered when they didn’t arrive. Until Friday that is - three months later! Although I would have appreciated an email about it, I have to say that they are worth the wait. Treasures!

More treasures came from Portland - my new tags and this beautiful book!

Bigger.

manos webshop is open as usual but the bricks-and-mortar shop is closed in January for refurbishment - a stove is being installed in the green house to keep us warm through the winter (at least next years) and a new door is being put in! the shop is opening again in February with an all white display - more about that here.

Ana Ventura paper doll, larger here.

Last week we were painting and drilling in order to put up lighting in manos. I still need to buy some cable but it feels as if a well lit shop is within reach.

The new exhibition - Friends and Aquaintances - is also up with beautiful paper dolls by Ana Ventura, charming handmade dolls by Wawaya and maldimaglia, cushions by Jenny Almén, textiles by Processor and Camillas calendar fit in so well so it’s joined in too.

TaoTao, unique dolls by Wawaya, larger here.

It’s a joy having all these wonderful items in the shop, here are more images (scroll down).

Black leather Bibo, available here.

I’m completely charmed by these little creatures, they’re available in the shop now. Just one of each design.

Biba with socks and ear-flower, available here.

Biba with pink sweatband, available here.

Tomorrow is the last day to see an exhibition of work by Anna Sjons Nilsson at Konsthantverkarna . I find her dolls - or sculptures - so wonderful and inspiring!

See this little Biba bigger here.

Talking about dolls - I’ve got some adorable and beautiful handmade dolls from Italy, Japan and Portugal coming in to the shop. They’ll all be part of the next exhibition at manos: Friends and Aquaintances, opening Thursday 30th October. I can’t wait for you to meet them all…

The title of the exhibition comes from the fabric Friends and Aquaintances by design group Processor whose work is always available at manos.

Bigger here.

Here I am in my new red skirt by Alison Willoughby, drinking a green tea and enjoying an easy read. London was as wonderful as ever, I had a relaxing and inspiring time. Here are the highlights of my Origin visit and of the past few days online (I’m away for a few days and so much happens!).

Lines & Shapes volume five, that I’m proud to be part of - buy one or subscribe to the whole series here.

StudioViolet with shop!

Origin links:
Ceramics by Kaori Tatebayashi and Ikuko Iwamoto.

Jewellery by Nutre Arayavanish, Tithi Kutchamuch, Heesung Koh, Adele Brereton, Lina Peterson and Grace Girvan - unfortunately her website does not show the beautiful jewellery she makes with natural pebbles, silver and wood.

Mixed media by Samantha Bryan.

Fashion and textiles by Eloise Grey, Teresa Green and Adrienne Rogers.

Wood by Gary Allson and David Gates.

Detail of “Sleep” cushion.

manos is updated with Jenny Alméns cushions, beautiful art pieces to rest your head on. The cushions are made of reclaimed cotton sheets with the embroidery as a lovely detail on the back. There is only one of each cushion. Available here. See all of Jenny’s cushions here.

Detail of “Feeding Pigeons on a Bench” cushion.

I’m getting so many wonderful things into manos over the coming weeks, here’s one of five paper dolls from Ana and here’s a little Biba that will arrive from Italy very shortly.

My ceramics is now available in the lovely online shop Radici.

Bigger here.

manos has just had delivery of Jenny Alméns stunning “art cushions", I’m uploading them in the online shop later this week, but I just have to show you two sneak previews.

Bigger here.

Despite my not being danish I’ve been allowed in at online shop danishceramics and that’s where I found Jette Arendal Winther’s wonderful work - check it out, one cannot but be charmed.

This past week has been crammed full of private views, celebrations, barbeques, a concert with Grus i Dojjan and yesterday my friend Lisa had put on her red clogs when me, my mum and Lisa went to see the exam show at Konstfack.

We came at eleven but the show opened at twelve so we sat in the sun outside restaurant Landet for a while. The tiles on the wall are designed by Ylva Wilhelmina Franzén.

As usual, I liked the jewellery department show a lot. I think it’s because of their unafraid approach to materials. Below is a wearable piece of art made out of what Tiina Rajakallio found in the vacuum cleaner.

A light mobile knitted radiator by Hedvig af Ekenstam. Here’s what else I saw at Konstfack.

I’m so happy today! My two kilns have moved into my new workshop - they’re standing there next to each other ready to go into battle. My new kiln weighs 430 kg - I hope the two mover guys will be able to walk tomorrow - it just cannot be good to lift something that heavy. My back sympathizes and I’m going to go to bed with a cup of tea and look forward to a long nights sound sleep.

The café at Överjärva has for a while been decorated with felted flowers, slippers and decorations made by Kulturlandskaparna. I think it looks lovely.

Anne wrote about the new swedish cookbook back in August, she says it’s good! Very swedish at Max Ström publishers.

I just watched the CNN interview with Rebecca Kousky from nest. Wow, nest is such a great organization and it is nice to see and hear someone I’ve only had email contact with ‘in person’. The “Hostess apron” above is from nest.

Bookshop Konst-ig is moving from Kulturhuset to Åsögatan and is having a sale. I bought In her hands by Paola Gianturco and Toby Tuttle. I’m reading it little by little and am humbled.

Here’s another book that wasn’t on sale, about dutch designer Tord Boontje. Above is just one of hundreds of beautiful photos.

On Saturday we had dinner at restaurant Xe Om Indochine on Gästrikegatan. Calm space, good food and creative plate decorations.

