Fabric of Living

Busy little bee

2010-05-31T09:43:00.000+02:00

Hey everyone!

You might have surmised from the few-and-far-between posts during the last few weeks that I'm not having much success fitting in the blog between everything else I need to do. Due to my increased workload, blog posting will therefore be suspended indefinitely. I'd like to thank all of you for your readership and comments so far, and I'll let you know the moment Fabric of Living is back in action.

Have an awesome week and keep appreciating life's little delights! :-)

For wonderful weddings

2010-05-26T10:02:00.000+02:00

If you're engaged, congratulations! Now all the planning has to start... And who better to help you than Leipzig Floral Design, a Stellenbosch-based florist and venue design company. In fact, it needn't even be a wedding - they also do all sorts of functions and corporate events. I spoke to Anneke from Leipzig recently, so read on to find out more about this creative enterprise!

Images: Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen

Anneke, why don't you introduce us to the team at Leipzig. What do you do, and how long have you been doing it? How did Leipzig start?

Leipzig opened its doors for business in 2002. Founder and owner Izette Carinus grew up on a flower farm nestled in the Nuy valley. She put her natural talent to work in building a reputation of excellence. Since then the company has grown tremendously and now employs 5 full-time and 3 seasonal staff members. Leipzig is currently based in Stellenbosch.

It must be wonderful working in the beautiful wine estates and historic churches of the Western Cape. Do you have any favourite venues where you love working, or any particular venue you've done a lot of weddings at?

We work at various venues in and around the Western Cape; stretching as far as the informal beach hut, Strandkombuis, in Yzerfontein to the posh Marine Hotel in Hermanus. Each season brand new venues enter the wedding industry, Molenvliet Estate as an example has experienced overnight success. This season we did a lot of weddings at Vrede & Lust and worked with Yolanda Kotze. It’s definitely one of our favourite venues with unbelievably beautiful surroundings.

Can you tell us a bit more about what's popular in flowers and event décor at the moment?

The 2009-2010 wedding season has seen the return of vintage glamour. Lots and lots of lace, embroidery detail, damask linen, opulent flowers etc. Proteas and indigenous flowers have been extremely popular.

The coming 2010-2011 season will most likely feature pastel pantones to kickstart the spring season and then take a more serious tone in more saturated hues during summer and autumn. Yellow, purple and blue are the unexpected pantones that will make a shy appearance at some of our more individualistic clients’ weddings. Lace will continue to be a popular tool to portray timeless elegance and detail. Mixing lace detail with an underlying “less is more” approach will result in the meaning of “modern elegance” taken to a new level. With the World Cup fever running on high, the proudly South-African infection will probably result in another season of indigenous flowers mixed with classical blooms (such as roses, peonies etc.). Asymmetrical flower designs are very popular at the moment.

Images: Lizelle Lotter

What should brides take into account when planning the flowers for their wedding? Any tips for brides on a budget?

There are so many things to consider when planning your special day. But finalising the major areas such as your wedding date, venue of choice, photographer, décor and flowers, stationery etc. will be a good starting point. When planning your décor and flowers, try to minimise unnecessary costs by making sure your venue hire includes beautiful tables, chairs (even table linen and serviettes, which are included at some of the venues).

Try sticking to items that are not only beautiful on the tables but also practical. Chair decorations can be avoided if you invest in a stunning chair such as the Tiffany or Bikini chair. Underplates and serviette décor can be replaced with beautiful, rich linen, contrasted with plain cream / ivory serviettes.

Try to make use of the flowers that are in season at the time of your wedding. This will keep costs down, for example tulips are only available during winter months and peonies are only available during November in SA. Importing a specific flower will result in unnecessary expenses and hassle.

Less is more. If you keep the amount of labour involved to a minimum the overall cost is likely to be much less.

Try to keep delivery costs down by choosing a supplier situated close to your venue of choice.

Use your bridal bouquet and place it on the register table when taking pictures of signing the register.

Round/ square tables can work out cheaper, depending on the amount of items you would like to place on each table. For example, one container filled with loosely arranged flowers versus a variety of six small containers each filled with a floral design.

Note that if your wedding falls on a day that’s significant on the floral calendar, such as Mother's Day, Valentines Day etc., you are likely to pay double for your flowers due to the great demand for flowers over this period of time.

Images: Stephan from Zara Zoo

Wow, thanks for all these useful tips, Anneke! Weddings tend to be expensive affairs these days and we need all the help we can get. You can send Anneke an e-mail here or make enquiries for your function here. Visit Leipzig's website for lots of beautiful inspiration.

Aren't these photographs unbelievable, by the way? I'm going to check out the photographers' websites right now. And don't even get me started on the flowers! I absolutely adore fresh flowers.

Meet Miss Fluff

2010-05-24T08:44:00.000+02:00

Good morning, all you stylish people! You might remember me mentioning some of the wonderfully quirky products by Fluff here and here. Well, today I'll be talking to the girl in charge of Fluff and all its cuteness: Miss Fluff herself! Claudette Barjoud, also known as Miss Fluff, studied at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn (majoring in film and animation) before graduating from the New World School of the Arts in Miami as a computer arts major. Now, let's hear more about her and her girlie chic label!

WSW Alert! Fluff

Claudette, tell us: how long has Fluff been around? What did you do before you opened your online store?

I worked for several companies doing illustration and product/packaging design before starting Fluff. One of my favorite jobs was as a designer for Frederick's of Hollywood. What fun I had flinging thongs about at work! I got to design the cheekiest things there, including packaging for edible underwear and different flavors of whipped body cream! I also liked working there because they had a treasure trove of vintage catalogs

from the 1950's that had the most fantastic pinup-style artwork.

Fluff started as a scribble in my sketchbook long ago. It was something I had been dreaming about for quite a while. In 2002 I decided to give it a chance. I took some time off of work to draw up about 24 glitter and rhinestoned greeting card designs and showed them at the gift show in Los Angeles. That was the very first debut of Fluff!

Tell us more about Fluff and what it's about.

Fluff is about super cute, ultra glam stuff inspired by retro/ vintage style. I just love designing things that make you want to say "ooh! That is so cute!!" or simply just squeal with delight!

What does your average day look like?

I am usually surgically attached to my computer for most of the day, designing the next collections and also keeping up with the website, which I update myself. When not on the computer I like to paint and do sculpture.

What inspires you, in your art and as a person?

Oh, lot's of things! It could be anything.... coming across an interesting piece of vintage wallpaper or fabric,

the colors of a painting, somone's shoe. But overall I am find myself inspired by the art and style of the 1920's through the 60's. I love anything and everything from those decades, the art, the fashion, advertising graphics, hair styles, makeup etc... I especially love pinup art like that of artists such as Enoch Bowles and Elvgren.

Also growing up with Hello Kitty and Barbie they seem to be ingrained in my DNA!

How would you describe the décor in your own home?

It is an eclectic mix of mid century modern, tiki, and sparkly artwork with lots of crystals.

Are there any designers, labels or online stores that you're a big fan of?

Yes! Betsey Johnson, Lulu Guiness, Anna Sui, Tarina Tarantino, Fornarina. They are all very glamorous, fun and imaginative.

Where can we find you online or contact you?

I can be found through my site, on Facebook and on Twitter.

Thanks so much, Claudette, for chatting to us! I can't speak for everyone, but I know I certainly squeal with delight whenever I see new products in the Fluff store! I particularly love the new Sweet Shoppe Collection and Fluff's greeting cards. There are also some marvellous Tattoo Pooch luggage tags just in, and you'll get 10% off your order if you buy before 28 May. So don't miss out!

Design diva

2010-05-19T09:36:00.000+02:00

If you're craving some design talk, I've got just the thing this morning: an interview with Jesse Breytenbach, South African artist and designer, and author of the graphic novel I don't like chocolate. This is Jesse's third appearance on Fabric of Living - read the other posts here and here. Take it away, Jesse!

FoL: So Jesse, tell us how you got to where you are now. How did you get into design and where did you study/train?

JB: I studied Printmaking at Rhodes University in Grahamstown. I spent an awful lot of time doing extra-curricular things like drawing comics and illustrating letters to friends, so illustration seemed like a good idea when I left. I was lucky to get a freelance illustration job that stretched on for years, drawing for an educational publisher. They were new to the business, so we all learned as we went along.

FoL: What does your typical day look like?

JB: Wake up around 8 am, coffee and e-mail, take the dog for a walk, then shopping and post office. Work until about noon. Half an hour or so of exercise or cleaning, then lunch. (I dislike both exercise and cleaning, so if I give myself only those two options, I'm likely to get something done. Usually I alternate between the two.) Work until about 4 or 5 pm, another walk for the dog, then supper, e-mail, TV, sleep. Because I work on so many different things, printing, drawing, sewing, I've found it helps to structure each day more or less the same. It's easier to figure out how long it will take to complete a commission if I work for the same amount of time each day. That said, deadlines can easily throw everything out, and I sometimes stay up all night to get things done.

