CREATE Brighton – Round Two!

ContemporaryLab are supporters of CREATE Brighton and it’s time for their second event of the year! You are all invited to Create No.2!

CREATE’s vision is to build a community of people who can develop brilliant new ideas in social innovation and work place cultures.

Our previous and first event was a smashing success, thank you so much to all those who came.

This time is going to be equally great, we have organised some awesome Brighton superstars to come and talk with you.

Guest Speakers:

Mark Sears - Them Big Oak Trees / Good For Nothing

Tom Nixon - Social Entrepreneur

Andrew Sleigh - Brighton Mini Maker Faire

So why not come along and join us on:

Tuesday, May 14, 2013
6:00 PM

Yum Yum Ninja
15-18 Meeting House Lane, Brighton, BN1 1HB
Brighton 

www.createbtn.co.uk

Like us on Facebook!

Keen To Try Lino Block Printing?

Have you ever wanted to try Lino Block Printing?

Well now is your chance! If you’re in the London area, our wonderful textiles and wallpaper designer, Laura Felicity is holding a printing workshop to teach lino block printmaking techniques that you can take away with you and do in the comfort of your own home!

During the Lino Print Tea Party you can create your own lino print stamp and print your own design onto a range of stationery, including gift wrap, tags, greeting cards and paper bags.

It’s a perfect and easy way to personalise gifts for any occasion whilst drinking tea and eating cake.

Whether you are a beginner or someone who has dabbled in printmaking before and wants a refresher, come let your creative juices flow and print away with plenty of refreshments and snacks to nibble on while you get inked up.

The workshop will be held on Tuesday 16th April from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at Craft Central, Farringdon, London EC1M 4DS.

The cost of the workshop is £28 per person, with 10 spaces available.

Materials and refreshments are included within the price.

Please bring with you some ideas and inspiration for you block stamp. Block designs and silhouette shapes work best for this type of printmaking.

We look forward to seeing you there!

If there are any questions about the workshop or you would like to book a place; please contact Laura at info@laurafelicity.co.uk

Share The Love <3

COMPETITION TIME! This one’s called “Share The Love”. This Valentines Day we are giving away 3 biscuit block mugs to three lucky winners: http://contemporarylab.com/kitchenware/biscuit-block-mug.html

Valentines day is a wonderful day and we want you to Share The Love by re-posting this photo onto 3 of your friends’ walls. If they re-post the photo back onto our wall and LIKE OUR PAGE, they are automatically entered into the competition to win! Note: Existing fans are naturally always entered into all of our competitions! Have fun and remember to Share The Love! ♥

Introducing our new AU “After Upholstery” Range!

Eleanor has been very busy over the last 6 months! Not only has she been completing various upholstery projects; she has also worked on several commercial commissions and on top of that – released some new products.

Understandably, from all that work, there was a hell of a lot of fabric left over! Being a cleaver girl and keeping her products in touch with sustainable design, she has introduced her AU “after upholstery” range.

First in her new AU Range, Eleanor launched these gorgeous “AU” Cushions which use the off-cuts of upholstery fabric that could not be used on bigger projects. How great do these look too!

She has designed these cushions so that even the smallest off-cut can be used somewhere. You could say that these cushions are not only super quirky and very stylish but also up-cycled; a notion we are very fond of here at ContemporaryLab.

Another of our gorgeous up-cycled products – The Amethyst Showers Seat

A close of The Amethyst Showers Seat

As Eleanor has used off-cuts, her cushions are limited edition and there are only 4 available in each colour, so get your’s today! It’s FABULOUS FRIDAY TOO! So why not get it at 15% off the normal retail price – bargain!

Visit the shop today: www.contemporarylab.com

Happy Shopping

x

ContemporaryLab become Mentor’s for Vanilla Ink!

As many of you will know. ContemporaryLab & Vanilla Ink support each other as “sister sites”. Both businesses promote design graduates and therefore, it only made sense to join forces!

On 1st October, Kate from Vanilla Ink asked if we would like to become a mentor for one of her in-house jewellers and we were over the moon!

ContemporaryLab will be mentoring the very talented Victoria Kelsey!

