A small glimpse of the new digs

I just wanted to give you all a little look at my new workshop.

It has taken me the last week and a half to get it all in order but it finally is a fully functioning workshop and I can't wait to get in there doing some productive work. The etsy shop will also be open again soon (closed temporarily for the christmas holidays), so stay tuned for much more to come.
xx

A new friend

So my new life in Wiltshire started with a visit to a brand new friend. You may remember a while ago me mentioning a friend was expecting a baby. Well he has arrived. World meet Ned Packer, Ned packer meet the world. I hope this will be the start of a beautiful friendship.

Now that you have been introduced you may ask what I got Ned as a welcome present. I wanted to produce an essential baby kit, but not of the traditional kind. So let me introduce to you the Springy Beard essential kit of what every baby should have - bit of a long title so lets call it the Springy Beard new baby kit. It should contain:

The coolest kids (large and small) always have converse

This one is really for Mum and Dad to remember how little you were

Bunting - the perfect decoration for any bedroom - up date it as they grow

No growing mind should be without Dr Seuss

Ear defenders so he can gig with Mummy and Daddy

And everyone should have their own cuddly friend

I think this a great starter kit for any new baby. I hope that I can use all of these things with Ned....I hope he likes me. Hmmm, now I'm nervous.
xx

A whole weekend of vintage

Have you heard about the Vintage Festival? It is a whole weekend of vintage - fashion, art, music, film, food....and I have tickets for it! All in the name of market research I have to add.....

All images are of the Vintage Festival 2011 courtesy of www.vintagefestival.co.uk

The 2012 festival is to be held at Boughton House over the 13th-15th July. The icing on the cake is that I am going to be borrowing my parents beautiful vintage VW campervan for the weekend. I will be in vintage heaven.

xx

A note to the 1930s

To the 1930s,
We love you and miss you very much.

Check out the treasury list on etsy - here

From
Springy Beard

xx

An excuse to buy more bags

So, if I have not explained already part of our future plans to leave London is to incorporate an amazing trip to Japan, travelling all over the country for an entire month. The trip is now only a month away and I am not ready at all. My japanese to awful, I have no practical travelling clothes insight and I can't decide between a suitcase or a rucksack! Well the last point I can have your help with.

As we are not actually hiking much on our trip (train travel all the way!) I figured a suitcase would be the better option. I can organise things in it better. I can then have a larger size as I won't have to worry about the weight on my back. I can get a hard case to protect everything inside. But I have been warned that, when travelling around on the trains, the Japanese do not have space for suitcases and you often have to hold your luggage on your lap!

A 4 wheeled hard case suitcase for £82.49

Or a soft 4 wheeled suitcase for £95

I was thinking that a proper hitch hikers backpack would be a better choice. But then I am going to be restricted on what I can carry. If I get tied I can't just wheel it around. Otherwise, I suppose it is the sensible option.

A nice 60 + 20 litre rucksack for £69.99

But what about this - a backpack and suitcase combined. A rucksack that you can throw on your back when needed but then has wheels attached so that you do not always have to lug it around.

A 70 + 15 litre rucksack with wheels for £159.99

The only negative is that the wheels and handle add extra weight. I think my allowance is 25kg......can I fit it all in?!

xx

All Folk Get To This Pop-up Shop

I met a friend of mine for lunch today in South Kensington (London). As we were walking down the street we saw a pop-up shop. I know these are all the rage at the moment, and are a great way for small businesses to get their products out there. This pop-up shop is called Paper-Hare and you need to decend down some old tiled steps surrounded by wintry twigs into the vaulted basement of the building.

They have some really beautiful items to buy, including the gorgeous stained glass medical bottles above. But they also had an amazing sculpture made out of delicate metal leaves. So intricate with an amazing structure.

The pop-up shop is actually a part of the Museum of British Folklore - check out their website here. I have actually spoken to the Director Simon before and he is so passionate about British Folklore. The museum doesn't currently have a proper venue and need lots of support from all us folk. So if you want to find this lovely little shop then exit outside South Kensington tube station and take the exit on your right. If you head down the road to the busy crossing there is a french cafe on the corner and it is opposite there. It is only open until the 21st so you may need to hurry. I would suggest teaming your visit to the shop with a visit to the Hummingbird Bakery which is just down the road - the whoopie pies are hard to beat.
xx

Tutorial: Paper Mache Bowl

While I'm at Ashbury market tomorrow, and the shop will be closed, I thought I should keep you all busy with a tutorial. However, I must confess, this tutorial is actually from another source but I thought it was so lovely that I wanted to share it with you all.

From the etsy shop - Up in the Air Somewhere

Inspired by the designer above but shown 'how to' by the people at The Happy Home, this tutorial is to create a beautiful paper mache bowl with a gleaming gold interior.

