From 19th to 22nd June, Design Show Liverpool will showcase a selection of exciting new designers and well-known brands from the North West, the UK and the rest of the world. It is a flagship event and a key part of the European Capital of Culture 2008 programme.

There will be over 150 exhibitors from a number of sectors ranging from furniture, glass, ceramics, lighting and interiors, to jewellery fashion and accessories.

In addition, there will be a number of live events including catwalk shows, new product launches and children’s creative workshops.

For more information visit the website at www.designshowliverpool.com.

What: Design Show Liverpool
When: Thursday 19th to Sunday 22nd June 2008
Where: Contemporary Urban Centre, Greenland Street, Liverpool

Thank you to Judith Brown for giving me the heads-up.

Badges, cards, purses, bags - you can find them all at Littleclouds, complete with quirky and humorous illustrations. The artist focuses on ‘the less glamorous, undesirable and unpolished side of life. The mundane, the boring and the in between.’ Though the illustrations themselves are anything but mundane. See for yourself at www.littleclouds.co.uk.

‘Beautiful Original Cheerful Jewellery’ is the strap line for the Lucy Wallis collection and you can see why. It all started with a chance meeting. A couple of years back Lucy met up with a friend and couldn’t help admiring her beautiful glass lariat. This triggered something in Lucy and she began working on her own designs.

As well as the signature lariats, the collection includes pendants, bracelets, earrings and rings. Orders are sent out beautifully wrapped and won’t break the bank.

Shop at www.lucywallis.co.uk.

Claire Laraine describes her work as a journey. With an MA in Textiles firmly under her belt, she takes an experimental approach to design, setting aside rules and restrictions.

Her current collection includes purses, pouches and other accessories.

Shop in £s at www.clairelaraine.com and in $s at www.clairelaraine.etsy.com.

I’m loving the pyramid purses.

If you’ve got some free time this weekend check out CraftBits.com. It’s full of crafty projects split into handy sections.

Discover how to make bath cookies, ice candles and vintage flower power pins all on one site. As well as written step-by-steps there is a good selection of video tutorials, as well as articles to read and competitions to enter.

Browse, read, make and do at www.craftbits.com.