FoL: Do you think SA is catching on with the trend of locally sourced and/or hand-made products? Can full-time designers and crafters make a living here?

JB: I think it’s becoming important to some buyers; people do perhaps want to buy things that last, that mean something more than just being fashionable. Some crafters and designers do make a living here, but the majority of people that I know do a number of different things to earn money, including teaching and commissioned work.

FoL: How long have you been on Etsy, and do you find that it's growing in popularity over here too? Where are the majority of your Etsy shoppers from?

JB: I've been on Etsy for a few years, and I've definitely noticed an increase in South African Etsy sellers recently. Especially after the launch of Paypal in South Africa! It's going to be even more attractive for locals once Etsy has their currency converter up and running, something that they say will happen later this year.
At the moment most of my customers are from the US, and the rest are from Britain and Australia. Etsy seems to be very much a US site; most of the press coverage I get is on blogs, as well, and most of those are American. (Though suddenly, in the last 6 months, South African blogs have started filling up my blog reader, so things are changing!)

FoL: Tell us about your graphic novel, I don't like chocolate.

JB: It's about food and the sometimes strange ways we think about it. There are no superheroes, aliens, guns or explosions in it - just stories about women and their food.

FoL: What inspires you, both as a designer and as a person?

JB: Ingenuity, simplicity, ease, elegance. But ridiculously fussy, impractical and over-the-top ideas appeal too. I'll fall for a design that has a sense of confidence and conviction, that is completely itself, regardless of its aesthetic.

FoL: Any décor tips for our readers?

JB: Try to get all the painting done within the first month of moving into a new house! Five years later, and I still haven't painted everything.

Thanks so much for talking to us, Jesse! If you'd like to get your hands on some of Jesse's fabulous products, visit her Etsy shop. You can also check out her website here.

Don't you just love that Bacon print by the way? I'm craving a BLT right about now!

Sweet, but edgy

2010-05-10T10:27:00.001+02:00

As promised on Friday, today I'll be showcasing some delightful items by Vanilla Concrete, a South African ceramic design studio.

The close-knit team at Vanilla Concrete aim to manufacture everyday items that are beautiful and fun to use. All pieces are hand-crafted from original designs and they only produce between 500 and 1000 pieces during an eight-week period. Their collections include The Woman I Am, Plain White Butterfly and Rose Story, but my favourite is definitely the A Summer Poem collection, below.

And for something totally quirky for your home, there are these extraordinary creatures...

I love the purple one! She's called Milla. :-)

To see more of their designs or get your hands on some Vanilla Concrete, visit their website or send them an e-mail.

From England with love

2010-05-07T10:04:00.001+02:00

If you love cricket as much as I do (which you probably don't), you'll know that South Africa is tackling England in Barbados tomorrow night as part of the ICC T20 World Cup. So I thought I'd feature a British designer to celebrate the event - but of course I first made sure her products are available in South Africa! Drumroll, please: I present to you...

WSW Alert! Donna Wilson

I love all these quirky things, but I have to say my favourites are the House Blanket ...

and this little guy named Rill.

You can buy all these fabulously original designs from Donna's website or read her blog here. Her ceramics remind me a little of the awesome local ceramic design studio Vanilla Concrete. I'll be featuring them on Monday, so stay tuned!

Rainbow nation

2010-05-05T09:55:00.000+02:00

Good morning, everyone! I think it's high time for some authentically South African designs, so let's take a look at Heather Moore's funky products. Heather, well-known for her label Skinny laMinx, is an illustrator and designer from Cape Town. Her unique prints are available on all sorts of items like tea towels, cushions and aprons. I'll let these images from her website do the rest of the talking...

One of my favourite designs is the tongue-in-cheek I wish we had IKEA, below. We don't have IKEA in South Africa (which sucks), so Heather went and put all her favourite IKEA products, along with their titles and prices, on a tea towel as a kind of consolation prize. Brilliant!

You can buy Heather's designs from her Etsy store or read her very popular blog here.

Let me know what you think!

Delicious dollhouse décor

2010-05-03T11:21:00.002+02:00

WSW Alert! Miniature Patisserie

Imagine: all the colours, flavours and dainty garnishes of Gérard Mulot-style pastries without any of the calories! That's exactly what you can buy from Miniature Patisserie at Etsy. Here Pei Li (an "aspiring miniature artisan") hand-crafts tiny clay cakes, breads and desserts on a 1:12 scale, suitable for dollhouses or general decoration purposes. I think they're the most adorable little things ever - and, as someone who has trouble with 'miniature' activities like cake decorating, I have only the utmost respect for anyone who can add this much detail to something so small...

Here are some treasures from Miniature Patisserie's collection: feel free to ooh and aah! You can also read Pei's blog here.

All images: Miniature Patisserie

By the way, if you're in the Cape Town area and you'd like to learn how to make desserts like these (the edible version!), Vanilla House Patisserie will be presenting a 4-week dessert course in May and June. You can learn how to make fancy-sounding treats like brown sugar pavlova with cinnamon cream and caramelized bananas, pear galette with crème fraiche and honeyed walnut crunch, and vanilla pod crème brûlée with boudoir fingers. They're also planning other courses for the future. Contact Gayle for more information.

Mmm, now I feel like something sweet...

Vintage glamour

2010-04-30T10:22:00.003+02:00

Good morning everyone! I'm so glad to be back. :-)

Today I'd like to introduce you to Giovanna Velasquez, founder of the label Magenta 8, which produces beautiful, timeless boleros and jackets. I spoke to Giovanna about herself and her designs - read all about it below!

FoL: Giovanna, tell us a bit about your Peruvian background and how Magenta 8 came to be.

GV: I was born in Lima, a fantastic city, surrounded by friends and family with amazing long summers at the beach house. Then I moved to the States and lived in Washington D.C., travelling quite extensively while there until my early teens when I went back to Peru. Although I’m very Peruvian in heart and soul, I had very little knowledge of the country, so I decided to travel through the highlands, the Amazon and the coastal areas, which are the three main regions of Peru. It’s amazing, after so many years, I still go back to these areas looking for inspiration, or sourcing new materials and ideas, and it still makes me fall in love again.

Magenta 8 started based on my belief that women were looking for unique, classic pieces that were not lifestyle or brand oriented. Investment pieces that have a strong sense of style, value and reflected elegance – individuality and quality all at once!

FoL: What is Magenta 8's philosophy?

GV: Our ethos is based on three parts. Firstly, our values. We are committed to a fault in what we do. We do not compromise with quality and standards, not only with our products but also with the people we work with. The second part is the garment or product, and last but not least, is our communication with people. We say what we do and we do what we say.

FoL: Do you have a signature product?

GV: Our signature product is our brand. We are known to have “an eye for details”, such as our linings or something within the product itself that reflects our tendency toward “small things”, which, to us, are the things that can make a real difference. Our current collection is called Hummingbird, and these gentle Peruvian birds are hand-drawn and illustrated on the satin linings. They carry a message of joy, hope and happiness.

FoL: What else does Magenta 8 offer?

GV: The additional services we offer are personal. We are great believers of building relationships with our clients, our customers, and our supporters; so we listen. They might require an additional item and/or are looking for something specific. We will take into consideration their needs and depending on the workload we will make every effort to have something made to their requirement. We have done this a few times and in all honesty it’s a fun experience, because our customer’s special requests can serve as a source of inspiration for new ideas.

FoL: What does your typical day look like?

GV: First I spend my “me time” trying to keep in shape, and then I collect my “heavenly drink” (coffee) and go to the office or to a meeting. Most of my meetings are very early in the morning depending on which stage of the year I am in. If I am in the middle of building my key pieces, then my office will be surrounded by mood boards, swatches of all the materials I have gathered, sketches, illustrations, accessories and most importantly my main mood board, with everything that reflects the woman I am building this collection for. During these times, I will have many meetings regarding the production and development of the collection.

FoL: What inspires you?

GV: The vintage era, from the 30s Hollywood starlets to the 40s with its austerity and rationing. Tailoring was magnificent and items were investment pieces. But my favourite decade was the 50s: Christian Dior, Balenciaga and Chanel. This era for me was the one that had a strong effect on women: a time of liberation and equality, especially since they contributed to managing tasks that were always given to men. Empowerment is one word that I always have in mind when designing.

FoL: How can the readers get in touch with you or buy your designs?

GV: Readers can write to us at info@magenta8.com for any queries, and if they are interested in buying any garments they can send an e-mail to orders@magenta8.com and we will gladly take their request.

Thanks, Giovanna, for chatting to me! And yes, Magenta 8 ships worldwide! Have you guys seen the film An Education, by the way? It's fantastic, and I think Magenta 8's designs would fit right in there.

Jewel colours

2010-04-23T10:38:00.000+02:00

Are you thinking about sprucing up your living room for winter? Why not incorporate some of these lovely pieces from The Sofa Studio.

