BBC London radio show 28th July

It all began with Clara Francis. Under no circumstances are we to call her a 'bead weaver', because this gives entirely the wrong impression. Such a title might imply, she protests, that she is an old lady with a beard. She is not. Once this is established, we discover that Clara spends many hours of her days and nights threading the teeniest tiniest of little miniature beads together to make very beautiful things.

Reindeer necklace, £140

She regaled us with tales of her unlikely introduction to weaving beads - Clara was an actress who beaded in her downtime, and then realised she was having much more success in her downtime than her up time - and her times in Spitalfields Market, which speedily led to her jewellery being worn by A-listers and featured in the V&A.

 Hummingbird earrings, £130. There are cheaper things than the two pictures above, but I do like these ones.


All in all, a very charming customer. For more things of wonder, have a look at her beautifully constructed website. And I must at this point, on fear of death, say a thank you to my sister who pointed me in Clara's direction. (For more such interesting tips and thoughts, have a look at my sister's site Hawk & Fallow.) 

 ***

And then on to The Secret Arcade. It's a new enterprise, launching on 1st August, and promises to be just as good as The Shop Floor Project, which I've long been a fan of. Denise and Sam Allen, the creatives behind both, are a mother and daughter team (we've spoken to them on the show before) who sell wares from independent designer/makers. As well as their careful choices of designer, it was always the layout of the website that attracted me to The Shop Floor Project. It looks like a little shop! I'm afraid that sort of thing appeals to me.

Here it is, an online shop that looks like a shop. Satisfying.

They've branched out now, creating The Secret Arcade, which looks similarly pleasing. 

 

The design, they say, is taken from Parisian shopping arcades from the 19th century. So when you visit, there will be eight passages leading off from the main entrance, each enticing you to some sort of fabulous collection of uniqueness. The actual retailers are shrouded in secrecy until opening day, but we do know they will be independent, British, and will include hand printed wallpaper and textile designers, perfumeries, jewellers, and an antique children's furniture shop. 

I anticipate virtual queues of shoppers this weekend!

***

Speeding along, and we discarded all things technological (aside from a computer) so that we could embrace an Analogue Life. Or at least have an online peek at how life could be if we were all minimalist and able just to surround ourselves with beautiful accoutrements. The shop is Japanese, and stocks very beautifully crafted everyday objects. This sort of criteria, by the way, makes it mostly out of my financial reach, but I like to look at such things and imagine.

 Copper scissors start at $62.79

The scissors above are produced, for instance, by Tajiki Haruo Ironworks. Founded in the Showa Period, this company has been making them by hand for over four hundred years.  I think it would be quite a nice thing to cut with those instead of the virtually disposable ones emblazoned with my local supermarket's logo. But, again, I appreciate the whimsy this represents.

Crashing on, they also do a great selection of wooden items. These mugs - despite not being allowed in a dishwasher - would fit nicely into my idealised existence:

Kami Mug Cup, $37.67

                                    

 And so on. Just a selection of beautiful things from another country, worth googling at for their form and function.

***

We obviously couldn't go through a whole show without mentioning the words du jour, Pop Up Shop. So that's where I headed next, this time in Clerkenwell.

 

From 5th - 7th August, 97 Clerkenwell Road is hosting a temporary shop that will sell interesting goods from new talents. With the list of sellers the have, the organisers don't need to bribe us to come, but luckily they're bribing anyway, with the allure of free makeovers from The Chapel salon and make-up artist Anne-Marie Simak. (There's also going to be food from cordon-bleu trained Rachel Davies.) But cash in brown envelopes aside, it looks like a good place to rummage around, find interesting handmade products, and discover designers you didn't know about.

At the Christmas Bust Craftacular (we talked about the summer one a couple of weeks ago), for instance, I bought a great t-shirt from the independent designer Pureharte. Pureharte is actually Katie Harte, and - pleasingly - she'll be at Pop In. 