Vanilla Ink have recently opened its doors within WASPS Meadowmill, Dundee, and has taken on 7 design graduates to develop their skills over the year.

We are excited to be working with the Vanilla Ink Mentoring Program and can’t wait for our first official meeting with Victoria!

You can read all about the program on the Vanilla Ink website.

Introducing FABULOUS FRIDAYS at ContemporaryLab!

Last Friday we saw the launch of FABULOUS FRIDAYS at ContemporaryLab and boy was it popular! Customers commented that it was nice to shop around and find somewhere that was offering a “really big treat” after a hard week at work.

Come and join in on the fun this Friday and treat yourself. We know you deserve it! Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date with our activity. Take part in our “WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY” campaign and have the chance of winning a gorgeous set of coasters! There are 5 to give away.

Simply share a photograph of what makes you happy on our wall. The best photos win a set of fabulous coasters! We think this competition will be a lovely way to make each other smile.We have compiled a little photo album called “What Makes You Happy? – ContemporaryLab July Competition”, so we can share the smiles!Tell your friends about our competition too and don’t forget to like our page! Let’s see your photos!

Remember to check in this Friday – it’s not to be missed!

Hello Materials!

As you may know, we took a little holiday to Sweden to visit family. Conviently, Copenhagen was only 45 minutes away on the train from Malmo, where we were staying, so we decided to spend a day in Denmark.

As we hopped off the train, we saw big signs for THE DANISH DESIGN CENTRE, so thought we should have a look.

They had a fabulous exhibition on New Materials called HELLO MATERIALS. Here are some snaps of what we found.

What really got our attention was the topic about using fungus (mushrooms) as and alternative to plastics. The reason being – that it takes no time at all to grow and is fully bio-degradable! Fantastic!

If you get a chance to go and see this exhibition – we highly recommend it!

For more images on our trip to Sweden and Copenhagen, visit our facebook page.

Fun At New Designers!

Yesterday we took a trip from Brighton to Islington to have a wonder around New Designers and give the Brighton University Graduates 2012 some top knotch support.

Check out who we bumped into!

It’s Melissa Remai from Brighton University! We had a lovely little catch up about how the show had gone so far for her. Pictured below is her cork vessel. She explained that because the majority of the vessel is made out of cork – it actually floats. We thought the combination of the cork and red plastic worked really well.

Pictured next to the cork vessel is Melissa’s brilliant “Emergency Cigarette”. The cigarette hangs on a chain – so that a person can wear it as a necklace. It’s “function” as a necklace actually worked really well and looked very stylish when Melissa put it on. Well done Melissa!

Next we chatted to Bryony Penman, another brilliant design graduate from Brighton University. We are a huge fan of her oriental looking ceramic cups and wooden saucers. Picture below are the four colours she offers with Aaron Norman from ContemporaryLab (being a very good hand model)!

And here is Aaron from ContemporayLab – standing next to Lucy MacDonald’s gorgeous wall mounted flower pots!

We also bumped into Edward Fiddes – who we chatted to for a long time about his brilliant sign posts with a difference.

Ed’s sign posts were designed to provide a habitat for birds and insects. The green metal rectangular parts on the posts are bird houses and picture below is Ed’s insect palace! The perfect place for creepy crawleys to live.

Pictured below are more of the Brighton University degree projects. Interesting stuff huh?

After that we went for a little look around the rest of the show and came across some brilliant things! Picture below is an instant postcard machine – the postcard comes out franked so you can instantly write it and then post it! Fantastic!

You have the option to take a photo or choose one from the postcard image bank. Sean and Emma took a photo and below is their instant postcard!

What was so nice to see was an actual “machine type” idea that worked and was not purely a concept. To find out more, contact hannahwildlondon@gmail.com

Then, we saw the “slap it” light – beware – this light pushes the boundaries!

The silicon light turns on and off when you slap or squeeze the buttocks! We had such a chuckle at the idea but were super impressed with the concept.

Joseph Begley, the designer, told us that he likes to push the boundaries when it comes to design. This project focused on actions and materials that are enjoyable to act out and come into contact with i.e. squeezing a silicon bottom!

To see more of Joseph’s things, visit his website at : www.josephbegley.co.uk

What a great trip to New Designers that was!