My favourite could be that teal chair, but I'm having a really hard time choosing! The Sofa Studio is located in Franschhoek and you can e-mail them or visit their website for more info.

I'm going away for a few days on a (hopefully) well-deserved break, so I won't be posting until next Friday. In the meantime, have fun exploring the archives and clicking on my favourite blogs! :-)

The artist’s life

2010-04-21T09:52:00.000+02:00

Guess what? Today we have a real-life, honest-to-goodness, paint-and-brushes artist as a guest!

A while back, a gorgeous painting of red shoes by Cheri Wollenberg was featured on the blog (read the post here). Now let’s hear what has to say about art, inspiration and the ever-present money matters...

Cheri, you've been a painter for 25 years. I'm sure everyone asks you this, but how did you get to where you are now? Where did you study and how have you kept your art going?

I was a young mother when I became interested in painting. I soon found out that mothering was a full-time job. I also found out that just as oil and water do not mix, children and painting equipment, art supplies and the painting process don’t either! When my children were old enough to go to school I took some painting classes. The teacher soon became my mentor and she suggested that I go back to college and work on an art degree. I finished my BA and MA in Art Education. During this journey I painted a lot, but now I am finally at a place in my life that I can devote many hours to something I am passionate about. I paint almost every day.

Do you believe professional artists can still make a living? How do you do it?

I do think that artists can! An artist has to have up-to-date marketing skills, a willingness to sacrifice many things including personal relationships, and work, work, work! In most cases, artists have to work another job to support the love of their craft. They must sacrifice personal and family time to produce. My profession does not make a living for me, but I enjoy the process so much that “I would probably go without shoes so that I can paint shoes” (laugh!).

What does your average day look like?

My day always begins with a cup of coffee, sending my sweet husband off to his day, and then I begin. I always check my Etsy shop before I start my work. Two days a week I teach painting classes in the morning until noon and I teach one night class. As soon as my students leave class I go straight to my studio and begin to paint. On two days of the week (sometimes three), I paint full-time. I look forward to those days without interruption because that is usually when I am most productive; however, I enjoy my students and I love seeing them accomplish their painting goals.

What inspires you?

As a person I am inspired spiritually by God. I am in awe of His love for mankind. As an artist I am inspired by everything He has provided on this earth. I love color, value, line, contrast, movement… all the elements and principles of design charge me with a desire to paint different subject matter. My problem is time – I cannot catch up. Always in art schools students are asked what they want to do in their art. Many will want to make statements about life, many will want to do art for art’s sake, but I believe many like myself want to create because of the challenge of recreating something that has already been created. Beauty, whether it is perceived as divine, human, natural or physical, or something ugly … still turns us all on!

On Etsy, you sell original oil paintings as well as Giclée reproductions of them. What is the difference? And where does archival paper come in?

Giclée is a French term that means “to spray” or “to squirt”. Many assume that because common inkjet printers in our home work this way that they produce “art” Giclées. This is incorrect. Art Giclées are produced and printed on very large printing machines and usually by a professional. My Giclée prints are done by a professional printer and the ink itself is archival. The papers he uses are archival and of the highest quality for prints. The Giclées that I offer in my Etsy store are printed on cotton canvas, stretched around stretcher bars (like my original oil paintings), and coated with a special UV-protective coating that seals the canvas and helps protect it from scratches. It also does not have to be matted or placed behind glass.

What advice would you give to first-time art buyers?

People buying art for the first time should always try to be educated about the materials and media used in their proposed purchase. Is it durable, does it need matting in addition to framing, is it the right size? What is the purpose of it? If they want fine art they must look deeper than what goes with their décor, or what is trendy at the moment. Who is the artist? What kind of record (feedback) does the artist have? What does it say to them? Is this work mass-produced or is it original? Is it affordable?

How can we contact you or buy your work?

I have an Etsy shop and a blog, or you can e-mail me.

I have to tell you guys, I LOVE that rabbit. I have a thing for rabbits – they’re just so unbelievably adorable, and their fur is so soft, and they don’t make a noise! (No offense, parakeet lovers.) Hats off to Cheri for depicting that fluffiness so beautifully. I can’t paint to save my life, so all the more reason for me to admire professional artists. Don’t you agree?

Did you know...

2010-04-19T09:51:00.000+02:00

... the unbelievably fantastic store Anthropologie ships to South Africa? I sure didn't.

WSW Alert! Anthropologie

Yes, dear reader, the heart-wrenchingly beautiful décor, accessories and fashion items made by Anthropologie are indeed accessible to us here at the bottom of the world. Feast your eyes on everything they have to offer, then hurry away to their website for a shopping trip that will change your life. Or at least your living space.

All images: Anthropologie.eu

Don't you just want EVERYTHING here? Good thing my birthday's coming up. I'll be sure to put some of these on my list...

Fabulous foodie inspiration

2010-04-16T10:03:00.000+02:00

Wondering what to cook tonight? I’d like to supply you with some appetising inspiration from AZ Cookbook, one of my favourite blogs. AZ Cookbook is run by Farida, an Azerbaijani expat who now lives in California. She prepares all sorts of ethnic dishes and takes the most beautiful photographs of them. Take a look – I guarantee you’ll have the munchies in no time!

I caught up with (a very busy!) Farida and asked her a few questions.

So Farida, how did you get into cooking?

I got into cooking after I married and moved to California, in 2002. Before that, my cooking was limited to a few things. Mom was in charge of our kitchen and apparently, that worked fine for me. Ironically, I had an affinity for recipes since I was a young teenager. I would collect interesting recipes anywhere I saw or heard them. But I rarely used them back in Azerbaijan. Since there was no one to cook for me in California and since I loved and craved homemade food, I decided to cook myself. The collected recipes were finally put to good use! The journey started there and I’ve never looked back.

Tell us more about your blog.

I happened to listen to a radio programme about blogs and was immediately drawn to the idea. This motivated me. Also, a good friend of mine suggested I started my own blog, and so I did. It started as a simple Blogger blog where I simply wanted to share my passion for food with others.

You’re working on a cookbook now, right? That’s so cool!

My cookbook is still a work in progress. I hope it will be published by this time next year. I will let you know where you can buy it after it’s been published!

What inspires you, in your cooking and as a person?

I like cooking for my family and friends. I’m inspired by the fact that whatever I cook will be shared with somebody.

What do you do when you're not cooking?

I like reading books, meeting with friends, and exercising. These days when I’m not in the kitchen, I spend long hours working on my cookbook – doing research for it, polishing the recipes, taking pictures and working on all the little details that I never thought writing a cookbook would entail.

Sounds like publishing a cookbook is actually quite hard work! Well, I’m definitely looking forward to the book – I’m sure it would make a great gift for all the epicures in my life (and I know quite many). Cookbooks make such wonderful gifts, don’t you think? And there are so many good ones out there, and so many new ones coming out all the time, that it’s possible to choose something really specific and unique for any recipient.

By the way, the recipes on Farida’s blog are divided into categories so you can click on whatever you need – meat, pasta, soups, desserts, etc. The methods are not too advanced, and substitutes are offered for ingredients that may not be readily available where you live. So go on and turn your kitchen into a restaurant this weekend!

All images by Farida from AZ Cookbook.

Dressed to a tee

2010-04-15T08:29:00.000+02:00

Just a quick note to tell you about a special offer from Fluff! (Some of their gorgeous products were also featured here.) There's a 15% discount on House of Fluff tees until 20 April. Get moving!

Scandinavian style

2010-04-14T08:40:00.000+02:00

WSW Alert! Normann Copenhagen

I’m a big fan of the sleek lines and light, airy feel that characterise Scandinavian décor. Some excellent examples of this design style can be found at Normann Copenhagen, a Danish label established in 1999. I’ve selected some of my favourite products from their online store to share with you today. Yes, they ship worldwide (awesome!). By visiting their website, you can find out more about the brand, see all their brilliant designs and look for a stockist near you.

For interesting news and opinions about their products and Danish style in general, visit the Spotted by Normann Copenhagen blog. If you want my opinion, though, I can't think of anything better (or more stylish and funky!) to store all my books in than that green Collect bookshelf. The Mormor servingware at the top are also lovely - I do so adore a country-style kitchen. And the vase at the bottom is the most original thing I've seen in a long time!

Creativity with a conscience

2010-04-13T08:49:00.001+02:00

Today I’m very pleased to introduce you to a wonderful South African handbag and homeware label called Mielie (Afrikaans for a corn cob). Since 2002, the Mielie team have been hand-crafting colourful products from reclaimed fabric and locally produced finishes. The “Mielie strips” that are used to make their products are a byproduct from cotton mills – how’s that for recycling?

Most of the Mielie team’s artists are from townships around the city of Cape Town. Every product is labelled with the name of the weaver who made it, which creates the opportunity for a connection between buyer and artist. Mielie aims to promote sustainable employment, but also to have a practical impact on the communities where the weavers live. To read more about this inspiring venture, visit their website (a design masterpiece in its own right!) or their blog.

