HOMEWORKS 'pop-up' at ARTISAN
This October artisan transforms into a 'pop-up shop'
New NW10 gallery, artisan has been an instant hit in London's North West since its launch last year. This October the 'pop-up' phenomena arrives at artisan in the form of Homeworks. Since Comme des Garcons began the trend in 2004 with its guerrilla stores, the pop-up shop has become an anticipated event. artisan is delighted to hand over the gallery space and see it transformed into a shop offering wonderful handcrafted and bespoke merchandise. Mary Portas championed on her recent BBC2 series, 'Mary Queen of Shops', "People want something different, different from what the rest of the high street are doing". Artisan offers just that.
Homeworks is a group of like-minded women who live within a stone's throw of each other and share a love for creating beautiful, handcrafted design items. By getting to know one another at the school gates, they have formed a collective from their own businesses where they meet regularly, swapping ideas and information and organise events to showcase their designs. http://thisishomeworks.blogspot.com/
Fiona Bailey Designs - Mother of three, Fiona says "I'm always wishing there was more time in the day, yet don't seem to be able to stay up late enough to get my long list of 'to do's' done!" Aside from homemaker, her expertise lies in being a freelance picture researcher, photographer, interior designer, knitter and crafter with ambitions to be a master of all trades and jack of none! Choosing her yarns with care and attention Fiona creates beautiful hand-knitted accessories from bags to hats. www.fionabaileydesigns.com
Lou Rota - Reflecting her passion for the natural world and deep-seated recycling ethic, Lou's eclectic range uses collage and decoupage and both homemade and vintage decals to transform unloved objects into highly desirable home-wares. Whether it's vintage bone china or a battered French desk, a salvaged polypropylene stacking chair or a 1960s mirror, each of her witty transformations is unique. Stag beetles march across a faded chintz tea plate. Jaded chairs are overgrown with roses, nettles and thorns. Translucent black butterflies flit over foxed glass. www.lourota.com
Smith and Coates - Smith and Coates children's tops are handmade here in the UK from recycled woolen jumpers. The jumpers are felted, re-cut and remade, then hand finished with crochet and trims made from vintage fabric. Each piece of clothing is completely unique. In a world where everything appears to be throw away it is wonderful to find how unloved things can be transformed into unique and wonderful garments. www.smithandcoates.com
Homespun and Vintage - Homespun & Vintage offer an eclectic mix of contemporary handmade and vintage home accessories including pictures, jewellery, ceramics and soft furnishings. "We are passionate about handmade quality, traditional craftsmanship and unique design that links a contemporary approach with vintage style and materials". samanthafrankel@me.com - website under construction.
Made with Love by Mrs Booth - Mrs Booth was inspired by the things she fondly remembered from her own childhood, she designs simple, imaginative gifts for children. Her colouring and counting books, alphabet friezes, prints, cards and stickers explore early reading, writing and counting - there are even reward stickers for extra encouragement! When the world is full of plastic finding handcrafted gifts for a child is even more important. www.mrsbooth.com
Handworks - Handworks has a beautiful collection of lightweight cotton clothing for children, a small range of day and nightwear for women and printed shirts for men. They also have a great collection of cotton quilts to grace any bedroom and home furnishings, which would add the finishing touches to a room. Their range of wonderful fresh prints, high quality cotton carefully sourced from India and an eye for design gives them a unique brand. www.handworkslimited.co.uk
Don't miss out when
6 to 30 October 2010