Top Hat comes from Frauenswerk shop. Don’t miss Frauenswerk blog.

One of London’s best design shops, mint is blogging

All of a sudden it’s turned freezing cold here in Stockholm. Clear skies and crisp cold mornings and days. Perhaps it’s time to bring my coat out from its hiding place.

Hand-made paper coat by Anna-Lena Sondell, with words by Harry Martinsson.

Daniel Reynolds is now selling his beautiful ceramics at Liberty in London. Above is a picture from his ware in progress page, I like those kind of pages.

Liisa and I had a quick inspirations tour around some of the applied arts galleries yesterday - Kaolin, Blås & Knåda, Konsthantverkarna (where Pernilla Svenre is exhibiting some wonderful warm knitted clothes) and Galleri Hantverket. Yvon Trossèls glass at Blås & Knåda looked delicious (above).

Lisa Ottebring is exhibiting at Galleri Hantverket until September 6th. Lisa’s work is so much her! And I thought the clock above was actually quite me as well. Designers Guild in London is now selling Lisa’s functional ware.

Perhaps one or two of you are wondering what happened to my possible investment in a foldable bicycle? Well, it turned out that the choice stood between vacation and bike and so I went for vacation and bike but not of the foldable variety… Above are my two “2nd cycles”. The idea is that instead of carrying the bike with me, these two will be waiting for me at either end of the train.

milchmaedchen in München has recently started selling my work and they have such a lovely collection of things, also available from the online shop. My eternal love of bags is temporarily satisfied by the white linen purse and the Rumba bag from finnish HauHauz. There is also a blog!

Frank Form on Kungsholmsgatan here in Stockholm has opened up its online doors. I am in need of a knife sharpener and this red one looks nice and sounds very sturdy.

Humaniorabloggen is a wonderful resource for all sorts of things, written by librarians at Stockholm City Library.

The first magazine that had an image of my work in it was Guardian in December 2000 and here they go again Thank you Natalie for scanning me a copy!

I’ve put aside one afternoon a week for inspiration like museum visits for instance. Yesterday was the first inspirational afternoon and me and Liisa went to Waldemarsudde to see the work of Ulla and Gustav Kraitz. I’ve mentioned them before and this exhibition was as lovely as the others I’ve been to. I love seeing their work integrated into the beautiful garden around Waldemarsudde and I also really enjoyed seeing some information on how their pieces are actually created. That process alone would be worthy of an exhibition. The two ceramic cushions above are about 60 x 60 cm, if not more. I’ll be putting the rest of my images up on flickr over the next few days.

I was asked to give some advice on yarn shops in Stockholm… I’m not a knitter myself, I just love yarn and when googling for for an answer I came across Garnverket and Nysta. The bowl of yarn above is from Garnverket and the delicate linen below is from Nysta.

I’m an admirer of Maria’s seemingly effortless tone and style in her work and her blog. She does things her way and it was really interesting reading her answers to the d*s readers questions.

Happy midsummer!

Here’s some cool links for a hot day when all I can manage is to eat melon.

Life inside the well is Sebastian Buecher’s new blog.

Kate Neckel.

Cushion by Meyer Lavigne for Urbanite. I’d like to rest my head on it, right now.

The Kitchen designer.

Julia Rothman’s wonderful pebble wallpaper.

F-Art and The Online Jewellery Project are both initiated by jewellery designer Paola Lindblom.

It’s soo windy here today, I thought I’d be swept away high up in the sky on my walk from the train. I’ve got the last batch of photos from Konstfack graduation exhibition to show you today. Some here on the blog and all on flickr.

Niklas Rissler has made a fantastic animated short film about the “Christmas peace” of 1914. My pictures does not make it justice! You can view it on the Konstfack site, go to Graphic design & Illustration, click on Niklas Rissler and find the image saying “Starta filmen". This was - to my surprise! - one of my favourites in the whole exhibition.

I liked this stool and especially the room divider. It’s by Helena Lindberg and she’s been inspired by a journey on horseback through the woods of north Sweden.

Elin Grönlund’s aim has been “..to avoid repetition - to form a textile collection with a single roll of cloth. The challenge has been to get all the sections of the cloth to go together whilst allowing each fragment to stand for itself.”

I usually find it hard to be taken in by the industrial design projects - the presentations seem to distance themselves miles away from my inspirations radar. This time I zoomed in on Andrea de Angelis chair first and then went on to read about her project. “Cuddle, please!” is a floor reading lamp that requires to be cuddled and caressed to switch on and keep on working.

Here’s a spread from Andreas Högberg’s illustrated children’s book. See more pages here.

Thank you for this week and have a lovely weekend!

Here are a few highlights from my visit to the MA exhibition at Konstfack, more highlights will follow during the week. See the whole flickr set here.

I saw the exhibition with my friend Eva Grinder who’s graduating from MA Graphic design. She’s taken on the task of making a type face (above). It’s called mido and you can see it and download it from here. Eva’s inspiration comes from flowers and plants.

Rut-Malin Barklund is one of the BA-jewellery students showing work in skips outside Konstfack. She’s exploring materials and have been working with MDF board in all her pieces. I really liked them, the texture and the sculptural qualities of the work. See more here and here.

In the Ceramics and Glass department I fell for the subtlety of Pernilla Jansson’s objects made to “disturb the established order". Above is her tiles and here is her lighting.