Mielie products are available in several countries, both online and in stores. Try Be Sweet (a really awesome online store for environmentally friendly goods) or Party with Heart if you’re in the States, Tractor Home if you’re in Australia, Capegem if you’re in the UK, or pick your country from the list of stockists on the Mielie website. To contact Mielie, click here to send a message from their website or here to e-mail them.

Now let’s rave over these fantastically original designs! I would like the cube and round mat please – perhaps in candy colours like light blue, rose pink and scarlet for a Scandinavian-meets-South African theme! That heart handbag has also stolen my, uh, heart. ;-) I’d love to hear what you think of these creations!

Sharing the sunshine

2010-04-12T08:47:00.001+02:00

Image: Dreamstime

Fabric of Living has just won its first award! Yay! It’s called the Sunshine Award and it was bestowed on FoL by the highly inspiring Kris from Kristopher K Design. Thanks Kris! :-)

In turn, I’d like to share the sunshine with 12 of my favourite blogs, which all offer some manner of inspiration. Go ahead and pay some of them a visit – I guarantee they’ll improve your day significantly!

My Sunshine Award winners in random order:

1. AZ Cookbook: Food from Azerbaijan & beyond – for foodie inspiration

2. Cake Wrecks – for endless humour

3. Cakeb0t – for baking inspiration

4. The Perfect Palette – to add some colour to your day

5. Prima Donna Bride – for local wedding inspiration

6. Tizzalicious Crafts and Cuteness – to bring out your girlie side

7. Ruffled – for fantastic wedding ideas

8. Now Smell This – for olfactory inspiration

9. Jessica Kettle Photography – for inspiring photography

10. DIY Union – for inspiration on paper

11. ProPhotography – for beautiful weddings in South Africa

12. Beantown Bride – for bridal resources

Now tell me about YOUR favourite blogs and websites!

A little birdie told me

2010-04-09T08:54:00.000+02:00

Don’t you just love sending gorgeous cards? I could spend all day wrapping presents and adding cards to them. Sometimes I make my own, and sometimes I use store-bought ones, but the latter should never have kittens or generic birthday messages on them. Ugh. I’d much rather go for cards like these…

WSW Alert! Yellow Owl Workshop

At the Yellow Owl Workshop in San Francisco, California the duo Christine Schmidt and Evan Gross create limited edition stationery, stamp sets, ceramics, prints and paintings. They use eco-friendly materials like non-toxic water-based inks and recycled paper to manufacture the most delightful cards, postcards and correspondence sets.

Included in their card collection is the genius LCD card, which comes with a reference alphabet so you can “write” the message of your choice on it. A personal touch for a store-bought card. Brilliant!

When I make my own cards or do scrapbooking, I often make use of rubber stamps. The Yellow Owl Workshop has some fantastic sets to choose from. These two sets are definitely my favourites — they’re so cute!

There are plenty more pics of Christine and Evan’s wonderful work on their website, so go take a look. You can also visit the Yellow Owl Workshop blog. If you’d like to contact them, click here.

Do you make your own cards sometimes? How about doing scrapbooking? Anyone else a fan of that? Creative hobbies are just the best. They really counteract the mind-numbing effects of everyday working life! Here’s to the scissors and glue.

Something different

2010-04-08T09:14:00.000+02:00

For something totally unique along the line of accessories, I present Urbanative. This jewellery range is the brainchild of Heidi Liebenberg, and according to her website her creations are ‘inspired by rock music, sorcerers, science fiction and fashion’. Sounds like quite a combination!

Take a look at her current collection:

Heidi also designs wedding and engagement rings using yellow and white gold, platinum, palladium, silver and precious and semiprecious stones.

And if you want a one-of-a-kind piece that reflects your personal taste, you can always make use of her bespoke service. Heidi creates exclusive jewels for men and women as well as keyrings and cuff links, all tailored to your needs.

You can contact Heidi by phone (+27 82 770 9778), by e-mail or by visiting the Urbanative website.

What do you think of these striking jewels? I really like that solitaire – I’m quite a fan of simple engagement rings. I also love anything with coloured stones! My birthstone is emerald, but I like all the others too! Find out what your birthstone is here.

And here’s to you, Mrs Robinson

2010-04-07T09:07:00.000+02:00

Today I’d like to introduce you to Samantha Robinson, a designer and creator of beautiful handmade porcelain items. I read about her in a post on decor8 the other day and I was really impressed with her work! Her range includes lights, illuminators, tea nad coffee cups, teapots, bowls and porcelain fruit. You can check out her website here.

I particularly like those bowls that sort of look like halved watermelons. I a-d-o-r-e watermelon – it’s probably my favourite fruit.

If the shoe fits…

2010-04-06T06:23:00.002+02:00

South African shoe shoppers rejoice! Zoom Footwear has just opened an online store for us here at the bottom of the continent. What’s more, you’ll get free shipping on everything you buy during the month of April! Here’s a taste of their Autumn/Winter 2010 collection… swoon.

If, like most of us, you’re a little obsessed about shoes, why not flaunt it by adorning your coffee table with one of these beautiful books? They’re both available from Kalahari.net, and they also make great gifts.

Shoes by Judith Miller (R140)

Shoes: A History From Sandals to Sneakers (Hardcover) by Giorgio Riello and Peter McNeil (R450)

Images: Amazon

On the topic of shoes, I just had to include some lovely creations from three of the ingenious sellers at Etsy. If you don’t want at least one of these, you must really hate shoes! ;-)

Effervescent Shoe - Moleskine pocket journal by Catwalk Paper Works

40s Shoe Notepad by Bigfoot Press

Red Pumps Original Oil Painting by ChatterBoxArt

Do you have a favourite pair of shoes in your closet? Do you prefer flats or heels? Sneakers or flip-flops? Let’s hear your thoughts!

Local fabrics by Jesse Breytenbach

2010-04-05T10:21:00.001+02:00

A while ago I featured a collection of magenta-coloured items including the delicious Chocolates fabric by Jesse Breytenbach, and I thought I should share some of her other work with you.

Jesse is a freelance illustrator who lives in Cape Town and sells hand-printed fabrics, relief prints and other creative things she makes. She’s also published a graphic novel called I Don’t Like Chocolate.

Like the fabulous gals from Twine, Jesse is part of The Threadcount Collective, a group of independent contemporary textile designers all living and working in Cape Town.

Here are some of Jesse’s past and present fabric designs. She only prints small runs of each pattern, so it’s best to contact her to find out what’s in stock. You can also read her blog here to stay on top of things.

Jesse’s fabrics are stocked in some shops (see her website), but you can also buy them directly from her Etsy shop, which offers not only fabric but also assorted other lovely products like stationery and accessories. Here, take a look:

What do you think? I absolutely love that Sugar print – I really do look like that when I’m running low on sugar. And those chocolate envelopes are so cute!

A change is as good as a holiday

2010-04-03T14:17:00.000+02:00

I've been playing around with headers and background colours for the blog and I eventually settled on this one, but it's not final yet. What do you think? Did you like they grey and magenta more? Did you like neither? I'm really curious, so let me know!

Happy Easter!

2010-04-02T09:04:00.001+02:00

I know I've been talking about Etsy all week, but I'm not going to stop now! As a special treat to you guys today, I'm showcasing some of the delightful Easter-themed products available on Etsy at the moment. May you be inspired!

Crocheted Easter basket by Aunt Zarina's shop

I hunt Easter Eggs Applique by Bella Marie Boutique

Easter Egg Wreath by Laurels by Laurie

Printable DIY Collection - Bunny Love Easter Collection by The TomKat Studio

Easter Kit (handmade polymer clay embellishments) by kimmieprout

Have a lovely Easter weekend! See you on Monday!

Things I’ve made

2010-04-01T08:37:00.000+02:00

I’ve always admired people who can make something beautiful out of fabric, and yesterday’s post just reminded me of that. Maybe it’s because I can’t sew to save my life. Really, I once tried to make a pair of pj pants, which is reputedly the easiest garment to sew, and I managed to make a magnificent mess of it. (For the polar opposite of my end result, though, visit SleepyHeads.com. They have the loveliest pajamas I’ve ever seen.)

Nevertheless, I have managed to learn how to sew on a button, and I am in fact capable – like most other beings with opposable thumbs – of executing the running stitch. I can also cut, mind you, but not in a straight line. So after discovering Flickr and drooling over the images in groups like Fiber and Textile for several months, I thought: what kind of a person would I be if I just went on and on about hand-crafted stuff and never tried to make anything myself?

This is what transpired. I made about 17 layered felt flowers using some fabric scraps and old buttons I had lying around. Then I glued them to about 3 metres of wide ribbon at equal distances and hung the whole thing from my wall. What do you think?

