amazing Catriona Faulkner

I met Catriona Faulkner at MADE London which was held at the end of October in a church at No1 Marylebone. She makes some of the most unique and interesting pieces that I have seen lately. Using tiny beads, sequins, buttons and bits and pieces that Catriona spies with her magpie eyes, each pieces is handsewn to create a treasure to wear or frame.  These are going on my Christmas list.

Brooches

'Kitsch Pony'

necklaces (below)

Selvedge Winter Fair - tomorrow!

I'm really looking forward to the Selvedge Winter Fair - tomorrow - at the Chelsea Town Hall.
Open from 10am to 4pm. I've had a look at the exhibitors at this year's fair - it's in a bigger location than previous years (blogged about here and here), so there are a lot of designer-makers coming. I'm looking forward to meeting the Isle of Mull weavers, Fine Cell Work, Jessica Hayes Gill and many more.

MADELondon:Helen Noakes and Buddug Wyn Humphreys (The Dialogue Collective)

Jewellery finds at MADE London which was held at the end of October in a very fine church - address: No1 Marylebone.

I am rather taken with these pieces by Helen Noakes who makes jewellery out of model miniatures set in resin and silver.
a mermaid bracelet

polar bears at just the right size

why don't we wear bathing costumes like these?

The Dialogue Collective is a London-based group of designers with a background in jewellery and silversmithing.  Buddug Wyn Humphreys, one of the members of the Collective and based in East London makes enameled jewellery and decorative objects - she has a shop on Columbia Road, where the Sunday flower market takes place

Hot water bottle covers + wash bags: Donna Wilson, Row Pinto and Alexandra Mann

In Liberty I spied Row Pinto's hot water bottle covers

and Alexandra Mann wash bags

And at Heal's I found Donna Wilson

Whinberry & Antler - at Country Living Christmas Fair

I've just taken a peek at Whinberry & Antler's blog and I discovered these beautiful creatures: fox, owl, field mouse and red squirrel, which will adorn Whinberry & Antler's products at the Country Living Christmas Fair this year (have a look at the hedgehog, badger, deer and hare blogged about here). Designs are by Jacinta Ingham, the talent behind Whinberry & Antler - her blog tells more about the processes she uses, starting with sketches, then an etching on a copper plate, and then silk screen printing the products with her designs.

If you can't make it to the Fair, W&A's homewares, cushions and fabrics can be bought on their website.

Best of Britannia, Farmiloe Building: these are a few of my favourite things

A few of my favourite things from the Best of Britannia event at the Farmiloe Building earlier in October: Doris & Co creamware - the cup has a very pleasing shape, slightly tapered towards the bottom, vintage inspired illustrations and well-thought out words and phrases. I like the PATIENCE mug - I need this.

Satchelle - up against the mighty Zatchels and Cambridge Satchel Company - these satchels by Satchelle are made from nice quality leather and available in a range of colours - particularly liked the cherry pink colour (bottom right in the pic)

Blodwen - modern and traditional Welsh-made products: wool blankets, cushions, wooden love spoons...

Pashley cycles

slippers, lanolin handcream and soap, and woollen blankets from Romney Marsh Wools - looking forward to seeing them next at Country Living Fair and Spirit of Christmas

Bread & Jam dresses, Little Dye House cardigans, Saltwater sandal

Bread and Jam dresses for girls aged 2 to 10.

Two things are clear: Firstly, Bread and Jam make amazing dresses

Secondly, I'm not destined to be a photographer of children's fashions

Many months ago I was searching for some dresses that my girls could wear to a summer wedding, and then could be worn on everyday Summer days. I chose a pretty blue and white print and the bold watermelon print which my girls loved. Here they are wearing their Bread and Jam dresses with Little Dye House cardigans and Saltwater sandals.