SITE FEST : Polyrhythmic Snarl

Introducing Ed Lawrenson and Sam Marsh, the highly skilled duo behind Polyrhythmic Snarl who are returning to Stroud's Site Festival this year. Exploring collaboration and process, these paintings use geometric shapes, line and form to trick the eye and manipulate the sense of space.

When viewing this Magic Eye visual trickery on kite shaped canvases I get the distinct impression that I am somehow being drawn in and hoodwinked by these master painters. Attempting to locate the start and the end of these intertwining colourful forms is near impossible but that doesnt stop the viewers eye from trying to make sense of it all. In the end you can take from it what you will - I enjoy the abundance of immaculate colourways and the feeling that I cannot look away.....

This is a teaser of a show, only running from 9th - 11th May on Kings Street in the center of town, so get this one in your diary. Visit the Site Festival website for all the details. Highly recommended!

Homage: Wanderlust Life Jewellery

Recently, while shouting about the brilliant jewellery designs of Wolf & Moon, I mentioned how difficult I find sourcing jewellery which I really like but which also fits in to my budget.

I like things with weight, with clout, with sustenance - and by this I don't mean FSC materials (although having a sustainable company is of course a great potential side effect of any business) - no, I mean in terms of its sound design, and subsequent timelessness. Vintage works because it is often classic and timeless. Finding modern pieces which I can equally afford but will also stand the test of time was - for me - a tricky affair. But check out handcrafted jewellery design label Wanderlust Life. Created by colleague and friend Georgie Roberts, I saw her pieces before I ever met the lady herself, and was instantly in love.

Faceted semi-precious stones in amazing colours are strung on a natural tone thread, so that they just 'float' on the skin.

This is a well executed, understated and super chic concept. Wear one or wear three - I find it hard to imagine getting these pieces wrong. The idea that they are so small and delicate also makes me think of a nomad travelling light.... Take a look:

Georgie lives on the coast of North Devon in Britain but is a wanderer at heart, often fleeing seaside life during the winter months in search of far flung destinations. It was whilst on these travels that the idea of Wanderlust Life was born. Her pieces play on the romance of travel and the magic of carrying a little jewel from a far away place. Every stone or charm is unique, with its own meanings and properties inscribed on the packaging. 

Wanderlust Life was established only a year ago, not that you would ever know if from the way in which this small business has blossomed and developed over this short period. Georgie's next big move is to begin sourcing other products by like-minded designers by travelling the globe, and continuing to reaffirm her wander lust. She is also about to launch her website next month - Im really excited to see it all up and running!

At the moment you can purchase her pieces on her Etsy page here, and let her keep wetting your appetite for new designs on the facebook fanpage in the meantime. Like her page and keep up to date with new releases and the website launch. Happy choosing!

So pretty, so feminine and so simple. Even an absolute fuss pot like me can wear this and feel content!

The first of many new out-sourced items from Georgie's travels around the world - coming soon!

Goodness This Week - Tiles

Since returning to London I felt that everything I saw was getting filed away in my head, dilapidated Deco architecture, train stations, commuter style (running trainers with sharp tailored work suits!) subway tiles - my head was rather filling up! Enter - Instagram! Obvious to the masses, but not so to me, as I was contemplating carrying around my large SLR camera in an unlikely effort to quickly capture things I was seeing. Follow me on Instagram and keep up to date here

Something that has been catching my attention is the beautiful Victorian tiles that - once you begin to look for them - you see everywhere. Sadly there doesn't appear to be a wealth of knowledge readily available about where this fashion really originated from, however we all know the Victorian's penchant for over-decoration. Shades used for ceramics were largely dictated to by which raw materials were readily available to create pigments, which then direct the colour palette.  I leave you with a selection of tiles walked on during my recent travels.....

Marylebone

Islington - new posing as old

Cheltenham - The old court house

Soho

Wigmore Street

St Giles Street - seemingly old but what a colour palette and design!

Homage: Wolf & Moon

OK so you know that I love, love to share what and who I know about designers, makers, artists - creative people doing cool stuff - right? The thing is since I discovered this absolutely gorgeous jewellery brand I have found myself jealously guarding it as a treasured secret. Two reasons; one, I should not alert my loved ones to this brand so that I can spend the rest of the year buying all my gifts for them from Wolf & Moon, and two...because I want it all to myself! (I do realise that point one and point two dont really correlate, I really do). Wolf and Moon is the brilliant work of Hannah Davis, and is based in Hackney, London. What might be at present a modest size company, is I am sure destined for world domination.

Kaleidoscope Necklace

Crystallized Earrings

I cant quite  remember how I stumbled across this brand, and I immediately purchased a necklace and a pair of earrings. And this wont be the last purchase, of this I am sure. 

I actually find it really hard to find jewellery that I like which is also less than my years salary, and these pieces are affordable and yet so well made and presented. I am hoping I can persuade them to accept a commission for a brooch or two....

I leave you with a couple more lush images from their site, prepare to fall in love.....

Sun Burst Bangle

Crystal Collar Necklace