ULLABENULLA

A Beautiful Agony

In need of something different to wear? How about something by Reem Alasadi? I am loving her ripped and torn looks, and of course her use of gloves and doll heads! How does she describe her latest collection?

"Diaphanous and distressed, a short silhouette constructed with strict attention, ethereal soft sexy movements layered with dark edginess. Precious re-used lace and treasured metal trims liberated from a loved dress, convey a personal history. A fleeting glimpse from a romantic sepia-toned time, promised within the emotional savagery of aggressive street styling. Victorian forms in leather & wool, bustles and shoulders, drenched beads & lace. Why shout your message when you can retain some mystery, a whispered promise.............. this is our beautiful agony."

Surely one cannot get more romantic then this? 'Born in Iraq, raised in England... From her market stall on London's historic Portobello Road, she teaches others what English eccentricity is all about: her Arabic roots push the envelope of exotic mixes even further by using fur, lace, cotton knits, stained linen under-skirts, embroidered pantaloons, dolled-up camisoles, and curious mementos suspended from stiffly-starched shirting collars with ceramic wooden beads, protestant jet strings, and catholic streams of crystal with shreds of matte cotton haberdashery and macrame, to compose floral fragments of visionary jewelry...' (See more Here and Here)

A Pastoral Dollmakers Gift!

It was last October that dear Fine Pigg chose my name out of 'The Old Top Hat' for Christine Crocker's 20th Anniversarie Celebration! Then to top it off, (pun fully intended!) Christine asked me if she could make my PRIZE in colors of my own choosing! Of course I said YES! I told her I love old faded colors, roses and greens... So of course I was thrilled yesterday when a box arrived from Christine with my own personal 'Antique Worn Velvet Pinkeep' within!!! Beautifully handcrafted with rose printed bark-cloth, pink polka dotted tulle, and luscious antique velvet berries on top of a lovely hand-turned wood stand, I could barely wait to encrust it with my favorite pins! It now sits proudly on my dressing table, looking like a splendid dessert topped cake, delivered straight from a Fairy Bakery! THANK YOU CHRISTINE, for treating me with such BEAUTY!!!

Tea Towel Purse...

Hannah Lamb
Having always loved the textile work of Hannah Lamb, I picked up some purse frames Online a couple of years ago. I must have spent days trying to figure out how to sew a purse that not only would fit into the frames but also open up wider then a fingers width - with NO success. Well yesterday, my dear friend Judy and I decided we would put our heads together and 'figure it out'! After about two hours of feminine swearing and fiddling with patterns Judy went on line and found This LINK! We knew the solution would be easy, we just didn't know it would be that easy to find on line. I decided to use a wonderful PINK French Tea Towel that I bought from Quel Objet a while back to make my first purse. It went together with ease, once we had the pattern-drafted. The most difficult part of making the purse was attaching the fabric to the frame. Rather than gluing the fabric into the frame (didn't know what kind of glue to use?) I bought a small rubber mallet to gently pound it together. It slipped quite a bit and I had to re-pry it open a few times and re-hammer. I think this is something that one perfects over time - at least I hope so. I made a small stuffed handle but wanted the option to add a long strap later, so I attached the handle with buttons on either side of the frame. I'm quite happy with the outcome, and look forward to playing with lots of different shapes and fabrics in the near future!!!

Here is a photo of the purses made by Hannah Lamb that inspired me...

Patchwork Furniture!

Patchwork is back again, and in a BIG BRIGHT and BOLD way! Just look at these interior pieces by Squint Limited! I love how they have taken the current love of French furniture and made it even more modern with bold patchwork! Wow!!! (top image via Bodie and Fou)

Collars and Gowns

I love the work of Karen Halt, and actually did a post on her earlier HERE. She not only creates lovely textile pieces that are painted and then coated with beeswax, but then paints her art in new settings... I am particularly drawn to her 'Collars with Torso's'. Three dimensional little paintings that have a figural base. And the colors and illustrations of her 'Gown by da Vinci' positively sing!!!

Sunday Inspiration!!!

These delightfully whimsical illustrations are by SARAJO FRIEDEN of California. I love her vibrant and energetic sense of line, and how she has added embroidery touches to her illustrations! Who can resist birdhouse crowns or pockets filled with laughter? So fun!!!

Felted Whimsy From Japan!

Recently I received a delightful email from a woman in Japan. We quickly discovered that we have very similar interests and she sent me a list of links to Japanese artists which she felt I might be interested in. Naturally I loved them all, and will share them with you here over time... But as always happens when I start looking at new links, the paths lead me elsewhere, and I end up somewhere entirely different. Such is the case here. Somehow I discovered the site of Yuri Puri an amazing felter from Japan! Her work is truly delightful, like stepping into a wonderful fairytale! Her pieces are often large in scale and full of color and texture - truly a feast for the eyes! ENJOY!!!

What Every Gothic Romantic Should Have...

(Chair by Douglas Little for Barneys)

Little Shoes For Little Feet...

I just love these sweet little strawberry shoes found in Nishale's Art Shop on Etsy! And who can resist this little felted 'elf hat'??? Adorable!

Fanny and Odette

Sometimes I discover an artist whose work takes my breath away... Fanny Crenn - muse, artist and creater of Les Bijoux D'Odette has me swooning in desire and admiration! Fanny lives in West Brittany, France, and Odette, the central character in her work, lives in her heart! In Fanny's dexterous hands, old photos and ephemera, antique clothing and textiles, leather gloves, and other small objects are transformed into beautiful 'reliquaries' filled with memories and romance. Her small wearable pieces are like tiny textural nostalgic scrap-books... Her sublime clothing reminds me a little of the princess in the fairytale Furball (a very refined version of couse!)- wearing bits of this and that and looking absolutely wonderful! We are Lucky indeed that Odette inspires so much!!!