- My Little Soldier

I love this little fella, I bought him for my daughter, honestly I did, but when he arrived he looked so cute that I am now on a mission to get my very own section of soldiers for the cupboard so we can all have dippy eggs in style. He’s from the late 60s early 70s and I think he’s just fabulous.

- Is it in the trolley?

Nope but it soon may be. The car boot sale season is looming – so I felt I needed to get equipped and as I am approaching 40 I should invest in my very own older people’s version of a portmanteau – a shopping trolley. So of course I decided to scour the planet for something cool and funky to drag round the fields as its nigh on impossible with a grumbling toddler in one hand and a pile of tat (sorry glorious vintage finds) in the other. I found this funky little number in dearest deutschland. I was so excited when it arrived this morning by DHL (yes that is rather sad to profess that excitement about a trolley!). Amazingly fast two day delivery though. Here I am proudly wheeling it outside my house, much to the embarrassment of the photographer! My daughter is going to love it and no doubt will be wanting a ride in it too!

- A Snippet of Me

I pursue colour, detail and form in my design, I base my quest very much on aesthetic goals rather than purely technical ones. I like my designs to be expressionistic, colourful and playful, a reflection of my rather odd self at times.

I should be on the sewing machine and at the cutting table today but I have been blinded by the exciting light that is ebay in a quest for more fabrics for my vast fabric stash. I need to catalogue all my fabrics properly (note to self this one) with full measurements of each on a label for easy reference as I am fed up of dragging pieces out of the neatly piled stash only to discover they aren’t big enough for my needs. A labelling system would help a lot. But this is a good two weeks of solid work to do that with over 200 bolts, piles and rolls. So it will have to wait. Yes I did say over 200 (shame on me!) … now to the cutting table.

- Jason I love you. Kandya Mad

Model C3 'Jason' chair

I had to share this gorgeous Jason chair with you by Jacobs & Guille for Kandya
(1953). Simply stunning. 

An early production example of the 1953 model re design. Single sheet beech laminate seat, onto white painted steel rod base finishing in metal feet.

This was Frank Guille’s first commission for Kandya, where he was appointed design consultant. A set of six is going to set me back in the region £1250. I think I’ll wait until my toddler is a little older before investing in these, and just admire from afar. As I don’t much fancy seeing them after she’s attacked them with the point of a pencil for five minutes when bored and I am making dinner!

Trimma cabinet Frank Guille for Kandya Ltd 1956

 Whilst I am sharing my design passions here is a beautiful cabinet I just love, the Trimma cabinet again by Frank Guille for Kandya.  It is solid beech, painted and veneered plywood with glass. An important and rare example of Guille’s functional yet refined designed ideals alas I missed out on this treasure. I’m really after a lovely 50s pale blue white and black one which I saw in a house in Brighton some while back. Great for displaying the vintage ceramics with cupboard doors pulled back for a sneaky peak. I’m still searching high and low for one even vaguely similar, I appreciate it will cost me dearly, but I can dream. Until then, there’s Ikea which is far more toddler friendly!

- 50s Abstract Cotton Fabric

Another day, another knock at the door, this time with a delivery of gorgeous 50s abstract fabric, a snip on eBay, destined to be made into some clutch purses and a cushion cover or two. I will also experiment with the green space gaps and do some over printing on the edge offcuts and see where that takes me – I’m starting to experiment more with over printing using more modern graphic elements combined with the vintage graphics. Sometimes it works a treat and often it just looks pretty rubbish if I’m honest. I had a visit on Wednesday to UWIC in Cardiff, to their Textiles department and was inspired by some of the level one student work and their enthusiasm to learn. Been a long time since I was at college and a long time since I had that time to dedicate to experimenting without life just getting in the way. So came home feeling lovely and refreshed by the experience and rejuvenated to the point where I just wanted to get drawing when I got back. I have decided to make a conscious effort to work on my sketchbook more, I’ve become a writer on various pieces of paper dotted throughout the house and really need to start putting my ideas down in one place. I’m off to visit the Textiles and Fashion course later today in Birmingham (if I manage to find a parking space). I’ll be reporting back on my findings over the weekend and with some of my new pieces of work on Monday.

- Funky Gaytime Butter Dish 60s Retro Heaven

Postie arrived with this little eBay treasure this morning – just for showing off  in my future kitchen display. Couldn’t resist its bright colours and funky pattern dating to the late sixties early seventies. The pattern is called Gaytime and the maker is Lord Nelson. Where would I be without eBay?

Gaytime Pattern by Lord Nelson

And yes I know that is the worst photo ever, I will replace it tomorrow when we have sunlight! (were you having a bit of a should have gone to spec savers moment?)

- Retro Flower Power Tea Service Ceramics – “Dolly Days”

Yet again I’ve been very busy on ebay and have taken possession this week of a lovely retro flower power tea service called Dolly Days by Hostess created by in the 70s. Unfortunately, the majority of the set arrived in bits due to poor wrapping, or lack of it, but with some negotiation on the price paid, I’ve ended up with a quarter of the set at a quarter of the price paid. Unfortunately the most coveted pieces such as the sugar bowl and the jug arrived in a very sorry state, but I did manage to salvage a set of four afternoon tea trios. Here is a pic of one of the trios. I just love the simple design and the bright colours. Now to finish the set with four dinner plates and that elusive jug and bowl.

Dolly Days Tea Trio by Hostess (John Russell)

 

Dolly Days - Sugar Bowl, alas arrived in a sorry state

 

Dolly Days Side Plate -

- Dydd Gwyl Dewi, Saint David’s Day – Funky Daffodil Retro Skirt 70s

- Shw mae pawb / hello everyone, it is St David’s Day and today I thought I would find something appropriate to share with you, a funky little number with daffodil applique. An acquired taste of base colour for the skirt granted but quite ditsy and sweet none the less, please note this found on ebay for sale, not from my personal collection!

- Jessie Tait – Another Sad Loss to Design

Another of my other huge inspirational design figures has also died recently. Jessie Tait died aged 81 on 14th January.  She was well known as the chief designer for Midwinter, I have fond memories of growing up with her ceramics as part of my grandmothers kitchenware and later I started to collect some of her pieces. Below is a photo of some of her work from a book, alas not owned by me. As you can see her designs remain very contemporary and modern. I just love the simplicity of the design. Her obituary can be read here in the Guardian.

- Retro Vintage Brabantia Cannisters

I’ve been a very busy bee on ebay lately and found these over in the Netherlands, from a very nice Dutch seller. What is it about the Dutch, they are all so polite, well when it comes to retro vintage sellers. These are spanking new in condition. I want the matching breadbin / box  I’ve seen many moons ago. So that’s my next mission. I was delighted she had packed them so well and arrived in pristine condition and with a lovely note and gorgeous paper. I love getting letters and parcels. It’s like being a child again, really excited when the postman brings you something other than junk mail or a bill. Hope you like these, I think they are fab and can’t wait to have them  out on display when I can find some room.