Memphis Group

The Memphis Group for me, as a designer, is something it's impossible not to have an opinion about.  It's certainly had an effect on design.  From Philippe Starck to Karl Lagerfeld.  My feelings change year to year from my first discovery in my art school library to now writing about the group. 

We all have our opinions; do we love or loathe?  

Founded by the Milanese designer and architect Ettore Sottsass, it incited designers of everyday objects - from office chairs to buildings via wallpaper and vases - to break away from clean-cut mainstream modern European design.The Memphis group drew inspiration from such movements as Art Deco And Pop Art including styles such as the 1950s 'Kitsch' and futuristic themes. The group produced and exhibited furniture and design objects, annually from 1981 until 1988. The result was a highly-acclaimed debut at the 1981 Salone del Mobile of Milan, the world's most prestigious furniture fair, where it was reported that it stole the show. 

Why? 

Taking risks, pushing boundaries, challenging the cultural market at the time....  I think they did it right. 

"Suvretta" by Sottsass 1981 

Taylors' "Airport" Cabinet 1982 

    

       

Sottsass' "Quisisana" ceiling light 1981

Read and see more at their own site Memphis Icons of Desire. 

Colouring Brighton - Appendage

We have worked with Hilary from Appendage in Brighton for two years now, designing and making pieces for her unique shop. She is passionate in providing people with cutting edge UK design led and British manufactured accessory products for  home and fashion. 

Appendage has been opened for 25 years and is a fantastic boutique. It is apparent of her background and training all throughout the store. 

It is always a pleasure making these bespoke pieces for her as we too share a passion for colour and surface pattern. Clashing bold colours in our modern 60's take on classic baroque style.

Bright pastel pink teamed with cobalt and matt red in a short baroque black faceted jem necklace.

Beaded Baroque Danglers

A detail of our Bright Baroque chunky bracelet.

Neon colour pieces for Think Boutique

We loved creating some bespoke jewellery pieces for one of our clients - Think Boutique collection is an ethical online boutique and pop up shop platform hosted in Glasgow. They combine wearable styles with eye-catching one-off statement pieces. They carefully chose our wearable bright neon colours in our deco design for their collection.  

Victoria McQuillan has a great eye for design, colour, quality and an extensive knowledge in ethical fashion brands.  A lady after my own heart. 

Check out their carefully selected pieces. Link below.

Fantastic fashion images by Gillian Hayes at Dapple Photography & Think Boutique  copyright.
Product images copyright Uncommonly Beautiful.

Spotty Dotty Day - with our wooden studs!

We are having a spotty dotty day, are you?  

Well visit our shop and add some fun into your life,

 and onto your ears!!

Project work with Industri[us]

We have been working with Industri[us] on a exciting project.


They are a non-profit social organisation transforming 'waste' materials through upcycling, to encourage enterprise, innovation & training on site specific spaces.  People power has begun  and a  celebration has been created called 'The Festival of Upcycling' in Canning Town from June to September.   This will attract Londoners and Olympic tourists with a hub of  interactive events/exhibitions/education/ and markets selling young british products.


This was how we all began more than a year ago in like minded hopes, conversation and ideals.  More info on few days of why Uncommonly Beautiful wanted to help our social community.  



INDUSTRI[us] from Fluid on Vimeo.



The festive of upcycling is taking shape. Check out their Facebook, their blog and get involved! People can make a difference to the world, a little is better than nothing! 

New pieces for winter

Inspired by our AW collection , we've created these three lovely one off pieces using our custom baroque pattern.
In black, emerald green and gold they're a perfect winter staple. See more at the shop....

Styling & Salvage

Definitely my favorite discovery of the week, ingenious re-made project using flooring at 

the Kings Hall in Hackney. 

If you don't know of this man then you should definitely check out his work, 

styling & salvage by Rupert Balnchard: http://www.stylingandsalvage.com/

stunning stuff!

One day I hope one of these little wonders will be mine! :

New studs.....

3 new styles of studs made today, made using reclaimed vintage buttons and set on new 925 sterling silver backs. All available on the online shop now for just a tenner...quite a bargain we think!Limited edition, 3-5 pairs made of each design. 

http://uncommonlybeautifulrecycledaccessories.bigcartel.com/

Renegade Craft Fair here we come!

The best designer/handmade market we've seen for a long while is making it's debut in London this October, and we are very pleased to be involved. With it's origins in the US, Renegade has made a name for itself and is now coming to British soil in just a few weeks time.

An amazing range of talented designer makers have been rounded up by those clever folks at renegade, so come on down or you're sure to miss out.

Mass production eco style!

Just a few photos of our work this week...mass production for the high street can be ethical too! These pieces will be hitting a high street near you soon so keep a look out...