Christian-Pontus Andersson in the Ceramics and Glass department, is the student who’s probably gained the most press coverage of them all. His “beauty salon in the kingdom of death” was on the front cover of Svenska Dagbladet on Saturday for instance. And it’s worth it - the execution is exquisite, see more here, here and here.

I loved the display of the MA jewellery students work. See the jewellery here.

I’ve linked directly where the student has a website, the others can be found via the Konstfack site.

Karen of K-style has made a slide show of my work - thank you!

This silver piece is for making little holes in bread, designed and made by Caroline Lindholm. It was part of Sju sorters kakor (Seven types of cake), an exhibition of jewellery at Nutida Svenskt Silver. The ring below, by Helena Skolling, is called “raspberry jam” - Mmm. Both photographed by Thomas Åhlman.

I liked the work of Fausto Melotti that Cally posted about some time ago. These two sculptures are from 1969 and 1976:

This weekend there is a “loppis” (jumblesale) here at Överjärva Gård and at Nordiska museet there is a lace-loppis on Saturday, in connection with the exhibition “Summer craft Lace” that opens on Friday.

I’m preparing a little give-away so keep your eye out on Friday!

This is what I’ve been doing lots lately. And packing of course, but no blogging - sorry!

Most of the Easter weekend was spent in the workshop, but I had Sunday off and spent it strolling in Vinterviken. The gallery space in the old Nobel factory is stunning. Some more pictures on flickr.

They were showing water colour paintings, but none that I liked as much as Aya Takano that I found through redsil.

I came out of Pressbyrån with a whole stack of magazines, apart from Hemslöjden (a favourite of mine) and Craft (I was very pleased to find this, but realized it was t e r r i b l y expensive to buy here), I also found three brand new ones:
Camino - for a sustainable lifestyle
Modette - fashion mag
Trädgårdsliv - gardenlife

Donna Wilson has created the Scottish weather… in knit. The lambswool clouds, woolen rain and assorted animals has been shown at the lighthouse Gallery in Glagsow.

I’m happy to say the weather in Stockholm is currently the complete opposite to Scotlands. They say the weekend will bring summer temperatures and I’m off to the archipelago - perfect!

I love this yarn, I think it’s called paper-yarn, that I bought from STRIKK in Gothenburg. I use it to wrap presents with, it’s got a lovely shine and the dark chocolate colour - mmm…

This past weekend was the Easter market here at Överjärva and I believe it was our most popular so far. The weather helped of course, the sun giving warmth so that I could keep my door open all day long - in March!!

The old oven in Statarlängan had been fired for three days to be warm enough for Erik from Rute Stenugnsbageri to bake in as well as making delicious mini-pizza’s. I’m right now eating their wonderful fruit and nut bread with my coffee. Life is good

Here is an article (in Swedish with lovely images) about the bakery, it was published in Balder issue 2/2006.

Flower shop Tre Liljor made Gula Villan look beautiful and welcoming.

See more pictures from the market on my flickr and (lots!) on Överjärva’s web.

PS I’ll be updating my etsy shop later this week (about time too!), I’ll keep you posted.

This joyful cushion is called Karin and it’s for sale via Cosas, Anneli’s webshop. The cushion is made especially for Cosas by Livstycket, a knowledge and design center for women that I’ve mentioned before.

An exhibition with work by Livstycket opened yesterday at Svenskt Tenn.

I’m a little jealous of Camilla because she lives in Gothenburg and can go to the open jewellery seminars at HDK where Beppe Kessler (who makes absolutely stunning jewellery, here’s phoebe’s post about Beppe), Sonia Morel (whose rings are pictured above) and Charlotte Sinding will talk about their work. The three artists work will also be exhibited at Galleri Hnoss.

I’m going skiing next week, to Austria! It’s been years and years since I went skiing and come to think of it, since I had a holiday with no work relation whatsoever so I’m very much looking forward to this! I’ll leave you with my links list on the right and a few more…

I’m included in Elmanco’s blog list. Thank you!

Lot’s of reading to be found on Three Layer Cake.

Michaela Scherrer - calming interior design.

Poppytalk’s etsy pick of the day.

It’s grey and wet here, but my bag (and my mind) is not. It’s a spruced up army bag by Katarina Kaye, I bought it some time ago but only recently started using it and I love it.

More lovely handmade bags from Angela Liu, also on etsy.

Niina Mahlmberg makes beautiful glass jewellery and she is a member of finnish gallery Koorutaide, where they’ve got lots more amazing jewellery to browse.

I’m going skiing tomorrow, I must practice for a coming week in Austria. See you Thursday!

The cold winter weather continues in all its glory and keeps me from working full force. The energy is needed to keep my nose warm, my hands not freezing etc… At least my throat keeps warm - Tante Sophie sent me a gift - the soft, warm loveliness I’m wearing around my neck on the photo above. Thank you!! (On her website it’s called a “mocha scarf in fudgesicle”.)

I like the products and the project behind the pure handmade collection. A collaboration between the Red Cross Eindhoven and Meesters & Van der Park.

Free world wide shipping on the lovely things from shunklies etsy shop, like this embroidered felt purse.

It’s soo cold here today!! I wish I had a stove that could keep me warm. Yesterday at the Stockholm Furniture Fair I kept warm, running up and down the isles… Here are some of the things I saw.

Above is a detail of Annica Svensson’s tiled stove that she shows in Konsthantverkscentrum’s stand. If you bend your neck, you can see the whole stove here and a close up of the door here.

See another view of Konsthantverkscentrum’s stand here.