Hey, it’s not a masterpiece. And my photography is about as bad as my needlework. But at least I can say I tried my hand at sewing crafts! And it’s NOT the easiest thing in the world, let me tell you. It takes a lot of time. I have even more respect for professional crafters now.

But for some inexplicable reason, one attempt wasn’t enough for me. Nooo. But this time I was wiser. Before I tell you the story, take a look at my final product. I’m quite proud of it!

I bought these buttons very cheaply at a fabulous habbies store called Toucan. Unfortunately, having no experience with buttons whatsoever, I bought too few the first time and I had to go back and get more. Naturally I took the half-finished cushion along, and the friendly old ladies there oohed and aahed over it. Oh, stop it, I said, I can’t sew at all. But you put in this zipper and everything! they argued. And that’s when I had to confess I’d bought the finished cushion at Mr Price Home and the only thing I’d done myself was embroider the heart and sew on the buttons (and not very nicely either). I think they were a little disappointed.

I’d love to hear your comments on my ‘creations’. Do you think they’re horrid? Did you expect more? Are you pleasantly surprised? I’ll take any insults with a grain of salt, but I won’t stand for comparisons between my humble attempts and the work of professional Etsy merchants! ;-)

Have you ever been disillusioned by failed dreams of a sewing career? You can tell me – I feel your pain.

Yes to hand-crafted products!

2010-03-31T07:47:00.001+02:00

A few years ago, I first heard about Etsy, an online marketplace for every hand-crafted product imaginable. Ever since that day I have been addicted to the site, and I have to warn you that once you start browsing around, you’ll have a hard time leaving! It’s mind-blowing to see the unthinkably beautiful prints, jewellery, handbags, dollhouse accessories, stationery and trinkets people come up with. Try typing in a keyword (say, ‘chocolate’, ‘cake’ or ‘cookie’ – do I detect a pattern here?) and watch in awe as hand-made creations pop up by the dozen.

One of the Etsy shopholders I’ve had the pleasure of dealing with is Tizzalicious. Today I’ll be sharing some of her beautiful products with you. I also asked her some questions, which you can read below.

WSW alert! Tizzalicious

FoL: Tell us about all the different things you make. Do you have a specific trademark product or specialty?

Tizz: I make jewellery and accessories, but also things like magnets and softies. I don't have a specific trademark or product, but one thing all my items have in common is that they are colourful! Another common theme is cuteness :-)

FoL: How and why did you get into crafts?

Tizz: I have been making things for as long as I can remember. My friends and I were always making jewellery or sewing Barbie clothes on my mom's sewing machine. I even remember selling some jewellery at a flea market when I was very little. Then about five years ago I sold some jewellery on LiveJournal, and that's when I decided to get more serious about it, and open a shop.

FoL: What inspires you?

Tizz: This is always such a hard question! I get inspired by a lot of things, pretty pictures I see online, anything retro, the sun (I am always feeling productive and creative on a sunny day!), etc.

FoL: What are the price ranges of your creations?

Tizz: The prices in my shop vary from about 4 - 25 USD.

FoL: Where can we buy your products?

Tizz: My products are available at www.tizzalicious.com, my Etsy shop, my DaWanda shop, and a few retail stores, which you can find here.

I absolutely love gingham, so I’m tempted to say those red Gingham Studs are my favourite. But the little apples (Red Polka Dot Apple Brooch and Pink Apple Magnets) have totally stolen my heart!

What do you think of these lovely creations? Do you enjoy buying hand-crafted items? Where do you get them from? Do you make things yourself? Let me know!

Like a soccer ball, only better

2010-03-30T09:13:00.003+02:00

The Fifa World Cup is just around the corner, and you can choose to ignore it (or complain) or you can join in the excitement! Because even if you’re not a soccer fan, you’re probably a fan of home-made ice cream. Enter the Play & Freeze™ Ice Cream Maker: the home appliance that looks like a soccer ball but produces dessert.

You don’t even need electricity for this fascinating gadget. Just put ice and rock salt into one end and the ingredients for an ice cream recipe (the basic one needs just cream, sugar and vanilla) into the other. Then shake it or roll it for two sessions of ten minutes each and Bob’s your uncle. This ludicrously exciting invention by Industrial Revolution Inc. is available from Firebox or Amazon, and you can read more at the product website.

I started looking around for ice cream makers after Mallory from The Salty Cod told me she wanted a new ice cream maker for her birthday. (You’ll find some really cool ice cream recipes on her blog.) If, like Mallory, you prefer a predictable result from an appliance that doesn’t look like sports equipment, try a Krups Ice Cream Maker or the MagiMix Le Glacier Turbine. In South Africa, both are available from yuppiechef. Read more about the best ice cream makers in an article from The Independent here.

For less fattening but equally pleasing delights, try some of these products!

Ice Cream Journal from So Softies

Ice Cream Bar Cabochons (5 pc set) from Delish Beads

Sweet parfait necklaces by Baby Loves Pink

Velour ice cream cones with 100% polyester filling from Bombadill

Dessert luggage tags by Fluff

Ice Cream birthday card by Fluff

Etsy and Fluff both ship to South Africa, so take your pick and get ordering!

Wow, now I feel like ice cream.

SA’s best kept décor secret

2010-03-28T22:30:00.003+02:00

I don’t know why on earth I didn’t know about HomeChoice before, but I’m sure glad I do now! While browsing around on the web for local homeware suppliers last week, I came across their website and was really impressed. Not only do they offer beautiful and stylish bedding for every taste and colour scheme, but you can pay for your order – which you can conveniently place online – in up to16 instalments. You get 14 days’ free home approval, and apparently there’s also free delivery protection and product replacement protection included in all orders at no extra charge. Now, if this already sounds good to you, wait till you see their product line!

But first, you can WIN R1 MILLION by entering their ongoing competition here, and what’s more, they’ll send you a free mail order catalogue. I’m definitely going for that!

Carla

Camden

Trent

Annette

Mary Jane

Flower Patch

I love it when online stores like these make an effort to style their products in rooms – almost like a serving suggestion. Just look at these lovely examples. That pewter bird on the chest of drawers in the Camden room adds a nice sparkle, while the magenta orchids provide the Trent room with a splash of bright colour. My personal favourite sets are Mary Jane (because it reminds me of Cath Kidston) and Camden (because I adore purple).

Aside from bedding and curtains, HomeChoice also has luggage, crockery, home appliances, towels and more.

There are special offers available on their website all the time. At the moment the special welcome offer for new customers (that’s you) is the Manhattan duvet set (1 duvet cover, 2 standard pillowcases, 2 matching curtain drops and 2 tie-backs) from R399. Despite the name, it’s got a nice African feel to it, and this is what it looks like:

Other current specials include: 2 free continental pillowcases when you buy the Camden or Carla Standard Set, and a free bath towel when you buy a 7-piece Mosaic Towel Set (cream, peach or wine).

Which products do you like? What colour scheme is your bedroom at the moment? Tell us – we’re all ears.

Exotic handbags

2010-03-26T09:49:00.003+02:00

WSW Alert! S. C. Vizcarra

There’s something very inspiring about a family business. And what better example than S. C. Vizcarra, a luxury accessories brand that was established in Manila in the Philippines in1925. Their handbags are hand-woven by artisans from natural leather, wicker or abacá (a banana fibre native to the Philippines). Before frowning at a fruit-derived handbag, though, you should take a look at this beautiful selection from their Cruise Collection…

Dakak

Dorothea

Palau

According to their website, each bag is a unique creation that takes to 2-3 days to produce. But what amazes me is that the natural leather bags are each woven from one piece of leather, making them seamless. And to top that off, all their bags are lined with silk! Here are some bags from the Classic Collection, just to show you:

Tica

Kennedy

The label started out with Segundina Cornejo Vizcarra, founder of the company, opening her needlework studio in Manila in 1925. Her specialty was hand-embroidery on piña, a native pineapple fibre famous for its strength despite its delicate appearance. Segundina’s daughter, Vicky Vizcarra Amalingan-Sales, continued the family tradition of producing finely crafted objects, and last year her granddaughter, Rita Nazareno, added a new product line called ZACARIAS, named for her sculptor grandfather. Read the full history at www.vizcarra1925.com.

Here’s an interview with Rita, who is in fact also an Emmy-winning producer with a Master’s degree in film and video and two Master’s degrees in design management for fashion from the London College of Fashion. She is now based in London, while her mother Vicky runs things in Manila.

Rita, you took over the label from your grandmother, the original S.C. Vizcarra. Has it been difficult to fill her shoes? What was the most important thing you learned from her?

My grandmother – Lola Gunding, as I called her – was an amazing woman filled with a great deal of compassion coupled with creativity. She came from a poor family, but had this gift for embroidery and the good fortune of having people who believed in her talent. My mother also has this compassion that I am in awe of.