Selected To Join The Manchester Craft & Design Centre!

We are very excited to announce our lovely Ella is re-locating her workshop to the Manchester Craft and Design Centre, Studio 20a, after being selected to join their fantastic community of makers.

The studio opening will be in the coming weeks so keep your eyes peeled for dates, events and exciting updates about Ella in her new space! Congratulations Ella!

To see Ella’s full collection – just visit the ContemporaryLab site! If you see something you love but it’s not quite the right size or shape – just give us a call on 07769656737 or email our project manager, Emma on emma@contemporarylab.com to discuss altering a current design or making something from,  scratch so it’s personal to you.

You’ll be surprised - we don’t charge an arm and leg for bespoke work. We believe in quality and accessible design – that means giving our customers great prices and an even better experience with us.

Look forward to hearing from you soon!

Interview with our designer of the month: Eleanor Young

This month, our Designer Of The Month Award goes to Eleanor for the most hits on her Blue Kaliedoscope Coasters! You can find more of her fabulous coasters in the ContemporaryLab shop.

CL: How would you introduce yourself to our readers who may have not come across your work or before?

I am a Scottish textile designer and upholsterer working under the name of Fun Makes Good. I specialise in making graphically led products for the home.

CL: Can you talk a little about your design process?

When designing a new product I start with a bit of visual research, looking at found patterns and colour, anything from origami to sailing boats. I then begin with sketching ideas, combining shapes and patterns till I formulate something that I am happy with. I start on paper and as the design takes shape I move into digital using illustrator. I usually have a finished product in mind, so on the computer I can scale up the design to fit the product. If I am designing a new piece of upholstery often the chair helps to shape the design, ie its curves may suggest one thing or its strong lines may suggest something else. If working for a client, they will often suggest a starting point and I develop it from there.

CL: What comes first – the materials or the design idea?

Usually they evolve simultaneously, if I am working on a new piece of upholstery, the material choice can help shape the design. I like to use a mix of materials, leathers, soft cotton satin and wools. The combination of textures can be integral to the design of the upholstery.

CL: How do you choose your materials?

I like to use as many locally sourced and produced materials as possible. Scotland has a great heritage of textile manufacturing and it’s a privilege to have access to so many great materials.

CL: What part of the process excites you the most?

I love creating bespoke designs specifically for customers. I enjoy the collaborative process, combining ideas to create something totally unique for their home.

CL: What are your values and ethics when it comes to designing?

I try to use locally produced materials and natural products where ever possible. Creating something unique that will be cherished and enjoyed for years to come.

CL: From all of your pieces which is your favourite and why?

I think my favourite piece so far was when I was asked to design new upholstery for a set of 6 mid century dining chairs. I had the opportunity to design a set, something which I had never done before. To see the design working together was great, each chair was slightly different from the next and it was so nice to have such freedom.

CL: What are the benefits of being a designer-maker?

It’s great when someone says they like your work and would like something specially made for them. It’s a great compliment to be asked that.

CL: What are the disadvantages?

The disadvantages are you have to be very strict on yourself to do work and keep motivated. Sometimes you just want to shut up the studio and get away from it. However the fact is your time is flexible and that’s a very rare thing!

CL: What do you enjoy doing apart from designing and making your products?

I love getting outside and into the countryside. I have been doing lots of hill walking and recently found somewhere to go sailing.

CL: If you weren’t a designer what would you have liked to be?

I briefly dabbled in cake baking, making cakes for cafes and I like baking at home. Perhaps I’d open up a design shop/café!

CL: What advice would you give to someone just starting out in design?

Be passionate, be positive and work hard.

CL: Who is your favourite designer?

I love the bold textile work of Lucienne Day but I also admire her and Robin collectively. How they worked independently and also collaboratively and supported each other. They were the perfect team.

CL: And finally, what is your favourite colour?

Right now I am having a green moment but tomorrow I will probably say orange!

If you would like one of our bespoke pouffes or you have a piece of furniture you would like re-covered, we would love to help! Email or call Emma, our project manager on:

emma@contemporarylab.com or 07769656737

Happy Diamond Jubilee! Don’t forget about our Bank Holiday Weekend Sale!