Leathersmith of London: new leather notes books and Dataday Jewel Collection

A little bird told me about some new notebooks from Leathersmith of London (check out my previous post about them here) which are made in their Canvey Island bindery and have been made in celebation of the first National Stationnery Day on the 24th April (one I shall be celebrating each year henceforth).

I know many people store all their important info in digital form but I favour old-fashioned pen and paper - have a look at their leatherbound diaries and addressbooks which are also beautifully made, and won't let you down when the wifi is up the spout.

New notebooks from Leathersmith of London: teal embossed leather

New notebooks: classic neutral snakeskin print in taupe (which goes so very well with my new snakeskin shoes) or magenta snakeskin

New notebooks: Rutland grained leather (shown with the snakeskin print notebook)

The new Dataday Jewell Collection - notebooks available in three sizes, covered with linen-effect cotton in seven vibrant colours, one for every day of the week.

Alex Monroe - Shrimps for tea at The Goring

Alex Monroe is one of my top British designer-makers - his handmade silver and gold necklaces, bracelets and earrings, inspired by nature have beautiful detail and are very wearable, especially when you want to have a little bit of twinkle or sparkle for your everyday. The Bumblebee is a classic piece, adorning the neck of many fashion gals - but I prefer the quirky charm of this SHRIMP! It's black pearl eyes! and the way it is suspended from the chain by its whiskers (is that what they are called?)!
The necklace is inspired by Alex's childhood teatimes in Suffolk, it is exclusive to The Goring Hotel for the month of May 2012. Now all I need is for someone to offer to take me out to tea at The Goring - dainty sandwiches and pretty jewellery are my dream combo. More info about the Goring Shrimp on the Alex Monroe blog here.

Miller & Jeeves: Wallace card pouch

These little Wallace card pouch by Miller & Jeeves is just the ticket - big enough for credit cards or Oyster card, or for keeping little bits of jewellery safe when you're on your travels. It's available from Boticca -an on-line boutique that stocks a lot of designer-makers from around the world worth keeping your eye on - and it comes in this brilliant red colour.

More posts on Miller & Jeeves here and here.

Greenwich Market: Emma Nissim clothes & Melisa Dora jewellery

Tucked away at the back of Greenwich Market, past the stalls selling imported clothes and some nice-but-beyond-my-budget vintage jewellery, is Emma Nissim - a small boutique selling clothes and accessories by Emma Nissim, and little bits and pieces of ceramic jewellery made by Melisa Dora.
The clothing is made from fabrics which have minimal impact on the earth and the workers who make the cloth: organic cotton, and other fabrics that sound kinda intergalactic: lenzing tencel made predominately from eucalyptus, and lenzing micromodal made from beech wood, as well as a fabric which is 70% grown bamboo and 30% organic cotton. All the fabrics are deliciously soft, and screenprinted with bright coloured or metallic images - here are a few favourites below:

t-shirts

pink and yellow sweatshirts - I like these colours together

bumblebees - there a whole flock (swarm would sound unfriendly) on the back

Menswear - pennyfarthing t-shirt

Menswear and kidswear

Menswear - apples and pears silk tie

Accessories - tote bag

Ceramic jewellery by Melisa Dora (very tricky to photograph without the light reflecting off it - I failed, as you can see)

perspex bangles

t-shirt and cards to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee

Greenwich Market: Little Knitz

Little Knitz are based in Greenwich Market: children's clothes up to 5 years old, hand (not machine) knitted out of cotton, pure wool and wool blends. These classic cardis and jumpers cost between £18 and £25 and would make a perfect special birthday or Christmas present.  It's so often the girls who get all the pretty clothes - but Little Knitz have a fantastic range for boys too. Their designs and attention are detail are fantastic - and you won't find anything like them on the high street.

Caledonian Road, Kings Cross: Drink Shop & Do

Last week, while out on an Art Walk with Fox & Squirrel (more of that soon), I spotted Drink, Shop & Do on the Caledonian Road. Set up by Coralie and Kristie, it is the perfect place to while away an hour or two: drink afternoon tea or cocktails (and every kind of beverage in between), shop for homewares and accessories made by local designer-makers, as well as a few carefully chosen vintage pieces, and do a whole range of crafts and styling classes.
I think I'm going to need to return soon to find out more about the local designer-makers they have in stock. In the meantime, here are some pics.

old fashioned sweeties sold by the 1/4!!!

tote bags

accessories

Lush Designs in Greenwich

Lush Designs have a range of homeswares decorated in fantastically characterful images of large beetroots, sprouts, carrots, foxes and foxcubs, warthogs and horses, as well as Royal Dressage to celebrate the Diamond Jubliee and Olympics.  The shop is located at 8 College Approach, a hop and a skip from Cutty Sark DLR station - with lampshades piled high, and every surface covered in their products it is as though you have stepped onto the page of a beautifully illustrated children's book (I think I was not the first person to be reminded of Rosie's Walk by the fox).

Tea towels printed in Lincolnshire

Lampshades made in Deptford, London

handsome foxes on Staffordshire made mugs

Bedding (made in Wiltshire, I think)

warthogs

cushion covers printed in Lincolnshire

Greenwich: Sophia & Matt

I went down to Greenwich today - my main purpose was to visit Sophia & Matt's shop (previously blogged about here) as they are just the sort of designer-maker company that I love - starting out by doing all the designing, cutting and sewing themselves and selling their wares in Greenwich Market. They now have a shop next to the Market decked out in beautiful wallpaper and vintage furniture, and they use a London factory to keep up with demand. They have an ever changing range of patterns, and and an ever growing range of bags and purses - if you're in the area, pop by for a visit, they have a lot more in store than available on-line,.

The shop!

the baby changing bag - which actually looks like it's useful for any bod who likes a large bag with a long strap and zip (although I'm willing to compromise, these are the two key features I look for as it's practical when I am out and about, on my bike etc) - even the baby's milk bottle shaped pockets at either end look like they could have another use (eg. bottle of evian etc).

large tote bag - really very tempted by this as it looks perfect for a picnic - in my fav pattern by Sophia & Matt

basket o' purses

love this pattern - how about mini dots in these colours, Sophia & Matt?! bring back some mini dots!

handbag in gingko floral