Processor were showing in Greenhouse - the area for independent designers and design schools. Their new products were just as yummy as I thought they would be. All the patterns are printed on ecological cotton: “Rut brown” (above) and Blue, Rex orange and Green, “Sy, sy, sy”. Here’s a picture of their stand and I liked how they had written their name.

Above is a computer table by Catarina Boström and a flower curtain by Anna Eklund, both third year students at Sydväst University of Applied Sciences.

See all my photos from the fair here.

Enjoy your weekend!

I’m off to the Stockholm Furniture Fair this afternoon. I can’t wait to see what Processor has done, their new products look absolutely delicious! Above are the pillowcases Processor did for Amongst Tigers and Rhubarbs - the exhibition I was involved in organizing together with my colleagues in FLiT.

Fredrika Linder was another exhibitor I met through Amongst Tigers and Rhubarbs and I’m really looking forward to see her new lamps.

Fröjd lamp by Linda Rothstein who is exhibiting in KHVC’s stand.

Shadow Monsters by Philip Worthington , via Dezeen.

I like things that keep me warm. Morkers from knithappens etsy shop.

Bag from the beautiful collection at La Boutique slow, via favorite choses

This beautiful tapestry is by Meabh Warburton. She has started blogging - welcome!

A community for female entrepreneurs and a book about Beautiful Business (in swedish).

Happy weekend everyone!

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.

Edgar lives here at Överjärva, he will be 27 in May. The well-used building on the right used to be a glorious pavillion in Hagaparken.

‘How to live’ bag from Billet. Everything shown in their magazine and webshop is simply beautifully presented. Sites like that make it easy to breath and fancy a bag that know how to live! The sheep Jennifer, below, is also from Billet. Via le vestiairedejeanne.

I’ve moved into the beautiful calendar that Cecilia’s made for me, I’ve a feeling 2007 will be a good year.

Lauri Faggioni’s work made me think of Tamar Mogendorff’s wonderful dolls. I found Lauri via Emma Chic & Choc.

Happy New Year! The glass vase is from Svenskt Tenn. It captures today’s clear sky and sunlight and I believe the growing leaves will be a symbol for this year. I hope my mind will be a little clearer and sunnier tomorrow too - today is just one of those days.

This pillow is designed, woven and embroidered by Åsa Pärson. It was my Christmas present to mum and dad, it now sits beautifully in their newly re-dressed chairs.

Platina gallery is showing jewellery by Pia Aleborg. The exhibition is called ‘Apartfrom’and is about capturing “the intentional or unintentional efforts people make to hide certain things and promote others in their domestic environments.” (The quote is from Pia’s website and the picture was taken by Michael Grenmarker.)

Bloesem - a new design blog with a Dutch / Canadian view!

To all of you from all of me: a very merry Christmas!

Parisian Dolls by Bencke, via made it.

Fischli & Weiss at the Tate modern, via Beton & Garten. Here’s a film by Fischli & Weiss.

I bought this card in Budapest, I adore him!

A still life of ceramic jewellery and a tile that I’ve been working on during the year. I hope to make some more soon, right now I just thought it has quite a wintry feel to it.

Although I’m not a knitter I frequently fall in love with yarn and this soft cloud from Blue Sky Alpacas is one of those loves. Found via Tante Sophies links list.

Lovely porcelain cup by Anna Sykora, found via Maditi.

Rappne’s café is a 20 minute walk away from my workshop and today I went there for a long lunch. One long lunch a week, long walks and sleep are part of my project-not-to-go-crazy-with-too-much-work. Tomorrow I’m starting the day with a very long walk, so I shall stay sane for this week at least.

Giardino calante, via Beton & Garten.

This week has been like Christmas, first Abigail’s necklace and yesterday I received the tags and Christmas cards that mav has printed for me. To top it all up, Camilla’s 2007 is already up on my wall (and I will have it for sale in the workshop during the Christmas sale).

Kristina of Three Layer Cake is guestblogging at design*sponge and treating us to some lovely interviews with interesting people.

Anneli opened up her webshop Cosas on Monday, it’s rumoured to be a great success… The red candle holder is a favourite of mine.

An exhibition of Stig Lindholm’s textiles just finished at Sintra in Gothenburg. I bought a doll, am especially fond of his trousers.

My little kiln is back on track! It needed some attention and care - and who doesn’t once in a while? I’m not going to bore you with images here, but for those of you who’re curious what it looked like, here’s a flickr set dedicated to my kiln.

Here’s a tribute to the rest of my workshop. It shows glimpses of my workspace. Jehane took the glimpse above when she came over in September, I love that picture! It’s a Tord Boontje garland and a little piggy bank.

I got to know Jehane when she asked me to exhibit at her open house in Brighton and now I’ve been there three times. Jehane also run a webshop all year round, here’s one of it’s treasures: a lined linen bag by Sarah Bidwell.

Here’s a beautiful piece of work, inlayed cabinet by Robert Eaves.

I’m taking the train to Gothenburg this weekend - see you next week!

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!

Eva and Victoria, my collegues from FLiT has been experimenting with bean patterns. They’ve been inspired by the little details that appear when the beans have been in water and the work in progress is now on display at Rosendals trädgård. I was there the other night to see the beans: here and here and to be inspired by the colourful harvest exhibition, see it all here.

I found the lovely modamuse blog through decor8 and I love the green felt covered journal from Bholu. It’s also empowering to read the business philosophy behind Bholu, it reminds me of nest whose recently launched new designs in their range.