To get instructions go - here. I think this bowl would be perfect for the festive season, but the arrangement in the image above is stunning.

Have a fun weekend. Wish me luck at the market.
xx

A project for the weekend by Poppytalk

All the leaves have almost fallen, there is a nip in the air. We have had some foggy nights and crispy mornings. You can almost feel christmas creeping up. I haven't started singing jingle bells yet, but give me time. And what is christmas all about? Family.

Now, along with discovering a fantastic blog called Poppytalk, they had a brilliant idea for a family tree orientated house decor.

They have a brilliant tutorial on the blog - here - and I definitely want to do this in my own home. When I get one of my own that is. I think this is perfect for christmas time as well. Give each frame a little red gingham bow and they will be perfect.
xx

Take a bit of London with you

The date is set. After the 18th December we will no longer be Londoners. But, if I'm honest with myself, I never really was a city slicker. I find the pase too fast, the people too rude and although I have had some good times here, I'm afraid the only thing I will really miss are the friends I have to leave behind. Sniff, sniff.

In my mind I have started to compile a list of things I would like to do before I go. Hit Gordon's wine bar, make sure I stuff myself with really good mexican food. But I have also been thinking about taking something away with me. I am on the hunt for a print or photograph that will remind me of London and will help swell my art collection. In the future I can look at that print and remember how brave I was to set myself up in the big city. Maybe one of these beauties below would fit the bill (click on the caption for the link)....

Sepia map from art.co.uk

Famille Summerbelle print as seen on Bodie and Fou

Typographic Map sold by bouf.com

London Map by Mark Webber

There is very much a theme going on here but I think all the images above sum up London for me. Busy, often frantic, the murky colours reminding me of my stained black fingers from the free newspaper print, and flashes of colour showing the excitement, danger, genius hidden round the corners.

I think I might be a bit sentimental. But we must look to the fast approaching future and what do we have planned? Well, I fantastic trip to Japan.
xx

I love all the elements

So on my wanderings around spitalfield market the other week, I found a shop that is my complete inspiration. Elemental has such a great range of industrial inspired furniture. But I've said too much already - just look at all the pretty pictures...

Sigh, I'm in love.
xx

Finding a chandelier in the newspaper

One of the things I will miss about London is free newspapers. I won't miss the 45 minute journey squished up against someone I don't know whilst trying to read the free newspaper. But it is nice when you are in the mood to connect with the wider world to pick up a paper and peruse through. As I left work today I just had this feeling that I should pick up the paper instead of reading my book (Jane Austen - Northanger Abbey), or playing on my nintendo DS (Professor Layton - the Lost Future), and I believe it was fate. I found the most amazing little article tucked in the pages all about beautiful chandeliers.

The chandeliers are made by Madeleine Boulesteix from tea cups, jelly moulds, cupcake tins and old clay pipes. They fit so perfectly with the Springy Beard ethics, to find a new use for old unwanted things. But they are at a such an inspiring level - I just wish I could reach this.

You have to check out her website - here.
I'm sure we could all do something similar on a smaller scale....maybe start off with a smale scale candelabra made from reclaimed items....give me time and I might surprise you.
xx

Happy Halloween!

So the halloween party was a huge success. The only complaint was that the time went too quickly. We had so much food and I think my homemade cupcakes looked fab next to all the other goodies.

More importantly the pumpkin carving competition. Well, I think my attempt looked pretty good (I'm not making excuses but I really didn't have much time) but I went with a taditional scene and had a go at carving. So my attempt -

Unfortunately I didn't win. I didn't even come second. In fact I came third...well joint third....ok joint third with my 4 year old cousin. I am ashamed.

I hope that you all had a great weekend full of spooky fun. I guess the next event to look forward to is bonfire night....I'm thinking a cosy night in with the other half watching V for Vendetta....
xx

Pumpkins beware! I'm going to carve you up!

So the halloween party is imminent and I am still fretting about a design for my pumpkin!
If you are not aware already my family is having a big halloween party with a pumpkin carving competition. Now, I am not normally competitive but every year since I was in my teens I have carved a pumpkin on halloween. And not to float my own boat, but I think I am getting pretty good. So I am determined to win this competition....or at least get a rosette for best effort.

But, what design, what design....
Now if I was just doing this for decoration at my own home, I would definitely be copying the image below - what a fantastic idea to have a bonfire of pumpkins.

Bonfire of pumpkins from My Fish Bowl Life

Unfortunately I think I can only enter one pumpkin (plus I don't really fancy carrying that many pumpkins all the way from London to Wiltshire). So I was thinking of something more classic such as a scary witch.

Scary Witch as seen on Instructables

Or how about a contemporary twist on the favourite scary face.

Scary face on Ideal HomeGarden website

But if I had the skill, one can only dream, I would be carving my pumpkin into a masterpiece. This is the scariest pumpkin carving I have ever seen!