 'Mia' strapless summer dress, $55 from Etsy

The dress above, available in the Etsy store Pureharte, comes with a poem:

Mia is tiny

She floats like a bubble

but don't be deceived 

as she often brings trouble.

'Chloe' skirt $60. "Chloe loves parties / She throws one each night / Her outlook on life / Is eternally bright."

All of the clothes do, in fact. Which is a boon, in my opinion.

Other sellers to look out for include EaK design, who do a cute range of prints, cushions and bags:

Twit Twoo print, £15 unframed

Foxy Tote, £8

Many other talents will abound there - check the website for a list.

***

I then careered on to The Food Room and Library just round the corner from Victoria station, where a lady called Jane Lunzer Gifford has one of the most comprehensive cookery book libraries you could hope to find. If you're on the hunt for something, you can be assured she will have it, or find it for you.  Just a thought, in case you want the tactile experience of walking somewhere to hand purchase something, as opposed to click clicking online.

And if you're interested in cooking generally, Jane's Food Room is primarily designed to host cookery classes. What is novel about her business, though, is the nature of the courses. All short - they're only for an hour, maximum; some are only 45 minutes - and reasonably priced (£25), they're organised so that whatever your level of culinary skill, you should find something that interests you. From the howtoboilanegg sort to 'Advanced and Ambitious - you know what you're doing but perhaps don't experiment as much as you should'.

Oh! And the bookshop also sends cookery themed cards, which fits in nicely with my and Robert's obsession with stationary.

***

From Victoria to just off Brick Lane, and to Shelf. An old favourite haunt, I haven't spoken about them since I returned to the show, and since then, they've totally revitalised their website. 

Sheet of 12 printed tin bird badges, £9.50 

It used to be that you could only use the website to buy the plaster letters they're so famed for, but now yahooo there's a whole host of their products up there. I'd still urge you to go to the shop, but it's good to know they are in the ether as well. 

There's a little sale going on at the moment, which includes Moomin mugs reduced to £13 and - I hesitate to put this up here, because I really want it - this stationary set, only £5:

Shinzi Katoh Lion stationary set: 10 sheets, 5 envelopes, stickers.

I also like the bumper Vintage stationary gift set, which at £25, may seem a bit pricey for bits and pieces - but to one such as I, those bits and pieces are a source of joy. Must add that to the birthday list along with some Clara Francis jewellery, I feel (I wonder which one I'm more likely to get). 

 Includes a card of French brown darning wool, coffee bags from the Old Spitalfields Market, assorted tickets, a tiny wooden lucky black cat from Germany, and more completely odd delights.

***

And then... a summer sale from Goodone, a small ethical fashion business that has one awards for its recycled clothing. Starts on 1st August, and with 20% off, it would be a good introduction to the collection if you don't know about them. 

...Peter Jensen's sample sale this Saturday (10am-6pm) and Sunday (12-4pm), which promises 20% off menswear and womenswear, as well as bargain bins with £5 goods. It's at his studio, 18-24 Shacklewell Lane E8 2EZ; look on the website for more.

...private sale website Koodos is selling Ray Ban sunglasses at sale prices (25% off) from 9am today until midnight on Friday. Sign up for free, and buy from £85.

...new clothes store by Liam Gallagher will be opening in Carnaby Street on 30th July. Pretty Green will be investigated, but given that the opening page of the website has said owner wearing a Union Jack, maybe that says it all...

So long until next time!  

BBC London radio show 14th July

So! Today's show started off with a great interviewee. Eliisa Makin is The Wardrobe Consultant, a stylist and creative extraordinaire who will give you a "sartorial second opinion", and ensure you are free from clothing crises. 

