go glasgow

Glasgow's craft mafia group takes their craft straight up. The work is absolutely delicious, but there is something serious about it too. Whether it's the cold stare on Little Robots "hair and moustache" print or a pretty Russian doll paired with a austere black star. I think I would be a little scared if I said " oh gee, aint that cute" - but it kind of is!

CLOCKWISE:
+ hair and moustache print, $12, little robot
+ black lace necklace, suzanne smith
+ hiding place purse, $39, showpony
+ matrioshka star necklace, £22.50, hannah zakari
+ hand painted bag, lee black
+ lovey dovey custion, £60 for cotton / £70 for silk, clare nicolson

crows feet

No one likes crows feet, except of course when they are part of these fabulous designs. This will be my last halloweenish post for this year - I did skulls, owls and now crows.

I can't wait until Wednesday when I'll dress up the boys in their costumes. I just hope that they will hit a sugar low sometime on Friday and go to sleep!

Here they are, your artiste fantastique du crows...

CLOCKWISE:
+ crowspegs, $14 set, sabre tooth fairy
+ deer and crow tee, $25, 1aeon
+ crow pendant, $5, anomalous bits
+ crow tie, $30, cyberoptix
+ murder of crows, $3.50, smack of jellyfish
+ crow artwork, carrie goller

INDEPENDENT DESIGN shopping guide

I have just launched the INDEPENDENT DESIGN shopping guide. As usual, it was wonderful to see such great design and designers.

The design guide is online H E R E

Designers list:
moop
dbo home
redstart design
sovereign beck
one up designs
yosifa-penina
anna cote
modern-twist
becky oh
stella rocco
oras
db clay
nooka
beth pohlman
monkeyboy
rana hajjar
ataylordesign
custom industries
junk posse
amy butler design
jester swink
woodeye studios
patapri
papernosh
pushme pullyou
ciucco
pookie & co
12 fifteen
angie shel designs
ahpeele
studio amf


Thanks everyone - you're fabulous!

I'll have a chandelier

Okay the title sounds good to me, but I've had a cold and feel strangely serene after popping a couple of those "behind-the-counter" sudafeds.

I've noticed that chandeliers used for lighting have a fabulous modern feel while chandelier imagery as embellishment is very much vintage.

CLOCKWISE:
+ chandelier, grey design
+ coral chandelier, moth design
+ chandelier necklace, $21, junk posse
+ chandelier wall graphic, $29, one up
+ chandelier and damask cards, $12.99 for 6, papernosh

modern printed matter

I love what I do (surely the money will follow right??). Yes, I love what I do and it's because I get to spend time looking at some of the most amazing designs from the most amazing independent designers.

What started as a creative outlet for an engineering grad has turned into quite a nice little business. Now a full-time venture, designer Anna Cote has her collection in over 150 stores.

Now that's an independent designer success story!

Available online at modern printed matter

spotlight on: beth pohlman

I see a lot of absolutely fabulous jewelry. I would wear every piece I feature with joy. Then there are those unusual pieces that when I wake in the middle of the night I think.....I really should buy that black necklace (top left).

All of Beth Pohlman's jewelry is beautiful and just a little unusual - and all available through her online etsy store.

owl be seeing you

We'll in carrying the halloween theme forward - here are owls. A more subtle way to get into the spirit.

Owls are cute,
owls are wise,
now let's go...
accessorize!

CLOCKWISE:
+ brown owl boatneck tee, $28, circular accessories
+ fashionably folksy owl, $5.50, night owl paper goods
+ owl pillow, $48, areaware available through velocity art & design
+ night owl, push me pull you
+ nellie and sam necklace, hello berlin
+ owl pendant, $8, imogen

blog action day

One of the great things about working with independent designers is that there is a high level of awareness when it comes to environmental and social issues.

Many designers that I have featured use recycled card, bamboo, hemp, reuse fabrics, sweatshop free t-shirts, soy based and eco-friendly inks.

Treating our world and other people with respect is important to me and I am proud that I work with designers who feel the same way.

giveaway [finished]

We have a winner.....to be announced in the next newsletter......don't forget to sign up at:
www.whatdesigners.com/news.shtml .......I'll also announce the next giveaway!
Leave your comments with your email address so that we can add you to the mailing list and I'll announnce the winner in 2 weeks.

A big thanks to 12fifteen for the print....also available through the WHAT shop!! :)

Thanks,
Lesley

skull diggery

How delicious...the stylish side to halloween! These designers have put the glam in goth!

Clockwise:
+ skull and crossbones necklace, hooked design
+ skull and bones vinyl wallet, $30, hippofabulous
+ skull and crossbones plate, $12, folded pigs
+ skulls notecards, $11 / 4, pressure
+ skull medallion polo tee, $38, ahpeele (also available through WHAT designers)

ring cycle : studiometalsmith

You know, I've been stalking the moonstone and gold ring for a while. I love designer, Kathleen Bostick's work, especially the dreamy use of moonstone and silver. Modern harmony.

+ moonstone and gold leaf ring, $95
+ modern moonstone, $80
+ hand carved moonstone, $110

available online from the designer's store

toothiness

Bold and graphic, but oh sophisticated! Here are some modern twists on a classic by some independent designers.

CLOCKWISE:
+ houndtooth screen by courtney skott
+ hoodie, $64, by soundgirl (available through karma loop)
+ houndstooth cap, $25, BKM hattitude
+ fur real sandals, $32, sunuk (next summer I need a pair of sanuk's)
+ houndstooth cuff, $4.99, mod cloth
+ houndstooth floral bag, $36, stealth girl