Reader's Digest Book Covers

Bit of a random one but this week I have been admiring Reader's Digest Condensed Books covers!!

I realise these are considered really uncool, but I rather like the geometric designs in gold. I collected loads for our wedding to use as table decorations and they looked great - it fitted the theme as I used lots of book paper for flowers and confetti and in the evening the gold catching the candle light was lovely.

So I decided to make a record of my favourite designs (before they go back to the charity shop!)

These were all designed by Jeffrey Matthews in the 1970's & 80's.

Fashion Revolution Day asks "Who Made Your Clothes?"

Do You Know Who Made Your Clothes? - Fashion Revolution Day

On 24th April last year, 1133 people were killed and over 2500 were injured when the Rana Plaza factory complex collapsed in Dhaka, Bangladesh. In memory of the Rana Plaza disaster victims, Fashion Revolution Day www.fashionrevolution.org has been created to promote transparency across the supply chain and to encourage everybody to stop and ask for a moment: WHO MADE YOUR CLOTHES?

Fashion Revolution Day aims to celebrate fashion as a positive influence. On Thursday 24 April 2014, the first Fashion Revolution Day, people were asked to turn an item of clothing inside-out for the day, to reveal the labels which show where their clothes were made.

Raising awareness and showing their support for the very first of many Fashion Revolution Days to come, Calico PR’s creative team created a shoot using a selection of ethical and sustainable brands. From clothing to shoes, accessories and even underwear, the UK based brands show how the entire wardrobe can now be gentle on the skin, the environment and still look bang on trend!

From left to right model wears: Grace, Augustine London, Bibico, Grace, Bibico.

Jewellery available from Oria Jewellery. www.oriajewellery.co.uk

Bags available from Girl with Beads. www.girlwithbeads.co.uk

Shoes available from Beyond Skin. www.beyondskin.co.uk

Photography by Ana Gely A.

Hair and Make Up by Valentina Syed. 

• Augustine London: With a compelling dream, British lingerie brand Augustine London, dreams of creating a community of women who, by wrapping themselves every day in beautiful, sustainable and comfortable lingerie pieces, will feel inspired and empowered to achieve their own dreams. Established since 2012, using an eclectic mix of primarily organic cotton and end-line laces and mesh, Augustine London’s collection is soft to the touch, gentle on the skin, and friendly to the environment. www.augustinelondon.com
• Bibico: Bíbico make fresh and uncomplicated garments in natural fabrics woven in fair trade cooperatives. Bibico garments are made for every day. Bibico believe that less is more & keeping things simple is the best way. Simple clothes with unique details that make them special. www.bibico.co.uk
• Grace: Focusing on the real women, with a vintage style, Grace caters in sizes ranging from 6 to 24. Each piece of clothing is considered very carefully throughout the manufacturing process for their impact on the people in the production cycle and the impact on the environment. Believing that one day design integrity will become mainstream, the brand uses only organicand fair trade products. The details include locally sourced Nottingham lace and water based eco friendly prints. www.realgrace.co.uk
• Fashion Revolution Shoot “Who Made Your Clothes” was organized by Calico PR’s creative team. Calico PR is a division of Calico Ventures, which is focused on making a success of fashion brands. The dedicated team provides quality support and mentoring along with crucial tools such as sales, marketing and press to fit the budgets of emerging designers and established brands.

Copyright © 2014 Calico Ventures

(info from: http://frumpytofunky.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/do-you-know-who-made-your-clothes.html)

This week's top 10 finds from Designers / Makers

Here is a selection of lovely designers I met at last month's Designers / Makers market in Spitalfields.

First up was colourful Indian inspired Piccadelhi who have a lovely range of cards, prints and notebooks, I bought a couple for presents, they are so cool!

I had a stall next to Cardiff based artist & printmaker Sophie Barras aka Pyklops, she has some gorgeous prints & jewellery.

Punto Belle has a beautiful range of bags & accessories using their own fabric designs! So bright & colourful.

Illustrator Hanna Melin has some gorgeous cards, brooches & sticky tape! I love this top banana tape.

Amazing recycled jewellery from Sally Ayling, this bird necklace is made from recycled tins.

Printmaker Jessie G has some nice designs on bags, cushions & cards.

Homewares & paper goods by Rosa and Clara Designs, include lampshades, coasters, cards & gift wrap with a retro feel.

Betty and Walter has a nice range of bags, accessories, tea towels and aprons in a variety of vintage style prints.

French artist Blandine Bardeau creates these amazing necklaces and bracelets from neon plastic.

Home design company Coconut Grass has a great range of comic book inspired prints and cushions.

Friends of the Earth - Eco Fashion Pop Up

Camden Friends of the Earth - 

Eco Fashion Pop Up

On Sunday I took part in an eco fashion pop up organised by Camden Friends of the Earth group at the Red Hand Gallery (above Tufnell Park Tavern).

It was a small event but full of interesting and like minded artists, designers and vintage enthusiasts. I left feeling inspired!

These amazing dresses were designed & made by Kumiko Tani from Re-cycle-Style and they are truly works of art!

 This is Caroline Jones creating a wonderful flower from shredded plastic bags. She fuses them together by placing them between greaseproof paper and applying heat with an iron, so simple but really effective. 

She also sells bags & purses made in the same way and runs workshops.

For more info contact: carolinemejones@hotmail.com

This is the work of jewellery designer Annie Sherburne, beautiful, colourful & sparkly pieces re-worked from broken jewellery & found objects.

Annie also has a yoga studio on Columbia Road in East London - check out: gogoyoga.co.uk

This is a piece of artwork in the gallery that I couldn't stop looking at, its painted on the glass of a window with the original frame still intact, a great idea. 

Its called 'Brittle Suit of Armour' by David Shillinglaw.

Underneath this picture was a stall by Lumoi which I totally failed to take a photo of, but they offer a great upcycling service for your old unwanted or broken jewellery - go to lumoi.com for more info.

Po-Zu Ecological Footwear had a popular sample sale, unfortunately there wasn't any in my size :(

For more info about their shoes visit: po-zu.com

There was some lovely vintage clothing from Garite French Vintage - I love this colourful cycling skirt! Oo la la

And Mia Loves Coco had this lovely blouse.

Save Lea Marshes Photo Competition

So earlier this year I entered the Save Lea Marshes 'What I Love About the Marshes' photo competition and won!!!

Well I am one of 12 winners and all our photos will feature in the Save Lea Marshes 2015 calendar and an exhibition. How exciting!

This is my winning entry - 'Snowy Walk' taken on 5th February 2012 

I was taking a lovely winter walk across the marshes and on the way to Springfield park, near Springfield Mariner. I could hear the shouts of joy from hundreds of sledgers enjoying the snow.

The exhibition will be on at the Waterworks Centre, Lammas Road (off Lea Bridge Road), E10 7NU from 9th April.

For more info about the exhibition and campaign please visit: http://www.saveleamarshes.org.uk/

New Pegboards!

 I have expanded my range of pegboards this year, to add to the plain white and unpainted versions, I now have a blackboard, stripy & chevron versions available in various colours.

For more info & to purchase vist:

https://beta.folksy.com/shops/girlwithbeads/collections/117371