 

Mary Portas, no less, has described her as "Brilliant. Really calm and helpful", and she has high recommendations from Jo Jones, the Fashion Editor at the Observer. Today we mostly spoke about her (amazingly) free service where you can email her a picture of you in an outfit and she'll tell you if it works or not, via her blog. But she also can be hired for a full or half day to whizz around the shops with or without you, picking up every conceivable outfit that would suit you. She remained unfazed when Robert suggested he may need a pair of tights.

***

Crashing on, it was straight to TokyoBike, the very latest in bikery. The number one brand in Japan, TokyoBike is a small independent company that works out of Yanaka, an old Tokyo suburb. This summer, the bikes have made their way across to the UK, to much applause and appreciation from cyclists and stylers. 

a TokyoBike, from £420

What makes these bikes so feted is that they're designed for urban cyclists - simple and streamlined, they're made from chromoly steel, which is stronger and more flexible than the aluminium alternative, and makes for a more comfortable ride. 

I confessed that I'm not really a cyclist - I like riding around on a bike, but I'm no professional. So the words I spoke in description are on the advice of people In The Know. Such folks also say that because the wheels are 650mm, they have a "finer profile" than most road bikes. This reduces the weight so you get a smooth old cruise around town. Real cyclists also admire the straight and compact handlebars - they're said to allow you an upright posture which promotes good bike control. 

The bikes also come in great colours. Now that I am qualified to comment on. Just to prove it, here's another:

***

Then it was a quick jaunt to London's newest food market. They also call it London's "most exciting" food market, but you will have to judge that for yourselves. (I demurred at the thought, but Robert said he knew someone called Mike the Fish - a nickname for a gourmand - who would genuinely be excited by the Foodlovers Market Soho. So there may be others who feel the same.) It just launched on Saturday, on Rupert Street,which cuts across Shaftsbury Avenue, and is very easily findable. It will be there every Saturday from 9am-4pm. Foodlovers is an organisation that likes local food etc - you know the drill - and so all the stalls, about 30 in all, have been chosen very carefully. Expect familiar names like Neal's Yard Dairy, as well as lesser known independents (Outsider Tart sounds interesting - two Americans based in Chiswick who have made it their mission to introduce the British public to American pies and cakes...). Have a look here for a list of all the suppliers.

***

Powered up by the thought of so much food, we tramped on to Alfies Antiques Market (no apostrophe), to have a look at the Tin Tin Collectibles. I won't deny that I was first attracted to this stall by its name, but am glad to report that it lives up to it.

Antique and vintage luggage and travel accessories on your wish-list? Ta-da! If they weren't, they may well be now. Robert revealed a love of hat boxes, and I had no idea how much I needed a vintage travel trunk. Putting that on the birthday list...

The luggage, however, is but a little add on to their main concern, which is vintage costume and accessories from 1900-1940. Lace trims, ostrich plumes, silk lame robes, beaded flapper dresses? Add them to the list, and send the present buyer directly to Alfies (no apostrophe). 


***



And then I should have gone straight on to the other end of the spectrum, to Free Range. Except I somehow missed that bit on my notes. It's an annual graduate art and design show, it's in its 10th year now, and is the place to go to get a sense of what the latest trends are going to be. These are the artists and designers of the future - it's a big deal for them, showcasing their work to potential buyers, and it COULD be a big deal for you, if you snap up the early work of someone destined to be a star...
It's on until 26th July, Fridays - Mondays, 10am-7pm. Have a look here for a list of all the exhibitors from over 100 universities.



***
 

Then it was off to The Design Museum shop, where I'd found something I like a lot. It's a practical thing, probably part of the aspirational life I imagine one day will exist for me - where I'm organised and forward plan, and have chic and simple storage solutions:

£13.99 - small price to pay for aspirational living...


