And, every year, as the decorations come down, I find it hard to part with the joyful sparkle of a string of festive bulbs. Well... should these ones stay or go back in the box until December 2016?
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Christmas lights – should they stay or should they go?
Every year we seem to accumulate more fairy lights – this year we acquired some gloriously garish multi-coloured ones from an ancient box of Christmas decorations that belonged to my gran.
And, every year, as the decorations come down, I find it hard to part with the joyful sparkle of a string of festive bulbs. Well... should these ones stay or go back in the box until December 2016?
And, every year, as the decorations come down, I find it hard to part with the joyful sparkle of a string of festive bulbs. Well... should these ones stay or go back in the box until December 2016?
Spotlight on... The joy of a chaotic Christmas tree
Good festive baubles aren't cheap. And I'm in awe of my friend who, sensibly, has been treating herself annually to one good Christmas tree decorations for at least a decade.
The habit has caught on, and friends now buy her additions, too. This is the colourful, shamelessly clashing and gloriously chaotic result (and proof that a good bauble can be a brilliant gift).
She now has an enviable Christmas tree, full of intriguing oddities hanging from its branches – from Mexican Day of the Dead trinkets to neon perspex from Paperchase (she says she's currently very fond of her papier-mâché cows, as well as a string of felt gingerbread men, which you can see here... I'm well jel).
Of course this is no good if you like a colour co-ordinated, so-called tasteful display (and if you saw my Run DMC tree topper a couple of years back, you'll know I don't). But if mix not match appeals, and you're just starting out with an eclectic tree, that first lone bauble seems like a mean and pointless purchase that will be lost in a sea of bare piney branches (or, in my case, branches full of decorations I have acquired directionlessly over the years, but don't really like).
But with interesting decorations costing up to £15 or even £20+ a-piece, one at a time might be the only way to go. With that in mind, I loitered around several different shop bauble displays in my lunch hour yesterday, yet still found it impossible to break in and get that first one. I should have been in West Elm...
I fell for and snapped these strange, papier-mâché creatures when I popped in for a press preview a few weeks ago. Should have snapped them up at the time, but now – even better – they're down from £14 to £11.
I like how West Elm supports up and coming designer-makers and these are created by LA-based artist and Etsy shop owner, Kim Baise aka Jikits. Fair Trade is also one of West Elm's priorities and these baubles, made from recycled materials, were manufactured by Caribbean Craft in Port-au-Prince. AND it's a rollerskating flamingo...
And here's the rainbow tiger in the same range...
What have you hung on your tree this year?
The habit has caught on, and friends now buy her additions, too. This is the colourful, shamelessly clashing and gloriously chaotic result (and proof that a good bauble can be a brilliant gift).
But with interesting decorations costing up to £15 or even £20+ a-piece, one at a time might be the only way to go. With that in mind, I loitered around several different shop bauble displays in my lunch hour yesterday, yet still found it impossible to break in and get that first one. I should have been in West Elm...
Here's the full collection, you can find them all (if you're quick) at West Elm. You can also check out the JiKits Etsy shop.
I quite like their smug kitty, too...
A bit of a Christmas gift guide
In case you missed it, and are looking for some inspiration...
Happy shopping!
Spotlight on... Kinska ceramics at the Crafty Fox Christmas markets
Kinska was a fashion designer, until she found clay...
And I discovered this ceramicist's witty and wonderfully odd work while co-curating the Crafty Fox Christmas markets, along with Emy Gray, preposterously stylish owner of Brixi in Brixton Market, and online retail legend, Supermarket Sarah (see some of of the gems we picked out at the Crafty Fox blog).
Last week, I was interviewed about what it was like to be a guest curator for Crafty Fox's blog, where I also picked out some more of the stalls I'm especially looking forward to seeing at the trio of events, which take place in London's Dalston, Peckham and Brixton. Can't make it to the smoke? You can shop some of the clever crafters online – check em out at craftyfoxmarket.co.uk.
