DJCAD: Illustration

And now for my final, and rather short, DJCAD degree show instalment. It is the turn of possibly my favourite section, Illustration. I enjoyed seeing everyone's individual styles and the different applications they had applied them to, from children's books to art prints to ceramics.  I especially liked Stephanie Liddle's interpretation of comfort food. This little fellow below is a pie who can give you a hug!

Stephanie Liddle

Sally Hackett

I loved a lot of the work in this section (I could have spent a small fortune in the illustration shop) but the stand out pieces for me were by Sally Hackett. I can be surprisingly prudish about images of nudity but I feel her work has helped me get over this. She seemed to have produced so much work including the dress above, a book of images to accompany it and a whole host of ceramic figures. I even managed to treat myself to one of her lucky heads that were selling in the shop.

Sally Hackett

So this the end of my little look at Dundee's Brightest. I hope you've enjoyed it,as I'll be doing it all again when I head through to Edinburgh for the ECA show next weekend. Unfortunately I didn't make it back to DJCAD to look at the bits I missed but the show continues until Sunday. If you can make it along I thoroughly recommend you do so.

DJCAD: Jewellery & Metal Design

Time for some more DJCAD shaped design work. This time form the very talented Jewellery and Metal Design group. As usual I spent most of my time being awed and extremely jealous of everyone's skills and talent. One day I will make some 'proper' jewellery.

Sana Aziz

The first display to catch my eye was by Sana Aziz. The bright fun elephants were a big part of this but looking closer, you see the story that is being told. Sana's collection looks at issues faced by women in Pakistan using a circus theme. It was interesting to see all the different pieces together, each telling there own separate part of the story. 

Sana Aziz

Suzi Plunkett's display

Suzi Plunkett

Another display that appealed to me was Suzi Plunkett's. What caught my attention on this stand was the copy of Iain Bank's 'The Wasp Factor' (being the book I read for my personal study in Higher English, it has a specail place in my mind). Suzi's pieces looked at the cruelty in the book in an aesthetically pleasing, though still rather creepy, way. I especially liked the wasp earrings above.

Mairi Burrow

There were so many other amazing collections but my favourite from this section has to be Mairi Burrow's. Each individual piece is incredibly wearable but, seen together, has an even stronger impact. She also has a very snazzy website and company name, Mustard & Peaches, putting my efforts completely to shame.

Filipa Oliveira

If I were to pick a favourite single piece it would be the above ring by Jeweller in residence, Filipa Oliveira. Her other pieces were also rather lovely but this is the one I want! (On a side note, I'm rather proud of the photo above. Look at me getting the thing I want in focus actually in focus.)

Another impressive part of the Jewellery & Metal Design section was the rather beautiful catalogue featuring a double page spread on each of the graduates and their work. Very handy for folks who want to write blog posts, though who ever came up with the white writing on light peach background obviously hates being able to read.

DJCAD: Textiles

Welcome to my first instalment looking at some of my favourites from the DJCAD degree show 2012. There are a couple more still to come but I'm starting off with Textiles...

Ailsa McCreadie

There was lots to like in the Textile section this year. Usually I find it quite difficult to appreciate fabric when it isn't part of a finished product but this years selection got me inspired by the different applications for which they could be used.  I was especially taken by the light grey fabric above, by Ailsa McCreadie, I would love to have it as a pair of curtains in my flat. It might mean complete redecoration but it would be so worth it.

Claire Corstorphine

Serena Quigley

There was also plenty of lovely bright colours and bold prints. I loved the scarves by Claire Corstorphine, my favourite being the one with the bone and watch print, and the architectural designs from Serena Quigley.

Sara Greenwood

Mhairi McDowall

I was, as ever, drawn to my favourite colour purple. I liked that Sara Greenwood's textiles were made into simple, but striking garments. The softer colours and abstract prints were very appealing and her display space was as clean and light as her rather marvellous website.  And, of course, I was also drawn to the triangle pattern in Mhairi McDowell's work. 

