Ruth Singer-Textile Artist

As a textile artist myself, I really appreciate the work and love that goes into a piece of work. I find the work of Ruth Singer very interesting.

Ruth creates detailed and interesting textile artworks inspired by historical textiles, museum objects, personal heritage, memory and stories. She combines natural and vintage textiles with hand stitching as well as fabric manipulation techniques to create texture. Ruth’s textile practice was established in 2005. She has been commissioned by Derby Museum Service to create work based on their African collections and have work in the permanent collection of Staffordshire Museum Service, based on their Victorian photographs of women criminals.

Her more recent work incorporates photography, experimental dyeing and found objects. Many of the techniques used are developed from her study of historical textiles. She created an installation piece in collaboration with weaver Jan Garside and a collection of objects with jeweller Alys Power. Series: Monumental Folly which explores love and the sense of place associated with a particular building, won Ruth the Craft space Prize at Unit Twelve Contemporary Craft Open 2012.

Smaller pieces of framed and unframed work suitable for the home are now for sale on madebyhandonline.com

 For more details - http://ruthsinger.com

 

 

Take care Sara x

Wonderful Home Accessories

Blue Bell Gray

For lovely cushions, rugs, bedding and scarves perfect for gifts for others or yourself!

Bluebellgray has quickly grown into one of Scotland’s most exciting new textile exports, leading the floral trend and being stocked worldwide in the best design boutiques and stores.

Started by Fi Douglas in 2009 a graduate of the Glasgow School of Art, Fi had a very clear vision and style in mind; her love of colour and all things floral combined with a desire to create unique painterly pieces. These vibrant, oversized water-colour blooms have become a brand signature and sit harmoniously alongside abstract pieces born from Fi’s natural painting process. Bluebellgray pieces are aimed at people looking for something unique and individual for their home, an antidote to mass production.

The design philosophy behind the brand adheres to the ‘eclectic mix’ school of thought, encouraging the designs to sit beside vintage finds and modern design alike. Living and breathing Bluebellgray, Fi’s own home is regularly featured in home magazines; her dreams of sun-drenched, floral-filled summers adorn her home in her designs.

With an emphasis on quality and integrity bluebellgray source the best materials and take pride that all our fabrics and cushions are made in the UK. Each design is painted by hand in the Glasgow studio before being printed onto natural cottons and linens using state of the art printing technology. The printing methods used enable every brushstroke and colour to be captured, enhancing the feel of the hand-painted design. The pieces have a sense of provenance and the designer behind the product, adding to the feeling of exclusivity. I just love the stunning colours and fluid prints, perfect for adding a splash of colour!

http://www.bluebellgray.com for details of stockists

All the best

Sara x

Flowers

My Favourite Florist

I love flowers, if I was able to function before 9am I would be a florist, but alas I know my limitations and I will never be a morning person. I think floristry is so under-rated for both the skill and commitment required. Flowers can cheer up or even make a room, and there can be no greater gift than receiving beautiful flowers. Its great fun to buy flowers too.

Scarlet and Violet

In 2006 after working with flowers for 14 years Vic Brotherson opened her wonderful florists shop in 76 Chamberlayne Rd London NW10 3JJ. This has to be one of the most stunning and individual florists, I have ever seen.

Vic, who studied fine art, runs her business with her sister who is a textile designer, and you can definitely see the artistry in the colours and vibrancy of their work. What I love is the randomness and freedom. Unlike more traditional florists who follow a structured style which is fairly generic to florists in general. This is really unique, and Vic provides flowers for many celebrity clients, for their homes and weddings.  The style is textural, unstructured and painterly. Like a country garden. Seasonal flowers are used and English country flowers like; English dahlia, lily of the valley, gorgeous foliage and blossom. Unusual vases (often vintage) and jars are used which is much preferable to crystal vases.

I have included this in my book choice of the week but to tell you a bit more about her book, Vintage Flowers, I have also included some pages for you. I loved this beautiful book; it is full of eclectic ideas and stunning arrangements. Vic really is an artist using flowers rather than paint. This book is so hard to put down and is just full of inspiration for any aspiring florists or flower lovers. It is well worth reading. 

 http://scarletandviolet.com

Time Out says

This exquisite flower shop takes your breath away the moment you walk in the door. An abundance of flowers are displayed casually in old jugs, buckets, glass jars and even milk bottles. The artless containers serve in fact to draw the eye to the extraordinary artistry displayed in the bunches made up in the very personal style of the owner, Victoria Brotherson (at her happiest when arranging flowers for parties in people’s houses). Old-fashioned and traditional country garden flowers are plentiful, including nodding peonies, and tall sticks of hollyhocks and delphiniums. Highly recommended.

I have attached some lovely images of floral displays and as always I have a board in pinterest on flowers and gardens which also has some unusual flower arrangements.

Sara x