Green and embroidered - what a lovely combination! By Morris & Essex, via Modish.

To take root - more green by Ana.

I really enjoy joku + design.

mav is d*s guest - love it!

I’ve had the workshop doors wide open and all week the rain has been pouring down like a curtain outside, while the radio has been playing opera arias and the web has taken me for a ride - it’s sweet!

It brought me from Emma’s blog to orange lola where I found the wonderful lucky fish cushions which lead on to nonchalantmom with whom orange lola has opened up a bricks and mortar shop in Wakefield.

I liked the insides of this prefabricated sustainable home at inhabit, who also found the beautiful rain chandelier from Australian designer Ilan El.

swedesres showed the way to Isa form, from where you can buy customized illustrations for children and others.

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.

I went to stock up on some summer reading at the library and came home with brittish crime novels and some music - Johnny Cash and Tomatito for instance. I like both.

While at the library I looked through the exhibition by Livstycket, a centre for textile design / making and know-how for women of foreign background in Tensta (a suburb north of Stockholm). For many of the women, Livstycket is the first contact with the new country and the road into swedish society. Half the day the women do handicraft work and the other half they take classes in subjects as for example health or labour market orientation.

I think it sounds like a very good project and I liked the things in the exhibition. Especially this pillow with an embroidered recipie.

Livstycket is an old fashioned word for a piece of clothing that is warming and supportive. The exhibition is called “Slowly and lovingly” (sakta och kärleksfullt) and will be at the library in Solna centrum until August 11th.

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.

This is how I’d like my bike to retire. Here is Frida Ottemo Källström together with her theatre of old-bicycles-turned-furniture. This to me has a playfulness to it and I like that in design. I’d like to perch on one of Frida’s parkbenches or enjoy a quick espresso in her café. She also makes lamps of old spades.

Here’s another detail of Jenny Bergman’s textiles, that I mentioned yesterday. This is printed on beautifully monogrammed linen bed sheet. Jenny’s website has got some great details of her work and a glimps into her process.

I went to see the degree show at Konstfack (the University of Art and Design here in Stockholm) yesterday. As usual, textiles and jewellery managed to capture my heart and mind!

Incredibly inspiring jewellery by Catarina Hällzon.

Random and detailed textiles by Jenny Bergman.

This was just a little taster - more to follow later today! In the meantime, click on the pictures and let the students tell you about their work! (in swedish)

I’m off to Brighton tomorrow, business intertwined with vacation.

Every year in May a growing number of houses and artist studios in Brighton open up for Artists’ Open Houses which is part of the Brighton Festival. This year 170 houses are taking part and I’m in the Yellow House.

The Yellow House is the home of Jehane, Alex and Lucas who generously opens up their house for artists to show their work and visitors to come and view and buy. I’m taking up recidense in the kitchen and will probably spill out with a mobile or two into the garden, in the good company of Kathy Laird. I’ve brought a bit of everything - vases, bowls, tealight holders, beakers…

Amongst the other artists taking part this year is Jane Muir, whose little ceramic men I simply adore.

Beautiful paintings by Becky Blair (above) and Hannah Cole (below).

More ceramics by Sylph Baier and jewellery by Nicola Becci. And last, but not least, Jehane’s exquisitely embroidered silk cushions and other textiles.

There will be something for everyone! But the best thing is The Yellow House, it’s every bit as welcoming and lovely as it looks in the picture above. If the weather allows it, perhaps Alex will bring his guitar out and we will all sit around the garden singing and sipping Pimm’s…

Check out the opening weekends and hours for the Yellow House. I’ll be there for the first weekend only, but my ceramics will stay on. No 5, cuthbert road, queen’s park - say hi if you come visit this weekend!
And if you can’t make it, you can always buy these artists work and many more from the Yellow House website.

It’s about time I bought my camera a decent case to live in. So far, it’s been reciding in my knitted glove. It’s a nice enough glove from Pernilla Svenre, but I think something like a leather case from Loewenherz would be more appropriate. They’re really for mobile phones, but my camera is so tiny so I think it’d work well. Found through Designspotter.

Another possible camera case I’ve fallen for is this tissue holder by Stephanie at little birds.

PS Talking about Pernilla Svenre - I love this blueberry pink knitted sweater from her fall/winter 06-07 collection. Would be perfect for a chilly summer evening as well.

PS I just loved hearing mav’s voice on d*s podcast today! I’d say it’s husky and well articulated

This ethereal knitwear by Iben Høj was found by hoping for happy accidents.

Ideally, I want time to interfere as little as possible with my life. I like it when my choices are more intuitive and not dictated by the clock. I don’t have a watch, but I could live with this clock on my wall. Found via Better Living Through Design.

Super lovely teapot by Bee House, via design*sponge. You’ll find a whole lot of Bee House teapots here.

*sigh*, Ana’s latest paper lady Miss Morris - I’d like to make her aquaintence!

Johanna at kokblog posted a lovely illustrated story about patties with onion and lingonberry sauce.

Anneli has started a blog (in swedish but lots of real nice pics).

Poppy linked to Tim Marr’s illustrations and to the very inspiring threadwork by Paula Sanz Caballero. Here’s lots of images of her work and here’s an article about cool threads (featuring for instance Paula Sanz Caballero) in Embroidery. You might also like the work of Anghrad South (below), from the current issue of Embroidery.

