Mrs Osborn's favourite shops: The Shop Floor, Ulverston

I love The Shop Floor Project, the on-line shop that has a fantastic selection of products by talented designer-makers, so I was very happy to find their bricks and mortar shop in the market town of Ulverston, Cumbria. I met Denise and Samantha, the mother and daughter team, behind The Shop Floor Project and it's sister-site The Secret Arcade, and found some lovely things by British designer-makers. Denise and Samantha both have a training in Fine Art - it explains their excellent taste.

The Shop Floor, 60 Market Street, Ulverston

These are a few of my favourite things:

softest cashmere throws by Holly Berry

(the pattern uses the Morse Code symbols to spell out Love)

leather bags made by GDH Leatherwork in Wales, in collaboration with The Shop Floor Project

(Not available on their website - contact them directly on 01229 584 537)

Throws made in Wales, especially like the red and tomato orange combo (hmm didn't write down the name of the designer-maker - contact the shop directly about these)

Emily Mackey Maxemilia cushion

(and clutch bag by Urban Knit - using bold Nigerian fabrics - not sure these are made in the UK)

knitted cushions: Sally Nencini, Nervous Stitch, MessyFish.com, Clovaknits

Sally Nencini from London

Nervous Stitch from Aberdeen

Messy Fish.com

Clovaknits from Inveruie

Selvage

today: Gabrielle Vary, Susannah Hunter, Alexis Dove and Clara Francis

Yellow scarf by Gabrielle Vary, handbag by Susannah Hunter appliqued with irises, Alexis Dove urchin hoop earrings and Clara Francis moth necklace.

Duckie Christmas Market at the Barbican

The Barbican is hosting the Duckie Christmas Market in the Foyer from 10th to 30th December 2011- nightly 6pm to 9.30pm, and weekends 2pm - 9.30pm (check website for days that the Market is not open).

Rachel Orme hand makes these leather purses and handbags in her London studio using fine textured leathers such as this embossed leather

I love these Wee Bothies by Glenshee Potteries
For more information contact Diana MacFarlane 01250 882 238
Glensheepots@hotmail.co.uk

Michaela Willis, who will also be at the Stables Market (Camden Town), makes ceramic Christmas tree baubles and birdies
She can be contacted at michaela.19@hotmail.co.uk

Very sweet knitted cushions, toys and blankets from Sally Nencini - check out her Etsy shop for more of her creations - there is a fabulous London bus cushion

I especially love this pencil case / purse

Sarah Turner's decorative lighting from waste plastic drinks bottles

 Ulli Kaiser, guest artist at the Designer Jewellers Group (9th Nov 2011 to 6th Jan 2012)

Mrs Osborn goes on a spree to Primrose Hill Designer Fair

A brilliant day out at the the Primrose Hill Designer Fair in St Mary's church, Elsworthy Road NW3 

Millie Manu clothing for children - featuring delicious Liberty lawn dresses and tweed coats

Fleur Winter Ceramics

Vicky Thornton - vintage fabric cushions

Vicky Thornton's ceramics

(there is no end to Vicky's talents:

she has also written a cook book)

Heather Stowell jewellery made out of vintage buttons

Clara Francis - I love the beaded teacup necklace at the bottom

Sophia Langmead @ Cabbages & Frocks Market, St John's Wood 10th Dec 2011

I love Sophia Langmead's work - she creates intricate worlds out of paper, ribbon, beads and tiny bits and bobs inside antique wooden boxes and glass bell jars.  These are some of my favourite pieces:

Maypole Dancing

 

Leaping Deer I

Sophia will be at the Cabbages & Frocks Market normally in Marylebone, in St John's Wood on 10th December: St John's Hospice Christmas Fayre (and ice skating!), 60 Grove NW8, 11am to 4pm.

Here are some pics of her things from the Primrose Hill Fair.

below: door signs

(the two pics above are from Sophia's website here)

Paper flowers in boxes - Sophia uses vintage (1950s and 1960s) paper from Belgium

Posters

 I love this one especially

I am hoping she will make a poster with an anchor - I love anchors, trying v hard to ignore my urge to have a tattoo of one....(am repeating to myself: a tattoo is for life not just for Christmas).

today: Clara Francis necklace, Uniqlo cashmere cardi and metallic Zatchel

Today, I'll be sporting my dark green Uniqlo cashmere cardi (on sale), a garland of beaded butterflies, hummingbirds and flowers by Clara Francis, and my ice-cool metallic Zatchel.