Rolling up my sleeves for spring!

Regular readers of this journal will know that I am impatient for the start of spring so I can go to the allotment and start this years veg patch. But most of all I can't wait for the simple pleasure of wearing a t-shirt without needing a jacket or cardigan - I just love that feeling of warm air and the sun on my arms.

With this is mind, and the spring equinox only a few weeks away, I have stocked up on Lee May Foster's gorgeous hand-printed, ethically made, T-Shirts. If you are like me and can't wait for the warmer weather why not cheer up your wardrobe with one of these great Tees? Or, to bridge the seasonal gap, they do look great under a little blazer or vintage cardigan and you could always choose the slouchy jumper to keep you warm and cosy!

Also available for men

All available from the T-Shirt Department

Oysters. Lockets and Bow - Erica Weiner's new collection

For all of you that love the work of New York based designer, Erica Weiner, you'll be very excited by the box of goodies that has just landed at The Shop Floor Project. Not only are there five new jewellery designs to add to her collection of insects and birds - but Erica has sent over her very last pairs of Vintage Shoe Clips just for The Shop Floor Project - enjoy!!

Wonderfully detailed Oyster Earrings (above)


Elegant Swift Drop Earrings(above)



My favourite - the beautiful, tiny, bronze Hummingbird Skull Necklace(above)



and the beyond pretty, working Locket and Bow necklace (above)

The full collection can been seen in Jewellery Room 1

Vintage Shoe Clips

The Red Bow shoe clips are now back in stock and we also have two further designs to adorn your shoes with. The faux Tortoiseshell Rectangular Bows (very Art Deco) and the rather wonderful 18th century inspired dark purple silk buckles.

All available in limited amounts from the Shoe Department.

The Sun Has Come Out To Play

This morning I felt a glimmer of spring. Yes the trees are still bare and the bluebells haven't even appeared yet (well not up here in Cumbria anyway) but the sun is so warm this morning and I can smell cut grass through the window! I am sure no-one is mowing their lawn this February morning so I put it down to the grass thawing out in the sunshine. If the snow is still thick on the ground where you are take a look at Hilary Laing's Big Sun scarf (above) and I am sure you will feel the nearing of spring too!

Hilary's wonderful silk scarves look great any time of year with big jumpers in the winter or a simple T shirt in the summer.

The inspiration for the majority of her work stems from a child's fresh and exciting outlook on life. Through expressive mark making techniques and the use of bold colour Hilary creates striking and wearable 'paintings'. Hilary's intriguing, vibrant, lively designs are all hand printed and produced in Scotland.

From £39 (each one arrives beautifully wrapped in a gift box!)

Fancy a Brew - new designs by Megan Price

On these snowy winter days (love them or hate them) there's nothing nicer than having a welcoming kitchen to warm you up and lighten your spirit!

We have just launched three new tea towel designs by Megan Price that are guaranteed to do just that! All hand-printed onto the finest linen and £9.50 each.

Fancy a Brew?

Yummy!

And to remind you that summer is just around the corner...



Ice-Creams

All available from the Linen Department at The Shop Floor Project

In Need of Inspiration?

Dear Saint Valentine,this year will you please bring me some good design!

The Shop Floor Project has put together a little idea’s book for Valentine’s Day to help avoid the nightmare of kitsch merchandise this February.

We have selected a collection of alternative objects that you may want to suggest to love ones or to simply treat yourself to. As with everything in The Shop Floor Project we hope these objects will be treasured and loved for years to come.

For Her

"I'll follow you anywhere"

Migrating Bird Necklace £35
A swift chasing an airplane, silver. By New York based jeweller, Erica Weiner

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"Wear your heart on your bag"



'Yes Please' and 'Sweet Sundae' hand printed canvas bags, £19 By Megan Price
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"A saying for all occasions"



Proverb Postcards £12.
A set of twelve hand-blocked postcards each
with a saying such as:
“All Good Things Come to He Who Waits”, “Misery Loves Company”, “Birds of a feather flock together”, “Forbidden Fruit is Sweetest”…

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"Two little flirting birds"


Pair of swooping Swift Earrings, £13 by Erica Weiner

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"For your sweetheart"



Penny Sweet Purse £29, printed leather, all hand-made by Natalie Thakur.

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For Him:

"I only have eyes for you!"



Watching Owls T-Shirt £25, hand-printed, ethical T-Shirt by Cornish based designer, Lee May Foster.

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"Carve your names in a tree"

A Small Book of Trees, £9.50, Limited edition book by Minna Kantonen.

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"You might need me more than you think"

Illustrated card, £2.50 by Lee May Foster


"You are so special to me"



The Special Breakfast Apron £19, Hand printed by Megan Price.

All available from The Shop Floor Project

The Return of the Tea Cup Bracelet

Regular readers of this Journal may remember the article published in December about ceramicist, Bethan Lloyd Worthington's 'Tea Service' charm bracelets. Well after selling out within days Bethan has created a new limited edition collection. The Birdie Tea Service features that wonderful pea green glaze and gold lustre flourishes, but the snowflake has been replaced by the most delicate little bird.

The cups, jugs and teapots retain the form of 1950's inspired ceramics and are hung on vintage Art Deco brass chains, fastening with a stylish clasp.

£24 each and available from Jewellery Room 1 at The Shop Floor Project.