Monday, 28 June 2010

best of british

At the moment I am thinking more and more about my return back to Briton. It turns out I have lots to think about. Like where I’m going to live. My family are from Bristol in the southwest home of Banksy, Cary Grant and trip hop all of which us Bristolians are very proud of. Bristol will always be a home to me but I never feel like I fit in.

I spent most of my adult life in the beautiful Edinburgh and love this city but it’s just so far away from my family and most of the good friends I made there have long since left. I do however have great contacts, which would make this the best choice in terms of my career. The frontrunners at the moment are both places I have never lived. London, because I love it and it would just be so exciting and Bath half way(ish) between London and Bristol and lots more affordable. It’s sometimes hard having choices lucky I still have time to work out what’s best for my business and me.

All this thinking about Briton got me thinking about all the great talent back home and I wanted to share a handful of my favored UK Etsy artists.

1. 1 1 Lila Freedom by Belle and Boo. I had to show this illustration by the amazing Belle and Boo. I bought this print in the Red Door Gallery Edinburgh and was so smitten that I looked them up online. Belle and Boo lead me to Etsy and started my dream of having my own shop. 2 Pray the Anchor Stays Heavy by Hide n’ Seek. I first bought from this shop when it was just starting out, since then she’s been on a big journey and is now one of Etsy’s top sellers. It's great to see her doing so well. 3 Birthday Girl card by Storey Shop. maker of hand cut out greeting cards of the highest quality. The work is well showcased, affordable and fun. 4 Moka Express tea towel by Mengsel. Mengsel is an even newer shop than mine. I just love how clean and graphical their work is and I’m pretty sure they will do really well. 5 Hello necklace by Joanna Rutter. I want this necklace, I have wanted it for about 2 years now I just love this girl’s work and already own about half the items in her shop. 6 Best Brew mugs by MrPS. Quite a new find for me, but this shop is full of things I would love to own. Not a million miles away from my own work, so I guess it’s no surprise how much I like her stuff.

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5 comments:

  1. Rose28 June 2010 at 21:52

    Sounds like a tough decision! I have been to all the places you mentioned, but only lived in one. I only went to Bristol to visit an old school friend, and visited Bath on the same trip. Was fascinated by the history in Bath. Loved Edinburgh (you know, for the 24 hours was there!) I worked in Camden while I lived in London – definitely a good place for creative things. I'm sure by the time you get back you'll know which place to go to. And if not you can always move again. :)

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  2. evie28 June 2010 at 23:48

    I love those mugs!
    Sad that you're leaving NZ though jealous too! I've been here 9 years and am desperate to move back so maybe one day we catch up over there. :-)
    Thank goodness for blogs, twitter, facebook etc etc!

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  3. Quietly Otaku29 June 2010 at 03:11

    Great post! I really like the picks at the end I too love Joanna's jewelry. Hope your move back to the UK goes well.

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  4. ana29 June 2010 at 08:25

    wonderful post. :) i love love #2 & the mugs :)

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  5. laynemarie29 June 2010 at 09:44

    Haha! I've been lusting after that Hello necklace by Joanna forever, as well! Also some of her super cute earrings.

    Hide 'n Seek is a recent fave and the piece you highlighted is my favorite of hers! Also thanks for the intro to Belle and Boo, I'm loving her cute prints...

    ps. Hooray for choices! Smart of you to be thinking about it ahead of time, I tend to procrastinate on those sort of big decisions.

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