A MERRY-GO-ROUND OF MAKERS, ARTISTS, INTERIORS, FOOD & CULTURE

Dear Friends, 

I hope you are well. 

I have been somewhat distracted since sending the last newsletter... putting my sewing skills back into action by making a new collection of Cushions for Charities. The new collection 'Piped' are gradually being added to my online shop so please keep checking for new arrivals!

Supporting independents is more important than ever during these testing times. In the run up to Christmas please remember to shop from an independent business before heading to Amazon - buy from a human rather than a robot!

On a recent trip to Somerset I visited Byron & Gómez a bespoke furniture brand. Charles Byron and María Gómez are designer makers who share an aspiration to create traditionally made contemporary furniture with a timeless appeal. It's a privilege visiting a workshop, a bit like being invited to someone's home, it's a very personal space. For me, visiting a workshop is like a child in a sweet shop; the atmosphere is insane - the smell of the materials, the intense machinery, the tools, the noise, the hive of activity - it's infectious! Not to mention seeing a 'WIP'* - it's exhilarating watching a product evolve (even better if you are the recipient!).

Makers have adapted to online life, many investing in websites and online marketing to sell their products rather than packing up a car and selling at Christmas fairs, trade shows, etc. Let's continue supporting eachother - the 'Amazon's' of the world will be doing just fine.

A useful link to get your shopping started: Pop-Up of the North - this event has been postponed until 2021 but exhibitor details are on the website!

Shop small. Shop local. Shop independent.

I hope you enjoy this newsletter which includes features textiles from Salt Weave Studio, Building BloQs a pay as you go workshop, enter Estila's International art competition, Sam's Larder (a scrumptious deli), Billy Nomates (my current muso crush) and a chance to buy a rare wallpaper ...

Georgie x

*WIP work in progress

JUST SAYING... 

''YESTERDAY IS history,

TOMORROW IS A mystery.

BUT TODAY IS A gift.

THAT'S WHY WE CALL IT 

THE PRESENT'.

-A.A. Milne 

INSTASHOP

SALT WEAVE STUDIO

West Yorkshire is an inspirational corner of the North of England and so it was no surprise when I came across the arresting textile brand Salt Weave Studio based in Salts Mill on the outskirts of Bradford. Designer, Rebecca Ough, loves getting stuck into the technical side of weaving to create weave structures and patterns that have a sense of simplicity to them. 'All our fabrics are designed on a handloom before being expertly manufactured at local mills. Our new collection of throws consist of two striking designs, The Aire Throw and The Titus Throw, inspired by both our location and our textile heritage. By utilising the skills and craftsmanship in Yorkshire we aim to create small batches of beautiful and thoughtfully produced cloth'.

SPOT LIGHT

BUILDING BLOQS

Building BloQs is a shared workspace based in Enfield welcoming as many makers as the versatile workshops can accommodate. Those who use it, pay for it, as and when, they need access. An excellent initiative! 

Building BloQs offers premium machinery; from traditional analogue tools to advanced digital systems catering for many work practices and levels. The heart of the workspace is the café which brings members together, nurturing a culture of collaboration and co-working. 'We are more than just a space for people to work, we're a space for people to earn, learn, and develop. I'm proud of what we're achieving at BloQs', Arnaud Nichols, Building BloQs Co-founder.

Three cheers for Building BloQs - you are doing a stellar job and I hope this enterprise spreads far and wide.

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD

SAM'S LARDER

Although I haven't been able to visit Sam's Riverside in person, I have been following the restaurant's progress on social media and what an eventful journey to follow. Sam Harrison is a friend and proprietor of Sam's Riverside which only opened last November (2019). In August Sam and his team opened Sam's Larder; riding the waves during these testing times, they have adapted with positivity like no-other. Rigid regulations have been met by the ability to comply on every level - no mean feat. Sam's Larder is genius; conveniently situated next to Sam's Riverside, shelves laden with fresh food, flowers and refreshments. The Larder, delivery services from Sam's Riverside (head's up the Sunday Roast take-away looks spectacular) and coffee cart offering has ensured no member of the team has been made redundant. Quick thinking, diversity and strength whilst maintaining the safety of their guests and staff; Sam and his business partner Fanny Stocker are quite frankly nailing it. I am so looking forward to visiting, I hope, in the not too distant future. 

INTERNATIONAL ART COMPETITION

LISTEN TO ...

LAST BUT NOT LEAST...

ZUBER WALLPAPER

I am excited to be selling 5 rolls of handprinted Zuber wallpaper on behalf of a client. The factory is based in Rixheim (Alsace) and has been going since 1797 and is still printing wallpaper to this day. This makes it the oldest surviving wallpaper manufacturer in the world. The factory has kept documents in its archive since the beginning (more than 130,000 documents) as well as all the manufacturing tools (150,000 woodblocks, carved by its workers between 1797 and 1870). 

The rolls I am selling are open but in good condition.

Visit the link below for further details. 

  Thank you for reading and do take a look at my newly polished online shop ... I'm sure you'll find one or two goodies ...

Georgie x

Background: Mark Herald's Squirrel and Sunflower double sided wrapping paper. 

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Recommendations of brands, people, podcasts, books, competitions, etc. are welcome - ping me an email if you know of something or someone suitable: georgie@pridden.com.