Living with less

Andrea Zittel designs new and innovative ways of living, using only the essential materials. She is an architect and designer inspired by the experimental theories of Frederick Kiesler and contemporary art. 

This minimal and unique building supplies everything you would need to live and explore what the landscape has to offer. Living in a home like this brings us closer to the environment and helps us get closer to the landscape itself.

Image courtesy of: Tree Hugger- http://www.treehugger.com/sustainable-product-design/andrea-zittel-wins-frederick-kiesler-prize.html

Holmfirth Arts Market highlights

Alice Fox

http://www.alicefox.co.uk/

 Cath Hill

www.cathhilljewellery.co.uk

 Clare Caulfield

Helaina Sharpley

 http://helainasharpley-wirework-artist.co.uk

mesu "measure beautifully"

A set of 6 measuring bowls help health conscious eaters, diabetics and parents concerned about their children's weight measure out their portions gracefully in a non pressured and unique way. The design is beautifully simple and helps you to become more conscious of how much your eating.

http://jenniferpanepinto.com/work_01.php

Lost love in puppetry

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=GIexLN9-EH0

International year of Co-operatives

To mark the official international year of Co-operatives 2012 a one off expo was held over the last few days in the near birthplace of the co-operative movement, Manchester- Rochdale.

Friday was dedicated to Fairtrade and there were several inspirational workshops, talks and conferences about the importance of sustainability and Fairtrade within co-operatives all over the world. An interesting discovery was the political party "The Co-operative party" I had no idea existed until today, but just thought how great it would be if they could make it work and develop a more socially encouraging and co-operative government, where its members are encouraged to get more involved in politic decisions and not be scared away by empty promises.

http://www.manchester2012.coop

Introducing wool and the gang

WATG knitted dress crafted by one of the enthusiastic gang members. A playful dress combining bright and contrasting colours makes a unique, recreational, artisan, ethical and all in their words, totally original piece.

http://www.woolandthegang.com/en/about/philosphy

Image courtesy of: http://woolandthegang.tumblr.com/

Isle of Skye grand design

Grand designs presented the couple Indi and Rebeccas vision to build their own home on the Isle of Skye; a home that gives life to the landscape as well as taking admiration from the natural landscape itself. Indi and Rebecca created a modest and environmentally conscious building, thinking about how the modern home would contribute to the historic landscape in a subtle way. The building grazes the skyline and blends into the countryside. The couples smaller art workshop complementing the main building and the surrounding countryside.

The buildings rural exterior dramatically contrasts with the crisp white and blue crystal interior, creating a thoughtful and captivating design. 

The two artists take inspiration from unusual pieces of earth, nature, surroundings and unique villages; such as the living and working ecovillage in Hornbeam.








Images courtesy of: http://scrapbook.channel4.com/programmes/grand-designs/bookmarks/series-8/episode-2 and http://ecolocalizer.com/2009/12/29/ecovillage-spotlight-findhorn-ecovillage-scotland/ and http://lloydkahn-ongoing.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/nature-sanctuary-at-findhorn-eco.html

Braintree inspired

Today I attended my first buyers meeting at the Fair Trader.  I assisted the store buyer in selecting a collection of garments and accessories from the Braintree Spring/Summer 2013 range. The slow fashion process involves making buying decisions a lot earlier to avoid over production of garment styles.

There were some beautiful pieces from the new range and they will definitely make the Fair Traders summer collection a unique one.

The Myrtle wood dress show below is a favourite of mine from the Braintree Autumn/Winter 2012 collection. The dress is beautifully paired with the fuscia timbers beret; Beyond skin Gloria vegan shoes or the Manumit ribbon gold chain ethical ribbon necklace.

Images courtesy of: http://www.braintreehemp.co.uk/index.php?cPath=28 and www.fashionconscience.com

Kenyan crafts and fishing

This weekend I was helping out at the annual African fayre at Emley church, raising money for a school in Kenya. From the stall I bought a beautiful beaded choker, as shown below and received lots of information and advice from Rosemary Donan. She is one of the founders of the Emley African Educational project, which I plan to get involved in next year.

 When researching the background of the project I came across these images of fishing in Kenya. The boats look really unique compared to western boat designs. They look a lot less sturdy too, I bet it would be quite an adventure sailing one of these boats, especially with the dangerous animals waiting on the bank (that’s including snakes!)

Fishing photos courtesy of: http://emleyafricanschools.co.uk/index.php/our-daily-life/fishing

Battle pearls- design by memories

Battle pearls- Menswear
The collection drew its inspiration from the day-by-day reality in Israel, where military is a casual part of life. The pieces composing the collection test and play with contrast found between the "pure and fragile" pearls and different elements from the Battlefield, such as bullets, armoury and camouflage: symbols of death, but also those of hope and peace.

                              

Images courtesy of: http://www.pollyanna.com/designer/show/battle-pearls