Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Lashings of Leather


Who knew making things out of leather would be so easy?  I've spent the last two days on a handbag making course to see how I'd like it, well... do I ever!  These are pics of the bag I completed using all sorts of tools and techniques.  The textured leather flap over the front is glorious.

Can't wait to get moving on new designs - although not for another five weeks, vacation starts tomorrow (New York Fashion Week here I come!!) - will have plenty of fresh inspiration. mb

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Print, Print... and Repeat.


I've always been fascinated by prints - it's still nearly impossible to drag me away from a fabric store - but how to preserve them?

Here are a couple of experiments of mine, sure to become birthday presents in coming weeks.  They're antique fabric print designs, transferred using watery black ink on artist tissue paper.  The effect is an antique look, as the paper dries with a slight ruffle and it's light weight means it absorbs the colour of the paper or board behind it.  More to come...

Oh, and yes these are new shelves in my revamped workroom!!  mb

Change of Season's on the Way...

Friday, August 20, 2010

Lady in Red


I've just added the last of my leather handbags for sale on Etsy, it's a gorgeous bright red, like 1950s lipstick.  The lining is from a local designer's end cuts, it's beautiful.  Last chance! mb

Par Avion

Who knew it would take three months to finish my workspace?!  I have a new wall, new paint, a shiny charcoal coat on the old wooden floor, mountains of storage shelves and a cunning floorspace setup.  Unpacking the last bits'n'pieces now, ready for action when I return from New York in October.

In the meantime, here's a little something I've been snapping up of late - custom stamps.  I bought a bookplate stamp for my 3 year old nephew so all his books are named in style, a beautifully stylized "Ex Libris [your name here]" for a friend's birthday and a sweet adaptation of a vintage "Air Mail / Par Avion" for my own letters (pictured above).  These were purchased via Etsy.

More from me soon, I promise!