Printed ephemera

Why make one when you could make two?

When I was kid my mother used to make most of my clothes. As she always bought too much fabric (just to be on the safe side, eh?) she never made just one thing, and I think I've absorbed that habit.

The yellow cushion was made with leftovers and still I managed to eke it out to make a little bag. I bough this 1970s print skirt at the fleamarket and with the fabric I cut off when I shortened it, I was able to make a belt and use a buckle I've been saving for years.

Inspirational fashion illustration

Saw two great fashion illustration exhibitions in London today. The first was Rene Gruau, long championed by David Downton, at Somerset House and the second was Drawing Fashion at the Design museum, worth the freezing cold walk from Tower Bridge.

Mats Gustavson was the highlight for me, you can see a selection of his work here:
http://www.artlies.com/illustrations/mats-gustafsons-fashion-illustration.html

And I'd like to know which of you is willing to shell out £45 for the wonderful Rene Gruau coffee table book for me? Haven't I been very, very good indeed (and it's such a long wait until next Christmas)?

The Open House is now... open!

The Open House has begun now and pictures are selling, phew! (The lavender bags aren't mine.)

http://www.48dr.co.uk

The nail biting bit

I've done as many fabric collages as I reasonably can before the Christmas Open House starts this weekend. They're mounted, wrapped, some are framed, price labels made and they are now sitting waiting to go.

This is the nail-biting bit. Are the prices pitched just right? (Too expensive puts people off but too cheap devalues the product...) Will customers like them? Are there enough - or too many? Too late to do anything about it now. Wish me luck and many sales!

The Dragonfly House is 48 Ditchling Rise, Brighton, and is open this weekend (last in November) and next (first in December) 11am–6pm.

www.48dr.co.uk

One in, one out

One in, one out is a really great idea - every time you consider buying something ask yourself what you would be willing to get rid of (sell/donate/recycle) in its place.

It is a way to ensure that you don't accumulate any more piles of stuff (occupational hazard for collectors) and that you only buy what you REALLY want. However, it is very difficult rule to stick to. Finds come along randomly, unseasonally and often in batches.

Right now I'm trying to sell, not buy - so of course the gods of charity shopping are planting wonderful things everywhere I go right now. I also know that if I resist too staunchly I will regret leaving these things behind! (I just know that I will kick myself for not snapping up those green shoes at the Art Junky today...) "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" and all that.

With that in mind, some great recent finds:

• 1970s Hush Puppies beige suede boots with a zip and tab fastening at the back, Mind shop, St James's Street, Kemp Town
• Orange tweed empire line dress, Brian and Nikki's shop, Lewes
• Purple and gold ruffle-fronted shoes, Phoenix Gallery Arty Junky, Brighton
• Black silk Jaeger dress, Oxfam, Western Road, Brighton
• 1950s feather headdress, Snooper's Paradise, Brighton

Looks like I have a LOT of one-in-one-out sorting to do!

Aaaaghhh! Buttons!

I feel as if I have sewn on enough buttons to last me the rest of my life. Whose idea was this anyway...?