Of course, the nub of aspiration is that it doesn't exist just yet, and may never do. Casting that aside, though, I'll dare to hope that I can hasten it along with the Practically Paper Foldaway Box, above, discovered in the Design Museum shop. It looks like brown paper, but that's a trick, because it's actually made from 100% recyclable water resistant material. Use it at home, or for bringing groceries from trolley to  car to house. You can use your own imaginations here for other uses. It's made by The Camouflage Company, a London business set up by two sisters that creates useful things, mostly garden furniture covers that are floral (Vogue liked those) and storage boxes and bags that fold away. Better, they say, than bulky baskets, flimsy cardboard and rigid plastic boxes. And I agree. Look at this thing, for instance:

at £18, it's more clever than it looks 

 
Doesn't look anything special, but a second before this picture was taken, The Duffel Carrier was merely a flat sheet. Then one pull of the cord, and - hey presto - it's a bag. This is, believe me, a handy old ruse, especially if you're shopping for plants in a garden centre: just put the sheet flat in the base of the trolley, pile the plants in, and then easily transport them. (This is not, I must add, the sort of example that would come naturally to me, but they used it, and it has stuck in my head as, of course, the most reasonable idea ever for this bag. Again, there are multifarious uses which I'm sure you don't want me to list.)

***


...and then, a really big sale. Designer Sales UK are having their annual one day extravaganza on 23rd July in The Music Room on South Molton Lane.

The wares of any designer you can think of will most probably be there - Vivienne Westwood, John Galliano, Tom Ford, Dior, Gucci - at amazingly discounted rates. Pay £2 for entry, or take advantage of their new VIP hour, from 10am-11am. Tickets are £25, and for that you get freedom to choose first, as well as a goodie bag worth £45, and a chance to win a handbag worth £345.




Well. That was quite a bit to get through in 20 minutes. As always, feel free to use the comment box below to ask any questions or get me to hunt for something you can't find (tangible requests or philosophical musings equally welcome). If not, see you in two weeks' time!

BBC London radio show 30th June

Aha. So, first off, it was a chat with the fabulous Clare Beaton. She's the illustrator who started out her career at the BBC, working on children's programmes before the age of cartoons encroached upon such creativity. After that, and before her current artistic endeavours, she told us that she authored quite a few books ("written in pen and ink"), but really she was on the show to talk about what she does now - collage. And talk we did (although Robert found the subject a little bit "girly").

I stumbled upon Clare's work thanks to an exhibition in Haberdashery, one of my favourite cafes.

They had an exhibition of her original collages, aimed at children, but immensely pleasing to the adult eye.

They were also selling her excellent children's books, which are actually photographs of the original collages. Predictably, I bought one of those (£5) rather than the original artwork (around £300, framed), but the latter will go on my aspirational wish list. In the real world, though, the Elusive Moose did very nicely.

I'll talk about it in more detail on another show I think, but Haberdashery is found in Crouch End, on Middle Lane. I noted that while I called it a "local" cafe, I actually live on the wrong side of the tracks, in Stroud Green. Just before I signed off to let the news take over at 1pm, someone called Mike (or was it Nick?) from Holloway wrote in to reassure me that, from his point of view, I live on the right side. Thanks Mike/Nick! 

To find out more information about Clare Beaton, and where to buy the books, have a look at her website. And if you fancy having a go yourself, she's going to be running a workshop at her daughter's new enterprise, Oak Studio:

It's just opened in Hampstead, so I haven't been inside - but it sounds like there are great things afoot there. The plan is to host multifarious workshops (writing, baking, making, and a whole squelch of other creative ideas) and occasionally sell things; shopping has become ubiquitously pop-up, wouldn't you say?


Then it was straight on to the Bust Craftacular, which seemed difficult to say, suddenly.

On Saturday 10th July, at York Hall (5-15 Old Ford Road E2 9PJ), there will be fun and frivolity in the form of 60 independent designer/maker stallholders. Selling their wares to a soundtrack of cool tunes and the clatter of china teacups, it's an 'Indie Shopping Mall'. If it's anything like the Christmas one I attended, it'll be good fun.


I went into a great deal of detail on yesterday's show about who would be there, but rather than having to trawl through my opinions, just look at the website for all the information first hand. 

