Nosideup

19.10.08 0

Galeria Brasil

This Saturday Mr M. had his Matriculation. This meant he had to get his "Harry Potter" look on (remember, this is Oxford) and get pictures taken. That did not take too long, and I had taken a day off to be with him. So we explored Oxford a bit more.

I had been hearing lovely things about Cowley rd, which is a bit like London's East end: multicultiral, alternative, young, arty and second-hand-ish. You get the idea. And there I found the first lovely treasure in my mental Oxford map.

Oxford has plenty of small independent galleries, buit this one was bolder, more vibrant and full of light. It happens to be Galeria Brasil (33 Cowley Rd). The Brazilian owner displays the work of Brazilian craft-makers and artists. It reminded me badly of my much beloved Cape Town. The energy, the will, the beautiful results of make-do. She was fantastic herself. If you ever pass by, say hi, have a look, breathe it all in. And buy something (the prices are very decent).

PS: Isn't all the crockery just beautiful? And the cock sculpture?

18.10.08 0

Getting colder...

Since you guys are from all over the world, I wanted to get a bunch of suggestions going: how the hec do you keep super warm and cozy in winter? Our flat is fitted only with electrical heating, which we obviously don't want to use too much. Any cheap, smart ideas welcome. (and if anyone has just bought a super warm sweater or coat, drop in where you got it from!).

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Karl's teddy

Steiff is an iconic brand that makes traditional teddy bears. Or not so traditional, because here comes the Karl Lagerfeld Teddy. Expect prices around 1400 dollars.

17.10.08 1

Melissa shoes

Being vegan and stylish is an issue. Shout all you want about stereotypes. It is. Specially if you are on a budget. You can get bad shoes very cheaply from high street stores that can't afford to sell leather. Tell my feet about them.

You can get something like Beyond skin, but hey are very pricy and don't have that WOW!-factor. More like... cute.

Possibly the only brand that makes amazingly imaginative, non-leather shoes that are actually comfy is Melissa (Brazilian made). They are made of soft plastic. They also collaborate with designers such as the Campana Brothers, Karim Rashid, Zaha Hadid. Budget-wise, they have a range. Some of them are more affordable than others. I found out about them a couple of years ago when I find my pair very, very cheaply (I mean it) in some sales. They are transparent pumps. People stop me in the street to ask about them. They are gorgerous.

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Oliver Bishop-Young

You want urban? You want interactive? You want idyllic transgression?

Get a bit of Oliver Bishop-Young. This gentleman has turned skips around London into little inner-city havens.

I love how a dirt container turns into a garden, or a swimming pool. More here.

16.10.08 0

Kozyndan

No need of introduction, just needed to stare with awe once again at the Uprisings print from Kozyndan, still me favourite item from them. You can buy it everywhere and in their own website.

Ahhh...

Updates: New banner, got 200 hearts in etsy!, lost one follower here, 20 people to go for the giveaway...

15.10.08 2

One message a day...

... or two. Depending on how many toasts you have for breakfast.

This is an amazing product (no idea if do-able or not). I would spend ages before going to bed thinking what may I possibly write on Mr. M's toasts (I am currently into sprouted bread. It's something otherwordly, and i do not toast it). You could make a sandwich for a shared fridge with the message: "Do not eat me, I'm not yours". You could draw all the ingredients of your sandwich! You could have an inspirational quote every morning. The possibilities are endless...

See more work from Sasha Pure here.

Via Make blog.

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Thanks for voting!

Thanks to everybody who voted on the name poll.
It's been an overwhelming YES, so it's official:
This blog will from now on be known as Nosideup or No Side Up (does this look like another poll?).
I kind of like Nosideup all together...
Bear with me until I've designed a decent new banner! (unless you adore this one, it's provisional)
And thanks again!

PS: giveaway, facebook, you know... :) (left column)

14.10.08 3

New! Le Chignon!

I've been really naughty and I've kept this secret, but I can't keep it anymore and I want you to be the first to know: NEW HAIR PRINT available in the shop! You must check out the detailing in this one, I've done it with my finest pen ever.

