Spring plates!

And a few more recent one!

A few of my own little pots!

Sprucing it up

Just came across the Texas based Sprucehome on Etsy where two pieces in particular rattled my cage : the "Dragon Slayer" sofa above (not cheap to own but free to admire and swoon over! I love the bright, oriental-inspried fabric of the back cushions - would be great in embroidery for anyone nimble-fingered!) and the "Midnight Jasmine" chair (below.) The back has been upholstered using a recycled Indian sari blanket and the effect against the blue velvet is stunning.

No blots on this landscape!

I just love this new "Ink Blot" range at Pigeon Toe Ceramics. Simple and stylish!
Pigeon Toe Ceramics, New Arrivals

Mutant carrots

In San Francisco, Utilitarian Franchise produce a whole wealth of screen-printed textiles that celebrate organic matter (as well as one or two industrially produced items too - yep, there is a gun.) What I love about their designs is that they are not only extremely well drawn, but are also very clever. A favourite technique is the creation of human/vegetable hybrids - mutant carrots with roving eyes for example - which are novel and surprisingly attractive. I was immediately reminded of the paintings of Renaissance artist Arcimboldo (the one who painted the men with vegetable heads- below) so they are clearly in good company!

Archimboldo "Summer" and "Water".

The shop includes a whole host of insect designs and all come in a variety of vibrant colours. I recommend a scroll through the Etsy shop as there are quite a few little surprises in store!

A bodice-shaped pitcher

There's something about Anne Black's "Ruth M" ceramic range that is really quite beautiful. It may be the combination of pastoral scenes - reminiscent of 17th century Dutch Delftware - with the quite angular forms popular in 21st century design, or quite simply the delicacy of the pieces as a whole, but whatever the cause the result is undeniably sophisticated and elegant. I'm hankering after this pitcher:  the clouds remind me of Japanese prints and I adore the fact it's shaped like a bodice!