I'm really captivated by these vibrant pieces by Lua Lua, which will also be on show at Treasure on the weekend. Like tiny shards of light from the colour spectrum, the necklaces and earrings are fun, ultra-wearable and would make perfect statement pieces.
Treasure
The Flower Cellars
4-6 Russell Street
Covent Garden WC2E 7PR
Friday 12 June: Noon to 8pm
Saturday 13 June:10am to 6pm
Sunday 14 June:10am to 6pm
Admission £5
While it’s very possible that there might be just TOO much good stuff on in London this weekend (Swinging Carnaby, Beachcombing on the banks of the Thames, Art Car Boot Sale in Brick Lane, Marylebone Village Summer Fayre, Open Squares weekend … just for starters, mind), one event I definitely won’t be missing is Treasure on Saturday morning.
As part of the official Coutts London Jewellery week schedule, Treasure showcases some of Britain’s hottest talent in contemporary jewellery design. Running over three days (starting Friday) in Covent Garden, the designers will be on hand to discuss - and sell! - their work, with many pieces starting at just £20. I’ll be posting some of my favourite picks over the next few days.
Pictured in this post is the amazingly sculptural necklaces and bracelets by jewellery designer Saloukee. Departing from the traditional use of precious metals and stones, each piece is entirely made from laser-cut paper. I'm really loving the idea of a contemporary Tudor ruff, which appears at once modern and antique. You can find Saloukee blogging about her work here.
Treasure
The Flower Cellars
4-6 Russell Street
Covent Garden WC2E 7PR
Friday 12 June: Noon to 8pm
Saturday 13 June:10am to 6pm
Sunday 14 June:10am to 6pm
Admission £5
More woodland-inspired loveliness by London-based jeweller Alex Monroe. These latest bunny and twig-gy pieces are from an exclusive collection of handmade one-offs for Coutts London Jewellery Week, which runs until the 14th of June. Check out his extraordinary work (including some adorable birdy jewellery) this week at Little 15, Harrods, Liberty and EC One. www.alexmonroe.com
Daydream wallpaper, US$105, by Hygge & West.
source: Décor8.
In my eyes, the man can do no wrong. Rob Ryan's latest collaboration, with Japanese homewares company Afternoon Tea, features a range of delightful rainy day motifs (including - gasp! - a wee birdy holding an umbrella) and the words "Walkin' in the rain" splashed across a collection of wet weather gear. I bags the umbrella.
Images courtesy of Rob Ryan and Afternoon Tea.
Here are the bountiful diascias I spotted on display in the Great Pavilion on the last day of the Chelsea Flower Show. Having fully expected the 4pm sell-off to resemble some kind of elbows-grazing, crazed free-for-all, I was quietly surprised to discover you could reserve plants at some stalls earlier in the day.
Happily for me, there were a few diascias, fuschias and orchids available when I traipsed through at about 1pm - but the majority had already been sold. (Tip for next year: head straight to the Great Pavilion on the last day to get first dibs on the choicest blooms). So when the Chelsea pensioners rang the bell at 4pm, there was a genteel round of applause as everyone lined up in a calm, orderly fashion with their tickets in hand.
Following the flower-laden crowd on the long walk back...
I just managed to peep over my enormous tub of dascias as I headed out towards Sloan Square tube, but not before being accosted by Alan Titchmarsh and a BBC TV crew who exclaimed in a rather bawdy manner, "My, aren't those big?" (Though I was secretly quite chuffed that Alan admired my flowers.)
Here they are in their new home on my balcony. Following instructions from the diascia dude, I gave them a haircut over the weekend. Hopefully the gorgeous peachy flowers will spring back soon.
I spotted these super-sweet 'matchbox tweeters' (hand-crafted wee birdies tucked snugly inside vintage matchboxes) when I visited Frank in Whitstable on the weekend. They're made by British designer Abigail Brown, and are for sale on Etsy for US$35. Check out her other charming hand-crafted creatures:
Oh, and Frank shop tour coming soon (it's really quite lovely).
All images courtesy of Abigail Brown.
