For this week’s birdy pick I’ve returned to one of my favourite Sydney-based online shops, Upon a Fold, which showcases an immaculate collection of paper creations from around the world. Stationery nerds will get their geek on over the exquisite range of cards, envelopes and notebooks sourced from Japan and Korea, while design aficionados will appreciate the line-up of architectural paper objects and creations.
I made a bee-line for the beautiful bird-themed cards and envelopes, which are miniature works of art in themselves and can be enjoyed for a long time after they’re opened. This colourful little fellow, top (AU$6.95), has die-cut feet so that he stand up alone, or he could be hung as a colourful mobile. And the beautifully-illustrated birds by Japanese designer Ayame Kikuchi, above, would make charming (and relatively inexpensive) decorations perched on a shelf or windowsill.
From top to bottom:
Bird card, AU$6.95
Birds card – Java sparrow (2 pack), AU$24.95;
Tori Pochi – Jiro envelope set of 3, AU$9;
Dove card, AU$9.95; and
Tobidustry tree sparrow pop-up card, AU$9.90, all from Upon a Fold.
I’m back with more wee tokens of love for February 14 – or any time of the year, really…
Top row, from left to right:
Karin Akesson ‘Love is all you need’ print, £20 from A Little Bit of Art.
Blanca Gomez ‘Enamorado’ temporary tattoo, US$5, from Tattly.
I Heart U hankie in red by Mr PS, £5 from Mr PS.
Second row, from left to right:
Prints Charming tights in Queen of Hearts, US$25 from Yes Natalie’s Etsy shop.
‘You’re all sorts of lovely’ tea towel, US$20 from Able and Game’s Etsy shop.
The Heart tenor ukulele, made to order, US$520, from Celentano Woodworks’ Etsy shop.
Third row, from left to right:
Mini Heartlette Crown, US$40, by Giant Dwarf’s Etsy shop.
Letterpress ‘love u’ die cut card, US$4, by Blackbird Letterpress.
Set of 20 ‘You’re All Sorts of Lovely’ notecards, US$22, from Able and Game’s Etsy shop.
Fourth row, from left to right:
Love brooch by Gemma Jones, US$29, from Paintergirl’s Etsy shop.
Valentine’s Day pack of 10 postcards, US$10, from Rifle Paper Co.
Limited edition ‘Love you the longest of time’ print, AU$45, from Bespoke Press.
You know how Withnail went on holiday by mistake? Well I’ve gone to town on Valentine’s Day – by mistake. I didn’t mean to find so many lovely things. But I did, and I’m afraid I’m going to have to share them with you over the next few days.
So if Valentine’s Day makes you want to vom a little bit, may I suggest that you view my sweet tokens of love as just that – little things that make me smile, and may in fact make the object of your affection (or best mate) smile a little bit, too. Otherwise just close your eyes, grit your teeth, and it will all be over soon.
Top row, from left to right:
Yeti Time letterpress card, US$4.50, by Hello!Lucky.
LOVE GIRL gocco print by Gemma Jones, US$29 from Paintergirl’s Etsy shop.
Mint Arrow Valentine paper-cut note card, US$5 by Ashley Pahl.
Second row, from left to right:
Punchline ‘Kisses’ card, AU$4.50 from Upon a Fold.
1/100 Paper Model Set No.11 Cherry Blossom by Terada Mokei, AU$23.95 from Upon a fold.
Letterpress Valentine Bear Hug card, US$6 by Blackbird Letterpress.
Third row, from left to right:
Cross my heart yoyo in blush pink, US$12 by Something’s Hiding in Here.
‘You’re just peaches and cream’ letterpress card, AU$6, from Bespoke Press.
Enamored pencil set, US$11 from Paper Pastries.
Need a good present for your favourite fashionista? I’ve pulled together all the best designer gifts, starting at £15 for a Lacroix. It’s true! Read on…
1. Balenciaga and Spain by Hamish Bowles, £28 from Wee Birdy’s UK Amazon shop and $40.95 from Wee Birdy’s US Amazon shop.
Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty (Metropolitan Museum of Art), by Andrew Bolton, UK£21 from Wee Birdy’s UK Amazon shop and US$27 from Wee Birdy’s US Amazon shop.
Christian Louboutin by Christian Louboutin, US$94.50, from Wee Birdy’s US Amazon shop.
2. Maison Martin Margiela by L’ATELIER d’exercices tabi leather bookmark, £29.17 from Net-a-porter.
3. Yves Saint Laurent arty gold-plated glass ring, £125 from Net-a-porter.
4. Tom Ford Santal Blush eau de parfum 250ml, £270 from Selfridges. (There is also a 50ml bottle for £120.)
5. See by Chloé captain parrot keyfob, £54.17 from Net-a-porter.
6. Marc by Marc Jacobs jungle animal-print automatic umbrella, £33.33 from Net-a-porter.
7. Comme des Garçons embossed leather coin purse, £50 from Net-a-porter.
8. Christian Lacroix ‘Oro Y Plata’ Correspondence Cards (x12), £15 from the V&A shop.
9. Marni stretch silk-satin soft-cup bra, £125 and stretch silk-satin shorts, £100 from Net-a-porter.
10. Alexander McQueen enamel skull keyfob, £54.17 from Net-a-porter.
11. Jonathan Saunders for Smythson two-tone leather Panama diary, £137.50 from Net-a-porter.
12. Small shifting planes resin bangle, AU$75 from Dinosaur Designs.
13. Marc by Marc Jacobs brass mouse ring, £54.17 from Net-a-porter.
I’ve also added some beautiful new fashion books to my Amazon shops. I’m rather proud of this collection – I want them all! They make gorgeous presents for any follower of fashion. Click here to go to my UK Amazon shop and here to my US Amazon shop.
Have you discovered Sydney-based online shop Upon a Fold yet?
It’s like a cabinet of curiosities for all things folded (ie. paper and fabric), and the immaculately curated online shop sources all manner of rare papery delights. Right now there is a wonderful collection of Christmas cards and wrap, including the exquisite deer papercut cards by Japanese artist, Ayame Kikuc (top). Each card, AU$14 is carefully handmade and the fanciful antlers portray the changing seasons.
Then there is the hand-dyed Christmas-themed cotton tenugui, AU$27.50 by Kyoto-based artist Mihoko Seki. It would make a wonderful wrap for an extra-special present – and a bonus table runner/wall hanging!
I’ve also got my eye on these charmingly-illustrated gift tags by the US-based Rifle Paper Co. They are AU$12.95 for a pack of 10.
And these miniature Christmas paper pockets were inspired by early 1950s Japanese Chiyogami patterns, and are perfect for tiny presents. They are AU$6.90 for a set of five.
But it’s not all gift wrap and greetings cards – Upon a Fold is also a wonderful online source for unique presents for design-minded folk. Think paper vases, miniature paper models and pop-up coasters. Tricky Christmas presents sorted!
London-based online store Papermash is one of my favourite online sources for design-y stationery and decorations, and they’ve done a superb job lining up some really lovely greeting cards, gift wrap and other stationery goodies for Christmas this year. I’ve been admiring the retro-inspired honeycomb pop-up card with the woodland deer scene inside (above, left, £5) and the Rifle Paper Co Night Before Christmas postcards (above, right, £10 for a set of 10).
There are also two very sweet stamp sets (mistletoe and pinecones, £9.99) for those who would like to make their own Christmas cards, tags and wrapping paper.
Decorative tapes have emerged as a bit of wrapping trend this Christmas, and Papermash have sourced two of the wittiest and prettiest: Christmas knit tape (left, £4) and gold snowflake masking tape (right, £3.50). Be quick though – the last posting date for Christmas is 12 December (Western Europe only).
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