Tag: art

Stationery Week 2017 – Top 5

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Well I never knew there was a national stationery week. So in celebration of all things stationery, here’s my top 5.

My top 5 stationery items

1. Pen pots – Various sources, Free 🙂

tin can pen holders

As I like to reuse and recycle items where possible, any pretty tin, container or cylinder  will be reused as pen, brush or pencil holders. I have also redecorated old tins with cut out pictures from garden catalogues and wallpaper samples.

 

2. 5 pack Fineliner pens – Wilkos, £1.25

fineliner

I particularly like these fineliner pens for writing and sketching. Working out at only 25p each, there are nice and cheap too.

 

3. 72 Inktense pencils – Derwent, around £70

inktense 72

My all time favourite colouring pencils, the Inktense pencils can create numerous effects from subtle watercolour to vivid strong paint effects.  They are my favourite colouring pencils, even if they cost an arm and a leg.

 

4. A5 Wiro Notebook, ruled 80 sheets – Wilkos, £1.50

notebooks

My go-to store for affordable and good quality gardening and stationery supplies, Wilkos has taken over where Woolworths left off. The fact that the cover colour matches my logo may or may not have some bearing on my decision to buy them. (It totally did.)

 

5. A4 Sketchbook – Rymans, £7.99

sketchbooks

Expensive, but great quality. As a student I bulk purchased loads of these sketchbooks, to take advantage of my uni discount, and I’m so glad I did. Trends will come and go, but somehow a plain covered black sketchbook adds an air of class and sophistication. So what if they are filled with pictures of puppies and kittens, on the outside it looks cool! I like the useful ribbon page marker and the elastic holder which keeps everything together.

Tip; if you have a student card, you can save loads by stockpiling during the half price sales.

Wish List

Journal book square paper – Wilkos, £3.75

I really keen about getting into journalling, and would like to start with an A5 sized journal.

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Picture source : http://www.wilko.com/notebooks+pads/wilko-a5-pu-journal-square-paper/invt/0416975

 

Large personal planner – Kikki. K, £42

I fear this one will remain on the wish list, as it’s out of my price range.

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Picture source : http://www.kikki-k.com/personal-planner-large-mint

 

Don’t forget I will be selling a few stationery items during my Instagram destash sale, so please subscribe for more information.

Items for Sale

What are your favourite items of stationery? How are you celebrating stationery week? Please comment below.

Thanks for reading.

The Art of Protest

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Hello

I discovered this great post on Brown Paper Bag featuring poster art from and inspired by the recent Women’s March.

Art and activism often go together, but these posters also prove that humour can help shine a light even in the darkest hours.

Do please check out the link – http://www.brwnpaperbag.com/womens-march-illustrated-signs/?mc_cid=782b052a55&mc_eid=7e89d5474d and share your artist achievements with us.

Thanks for reading, don’t forget to subscribe and comment below.

3 quick and simple DIY Christmas centrepieces

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In case you missed it, and well done if you have, Christmas is nearly here. It can be a very expensive time of year, so if you would like to save some cash but still want to participate in the season’s festivities, why not try these 3 quick, simple and affordable Christmas table decorations?

  • Candle and Cones

candle-and-cones

Years ago, I purchased a bag of pine cones from my local florist, for the grand sum of 50p. Of course you can collect them for free if you are lucky enough to live near a forest, but note you may have to seek permission first. Pine cones last for years, I keep mine in a cardboard box along with my other Christmas decorations.

Using a large candle, with 3 wicks to represent the holy trinity (it is a religious festival after all), I centre it on a heat proof glass plate, then I cover the plate with the pine cones.

As with all candles, never leave lit candles unattended. Be extra careful as pine cones are great tinder material!

For an alternative, try using a ring oasis, which can be purchased from Wilkos for around £3.50. Ensure that you give the oasis a good soak and then decorate with a mixture of evergreen foliage, baubles, pine cones and other Christmas decorations. Place on a plate, and add a large pillar candle in the middle.

oasis-foliage

  • Vases and Fairy Lights

If you have 3 or 5 vases of varying heights and widths, you can create a stunning centrepiece.  Fill one of the vases with evergreen foliage, one with pine cones, another with baubles, one with battery operated fairy lights and one with tinsel.

vases-fairy-lights

Here I used 3 vases – one was filled with different types of pine cones, another with foliage from the garden and the middle one with baubles and battery operated lights. Instant centrepiece using items I already own.

vases-lights

  • Bauble Cake Stand

Bauble Cake Stand.jpg

This is cake stand came from IKEA.

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Picture source: Ikea.com.

At under £10, it is an affordable centrepiece in it’s own right. Add some baubles, and hang some decorations from the lid and you have made a festive treat for the eyes. Hey, it’s healthier than filling the stand with cake.

Did I just say that?

Art Tuesdays: Artists to follow – Stik

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Big Mother by Stik, on the side of Charles Hocking House, a condemned tower block in Ealing, London. Photograph excerpt: Joce Division
Big Mother by Stik, on the side of Charles Hocking House, a condemned tower block in Ealing, London.
Photograph excerpt: Joyce/ Division

I first discovered ‘Big Mother’ by Stik whilst travelling on the Piccadilly line. It was such an eye catching, bright yet simple piece of art which brightened up the surrounding grey landscape, and fast became a highlight of the journey.

Screen Shot 2016-02-04 at 10.19.38
Source: Image © Stik (by Joyce/Division)

Stik’s own story is fascinating – check out an article in the Guardian which features more of Stik’s inspiring work and his own personal life journey.  Click here to read the article.

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Sleeping baby mural, Homerton hospital, London

Picture source: Guardian.com

Art Tuesdays: Artists to follow – Debra Cartwright

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Picture source:

Picture source: elleuk.com

I came across some beautiful artwork by Debra Cartwright, which I wanted to share. Here is an interesting article about the artist and her debut show in Harlem.

Showcasing 23 of her watercolour prints, Debra examines the imagery of a carefree black woman, sporting natural hairstyles, wearing fabulous clothes and living enviable lifestyles.

Check out the artist’s website:  http://www.debracartwright.com