I just LOVE these card by Alison Hardcastle. So simple but so brilliantly executed, they do exactly what it says on the tin. Check out her shop here:
I came across a leaflet and a couple of samples by this local Leigh on Sea business in a shop the other day. Cakes…made entirely of sweets. No sponge. No fruit. No crumbs. Just sweets. Anyone who knows me will know this is my idea of heaven. One of my favourite ever birthday presents was a giant hamper filled with retro sweets from my friend Sophia. What I love about these is the different designs, while looking them up I came across a couple of other people doing something similar but not, in my opinion, as well as these guys. They don’t have a website but a Facebook page. Check it out.
I haven’t posted for a couple of weeks, generally because I’ve been busy getting old. Yes I turned the big 3-0 but it wasn’t all bad, I got some AMAZING presents and had a lovely night out with friends and a big family meal. So far so good on the thirties front!
I LOVE THESE! These cushions by Nikki McWilliams make me happy. Plus they would go perfectly with my Robert Archard ceramics.
I know I seem a bit obsessed with teacups at the moment but I came across these beautiful ceramics by local artist Julie Spurgeon at the weekend. Exhibiting in Annabel Dees pop up shop as part of the Leigh Art Trail, these beautiful tea sets had me captivated. I was lucky enough to chat to Julie and she told me all about the inspiration behind them – fond childhood memories of the tea making ritual, the pleats and folds in the porcelain reminiscent of things like cupcake cases.
The above pieces are from her Material Pleasures collection which are currently featured in the exhibition Teapots to Tapestries, and available to buy at Fortnum and Mason.
What to do with them??! I’ve got about 80 or so hanging around from the wedding, we used them as place settings:
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I’m definitely going to keep a healthy amount, if I’m honest I only decided to do this as it was a good excuse to buy lot’s of them -I’ve always wanted a display like the one below:
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But what to do with the rest? I was going to sell them as a job lot on Ebay but I keep coming across more and more interesting and creative things to do with them. Do I try and make something out of them to sell on? I spent a fair amount of money and quite a while finding them so it’s an attractive idea. Problem is – what to do?!
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My local card shop Best Wishes on Elm Road has a great selection of cards including…mine! I went in yesterday to take a photo and the lady told me they were selling well so thank you people of Leigh!
Best Wishes
3 Elm Road, Leigh on Sea SS9 1SW
Next up is the fantastic kids boutique Hoboken. Stocking all your favourite brands such as Katvig, Louie Louis, Dandy Star and Minymo, to name a few, it is beautifully designed and also stocks a lovely range of accessories such as room decor, cards and wrapping paper. Everything you could need for your little ones under one roof. Hoboken also has an online store so anyone who isn’t local doesn’t have to miss out!
Hoboken Kids
64 Broadway, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 1AE
I didn’t get very far talking about the wonderful shops in Leigh on Sea before did I?! Well I’m back on the case now. I seem to be at a bit of a crossroads art wise, I’m just not sure what I want to do. I’ve got loads of ideas but none of them excite me enough to actually motivate me into starting. Whilst out and about in lovely Leigh I am constantly inspired by the shops and the handmade goods they stock by local creatives. Even their layouts and displays are super attractive – there is so much creativity in this area. Plus it’s the Leigh Art Trail next week so I’m hoping to see some stuff that might get my creative juices flowing. In the meantime I’m going to share some of the lovely little places around here.
Fancy Nancy
107 Rectory Grove, Leigh on Sea SS9 2HW
The first is Fancy Nancy, THE most amazing cake shop I have ever come across. Whilst their main business is making wedding/occasion cakes (including for celebrities such as Philip Schofield and Dizzee Rascal) you can pop into the shop to buy one of their delicious cakes, enjoy a cup of tea or pick up some cake making supplies. It is done out beautifully and even has an open plan kitchen area where you can see the cakes being made.
I don’t wear much jewellery which is funny as I’m a sucker for it. Especially anything from This Charming Girl, handmade vintage and contemporary jewellery:
Easy on the Eye 
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