the red thread

Electric Mavis Luminare

17 December 2008

Image Source: Gregory Bonasara

Oh how much do I love these Electric Mavis Luminare by Melbourne artist Gregory Bonasar a! What a gorgeous repurposing of vintage tea cups. The juxtaposition of the contmporary streamlined fixture with the curvy and ornate cups is perfect. And I just adore the way the colours and patterns are brought to life by the light.

Gregory's website describes these beauties:
Made from recycled pre loved tea cups and saucers Electric Mavis is a cheeky take on discarded domestic crockery. With minimal modification, these fine porcelain objects are transformed from op shop clutter or potential landfill into chic contemporary light fittings using one low voltage halogen bulb. Electric Mavis is stylish, feminine and the bloom is definitely not off her rose.

Dear Santa....

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Reiko Kaneko's Christmas Baubles

Reiko Kaneko's quirky Christmas baubles are guaranteed to make you smile. Reiko is an English/Japanese artist who's humourous but elegant fine bone china baubles feature creatures that gaze back at you. Wouldn't it look great to have a tree covered in these? But imagine how confused your pets would be. Love them!

Visit Reiko's online shop here.

Image Source: Reiko Kaneko

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Elizabeth Bower Jewellery

16 December 2008

Elizabeth Bower makes stunning jewellery... it's no secret amongst my friends that I love Elizabeth's pieces. Elizabeth and I became friends when she was teaching a jewellery making course I took quite a few years ago. She now lives in New York (I'm so envious!) and is having a massive sale of remaining pieces on her website, with up to 70% off. All prices are in Australian dollars - so if you live in the US it will be bargain central. If I could find a way to justify it I would buy myself a little Christmas present. Have a look here, you won't be disappointed!

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Do you have an itchy child?

I do. So many children have eczema and allergies these days. As the parent of one of those children of course I do everything I can to try to help. This includes eliminating Roxy's contact with anything that's chemical-based, like soap, shampoo, washing detergents. Of course there are products we can use, but they are quite limited... she even reacts to plain old Sorbelene. I also make sure she only wears cotton clothes, and unfortunately for her, we also have to restrict her diet.

I am on the mailing list of a wonderful website called Kumfy Kids, which is run by New Zealand mum Rebekka Plane. Kumfy Kids makes the most beautiful quality 100% organic cotton sleepsuits, baby wraps and accessories. Even if your child isn't prone to eczema or allergies organic cotton is a wonderful thing to wrap or dress them in. Kumfy Kids also sells various organic skin care ranges for children and our can't-live-without product: Tubigrip bandages. We are forever having to put wet dressings on Roxy's arms and legs and Tubigrips are fantastic. Instead of wrapping her in miles of bandages which need to be secured, the Tubigrip is a stretchy tube which you cut to the required length.

The Kumfy Kids website has a great resource page with helpful websites listed as well as parent support forums and other like-minded places to shop.

In Rebekka's latest newsletter she announced a fantastic last minute Christmas deal, and she has allowed me to share it with you. Kumfy Kids has 35% off everything in the store until midnight Wednesday 17th December. Just enter the code: "christmas" into the coupon section of the order form. (You must have at least one non-sale item in your cart to get the discount). Rebekka is very knowledgeable a helpful and her service is fast. I can't recommend her website highly enough.

Go to Kumfy Kids here.

I am not affiliated with Kumfy Kids, and don't know Rebekka personally... I'm just a very happy customer wanting to spread the word!

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The Water Babies

Roxy was given the most breathtakingly beautiful book for her birthday, called The Water Babies. This 2008 publication is a contemporary retelling of the original children's story by Charles Kingsley which was first published in 1863.

As chance has it I have a mid-century edition of the book in my collection of vintage children's books. The book doesn't have a publication date, but the inside cover has a February 1955 inscription on it. The story is retold by Arthur Groom and illustrated by Waring.

I have to admit that I haven't attempted to read either of the copies of the book - for now I can't get past the beautiful visuals.

The 2008 Water Babies book is visually stunning with magical underwater photography by Zena Holloway, complimented and enhanced by the detailed illustrations of Heidi Taylor and gorgeous typography.

Enraptured with Zena Holloway's dream-like underwater photos, I went looking for more about her and found her website. Zena's gallery of images shows her editorial and advertising portfolio as well as her Water Babies work.

Visit Zena Holloway's website here - if you're not already gob smacked by the beauty of her work you will be when you see the detail and intensity of colour in the enlarged images on her site.

You can find the official Water Babies' site here, where you can buy Zena's limited edition prints.

Image Source:
All book images taken by me from personal copies of
The Water Babies books.
All other images from Zena Holloway.

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