Well, OK, I will quickly mention that I very much like the Make Lounge who will be there.

I like them because a) their shop in Barnsbury St is so colourful  b) they provide cake and drinks at their workshops and c) last Christmas I got a present of a teacup-candle...as in, a vintage tea-cup filled with wax, sitting on a saucer, thanks to them. The CLEVER thing about it all is that the wax is soya wax, and when you've burned it all down, you just rinse out the cup and hey presto it's ready for some tea. My sister made it at the Make Lounge, you see. Just one of their ventures, along with cupcake decorating, knitting, et al.

BTW my sister is one of the stallholders at BUST - have a look at her blog Hawk & Fallow where you'll get a sneak peak at some of what she'll be selling. I know I'm a sibling, but aside from familial loyalty, I am a fan of her greetings cards, made from vintage playing cards and old council rent books:

 Back to the show. Next I suggested that you buy a radio. Not one that you'll ever see, but it's definitely worth it. Amnesty's latest campaign is to get 4,000 radios into Burma before the elections - the first in 20 years - later this month.

Because of the suffocating censorship, it's extremely difficult for the Burmese people to get a real sense of what is happening politically. Consequently, they rely on daily radio broadcasts put out by a small group of brave individuals. But not everyone can afford a radio. That's why you should click here to donate one (or ten). Amnesty estimate that about 12 people will use each radio, so if they reach their target, that's 50,000 more people who can hear independent news broadcasts, and understand that despite the isolation, there is tremendous international support for them.



For reasons beyond my control, you'll have to wait with bated breath for the rest of the information about the show, which will appear later, I promise. Apologies. If there's anything in the meantime that you urgently want to know, just write a comment below.

BBC London radio show 16th June

It all began with Bill Tuckey, co-founder of Outline Editions, who had a great deal of interesting things to say about the underground movement he's making overground - or at least in the process of tunnelling a route to. 

London Nautical Chart by Takayo Akiyama

Graphic art has until now, we learned, been largely consigned to what Bill called "people in red glasses and polo necks" creating graphic design for corporate purposes - record labels, advertising, T-shirts...with the results living very firmly outside the walls of elitist art galleries. 

Yet those poor people with red glasses, and even many without, were all the while capable of producing real art (let's not go into the question of what art is - I'm using the term as a complete amateur). Art that was worthy of being framed and hung on walls, anyway. So thought Bill, and because he has his finger on the pulse, he's now hosting these talents in a pop up gallery in Marshall Street along with the curator Camilla Parsons. 

He thinks the artists he's showing will soon be known as the founders of a new wave. Graphic art is having a moment, and the theme of the exhibition is London. 

Welcome To London by Anthony Burrill - one of my favourites

The main thing, Bill explained, is that this art is "friendly", and accessible, with prints starting at £85. No asymmetric haircut required to view. 

Details: the gallery is open until 3rd July. You can buy from the website too.



Next, I hared along to the Cockpit Arts open weekend in Deptford, which is taking place this Friday 18th June (6pm-9pm), Saturday 19th June and Sunday 20th June (11am-6pm).

It's all a result of this social enterprise - the only one of its kind in the UK - that supports 165 designer/makers, giving them the help they need to turn their craft into a business. Not enough time to talk about everything that's going on, but I mentioned Lucy Fergus, who works in 're-silicon' (using waste rubber off-cuts), and how she'll be running a workshop where children can learn to make a 're-silicon rug' that will then be given away in a prize draw.

I enthused, too, about the work of a duo I've just discovered called SORT (Society of Revisionist Typographers). How I'm currently writing is not my favourite form - really, I love real paper and ink, and I especially like the act of posting something tangible from one geographical location to another - usually with a greetings stamp, because I'm one of Those who ask the person behind the post office counter for the Special Ones (they don't cost any more than Queen's Head stamps, you know). 

