Jade and Pearl Market

I had a lovely time at the market today with a friend, choosing the jade pieces for my new collection. We spent a long time selecting what I need and bought quite a few rock crystals too. 

Tiny jade beads go into the counting trays, making life easier!

entrance to the Jade and Pearl Market

Kunming at night on Renmin Xi Lu

Chinese Tea Party

Tea Set with Coral Roses





My first purchase in Kunming was this tea set, bought in the Tea Market today. There were dozens and dozens of different cups to choose from but I settled for the calm green and earth colours rather than the patterned ones. The tea is poured liberally across all the cups and the water drains through the carved lettering and patterns to a tray beneath. Yunnan is famous for its Puer tea - a rich smoky flavour - and there are Puer Tea Rooms around the city. Puer Tea is strong and perfect for a caffeine boost, as I once discovered when I had insomnia one night after spending a couple of hours (in the early afternoon) drinking Puer.

This tea set will be accompanying my jewellery to shows in Northern Ireland this spring: I'm most likely to be serving refreshing Jasmine and of course Oolong Tea - my two favourites.



Entrance to the Tea Market



China Feast



Where to start?

 My first meal in China this year - for 12, in case you're wondering - was, as you can see, totally amazing. The standard set is now extremely high. The restaurant, Dubai City, is huge and heavily decorated - it even has toilet cubicles in the shape of red barrels. We were impressed by the training for car attendants to direct traffic in the parking area (at least that's what we think they are doing)



Trainees giving full attention

 This is the flattest duck I've ever been served. I'm afraid the presentation did put me off and I ate from all the dishes, bar this one.....

A day in The Forge

I spent a fantastic day in Howard and Steve's studio yesterday making three new spoons. My favourites are these two - the Baby Rose Hips. Just waiting for the next stage of filing and polishing 

They're related to my original Rose Hip Spoon, which is the first of my favourite spoon collection, launched earlier ths year.

Japan at Kew

We saw a lot of Japanese influence at Kew on Saturday. Blossom, bamboo, an original wooden silk-making building, pagoda, carp pool and landscaped garden.

Am wondering if this could be the smallest (or only) paddy field in the UK.....?

Reflect

Spent an evening back in my favourite place, the V&A, which was the most packed I've ever seen it.  We actually managed to find quiet areas, away from the crowds,  such as the Renaissance rooms and we sat by the pool in the courtyard, surrounded by reflections.

He told me how his art and business are quickly developing. So exciting to hear about things moving forward. Especially creative ideas. We loved the Yamamoto exhibition (again!). 

I was able to reflect by the water at Kew Gardens the next day: I love these lilies on the still surface of the dark water.

Yohji Yamamoto

I wandered in to the V&A, after collecting my visa in Chinatown this morning and happened to arrive on the first day of the Yamamoto exhibition. There is a background of disbelief and sadness as we hear about the terrible devastation in Japan caused by the recent massive earthquake. But even so, it is still good to celebrate the great people that come from Japan, one of whom is Yohji Yamamoto. I loved looking at the incredible range of clothes Yamamoto has designed over the years. Apparently he remains a monument of calm in the turmoil of rehearsals. He stays in the present, says he doesn't think about the future, but loves to dwell on the past for inspiration for his creations.

Our thoughts are very much with the nation of Japan right now as everyone works together to help with the enormous search and rescue operation in the aftermath of the earthquake.

The Butterfly Lovers

Listening to The Butterfly Lovers the violin concertos written by Gang Chen and Zhanhao He in 1959. Although derived from the opera in Shanghai it fuses with Western musical traditions too.  This opera, old paintings,such as this one from the 1500's, and the stunning embroidery of butterflies from the Empress's clothes collection are capturing my attention at the moment..... fluid movement and lines, and some Eastern and Western synthesis too.

Dali

Looking forward to being back in Dali in just over a month's time........

Visa will be ready on Weds:)
Getting excited about my April trip to China.

South London Art Map

 Claire Hart Design in the February exhibition in Vanguard Court; part of South London Art Map

Exhibition in Vanguard Court

 The artists in Vanguard Court reclaimed a huge old studio space in the courtyard and this is where our work was displayed last weekend. Perfect space! The exhibition was part of South London Art Map, whose launch was at Tate Modern earlier in the week.

No. 67 at the South London Gallery

We love the South London Gallery Cafe.  Leaving my studio to catch up with my sister (whose studio is nearby in Peckham), we relaxed in the calming sage-coloured surroundings and copper top tables in the cosy front lounge area of number 67. The back room of the cafe,with doors opening to the Fox Garden, is high-ceilinged, light and airy.

Custard tarts and frothy coffees served in jet black cups and saucers went down very nicely too.