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Fishink New Designs Coming Soon

October 21, 2010

I’ve been designing a new greeting card range over the last few weeks, they were inspired by

my holiday to Colonsay, which I’ll put up some images of soon.

There may be some Christmas ideas on their way too. All I can say for now is… Watch This Space !

There was also an unexpected visitor to the back of our workplace yesterday,

I don’t know which of us was surprised the most !

I wonder if he knows any of the snooty guys I know ?

You can catch these guys on a  FISHINK  Notebook here.

Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair in Manchester

October 20, 2010

Just to mention that the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair opens it’s doors for selling

this Friday til Sunday. I’ve been to this event for the past two years and can really recommend it

both for the quality of the exhibitors and the temporary event hall in Spinningfields, just off Deansgate

in Manchester. You can find a whole host of craft items, and I’ll be there on saturday myself.

Check out Sarah Morpeths’ work on Stand 90, beautiful hand made books and stationery.

See you there. More info about the event here.

Abbott & Ellwood Creative Designers and Jewellers

October 20, 2010

Just outside St Ives on the North Coast of West Penwith is the home and studio

of Mike Abbott and Kim Ellwood.  They create very contemporary collections of

hand printed, figurative brooches and craft one off sculptures, often involving figures

in the garden or on a boat or something else that will bring a smile.  They are bright,

narrative pieces using quirky individuals often made using metal and found objects.

I’d guess that their inspiration for these lovely pieces lies outside their front door.

There’s also a great article about their survival in business on the Craft Council site here.

Fishink Random Vintage Collection 2

October 19, 2010

More findings from my  ‘ I Like This ‘ files. this time mostly from the GPO and

Vintage Postal Poster sites. I love their slightly condescending way of telling everyone

what to do. The design styles and colours are something else too.

You can access an earlier Fishink Random Collection here.

 

 

 

 

 

Lucie Sheridan

October 19, 2010

Lucie Sheridan graduated from Bristol U.W.E in 2003 with a first class honours degree in illustration.

Her work combines an instinctive lateral approach with a freshness of execution.

When tackling a brief Lucie starts by brainstorming ideas, then makes some quick

pencil drawings, before moving onto detailed mark making using inks

and Rotring pens. Finally she uses the computer as a tool to work with composition and colour.

Clients include The Guardian, The Sunday Times, Penguin Books, and The Telegraph.

 

Embroidery For All 1960’s Vintage Ideas

October 18, 2010

I came across a book the other day in a local second hand shop by Constance Howard

called ‘ Inspiration For Embroidery ‘ and thought it was something worth sharing.

There’s a great range of ideas explored throughout and ways to sketch and

gather information as well as a lot of example photographs of embroidered work.

Published in 1966 by B T Batsford Ltd, it’s a 240 page book that’s well worth a look.

I know Constance has published at least another three books ‘Design For Embroidery ‘,

‘ Embroidery And Colour ‘and her ‘ Book of Stitches’.  I’ve not seen the others,

but they do tend to pop up online, very reasonably priced, from time to time.

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Extreme Ironing in Japan

October 18, 2010

So it seems those kooky fun-filled Japanese guys have done it again. So much do they love

to show off their skills and endless enthusiasm for lifes’ day to day activities, that

they’ve created a website to celebrate  just how much they like doing things differently.

Extreme Ironing is a site created for the sports enthusiasts amongst you, and the objective

appears to be using an ironing board in the most bizarre way and the most unusual

environment possible. I wonder if there is a prize, or perhaps the winning contestant

gets all their office shirts done for the next two weeks !

And this one is my personal favourite, at least he won’t need to dampen his clothing before ironing !

Many thanks to the wonderful Paper Creativity Site Upon A Fold for highlighting this.

Random post through time. Fishink Stationery

October 18, 2010

Whilst trailing through the ether and all the wonders it has to offer,

I came across a note and a letter from two different periods in time,

their only link being that they both made me smile and for completely different reasons.

This somewhat curt reply from Disney was a reflection of the times in 1938.

I’m certain with such creatives as Lorelay Bove,

that many artistic woman now work within the Disney Empire in 2010.

Send a letter today and (hopefully) make someone smile !

Fishink stamps for mail and stationery available here..

Fishink Design TV Doodles

October 18, 2010

Sometimes when I’m watching TV, I doodle at the same time, not drawing what I’m watching

but try to let my mind and pen wander where they will, whilst I’m distracted. Not unlike those

challenges you set yourself as a child to do a drawing without taking your pen off the page.

I like to try different ways of mark making, it sometimes helps me see things differently and

by experimenting, I’m learning to see things in a new way too.

These birds came out of a TV Doodle session. How do other artists challenge themselves ?

Royston ‘Stone’ Naylor Photographer

October 18, 2010

I recently came across the photography of Royston ‘Stone’ Naylor who took a series

of images at this years’ Alchemy Festival last month. Whilst the festival itself isn’t

particularly my cup of tea (or in this case) brew of potion ! I think he has a great eye

for capturing the colour and sparkle of the event.