The Orient in 2013

Liking the trends for 2013, especially at Prada 

with it's Oriental influence, simple flower designs and splash of white or red against a muted background of grey.

Claire Hart Design Pearl Rings

Claire Hart Design Branch Necklace

Old Bond Street Christmas lights

It's fun seeing the Christmas lights all the way from Leicester Square to Old Bond Street via Piccadilly, Regent's Street and Conduit Street. So many stunning lights and displays, but my favourite shop front this year has to be Asprey's elegant windows with blue-tinted black and white films on the 'doorways', surrounded by masses of traditional wreaths.

The Other Art Fair, Marylebone

Model 10

I called in to London's leading artist-led fair The Other Art Fair at Ambica P3 - an alternative venue of a converted warehouse, near Baker Street. Chatted to Ben Levy, love the ethereal images by Rosie Emerson

Fundraiser at Lords

Last night was CAP's glamorous fundraising dinner at Lords Cricket Ground (target reached!). Pimms reception with harpist, then dinner for 2 or 300, accompanied by a very cool jazz band and lots of lively chat at the tables.

The speeches from people whose lives have been completely turned around by this debt counselling charity - which helps people get out of debt and connected back into society - were powerful, moving and challenging.

Fab Fair at Winchester

 Had a busy time at Winchester Desire Fair, meeting customers and lots of other designers. Lots of chat in a fabulous venue - the Guild Hall.

Oolong tea leaves, teapot and cups from Kunming now feature in my display

ClaireHartDesign in Craft & Design Nov 2012

Here it is! My Blossom Bowl and Rose Rings are in the November issue of Craft & Design. 

Almost ready now for 'Desire' Winchester 16th-18th November - can't wait to be there!

Asian Art Week at Christie's

I walked around the viewing rooms at Christie's today to see the treasures which come up in auction this week. Difficult to choose highlights when I saw so many rooms full of exquisite Chinese and Japanese antiques. Warriors military gear, robes, carved jade, cinnabar and ivory, ceramics with exquisite enamelling, snuff bottles, brush rests, silks, paintings, screens and silverware.

Ciyo's World Music Project

Ciyo's music makes you glad you're alive. He is an incredible guitarist with top class musicians in his band which last night featured two drummers and three backing vocalists. Influences ranged from reggae to jazz to Latino. Loved Ciyo's version of the classic Wichita Lineman  - 'the first existential country song'(!) - and uplifting reggae/ soul music that can only be described as praise - it was awesome. Another great night at the Hideaway.

Skyfall in Istanbul

Sadly we didn't get to see Daniel Craig  in action.......




I'm looking forward to seeing Skyfall especially as we were in Istanbul when the opening scene was being filmed in April this year......of course we didn't see any of the actual filming as it was heavily guarded and blocked. Apparently it was challenging filming in this city but the result is fantastic. 

Night-time shot of the mosque where part of opening  scene  was filmed

Istanbul was probably Fleming's favourite city and I can see why. It has such a vibrant buzzing atmosphere and is rich with history and the most stunning architecture.

Majestic Blue Mosque

MADE London

We love the stunning new venue for the UK's inaugural design and craft show at One Marylebone Road - a Sir John Soane designed church built in 1826 on it's own 'island' in the heart of London. 

The Private View  on Friday was buzzing and it is fantastic to see established makers alongside meeting new and innovative designers living in the UK. 

An exquisite ring by Yuki

It is great to see our very own Flux Member, Yuki Sasakura Assiter, exhibiting her amazing latest collections in MADE. 

Delicate ceramics by Suet Yi

The standard of work from new designers is really strong, and it is difficult to highlight only one designer from the wealth of talent - but I particularly liked the striking but delicate ceramics by Suet Yi.

Kitsch Lounge Riot

Divas, champagne, glamorous entrances and a good laugh

We loved the James Bond themed night at the marvellous Cafe de Paris in the West End. Vintage decor complete with velvet walls, sweeping staircase, chandeliers (and glitter balls...), starring emerging singing talent and live band belting out those fab Bond tunes to a packed venue.

What a great way to spend a Thursday evening. Just Friday to go and then it's the weekend!

