A caravan studio...

After moving my laser cutter out of my mum's house, where I had to drive a 40 mile round trip to work, my 'studio' is currently a corner of my boyfriend's shed. It's not a bad deal, I get to have a space to work for next to nothing, it's within walking distance of my flat, and my mum's house no longer smells like melted plastic three times a week. There are a few downsides though; the shed is dustier and messier than I would like and although I try to tidy all my things away at the end of the day to try and take up as little of his space as possible, I definitely take up more space than Aiden would like me to. This is not me complaining, I am very grateful that I am allowed to dump my big machine in there, but it is not ideal.

The problem is, I live in a very small flat, with no garden. I can't afford to rent a 'propper' studio, and to be honest i'm not quite sure if anywhere would allow a big machine that churns out plastic fumes all day... Which is why the thing I have just stumbled across, is THE BEST THING EVER!

Sarah, of 26-letters, has created her studio in an old airstream trailer! An absolutely amazing idea! Reasonably cheap, transportable, and won't make my house smell like plastic!! I really need one. Or at least a shabby caravan version of one. I think I really really need one?!!

Here are some photos, taken from Design Sponge. Her husband was the one that did most of the renovating, and he blogged about it here. I'm feeling slightly giddy at the idea, and browsing ebay for cheap caravans. The only issue is that I live at the very top of a big house, surely there are cabled long enough to run out of my window and into one of my allocated parking spaces?! Ahhhhhhhhhhh! I NEED one!! Photos:

Ma Bicyclette

Hello! I'm not sure how many of my 26 followers are people I know, but those of you who I don't know may not be aware of 'Ma Bicyclette'.

'Ma Bicyclette' is a new blog, run by myself and a bunch of other awesome girls. Each day one of us will write about art, film, music, fashion, life and more! Today was my first turn, and my post is about Stockholm. If you are going to Stockholm it could be really useful, and if not, there are plenty of other posts to scroll through and take a look at!

So please, click on this link, and follow our posts!

Ninainvorm

I'm procrasta-blogging! It's too sunny outside (even though it is literally freezing) for me to be sitting inside piecing together jewellery, so I have decided to put my work on hold till this evening, and make the most of the sunshine to go for a brisk walk with Nicola.

Nic smells, and so she has to have a bath before she leaves the house, so to fill the time I did a bit of etsy browsing. I've got into etsy a lot recently, and have considered putting some of my treasurys on my blog, but alas I haven't yet figured out how to do that.

Anyway, the reason I am writing this blog post is to show the work of Ninainvorm, a Dutch designer maker.

I've had Nina's shop listed in my favorite shops for a while now, but today I found my way to her blog, which I have very much enjoyed reading. I think it's nice to be able find out a bit more about a designer after liking their work. How lucky we are to live in this modern age of online shops, links and blogs.

Now I must leave the computer and go outside.

So long!

Fusion @ Monsoon

When I think of Monsoon, I think of over-priced kaftans, ball gowns and wasting time in airports. While I haven't completely shaken this view point, I have recently been very impressed with Monsoon's 'Fusion' range.

A little bit of internet research tells me that "For women’s fashion with a more contemporary edge, the Monsoon Fusion capsule collection blends up to the minute catwalk trends with Monsoon signature styling.".

Although the prices are still a little over my current budget, everything looks really lovely. Here are some of my favourite pieces:

Amelia Skirt - £38

Areetha Dress - £65

Madeleine Bow Jumper - £38

Tallulah Dress - £60

Odette Dress - £60

Kitchen Conundrums

I leave Aiden alone in the kitchen for 10 minutes and peculiar things happen. The oven is now a monster, and strange things have also happened on my shelves...

(hint: look at the red cup)

2011

January

I started the new year with stinging, watering eyes after drunkenly spraying perfume in them just before the taxi arrived to go out. The rest of January included a lovely Mexican meal, a trip to the seaside in the dark and the beginnings of my 'final major project' at college:

February

February seems to have been a quieter month, with the exception of spending a pre-birthday week in Dublin:

March

An amazing 4 days in Munich, sandwiched between lots of sample making at college,

April

The only thing written on my calender for April is "phone contract ends" so I guess I didn't do anything very important that month!

May

Lots of work, lots of deadlines, and a trip to London:

June

A very busy month. 3 exhibitions, riding a tandem, a bbq, a trip to Preston, the Science & Industry Museum, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, fair well meals, viewing flats and a trip to Cumbria...

July

Another pretty crazy month. A quick visit to Beatherder Festival, a week in Wales, packing up my belongings and moving out before heading off to Secret Garden Party!

August

Phewwww I need some time to chill out. Portugal and Barcelona should do!

September

The summer should probably be coming to an end now, but I had one more holiday left in me.

October

The summer is now officially over (even though we had some crazy Ocober heat wave). Real life is beginning and I started the month well by going to a jewellery synopsis and then working at The GNCCF. I got together a collection of 'Stephanie Hamer' jewellery and confirmed my first outlet, Ag Gallery in Bakewell.

I also fitted in a massive Greek meal, a psychic night, a hair cut, karaoke, a trip to York to see Laura Marling, a trip to Newcastle for Mum's birthday and Halloween, unfortunately I can't find many photos for October.

November

Another supremely busy month, Kate Walsh,  Penny Cuthbert, Leeds with Emily Golden, Jason Manford with Eddie Lismore, Llanfairfechan with Daniel Hale ad Raji Salhan. Mexican food with Laura Beddows and Abbey Sheridan, and ending with a week in the Lake Disrict for Nicola Semple's birthday with Tallula Chapman, Alexa Cobbold, Will Cook and Scott Galpin. Phew!

I seem to have no photos of the beggining of the month, although I know some were taken. Anyway, The Lake District:

December

A fairly quiet month, chilling out, getting Christmassy and trying to earn money to pay my tax bill.