Another couple of textile graduates work that really knocked my socks of were Paula Batchelor's braille collection and Judith Steele's menswear collection. I'm not sure why I have no pictures of these two collections! You can have a look at there work online here and here. Or, even better, go along to the degree show and see it in person. There's still time as it's on until Sunday.

To A Better Degree

This weekend saw the opening of the Duncan of Jordanstone Collage of Art & Design (DJCAD) Degree Show. I didn't make it along to the opening on Friday night but I did keep my Saturday afternoon aside for a good old look see.  Even that wasn't enough though, as there is so much I missed out! I did make sure to fit in some of my favourite sections - Jewellery & Metal Work, Illustration and Textiles. It's on for the rest of this week so I'm hoping to get back along to see the bits I missed.  

I've decided to do a few separate posts showing my favourites but I just wanted to take a little moment to mention the Degree Show reception area. This year visitors are welcomed by a bright yellow corridor, at the end of which is displayed the above neon sign. It makes such a difference to the normal Uni entrance and provides a great first impression. This entrance, along with the eye catching marketing campaign, really helped to make the show stand out and seem more of a big event.

The degree show is on until Sunday 27th May. You can find all the details here.

Jolly Jewellery: FLORAL

A floral themed Jolly Jewellery this time round. This is my attempt to try an encourage summer through jewellery (kind of like a rain dance but for sun...and using accessories). I have a fair few shirts and dresses featuring flowers but they don't really appear on my jewellery stand. Not much of it appeals to me, all a bit to girly, pretty and predictable for my liking. That said, I would welcome any of these little beauties into my wardrobe any day. 

1. Aruba Yellow and White Porcelain Ring by MaaP Studio. I love pretty much everything in this Etsy shop. The colours are beautiful and the designs are so unusual. I also really like the idea of having a porcelain ring and this one is particularly bright and summery.

2. Floral Leather Peter Pan Collar by Ampris Loves. I do enjoy a good peter pan collar and this one is rather stunning with its faded floral print and romantic feel.

3. Welsh Moss Terrarium Pendant by Xerces Art. Technically this necklace is not very floral but it does include some mighty fine moss. And it's alive!

4. Cherry Blossom Flower Ring by Virginie Millefiori. A pretty pair of cherry blossom. Very appropriate for this time of year with all the trees blossoming away.

5. White Hibiscus Real Petal Necklace by AhoyAhimsa. This necklace looks so delicate but it's set in synthetic material to make it super strong and unbreakable.

6. Dried Flower Bracelet by Modern Flower Child. This bracelet reminds me of pressing flowers as a child. Love the choice of colours together.

The Merry Month of May

So May is flying by at great speed! Two weeks in already! Here's a few fun things May has brought my way:

1. Adding some new rings to my shop. As well as this tiny teacup there's also a new lucky penny ring available. Productive photography continues to be a bit of a battle but I do enjoy giving it a go, even if it means modelling with one hand and shooting with the other.

2. Enjoying the one sunny and warm day with a trip to St Andrews and then lunch sitting on a bench in Newport looking out over the Tay. Of course it's back to grey skys and wind today but at least I made the most of it.

3. Checking out Funk Fair and buying this shirt with tiny little elephants on. 

It's been a rather quiet and unproductive few weeks but the next few are looking much more exciting what with degree shows to visit, trips to go on and Pecha Kucha Vol 3 to look forward to. I'm sure I'll be brimming with inspiration before long.

A Fine Spectacle

I have had the same pair of glasses for the pat 8 years. A mix of little change in my prescription, little money in my bank account and little in my opticians to catch my eye meant I could never find an excuse to treat myself to some new ones. That was until Spex Pistols came into my life, a lovely little vintage/designer glasses emporium in Dundee. After seeing Richard, the owner, talking at Pecha Kucha Vol 2 I knew if I wanted new glasses this would be the place to go.

The shop may be small but the selection is excellent, from vintage cat eyes to velvet lined sunglasses! I picked out the below pair of Ray Bans and, after a little wait to get my eyes tested and the lenses put in, they are now mine! 

I don't think I'll be waiting another 8 years for my next new pair of glasses, I already have my eye on a nice pair of vintage sunglasses to get me ready for summer.