. . PICK OF THE WEEK – ‘Brighton’ by Eleanor Bolton . .

I’m in love with this beautiful limited edition necklace by Eleanor Bolton, inspired by her home town Brighton, and featuring her signature coiled cotton rope technique – apt for a nautical, seaside theme. There are only TEN available – yes ten – designed exclusively for online design store, Lin Morris – and they are $235 each. You can buy one here and learn about the inspiration behind this little beauty, and how it was made, right about…here.

Eleanor Bolton Brighton Necklace 2

Eleanor Bolton Brighton Necklace

. . Caine’s Arcade . .

This is the story of how a nine year old boy, a huge amount of cardboard and a whole lot of imagination has become a global internet and media sensation. The BBC is even on to it. It’s a story of entrepreneurship, creativity, the quirks of the human spirit, and the ambition of youth. Meet the wonderful, the magical….Caine’s Arcade.

. . Paul Cocksedge Studio launches online shop . .

Paul Cocksedge Studio is well established on London’s contemporary design scene, pushing the limits of technology to create unusual installations and to reinvent objects in new and inventive ways. The new online shop features a selection of functional, affordable items.  These are sleek, hand-crafted products that epitomise what innovation in product design is all about.

Bookmark by Paul Cocksedge

Being a bit of a bookworm, the thing that really caught my eye was this great example of simple design and engineering – the rocking Bookmark. Not only does it create a totally new way of marking a book page, but it acts as a sculptural piece of design in it’s own right AND provides a brilliant way to display those particular booky wonders that you’re desperate to show off. It’s expensive for a bookmark, granted, but not for a top design piece, at £67.

Volume by Paul Cocksedge

From books to music, I was equally wowed by Volume, a piece of achingly clever design consisting of a thermoformed clear plastic cone which acts as a speaker for smartphones. The speaker can be suspended or placed on a surface, producing either ambient or more directional sound. A total bargain in my humble opinion at £47.

Both perfect boys toys, don’t you think? Check out the brand spanking new shop here for more awesome products.

. . ‘Hypnagogia’ by ROA @ Stolen Space (for Londonewcastle) . .

Londonewcastle is one of London’s most innovative property developers with a passion for art and design, both in and out of its developments, to rival the most fanatic design aficionados. Ok yes, they’re a client so I’m bound to say that, but they really are at the forefront of everything that’s cool and trendy in property development, which, let’s face it, isn’t usually cool or trendy at all.

I’m happy to be helping out with their brand new blog which will feature the very best of contemporary London living – interiors, fashion, food, music, art, and property. Where better to start than with a little dose of street art awesomeness in the shape of a giant hedgehog by Belgian conceptual artist ROA, as part of his current solo show, which is hosted by one of LG’s favourite galleries, Stolen Space. Check out my post here.

ROA on The Huntingdon Estate

You better hurry if you want to see the show as it closes on 6th May, but something tells me the hedgehog and his companions across East London might hang around a bit longer.

Keep an eye on Londonewcastle’s blog for many more musings on what’s ‘en vogue’ and beating in London’s design heart.

. . Dandelion Stool by Byung, DesignK . .

A flyer for these little gems caught my eye in the latest Craft Central mail out – the Dandelion Stool by Byung at Design K is ergonomically designed and will make a cheerful statement in any home. This robust stool is based on the natural form of….yes you guessed it…the dandelion clock. And it comes with removable covers of dazzlingly bright colours.

Dandelion Stool - DesignK

Find them at one of my favourite craft events of the year, Craft Central’s Made in Clerkenwell, held on 24th – 27th May 2012 at 21 Clerkenwell Green, EC1R 0DX and 33-35 St John’s Square, EC1M 4DS.

. . Chiara Scarpitti . .

I’m writing about contemporary jeweller Chiara Scarpitti for the June issue of the Arts Thread magazine, but I couldn’t resist giving you a bit of a teaser with these lovely photos of pieces in her ‘Philogenesis’ collection…

Chiara combines state of the art product design techniques with more traditional craft methods, industrial materials such as plexiglass and steel with more delicate materials such as silk organza and silver. Symbolism, the void space, and the interplay between wearer and jewellery are influences behind her designs.

Chiara Scarpitti - Philogenesis

Chiara Scarpitti - Philogenesis

Chiara Scarpitti - Philogenesis

. . Pick Me Up 2012 – Kristjana S Williams . .

Eye-candy (of the graphic art variety) was not in short supply at Pick Me Up 2012, but this was the print I wanted to take home with me most. Dyragardurin by Kristjana S Williams, (whose first solo show featured on LG here) is a map of the world entirely composed of earth’s many and varied creatures, drawn in Williams’ unique vibrant style.

Kristjana S Williams - Dyragardurin

Kristjana S Williams - Dyragardurin (Detail)

Lovely isn’t it? Yours for £215 (and you can buy me one while you’re at it!)

. . Pick Me Up: Daily Specials (For Arts Thread) . .

There was much hype surrounding annual graphic arts fair, Pick Me Up, this year, held at Somerset House. I went along for Arts Thread to see whether any of that hype was warranted (it was!).

Daily Specials - Marion Deuchars, Si Scott, Jason Brooks

Check out my review for details of a brand new element of the show –  the ‘Daily Specials’ programme – and the design idols of our time who took part.

. . Heartstrings . .

A little lesson in love, by brilliant animator Rhiannon Evans who has won a string of worthy awards for this beautiful little film, ‘Heartstrings’.

. . Ken Garland: Galy Tots @ Kemistry Gallery . .

Shoreditch’s adorably dinky Kemistry Gallery is in something of a time warp for the next few weeks, thanks to their latest exhibition – ‘Ken Garland: Galy Tots’. Here you will discover the brilliant toy and game creations of designer Ken Garland for Galt Toys, which are today fondly remembered by anyone old enough to have been bright eyed and bushy tailed in the sixties and seventies.

I popped in on behalf of Arts Thread, rolled up my sleeves and was soon happily absorbed giving crocodiles monkey feet and making rabbits as tall as giraffes. See what I’m on about over on Arts Thread where you’ll find my full review and more pix.

Ken Garland: Galy Tots

Ken Garland: Galy Tots runs at the Kemistry Gallery, Shoreditch, until 21st April. Admission is free.