Here's the story of Le Chignon:

Stu had been practicing for his hairdressing course. He almost got it right. She, on the other hand, was growing a bit tired of the long hours of combing and back combing. Specially because Stu still hadn't realized why she kept on offering her hair, her help. And because Stu still had that tall girlfriend with the fake blond super short do.

So, what do you think?

13.10.08 3

I must be feeling cold...

... because I'm lusting after these...

Plum coat by LittleHouses.

Red Velvet hat from Retro Villain.

Nordic sweater from Treasured Little Things.

Little red ridding hood cape from I like you World.

1920s hat from The lucky fish.

Plus about 75% of what they have in Zara and a couple of things from Topshop.

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Nosideup in facebook

Facebook has this blog network and I'm testing it out.
To see/join go here.
It will not feed the posts unless I've got 15 fans. (Hint, hint)

24 people to go in the giveaway.
The name for the blog is almost decided (see poll).

12.10.08 0

lisa fontanarosa collection: Wire

I just found out about the Lisa Fontanarosa collection, but I'm in the mood for wire and it's hit the spot. I love how wire seems just a sketchy drawing... Check it out here.

(Doilies by Michaela Scherrer, pendant decorations by Barbara Gilhooly and peacock by Marie Christophe).

11.10.08 0

Simon Henwood

Simon Henwood has been an influence for me since I found out about him (few years ago). I wrote my IB extended essay on how two artists portrayed contemporary teenagers, and one of them was him. I thought his works were vibrant and unexpected. He has kept going and I just wanted to share his works with you. Check his portfolio here.

PS: rumor has it he is Roisin Murphy's partner.

10.10.08 3

The Village petstore (Banksy)

Banksy (who surely needs no introduction) has just created the Village Petstore and Charcoal Grill in Greenwich Village (NY).
It is meant to challenge our views on animals and food and sustainability, whilst still being art. Or something like that. Judge by yourselves here.

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Josue Gamonal and Vicente Porres

It looks like this week is all about damn good talents.

You've heard about Josue before (see here). He is one of my best friends and a fellow graduate from CSM. When I met Josue, I used that "if you can't beat them, join them" saying. He is exceptionally inventive, has a very personal view on the world and has accumulated all kind of arty degrees (illustration, graphic design, product design) and awards. He is now in Spain and has just been awarded the first place in the Maria Martinez design competition for Träd, a project made with Vicente Porres (sorry Vicente, I only just met you, so the gloryfication goes to Josue).

Träd is meant to be a hidding place for kids, a place where they can hide and play and develop their inner world (Josue did not need one of those, his inner world is very much developed). It also has a parent-pleasing practical side: the branches can help storing toys away, and the greenery turns into cushions. Isn't he (and Vicente) ridiculously good? Congratulations!

To see Josue's portfolio, check here. For Vicente's studio, go here.

8.10.08 2

TesaPie

I have been doubting about telling you about TesaPie. I have been doubting because I am a bad, bad person. I have been doubting because she is scaringly good... and she sells at unbelieveable prices. So she's the worst kind of competition I could have: but I love her work. And so the little angel on my right shoulder has won. Here we go: TesaPie.

I have just received this set of magnets. As you can see they include a miniature painting of a face. Her work is absolutely gorgeous. And so affordable it hurts.

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Paper n stitch

Ladies and gents, the world is more amazing every day!

Paper n stitch is about to launch (the 15th is the official date). And it just happens to be "an online exhibition space that was created to promote talented artists, designers, makers selling handmade goods, and independent boutiques. The exhibition space is curated monthly and showcases the best of the best on an international level."

It is as good as it sounds!

And I've been invited to take part!

So behold, world, the wonders of Paper N Stitch!

(Thanks Brittni and Jeff)

7.10.08 1

J'adore The Storque

See this? My mum phoned me to tell me yesterday. I'm over the moon! Thanks, The Storke.

6.10.08 3

Edgar Brandt

I want to share a new discovery with you: Edgar Brandt. He was a French ironworker that made absolutelly stunning pieces during the Art Nouveau period. And how do I know? Well, thanks to Oxfam, really.

