The Decorative Fair

"The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair is one of the most important antiques fairs for interiors with over 130 exhibitors. The Fair has an international reputation amongst private buyers, antique dealers, and design professionals as an excellent source of high quality, competitively priced antiques and 20th century design. With strong roots in the design world the Fair provides inspiration of how old and new can blend together as a background for modern living.It takes place three times a year in January, April and October at the marquee, Battersea Park."

I quite enjoyed walking around this fair, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I had hoped that there might have been a stronger emphasis on textiles to help inspire me with my current project. There were some funny little stand with curious antiques, with looking glasses, and general knick nacks. I did however feel very young, most of the people there were middle aged, unlike other fairs I have attended.

Super Christmas Market

I really wasn't very impressed with this event. I expected it to have a lot more products on offer and a lot more variety. There were a couple of items I liked, such as Tim Parsons half pint pint cups, but I've seen those many times before. A lot of the hand made jewellery looked like it should have been on a stall in a festival. Maybe my expectations were too high, but I had hoped to buy some presents here, but just came away feeling like I had just wasted my £2 entry fee.

Work in Progress...

...At the RCA

Knitting

I have been learning to knit as part of my final major project.

I can already crochet, but have never taken the time to learn knitting, but have recently taken it up as part of my major project.

I'm finding that it seems to have become increasingly popular with lots more of my age group learning, so much so that there are social events for young people to attend and discuss knitting. Although I am still very much a beginner, I'm finding it quite enjoyable, and finding youtube very useful with understanding certain stitches.

Clamshell Packaging

Article from November issue of Icon Magazine.

I found this article particularly relevant to me, as I recently bought a pack of stanley knifes in clamshell packaging, and struggled to get into them. They are one of the most annoying types of packaging out there!

Unto this last

I am focusing my FMP on Unto this lasts idea of having no stock.

I have taken this as a starting point for my project as I really admire this way of working.

I am looking into the idea of dressing furniture- personalising each chair, as this is one of the benefits afforded by having a no stock system.

Milk Bottles

Article I found and liked, in the Metro newspaper

major project

Our introduction to the third year in a series of 5 mini projects has now ended. Now we start our Final Major Project.

Watch this space for more information as the project progresses!

Alan Aldridge

The Man With Kaleidoscope Eyes

Alan Aldridge - the Man with the Kaleidoscope Eyes is the first UK retrospective featuring the works of the celebrated illustrator and graphic designer Alan Aldridge. Dubbed the graphic entertainer in the 1960s and 70s, Aldridge illustrated lyric books for the Beatles, album covers for the Rolling Stones, the Who and Elton John, was Art Director for Penguin, illustrated children’s books such as the much loved The Butterfly Ball and designed adverts and identities for iconic brands such as the House of Blues and the Hard Rock Café. The exhibition is a complete display of complete works as well as sketches, notes, letters and other archival material as well as films; bringing to life the dramatic career of Alan Aldridge.

Patricia Urquiola

Purely Porcelain

Currently on at the Design Museum

One of the most active and exciting designers working today, Spanish born Patricia Urquiola exhibits Landscape, her recent porcelain range for the ceramic manufacturers Rosenthal. From dinnerware to tea sets as well as cutlery and glass, this exquisite design, which took over four years to develop, combines smooth simplicity with richly textured surface pattern.

Patricia Urquiola – Purely Porcelain presents the whole process from concept, through the process of manufacture, to finished product. See the complex, experimental and collaborative stages that transform a vision into a finished usable product.

Experiments in foam paper and plaster before casting.