UPDATE: Abigail showed me the way to the website of Angrad South, showing lots of her lovely work.

Tonight I went to the open house at Handarbetets Vänner. The name means roughly friends of handicrafts, and in their building on Djurgården here in Stockholm they have a weaving studio, a gallery, a shop (where they sell their heavenly coloured yarns), a workshop where they colour the yarns and a school.

Developing the expressions of textile art is at the heart of HV Studio activities and the open house evening was a very inspiring and lovely way to present these activities and the resources available at HV.

This embroidered painting was hanging in the upstairs studio and is one of the many collaborations HV has with artists. I’m ashamed with myself for not writing down who is the artist, my apologies for that. I thought of Natalie’s paintings when I saw it.

Another collaboration is with Ulrika Mårtensson who’s the artist behind this stunning “three dimensional textile sketch” (isn’t the idea of a textile sketch something very nice?).

This little dishcloth makes drying my workshop tabletops almost a pleasure. I love the colour (and have got several more in other colours, you might say I’ve become something of a collector) , I love the feel of it and to top it all off it becomes as new when it’s washed (or boilt for a little)! It’s from Iris Hantverk.

In my opinion Christabel should definitely be as pleased as punch of her pirate mittens.

Something like beautiful material qualities and simplicity in form? Because that’s how I’d describe this pochette and these torchons.

By Les petites emplettes who’s blog is part of favorite choses, a group blog with many talented artists and designers. In french, but I guess I’ll have to polish my poor little french vocabulary up again.

This l’ours géant is by anomalies.

Designboom is throwing a mart at ICFF in May. It’s a great way for designers to show their work and make contacts and it’s lots and lots of fun! Here’s my experiences from last year’s mart - hope it inspires you to apply, but be quick and send designboom an email (mail@designboom.com) today!

It is also high time for designer/makers to apply for Crafts Council’s new event in Somerset House in October. Deadline 1st March. I’m sending my application today!

I’ll leave you with some more beautifully simple, down-to-earth textiles where embroidery meet rough cotton - Gruppo di Installazione

I even read the adverts in Selvedge with interest and that is where I found Sri threads, a gallery specializing in textiles from Japan.

The cuts and the material and the pattern in kimonos are always an inspiration to me. This festive kimono is like a piece of art and if I was the owner of it and if it’s not disrespectful I’d hang it on my wall so that I could enjoy the sight of it everyday. Here is a baby kimono - have you seen anything as beautiful?

I think it was Maditi who posted about Saiso some time ago, also stunning Kimono work!

I love buying things from small businesses! In Stockholm, Street market is a perfect place for finding designer makers rarely seen elsewhere. Here are my latest finds that brighten up my everyday.

I am hopelessly devoted to corduroy and so I fell like a log for this bag by sprinkler. It doubles up as my computer bag, perfect.

Third time’s the charm… I’ve been hankering for this beltbag twice before and finally I did something about it. From glamorous Lo Lo + Gretch.

I’m very pleased with the knitted flower that now lives on my hat, it’s from annodesign. They also make sweet socks…

Handwritten interiors, the right hand one is from Casa da Abitare for sure but I’m not sure about the left…
Update: The left one is a Joaquim Ruiz/Nani Marquina rug which is called Manuscrit. (Thanks Jonas!) While searching a little more around that, I stumbled onto this KE-ZU newsletter which I found interesting.

Helen Amy Murray is a seriously talented girl, mentioned by Imelda.

Jen Everett, a propstylist with a website.

Printed textiles by Dominique Piquier, look at the beautiful images under Ambiances.

Selvedge is one of my favourite magazines and now they have this great offer on.

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.

Do you remember Processor? Their sweaters and flycatchers and bedlinen and more were very popular at Amongst Tigers and Rhubarbs.

Now it’s Gothenburgs turn to experience the Processor forest. They’re exhibiting for one week only at the Big Love gallery in Gothenburg. Opens 26th November.

PS don’t miss the gallery wall.

It’s strangely wonderful when a blogger friend materializes and sits at ones kitchen table eating chocolate cake with whipped cream… We tried looking at some shops but talked too much and decided on dinner instead.

Camilla’s been in Stockholm for an ‘embroidery as illustration course’ and I got a peek at an awesome Camilla-esque illustration with embroidered bits…

Erica Wakerly is someone else who’s embroidered illustrations I like (above).

Mmm, I could easily live on this rug and and only leave it to brush my teeth and perhaps go for a walk once in a while and when that occured, I’d wear Emilianas (below). Both from nanimarquina. Via MoCo Loco.

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!

Erica Wakerly is exhibiting at Designersblock in London. I like the collage style of her cushions and think her illustrations are fab.

Another favourite of mine who will also be seen during the London design extravaganza is Donna Wilson, who’s other worldly creatures can be seen at Upstairs In The Woodlands, presented by Thorsten Van Elten.

This lovely coat is by Kristin Caskey, who’s work is available from Quirk gallery. They’ve got a wonderful collection of work, I also fell for this brooch by Christina Goodman.

I’ve mentioned them before and here I go again. I love their style! Lo Lo + Gretch Dahling.

Weego home in Santa Monica, California, has just received a box of my ceramics. They’ve got for instance the mint large bowl with butterflies and roses and the small Signe beaker with a cut rose (below).

Amongst the lovely things in their store, they sell these super dishcloths, Jonathan Adler’s range of ceramics, including the man and woman vase (above) and stretched canvases with prints by the awsome Florence Broadhurst. I know I’m not the only one to have tons of images with her patterns in my inspirations books.

