Note to self...

I whole-heartedly believe self-gratification is the way forward (not in a sex way) and these note cards are so sweet, I want to buy them and write lovely things in them and post them to myself!

Cut-out Corgi Card by Memo Helen

Not just a note card but something to make and do too! Love it.

Charm Print Card by Magic Alice

This reminds me of Vivienne Westwood goodies :)

Airline Postiecards Pack of Five - by Littleclouds

Ooh how wonderful to recieve a cute shaped mail! Like someone threw you a paper plane and it made its way all the way to your letter box :)

There's my three indie lusts of the week. What are you lusting after?

xoxo

Taking over the world; Step #8 - get into a rather awesome department store in London

I have had my eye on Supermarket Sarah for a while. I can't remember how I came across her/it... but I loved the idea and sent her an email to say that if she was ever interested in stocking my stuff... I'd be a happy girly.

Well, you do send these things and not hear anything... but these busy folks just don't have time to reply to all speculative emails. Anyway, this was, like, ages ago.  So imagine my surprise when I got a little email from one of the girls saying she'd like to stock some of my items in

Supermarket Sarah's concession in Selfridges Concept Store

...within the Wonder room on the ground floor, Oxford St London, 7-28th April.

Yikes! A bit more about Supermarket Sarah: "Sarah decided to leave the corporate world behind her and has set up shop in her own home. Her home, round the corner from Portobello Market where she has a stall, is now overflowing with treasures and delights and she welcomes visitors with tea and cakes".  She also runs pop-up shops in random cool places. It's a neat idea. Clever girl! Oh and it's Damon Albarn-approved :)

So excited to be part of it! Wish I could see but my text trip to London is a flying visit to Lady Luck Rules OK's Trade Secrets Seminar. It had to be done... and I leave too early the next day to get to Oxford Street and have a looksee. However. My many London pals have offered to have a gander and a photo-snap for me :)

London's where it's at, no doubt

xoxo

Shop update: Various Vintage Comic Bubble Heart Necklace & Measure Of My Dreams Bracelets

Just a few bits added to the shop for your viewing pleasure. The Measure of My Dreams Bracelet has made a return after I was alerted to someone having swiped the idea. I am about to get into a rant but I'll save it for another post...

1. "StArS & StRiPeS KiSsEs" Vintage Comic Bubble Heart Necklace , 2. Measure of my dreams bracelet (yellow), 3. 'WeEk-EnD RoMaNcE' ViNtAgE CoMiC NeCkLaCe, 4. Measure of my dreams bracelet (green) , 5. "who Is SHE??!!" Vintage Comic Bubble Heart Necklace , 6. Measure of my dreams bracelet (pink)

So? Leave me a comment or two... it's getting awfully lonely here :)

xoxo

To Etsy or not to Etsy? That is the question...

There are pros and cons.

My cons being:

• There's a lot of people on there
• It's all in dollars
• I just don't know if it's worth me listing anything (and paying to do so) if it's just going to get buried amongst a load of sh*t.

My pros being:

• There's some really great stuff there
• There's teams to help promote each other
• They have a mahoosive client base (good sales-wise and networking-wise)
• My more recent work (comic bubble hearts) have not debuted there... I am interested to get a reaction.
• I feel as though I 'should' be there. Cos anyone who is anyone in the independent design game is there.

Hmm. Any thoughts, anyone?

xoxo

New stockist: Hannah Zakari

Now then. You may remember my post in January where I asked you to keep your fingers crossed for me? And then I thought no news was bad news but then got the good news?

The stockist I was really excited about was Hannah Zakari! I have been a fan of the online store ever since I read Rachael's story on Indie Quarter blog, as part of their 'Day in the Life' series. It's a really inspirational story, and I am really chuffed to have been approved to sell with her.

It's also interesting to see my work photographed on a white background. I think you'll agree it still looks the shit. Not shit, the shit. That means really good if you're not as cool as me.

xoxo

Adult applique please?

Before I start, I need you to know just how hard this post was to research.  I mean, I am going to sound really harsh now, but looking through some of the applique stuff for grown ups made me want to be sick.  They fall into a couple of categories - 'shabby chic' style, which I think has had it's day (or at least stick to homewares for the genre), or circles layered onto each other to represent flowers or trees. Come on. Who's going to wear that? I saw some designs that had the right idea but were just terribly made. So if anyone's looking for a gap in the market...

I digress.  I have managed to find three cool things, I think you'll agree, from some awesome independent designers. Lusting!

Boston Terrier Applique and Embroidered Cushion by Maxemelia

'Be happy, be free' hinged wallet by Moo Woo

And... gosh gosh, love, Love, LOVE this!

