Ming Crown at the British Museum

I had a morning (booked four months ago as yesterday was the first Wednesday I had free!) to study this late Ming Dynasty crown at the British Museum. Such a luxury to spend a morning in a quiet library, drawing an antique. It had to be set on crumpled tissue paper to raise the level so that the down-turned beaks of the birds in the front were not touching the table. 

I am fascinated by  the incredible detail of the whole crown - phoenixes, flaming pearls, flower heads, dragons - but it was the leaves that caught my attention, plus a few tiny clouds which I discovered hidden amongst all the gilt silver openwork:)

Flowing movement in the leaves

I first saw Chinese crowns in Dali, Yunnan, in 2008  but at last I have seen an original close-up. It is an amazing decorative object. I've made lots of drawings and will probably need to book a return visit the next time I have a Wednesday free - hopefully less than four months away!

Wedding Show in central London

Call in to 'Craft Central Gets Hitched' - central London's premier Handmade Wedding Fair 21-24th March - where I'll be launching my new silver branch necklace with blossom, alongside my classic red, white and butterfly collections. 

Free entry for lots of  inspiration for your wedding from 60 selected designers:)

.....is this the most beautiful paper in the world?

Hand-made Chiyogami paper from Japan which I buy from Shepherds Falkiners, book-binding specialists  newly re-located to Victoria, central London.

Temptation is now much closer to home - it's going to be hard to resist buying more of this totally gorgeous paper!

London Street Art

We dropped in to Cargoes last night for a drink just so we could sit outside in winter, under the heat lamps:) Looking at the graffiti and talking about art, I realised that the plastic covering over one of the graffitied walls could only mean one thing.  We'd randomly picked a seat with a good view and were sitting in front of a Banksy original.

Apparently this was one of his first in London (2001), but the details of the dog are not as defined now.


 

Banksy at Shoreditch

Earlier, we had come out of the Courtyard Theatre, having seen an interesting play 'Episodes'. Walking along Pitfield Street I recognised this Stik 'Thief' . Love this one!

I pass this Banksy 'Hoodie and Keith Haring dog' every week,  just off the Old Kent Road

Perfect Roses

...just having the claw settings perfected for the spring batch of roses. They will be ready in 10 days, just in time for Valentine's Day

London Art Fair 2013

I'm inspired right at the start of the year, having been at the Private View of the London Art Fair in Islington. Highlights were many, but I was drawn in by the landscape prints by Jason Hicklin, represented by the Beardsmore Gallery. Tempted to buy one.

I loved seeing the Glasgow Print Studio and enjoyed seeing the work of Fiona Watson - whimsical forests and creatures, some with oriental content and compositions.

 Gray Modern and Contemporary Art, from Somerset, was my favourite space with its sophisticated muted colours and some wonderfully naive art that captures the essence of a place, such as 'Coral Cottage'  by David Pearce.

Camberwell Snow Days

The three minute 'commute' to my studio is easy on a snowy winter's day

Flux Studios in Vanguard Court

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