Hello, I'm back! I hadn't intended to be away for so long but unfortunately the realities of living with a recently discovered auto immune disease have hit me full on. I'm slowly learning that I can't fit in as much as I used to...little steps for Little Doodles. On a positive note, it's made me aware how lucky I am to be freelancing in a job I love. Being able to work from home, at my own pace is a gift. Normally I don't live up to the stereotype of working from home in pyjamas, surrounded by coffee cups but lately...well, it's happening a bit more often than it used to.
Anyway, I'm trying to keep my chin up...smiles all round!
A little note to say that my Etsy shop has re-opened and will be filled with new goodies very soon. In the meantime I've popped some old favourites in there.
A quick guide to what you should really be carrying during fashion week...
1. Foghorn : one too many free cocktails and you've locked yourself in the loo, send for help!
2. Pencil : make sure it's sharpened and it's eternally useful to poke people in your way when trying to squeeze into a show crowd.
3. Cronut : equally useful for getting into a show, mainly for bribery purposes if you don't have a ticket
4. Haribo : essential nutrition.
5. Coconut : emergency refreshment or to throw at anyone blocking your catwalk view by taking photos with their iPad.
6. Torn out pic of Harry Styles : Feeling a bit rough and don't want to be photographed? Instagram a close up of this saying you've spotted him & a location and within ten minutes you'll be surrounded by paps and screaming girls. Make a quick getaway unnoticed.
7. Notepad and lipstick : Make a sign to wave about during a show live stream. Someone watching at home in their pyjamas will send help.
8. Cat in a hat : Tired of being upstaged by others in front of street style photographers? Bring a kitten in a hat, Tumblr will love it.
I have a feeling I'm very late to the party on this one but I'm pretty obsessed with Terrain at the moment. I'm not sure why it's not really crossed my radar until now (having opened in 2008, it's an offshoot of Urban Outfitters) but I'm hoping it makes the same trip across the pond that Anthropologie did.
Being slightly erm...height restricted (translation...I'm only 5ft!) there were certain displays I couldn't see because I wasn't tall enough to peer over the crowds! However there was more than enough to catch my eye from porcelain painting to diamond setting.
The top two images show a traditional technique of pulling silk through the scarf to produce a velvet, flocked effect. Each scarf takes about 8 days to complete.
The bottom two images are examples of hand painted porcelain trays, explained to the audience by Christine who was originally an architectural draftsperson. Each tray takes roughly ten days to complete, painted completely freehand (I can't imagine doing this...I am a recurrent smudger of ink). Each layer of colour is painted and fired separately and the silver detail around the edges of actually liquid platinum which, because of it's price, means that it has to be exactly right first time.
Incredibly detailed drawings which make up the scarf artwork when layered up. Each separate colour needs it's own illustration for the printing process. The particular drawing that we were shown has 47 colours which means 47 separate sheets.
Aren't the colours beautiful?
It was honestly so refreshing to see true artisans at work, now that we're all used to mass produced products. I think I took for granted the true skill that goes into producing products such as these. Whilst we might all gasp at the high prices of luxury goods, seeing displays like this you can see why they are fully justified.
The true sense of passion and creativity from the brand really shined through. Just as a side note, this is also reflected in their corporate website...it's amazing!
I've had to keep quiet about this project for a while...but if you wander down the biscuit aisle in Marks and Spencer you might come across a few biscuit themed Little Doodles!
I was so flattered to have been asked to work on this biscuit tin and am really really overjoyed with how it came out.
Any project that involves being sent biscuits to draw in different ways definitely gets a thumbs up from me.
Sun, rain, sun, rain...that's the current weather pattern here in London. At the moment we're in the grey rainy category so how about a little neon to brighten up the day?
Apparently it was the first day of Spring last week. I say apparently because it is FREEZING right now. The sun has been making a fleeting appearance here and there but other than that it is well and truly jumper weather still.
Ah Valentines Day. It doesn't have to be all lovely dovey and wishy washy you know. Without a trace of bitterness (more or less) we all know it's an invented day but if you are going to treat a loved one how about one of these lovely gifts...
I can't wait until I start feeling well enough to get out and about a little more. If not for relieving the boredom, just the opportunity to wear some clothes that aren't pyjamas!
Ah the sheepskin boot. Secretly everyone owns a pair but generally you don't own up to it. Plus, they act a bit like a cat collar with a bell...you can hear the "Ugg shuffle" from ten paces away.
I thought I would take an alternative approach to a gift guide this year. So don't expect categories like "for him" and "for her." It's going to be more along the lines of ....
One of the things I'm really missing at the moment is getting out and about in London. I'm still in resting mode so the closest I'm getting is going through some old photos.
But maybe I can bring the city spirit home instead?
