Carving a stamp

GEMS

I just wanted to show you some impressions of the necklaces I created with the pendants I made the other day. Some necklaces are a combination of vintage buttons and my hand made ones. 

I love the colours, they are so much ME! I used olive, dark emerald, teal, fluor yellow, pale salmon etc.

The necklaces are for sale for €19 each, regardless of the number of buttons/pendants on it, in our ECO popupstore and via mail. If you want I'll show or send you more detailed pictures.

 

The length is easy adjustable by the small button in your neck.

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agenda

My new next year's agenda. I tend to buy to the simpliest agenda I can find to give it a very personal cover, made from test prints and scraps in my favourite colours. 

And some pictures of last Sunday's exhibition/art market here.

new stuff

hand screenprinted cushion 40x40 cm

with matching blue piping

 

smartphone holders with fluorescent 'darning'

details of 'darning'

hand screenprinted cushions  30x50 cm

Here are some of my newest products. I'm happy to show them finally. I hope you like it!

I've been taking it easy and slow lately merely because of two facts: I was in a creative rut, I had no pleasure in sewing and being in my tiny workspace (i.e. the attic which is also our bedroom) where I have to work on the floor most of the time and my back's started to protest. I would like to share a workspace with several people like I had before (see Werkpost).
Secondly and honestly because I do not like to have a business All by Myself anymore. I do like to be my own boss! but I much more would like to work with a creative person who is a bit more skilled in business (advertisement, communication, finances etc) than me. Meetings might not be needed everyday but once a week or so. Anyone?
So that'll determine my next activities: networking, finding a new workspace and opening a new tiny shop.
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DIY small lampshade

I thought it was about time to give the poor bare lightbulb a new nice but simple lampshade for the sake of some wordly atmosphere. 

Ever since and before my Geography study I have been inspired by the graphics of maps. My attention was caught when I came across this (detail of) picture in the latest edition of Dutch magazine vtwonen; it shows a little paper bag made of a map....

picture taken from magazine vtwonen

the poor bare lightbulb in our living

So I decided to experiment on a simple lampshade out of a map of my favorite continent (being South East Asia).  I'm happy to share it with you. Of course you can use any sturdy paper you like.  
I have been succinctly so please read all descriptions and look closely at all pictures before you start. Have fun!

1.  Here are the things I thought I might be needing. You can skip the 2 round frames, I didn't use those.

So there are: 

sturdy paper, scissors, (sunflower) oil, skewers, double sided tape, colourful sewing thread and needle.

2.  Put on one side of the long end of the paper one strip of double sided tape. Peal the protective strip off and fold the paper to a long tube by putting the long ends together. If you wish a smaller lampshade you can choose to cut or tear -like I did- some of length.

3.  Cut out triangles all around the opening but first you measure the distance from centerpoint of the tube to the edge so you know how pointy the triangels have to be to close the whole top end of the tube.

4. Put small pieces of double sides tape on each triangle tip.

5.  And put all tips together to close the top end of the tube. Leave one or two slots open for the assemblage to the lightbulb.

6.  Make the paper translucent: Apply sunflower (or olive) oil to the paper by brushing carefully all over it. Give some time to let the paper suck most of the oil - check if all parts are covered by holding against the light. Then you wipe all the remaining and glossy oil with toilet paper.

 
7.  Put the paper tube to the lightbulb. and continue with the most difficult part:  you take some double sewing thread and cross stitch the open slots together. The lampshade is hanging!

 

 8.   You can stick 3 or 4 skewers through the paper very close to the fitting for a better fixation to the fitting. In my case the skewers even go great with the Asian continent.

Good luck and have fun!

By the way,  I found the poster (piece of wallpaper?) during our last vacation in Danmark, in Copenhagen at Grønlykke shop. Lovely isn't it? I've seen this before but don't remember the designer; does anybody know who designed it? And the little paper doll was made by my friend Megan from Frank&Gertrude.

agenda

A new agenda with a new handmade customized cover. 

And nice tapes from 'good old' plastic. Why is everyone so into the washi masking tape? I must admit the Japanese tapes look great, but no cart or even the thinnest shred of paper lasts on the wall for a day!

mantra clipping

I spent hours and hours of clipping these dots.... a meditative project, sitting quietly at my desk in front of the garden window.
The first breed of great tits (koolmezen) in my garden have unwittingly left the nest...

old and new

Being fascinated by the (knitted plastic) package material of onions (or potatoes?), I made a pencil case out of it. (I stamped a ribbon with some black dots). It's big enough for several notebooks for writing and sketches during my next journey. I hope I get 'Wreck this Journal" by Keri Smith for my birthday. So I'll bring along glue and color pens as well.

The postcards on the small medicine cabinets I got them from a friend. They're too nice to use or send! From Jessica Nielsen.

business

I delivered one of my stools yesterday in a nice home of a sweet woman and an affectionate deaf (loud screaming) cat. I was allowed to take some pictures with the attention to use them for press photography. But the stools are difficult to photograph, the legs always look weird in perspective.... and I am looking for a concrete floor for the shoot...Anyone in the neighborhood with such a floor?

I made me a business card holder yesterday. It is a big improvement on my old one which was a small plastic envelope... 

My favorite drinking glass. I only have one and I hunt down every thrift store or flea market for more of these.

there it is!

Again a cooperation with Megan (Frank & Gertrude) and Annet (Schenk aandacht)...and maybe even with Marjolein who recently has given birth. 

A concert on Friday January 14 and a shop in my home the next day on Saturday 15th. 
It is going to be nice!




To be honest there won't be too many bags on my part, I'm a bit tired of sowing those...BUT I'll show some completely new items I am (and my coworkers are too) very excited about  ...  stools! 
I'll lift the veil in a couple of days by posting some pictures. 


I hope to meet you in our Pop-Up Gallery!