What's sweeter than opening the paper (and I mean that in the virtual sense) and reading two articles about how chic Africa is? Hells yeah.
Read about Merchants on Long's pop up shop in London (wish I could go!) here. If you'd like to read more about Merchants go here or here. What a beautiful shop.
Spotted in the new Lonny Magazine... not sure how "get the look" is connected to the location. If they'd done a small bit of research, they would've known South African water is perfectly good to drink.
This seems to be a ceramics week. Not only was I contacted about Ruan Hoffman's work, but also Hylton Nel.
I've mentioned his work in passing before, but not gone any further. He does all sorts of ceramics but his plates are my favourite. Thanks to David for sending pics, and info. All photos from the Michael Stevenson website, except for the last, which is from David. Wish that last pic was taken in my home!
This last pic is of Hylton Nel: A Curious World, his latest book, and where you can enjoy more of his work, as well as some insight into what he does. According to David, who is a fan, the book is"a lovely production with very personal reflections in extracts from letters and journals from years ago that give passing insight into the things that interest or distract him interspersing the images of his more recent work and also some rich shots of his home and studio."
I love getting insight into artist's and designer's worlds and thoughts.
Out right now, too, is The World of Interiors, which features the home of the London home of two South Africans, which is filled with Hylton Nel's work.
I love this poster. LOVE it. (Do yourself a favour, and click to enlarge!)
It seems that the Anthropologie store at Rockefeller Center in New York is hosting Ruan Hoffman's work in June. I'm not sure how this all works, and even that may be wrong (do they have a gallery space?). On their facebook page it looks like they've hosted other artists' work so I'm assuming... anyone got any more info?
Anyhoo, let's take a look at Ruan Hoffman's beautiful work in anticipation of this even (wherever it may be!). I'd love that yellow one on my wall...
PS: Louis sent me this info (thanks! It's so much clearer now!)
"The Rockefeller Centre Store has a stand alone gallery that Keith Johnson (co owner and MAN SHOPS GLOBE presenter) curates shows for and he picks the artists who shows there.)
Ruan's solo show at this experimental Gallery space will open in June and end July 2011.He will exhibit 100 ceramic plates that they have been buying up since last year after his return from Amsterdam and the last of these artworks have just left South Africa for New York."
That's right! The past couple weeks has been a complete SA-fest over at one my favourite blogs, remodelista.... I think it all started when one of the bloggers boughtHot Afro (which you've read about here before, of course!)
Anyway, if you're interested to see what they've said...
What a whirlwind tour... and if you're interested in any of these, the links will take you to Remodelista's post, or to the feature in question's website. There was one more thing they talked about, but I'm saving it for the usual travelling southern Africa post on Friday...
Not only is India Hicks' desk to die for, but the places she rents out in the Bahamas use campaign style furniture just so perfectly, and are totally drool worthy.
This Wednesday Kamersvol Geskenke is starting again. Five days of glorious inspiration; a showcase of South African handiwork and craftsmanship.
For my non-Afrikaans speaking readers, the name means "Rooms Full of Gifts". It's where artists, crafters, foodies, interiors junkies and others get together. I so, so, so wish I could make the trip to Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West (there is also now a smaller version in Pretoria this year) to participate. Sigh.
Here are some pics from their gallery for us to get into the spirit.
And some of my favourite bloggers will be there: the Wren, Skinny Laminx and Jezze. You can read more about their trips from last year if you click on their names.
(last two images from the Wren, and Skinny Laminx)
And I just got the catalogue last week! Sorry, I'll be faster next time. Promise. PS: I know its been a bit of a fashion week. More of other stuff next week. Another promise.
oh, there is much excitement in my house today! Thank you for nominating me for an SA blog award... and if you see so fit, I would be delighted if you'd vote for me in the finals.
I have read (and love!) some of the other blogs and although I know I am definitely not in the same league as them, its an honour to be nominated alongside them.
All festivities aside, things have been busy over here... I'll back next week, hopefully with some pics and stories. I have two particularly lovely things to share, but I will just have to wait until I have plenty of time to write.
over here in Boston. The evening is warm, but there's a cool breeze blowing (thank goodness the heat and humidity of the past two days is gone!) and there is the sweet smell of flowers in the air. So let's have some fun!
First, let's get us a soundtrack:
Now, let's go shopping!!
If you're like me, your work schedule may have interfered with your blog reading schedule, so you probably missed the fun that was happening over at rikrak, where South Africa won the other world cup, the handmade world cup!
I'm not sure on how it all worked, if you'd like to know more just click here. What I do know that there were a bunch of South African etsy artists and crafters that participated. Let's take a look.
First off is Zoe Design, with these beautiful rings made from old teaspoons and other antique materials. I'd LOVE the first one.
These handbags are made by the same person, but you'll find them in another shop on etsy.
In Scootah's shop we find all the pillows and other sewn goodies on sale! I'm diggin' the ceramics...
koenigottokars has a lot of interesting stuff in her shop but these the wire heart and map envelopes spoke to me.
I absolutely love the work Kathy Mellor has in her store.
I've been a fan of Jezze's work for the longest time, and here's why:
I'm blown away by etsy newcomer, africhic. I've heard a lot about them at Style Guide Cape Town, so its nice to see what I can get my hands on from the States!
And lastly, and while speaking of jewelery here is the Lovely Ones' handiwork.
Now, let's take a breath! There were two collections that took part, so let's save the second one for tomorrow, or next week! Let's not tire ourselves out :)
