If you’re looking for a really personal gift for someone special, Claudine Hellmuth may just have the answer. Her whimsical collages can be customised to reflect personalities, hobbies, dreams and aspirations.

Claudine will take a photo of a friend or relative and weave it into her own beautiful artwork. You can specify colour and even send in fabric, wallpaper and paint swatches which can all be incorporated into your own unique, one-of-a-kind work of art.

The mixed media collages are created on paper or canvas using a variety of collage techniques and combined with Claudine’s magic touch, each one tells its own personal story.

Claudine Hellmuth is a well known collage artists and has written a number of books and created instructional DVDs on the subject. She also runs a number of collage workshops. Full details can be found at www.collageartist.com.

I can personally recommend ‘Collage Discovery Workshop: Make Your Own Collage Creations Using Vintage Photos, Found Objects and Ephemera’. I gleefully received my copy over the weekend and it’s full of great projects, with useful step-by-step instructions and lots and lots of innovative ideas. That’s why this post is listed under ‘Inspiration’ as well as ‘Art’.

The handmade, one-of-a-kind jewellery by Sharma Designs comes in fun categories such as ‘Dainty Divas’, ‘Fabulous and Funky’ and ‘Bold and Brassy’. Each category has a brief description of that particular type.

The striking ‘Laser Etched Shell Handmade Necklace’ (above left) is made from cranberry freshwater pearls, pink glass and wood beads, with a beautiful etched shell pendant. This is from the ‘Bold and Brassy’ category. If you’re a bold and brassy girl you love being in the spotlight, you’re not afraid of taking risks and you know exactly what you want and how to get it.

On the other hand, the sultry ‘Black Stone Flowered Handmade Necklace’ (above right), made from Russian amazonite, bone and black wood beads, is from the ‘Deliciously Dark’ range. You’re a ‘Deliciously Dark’ girl if when you enter a room all eyes are on you. ‘You move through the room, touching shoulders and arms, fully aware of your powers, of your affect on the opposite sex. When you leave, all that lingers is the faint scent of your musky perfume. ‘

Take a look at the Sharma Designs website and find out what kind of girl you are. I would love to tell you that I’m ‘Deliciously Dark’ but you probably wouldn’t believe me.

Donda Designs have come up with a totally new and original concept. They design and make bags but with a unique twist - each one is made out of neck ties.

The original (above left) was where it all started. Each bag is roomy with a strap that is long enough to wear across the chest. Their backpacks (above right) have been designed for modern utility and style and include a fold over strap for extra security. The range also includes totes and messenger bags.

There’s something very endearing about these bags. I think it’s the mixture of something that is typically masculine and quite formal, revamped into something more laid-back and feminine. The look is stylish, sassy, ‘tomboyish’ and, well sexy - in a ‘wearing your boyfriend’s shirt’ sort of way.

You can buy online from www.dondadesigns.com. Prices start at $37.00.

‘INdollGENCES’ is the nickname given to the quirky, handmade dolls from Gifts Define. The adorable little dolls are ideal gifts for weddings, bridal and baby showers, birthdays, anniversaries etc. And with graduation season in full swing, they’re an unusual and very personal way of saying, ‘Well Done’.

Irma Niekum, the owner of Gifts Define has been making mini dolls for over 15 years. She finds giving gifts extra special as it is ‘a time to reflect on something extraordinary about the gift recipient in the eyes of the gift giver.’ Therefore, a number of her products have customisation features to enable you to personalise your own on-of-a-kind doll.

Take a look at the website at www.giftsdefine.com.

The third 24:7 Theatre Festival begins today and runs until 30 July. 17 new plays will be performed in a number of non-theatre venues in Manchester, all within strolling distance of St Peters Square tram stop.

Preparation for the annual festival begins in January, when writers and performance companies are invited to submit new or previously unpublished scripts of up to 60 minutes in length. A shortlist is then selected and 24:7 provides a number of networking events where writers can meet actors, directors, technicians etc. to enable them to put together their performance. And today the fun begins!

I’ve been to a number of the 24:7 plays over the past couple of years and there’s nothing like it. The venues are comfortable and intimate and the writing, directing and acting are all superb. It makes a really good night out and you can fit in more than one performance in one evening and still have time for a few drinks! Or, you can take a long lunch and sit back and enjoy what the city’s newest talent has to offer.

Full listings and booking information can be found at www.247theatrefestival.co.uk.

Emma Taylor’s photography is all about form, shape and finding beauty in everyday objects. The image (above left) of a sofa, is from a series about memories and looking back at people and places from times gone by. As soon as I saw it I was instantly reminded of the Mayfair Cinema from years ago. It wasn’t like one of the shiny, impersonal multiplex cinemas that seem to have cropped up in every town. It was very intimate with only two screens (called Major and Minor). There was an interval during every film and the usherette brought in ice creams and lollies on a sort of tray that fastened around her neck. At the time it was the only cinema in the area and when a big film came out people used to queue all the way round the corner to get in. The seats were comfy and looked very similar to the sofa in the picture.

The other image (above right), in contrast, is of the inside of the Imax cinema in London. This picture is part of Emma’s ‘Creative London’ project, which focuses on the interior and exterior aspects of several design buildings within London.

People often ponder the question - what is art? I’m not going to get into this too deeply here. However, one of the criteria for me is whether the piece in question provokes some sort of reaction. As soon as I saw the sofa picture I was immediately transported back to the excitement of going to the ‘pictures’ as a child.

Emma Taylor has recently graduated and is now based in Preston. Her work has appeared at the Design Innovation Centre in Leeds, the Chinese Arts Centre in Manchester and the Bargehouse Gallery in London. Take a look at her photography at www.emmataylorphotography.co.uk.

To celebrate their first unique range of t-shirt apparel and accessories, Wild Garden are offering a generous 10% off all goods and free delivery worldwide. The offer ends soon so don’t miss out.

Wild Garden is the creative collaboration of sisters Jessica and Nancy Lim. Each of their simple, chic designs is made in small batches and screen printed by hand. Living in Sidney, they both draw inspiration from their urban and natural surroundings. This can be seen in the above designs. The ‘Winter Blossom’ ladies’ cap-sleeved tee (above right) has an asymmetrical grey/violet blossom branch placed over the left shoulder. And in contrast, the ‘Cityscape’ men’s tee (above left) shows a layered city skyline print in grey and white.

Don’t miss out on that offer! Go to www.wildgardendesign.com and take advantage of the 10% off and free shipping.

You’re probably aware by now that I have a bit of a thing for cats. When I discovered these pretty ‘Lucky Cats’ earrings (above left) by The Star City Sound, I couldn’t resist sharing. They hang from antique brass-finish ear wires and are complimented with lime green glass beads.

I had a good look around The Star City Sound website and found some real gems - cute storybook pendants, vintage beads and charms and bright glass stones. The designs are innovative and unusual and there’s almost a fairytale quality to them. Take a look at the ‘Valentina Pin’ (above right). A vintage owls nests in a wire wrapped tree which is sprouting glass leaves. It brings to mind ‘The Folk of the Faraway Tree’ by Enid Blyton. Does anyone remember that?

To view the full range of The Star City Sound goodies, go to www.thestarcitysound.com.