bibi and chief

They have arrived: the 2 new mini buntings I designed for Engel. Owner Sabien is now showing them on the Spring Trade Fair in Utrecht, together with some other great new stuff she sells in her wholesale company (I''ll post about that later...)
The commission was traditional yet open-minded: design a blue-ish boy bunting and a pink girl bunting. People who know about my relationship with the colour pink will think this must have been a difficult project. Well, it wasn't! Maybe it is the flow, the spark between Sabien and me, I don't know, but designing Bibi and Chief was a feast!

paperwork at selfridges

Today my dear UK-distributors Saskia and Sofie have sent me some photo's taken at Selfridges & Co in London. Reason: Selfridges is going Dutch this spring and they are selling my work!
'The pop-up shop 'EveryDayDutch' gives you the opportunity to shop products inspired by traditional Dutch craftsmanship and Dutch design's heritage of simplicity of form. From one-off pieces to much loved collectibles from some of the biggest names in the Dutch design world.'
So there they are, my paper children, between Scholten & Baijings, Tony Chocolonely, Royal VKB, Droog Design and Piet Hein Eek. It is BIG, maybe that's why I feel so small...?
Lots of designs - like mine - are for sale at their webstore too.

work in the 'manufactory'

I have a design manufactory in my head. I call it my 'headquarters'. This is where inspirations come together, ideas are stored and worked out, technical solutions are found and shapes are constructed. There's a new idea buzzing around in this building, looking for a colour, material and shape.

Step 1 in my design process is collecting 'information'. Step 1 can take minutes but can also take years... This is what I picked this morning: The amazing designer Patricia Urquiola. And I fell for those folded paper lamps by the Dutch Nellianna and one by Scott, Rich and Victoria. Can you imagine that I love my job? To be continued!

lubna

It is - I guess - a decade ago that I first saw Lubna Chowdary's tiles. I was deeply touched by her work, I 'recognized' it with my heart, so to speak. The colours, the simple graphic patterns, the glazes and the lovely handmade look and feel. Lubna is a real craftswoman and a remarkable artist who lives and works in London.
Every now and then I check on her website how she is doing, which is funny: it feels like catching up with an old friend...

home made

These are some of my 'home made' photo's of the Little Trees. I've sent them to my business-friends (retailers) this week.
I am looking forward to see my Little Trees on other blogs as well, photographed from a completely different 'angle'. It makes me feel happy (recognition!) and it is very refreshing to see your 'kids' from a different side.

pr presents

Time absorbing, but so much fun to do: sending my new design to close friends, distributors abroad and to some dear press-contacts.
The tape-dispenser bird just flew in from PSikhouvanjou, isn't it cute?

sunday morning etsy visit

From above left: Zakka Nouveau, Paper Phine, Pardon My Vintage and again Zakka Nouveau