Above: my pick of some of the lovely things you will find – including Kinska, at no.3 – at the Crafty Fox Christmas markets this year, taking place in Dalston (29th & 30th November); Brixton (6th & 7th December); Peckham (13th & 14th). For maps and more details, go to Craftyfoxmarket.co.uk
Meanwhile, enjoy more of Kinska's excellently odd ceramics, which start at around £19 for a hand-made mug via Etsy, though at the markets she will have a special selection of designs for sale at various prices.
'Ennui Party II'
'Blue Fort' ceramic planter
'Egypt' vase, £70
3-D face mug, £26
'Hand-built wonky cup', £19
See more of Kinska at Pinterest and buy pieces at her Etsy shop or at the Brixton Christmas Crafty Fox market, and see what else Emy, Sarah and I have put together for you.
Worst Christmas decorations ever (or the best?)
Our Christmas tree is looking far too sparse. So sparse it could be mistaken for a deliberate attempt at stylishness, which I think is a shame this time of the year when you can get away with so much more.
Last year we had these chaps as our tree topper. This year... any suggestions? While I was searching for inspiration (OK, while I was procrastinating about doing my tax return) I found some truly excellent festive decor ideas.
What could give you a warmer festive glow than a framed Christmas selfie on the mantlepiece? Especially if you wear a bow or tinsel garland as well as these chaps, spotted in the window of my local photographic portrait studio.
And while we're on the sexy Christmas theme...
I love this room arrangement, from the excellent Ugly Houses blog. Perhaps our tree isn't so sparse after all.
This is more like it.
Last year, I thought I'd found the world's scariest Christmas bauble ever. Apparently not. Get your handmade festive foetal twins from Etsy.
Then again, vintage is always so tasteful...
And bravo for the Etsy maker behind this 'Hangover Santa' bauble.
Do not try these at home.
Not on the High Street sell some lovely things. But enough already with the personalised decorations. Just me?
This, on the other hand, from the same stable... an 80s miserablist indy themed tree? (That is the theme, right?) Nice.
And with that, I'm off to find something even better than Run DMC for our Christmas tree, finish my shopping and stop putting off the tax return. Do have a marvellous one, and don't forget to share the kitschest thing in your home on the Facebook page for the chance to win a lava lamp worth £100. And I'd love to see your Christmas decorations too.
Meanwhile, merry festivities! See you back here on 6 January, bright and early.
Post by Kate
Last year we had these chaps as our tree topper. This year... any suggestions? While I was searching for inspiration (OK, while I was procrastinating about doing my tax return) I found some truly excellent festive decor ideas.
And with that, I'm off to find something even better than Run DMC for our Christmas tree, finish my shopping and stop putting off the tax return. Do have a marvellous one, and don't forget to share the kitschest thing in your home on the Facebook page for the chance to win a lava lamp worth £100. And I'd love to see your Christmas decorations too.
Meanwhile, merry festivities! See you back here on 6 January, bright and early.
Post by Kate
On the last* day of Christmas... Matthias Heiderich's photography
Aren't these vivid photographs of Berlin architecture fantastic? They are the work German photographer, Matthias Heiderich.
They remind me a little of Slim Aarons' 70s beach photography – the colours, at least, as Aarons' work is full of people. But Heiderich's work is a bit more financially accessible – and one of his pictures would make an amazing gift, don't you think?
Heiderich has also turned his lens on the gleaming, crazy-looking towers of Dubai too which, like the Berlin ones, pare down a city's skyline to just one striking detail (see them lower down this post). These are now available to buy through a great new online store from just £25.
Fifty50Art is how I discovered Heiderich's work in the first place, and it is selling a set of the self-taught 31-year-old's work. Not mass-produced or flimsily printed copies, either. For £25, you get a numbered 20cm x 25cm print from a strictly limited edition run, which comes on high quality thick matt stock (Hahnemuhle's German Etching, for the paper nerds out there).
Fifty50Art Co-founder, Ben Golik, sent me this beautiful photograph – left – from Heiderich's Dubai set, by way of introduction. Below you can see how the print looks now, framed in black and on a shelf in the kitchen.
Heiderich, who was born in Hamburg but recently moved to Berlin, cites artistic influences as including electronic musician, Tim Hecker and fellow German architectural photographers Christoph Morlinghaus and Joseph Schultz.