Pomme is a recent addition to my list of outlets. I’m not doing this shop listing in any special order by the way, just as it takes my fancy.

My work was introduced to Pomme by my brilliant agent Cate, with whom I’m finding my way into the lovliest shops in Australia and New Zeeland. Sue is the owner of Pomme and she opened in the spring and has been selling my Signe beakers and tealight holders. I’m sending her some new work, including the embroidery tealight holder above.

I’ve found so many treasures through Pomme’s website, such an inspiring mix of things! I love especially the Textiles & Papers section: the zines and journals from Hammer & Daisy (above left is from their Omar and Olive zine), the Tarta de Limon tea towel by Julie Haslam at Domestic Bliss (above right) and the tea towels from Third Drawer Down has, literally, been made into art (below).

I had this post planned, but Camilla beat me to it! (Camilla also had these two great illustrator links today - Anna Ödlund and Lena Sjöberg).

Oh, well, here’s my favourites. Olydig (disobedient) make bags and purses and textile cards and more in bold patterned textiles. The bag I liked the most (above) is already sold! But there are also these two and other stuff very reasonable priced they are.

Olydig’s website includes an english swedish dictionary for with words like olydig, varukorg , kardborre - a nice little collection for aspiring swedish speakers! Check it out.

I saw a moose the other day - it’s the second moose I’ve seen in two years! Before that I hadn’t ever seen one, I think. I also spotted an owl and they’re beautiful, shy and intelligent creatures so I’m secretly hoping it’ll find a home in the huge pine tree at the summer house. Anyway, I’m straying. The topic of this post is actually a crafts exhibition I went to see. It’s called KRAFT, but that doesn’t mean crafts in swedish, instead it’s the word for strength and power. In this case I believe it stands for the power of creativity and collaboration.

The exhibition is a collaboration between the crafts cooperatives in Stockholm: Metallum and Nutida Svenskt Silver (jewellery and metallwork), Kaolin (ceramics), Blås och Knåda (ceramics and glass) and Konsthantverkarna (all the applied arts materials).

The two Stockholm-based dailys differed in their opinions (links to articles in swedish); DN’s Peder Alton slagged it off as being nonforwardthinking whereas Malin Vessby for SvD thought it a manifestation of the material sensibility of the exhibitors. I enjoyed reading her account and liked that she acknowledges the strenght of material knowledge that is sometimes ignored in favour of conceptual thinking. However, the things on display didn’t rock my world.

Oh, and the moose story was related to this because of Jacob Danhard’s moose muzzle on the wall (on the picture below in company by Carina Seth Andersson’s glass). Above is “The four Seasons", dolls by Anna Sjon Nilsson. The ceramic “Bookmark” is by Kina Björklund (I thought it might be lovely to have just one of the parts it’s made up of). The exhibition is on until 11th September in Gula Byggningen, Gustavsberg.

This Tiger Belly Owl by While She Naps made me remember the blinking owl from childhood TV. I think her owl is charming and also really liked the long skinny bag from the same post.

Where to start? So many blogtreasures to browse. Here’s one before I turn in for today. One of many lovely collages from one good bumblebee, also am very fond of this purse from the very same source (link to blog).

The shop is filled with cannot live or leave without stuff, here are two of our bestsellers.

Lisa Vilhelmsson, who is doing her textile degree at the University of Borås is showing her exquisite stitched textile in the exhibition and the same patterned bathtowels (above) in the shop.

Another bestseller is the Glimmering by Design Dessert. I’ve got one hanging in my living room cum kitchen window, glimmering away in the sunshine (well, not today of course).

Port2port posted about Corinna Radcliffe today (I especially liked her purses!) who’s work made me think of Gail Eastwood, UK based textile artist who uses photography in her printed canvases. Gail’s laugh makes anyone smile and her textiles make me happy. THis one below is called Gloriosa spots and rose. Available from Yellowhouseart.

Truly enjoyed the quilts at angry chicken today. Strong patterns and colour mix. The quilts are made by the talented women from Gee’s bend.

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.

The four of us in FLiT have divided the manning of the exhibition between us and each day we have a different exhibitor to help. I’m enjoying it a lot, today and tomorrow I’m spending the day with Fredrika Linder and since it’s been the hottest day of the summer so far we haven’t had that many visitors but lots of time to talk! Fredrika will be there tomorrow afternoon as well so come and meet her and hear more about the fantastic glass pieces she designs.

This weekend, Eva is manning together with Jenny Oldsjö who has made the great children seating we sell in the shop. I’ll post some proper pictures of those shortly. In the meantime here is Duktiga Annika’s, charming children’s stuff that wasn’t really in line with the exhibition theme but fits exellently in the shop. And Lotta Orava Claesson’s crocheted rings - I’m the hand model here, but we also have some pretty daisy rings for little people.

Thanks for all the lovely and supportive comments - I will be sure to forward all the positive response as well! If you are interested in buying anything you see, just send me an email and we’ll take it from there. The sweaters come in five different animal patterns so I will have to tell you more about them I think.

The sun is shining and tonight I’m heading off for the countryside, tomorrow will be spent in the sun, on the pier in our little bay of Mälaren, heavenly.

I’ve been meaning to post some images of Rachel Howards work for some time. There’s not an awful lot available about her on the net, but she can be found via Hidden Art (an absolutely excellent London based network with loads of talented artists, so happy browsing!). I love Rachel Howards embroidery and also her quilts - sensitivity and humour in harmony.

