I've been feeling a bit worn out and down in the dumps today but have no fear, this won't stop me digging out some lovely bits and pieces. Maybe I'm just going through my own blue period...
Living in London I forget how many amazing shops, museums and sights we have here. So I'm starting a new feature called My Little London to bring these delights to you, the lovely reader, wherever you are! Not only to introduce you to the city but also to re-introduce myself to the wonderful place I'm lucky enough to live in.
First up it's a visit to a little treasure trove just off of the Edgware Road. Quite literally a treasure trove because it was a press day at the showroom of retailer Astley Clarke. If you're a regular reader of Little Doodles I'm sure you must have gathered by now that jewellery is a passion of mine. So being let into a whole showroom full of new collections is a bit like letting an excitable little girl into a sweet shop!
Granted, these sweets aren't quite at pick n mix prices but I'm really happy to say that the new collections are fantastic in terms of design as well as price. Astley Clarke are known for the beautiful high end jewellery, which although wonderful to gaze at, it's not in the price range for some of us if we wanted to treat ourselves to some new baubles. But, having really worked at their own brand collections, the price points are really affordable and help to establish Astley Clarke's identity and place in the market as designers too.
Of course, there are still the luxury items but the point of the new collections was that each element has really been considered so they can be mixed and matched. This means maybe you can start with one little piece, and then add to your collection at a later point knowing that what you buy will exactly fit in with what you've already purchased.
For example these pieces from the Takara collection can be layered up so you can wear as few or as many as you like. The same applies to the AC Colour collection (ranging from £45-£195...see? Love those prices!), which were designed based on 'Colour Theory' so you can mix and layer the pieces depending on what colours you like (and there were a myriad to choose from).
Continued ranges from some of my favourite designers like Pippa Small (just take a look at her Peacock Collection, wowsers), Shaun Leane and Carolina Bucci were also on show. The wide bracelet at the front was great, you can remove the band wrapped around the middle and wear it as a ring...two for one!
Surprisingly my favourite collection was the AC Silhouettes, described as "jewellery that you love already." Despite my love of statement pieces, in truth I tend to favour little personal items that I can wear everyday. The kind of ring or necklace that sometimes only you know you're wearing, so it's something you wear for yourself. Very clean in design with a beautiful simplicity each piece comes in a variety of precious metals and with the option of having whatever you wish inscribed upon it. It's these little touches that really spoke to me because it means you can choose exactly how you want this special item to be. Again, prices were fantastic starting at £35.
The locket was lovely because it opened inwards which emphasizes the "personal" aspect and the chunky rings...I have to say I have never tried on a ring that was so comfortable! As someone who spends all day drawing normally larger jewellery distracts me but these were actually soft to wear (if that's the right word?!). Simply put, comfort in jewellery!
A big thank you to Astley Clarke for inviting me, I can't think of a better way to start My Little London!
A while ago I was advised to start doing some light exercise for recuperation by a doctor. "Resistance exercise" is what he called it...now the only resistance I know about when it comes to working out is the actual resistance to do any! However, it must be done and after asking for some recommendations cycling came up quite a few times. This has led to a growing obsession at looking at lovely bicycles (especially the ones here). Which in turn has triggered a love of all things "bicycle" ...
A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of visiting Treasure, an exhibition of up and coming jewellers that was held as part of London Jewellery Week. As someone with a little bit (ok, that may be an understatement) of an obsession with jewellery it was a must see for me. As well as spotting some established brands that I had already seen and heard of I was also introduced to some great new designers, a few of which kindly let me interview them.
First up it's textile based designer Elinor Voytal...
London jeweller Elinor graduated with a degree in knitted textiles but having been drawn to working on a smaller scale she applied her skills to the wonderful world of jewellery and adornment. The unusual yarns and intricacy really drew me to her work, not to mention the gorgeous colour palette of the pieces she had on display. The combination of fine knit created on a knitting machine and harder materials like metal and crystal prove to be a winning one.
Little Doodles: What are your main sources of inspiration? Are you more influenced by current trends or your own ideas?
Elinor: Colour, an unusual yarn that I’ve taken a fancy to. Structures, shapes and colours from my own photography or something I’ve seen whilst wandering about. I do keep an eye on future trend predictions and that can often be a source of inspiration too.
Little Doodles: Could you describe the style/aesthetic of your work in 3 words?
Elinor: Intricate, colour, luxurious
Little Doodles: Your jewellery is textile based, have you always have an affinity for textiles? What drew you to incorporating them into your jewellery? Elinor: I trained in textiles, specializing in Knit. However, when asked at college to design garments, I could never see it, it just didn’t feel right, it seemed too big! It was only when I started working on a really small scale and embedding heavy and hard elements into the delicate knitted fabric that I understood that designing jewellery was where my passion really lay.
Olafur Eliasson's use of light in his work plays an influence in Elinor's work. I can definitely pick up the beautiful colour references.
Little Doodles: Could you describe the kind of atmosphere you like around you while you work? Elinor: Radio on loud to drown out the sound of the knitting machine and my singing along! A wall covered in inspirational images with everything I need around me. Lots of tea!
Elinor's working process begins with researching inspirational sights (whether it be an artist, photo or exhibition) and drawing shapes, structures and colours from her findings. These are then translated into textiles, with special consideration going into knitting stitches and how these researched elements can be embedded into the knitting.
An example of how Elinor applies other influences into her pieces, these bracelets from the "Pixel Collection" are inspired by pixelated manipulations of Elinor's own photographs.
As someone who can spend hours poring over art supplies I can understand Elinor's excitement at ordering all of the varieties of yarn in their different shades. I also love that Elinor names Mary Portas as someone who would be suited to wearing her jewellery. If there was one person who owns a covetable jewellery box it's definitely the Queen of Shops!
A big thank you goes to Elinor for taking part in this little interview!
For more details head over to the website
These ribbon pouches by WhoWhat really made me smile this morning. I think the fact that they're so big overrides their twee factor plus they look like they would be pretty comfortable as pillows so they're perfect for an impromptu nap on the tube! Love the bucket bag too, right down to its authentic wood and metal handle.
I've decided to have a special sale to make way for some new and exciting work. So if you fancy owning your very own one of a kind little bird now's your chance!
Each mini piece is completely original so you will be the one and only owner of the illustration.
Hand drawn and painted onto pressed Fabriano watercolour paper sized 2.5" 3.75" with additional vintage book excerpts and ephemera incorporated.
Each is a birdy bargain at £40
Be quick and email me at k_wilson544@yahoo.co.uk with the title of the piece that catches your eye.
Images from The Room, Spring 2010, Cato Van Ee by Emilio Tini
I don't recall going though a pink phase when I was little. I was the proud owner of a Barbie shop (a sign of a shop owner in the making perhaps?) but even that wasn't completely pink, plus an incident with my sister, scissors and my favourite doll quickly created an aversion to all things Barbie.
However, the other week I had an almighty craving for a bright pink Pink Panther strawberry chocolate bar from my childhood, which sadly disappeared from sweet shops (probably down to the neon colour and the "bad food for children" police). I think it was meant to taste of strawberry but it actually tasted pink, much like blue ice lollies taste blue. So by way of overcoming the craving I've been on the hunt for some other nice pink bits and pieces to satisfy me.
They're no choccie bar but equally lovely in my eyes.
Enjoy!
