Seasons Greetings

This fine festive photo is by The Eye photography.
I'll be back in the new year, Merry Christmas.

London Shop Fronts

With the demise of the corner shop the photography collection of London Shop Fronts by Emily Webber captures moments of our urban age.

Toast

Today I took a few moments out from the busy run up to Christmas to take a look at this short dreamy film by Toast. Grab yourself a cuppa, put up your feet and be inspired by this charming mini movie with gorgeous colours, beautiful photography and wonderful music, enjoy.

Sinta

Tanja Lichtensteiger creates charming artwork, prints, postcards and greeting cards which sell in her Etsy shop Sinta. Using watercolours, inks and pencils Tanja illustrates in a wonderful narrative way such as this magical winter scene. Check out the shop and blog for some super story telling.

Heidi Burton

Look at this super snowglobe card by illustrator Heidi Burton. Based in Cambridge Heidi creates paper products including prints, cards and journals all in her wonderful humourous style. See Heidi's work in her shop and find out what inspires heidi here.

Happy kimono

I,m very happy to have found the wonderful designs of Happy Kimono. Self Taught artist Elle hand makes lovely cards, notebooks, tags and pins from here in the UK and sells worldwide via her Etsy shop. Take a look at here blog and see some beautiful photography here.

Blissful Images

My favourite photo this Friday is this stunning shot by Blissful Images, such wonderful colour. Take a look at lots more beautiful photographs here, see the incredible light captured in this one. Visit the Bliss blog for lots more inspiration, enjoy.

Jill Browning

Add some colour to your walls with some stunning prints by surface designer Jill Browning.

Jill creates wonderful bold symmetrical designs in glorious colour. See lots more designs here and buy here (if you can decide which one you like best).

Abigail A Percy

Take a look at the fabulous brand new jewellery by Glasgow based designer/jeweller Abigail A Percy. Made entirely by hand Abigail crafts beautiful nature inspired pieces like this hand pierced simple silver leaf silhouette. Visit Abigail's online shop or Etsy to see more of Abigail's unique jewellery (and the lovely photography). Abigail also has a fascinating blog which keeps you up to date with new work, events and collaborations.

Umpen Editions News

Here's a sneak peak at some exciting new card designs by Umpen Editions that will be previewing at the Top Drawer Spring trade exhibition from 18-20 Jan 2009 at Earls Court, London. Maria Livings of Lush Designs has created a wonderful ornate supernature range all embossed with gorgeous gold foiling. Also look out for the new 33 and a third poptastic birthday number cards.

Pocket Studio

Pocket Studio are a small London based design studio who offer a bespoke service with lots of experience in invitations and wedding stationery. Visit the Pocket Studio shop to see more handmade stationery including these charming animal Christmas cards and some lovely typographic cut out cards.

Mkendall Photography

This Friday's favourite photo is a beautiful dreamlike image by Morgan Kendall. You can see lots of Mkendall's photography in her shop and read more at Polaroidcupcake.

Nosideup

If you love linear drawings then take a look at the wonderful work of Maria Gil Ulldemolins. Oxford based Maria sells her charming detailed observational art in her Etsy shop Nosideup. Inspired by fashion and people the often humorous intriguing studies are available as limited edition prints. Visit the nosideup blog for lots of inspiration and news. A Central St Martins product design graduate Maria has also designed some amazing furniture and lighting such as the laser cut Bloom stool for Liberty which you must take a look at here.

Cakeworkshop

Take a visit to the Cakeworkshop on Etsy, no bakery products but delicious original artwork, limited edition prints and zines all lovingly handmade in London, yummy.

Julia Pott

Let me take you to the wonderful world of Julia Pott, a freelance illustrator and animator based in London. Julia hand paints charming fantastical characters that tell autobiographical stories with delightful text. I am sure you will love Julia's self published mini books especially the wonderful 'I am hating this' which is a collection of the original research for her adorable animated film 'My first crush' about animals and unrequited love. Visit Julia's Etsy store to purchase prints, cards, tattoos, stickers and original drawings and see the website and blog for news. For a real treat grab yourself a cuppa and take a moment to be inspired by this super Etsy Storque film for a sneak peek into Julia's work process and sketchbooks... swoon.

Cathy Cullis

Cathy Cullis is a mixed media artist based in London who creates a mix of charming work including paintings, drawings and wearable art. My favourite is the beautiful embroidered collages that combine stitched figures with layers of vintage papers, fabrics, and poetic snippets of text. Visit Cathy's Etsy shop to see a wonderful collection of work and look out for the lovely detailed original mono-print drawings for sale. Cathy is also an award winning poet and writer and you can read more about her work and inspiration on her blog November Moon.

The Photo Zoo

Fridays are going to be Favourite photo day, here's the first of many. This beautiful image is by The Photo Zoo visit the Etsy shop to see more.

Janice Jong

Take a look into the wonderful world of Janice Jong. From her London home Janice illustrates everyday scenes and captures snippets of life from around the world. Beautifully hand drawn in ink Janice's work features buildings and locations captured in line and coloured in a bold palette. Inspired by places, books, and films each piece of Janice's work has a hint of a story. My favourite is 'The One Dollar Store' and the little peek we get into the hair and beauty shop. Visit the Janice J Etsy or Trunkt stores and have a read of the blog 'Drawing in the backroom' for more news.

