On the home page of her website Susan Green includes a quote from H W Beecher: “Books are not made for furniture, but there is nothing else that so beautifully furnishes a house”. I agree wholeheartedly. One wall of my living room is filled with books. They’re a bit of a mismatch - old Penguin paperbacks, contemporary fiction, poetry anthologies and old text books. But what better illustrates your tastes, your travels, who you were and who you are now?

Susan Green is a bookbinder. She creates beautiful hand bound journals, notebooks and artists’ sketchbooks. As well as being beautifully crafted, they are flexible and strong and designed to capture your ideas, thoughts, sketches and moods. Special requests and commissions are welcomed and Susan can advise you what works with each book style.

The Medieval Sketchbooks (shown top and immediately below) are particularly tempting, with butter-soft leather covers and hand-stitched papers.

For Susan’s website visit: www.susangreenbooks.com
Folksy: www.folksy.com/shops/susangreenbooks
Etsy: www.susangreenbooks.etsy.com

Tweets about this post:
susangreenbooks at 2009-07-01T17:31:52Z: Huzzah! RT @IndieQuarter: In the blog today: Susan Green, Bookbinder - http://f27x4.th8.us - lovely butter-soft leather journals.
IndieQuarter at 2009-07-01T12:05:45Z: In the blog today: Susan Green, Bookbinder - http://f27x4.th8.us - lovely butter-soft leather journals.

This is one of the pretty pieces from the brand new, hot off the press, just launched today collection by Sianyland Jewellery. A mixture of gold toned chains, heart shaped charms and faux pearl beads - a real statement piece.

Sian Meades describes her jewellery as ‘pretty eye-catching pieces that are a little bit quirky’. And they are. And also slightly rock chick, I think.

To shop go to www.sianyland.etsy.com.

And in case the name rings a bell, Sian Meades is also the founder and editor of fab new lifestyle blog Domestic Sluttery.

Call for applications: 2009 BUST Summer Craftacular, London, August 22.

BUST Magazine’s London Summer Craftacular is a shopping bonanza running from 12pm until 8pm at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, featuring crafters, DJs, drinks and dancing.

Shoppers can down a pint or sip a spritzer as they browse through hundreds of the best in handmade gifts and essential summer accessories, from handbags and ornaments to jewellery, clothing and cards.

Following the success of the Christmas event, BUST Magazine will be hand-picking over 55 of the most unique and talented crafters from across the UK to attend.

Click here for more information about the BUST London Summer Craftacular.

A vendor table costs £70. The deadline for Applications is July 13, 2009.

Website: www.bust.com

Do you know the artist behind the spoof Best of Manchester posters? Their work has been spotted around Manchester and Urbis organisers are keen to learn their identity. They would like to include his / her work in the Best of Manchester exhibition later this summer.

Oh, and anyone who helps with their detective work will get two free invites to the BOMA awards party. So don’t be shy. Email marketing at urbis dot org dot uk.

Pic: The poster on the left is the real thing and the one of the right is the spoof.

Ahhh weekend. At last. Just thought I’d drop in to update you on an exhibition that starts this weekend. Botanic Gardens showcases around 20 UK makers who explore plant forms and structures in their work. I have blogged about it in more detail over at the UK DIY Craft website. I’ll be guest blogging over there in the coming weeks, so do check in.

The above pics are illuminated wall panels and are the work of Hannah Nunn. You may remember Hannah from her day in the life of feature. She has a beautiful range of paper cut lighting inspired by the botanical world. Her new wall panels will feature in the exhibition.

What: Botanic Gardens
When: June 27 - August 27 2009
Where: Platform Gallery, Station Road, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 2JT

Helen Rawlinson is a textiles designer based at the Chocolate Factory Studios in London. Over the last decade her printed lampshades have popped up in homes all over the UK. Her work incorporates illustration, print and machine embroidery.

Helen’s lampshades are perforated with machine stitching to reveal an illumination of tiny pinpricks when lit. I love the use of coffee, pistachio and muted pink against matt cream backgrounds.

And in addition to the lampshades Helen does a good line in bags, purses and screenprint patches.

Shop in £s at www.helenrawlinson.bigcartel.com.
Shop in $s at www.helenrawlinson.etsy.com.

And btw The Chocolate Factory? Now that sounds like a desirable address.

Tweets about this post:
HelenRawlinson at 2009-06-26T20:35:33Z: Currently reading: Helen Rawlinson - http://iqh2t.th8.us Ah lovely! ~Thanks Jenny from Indie Quater blog. Now I really am going.........
HelenRawlinson at 2009-06-26T20:33:22Z: Currently reading: Helen Rawlinson - http://iqh2t.th8.us Ah lovely! ~Thanks Jenny. Now I really am going.........

58 artists and makers will be throwing open their doors next month, so that you can watch them hard at work in their own spaces. The Hebden Bridge Open studios event will take place on 3rd, 4th and 5th July between 11am - 5pm.

The above is a little taster of what you can expect to find. For more information visit www.hbopenstudios.org.uk.

Images:

Sheila Tilmouth - Printmaker / Illustrator
Sue Turner - Ceramicist
Cathy Edwards - Leather Goods Maker

lua lua is a distinctive jewellery brand, immediately recognisable by its colourful perspex and silver components. The designer’s Egyptian and Aztec influences are evident but the choice of materials and geometrical shapes make this a truly contemporary collection.

The simplicity of the pieces is striking. This jewellery stands out against popular vintage trends. It’s bold. It’s different. And it’s not surprising that this designer has found international critical acclaim.

Buy direct from www.lualua.net.

Now you don’t often associate knitwear with summer. But this pretty, feminine collection from Maggie Cook will keep you cool and comfortable. Made in a range of cotton yarns, the capelets, cardigans, shrugs and scarves provide stylish accessories to everyday and special occasion outfits. They’re light and versatile and make great additions to summer dresses when the sun goes down and you’re still up.

An inspiring and unusual collection with its roots in long English summer days. Think picnics, garden parties and afternoon tea.

For further information and to shop, go to www.maggiecook.co.uk.

Hot on the heels of their spring soiree, Clutter City is back with a summer feast of a market called ‘The Great Outdoors’. This time the stalls will be outside and accompanied by music, a courtyard barbecue and bubbles.

Make sure you keep 11th July free. And don’t forget your sunblock and sunnies!

When: 11 July 2009 | 10 - 4pm
Where: Norwich Arts Centre
More Info: www.cluttercity.norwichartscentre.org.uk