Chihuly Exhibition

And so finally it's Friday, and as always the weekend lies ahead, vacant and inviting, ready to be filled with plans a-plenty. And while my weekend routine used to go a little something like this: Friday, afterwork drinks, Saturday: too hungover to move, Saturday night: house party/drinks with friends, Sunday: too hungover to move, I resolved that 2012 would be different. No more spending the day in bed, wasting away the weekend only for Monday morning to come around with me wondering how on earth Saturday and Sunday had passed me by so quickly. This year would be different - I would curl up in coffee shops and people gaze, Saturday afternoons would be filled with walks and museum visits; Sunday lunches with friends passing the time in rustic pubs.

Consequently, these days I always have my ear to the ground listening out for cultural going-ons worth a slice of my spare time. And so, this Saturday afternoon you'll find me looking terribly grown up, traipsing round the Halcyon Gallery, admiring their inaugural exhibition by Dale Chihuly. Despite only recently having opened their flagship gallery on New Bond Street, the museum has already welcomed more than 30,000 visitors through their doors, wherein they're showcasing 57 specially created glass sculptures curated over three floors.

 

Internationally celebrated artist Chihuly is widely regarded as the most exciting and impressive artist working in contemporary glass. Anyone who has seen his monumental glass 'Chandelier' in the entrance hall of the V&A Museum will know that Chihuly does not do things by half and his ambitious approach to his installations and sprawling creations is truely awe-inspiring. Chihuly has revolutionised the way glass is used and turned it into a groundbreaking fine art with his use of vibrant colours and installations that defy the laws of gravity. The exhibition will feature new work specific to the gallery including a 24 foot long Mille Fiori garden of glass and a two storey Gold and Quartz Two Tier Chandelier as well as drawings and paintings by the artist.

The exhibition runs until the 31st March at the Halcyon Gallery, 144-146 New Bond Street, London.

Firefly Stools

Here at The Amazing Blog, we're always on the look out for new and innovative pieces to add to our wish lists. From the latest in fad-handbags, to the most decadent of chocolates and the most coveted of beauty products, we each have a list the length of our arm. And with my birthday fast-approaching, I've taken to leaving mine lying oh-so-subtly around the office.

And now that I'm on the verge of (horror of horrors) my late twenties (I turn 26 in mid-Feb), I've taken to adding household items to my wish list, in the hope that it might make me feel like a proper grown up.

The latest addition to my wish list are these fabulous Firefly Glow Stools from Fashion For Home. Perfect for use either indoors or out, they're certain to add a certain je ne sais quoi to your abode. Ideal for creating easily changeable multi-coloured mood lighting, the versatile stools have 6 auto-switchable colour choices, including purple, blue and white. Whether used in a bedroom or the garden, for decorative purposes or practical, the stools give a great ambience and with sharp lines and a sleek design they certainly stand out from your standard stool.

And with my birthday in just under two weeks, I couldn't think of a more perfect present *nudge nudge, hint hint*.

Buy Student Art

Having just made the leap from living with my parents to my first proper attempt at living on my own since my University days, I have been endeavouring to decorate my flat to reflect my own taste and style. Having managed to convince my parents to contribute towards my ‘basic’ furniture coupled with a few odd pieces I have picked up over the years, I am left with a considerable amount of blank wall space that is crying out to be filled. With ‘gallery’ art out of the question and not wanting to plaster my walls with bland prints or edgy posters a la my student days I was thrilled to come across BuyStudentArt.co.uk.  

BuyStudentArt.co.uk was founded by Kerri Lister, whose inspiration came while she was looking for art to decorate her new home. Like many of us, she couldn’t afford the bank-breaking price tags of her local gallery nor wanted an anonymous piece from an online auction site that gave her little information on the artist, the origin of the work or the inspiration behind its creation. Kerri set about creating a marketplace for aspiring artists to showcase their talents to the world, and to earn some money in the process, as well as giving ordinary people the opportunity to own unique, inspiring and above all affordable works. With students now facing eye-watering £9,000 fees from 2012, BuyStudentArt.co.uk is the perfect way for budding artists to earn some extra money whilst studying which also has the knock on effect of cheering up other people and their homes.

