If I met someone in a pub and they told me their job was cutting up old books to make sculptures, I would be horrified. I love books. I love them for their content, their covers, their smell. I love everything about them. I have a sprawling book collection at home and find it impossible to throw them away or part with them once I’ve finished reading. My favourites are the ones with the broken spines and well worn pages. Those are the books I return to again and again.

But over the last couple of years I’ve been introduced to a number of book sculptors and have been fascinated by their work. Phiona Richard’s ornaments and artifacts are beautiful. She takes books that are at the end of their lives and makes them into intriguing and interactive sculptures. They look delicate and fragile but are actually quite robust and tactile. The pages are shaped and pieced together using traditional needlework techniques.

Over the next couple of months Phiona is running a number of workshops where you can get a feel of working with paper and create some pretty ornaments and Christmas decorations. Each workshop takes place in Nottingham. For further details and to book visit Phiona’s website at
www.rarenotions.co.uk.

Elaine Hughes describes her collages as ‘visual stories’. They depict scenes from her imaginary, topsy turvy world, Oh Golly Gosh. In this world the windows of her houses are higgledy-piggledy and her skies at night are always pink.

Elaine produces a wide variety of work from large framed pieces to brooches and greeting cards. Every piece is unique.

If you are interested in making a purchase, get in touch via her website.

And for anyone in or around Manchester next month, Elaine will be exhibiting at the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair.

Such pretty photographs. I love that the colours are slightly truer than the real life subjects. It lends a surreal, dreamlike quality to them.

The photographer is Sara Norris and she explains that photography is her passion in life. “As a child I loved to draw, paint, and take pictures. I had a little pink plastic camera and I would run around the house taking photos of my family, flowers, even my pet hamster. I couldn’t wait for them to be developed so I could see what I had created.”

You can purchase your own piece of fine art photography from www.saranorris.etsy.com. Photographs can be purchased as photo blocks, gift tags, greeting cards, necklaces and prints.

Okay, drum roll please.

The winners of the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair competition are:

Claire from Miso Funky
Leigh Shephard of Leigh Shephard Designs
Ruthie and Katie of Kennedy and McCall

Congratulations. You will each win a free pair of tickets to the craft fair which starts on 22 October. Please could you email your postal address to info [at] indiequarter dot com and I will pass this onto the organisers.

Thank you to everyone who entered.

I love Anna Pitchouguina’s traffic stopping outfits and sexy lingerie. And of course her dramatic styling and photography.

Dresses are Anna’s thing and she designs with ‘girly romantic ladies’ in mind.

She is a very busy lady, working as an intern for Derek Lam and showing her own collections at a Brooklyn fashion show in two weeks time. Anna is also a finalist in the US ‘Arts of Fashion’ contest. Definitely one to watch!

For more information and great pics visit www.pitchouguina.com.

This is the last day to win free tickets to the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair. I have three pairs of tickets to give away. Leave a comment or send me an email at info [at] indiequarter [dot] com to be entered into the prize draw.

I’ll announce the winners on Monday.

I love this hat and neck warmer ensemble from Hat Therapy. It’s made from lovely thick cotton and is just perfect for autumn. It’s versatile too - easy to pull on everyday or team with a striking outfit for a city smart look.

British milliner Chrissie King makes all manner of handmade headwear including berets, fascinators, cocktail hats and everydaywear. Her designs have graced most major events including Buckingham Palace garden parties and award ceremonies, Ascot, Henley, and Dubai races.

Oh I long for the days when women never left the house without their hat and gloves. These days I’m lucky if I manage to dry my hair before dashing outside. I say bring back the hat! I wonder if there’s a hashtag for that?

Shop at www.hattherapy.etsy.com.

I watched Seven Pounds the other night. Have you seen it? One of the main characters had a letterpress machine, which really sparked my interest. My job is mainly web based but I have a real fascination for paper, fonts and the printing process. And now letterpress.

Dingbat Press shares this love of all things letterpress. Owner and printer, Adrienne has produced a beautiful range of stationery and ephemera. You can stock up on notelets, bookmarks, recipe cards and holiday stationery. Or, if you’re looking for something more bespoke such as wedding stationery or business cards, she can help you with that too.

Check out her Etsy store at www.dingbatpress.etsy.com.