I do not tend to have shopping sprees (really, against any conclusions you might have drawn from this blog), except for Etsy (yep, guilty) and... cheap books. I am a disaster when it comes to holding myself back in front of a second hand book. And in England they have all this loads of charities with their respective charity shops... and Oxfam is good at opening whole bookstores.

And you get the idea of how today I ended up with a book on Art Noveau, one on stitching folk patterns from Transilvania (I am not lying) and a couple of needlework titles more (you might be seeing more of those at some point). I am such a sucker for patterns (as in 2D, not dress making patterns)...

I guess there are worse addictions...

PS: Remember the giveaway: it won't happen unless 50 people sign up. You can tell your friends to sign up and donate the print to you if they win :)

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Jan von Holleben

Jan von Holleben has an impossible name and a fantastic imagination. I first met his work at the V&A museum of Childhood, where his first "Dreams of flying" (pic above) collection was exhibited (there's a second series coming, I think). You can check his complete portfolio here.

5.10.08 0

Block prints almost ready

These block prints (see here and here for previous posts on them) have costed blood and tears (literally, I've rubbed my knuckles raw and lately stabbed my left hand repeatedly and badly with the blades) but THEY ARE ALMOST THERE. I'm still at a hit and miss stage with the paint thickness and the printing methodology (burnishing with a spoon), so it may still be a few days until they hit the shop. I am also testing (as you can see) different shades of grey. So far, the lightest grey is my favourite. I have also experimented with turquoise lettering on white paper, and white lettering on off-white paper (very, very subtle. So subtle that you have to look at it in an angle for the message to appear. This seems a bit too subtle for me). The size is an A3 (that is two landscape standard -A4- pages on a column). The writing is obviously Beatle-esque. How do you like them?

4.10.08 0

Chris Koens

Chris Koens is a dutch designer with a sense of humour. Thanks to him we can have a more prairie-like kitchen: the Dish Bunny i s simple, functional but cheerful dish rack. You can buy it here.

3.10.08 0

Fake Reflections

Have you ever had that "oh, I wish i had come up with that!" moment? It's bittersweet: you admire the simple grandess of someone else, at the same time you acknowledge your lack of it. Here are two pieces that remind me of each other (Front's was first), and both provoked me that pinch in my stomach:

Daniel Rybakken's Daylight emitting table:

Daniel is a recent MA graduate from Fine Art and Desing at HDK (Gothenberg). This absolute genius table projects the fake reflection of a window on the floor, giving the impression of a brighter day and of more windows. He claims it might help counter Seasonal Affective Disorder. Find out more about his work here.

Front's Reflection cupboard:

Front is an all-women design studio that has managed to put rather conceptual design on the mainstream eye. Whilst some pieces might be a bit of a shocker (remember the horse lamp for MOOOI, anyone?), other are just magnific. And this one is eerie and fascinating: the reflection shown on the doors of the cupboard is an illusion. It's not a lack of expertise of the photographer: it's the buzzing imagination of the designers. All cupboards come with this reflection. More on Front here.

2.10.08 2

Hollibobolli

Dearest all,

I have just found out about Hollibobolli. She has this tea sets fit for Marie Antoniette that make your girly side twinkle. They might not be the most practical cups in the world, but who cares when they look like you found them in Wonderland? My choice is the white rabbit and roses one.
Find out more about Hollibobolli in her personal website, where you can also check lovely pics of a baby bunny (see? Inner girl side has a sugar rush now).

UPDATE: I have an internet cable, and an internet room. It looks like a more stable situation than the budding internet cafe relationship.

THANKS: for bearing with me, for voting in the poll, and for entering the giveaway.

1.10.08 1

Taschide

Dear people of the blogosphere,
I am afraid I can only connect from an internet cafe for the moment. This means I have not much goodness or time to post. But Mr. M. and I are in Oxford. And we are alone (well, if you don't count the boxes everywhere). We are finding out how a flat of our own smells or looks. And we are happy.

I leave you with a pic of another new German design team, Taschide. In Designersblock they had this sea urchin woolen poufs. They also had stools with knitted "socks" and these animal shapped mirrors.

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