So it fits that I'd be impressed (pun alert) with cards and notebooks that are created by hand on letterpress printers.

A greetings card for sale in their Etsy store

 A notebook produced for Southbank Centre shop, only £5

SORT will be exhibiting at the weekend too, but there are scores of happenings over the weekend (details here). 


And then I fled from Deptford to Westbourne Grove, and knocked on the door of Mary's Living and Giving Shop. 

The 'Mary' is Mary Portas, the renowned Queen of Shops. So it makes sense that, although all the profits go to Save The Children, it's not an ordinary charity shop. You're more likely to find Chanel and Christian Louboutin here than a high street label (although the high street is well represented in good quality wares), and everything is rigorously inspected before going on sale. Donations come regularly from the fashion industry - end of line stock or samples - so there's a good chance of picking up brand new designer goods. That means they won't be super dooper cheap, but they will be markedly less expensive than buying from the shops in Bond Street. AND extraordinarily justifiable, given the destination of your money afterwards.


Details: 117 Westbourne Grove, W11 2SB / 020-7727 6166




Crashing on to the City of London Festival, which isn't strictly shopping of course, but I thought it sounded fun and worth a mention. I pretended the link was that you could 'shop' for free salad seeds in the Avant-Gardening Mobile Allotment (22nd -28th  June, just at the corner of London Wall and Moorgate). The mobile allotment, a collaboration between artists and children at the Oaklands School in Bethnal Green, describes itself as a "miniature urban Edan". There's the potential that this is overstatement, but nevertheless, the attempt to bring a glimpse of paradise to smog-dwellers is always welcome. 


I also dropped in that as part of the festival, on Monday 21st June at 10pm in the Guildhall Yard, 21 pianists on 21 upright pianos will play a new piece inspired by Chopin's Nocturnes. I appear to have mispronounced 'Chopin', thus revealing how uncultured I really am. But even as one of the masses, I think I'd enjoy this event.




And then, finally, the sales:


Hermes sample sale, The Music Rooms, 18th and 19th June (9am-6pm). 


Mikimoto pearls, also in The Music Rooms, 25th - 27th June (25th: 12-8pm / 26th: 11am-7pm / 27th: 11am-5pm). Up to 70% off.


Whistles summer sale starts 17th June with up to 50% off.


Zara summer sale starts 24th June.


Browns summer sale kicks off 17th June, with up to 40% off womenswear designer labels (have a look at their website to get an idea).


Matches sale has begun - up to 50% off for men and women: they also have a good website for online shopping.




Just before the news, I squished in a mention of the Little Chelsea Antiques Fair, happening on Monday 21st and Tuesday 22nd June. Over 60 dealers, and prices from £10 (to £25,000, only if you're feeling particularly rich). It's happening at the Chelsea Old Town Hall - all details here.




And that was that! Let me know below if you're on the hunt for anything and I'll investigate in time for the next show in two weeks' time.

 

BBC London radio show 19th May

** Hello to the listeners of the Robert Elms show. Here are my twitterings and whitterings from this week. **


So, first of all, I spoke to Ed Burstell from Liberty who brought us up to speed with the flower power party they're throwing on 25th May. I also wondered out loud why I choose such difficult words to pronounce. It doesn't sound quite the same when you say Flar Par. No matter, if you have been graced with the name of a flower, go along - you've got the chance of winning a classic bike in Liberty print, as well as gift coins from the Liberty mint. We established that should Robert join in the parade claiming his name was Violet, he'd be welcomed with open arms.

Next, it was the Kerry Taylor auction, also on the 25^th May. This is the Spring Fashion and Textile extravaganza which promises a cornucopia of sartorial wares, not least the 1950s-60s Savile Row wardrobe of the actor Richard Todd. For something more startling, I suggested having a look at the wardrobe of Charles Lucas. He's the dapper man who used his inheritance in the Sixties to buy kipper ties and rides in Formula III cars. Kerry Taylor describes his collection as "a riot of stripes, flowers...and velvet. It is one of the grooviest male wardrobes ever to come to auction."

