Summer Fair

‘The worst-tempered people I’ve ever met were the people who knew they were wrong.’

Wilson Mizner

I went to the Summer Fair yesterday and was extremely disappointed about the whole thing. I thought it would be some really interesting design show but I didn’t see anything new or innovative just a repeat of what has already been out there. And this fair claims to be about the latest trends, well sorry… but it was all waaaaay to contemporary and just plain boring. I can’t believe people would actually be willing to pay an entrance fee for this [25 pounds I think]. I’ve seen far more interesting stuff on the internet design-wise by independent artists and/or designers and for free.

Perhaps I’ve got it all wrong, perhaps I have different standards and I dare to admit that these might be slightly high but I do recognise when hot air is being sold. I got this ‘Disneyland’ feeling *being sarcastic* while I was there so I guess my expectations were too high. Also an incident with a trader from Isleworth who seemed to have some personality issue on the edge of paranoia/aggression, made me want to leave. The other people at the stand had to make up for his behaviour by apologising about five times… I’m sure his attitude and his so not-worth-mentioning-products won’t bring him much business.

There were a few really nice stands though, there was one that showed amazing furniture and accessories handmade from natural reclaimed and recycled materials. And another that had funny metallic wind spinners, unfortunately the links to their websites don’t work so I can’t show them here. Still I was in and out in about 45 minutes and spent the rest of the day enjoying the unexpected sun and the wonderful company of my friend KB. and her partner. It was quite windy though, 28mph according to the BBC weather forecast, but it was nice to have a stroll around the area.

Back to work today… I’m gonna be sketching for a few hours for the online glove shop and will work on my own project which happens to be an online shop as well.

Best design to be found outside the building rather than inside

Sentuh Hatiku

Matters from the heart today…

I received a lovely email last night from a sweet and very talented fellow blogger and friend: Ismoyo. We met up earlier this year when she came to London to work on her book and we spent a wonderful day chatting and walking around Chinatown, Soho and Covent Garden looking for all things Asian: I guess because it’s in our genes, as we’re both Eurasian Indos *hehe*. I love Asian design, especially package design and I have a super soft spot for Sanrio characters.

Ismoyo posted her 500+ post last week and organised a ‘Times Five Giveaway’ to thank her readers and guess what? I’m the extremely lucky winner of her extremely kawaii package #2 chock-full of wonderful Sanrio goodies *YAY!* Such a sweet gesture, I’m looking forward to receiving her beautiful gift! Like I said earlier: she is a very talented designer based in New York, so do go over and have a look at all her wonderful things!

When I moved to London I had to give up on most of my personal things, I’ve given away or thrown out furniture, crockery, treasures, books etc. etc. These days my whole life fits in about 30 cardboard removal boxes. I don’t have any crockery of my own anymore, it ended up near the garbage for someone to take. So I’ve decided to collect some treasures over time, that way I won’t have to spend money on it all at once; a treat to myself.

Since there is no Hema here I have to find things online and I’m getting good at it… Last week some of my treasures arrived in the mail and I’ve been extremely happy with it. I’ve paid a decent price [eBay]: compared to shop prices my things are cheap. I collect Chinese plates and bowls and I found a beautiful toast rack which is exceptional and I wonder about its history. I’ve never seen anything like it here in the UK and I suspect it’s a valuable antique.

The Chinese bowls are the same as the ones I used to eat from when I was a kid: I love the pattern and the dragon. So if you have these still, please please please don’t throw them out! Plates, bowls, spoons, tea cups with the rice grain and dragon… anything is welcome! I will keep them safe till the day I’ll be sitting at my own kitchen table, enjoying a meal and using these treasures for the first time. That’s the stuff that Dreams are made of…

Sentuh hatiku [touch my heart].

So detailed…

Not just a toast rack…

My Dragon and Rice

Waiting to be used…