It is definitely a challenge to fill my grandmother's shoes, and equally, my mother’s, whose work has helped the company evolve into what it is today. But I think they’ve taught me well and I've observed them enough to be able to pave my own way and continue the work of S.C.Vizcarra – and keep it relevant and important for years to come.

What is your label's philosophy, and how does it apply to your products?

When my grandmother started the company in 1925, she had always espoused fine hand-workmanship and design. I remember when I was very young, I would watch these little old ladies whom my grandmother employed from the very beginning – I called them all lola, which means grandmother in Tagalog – intricately sewing the delicate pineapple fabric, gossiping while sewing, of course. There was such camaraderie and a family atmosphere that still goes on today. We also continue to promote and offer fine craftsmanship of hand-woven products with design that transcends trends.

What inspires you, both in your work and as a person?

One of the bags I designed is based on an Isa Genzken cement sculpture while another is based on the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. I really get inspired by going to exhibits and travelling.

How should one go about choosing a new S. C. Vizcarra bag?

Our bags are finely hand-woven with some bags taking up to 7 days to make each one. They are not trend-driven and we have classic and elegant designs, while the very new ZACARIAS by S.C.Vizcarra brand pushes hand-woven bags into the modern and innovative realm – nodding to contemporary art, architecture and design. There are day bags, evening bags, varying sizes and a wide range of colours. There really is something for everyone.

How can we get in touch with you or order your products?

We do private orders and would love to hear from anyone interested. We can be reached via email at info@vizcarra1925.com. On our website you can view some of our handbag collections as well as our home accessories.

I’m concluding today’s post with some of the exciting new bags from the ZACARIAS collection. Which ones do you like? I have to say I’m totally in love with that lime green Dorothea bag!

ZACARIAS Bilbao

ZACARIAS Marsupial

ZACARIAS Porthole

Get your home ready for winter!

2010-03-25T08:55:00.002+02:00

It’s still so hot that I can’t believe it’s almost time to get the plush blankets and hot water bottles out again. Don’t get me wrong, I love winter – it just seems very distant at the moment! You may not be a fan of the cold season, but @home’s new winter collection may just change your mind. Just take a look at these beautiful furnishings!

Don't you love all those jewel-coloured cushions and throws? That brown clock looks really funky too.

All images are from the @home winter catalogue. There’s lots more to see, so I strongly suggest you go page through the whole catalogue. And if you need any more convincing, you can win an elegant Breville coffee machine by finding the 'coffee machine' hidden in the catalogue and clicking on it. (An entry form will pop up.) Good luck to everyone and let me know if you win!

If you’re lucky enough to have an @home branch near you, they also have two in-store promotions on at the moment. Apparently if you buy one of the Nespresso Le Cube coffee machines, you get a Nespresso Aeroccino for free (sounds like a good deal if you drink a lot of coffee-based drinks), and if you buy three patterned bone china mugs for R19 each you get a fourth free. (Most households I know have a pretty high mug-breaking index, so more mugs are always a good idea.)

Where do you buy most of your home furnishings? Chain stores? Flea markets? Do you make them yourself? I’d love to know.

Feel free to judge these books by their covers

2010-03-24T08:13:00.001+02:00

A classic is something that everybody wants to have read and nobody wants to read.

(Mark Twain)

My apologies to Mr Twain this morning, because I definitely don’t agree with him there. Most of my favourite books are classics and I’d choose them over contemporary books any day. I’m especially fond of works by Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. So imagine my delight when I discovered this beautiful new collection of Penguin Classics created by designer Coralie Bickford-Smith. Each book has a cloth cover with foil patterns stamped on, colored endpapers and ribbon markers.

(Click to enlarge)

Image from Penguin.com (USA)

The collection includes:

Cranford (Elizabeth Gaskell)

Great Expectations (Charles Dickens)

Oliver Twist (Charles Dickens)

Jane Eyre (Charlotte Brontë)

The Picture of Dorian Gray (Oscar Wilde)

Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)

Sense and Sensibility (Jane Austen)

Emma (Jane Austen)

The Hound of the Baskervilles (Arthur Conan Doyle)

Tess of the D’Urbervilles (Thomas Hardy)

Wuthering Heights (Emily Brontë)

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass (Lewis Carroll)

Treasure Island (Robert Louis Stevenson)

The Odyssey (Homer)

Lady Chatterley’s Lover (DH Lawrence)

The Woman in White (Wilkie Collins)

Madame Bovary (Gustave Flaubert)

Crime and Punishment (Fyodor Dostoyevsky)

The Sonnets and A Lover’s Complaint (William Shakespeare)

Little Women (Louisa May Alcott)

All of these are available from Kalahari.net at around R200 each. There’s also an interesting interview with Coralie about this collection here.

(Click to enlarge)

Image from Coralie’s website

How do you feel about the classics? Which contemporary writers can you recommend? Let me know – I’m such a bookworm.

Poetry is the fabric of living

2010-03-23T09:20:00.002+02:00

I absolute adore poetry, especially works by classic authors (anything pre-1900 is good). Think William Wordsworth, Emily Dickenson, John Milton and of course our beloved Shakespeare. But I’m also a fan of Poetry, a South African homeware, gift and clothing boutique. To give you an idea of the wonderful things they offer, I’ve selected some of my favourite products from their current collection. These are available from their stores countrywide as well as from their online shop/website.

(Click to enlarge)

Doorknob Creme & Black R50

"Love" Embossed Heart Tile R90

Napkin 45x45 cm R25

Drinking Glass R35

Frangipane Cake Plate R200

Yvette Floppy Hat R70

Photo Album Small R199

Wild Fig Pillar Candle R109

Olive Oil Soap R20

Black Ginger Hand & Body Cream R59

5" x 7" Photo Frame R99

Leather Shopping Bag R699

Frangipane Sangria Jug R180

What do you think? Wouldn’t these make fabulous gifts? I really like those glasses - they're available in several colours. I can just see myself serving my home-made tropical lemonade concoction in them!

And on the subject of poetry, let’s have a beautiful sonnet to finish off today’s post.

Sonnet 43

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints,--I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life!--and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

- Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Sonnets from the Portuguese

A decidedly non-mad hatter

2010-03-22T09:40:00.005+02:00

Ever wondered who actually makes the beautiful hats and headpieces that the rich and famous (and sometimes we ordinary people) wear to races and formal events? Well, they’re called hatters and they’re generally not mad. In celebration of the recent release of the film Alice in Wonderland I would therefore like to introduce you to Johanna Guerin, who got into millinery out of sheer curiosity and has been doing it for almost 12 years. Her creations have been worn at world-class events like the Dubai World Cup and Royal Ascot, and her experience shows in her beautiful, meticulous designs:

Johanna, who is your average client?

Brides, wedding guests, race goers.

Have you had any famous clients?

All of my clients are famous when they’re wearing my hats! But seriously, apart from Tara Moss and numerous local TV personalities, none that I'm aware of. [For those of us not from Oz, Tara Moss is a Canadian-Australian author and former model.]

When and why should one wear a hat?
Whenever you feel like it, whether you’re vacuuming the carpets (it makes a typically mundane exercise just that little more fun) or attending a gala event. Hats/headpieces not only finish an outfit, they can also suggest the importance of an occasion and indicate the effort the wearer has extended as a mark of respect to a particular occasion. Like any element of fashion, hats/headpieces are also a form of self expression.

Which styles are popular at the moment?
I have a tendancy not to take too much notice. If I’m making a hat for a client, it's all about them – what they are wearing and what suits them. If I’m making a hat for stock, it’s all about my own creative style.

If I buy just one hat in my lifetime, what should it look like?
I think a hat should in some way reflect its wearer. We all feel differently from one day to the next, and change in small ways over time. Therefore you can’t buy just one hat!

What inspires you?
Texture, colour, music, theatre, costume, anything 1920s/30s/40s, the circus, my daughter, dancing, the clouds, etc.

How long does it take to make a really good hat?
I would allow a couple of days, assuming I’ve got nothing else to be doing. In saying that, if you are going to have a hat made, give your milliner the courtesy of 4 weeks’ notice.

Any advice on buying accessories in general?
Accessories are a great, easy way to add an element of current fashion to timeless style. They are the final touch to a look, binding all elements together. I’m a big fan of mixing textures and tones. As I’ve said, I also believe accessories in general should reflect the personality of the wearer. There is no point in wearing something that makes you feel uncomfortable whether it be because of a bad fit or simply because it’s not your style. Wear what makes you feel good and what makes you smile.

Johanna caters for clients worldwide and her hat prices range from $100 to $500 (R700 – R3500). Get in touch with her by visiting her website or sending her an e-mail.
And if you get a move on, your creation will still be in time for the Vodacom Durban July, which takes place at Greyville Racecourse on 31 July 2010.

Aren't these absolutely magnificent? I found it exceptionally hard to choose my favourites from her website gallery, but I managed to narrow it down to eight, and if I really REALLY have to choose just one it would be the scarlet one at the bottom left, above. Vaudeville meets Phantom of the Opera!