Join us at Thames Festival this weekend!

We are pleased to be trading all weekend as part of the Thames Festival.

From 12 noon - 10pm The Festival Market runs from Hungerford Bridge to Tower Bridge on the south bank, and within St Katharine Docks on the north bank, showcasing some of London’s best street food, arts and crafts.

We've been working away all week creating some really special one off pieces, so come down and see us and the rest of the festival. We are right outside the National Theatre so you can't miss us, and we are surrounded by a host of other great stalls so there's lots of treats to be had. For more info check out the Timeout guide, they have rounded up a nice summary of all the best bits to see and do from day into the night.

http://www.timeout.com/london/feature/1391/thames-festival?DCMP=OTC-mag&

Some of my favourite pics include a feast on the bridge, artist/designer tents by the Make Lounge and to finish off the electro swing speakeasy!

Hope to see you there....

A piece for the day...

Just a little something we made today and we thought we would share with you, amazing brooch what a good find!

http://uncommonlybeautifulrecycledaccessories.bigcartel.com/product/statement-amber-necklace

Autumn Winter Preview

We've been working away over the past few months putting our autumn winter designs together, and they're finally here!

With a combination of baroque and architectural influences we hope there's something for everyone. Here's just a little taster of one of our ranges, we've used a mix of printing and etch techniques and a rich autumnal colour palette. Keep your eyes on the shop and the blog, our bright geometric range will soon be released too!

Meanwhile Market this Tuesday

Part of the Meanwhile project, and packed with objects of interest, we are pleased to be part of this fair in a temporary pop up space in East London. The fair takes place at the meanwhile shop (3-5 Whitechapel Road E1) from 10.00 - 21.00 on Tuesday 19th April.

We will be there along side a great selection of other stalls taking part which include a local carpenter, vintage fashion, bunting, pop up cafe and The Tailor Gallery. It's the first market to take place in this temporary space and a great opportunity for people to come meet local trades people and artists as they show case their work.

Come see us and get involved!

To read more about Meanwhile and their ingenious use of empty spaces, visit the site: http://www.meanwhilespace.com/

www.uncommonlybeautifulrecycledaccessories.bigcartel.com/

Spring summer studs...

We've been busy finding vintage fabrics to make these fun fabric studs, keep your eyes on the shop as more to come:

http://uncommonlybeautifulrecycledaccessories.bigcartel.com/

Mothers day is on it's way...

Mother's day inspiration under £25!
And for a little extra help use code MUM2011 for 15% off...
http://uncommonlybeautifulrecycledaccessories.bigcartel.com/

The meanwhile project:

An inspiring project I came across today.

Meanwhile is a philosophy, a policy and a programme of work.

“Curtsey while you’re thinking what to say, it saves time” – Alice Through the Looking Glass

As a philosophy Meanwhile is based on the belief that empty properties spoil town centres, destroy economic and social value, and waste resources that we cannot afford to leave idle. Vibrant interim uses led by local communities will benefit existing shops, as well as the wider town centre, through increased footfall, bringing life back to the high street and making better use of resources overall.

These views echo our thoughts here at uncommonly beautiful, and we would hope to get involved with meanwhile in the future. Seeing their space in Whitechapel was a definite highlight to the day. It allows anyone to get involved creatively and learn new skills, making use of things that are broken or in need of some TLC. With a variety of projects on offer, they make use of what was an abandoned building!

Another project to admire is Growing Place (E16, Canning Town, London)

The site in Canning Town has been offered by the Canning Town and Custom House Regeneration Programme as part of their regeneration strategy for vacant land. It will eventually become the new town centre when it is developed in 2012, but in the meantime it provides a space for fruit, vegetables, cultural events and workshops.

Check out the before and after:

http://www.meanwhile.org.uk/showcase

Hinge collection

Me and kirsty have finished our new hinge collection, more to come next week with summer brights! See everything we've been up to this week at: http://uncommonlybeautifulrecycledaccessories.bigcartel.com/

New bright geo necklace

Inspired by thoughts of the up-comong summer and clashy colours, we've created thies bright geometric necklace...in a choice of 2 colours:

http://uncommonlybeautifulrecycledaccessories.bigcartel.com/

The how to project:

Lovely typographic prints I came across today, from the 'how to project'

The How To: Project is run solely by Michael Arnold, a 19 year designer from the UK on his gap year. With the aim of teaching himself about design in the real world, the How To: Project brings limited screen-prints based around learning useful skills. Hand printed by the get a grip studio in Birmingham in editions of 30, each print bought goes towards printing the next design.

buy yours at http://www.howtoproject.bigcartel.com/product/how-to-cook-breakfast