Swallow Headband by With Love from Hetty and Dave

In fact all of With Love From Hetty and Dave's goodies are great grown-up appliqued leather. I want lots. Saw them in the flesh at Spitalfields Market last week and they really are awesome. I feel a spend coming on...

xoxo

Shop update: "rAiBbOw KiSsEs" Vintage Comic Bubble Heart Necklace

♥ "rAiBbOw KiSsEs" Vintage Comic Bubble Heart Necklace ♥

♥ I learned the secret of love... when I DARED him to kiss me! ♥

A vintage illustration collage is embedded into this handmade bubble oversized heart pendant. The image is so reminiscent of where Lichtenstein took his inspiration! Perfect for pop-art princesses!

The image is layered with resin blended with opalescent stars and super-fine turquoise glitter for a brilliant vibrant colourway. On 18” chunky silver-plated chain. Can be fastened at shorter length. Pendant 2x2”.

The necklace comes with beautiful handmade gift box made from vintage comics, with contrasting coloured tissue paper.

It's a beauty! Hope you love!

xoxo

Possibly the worst customer service... this year

Possibly the worst customer service I have had this year... not ever... was recently from Aldo.

I saw a pair of geeky glasses in Company Magazine last month and it said '£10, Aldo' in the details. So I had a looksee on their website but alas, they were not there.

So I went into the Leeds branch and the sales assistant and manager had no idea what I was talking about.

So I emailed them via their contact form where I clearly stated that I had seen some glasses for £10 in Company Magazine and that I had asked in-store and they didn't know what they were and I couldn't find them on the website. I had to select my country (UK).  This is the response.

"In order to help you find the product you're looking for, we need you to provide the style number/name and your location.

You can find the style number/name by visiting your local store and asking one of our sales associates, or by visiting our website.

Once we have this information, we can locate the product for you, provided it is still available".

Ever feel like you're talking to emailing yourself?

Cheers Aldo. I'll shop elsewhere for my geeky glasses.

xoxo

What's cooking in the kitschen & weekend round-up

What a pleasant weekend.

On Friday I got an unexpected show of support from Kate P who came to The Penthouse to help me make some boxes for 100% Handmade (she couldn't make Monday).  It's been a great having my pals help with this busy period... so thanks everyone!  Kate P is a creative type who I can certainly rely on for advice on KitschenSink projects. This is what's currently cooking in the Kitschen (as well as lots of vintage comic bubble hearts for stockists!). They are the result of my charity shop scavenge with her a few weeks ago.

I wasn't too sure how to finish them off... hanging them on a chain just wasn't enough. I've got a few ideas now so watch this space...! What do you think? Thundercats, Ho!

100% Handmade on Saturday was a lovely day. I finally got to meet the folks behand the Marvelous Tea Dance Company and also Tracy of Ruby Spirit Designs, amongst other lovely folks.

I encountered the second soap star in a week at 100% Handmade. It was Steve Huison and he had his trademark long ginger locks tucked into a beanie hat, disguised like an A-lister. But I knew who it was all along... gosh... just did a little research on him and he does some fab art... check it. If you don't know him from Corrie as Eddie Windass you should know him as the suicidal stripper off the Full Monty.

Saturday evening... went to see Crazy Heart. Not heard of it before but it was OK. About a loser (male) who meets a woman and he pulls himself together for the sake of her... I won't go on in case you want to see it...

Right, must get on with the to do list... then go watch a couple of LOST episodes... then see a man about a dog...

xoxo

A good day

Most days are good days. This was slightly better than the rest... what can I say, I am easily pleased.

I was a bit stressed, KitschenSink wise, because I ordered some chain from an Etsy supply store, and to be frank it was whack. Too light.  I made the decision to go to a proper bead shop, even though expensive, in the long run I can see the quality upfront.  Anyway. I mooched in the bead shop for a while and then made my whopping purchase. And then...

Thats right. At the other side of the arcade was Joseph Gilgun and he was everything I ever imagined. And he looked at me. Our eyes met. And he walked away saying 'Yeah, alright mate, cheers. See you soon' to the owner of Hip.  And I shook.

And then I went home and packed my order for my brand spanking new stockist of five! Phew!

xoxo

♥ I made you a mix tape ♥

Mix tape stories tend to relate to teenage years... I could go into the psychology behind it (love Music Psychology!), but I won't bore you (if you want to learn more, read the Social Psychology of Music,
Hargreaves & North).  In my teenage years I was given one with a lot of Red Hot Chilli Peppers on, and one with some Massive Attack and Portishead amongst others. So... not too embarrassing.

