Unexpected Pleasures

Last Friday I made the journey to The Design Museum in London to see the exhibition Unexpected Pleasures, which had been recommend to me. And I was not disappointed.

I saw three exhibitions that day and this was by far the best. Although it was a jewellery exhibition, I don't think you would have to have an particular interest in jewellery to enjoy it. The pieces were experimental, playful, colourful, humorous, sculptural – in short, it was fab! I came out into the cold riverside air feeling very buoyant indeed and you can't get much better than that.

http://designmuseum.org/exhibitions/2012/unexpected-pleasures

 

Atomic!

Unlike most of my upcycled furniture, this one wasn't found in the street – I did have to pay actual money for it in an actual charity shop.

The covering on the plywood top was badly-adhered and wrinkled Fablon, so off that came. But what to replace it with? Still thinking about what to use – I kid you not – a large piece of printed oilcloth actually blew along the ground towards me at the Sunday fleamarket. 'Twas meant to be, obviously.

And on that subject, we all work better to music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Tko1G6XRiQ

Upcycled chest of drawers

Take one Ikea chest of drawers, many times repaired, and several maps. A few hours and a bucket of PVA later and – ta-daa! – transformation!

Hello stranger!

So, it's been a long time since I posted but, you know me – I'm always busy.

Where to start. Well, upcycling furniture, sewing but mainly printing, printing and more printing.

I have lots more to show you so I will be posting more over the next few days.

A funny thing happened on the way to...

So this lady stops me the in the street to compliment me on my shoes. Then she says, "Oooh, I could just put you under my arm and carry you off home!" 

She must have been stronger than she looked.

Jelly Tots

Mmmmmm. Carmine red jelly platform shoes. Comfy, heightening.... and only a little bit clammy.

It's been a long time...

Week in week out, I still never miss the Sunday morning flea market at Brighton Marina. Today, being a sunny day squeezed in between rainy ones, was very busy and what treasures were to be had in that last frantic sell-off before the end of summer!

Wow! What's this – "I went for dinner at Mr Chow before heading for Studio 54"? Just look at those shoulders! Black and gold silk brocade jacket with decorative topstitching, pristine condition.

Next up, had to trust my marketing companion on this one as there was no mirror on this seller's stall nor on any round about, but when I got this 1950s grey and white skirt suit home I could see she was right. It's perfect fit, made in some mysterious place where the bottom half is two sizes bigger than the top half and somehow they had my measurements thirty years before I was born.

To top it all (not literally), a free fez!

I think I need to go for a lie down now, after all that excitement.