Paper jewellery - I feel like Fred Butler!

Two summers ago the V&A played host to a couture fashion exhibition from the sixties, and I promptly trotted down, both for dissertation research and of course personal interest. I have always been interested in sixties fashion and the social and literary influences surrounding it. Time magazine said in April 1966 that "In a decade dominated by youth, London has burst into bloom. It swings; it is the scene. This spring, as never before in modern times, London is switched on." To me London is still "the scene"; the city to look to for fashion innovation, and I guess that's why the sixties are both so important and so fascinating for me.

Although I had read all about them, whilst at that exhibition I saw my first paper dress. I was amazed at the vivid colours, the amazing patterns, and how thick the paper was! Paper dresses were a brief but spectacular Sixties sensation. They were cheap and disposable, and their simple 2-D shape was ideal for the bold graphic prints that were so fashionable. Some were produced as free gifts to promote paper products, and though prone to tearing and creasing, they were marketed as 'instant fun from London'.

What I hadn't heard of though was the paper jewellery that accompanyied these dresses and was popular in its own right. Of course I knew Fred Butler was making popular paper jewels right now, but I didn't realise it was something that had been happening for years!

But apparently by 1967 paper fashioning had become a full blown trend; Hallmark picked up on the trend and produced paper dresses with matching paper plates, gift wrap, napkins, placemats and other party paraphernalia for a complete party theme! Then along came paper jewellery, paper mache shoes and even paper dog clothes!!

Yesterday, tired of reading magazines and in need of more bread to go with my sickness soup, I had to (shock horror!) leave the house. Whilst out I happened upon an amazing book in poundland (of all places!) for just a pound; The paper jewellery collection; easy to wear and ready to make pop out artwear. It comes complete with all the metal findings and instructions and, as well as being interesting from a socio-historic point of view, taking away the status attached to wearing jewellery, it also seemed like a lot of fun! It's such a lovely book that I was tempted not to make the jewellery up and preserve it, however my desire to see how it would look got the better of me. Here are the results of my labours (no face shots of course, I currently frighten small children!):

I'm not sure about the eighties style necklaces and the bracelets feel like they'd break the minute I flexed my arm, but I am really pleased with the earrings and you can also make the matching brooches and hatpins which look great and which I can't wait to try...as soon as i've had another little nap!
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I hope you all have a great weekend!

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Love, Tor xx

Bank holidays, Car boot sales, and a whole load of poorly!

Hi guys,

I hope you all had a good bank holiday! Sorry for the long break in posts; I spent the bank holiday weekend at home in Skegness with my mum and dad (and Teddy the dog!) where there is no internet access to be had. Then instead of coming home and making up for it with a series of mega posts as planned, I came home and promptly caught the flu (don't worry, not the swine variety!) and a chest infection. Grrrreat! (As Tony the tiger would say!)

Whilst in sunny Skegness we went for a wander around the local car boot sale (one of the biggest ones I have ever seen, actually!) and because i'm feeling too poorly to put together an intelligent and coherent post, i'm simply going to show you the bargains I bought there instead:

Chain handled quilted/studded bag, £1

Stack of books, (my commuters curse is that I get through about 3-4 books a week!) 20p-50p each
Little red netted hat, 50p

Babysham deer (to go with my collection of babysham glasses), £3

Tiny little mannequin, 50p

Hello Kitty doll (for the collection!) 50p

Not a bad haul for just over a fiver, hey?! I must have my imaginary lucky hat on at the moment because, what with this and my beautiful jacket, I have been on serious bargain hunting form! Lets just hope the luck carries on and helps me off this sofa and back to full health!

Love, Tor x

Fabfrocks interviews: Lindsay from EmandSprout

Hi All,

As i've already mentioned on this blog once or twice, I have a major shoe crush on the etsy store EmandSprout. Their chihuaha shoes have been one my mind at least once daily since the first time I saw them, and they give a fresh take on the phrase "putting the fun into footwear."

So imagine my delight when the lovely Lindsay Gibson, owner and designer of EmandSprout (which was lovingly named after her two cats) agreed to do a short interview with me for your reading pleasure:

How cute are Lindsay and her enviably thick fringe!?

TB: Tell me a little bit about your background:

LG: I've always been a crafter at heart! I know it sounds so cliche but I've just been into making stuff since I was a little girl. My earliest and fondest memories of being crafty were making Valentines Day mailboxes for card swaps in school, you know the kind you make out of shoeboxes? I remember always staying up all night making sure my box was perfect! Fast forward 10 years and I ended up going to art school and graduated with an emphasis in graphic design. I worked professionally as a designer until my interest waned because I wanted to start working for myself instead of for someone else. Plus I'm a terrible morning person, ha! ;)

........................................Lindsay's workspace: where the magic happens!

So about 5 years ago I taught myself screenprinting and created a line of screenprinted t-shirts under the name Kid Pirate. The success of that business allowed me to do extra things with my spare time, and so Em&Sprout was born! Em&Sprout just started as a little side project, but after seeing the response people had to my shoes it's sort of grown into something alot more special that just a side project.

TB: When did you start making your wonderful shoes?

LG: It's been a little over a year now!

TB: Why did you choose to focus on designing shoes?

LG: The shoe idea just popped into my head one day, I didn't really choose to focus on shoes - it just came to me and I went on my whim and made them! I ended up really liking the idea of making cute shoes especially for us grown-ups! Why should only little girls get all the fun shoes?

TB: A bit of a cheesy question, but what is your inspiration?
LG: Animals!! I'm a huge animal lover. Especially my two cats, Em & Sprout (Emily Pussyfoot & Beansprout Sassypants) who the shop is named after! Other than animals I find inspiration in so many things including: Candy wrappers, 80's cartoons, classic arcade games, halloween, monsters, silliness, vintage toys, carnivals and fairs. All things colorful and wacky with a twisted sense of humor :)

TB: What is the most bizarre custom order you have ever received?

LG: Puffer fish maryjanes. They had these huge red fishy lips and I made it's fins coming out the sides of the shoes. They were pretty crazy but the girl loved them. HAHA!

TB: Of all the designs on sale in your store, which is your favourite and why?

LG: Definitely the zombie cats because they're a little cute and a little creepy. How can you not love a little kitty with a gouged eye?

TB: Who are some of your favourite fashion designers?

LG: Betsey Johnson, Erin Fetherston, and basically anyone who has a young, flirty, whimsical aesthetic. An indie label I admire is Kelly of I'm Your Present, she is so fabulous and creative!

TB: As your design style is so cartoon focused, I have to know who your favourite cartoon character is:

LG: This is seriously the hardest question ever, but I have to go with Rosie the Robot from the Jetsons. I watched that show so much as a kid and I have such a soft spot in my heart for her! She was so warm and hilarious, the show wouldn't have been the same without her. I could go on and on about all my other favorite characters but I'd never shut up so I'll stop now! ;)

TB: Describe your fashion philosophy in less than 20 words:

LG: Your personality is your style, be comfortable in your own skin, and don't worry about what others think!

I love Lindsay's style philosophy as much as I love her favourite designer (Oh Betsey!) but not quite as much as I love her fabulous shoes which you can buy here and here.

Happy shopping!

Love, Tor xx

Oh by the way, if you are a designer, illustrator, blogger or creative-type and you would like to be interviewed on the blog just drop me a line at torberry00@yahoo.co.uk and I will be in touch!