Mondays are for Mugs: RoomForEmptiness on Etsy

To cheer up miserable Mondays I'm on the hunt for the most marvellous mugs. As we all know a cup of tea in your favourite mug is sometimes the *only* way to get through the beginning of the week.

So here's a sophisticated little mug to start with, the - Hand-Painted Vintage Cup in the "Somewhat Angular", range by RoomForEmptiness, on Etsy. Available for only £12.59, but as these are one-off upcycled vintage pieces - get in there quick. They also offer other beautiful ceramics hand-painted using this simple line design, so even more choices aside from this perfect little cup that Monday tea.

Hand-Painted "Somewhat Angular" Vintage Cup, from RoomForEmptiness, on Etsy, price £12.59

Faves: Washi Mug from Mrs Eliot Books

Crafty cuppa anyone?

The Washi Ceramic Mug from London brand Mrs Eliot Books - a definite FAVE. 

Crystal Palace Antiques & Modern, SE19

Billed as South London's Largest Antiques Emporium it was no surprise how much I loved Crystal Palace Antiques & Modern. 

This fantastic multi-storied twisty-turny location offers antiques spanning all the best vintage furniture eras - a treasure trove of older pieces and the modern twentieth century very well represented too. Different countries are also covered - with this Vintage Russian circus poster one of my favourites finds...

And (also as expected!) it was the slink mid-century pieces that caught this intrepid fantasy shopper's eye...

But there were plenty more older pieces to fit any tastes, as you can spot in this pic of the lovely Laura modelling some reclaimed school coat hooks...

But for me the more modern furniture was far too hard to resist...nice yellow accents, walnut and black metal here...wouldn't say no to these!

And even more proper classics...

Plus some amazing vintage maps...

I also love that the posh signage bears a reminder that you are still in South London...and Crystal Palace FC land of course too...

A definite must visit if you are looking for well-chosen antique finds or (like muggins here) if you are just a sucker for a good browse. 

Faves: Thread online's Shower Curtain

I don't actually need a shower curtain (I have the joy of a glass shower door to deal with - sigh) but I'm *still* considering buying this. I like it that much. 

This is from New York state based shop Thread's online store. They seem to ship to the UK which makes me a happy girl as I also spied these on the site:

              

   

Faves: Xenotee's Cat Nap Pillowcase

Xenotee over on Etsy's Cat Nap Pillowcase. Genius right? 

Faves: Oyoy Honeycomb Bedlinen

A new series simply to share my fave products, projects, people, patterns and many more things that don't begin with 'p'. 

Starting with:

Danish design brand Oyoy's Honeycomb bedlinen

Christmas Shopper's Knee: sales guide pt 2

How are those aching joints Christmas shoppers? Ready for round two? Well here's some more shopping treats in store for gift buying, personal...ahem...must buys and general festive cheer:

So first stop is Bloomsbury with Lamb's Conduit Street and Rugby Street's shopping evening this Thursday 6th December. With perfect gift buying homeware shops like Darkroom (colours and patterns? yes please), Thornback & Peel (screen-printed and beautifully packaged pressies) and Ben Pentreath (awe inspiring antiques and unusual gifts) opening their doors late for Christmas shoppers and even a suitably seasonal treasure hunt to boot:

Then head Eastwards to the East London Design Show an annual chance to see over 100 stands from design brands in Shoreditch Town Hall on from Friday 6th with a private view then open to the public until Sunday 9th December. Make sure to check out Lollipop (for most excellent stationery - where I bought my xmas wrapping paper last year!), Volpe and Volpe (elegant ceramics) and Ham (fun quirky gifts - with pigs...and cakes). Plus 38 new designers will be showing this year - making ELDS ideal for one-off unique gifts from brands that'll be making it big on the design scene soon. 

Start the weekend of 8th and 9th December of even more excellent shopping firstly at the Crafty Fox Market with over 40 stalls of designer/makers just up the road from me at Brixton's Dogstar. There'll be stands from the likes of Jim Bob Art (who is the illustrator behind their smashing flyer) and  Birds in Hats (illustrations which you'll be pleased to hear do exactly what it says on the tin) along with workshops, for the shopping shy, from very impressive folk including craft queen Perri Lewis and talented screen-printer Mr Wingate, so  plenty to keep you busy there! 

Then over in sunny Camberwell the princes' of pattern Mini Moderns will be opening their studio (along with neighbours in creative Empress Mews) from Friday 7th - Sunday 9th. Pop in for gifts, samples and end of the line bargain loveliness:

South London continues to reign supreme with this bumper sales weekend. Next jump is over to Peckham for the fabulously named Pexmas also on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th December. A mixture of vintage and handmade fine festive products including Threads vintage clothes and homeware from Shop Eastern Bloc means there should indeed be frivolities aplenty Peckham way. 

Venture a little further out for original art buys at the Eel Pie Island Artists' Open House -worth going for the name alone, non? This community of artists are based along the Thames in Twickenham on this island that also has its very own nature reserve where they'll be selling lovely artwork, pottery and jewellery. 

Phew, that's just one week! Tired yet?! More to come (knee dependent of course...).