Scary! as seen on the Mail online

So what do you think? Let me know if you have any ideas out there. I need help! (both mental and pumpkin carving varieties are welcome)

Now all I need to do is find a design, carve a pumpkin, bake 48 cupcakes, sort out a costume...
xx

Market day!

While we are away at the Kingfisher Craft Fayre this weekend - and the etsy shop will be closed - I thought I would give you some links to things on the internet that I think you might like. I have decided to tailor my links to a grown-up halloween themed dinner party as the spookiest day of the year is fast approaching - click on the captions to be sent to the sites.

Set the scene as your guests approach the front door, or if you are brave, have a late lunch sat outside watching the sun set as you feast.

The perfect greeting

If you opt for inside (and all UK people would be wise to!) then set your table with black and white linen, accented with small orange squashes.

The perfect sophisticated halloween dinner

And don't forget the food that you are serving! This is where you can have a little bit of fun and where the child in all of us can come out and play.

Spooky feast

And if you really want to be the perfect host send your guests away with their own trick or treat gift bag, filled with all your favourite sweeties.

Halloween treats

Have a lovely weekend and come and join me at the Kingfisher Craft Fayre in Swindon if you have the chance!
xx

Kirstie is back!

Did everyone watch Kirstie's Homemade Britain last night? What did you all think?
Kirstie has decided to show that she has earned her title as the Queen of homemade by entering into local agricultural shows. I won't give away the exact activites that took place last night, just to say it involves baking. If you didn't have time to watch it, catch up on 4OD here.

Courtsey of The Guardian TV and Radio Blog

I must admit that I love Kirstie and I think she does a great job of showing what us Brits are capable of. Sarah Beeny is also back on our screens tonight with Beeny's Restoration Nightmare, which I actually think is clashing with The Great British Bake Off Revisited. Too much telly not enough time it seems!

I also have some big news of my own - The entire Springy Beard contingent is going to be packing up its bags and moving to Wiltshire at the end of the year! This means double the amount of work with trying to pack and prepare all the markets that I have going on, but it will be worth it.

I hope you all have a nice weekend. If any of you are in Swindon, Wiltshire on Saturday come along to the Kingfisher Craft Fayre in St. Pauls, Covingham. I will be there (it is my first stall with this particular market) and it would be lovely to see friendly faces.
xx

Get your glass hanging

I was in Glasgow yesterday for the day job. Unfortunately I didn't really have much time for site seeing but I did manage to squeeze dinner in at a really lovely restaurant. It is called Ingram Wynd and is a victorian inspired Scottish restaurant, and when in Rome, I mean Scotland.....I think I've got myself confused.

The Gorgeous Interior of the Ingram Wynd

Anyway, I am not blogging to tell you about the delicious meal (although the smoked haddock fishcakes and raspberry creme brulee were amazing!). I wanted to tell you about the decor, one aspect of which I think we should take into our own homes. Rather than just have large windows with no decoration on, they had sheets of stained glass hanging in the window - see the image below. It added such a lovely touch and made beautiful coloured light flood in during the day, and coloured lights twinkle in the night.

Spot the sheets of stained glass in the window

I really think this is something you could do in your own homes - I believe Kirstie Alsopp even did a similar thing in Kirsties Home Made Home with Abinger Stained Glass.

Kirstie making stained glass

So get out there hunting for your perfect sheets of stained glass, or even make your own, and bring a bit of coloured light into your homes.
xx

Renegade

So I am swamped this weekend getting everything ready for a big new market at the end of the month with The Kingfisher Craft Fayre, in Swindon, Wiltshire on the 22nd - click here. However, I have taken a bit of time out to go to a new craft fayre in east London.

The Renegade Craft Fair is a FREE (to attend) market with all the latest indie-entrepreneurs. Based pre-dominatly in the US they have come to the UK for the first time this weekend! Along with stalls from international and local businesses, they also had workshops you could attend.

The Renegade Craft Fair

I must admit that they had a lovely range of stalls, see the images below of just a couple of the goodies on offer, but there was not as much variety as I had anticipated. And I was fully prepared to be completely intimidated by everyone, as I am only new to the fayre game, but surprisingly I think my stall could potentially hold its own.

Cufflinks by The Weekend Store

Vamped up crockery by Melody Rose

The only other problem for me was the location - and I don't mean the hour and half journey that I had to take to get there (please bring more London fayres my way)! I think the fayre might have a hard time competing with the already well established shops around spitalfields. I know I got distracted....

My new favourite shop - Elemental

One of the book stalls inside Spitalfield Market

Furniture, Books and Food. What more could a girl want.

I highly recommend going to the fayre next time its in town so visit their site - here - to keep an eye out when they are back.
xx