"Berlin is the city where I started to photograph and all the Berlin sets reflect my evolution as a photographer," said Heiderich by email earlier today. "Berlin is my favourite city and for the past few years I have been out almost everyday trying to collect as many souvenirs as possible – and also trying to find my own photographic language and my own interpretation of the city and my surroundings."
Now he is casting his lens farther from home. Here are the other Dubai images in the set.
Fifty50 is one of a growing number of places specialising in affordable art, but without going down the depressing mass-production route to make it viable. I recently wrote about Fenton Art, which has an unusual and creative way of marketing the artists it showcases, while Outline Editions, which I love, has had big success by promoting the work of magazine and graphic illustrators as artworks.
Each champions its artists rather than selling them out – and Fifty50 are working to a similar model: the limited editions (just 50 of each print in any size are ever produced) mean artists aren't over-exposed and, thus, devalued. Fifty per cent of the profit also goes direct to the artist. There is also a constantly evolving roster to discover too, with new names and fresh artworks launching on the site each week and more sizes available priced between £10 and £200.
"Not everyone wants to live with 'open editions' from department stores or home stores," says Ben Golick, Fifty50Art co-founder, along with Clare Clarke. "And we think there's a gap in the market for truly affordable art that still feels special."
Matthias Heiderich's Dubai set comes in three sizes – the other two are priced at £50 (30cm x 40cm) and £75 (40cm x 50cm). Nose around Fifty50Art.com, where you can also browse works by Super Future Kid, Rose Sanderson and Harriet Russell. For more of Matthias Heiderich's work: Matthias-heiderich.de
You might also like some of these previous posts under the photography tab – whether it's of brutalist buildings, deserted houses, or is printed onto plates or wallpaper, or available to buy, frame and hang on a wall.
Post by Kate
*This is the last of my affordable Christmas gift idea posts (as I don't post at weekends, the 12 Days of Christmas theme has helpfully run entirely out of sync with the actual date). But I will be back later this week with a festive finale, featuring a spectacularly decorated home to inspire you instead. If you are still on the hunt for presents, do cast an eye over this lot you might have missed. I might feature a couple of bonus gifts this week too, so watch out. Now I'd better get on with my own Christmas shopping...
They remind me a little of Slim Aarons' 70s beach photography – the colours, at least, as Aarons' work is full of people. But Heiderich's work is a bit more financially accessible – and one of his pictures would make an amazing gift, don't you think?
 |
| © Matthias Heiderich, 2013 |
 |
| © Matthias Heiderich, 2013 |
 |
| © Matthias Heiderich, 2013 |
Fifty50Art Co-founder, Ben Golik, sent me this beautiful photograph – left – from Heiderich's Dubai set, by way of introduction. Below you can see how the print looks now, framed in black and on a shelf in the kitchen.
 |
| Photo: Kate Burt |
"Berlin is the city where I started to photograph and all the Berlin sets reflect my evolution as a photographer," said Heiderich by email earlier today. "Berlin is my favourite city and for the past few years I have been out almost everyday trying to collect as many souvenirs as possible – and also trying to find my own photographic language and my own interpretation of the city and my surroundings."
Now he is casting his lens farther from home. Here are the other Dubai images in the set.
 |
| Matthias Heiderich via Fifty50Art.com |
 |
| Matthias Heiderich via Fifty50Art.com |
"Not everyone wants to live with 'open editions' from department stores or home stores," says Ben Golick, Fifty50Art co-founder, along with Clare Clarke. "And we think there's a gap in the market for truly affordable art that still feels special."
 |
| Matthias Heiderich via Fifty50Art.com |
You might also like some of these previous posts under the photography tab – whether it's of brutalist buildings, deserted houses, or is printed onto plates or wallpaper, or available to buy, frame and hang on a wall.
Post by Kate
*This is the last of my affordable Christmas gift idea posts (as I don't post at weekends, the 12 Days of Christmas theme has helpfully run entirely out of sync with the actual date). But I will be back later this week with a festive finale, featuring a spectacularly decorated home to inspire you instead. If you are still on the hunt for presents, do cast an eye over this lot you might have missed. I might feature a couple of bonus gifts this week too, so watch out. Now I'd better get on with my own Christmas shopping...
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