Talking "créa tif" with Karine

 

 

Playtime Paris is not just all about the latest kids' fashion. One of my favourite areas was the Crea.tif space, presenting the work of a handful of young, up-and-coming textile designers, clothing designers and illustrators.

 I had a long chat with Karine Maincent, whose quirky fruit box collages caught my eye, and was impressed (and slightly envious...) to learn that she loves travelling and divides her time between Nancy in northern France and Africa. 

When she isn't running workshops for French school children or designing posters for local theatre groups she's busy sketching and creating in Bénin.

 

 

She calls herself a "geo-graphic-al" artist, I think that suits her well.

Bon voyage

to the travelling studio

Studio Topka !

 

#FF- Faraway Friday

With a bit of help from etsy we're going back in time and far, far away for this week's #FF feature.

I hope you like these three vintage Japanese finds, all equally beautiful.

1950's Paper Maché Kokeshi

1950's Silver Bells Children's Magazine

Child's antique silk hifu vest

Happy Friday!

All Change

From the bright colours of Indian and South American cultures to the soothing, poetic palette of French designer Florence Bories, a.k.a. Pigmée. I have eclectic taste and aim to share as wide a selection of finds as possible on Kickcan & Conkers. 

Today I am pleased to show you Pigmée's new Summer 2012 collection, recently presented at Maison&Objet and Playtime Paris.

 Most of you will be familiar with Pigmée's neutral, faceless keepsake dolls, which appeal to young and old alike. This season brings delicate gold, silver and indigo stars, a beautiful set for newborns and a white, angel doll, edged in indigo thread. 

As a lover of whites, greys, blacks, and simple, rustic/ industrial interiors, I can easily imagine a family of dark indigo Pigmée dolls in my own home, with perhaps a paper and lace light pendant or two. 

Cool cotton sheets, pretty pompon cushions and handmade starched fabric garlands, all we need now are those warm, starry summer nights I so enjoy over here.

All images courtesy of Pigmee

©Pigmee

High Five #1

My image of the day, just because I love these Czech magnetic sets so much.

Image of the day? What's she on about? I thought this was supposed to be High Five?

Well it is, and I hope you will all pop over here to read them*

* thank you!

Shino Suzuki

 Japanese textile designer Shino Suzuki graduated from The University College in Falmouth in 2009. I was immediately drawn to the use of colour and embroidery in her quirky soft sculptures, inspired by traditional costumes and customs from all over the world.

 I discovered Shino's unique work via Selvedge Magazine in 2009, when she won a New Designers Award.

 You will find three of Shino's one-of-a-kind handmade pieces, The Lady and the Bird, Alright, and Edward, in the Kickcan & Conkers shop.

Oh Sunshine!

Yes, Kickcan & Conkers,

Sunshine is my middle name...

Happy February!

Images:

Nixie Clothing SS12

Bedding by Karen Barbé

You are my sunshine by Lydia Crook*

Zoo - Le Macchinine

* via

Playing Around

 

 

 Bon'home

 Hase Weiss

Their new cardboard circus kit was one of my faves at the fair

I loved the pop-up boutique offering a selection of artwork, decorative pillows, soft toys and jewelry by oreli, purocorazon, Ana Maria Fuensalida and Marianne Batle.

 It's been a long, tiring day, involving snow, taxes and runny noses.

Just a few more fun picks from Playtime before I go to bed

(don't worry, I'm almost done).

Bonne nuit !