Which is your favourite? Will you be attending any races or weddings this year? Planning to wear a hat? Let us know!

We heart bright colours

2010-03-19T08:50:00.002+02:00

As more and more industries look for sustainable alternatives for their products, I’m proud to feature a company that actually produces sustainable jewellery!

WSW Alert! LeJu

Founded by Lenny Trines and Juan Munoz, LeJu designs and makes jewellery from vegetable ivory. If you also don’t know what that is, here’s the lowdown: it’s a seed from a type of palm tree in the Amazonian rain forest. Obviously, using vegetable ivory is a much better option than real ivory because elephants don’t have to be killed for it. Other tropical seeds are also sometimes incorporated into LeJu’s designs, and the result is that people have jobs while the trees stay standing.

Aside from the fact that I think these pieces look REALLY cool and would totally jazz up, say, a plain white shirt, the vegetable ivory also hardens with time, so your jewellery becomes more valuable the older it gets. Here are my favourites from their current collections!

If you’re already intrigued, just wait until I interview these guys. I’m sure they’ll have some very interesting things to say! In the meantime, why not admire all their creations and pick out some for yourself on their website? You can also send them an e-mail if you have any questions.

Speaking of sustainability, I was shocked to find out that I really don’t know anything about where the stuff I buy comes from. For example, I’ve never even considered that the major manufacturers of chocolate bars may be directly responsible for the destruction of rain forests. And here I was thinking I’m not doing anything wrong! Read this – it’ll wake you up. Then click on some of the Related Articles at the bottom of that page and prepare to change your outlook.

Have a fantastic weekend guys!

Sweet inspiration

2010-03-18T09:03:00.004+02:00

Not all cakes are made alike, and yesterday I showed you what they should look like. For a really good lesson in what they shouldn’t look like (as well as assorted stuff that nightmares are made of), visit Cake Wrecks. You will either laugh or cry, but if you’ve ever baked anything (or tried to), I think the former is more likely. However, I can’t guarantee anything, and if you’re offended by awful baking or awful customer service, viewer discretion is advised. Here’s the (ahem) delightful creation that started it all:

(Photo: Cake Wrecks)

Okay! Well! Now that that’s out of the way, let’s drool over some bakewear by Bakelove.

(Images: Bakelove)

Unfortunately, Bakelove is not yet a WSW candidate. A moment of silence for the enthusiastic bakers of South Africa please. (…) Hey, maybe soon!

On the other hand, a wonderful Etsy store that DOES ship here (WSW Alert!) is Everyday is a Holiday. Just look at their amazing artworks!

(These are a deliciously foodie way of saying what everyone else is saying, namely Keep Calm And Carry On.)

My favourites are definitely the cupcake tiers and the layer cake quartet!

All images are from their Etsy store. They also have a (highly inspiring!) Flickr photostream and a blog.

And to finish off this very cakey post, I’m going to share with you the beautiful card my sister mailed me on Monday. Don’t you just LOVE getting snail mail? It’s so much better than e-mail! (Except when it’s bills, of course. And it’s mostly bills.)

Designer desserts

2010-03-17T09:37:00.002+02:00

Today I would like to introduce you to the wonderful team at Cupcakes by Design, stationed in the Cape Town area. Dot and Grace are in fact twin sisters and they really are two of the nicest people I know. They’re friendly and enthusiastic, and they always go the extra mile. Oh, and did I mention they also bake and decorate the most fabulous cakes and cupcakes you’ve ever seen? Just check this out:

I asked them some questions, so let’s hear what they had to say…

How did you get into baking?

Grace: Dot and I have been baking for most of our lives and we really enjoyed making tasty cakes. When our kids were born (Dot’s eldest is 11), we started baking birthday cakes. Or rather, Dot started baking cakes. She was really adventurous! I remember we used fondant for the first time with her son Alex’s first birthday. Dot made a cake with this funky clown jumping out of a box. We had so much fun!

For my son Kellan’s birthdays I used to order cakes from an awesome cake decorator, but around his fourth birthday she told me she was no longer making cakes. So I said: How hard can it be? I made a 3D Thomas the Tank Engine cake myself, and that’s when the bug bit me. I’ve been making cakes ever since.

Our cakes have always tasted amazing, and we’ve found a way to build on that and make them look awesome, too.

Dot: I’ve always loved making everything special for my four kids’ birthday parties. I love to bake, including my own fancy breads for everyday use. It was a few years of trial and error and experimenting with fondant and buttercream before our skills caught up with our imaginations! Now, every time one of us makes an amazing cake, it's like we’re thinking: Just how can I top that?

Tell us more about Cupcakes by Design.

Grace: Dot and I sold our cakes separately to our own client bases for a while. When I did my first wedding, I asked Dot (who is the queen of roses) to help me make the roses for the cupcake tower. When she ended up making them all, I asked her if she’d like to help set up. We had such fun and I felt so relaxed. Having her with me just helped to take away the anxiety. On that day, we decided to do weddings together. Six months later, we decided to combine both our businesses and call ourselves Cupcakes by Design.

We have started presenting fondant modelling classes for adults now and we would love to branch out into regular classes for women who want to learn how to work with fondant.

I think what is great for our work is that at times I've had to copy Grace’s work and she mine, yet we still have different styles that complement each of us.

What inspires you?

Grace: We find inspiration in so many places. Fabric and scrapbooking paper will set us off very easily! We love being on Flickr and find that we are blown away with how creative people are. I really adore flowers and push myself to make different ones all the time.

Dot: I just love food! It is such a weakness! So it’s all about how it tastes and how it looks. I love colour and I have a great friend in textile and fabric design. She really thinks out of the box and I find that after a visit to her studio, my head is bursting and I write down all my new ideas immediately.

Are you considering publishing a cookbook?

Grace: Our goal is to put together a pretty cupcake book and to make it either a coffee table book or a cookbook. Can’t give away our double chocolate cake recipe though, it will be bad for business.! It would be great to see our favourite creations in a book one day…

Dot: Yes, this is really a dream, but I’d like us to first hit our peak creatively and skillswise, before we do a book. I’m more partial to a coffee table publication. I love pretty pictures!

Tell us some more about your products and prices.

Our cupcakes start at R15 each. We package cupcakes in singles or in small boxes from R29.50 each. These make excellent gifts. Our cakes start at R195 for mini-cakes (10cm).

Our cakes and cupcakes are all handmade and unique, so we make them to the specifications of our clients. We give a full quote after we know exactly what the client’s needs are. A bride can get a wedding tower for as little as R22 a serving.

Favourite food?

Grace: I love food, but my husband’s braaied chicken is out of this world. I adore crusty bread with butter – if it’s fresh out of the oven then I’m in heaven. Dot makes this pizza with mascarpone, onion and olive oil that will make you weep.

Dot: I love Grace’s Chelsea buns … she’s famous for them.

Favourite cookbook?

Grace: Anything Peggy Porschen. My Snowflake baking book is so battered (literally – that’s a cake joke!). If there was a fire, I’d grab that after I chased my kids out of the house.

Dot: Oh, I have more little bits of paper in my cookbooks than I’ll ever admit! My recipes are in my head...

Favourite foodie film?

Grace: Does Ratatoulle count?

Dot: What's that one with Cathrine Zeta Jones? Love it!

Favourite ingredient?

Grace: Vanilla bean, or nuts. They go with everything; there’s one to match every ingredient.

Dot: Mascarpone cheese – sweet or savoury, it rocks!

Favourite restaurant?

Grace: Pick ‘n’ Pay Café makes these Nutella croissants that my eldest son and I dream about, but for ‘real’ restaurants I’d say Myoga at The Vineyard. I’m more of a coffee house and breakfast-out person, so I just adore high tea at Farriers in Plumstead. And then The Goatshed at Fairview is amazing for their cheese platters. You can’t beat Woolies Café’s hazelnut coffee lattes (skinny, of course) and Knead makes to-die-for food… Oh, I think I just love food.

Dot: Noop in Paarl is special! Fairview’s Goatshed is one we frequent, and there’s The Coffee Republic in Wellington for their amazing pizza.

If you’d like to order some of their magical creations, contact Grace at grace@cupcakesbydesign.co.za or 082 571 0589, or contact Dot at dot@cupcakesbydesign.co.za or 083 789 4704. Visit their website for more designs and info, and keep up to date with their Flickr profile.

And by the way, there’s no such thing as leftover cupcakes.

The most wonderful words in the world

2010-03-16T09:24:00.004+02:00

For those of us who DON’T live in the States but still love pretty things, there are three words that sometimes seem like the most wonderful words in the world.

WE SHIP WORLDWIDE! :-)

OK, OK, I admit there are some other really wonderful words to hear that have nothing to do with online shopping. But hey, there are also a great many things that we can’t buy in stores in SA, and when I find an online store that does ship here I get very excited and I just want to share it with you all immediately! That’s why I’ve decided to create the WSW – we ship worldwide – Alert. Whenever I find a cool online store that ships to SA, I’m going to issue a WSW Alert and post a feature about the store as soon as possible.

