Much Love Mondays #07: Pretty Zoo

Good Evening, my lovelies!

Tonight, I will be talking about my newly favorite blog, Pretty Zoo.

Zoe is an amazing illustrator and graphic designer from New Zealand, but living in Germany. I wanted to get a few images to show on the blog, but I can't seem to get the URL for the pictures that I like, so I say, check out her portfolio website!

I am totally excited to see her shop on Etsy open, it looks so edgy with the illustations but then has a vintage, feminine edge. Zoe, if you are reading this, please let me know when you are opening, so that I may snag a piece of of your beautiful handiwork!

I hope you loved reading about her as much as I have over on her blog!

Katherine xo

NEW, NEW, NEW.

Hello my lovelies!

I have been so busy these past few weeks, I have been trying to be organised with my day, but sometimes it's hard to prioritize or even stay motivated to do what needs to be done!

I have been recovering from major back pain, and now I have just joined the gym to reduce some of the stress that has built up in my life recently, so its more of the case of not enough hours in a day!

I've been making an effort to make a start my dissertation before starting my final year of Uni, I have also been creating a new collection of menswear, womenswear, and recycled jewellery, which will be launched on my new website, as well as Etsy, on September 1st. I am so excited. I will be showing some pictures from an upcoming shoot soon, and I hope you will like it as much as I do!



Oh- and I have entered The Sketchbook Project. I think It's such a great idea to show off your artwork to the world, I love the idea of my work touring the world, and eventually being in a New York Library. It is so exciting, but I am a bit stomped for ideas... As you can see, my project is called 'Nothing New'. I will start is probably around the time of my birthday and send it off before Christmas! :) There's still time to join if you would like to get involved too!

What have you been up to?

Katherine xo

New Designers on the Block: Kitsch Courtesy

Hi guys,

My friend Amelie has opened a new shop, for all you guys that would like some cheap, but still good quality and amazingly kitsch jewellery.



I really find her a real talent, and it would mean a lot if you gave her a few sales!







If I could, I would buy all her things, but I don't have much money right now, I never do! I should change that! Anyway, I must dash! check out her shop, please!

Katherine xo

Paint your love #01

I just realised that I have never done a 'Paint your love' blog post before, and I have been planning to do so for so many months, but a mixture of procrastination and to-do lists always get in the way. 

After reading this post over on Moorea's blog, I was totally inspired and I wanted to just start pampering myself like I used to when I was at London College of Fashion. The only thing that stopped me was when I just started my first year at University for Creative Arts, and my nails were always being ruined by the printing and weaving and dyeing fabrics/yarns, so I just felt there was no point in doing this if my nails were going to get ruined, plus I was working in Catering at the time, so I couldn't really have them painted for hygiene reasons. But now, I am making this a weekly tradition again. 

I painted my nails thinking that it was going to be a neutral browny colour, but it came out baby pink! I quite like the colour, its pretty cute, I have never used this colour before, as I have always gone for the drastic colours, so it is a nice change!

According to the aura, pink represents uncondtional love, friendship, and balance between the spiritual and material. 

Have you painted your nails a nice colour this week?

Katherine xo

A new addition to the bedroom.

I bought some paper doilies and a frame from the pound shop and framed one of them, as i thought it would make an excellent decor piece. 

If you would like to do the same, all you have to do is stick the doilie onto black paper  and put it in the frame  :)

Do you like it? I thought it looked quite good, and I wanted to cheer myself up after all the horrible news with the riots in London, Birmingham, Liverpool and Bristol. It made me sad that people would behave in this way, and that areas in London that I was born and raised in had been destroyed in such a vicious manner.

What do you think of the situation? 

Katherine xo

Much Love Mondays #06: Mozzypop

Oh how I love Dayner and her shop so much! I love how lovely her jewellery is, it makes me wanna just dance around in my cocktail dresses (if i had any). And I have bought a few pieces from her shop for my friends birthdays, but never for myself, as I'm always poor! I have enjoyed the opportunity of knowing her via twitter, her shop and her blog!

So, without further ado, here is Dayner!

1- Can you tell us about yourself?

My name is Dayner, I'm 23 and I run a blog and jewellery company by the name of Mozzypop :-)

2- How did you first get involved in designing/making?

I started making jewels when my parents bought me some Fimo clay on a whim one year for Christmas. After leaving them in the cupboard for months, I finally decided to dig them out and have a play. I suddenly fell upon all these great ideas for jewels I could make... and after they got a good reaction I looked further into buying other charms and stock in for my shop, and it went from there!

3- How would someone describe your style?

I'm not sure, I tend to think I don't really have any style! I guess I like retro styling, I love long or voluminous hair and glamorous, smart and lady-like clothing - I'd love to have the confidence to wear heels and lipstick every day!

4- What do you do when you aren't creating?

 I work full time and am studying web design currently, so if I'm not immersed in my jewellery and blog I'm always busy with something else! I'm like a sponge, I love to learn and pick up new techniques.

 5- How and why did you get into creating? 

I started making jewels as a hobby and had no intention of selling, but on family and friends telling me I should and them taking things to school fairs for me I decided to try selling online - not really expecting much to come 

from it - but if you never try you never know.

6- Whats a favorite item from Mozzypop?

My favourite item is my teacup necklace or the selection of "Drink Me" bottle pendants... they seem to be my best sellers so others must agree with me :-) 

7- Whats the most challenging part of your label?

I find keeping up with my paperwork and invoices the biggest challenge, you know, all the boring stuff! I also have a tendency to overspend on new stock and charms... I can't resist anything cute or pretty. I have so so much stock in my little office you wouldn't believe!

8- If someone was interested in designing, what would be the few things you'd suggest?
Well, I'll just tell you what works for me. I spend a long time browsing the net for anything that inspires me. I use www.pinterest.com to keep track of all the pretty things I see so that I can look back at those when I feel a bit "uninspired". I also collect scraps from magazines, have a cork board over my desk, and write notes into my iPhone wherever I am. You can be inspired by ANYTHING, so keep your eyes open!


9- Does anyone inspire you in the way you make your work?
I'm not directly inspired by anyone in particular, but I find so many designers on www.etsy.com/www.folksy.com that I love. I also totally admire self-made brands like Me & Zena or Temporary Secretary, and would love my brand to reach their level and higher.


10- Anything else you'd like to share?
Just to always believe in your work and what you're doing, and keep positive about it. Never talk down your designs or belittle yourself to others. If you love it, then of course other people will too :-)

Thanks so much for sharing, Dayner! 

Shop

Twitter

Blog

I hope you enjoyed reading about her as much as I have! Enjoy your evening!

Katherine

Good ol' selling in Camden.

Myself and my amazingly talented friend, Amelie went to sell our jewellery and clothing in Camden Market again! It was an amazing day, because I got to meet a great guy called Dan, who sells handmade screen-printed clothing at Cherry Laundry! He was great to talk to, and I felt refreshed at the end of the day because he gave me the motivation to keep selling my things in Camden!

One of my closest friends showed up as well and bought one of my hair slides, I was well touched! I'm so happy that we both got some sales in our stall, so I think with some improvements with our presentation, we can actually make something of ourselves! This time round, I had some kind of confidence, and it made me happy that through all the tiredness, I still had the energy to keep smiling and talking to the customers! It seems like going to the gym beforehand really relaxes me for days like this.

Sorry it's been a while since I've been blogging, I have been busy, and still am, but I will be making some time for you guys! :)

Thanks for reading, have a great day!