Work of Art at Tate Modern

Great .....coffee,company and sunny view of London from seventh floor 

Looking across the Millenium Bridge to St Paul's Cathedral

Borough Market

Love Borough Market, especially food sampling, but this umbrella installation caught my eye

Oil bar play

I learnt how to play with colour on the west coast of Sweden last year, at Eta Hedman's art workshop. She showed us a fantastic way to be immersed in colour, without thinking rationally about product and design. It's a technique I sometimes bring into my teaching now with amazing results.                                                                   I went Top Drawer today with a designer friend, then on to Designer's Guild on the King's Road (a long time favourite) and loved looking at all colour combinations and textures. 

Dior, Ballenciaga, etc

Looking at designer clothes in the V & A puts me in a good mood:)
So does going to Harvey Nichols and stocking up on Scottish oatcakes

Ghostly image projected on dome

Castle Ward

I had a wonderful weekend at Craft Fest in Castle Ward, meeting other designers in a fabulous setting. Looking forward to more NI shows next year!

SpaceCRAFT Gallery, Belfast

Silver Spoons and necklace now on show at the Spacecraft Gallery, at the Fountain Centre, Belfast.

Idea Store Whitechapel

 I put up a fabulous display of fans and books of brush painting made by my students in Tower Hamlets. If you're in Whitechapel over the summer, drop in to the Idea Store and have a look!

New Branch Cuff

One of my newest pieces is nearly ready for my next show. 

The delicate cuff has twisted branches with tiny pearls and a pair of butterflies on fine chains.

The Meeting Place

I was in St Pancras Station last week taking these pics. Love the gigantic embracing couple and the lonely windswept Sir John Betjeman. 




Although the station is back in the headlines this week, I still love the art and atmosphere in this stunning space.  

Ink Play

Just having fun playing with ink on rice paper

Week of Private Views

Check out the Private View at Treasure last week  - what an amazing show in an incredible venue.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYomu_sh_uo&feature=youtu.be

Now getting ready for Private View number two at our very own Flux Studios in Camberwell this evening - call in to Vanguard Court for a glass of wine! 
We're open all weekend

Artist's Book

I've just finished making an artist's book for Treasure: my sketches, silver and some pics from China. I've added these two from a trip some years ago just because it was a stunning sight: from a remote area outside the great city of Chongqing. 

Treasure Check

Great coffee in Tom's Kitchen, Somerset House

I stopped by at Somerset House to check out the venue for next week. So exciting to be exhibiting in such a beautiful place. I loved the two exhibitions there: 'Kokoro' by internationally renowned Japanese Tatoo artist and Wendy Ramshaw's House of Dreams. So inspiring to look at these prolific artists' works and see how they create.

I've now left my studio behind - where I've spent huge numbers of hours creating in the past few weeks -  as my work is all safely in the Assay Office to be hallmarked for next Thursday's Treasure. 

it was work in progress - now complete!

Somerset House

It's now exactly two weeks to go before I show my jewellery and silver gifts in the stunning venue of Somerset House.  Really looking forward to this, my biggest show so far!

You can go onto http://www.treasureuk.com/tickets to buy advance tickets using the promo-code :: Jeweller241 - this entitles you to 2 for the price of 1 tickets.

Grand Imperial, London

We came here last night to celebrate success at Chelsea Flower Show. What an amazing Cantonese menu from top Hong Kong chef Rand Cheung. Superb service, beautiful calligraphy on the walls - loved the ceramics, especially the designs on the plates.

We over-ordered - great lunch for the next day though!

New Blossom Bowl

In the Pearl and Silver Collections at Claire Hart Design, Treasure 2012

Continuing the floral theme from Chelsea 2012, I'm delighted to have completed my new Blossom Bowl: with two small mother of pearl roses on branches and miniature spoon it is now ready for Treasure.

It will join my silver gifts collections: tiny Butterfly Bowl, Rosehip Spoons and Blossom Double Spoons......

....and of course lots of jewellery too - soon to be photographed.

Chelsea nearly ready to go....

.....and it's looking good!
I went up to the massive construction site on Friday, with my sister-in-law to help my sister Cathy set up. Hundreds of people working away, building the settings and planting. We saw the pyramid, lots of my favourite outdoor sculptors - well, here are a few shots.

I'll return to see it completed on Thursday.

Someone's excited to be at the Pyramid!

I just had to pose next to an old-style rickshaw

Signage looking good!

....and here's the head!

I like this sculptor's work of powerful animals