So it’s my pleasure to present to you:

WSW Alert! Cath Kidston Ltd

This company has been around since 1993 and designer Cath Kidston has since become famous for her vintage flower prints. Cath designs her prints and products herself and the latter includes accessories, homewares, clothing, kids’ stuff and fabric by the metre. You can order from the online store or from the mail order magazine available at no cost from the website. There are also physical stores in the UK, Ireland and Japan.

It’s very, VERY difficult to choose your favourites from a range like hers (click around on the website and you’ll see what I mean), but here are the ones I love most. Let me know which ones you like!

Box Floral Cushion

Rose Blue Eiderdown

Dotty Jug

Spray Flowers Mini Saddle Bag

Briar Rose Fabric

Shooting Star Bath Towels

Garden Floral Jersey Dress

Bird Notebook (my personal favourite)

Provence Rose Cosmetic Bag

I’m inspired by… old churches

2010-03-15T09:13:00.003+02:00

I love sharing the things that inspire me, because for all I know (and hope) they inspire you too.

I really love looking at and taking photographs of old churches and chapels – both inside and out. These were all taken on Route 62 in South Africa, but as you can see I’m not a very good photographer! However, I’m working to change that by taking a part-time photography course, and I hope you’ll see a significant improvement in my shooting skills over the next few months.

I’ve also started trying my hand at split-toning, which I think is the most magical photo editing method in the world. Let me know what you think of my attempts!

Speaking of inspiration: Holly over at decor8 raised some very serious issues in her post on Friday. Where exactly do you draw the line between “being inspired by” someone’s something or downright stealing their idea? Particularly in the commercial world? Judging by the amount and length of the comments her post received, this is something artists and designers in the 21^st century feel very strongly about. And it’s no wonder – with the internet bringing everything to everyone with a single click, the boundaries of what belongs to whom have been irreparably blurred. But in my opinion, you don’t have to do something just because everyone else is doing it. And that includes copying the creative ideas of others (for example, the works designers present on their blogs or in their Etsy stores) and making a buck out of it. It’s like Holly says: DIY means DO it yourself, not DUPLICATE it yourself. In the February issue of Glamour Magazine, I read about a South African designer whose creation (even the fabric) was shamelessly copied by a large chain store. Of course, when she threatened to sue, they laughed in her face and reminded her how much money they have. I’m wondering how you guys feel about this issue.

Oh, and for some unbelievably impudent cases of design theft, visit You Thought We Wouldn’t Notice.

Beautify your walls

2010-03-12T10:15:00.002+02:00

I mentioned one of Ink Art’s beautiful canvases here and I thought I’d show you some more of their lovely artwork. Ink is part of the Flowermill Lifestyle Design Studio based in Cape Town, South Africa.

Ink canvases are available in 3 sizes: 300mm x 300mm, 600mm x 600mm and 900mm x 900mm. Canvases take approximately two weeks to prepare. Custom design is also possible.

Here are some of their canvas designs. Each design is available in several different colours.

Don’t you just want to order some immediately? I especially like those combs, which are also available in celadon and magenta. And if you think these are fantastic, just take a look at the Kiddies selection! It consists of four designs: Polka Trees, Cowboys, ABC Tree and 123 Tree.

To order, send an e-mail to deborah@flowermill.co.za, call +27 21 461 0775 or visit their website.

And don’t forget to check out their famous Sticky Boards here!

Lovely local fabrics

2010-03-11T09:02:00.002+02:00

The other day I was looking for some cool local fabrics to feature and I came across Twine Fabric, the brainchild of Chloe Townsend and Cara Rosa. Their fabric (a blend of hemp and organic cotton) is used to make bespoke picnic blankets, napkins, tablecloths, tea towels and eco-friendly shopper bags. Their apron-in-a-bag (very cute, if you ask me) would also be the perfect gift for any domestic goddess.

Their fabric is available in six prints (scallop, baby check, big check, birdie, big bird and stripe) and six colours (Betty’s blue, Chinese yellow, scarlet, squid, stone and white). Which one do you like most?

Call Chloe and Cara on +27 21 461 1083, email cara@twinefabric.com or visit

http://www.twinefabric.com/.

Turning on the charm

2010-03-10T09:13:00.002+02:00

I'm very excited to introduce you to Hildegarde of Charming Ideas. We were in res together at university and she now makes beautiful charm bracelets and handbag charms. Just take a look:

I love this watch!

How did you get into jewellery making?

I started making charm bracelets because I could never find one that I like, and the ones I did like were usually too expensive! I started dabbling in jewellery making about two years ago, but I started with charm bracelets about 8 months ago. To me, making jewellery is a creative outlet as well as a way of supplying other women with affordable costume jewellery. Sure, it won’t last forever, but for that price you can buy two or three!

Do you create designs yourself or work according to clients' specifications?

Both. I like designing my own creations, but I also design according to clients’ preferences. For example, one lady wanted a charm bracelet for her daugther’s 21st birthday and wanted specific charms and colours to match the girl’s personality and taste.

What inspires you?

I find inspiration in fashion magazines, the internet, and also in my surroundings. I like linking my colour choices and designs to what is trendy at the moment. So it’s still my own design, but it has an element of what is fashionable at the moment, be it coins or royal blue beads.

I also look at my surroundings and try to take something out of it. I love seeing contrasts in nature such as a mountain set against a bright blue sky, or a colourful flower set against brilliantly green grass.

What are the average prices of your creations?

My creations average at around R50 per item. At the moment I have four types of items available, although I will be expanding my product base in the near future. Currently I sell plain charm bracelets (R45), charm bracelets with beads (R55) and watch charm bracelets with beads (R110). I also make handbag charms (R50).

How can we get in touch with you?

Email me at hsmouton@gmail.com. Or visit my blog at http://hills-charms.blogspot.com and click on “View my complete profile” and then click on “Email”.

Here are some more examples of her fantastic work. Which one is your favourite?

For everything handmade

2010-03-09T10:23:00.001+02:00

One of the most wonderful events I've ever been to is Kamersvol Geskenke ("rooms full of gifts"). It's a magnificent hotch-potch of an exhibition where hundreds of crafters bring their hand-made goodies, florists bring fresh flowers and delis bring delicious edibles. It started seven years ago and has grown exponentially.

I would really urge everyone to go because just being there is SUCH an inspiration. This year's Kamersvol will be held at Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West from 27 October to 2 November. To my great disappointment I was unable to go last year, but here are some pictures from the 2008 exhibition!

When life gives you lemons...

2010-03-08T10:20:00.000+02:00

... make body butter!

I saw this wonderful new range (Sweet Lemon) by The Body Shop yesterday and I just had to tell you about it. The fragrance may be a bit too lemony for my taste, but the bright yellow packaging is so cheerful - and don't you just love that sponge that looks just like a lemon? This "flavour" should be perfect for those of you who find some of the other "flavours" too sweet. Here's the whole range, just to make your mouth water.

Image credits: Lipgloss Bitch

I also probably don't need to remind you that the Oscars are on tonight! Tune into M-Net at 19:30, but before you do that, why not bake some Oscar statuette cookies or popcorn box-shaped brownies? Bakerella sure did.

A cool fridge for a hot day

2010-03-05T11:46:00.002+02:00

I just made this mosaic using the Mosaic Maker and some pics I took a while back at Cupcake in Stellenbosch.

The vintage fridge (top left) is a Frigidaire, but SMEG also has an entire collection of vintage fridges in all manner of colours. Hold on to your hats, guys...

Who said kitchens had to be white, anyway? I absolutely love the lilac one! I can just see myself reaching into the freezer cube for the ice cream.

Which colour is your favourite?

Magenta madness

2010-03-04T17:02:00.003+02:00

Let me brighten up your day with some bright pink inspiration.

Clockwise from left:

1. "Polka tree" designer canvas (colour KPT009) from Ink Art, available in nine colours and three sizes. This artwork is actually from their kiddies collection, but judging by how much I want one, they work just as well for grown-up girls!

2. "Chocolates" fabric by Jesse Breytenbach, block printed on cotton.

3. Fushia Wide Circle Belt, R 69.95 at Edgars.

4. A selection from @home's current collection.

The pink chenille throw (R199.00) is my favourite!

5. Handmade "Heart Felt" brooches from Cheryl's Etsy store.

Don't you just feel the love?

Hobby-X starts today!

2010-03-04T16:25:00.001+02:00

For those of you who didn't know, South Africa's exhibition of hobby and craft supplies runs from today until Sunday. The venue is the Coca-Cola Dome in Northgate, Johannesburg. Today and tomorrow the show will be open from 10:00 to 18:00, and from 09:00 to 18:00 on Saturday and Sunday. Visit Hobby-X for more details.

Image from the Hobby-X website gallery