Interlude

I have decided to take a short blogging break...

I’ve found it difficult recently to find the time not only to write an interesting post, where I’m not repeating a tale I’ve written in the past, but also to get round to visiting other blogs. I don’t want to churn-out ‘filler’ posts where space is filled as an obligation, which can be frustrating for the reader – we’re all busy girls, I know, and time is precious. (And whilst I'm being honest, I also feel a little like this lovely lady, who says things so well...)

My daughter breaks up from school on Thursday, so I’d like to spend some time with her too. It will be good to take some time out and to feel refreshed and raring to go, rather than having my blog feel like just another chore I have to do.

I’d also like to focus on my business and the items I make to sell. I’d love to come up with some new and inventive ideas –I’m looking to live by the quote by Herman Melville that I’ve added to the bottom section of my blog…"It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation."

A good friend of mine took the brave step recently to work on some original hand embroideries to exhibit at a textile fair at Petworth House. She hadn’t sold her work before and was nervous as to how it would be received. All of her pieces took her many hours to finish, with each one being completely original and different to the others.

I found her attitude totally inspiring and it reminded me that I sometimes feel constrained by trying to stay commercial. Of course I need to make money from my business, and it is a very lucky person who loves what they do and can make a decent living from it…

To give an example as to what I am trying to say; the patriotic rag dolls that I created this month for my website, using vintage union flags for their skirts – Was I selling-out? One can’t fail to have noticed the boom in merchandise on the high street with the bold flag design– something I’m sure will continue well into 2012 when London hosts the Olympic Games…

I imagine the concept for reintroducing the union flag as a fashion statement would have been by some of the well known fashion designers reworking the looks from the 1960’s, when it was last popular, or from the punk era. (Maybe I should mention Geri Halliwell here too, with her infamous tea towel dress!) Catwalk fashion so often influences the slower-to-change home interiors market and so it would be inevitable that this strong look would make it into our houses too. Emma Bridgewater and Jan Constantine ran (are running) with it, to name but a few.

I must admit that when I took my sewing machine to the original queen’s coronation flags that I bought at the V&H, I did question myself as to whether I was compromising my integrity somewhat. Was it really ‘me’ and did I want to jump on a bandwagon…but I was also torn, knowing that I needed to earn money and that this was a popular look which would make the dolls saleable…Maybe I’m being too hard on myself; its not like I’m looking to set a trend myself, but I am looking to find my true style and to really go for it…

I want to keep away from the blogs for a while, so as not to be influenced by them. There is an uneasy undercurrent, which many are aware of, and so I’d like to step back, just for a short time, so as to think more clearly…I’d like to remain happy and positive and not be dragged down right now. Life is good.

I’ve included lots of photos of some of the vintage costume brooches that I have found over the years. These are a passion of mine, after my love of antique and vintage textiles, and are something that I often like to add to my hand made items. Their diversity of design and materials are what fascinates me and when I add the perfect piece to a handmade item, it seems to bring it to life.

I hope that you will enjoy taking a look through the photos and that they will serve as a reminder that I will be back blogging very soon, to feature more of my nostalgic loves and exploits!

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I don’t want to be away for too long – “Summer Wishes” to you all – hope you have a lovely time whatever you have planned,

Niki x

Twenty? Can that be Right?

(special cake made by younger sister)
Another of my gorgeous girls is now in her 20's...I think I may have to lie down to come to terms with it! ;-))
...not least because it doesn't seem anything like a year ago that I mentioned her 19th Birthday on my blog...
"Happy Birthday!"

Hope you've all had a lovely weekend,
Niki x

Two Heads (or more!) Are Better than One...

When I've had a spare moment, I've been making-over this old dresser. I gave it a coat of French grey eggshell paint. (Farrow & Ball's 'Light Blue')

The interior looked very dark, so I thought I'd line it with paper.

I decided to use some pages from The Studio magazine from 1898, of which I have several copies in my collection of old ephemera.

I used wallpaper paste to apply the selected pages onto the back.

And I continued onto the sides and over the shelves until it was complete.

I love some of the illustrations, such as these for old metalwork, and the photo of a wallpaper design in a Victorian parlour.

The drawer pulls were screwed back into position an then the fun bit could start!

I thought I'd use the cabinet to display my vintage hat stand collection all together. (Or my severed head collection, as my daughter calls them! ;-))

Most date from the Deco era, although a few have been cobbled together by me using old doll heads and vintage finds.

This one is too tall for the cupboard, so I had to lay her down.

My French fabric covered boxes are on the top - as well as a few more tucked underneath.

Its the ideal spot for our telephone and a lamp too...

I do feel that our house is finally coming together (after 12 years of being here!) and maybe some time soon we will be able to relax and really enjoy it! ;-))

Hope you are enjoying your weekend,

Niki x