BENTO POP TOP 10!

My best Bento creations so far... Obviously that's a joke! I've never made one yet, but I do love the wierd little kawaii-kraft! One day I will have enough time to make my own masterpiece, but for now... these are my top pick pics.

UPITUP IS NINE!!!

Last week I made the poster for Upitup's 9th bday/Jacques vinyl launch Liverpool party next week. Normally, Isocore is the go-to man for their amazing posters, but right now he's working on some very exciting video and soundtrack commissions, so I attempted to provide a decent fill-in just this once. I will also be singing in the Union Jacques Choir, and DJing on the night! If you are in the north-west, make sure you make it down for this one!

TAKING ON TRIBAL!

I am currently researching traditional Tribal and ethnic jewellery, for a new collection... I used to pass off modern repro "tribal style" jewellery in general, thinking it a bit too hippyish for my personal taste, but on reflection I am loving the extravagance of the bead-work, colours, gold embelishments and sheer SIZE of some of the head-dress and jewellery pieces I've seen, not to mention the natural beauty and poise exuding from some of the North African women featured in these portraits! (All of which I found at VINTAGE EVERYDAY's blog) Like these...

MADE HERE POP-UP-SHOP!

The Made Here Pop-Up-Shop contacted me a moth or two ago, asking me to partake in their two month shop unit in Liverpool One shopping village in town. I decided to go for it, and the shop opened last weekend and today I went to see it with Doc H! BUG POP had a window display right next to the door, and bits and pieces throughout the shop! Aswell as my own jewellery and cards, there were lots of makers whose work I recognised from craft fairs etc over the years. The lovely Linziloop, Aliki bags, Factory Floor Jewels, Leon and Coco, and more! The shop has a really fresh, bright aesthetic which really complemented all the amazing colours of the work for sale, which massively appealed to my current phase of "No room can be quite light or bright ENOUGH for me!". After what seems no time since I was approached with the idea of the shop it was just really ace to see so much of my work in there! If you're in Liverpool, or planning a day trip anytime soon, you really should go and see for yourself! Or if you're further afield, many items are featured on the Made Here online shop! :-)

CAIN CASER!

Currently loving London artist, Cain Caser's crazy-bright graffiti-inspired paintings! They have a distinct figurative portrait quality, like mental drug-monster-faces done up for a night in a wild gay bar... or something! I LOVE! Take a look at Cain's Flickr

RETURN OF THE LITTLE PEOPLE!

Last year to celebrate the launch of my Lilliputians Earings, I blogged about the amazing Little People photography of SLINKACHU! Since then, I've noticed a lot of greetings cards with these similar set-ups, usually involving food and domestic objects, and assumed they were by the same artist, but they aren't! These works (which definitely have their own distinctive quality and framing style - closer-up to the subject, less grit and slightly less humour-based, with a heavier design aesthetic) are by French photographer, Vincent Bousserez (whose website I would link, but it's currently not working!...Google him!)
I love them!

THE HUMAN BOOKSHELF!

Spanish Artist, David Blazquez, questions our concept of inanimate home decor with his photographic series of human sculpture/furniture! Check him out!

JASON FREENEY!

Just came accross the amazing Jason Freeney! His acrylic sculpted toy "disections" are out of this world! SO AMAZING! Check out his blog for more! <3

LOST PROPERTIES!

Gia was playing an improv set with some of our friends tonight at the exhibition we still hadn't gotten out to see. Amazing space, and loads of great work! Tomo and Even continue to be ridiculously good at dry-humoured street-art, with immense painting skill, and Laura Spark's animation has come on tenfold since I last saw it, with a beautiful and skillfully made piece starring some wire-framed rabbit characters in a forest!
The improv sets went amazingly well too. Some very nice moments. I got thrust with a camera and asked to film, so hoping I actuallu managed to press record! ;-)

STEPPIN' GIRL BEADED BRACELETS!

Still got some of these at The Hive, if you don't want to miss out, grab one before they're gone!

COMIC BOOK BANGLES!

COMIC BOOK BANGLES! Torn strips of REAL AUTHENTIC Vintage Comic Books!!! Glazed onto a solid wood bangle, and multi-layered with sealing laquer! Each one entirely unique, and One-Of-A-Kind!!! This one pictured below has already sold! They're like HOT CAKES I tell ya! Just £15.50 from BUG POP SHOP!
You know you want to!!!

WHAT A CROWN!!!

For you today, an unbelievably beautiful and ornate golden crown from the time of the 18th dynasty pharoahs, in Egypt, thought to have belonged to a foreign princess bride! I want one! - Maybe without the arranged marriage bit, if that's okay?!

ARE WE NOT MEN...?

My friend Sarah GAVE ME A REAL REAL DEVO HAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a wonderful woman! What a wonderful WORLD! I feel so lucky!

HALF-BEAR HALF-HOTTIE!

WOW! Anyone who shares my half-animal-half-human obsession, check out the amazing noir fashion paintings by Dutch artist "SIT" ! x