Welcome to the Indie Quarter!

I think it was the dead rabbit that initially drew me to this event but when I read on I couldn’t help but be intrigued. The Family Event Installation explores our knowledge of ‘family’ and in particular the relationships between family members and how they change over time.

According to the artist Naomi Kendrick, ‘The work takes us on a journey in which surreal flashbacks associated with early memory are recalled; objects are unearthed through a process of seeing, opening, touching, smelling, listening; and stories are glimpsed, though fact and fiction remain blurred.’

The interactive nature of this installation appeals to me and particularly the use of the different sense.

If you’d like to go along here are the details:

What: The Family Event: An Installation by Naomi Kendrick
Where: The Middle Room, 203 Slade Lane, Levenshulme, Manchester, M19 2AE
When: Preview on Friday 12th of February 6.30 – 9pm and then ‘view by appointment’ 13th – 21st February

There’s more information on the artist’s blog at http://deadrabbit-ablog.blogspot.com

Fans and followers of Lady Luck Rules OK will be familiar with their IP dispute last week. On Friday morning the independent jewellery and accessories label posted a message on Twitter, claiming their Russian Doll design had been ‘blatantly ripped off’ by internet retail giant ASOS. Judging by the influx of sympathy and support from fans and fellow independent designers, this hit a nerve. ASOS was quick to respond, removing the item immediately, promising to investigate and to contact the supplier of the item.

Sadly, it seems that disputes of this kind are not as rare as you might think. Lady Luck’s subsequent blog post outlines a number of similar disputes, despite their signing up to Briffa’s Design Protect scheme.

The growing popularity of social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook brings this kind of dispute to the public’s attention. No-one wants that kind of publicity. And it can’t be a bad thing when small independents are facing large corporates and retail companies.

Reading through Lady Luck’s blog post, the thing that struck me was just how damaging IP theft can be. Of course we’re familiar with the financial consequences. It’s hard enough for independents to survive and to compete with the high street, without having their designs stolen, mass produced and sold at a cheaper price. The cost implications here are obvious and added to this is the time it takes to fight these disputes. But what may be less obvious is the personal consequences. In her post Lady Luck owner Leona Baker writes about the painstaking process she goes through to create each piece of jewellery from the initial research to all the little touches that makes her jewellery unique. She goes onto say, ‘Sometimes people say we should be flattered when this happens, but we really only ever feel hurt because something that was very special to us has been spoilt by someone we’ve never met.’

Leona offers tips and advice for anyone who has found themselves in this situation. She is also inviting people to join in the conversation by leaving a comment on her blog. To weigh in and have your say go to www.ladyluckrulesok.com/journal/2010/01/artwork_theft.php.

Further information on protecting your intellectual property can be found at www.briffa.com.

If you like Babushka nesting dolls you’re sure to love these Bobo Babushkas with added attitude.  They come in a number of different themes including the Rocker Chic gals, the Triple Trouble ladies - ready to wreak some supernatural havoc, ‘Night at the Opera’ singers and Classic Lolitas, complete with parasols and pinafores.

They cost between $90 and $150 (approx £55 to £90) which is really quite reasonable considering they’re all hand painted, absolutely one-of-a-kind and are eager to travel the world.  They ship all the way from Australia for just $10.00 (approx £6).

To buy yours go to www.bobobabushka.etsy.com.

Out of all the categories on this blog Jewellery is perhaps the busiest. I’m extremely fond of accessories and always on the look out for new and unusual designs. This sparkly necklace from Elle F Bijoux is a bit of an eye-catcher. The base is a 1920’s pocket watch casing, filled with vintage and contemporary gems, rhinestones and buttons. A very pretty piece indeed!

Shop from www.ellefbijoux.etsy.com.

‘Shiney’ Necklace by Elle F Bijoux - $100 (approx £61). Delivery is only $10 (approx £6) from NYC.

The Victorians were great collectors. Butterflies, plants, fossils, shells and medical curios were labelled, indexed and displayed in cabinets. You don’t see that so much anymore. Of course there’ll always be collectors and hobbyists but it’s much more unusual nowadays.

Jewellery designer and metalsmith Susannah Goodyear would like to bring this back. Much of her jewellery takes inspiration from these cabinets of curios and she has a particular interest in anatomy.

I love the Silver Bird Skull Brooch (top left). It’s somehow fragile and yet solid at the same time.

Buy online from Susannah’s Etsy store at www.sana.etsy.com and find out more at www.susannahgoodyear.co.uk.

I was very lucky to receive a number of beautifully crafted handmade gifts for Christmas. Among them was a lovely warm knitted beanie by Cassarina. It’s a little like the one in the picture only a darker grey. I’ve hardly taken it off these last few weeks.

If you’d like to buy one for yourself you can buy direct from Cassarina’s Etsy store at www.cassarina.etsy.com. She makes gorgeous bags too, with pretty matching linings.

Beanies - $18 (approx £11.23)
Green Hand Knitted Flower Bag - $35 (approx £21.84)

I’m dreading taking down our Christmas Tree and decorations. There’s the obvious hassle of the tree clinging to every available surface on its way out, shedding its needles with abandon. And of course the fag of trying to hoover them up and the inevitable picking them out of our socks for the next six months. But the worse part is that bare ‘January’ look you’re left with. It immediately triggers the ‘must decorate’ part of my brain.

Luckily there’s a one stop shop for all things interior. Hunkydory Home provides a great range of lampshades, clocks, cushions, kitchen accessories and home textiles. And as the slogan points out, Hunkydory Home products are ’something a bit different’. The colours are bright and funky and the patterns and icons bold. As well as their own beautifully made products they source from other talented makers from around the world.

Check out the website at www.hunkydoryhome.co.uk.

Products clockwise from top left:

1. Stag Clock
2. Pom Pom Ceramic Teapot by Hannah Turner £30
3. Graphic Green Lampshade £34.00
4. London Cushion £35
5. London Designer Dishcloth £3.75

Brrrrrr. Button up it’s cold outside. I haven’t seen this much snow in the UK since the seventies. Big snow here in Manchester today. So naturally my thoughts turn to warm things. Like hats and scarves and tea. Though to be honest my thoughts tend to turn towards tea pretty much every morning at about this time.

I’ve been admiring Sooziebee’s prints. Aren’t they pretty? Each one is created from her own illustrations and is in a limited run of ten. The illustrations have been coloured digitally and I’m loving the warm autumnal colours and the muted greens and greys. Of course Sooziebee isn’t all about the tea, her pen captures lots of subjects including birds, bird houses and intricate pattern work. In fact, take a look for your yourself. Go to www.folksy.com/shops/sooziebee.

Keep warm everyone. I’ll be heading out shortly to make the most of the snow. Yippee!