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".

Phew, tonight was the private view and it was a lovely - although chilly - evening. Several of our wonderful exhibitors came and I so enjoyed meeting them. Meeting the makers adds so much value to the product. I’m too tired to write very much so I’m saving that for tomorrow! In the meantime, take a look at textile group Processor’s clever stuff. Above is one of their jigsaw animals that are now spread out over the lawns at Överjärva Gård, creating great patterns. Below are some of the products they’ve made for the exhibition shop; scarf, purse and pillowcase.

We’ve been exhibition building on and off for the past week and its beginning to look really great! Above is Sara Andersson’s “Suomipallinen” (which was shown at the Young Swedish Design exhibition 2004) together with Anne Lise Frenssen’s filted and embroidered cushions and on the wall: hooks by Beatrice Fägnell.

Anne Lise also have these beautiful lavender cushions (the right hand one has got an embroidered lion on it!) and filted brooches for sale in our shop:

Kerstin Jakobsson has worked with old patterns from the south of Sweden to create a paper clip wallhanging (detail below).

FLiT showed a beautifully patterned textile by Lotta Kvist at our previous exhibition, this time we’re showing her table “In reverse order":

Now, we’re all keeping our fingers crossed that the weather will allow outdoor mingling at the Wednesday night private view…

I really like the Orla Kiely spring/summer collection 2005 catalogue (and everything in it). So playful and graphic and I love the collage style of the catalogue.

These lovely creatures and their big lollopard mama will be for sale in the shop at Amongst Tigers and Rhubarbs. The dog, crocodile and lamb are the brainchilds of talented textile duo Lollopard from Malmö, known for instance for their clothes decorated with the logo of the Stockholm underground. Although I’m sure we could find some way of arguing that there is a link between the underground logo and flora/fauna, this is not what will be on show at the exhibition. Instead, come and meet Lalle, Coco, Ull-ull and the lollopard-mama Lollo at Överjärva Gård this summer!

Images from the exhibition Textile summer 2003 at Virserums Konsthall in Småland, Sweden. Below is a dress by Kerstin Boulogner for a dancer in “Lammsjön” (lambs lake…).

I enjoyed visiting Konstfack’s new facilities at Telefonplan. It felt fresh and spacious and kind of fun.

Four people graduated from the Ceramic and Glass department. I liked Eva Lövqvists glass collection of lights and jewellery (above) named Parasit, Marianne Tolmunen’s calligraphic ornament in black clay (above) and Magdalena Nilsson showed a photo of a ring that I liked very much. It looked like it could be made of silver, a smooth approximately 1.5 cm wide ring with a cut out oval in which a symbol was painted straight onto the skin. Nice idea. I also enjoyed her concept, it was very similar to the one I worked with for my degreeshow although she had worked it through much better than I did. She called her project The Royal Nilsson’s and based it on her family members, so that the products that came out of it somehow expressed their personalities. (I used my friends as my inspiration for a series of cups.)

From the Textiles department, I enjoyed Gill Weibull’s rug that crept up on the leg of a chair and continued in rugged edges out on the floor and painted up on the wall. I was also mighty impressed by the professionality in Josephine Drakenberg’s well thought through concept “Bonus".

But what I will remember from this year’s degree show is metall designer Klara Schmidt’s superb brooches made out of glue and pearls (I think! correct me if I’m wrong!), exquisitely displayed on glass shelves and lit so that they created a shadow on the wall.

Daniel at Clio said not to miss Nolita, an area north of Little Italy, and I’m glad he told us about it - I so enjoyed the laid back cutting edge feeling of the streets. I completely fell in love with A Detachér on Mott Street, a shop that carry a carefully handpicked range of design and art objects mixed with fashion and furniture items. Across the street from A Detachér is Starstrings, where the crystals are mixed with guitarstrings and made into very delicate jewellery. Their window display was peonies floating in a shallow pool of water. I bought simply magnificent stationary from Papivore (above) on Elizabeth Street, (do take a look at their website at all the clever designs), where also Hable Construction have their outlet selling for instance these bags:

Thompson street is lovely with all sorts of small shops. The childrens clothes and accesories shop Makie carries charming and beautiful dolls by Tamar Mogendorff, across the street is another of the many designer dog accesories shops that New York has many of. Next to that is Michelle and Daniel Lehmann’s lovely shop Clio. I was keen to come and visit Clio as they will be the first New York shop to carry a range of my ceramics!

Handarbetets Vänner ordnar tillsammans med Norges ambassad en föreläsningsserie och nästa tillfälle tror jag blir riktigt bra: föreläsare är Marit Eken Kalager, dräktkonstnär som formstickar unika plagg av ull och Ulrika Mårtensson, arkitekt och textilkonstnär som bla arbetar med ljudabsorberande verk för offentlig miljö. Onsdagen den 27 april kl 17.00 Novilla, th om Skansens huvudentré, Stockholm. Föreläsningen är kostnadsfri, men eftersom antalet platser är begränsade vill de ha föranmälan till: galleri@hv-atelje.com

Samma dag mellan 12-16 är det vernissage på HV Galleri, Djurgårdsslätten 82: Marit Eken Kalager, Trine Mauritz Eriksen och Hege Marie Sørurn.

Nedan är en av Ulrika Mårtenssons “textila 3-dimensionella skisser” och Marit Eken Kalagers skulpturala ullklänningar.