But I was in the car the other day with Natalie, listening to Men's Needs by The Cribs. I asked her if she liked 'My Life Flashed Before My Eyes' (my favourite). She responded 'Oh I don't know, I just have a few off a mix-tape XXXXX made me'. Which made me spit with laughter. I guess you had to be there. Or know who XXXXX is. But we're 27. I guess it's kinda sweet.

Anyway. Here's some gorgeous mix-tape related goodies from some independent designers. Lust.

Cassette Tape Necklace by Hello Drama 

Cassette Tape Card Wallet by Littleclouds

'Cassettes', set of three greetings cards by Lucy Player

I don't think I mentioned I bought a t-shirt by Lucy Player a couple of weeks ago. It's the girl version of this...

... which is also quite fitting for this post :)

xoxo

Perfect Package Project

I forgot to mention that one of my goals for this year is to get involved in a couple of swaps.  I noticed Pennydog's Resin Swap a month or so ago and have got involved (hmmm best get on with that really)...

And I just spotted this lovely idea.

"The Package Project is an exchange aimed to connect bloggers around the world and to grow the blogging community even further. It is all about swopping pretty packages and handmade delights. The packaging only makes the exchange more fun so get creative...strings, manila tags and ribbons galore. Each package must be a joy to receive and each time you do receive one...pop out your camera and snap away. This way we all get to share in a bit of your excitement".

I get a lot of great feedback about the packages I send out.... so I signed up :)

I think you should sign up too

xoxo

My sleep cycle & 100% Handmade

Yawwwwwn. I got to work 45 mins earlier than usual today due to a series of unfortunate events. Well, two.  Firstly I woke up at 6.10am due to installing this sleep cycle app on my phone.

I was ok about getting up early as the sun was shining and all that, but then.... I realised all my sugar had got used up last night during tea and box making and I had lost my sweeteners. What a fiasco.

I am going to be selling at 100% Handmade in Ilkley on Saturday. Come along, it's a good do and The Marvelous Tea Dance Company will be there selling delicious cakes and tea....

xoxo

London, London

I said it twice because I went twice. Twice in a week. Tis true. I didn't go either time for KitschenSink purposes, as such. But on both occasions positive KitschenSink-related happenings occured. One of these is the mid-April thing I'll reveal, the other is another stockist. A cool one (well, they're all cool to be fair).

Right now I am preparing for a tea-party craft-off. I have invited Team Tea and Biscuits around to help me make gift boxes for the massive amount of orders I am getting ready for stockists, and in return I am feeding them pizza, crisps, dips, Indian snacks... that sorta thing. Has to be done, I'll get RSI if I have to do it all myself! Eek!

I'm thinking I'll give them one slice of pizza for three boxes made... fair?

xoxo

Great post :-)

My post is deposited in a box outside my block, and I do enjoy collecting it after a day at work. I feel like I live in Ramsey Street. As it happens I do have good neighbours. One of the boys in my block held the door for me today even though he was tackling a large ASDA delivery. Sweet.

Anyway today's post had aceness all over it. I forgot I won this via The Leeds Guide on Twitter! Fab. It means I can treat a pal who needs to be perked :-)

I kinda won something else via Twitter too... but I'm not ready to give that away yet. I promise I will mid-April! I can't believe I have kept it a secret this long...

Also, the gold bails I have been waiting for arrived in the post today... that means I can get on with making a piece for an up-and-coming starlet! She's going to be big this year... and she wants to wear KitschenSink! Awesome. More on that to come.

xoxo

If I'm not here...

Sorry for recent lack of posting. You may remember back in January I asked you to cross your fingers for me, then in my next post I reported that I hadn't got the news I was hoping for.  Well it just so happened that the cool online retailer was a bit busy and has in fact made a large order, which I am working on, hell for leather. So there's not much time to update here. I'll tell you who when it's made, posted, and available for you to see!

There's a few exciting things going on right now. I'll let those things unravel over the next couple of weeks.  Don't want to jinx them!

If I'm not here, I do tend to be 'micro-blogging' over on Twitter. So follow me there.

Oh and this week I have a lovely feature from the UKs happiest Twitterer (see Telegraph article), Rachael Taylor. Read the post here!

I met Rachael at Designers Marketplace at The Loft Leeds last year and have stayed in touch with her via Twitter since. Her gorgeous surface pattern designs are used on greetings cards, homewares, for wall art... check em out!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend... I will be updating later in the week ;-)

xoxo

Designers Marketplace Pop-Up Shop - visual post

I'll lay off the words for this, just check out the photos.

To visit, see details here

All photos from Designers Marketplace

Spot KitschenSink? Sooo wish I could be there...

xoxo