These striking pieces have been sculpted by ceramic artist, Amanda Healy. Each piece is fashioned by hand out of clay. After bisque firing they are then decorated with oxides and glaze and finally fired in an electric kiln. As Amanda says, ‘Each sculpture is unique and takes on a life and spirit of its own.’

Each strand of Amanda’s work represents an aspect of her personality. Her rare steeds represent her earthy, wild side and her humorous horsey ladies represent years of being around ‘horsey’ people and talking about horses. The Jinba Ittai collection signifies the harmony and balance between humans and horses.

As well as sculptures, Amanda has produced a beautiful range of cooking pots and bowls in strong earthy tones. This thrown work represents her respect for food.

For more information on the Amanda Healy collections, visit www.amandahealy.co.uk.

After years of being a bookwork and ’self-confessed non-creative type’, Emma Freudenberg discovered her creative side. And the result? Kitsch-tique. An assortment of kookie jewellery and cute accessories.

Taking her inspiration from music, Hello Kitty and the 80s, Emma’s designs feature pretty, candy coloured charms, beads and trinkets. I took an immediate shine to the 80s themed charm bracelet (above) and cute dice ring (below).

Kitsch-tique designs are available to purchase online from stores.ebay.co.uk/KITSCH-TIQUE.

My My is a hip and zany online shop based in the US. Owner Taryn originally started the shop as an outlet for her own collection of badges and zines. From there it grew and grew and now houses a colourful and quirky range of handmade goods. As Taryn says, all items accepted into the shop must be ‘handmade and totally awesome’. And they are.

My My is the kind of shop that you’ll keep coming back to, to rummage, browse and find delightful little trinkets like these Vintage Ladies badges and Owl Lapel Pins (above).

Visit www.mymy.us. Your Friday afternoons will never be the same again.

With the wedding season swiftly approaching now is the time to start searching for those all important accessories. A good place to start would be www.andreeaflorisca.co.uk.

Andreea Florisca is an Edinburgh-based designer who offers a unique range of handbags, clothes and accessories. Many of her products are knitted or crocheted with the addition of elegant fabric embellishments. The combination of colours, patterns and textures create a style that is luxurious and yet practical.

I was immediately drawn to the Raffia and Lilac Ribbon Sun Hat (above) which would be ideal for a spring wedding or look equally as pretty at a picnic or day at the beach. The blending of lilac chenille and floral satin in the Lilac and Satin Handbag (also above) is simply stunning.

Full details can be found at www.andreeaflorisca.co.uk where you can buy online or request bespoke orders.

Well, spring has sprung and the sun is finally smiling down on Manchester. At lunchtime Piccadilly Gardens will be crammed with people clutching their low fat Shapers salads and bottled water, breathing in bus fumes before trawling back to work. Every square of grass will be full of people reading paperbacks and sunbathing, baring parts which should remained covered. By tea time, when there’s a definite chill in the air, the familiar waft of barbecues will drift through the window and a few doors down the neighbours will be shivering round a grill. The evening news will announce a hose pipe ban.

If you want to celebrate summer in style, you should definitely take a look at the Harajuku website. Based in sunny LA, Harajuku have designed a glamorous range of swimwear and yoga attire. All garments are made in their LA studio.

The swimwear features ‘quirky prints, sophisticated solids, and tons of black’, with shapes to flatter every figure. There are over 70 styles of tops and bottoms, which can be bought separately so that you can mix and match. They also offer a customisation service.

So, whether you’re jetting off to some exotic location, lounging at the lido or swimming laps at the local baths, add a bit of LA glamour. Full details available at www.harajukuswimwear.com.

Did you know that tomorrow is the 36th annual Earth Day? A day to focus our attention on environmental issues. Today’s post is therefore all about the environmentally aware Acorn Studios.

Acorn Studios transforms found and disregarded objects into fashionable and eco-friendly gifts that both ‘celebrate and save the environment’. Components include electronic waste such as old floppy disks (Do you remember those giant 80s floppies?), circuit boards, corks and CDs.

Nicola Harper is the creative force behind the company. After working in Waste Management for 5 years and visiting countless landfill sites, the idea for Acorn Studios was born. Nicola began making quirky gifts and at the same time giving new life to items which would otherwise have been thrown away.

For further details visit www.acornstudios.ca, where you can take advantage of a fantastic special offer. If you spend £25 or more you will automatically receive a set of keyboard magnets (above) for free.

In the midst of the footballers’ wives fashion wave, where every accessory is encrusted with rhinestones and Swarovskis and every portable object has a charm attached, it’s refreshing to discover a label which focuses on simplicity and subtlety.

By Jeannie Jewelry combines clever design with simple shapes and just a smattering of pretty pendants, for a look that is both fun and understated. The carnelian and gold-filled necklaces (above) instantly caught my attention.

To view the full range go to www.byjeannie.com.

These beautiful silk accessories combine the ancient art of marbling (dating back to AD 794) and Emma D’Arcey’s contemporary design and techniques. Emma discovered marbling whilst looking for new ways of working with silk. After two years of research and sourcing equipment she began creating her own hand marbled fabrics.

Only the finest silks such as twills, crepe de chine and duchess satin have been used to create an exclusive range of lampshades, cushions, scarves and wraps. There is an emphasis on texture, colour and light and Italian influences can be see throughout Emma’s work.

For further details visit www.emmadarcey.com.