Studio Visit: Marianne Anderson...

Back in belfast at chez a*r and we're reminiscing about our ten days in Glasgow seeing friends and family... we had a great time!

I was so glad to be able to see all my pals while I was over, and Ryan and I went along to have a chat and a cuppa at my good friend Marianne Anderson's jewellery studio... she kindly let me take some snaps in her gorgeous, inspiring studio space she shares with the equally talented jeweller, Alison Macleod, and let me share them here on our blog.

I don't know about you, but I always love a glimpse in to other creative spaces. Makes me yearn for the day when we get to build our garden studio and have a place to keep everything in one space (goodbye kitchen table!) ;)

Marianne studied Jewellery and Silversmithing at Glasgow School of Art, and graduated two years ahead of me. Her work has gone from strength to strength and she exhibits and sells her work in the top galleries around the world and teaches lucky students both one to one, and at GSA. I love her meticulous, ornate detailing - beautiful colour palette of oxidised silver, 18ct gold, garnets, and pearls or mother of pearl. Black, red, white and gold never looked so good!

Check out Marianne's portfolio site, online shop as well as following her on Twitter and Pinterest :)

Was great to see you, lovely!! Come to Belfast and see us!

xo A

Hello Korean Food...

One of the things we miss most about Glasgow (aside from friends et family, of course!) is Korean food at Shilla on Argyle Street... they have a wesbite for the Edinburgh branch, but not for Glasgow - still, it was an awesome lunch which we hugely enjoyed. If I could transport this modest little restaurant to Belfast, I would. In a flash!

Ryan and I were there with our friend Helen (of the lovely farm, fame!) and we had a yummy selection of goodies.

First off, delicious complimentary pickles (gorgeous tasty cucumber, ever so slightly sharp, wilted sesame garlicky greens and then beansprouts which were very unusual and almost tasted meaty and smokey - all good)... then starters of Ddouk Bok Yi (Mochi-type dumpling in Chilli sauce), Mo Dum Twi Jim (Tempura King Prawn and Veg!) and mains of Hoe Deop Bab (Raw salmon on sticky rice with vegetables and chilli sauce, served with miso soup), Dol Sot Bi Bim Bab (Beef with boiled rice, egg and exotic vegetables in a hot stone pot) and finally Oh Jingo Uh Bokum (stir fried squid and veg in a spicy sauce with rice)...

Each and every dish was incredibly good and we had such a good time. I may cry a little to have to sail further away from this good place come Sunday. Go if you can!!

:) A@a*r

Homes & Interiors SECC show & Julia Smith Ceramics...

We were glad to be in Glasgow while the Homes & Interiors show is on at the SECC. It started today, and we went along to look at all the lovely things on display!

Heading there, we knew we were going to see Julia Smith Ceramics, whose work we LOVE! We were lucky enough to visit her studio last year (and it's shamefully taken us this long to share the shots! But here they are... it was very inspiring.) but we have been loving the loot we bought for over a year now (a clock, cups, the cat plate above and some bowls) and it was great to see her stand today and see the progression of her work, and all the lovely new pieces she is producing from her new studio near Inverness. You can purchase her lovely pieces online, or visit her at stand between now and Sunday the 30th October and pick up something lovely there!

We also had a great chat with the lovely Niki Jones while wandering round. It was great to see her beautiful homeware in person and the stand was looking beautiful, styled to perfection with the entire range! It was VERY hard to resist taking one of everything ;)

Hope many of you will be able to make it along, or you can browse the full list of exhibitors online here and drool over their website at your leisure!

We will be back shortly with some studio visits, yummy dinners and shop tours we did while on our little Scottish trip! See you then.

A@a*r

Sleepy Pup...

Oh, it's been a big few days for little Angus - a big journey on the Ferry to Scotland where he was a complete star, and constant excitement being in a new flat and playing with his Granny and Grandpa non-stop! ;)

He's a little snookered now and naps at your side given any opportunity...

I think he likes it here ;)

Happy Sunday, all. Hope yours is as sleepy as Angus's!

A@a*r xo

Day on the Farm...

We sailed over to Scotland on Thursday to visit my parents, and yesterday, Ryan and I went to see my friend Helen, her husband Iain and their two gorgeous children, Leah and Charlie. They have the MOST amazing panoramic view of the countryside in their living room - a full wall window, it's incredible. Photo's don't do it justice!

... we had a lovely day on the farm, and Angus had a great time seeing the cows and sheep on his walk! We got to see Helen's jewellery studio where she is working on her fabulous new collection (when it's online, we will share the link) and had a lovely walk in the Autumnal country-side between showers!

Thanks so much for a lovely day Helen :))

xoxo

New Gift Sets...

Shooting photo's for our 'soon to be in store' GIFT SETS! :)

...all eight of our tea-towels will soon be offered up in a gorgeous set, perfect for giving (to yourself, or others!!).

These are our 'new and improved' tea-towels, complete with hanging loop and can be washed up to 50 degrees now (rather than previous 40) and a new colour of pink for our Rhododendron and our Mango Dahlia is a little different, too!! We love how they all work together and hope you think they're lovely as well...

I'll let you know when they're up in the shop!

A@a*r

Stock has landed...

A BIG delivery of tea-towels has landed at chez a*r... watch out for gift sets landing in the shop (hopefully) next week!

... we can't wait to show you our brand new hanging loop (wootwoot!). Stay tuned :))

A@a*r