All artists looking to contribute their art must be aged 18 or over and can list up to 5 pieces of art at a time, whether it be photography, oil paintings, sculpture or mixed media. Most of the artwork is under £200, with some less than £50, and all art is listed at a set price, so there’s no bidding war if you fall in love with the perfect piece for your home. Once you have selected your chosen piece it will be delivered straight to your door and you also have a 7 day money back guarantee.

Buying art with BuyStudentArt.co.uk not only means you’ll be supporting aspiring artists/impoverished students, you will also have full access to their biographies and find out about what inspired them to create the work you are purchasing. And who knows, your clever investment could turn out to be a hidden gem in a treasure chest of the next generation of artists.

Stencil It!

Having recently moved into a new abode in London, and being the ripe old age of twenty-five, I decided over the weekend that it was high time to try my hands at a touch of DIY. Previously, I've shied away from banging nails into walls, screwing things together, or changing lightbulbs and appointed the nearest man I could get my hands on - Dad, boyfriend, housemate etc. all of whom are very aware of my short comings when it comes to matters of do-it-yourself.

So, over the weekend, armed with rollers, masking tape and paint, I set about decorating my entire room, hoping to prove that I can put the fun back into painting. How wrong I was. Seven hours later, with a bad back, hands like claws and covered in paint I was losing the will to live, and had only done one coat. Thankfully I had my lovely Italian housemate on call to finish it for me - hurrah!

There is, however, an alternative for gals like me - who want to indulge in a bit of decorating, without (whisper it) too much effort. Helen Morris, founder of The Stencil Library, has recently written a fabulous book called Stencil It, published by Jacqui Small, which comes complete with 101 ideas on how to decorate your home. Fit for a coffee table, this beautiful publication demonstrates quick, satisfying and inexpensive ways to bring pattern and colour into your home, whatever your style and budget. With a huge range of ideas - from stencilling cards and cushions to entire rooms, whether you're a beginner or an expert, Stencil It will give you a huge spectrum of inspiring ideas for your home.

Full of tips, techniques and beautiful illustrations, Stencil It is a celebration of the virtually limitless decorative potential of a fabulously creative craft form. So, whether you want to give your bedroom a subtle enahncement, or your sitting room a completely new look, Stencil It had both the ideas and the know-how to turn it into a reality - minus the bad back and claw hands! Happy stencilling!

Made By Hands Of Britain

Much has been made, in recent years, of the benefits of shopping local. Not only are you supporting home grown trade, but generally you’ll find products are higher in quality and as they’re not mass produced, purchases are far more unique, and thus perfect for treating either yourself or a loved one to something extra-special.

If however, you don’t have the time (or indeed the inclination) to spend your Saturday mornings trawling round craft fairs, or seeking out a nearby independent boutique, then Made By Hands Of Britain is the perfect solution. Founded by Gillian Montegrande just over a year ago, this beautiful website has on offer some of the finest items of British craftsmanship available exclusively online. Inspired by a love and appreciation of local skill and artistry, Gillian spotted a niche in the market that was yet to be filled. And so saw the birth of Made By Hands Of Britain which showcases over 190 of Britain’s finest craftsmen, all under one virtual roof. With an array of unique and inspiring items from confectionary to handwoven scarves and 18ct gold jewellery, there’s something to suit everyone, whatever your style or budget.

And while buying handmade gifts from this fabulous website supports local artisan communities, it also means you will be investing in pieces that will endure the test of time, unlike much of what is available on our high streets. One’s carbon footprint is drastically reduced and the seller’s eco-credentials are increasingly higher than large chains, due largely to the way in which they craft their items – by hand rather than by machine.

I particularly liked the Gift part of the website, which had a huge spectrum of offerings available. With sellers including Alexandra Abraham: Artist and Jewellery Designer, who sources her materials from the Thames Foreshore and forgotten rubbish tips, Lucy Alexandra Batt – whose handmade glass pieces are intricately carved and embellished with intimate floral or abstract patterns and Geoffrey Fisher – a Buckinghamshire-based designer who works exclusively in wood, there are some truly fabulous ideas for anyone who needs help with present buying.

So if, like us at The Amazing Blog, you're sick of Britain's copycat high streets, and want to support local trade, check out Made By Hands Of Britain and indulge in the very best of British craftmanship.