You may have heard me note with some surprise that they also have Queen Victoria’s underwear for sale. Crashing on: there are Edwardian summer gowns for sale, as well as antique bridal wear, beaded flapper gowns, bias cut 30s garden party dresses, 40s suits with angular shoulders, 50s prom gowns, and lots of couture. Have a preview if you like on Sunday 23rd (12-4.30pm) and Monday 24th (9.30-5pm) so that you can whizz down there (Unit C25, 40 Martell Rd, London, SE21 8EN) on Tuesday 25th to buy glamorous things - and Queen Victoria's underwear.

I then burbled on about the all new Brixton Village, which is but three minutes from the tube station and is a creative space bubbling over with ideas. You might know this 1930s market as 

 Granville Arcade — it has entrances off both Atlantic Road and Coldharbour Lane - so don't get confused. It's in the process of being revitalized by a collective called Space Makers Agency which is filling the 20 empty shops with theatrics and pop-up retail ventures and other such modern ideas. (See how comfortable Robert is with the whole "pop up" idea now?)

 

Every Saturday there’s something extraordinary (or at least quite interesting) happening there from 11am - 6pm. And here are some of  the shops you'll find:

The Wonderful World of…

Within this space you'll find a lantern-​maker, furniture-​maker, and an ethical fashion designer.

 

Brixton Cornercopia

As well as stocking locally made food, this corner shop is in the business of collecting food stories from the locals.

Remade in Brixton

The goal is a zero waste community...buy wallets that were windsurfing sails in a former life, or remarkably sturdy belts upcycled from bike tyres. (The free Give and Take stall also sounds like a good idea...)

 

Leftovers

Run by Margot Waggoner, who trained with Alexander McQueen and Brigitte Campagne, Leftovers sells French antique costumes and vintage fashion from the 1850s to the 1950s. Everything comes from  Paris and New York.

  

Then it was on to Holly's Houses where Holly-Anne Rolfe designs beautifully personalized stationary. I love stationary and old fashioned writing of cards, so this is right up my street. If you send Holly a picture of your property, she will - for £69 plus p&p - illustrate it, and make it into a rubber stamp. 

She’ll include address and telephone number etc if you want, too. Very clever.

 

I then scooted to Unto This Last, where they aim to deliver "local craftsmanship at mass production prices". The name comes from a book written by John Ruskin in 1880 urging just that.

Using innovative digital tools in their small workshops, they niftily cut out the industrial processes and thus the expense. Find them at 230 Brick Lane, London E2 7EB, or in Battersea Park Workshop Queens Circus, SW8 10am-6pm every day.

 

A speedy peek through the window of the OWL & LION - not a London shop, but they are online and stock great handmade books as well as printed greetings cards, if you're into stationary but don't have the time to stamp your own (btw - make time. It's strangely satisfying.)

 

A handmade book for £4

A greetings card for £3. A little more poignant than Hallmark...

And finally, the sample sales. 

First, it was Reiss, who are having their up to 70% off sale from 26th - 29th May. It will be in The Music Room, 26 South Molton Lane, from 9am-7pm ,and entry is free.

 

French Connection are also having a sale from 28th - 30th May. That's in Centro One, which is 39 Camden Street (entrance on Mandela Street). Open from 9.30am - 7.30pm the first day, 10am - 5pm on Saturday, and 10am to 4pm on Sunday. They promise new stock daily. It costs £1 to get in, but the entrance is donated to Children with Lukemia.

Ta da! That's it for now. Leave a comment if there's anything you'd like me to find out for you on the next show. This is a very new blog, so there will be tweaks and shrieks to come. (I'm trying to work out how to make it so that followers can be alerted when I do a new post - I'll keep you informed if I suddenly become super technological.)