Sascalia

Whilst spending far too much time on Etsy today I came across the wonderful art of UK based Sascalia. Childhood memories of growing up in the rural French countryside and a love of books are influences in Sascalia's art. Take a look at Sascalia's Etsy shop to see a beautiful collection of colourful mixed media original collages and prints.

Jane Foster

Brighton based Jane Foster designs and screen prints mid-century Scandinavian inspired paper and fabric items. Bold coloured birds, flowers and geometric patterns adorn her fun 50s and 60s influenced work. Look out in Habitat for greeting cards as above and visit Jane's colourful website and shop for gorgeous prints, collages and cushions using vintage fabrics. Jane is also a designer for the relaunched 70s company ClothKits and her funky chicken and birdie designs are used for beautiful clothing and accessories kits.

Mrs Eliot Books

I Love nature inspired patterns with a vintage feel and Mrs Eliot Books does this in style. Based in London artist and designer Francesca Iannaccone hand makes a wonderful range of concertina plywood books, prints, and cards. Using patterned papers, fabric, wallpaper and bold shapes these collage designs are given a storybook feel with snippets of text. Visit Francesca's lovely site, Etsy, Dwanda,or Folksy shops to see the unique collection of affordable work (look out for the holiday offers) and have a read of the blog for lots of inspiration and news.

P.S Some of Francesca's cards are available in my little shop.

Lush designs

P.S If you are in London visit the lovely Lush Designs shop in Greenwich market.

Umpen Editions

Look out in the shops for these colourful Christmas cards by London based designers Umpen Editions. Available in four delightful designs these fold and behold angels pop out into adorable decorations. Umpen Editions have been creating original designs for a discerning audience since 2005 and have a wide range of cards, kits & social stationery. Visit my shop to see the Beast wishes range which features the heavenly artwork of Maria Livings of Lush designs.

Beyond Fabric

Beyond Fabric was set up by design duo Edu Brasil to create wonderful handmade products from their studio/workshop on London's Brick lane. Fashion accessories, stationery, and home furnishings are made using retro/vintage reproduction fabrics from around the world. Visit the website and choose one of the unique fabrics to be be individually made into a range of lovely products including a passport cover, purse, or apron. Fabric covered cards are also available in my shop.

Darling Clementine

I love this years Christmas cards by Oslo based design company Darling Clementine. Inspired by the classic graphics of the Bauhaus this striking range called Candy Cane combines strong shapes and colours to create a very stylish range. Visit the website to see more of design duo Tonje and Ingrids work which includes identity profiling to illustration for interior and t-shirt design. Check out my stationery shop for their wonderful Marionette and Haberdashery ranges and look out for bags and notebooks coming soon.

Solitaire

Husband and wife team Matt and Em Bruty bring together illustration and textile design to create a range of quirky home-ware products under the name Solitaire. The designs combine lively drawings and hand screen-printing to produce cards, wrap, tea towels, place mats, cushions and aprons. Inspired by English traditions Solitaire produce colourful designs that are cheerful and nostalgic. This eco -friendly design duo use recycled card, biodegradable bags and water based inks and all the products are made in the UK. Visit the website to see the complete range or buy cards online here. Look out for the cozy Christmas card collection.

We are Family

I love everyday objects used in pattern and London based We are Family show this off in style on their quirky range of stationery. Their linear style drawings are put into lively repeat patterns and coloured with a wonderful bright palette creating a bold range of greeting cards, sketchbooks and limited edition A3 prints. This modern collection is printed in the UK using vegetable based inks on chlorine free paper from FSC approved forests. Visit the website to see the complete range and a list of stockists and look out for the christmas cards.

Alison Hardcastle

Today I would like to share the work of York based illustrator, designer, book artist, and printmaker Alison Hardcastle. Alison hand screen-prints bold patterns with charming hand drawn lettering onto cards, stationery, books, and papergoods that debuted at this years Pulse. Along side this fabulous handmade product range, freelancing and teaching Alison has recently had an exhibition at The Red Door Gallery in Edinburgh showing new prints and collages. If you visit the galleries blog you can read a great interview. Cards are available in my shop or visit Alisons site to see more.

Lov-Li

Lov-Li is the Birmingham based design duo Beth White and Rachel Taylor. Drawing from experience in the world of fashion and textiles the pair specialise in colourful quirky surface design for sale and license. Lov-Li also represent a select group of designers and have a growing list of clients including Paperchase and The Art Group. Visit the Lov-Li website to see not only the extensive portfolio but a fabulous range of products that debuted at Top drawer this Autumn including some charming journals. If you would like to purchase some Lov-Li collage style cards then pop along to my little online stationery shop.

Marta Munoz

Next up is the talented Marta Munoz who's wonderful intricate drawings have been used for textile design, editorial illustration, book publication, public art and greeting cards as seen here. A Camberwell College of Art graduate Marta has recently designed this charming Christmas Chandelier card for the Tate gallery shops. Also take a peek at the bespoke wedding maps beautifully illustrated by Marta at the online eco-chic boutique Green Union.

Antony Hall

Hello and welcome, I thought I would kick start my brand new blog by featuring some of the wonderful designers/makers that supply my little online stationery shop Minor Mail.
Firstly I would like to show you some cards by East Sussex based Antony Hall. These intricate cutout designs are hand screen-printed onto 100% recycled card. The large size (150mm x 210mm) and selection of colours make the cards ideal to frame. Check out the range here.