Trend Spotting: Velvet, but not as we know it...

Ever since reading The Time Traveller's Wife - in particular that chapter, in which Claire seeks out Henry when they're of a similar age for the first time - I've been hankering after some Velvet to add to my wardrobe. There's something deeply nurturing and satisfying about this luxe fabric.

Whether it's a small touch in the details of an outfit or a full length lotr-style robe, I'm all about velvet right now. And, while I love it with a passion, it doesn't have to be worn in the classical Christmassy or 80s vibe either.

Paired down + offbeat = a bit of a winner in my opinion. Velvet can still be luxurious in feel when combined with other rich textures and colours in small, sophisticated doses.

Murcury Wings Headband by OscarAndBeau, Velvet Mexicana Tunic Dress by jiorji, Black Velvet Ruffle Tunic by SparrowCollective, Frosty Night Handbag by lizetfrijters.

These timeless pieces are ideal for the fast-approaching cocktail party season in a more romantic sense. Girlie accessories such as a a hair bow add a touch of playfulness to an otherwise very polished, grown-up look.

Highland Holiday - Black Velvet Hair Bow by MariaConfer, Nicky DressCream Satin & Black Velvet Detail Dress by DawnSharp, Berry Red Cocktail Dress by yystudio, Slow Poison Stockings by IWillFly.

Unless it's a warm winter coat, velvet has traditionally been reserved for evening wear. No more! This last set of picks would work just as well for a day out in the city as they would on a long stroll through the forest.

Grey Velvet Short Dress by thaimodish, Red Velvet Bow With Handpainted Sugar Skull by jammerdesignz, Winter Woods Skirt by madewithlovebyhannah, Holiday Teal Velvet Leggings by BabooshkaBoutique.

The Wish-List Begins...

A portion of my living room - all those empty walls!

Well... WOW. I always heard that moving home is one of the most stressful things you can do but honestly I can't say I was prepared for the two week, full colour zombie experience. Nevertheless I made it. :)

Week 3 has been pretty good so far, I actually feel somewhat human now. Just in the nick of time too, I had a flurry of orders this weekend - it appears the Christmas season is headed into full swing. Hurrah!

My new studio - where I make my jewellery.

And so the etsy wish-list begins. Friends & family take note! This week I've been trawling through the archive that is my 'favourites' collection and I'm carefully selecting things I simply must have at some point. Haven't even started on the new goodies that I have no doubt are out there, just waiting to come live with me.

Here's a small portion of the irresistable handmade items destined to grace my new pad...

White Heart Wreath by CardboardSafari, Birch Screen Printed Wool Log Pillow by myimaginaryboyfriend, Forrest Photograph Blocks by littleputbooks, Handknit Colourcross Cushion by Strikk.

Shipping Delays

NestEgg Necklace speaks of new beginnings & potentials.

It's finally happening, 3hrees is moving to a new home sweet home!

Please be aware that shipping delays are now in effect. Orders placed between 12th & 19th October will be shipped between the 22nd & 29th of October. Thank you for your patience during this transition!

Birthday Discount!

I'm 27 today! To celebrate I'm offering 15% off in my etsy shop for the rest of this week - just put HAPPY BIRTHDAY in the 'note to seller' box during checkout and I'll send you a revised invoice to reflect the discount. :)

Yay!

Critter Of The Month: The Squirrel

Love Acorn Magnets by joojooland, Squirrel Art - Donald by amberalexander, Squirrel With Gun by tkane9, Sonia's Come-Over-For-Tea Gloves by verabelle.

Happy October! Stay tuned for a very special offer in my etsy shop to celebrate my Birthday on the 6th... in the mean time I have decided that October's official critter of the month here on the 3hrees blog will be The Squirrel!

What better time to admire these cute little guys while they're all busy squirrelling around, burying their acorns? Super cute!

Squirrel With a Keytar Print by MATTY8080, Squirrel Silhouette Ring by thebrassmenagerie, Woodland Squirrel Necklace by mamaslittlebabies, Large Paper Acorn in Brown by paperacorn.

Decorative Sculptural Ball by makalewakan, Acorn Gals and Pals Postcard Set by Christinas, Irreverent Squirrel Travel Cup by notebooksetc, Squirrel Pendant by Aleximo.

Knit-Picking: London Fashion Week's Underdog

While I've thoroughly enjoyed all the usual media hype surrounding London Fashion Week this year, one story in particular has sent my crafting radar (craft-dar?) into a bit of a frenzied tizzy.

The British Fashion Council and UK high street retailer, Warehouse, have teamed up to give one promising fashion graduate the chance to have their collection launched in 10 stores during London Fashion Week. The winner, 22 year old British knitwear designer Ruth Green, is one to watch as far as I'm concerned. What I love about this girl is that she's been knitting since her school days and still has the very first knitted dress she ever made.

The bold colour-blocking (love the orange deeply, so of the moment and it's enough to make me miss my old hairdo!) and draping in her stand-out collection really get me going. If you're quick you can still grab a few of her key pieces over at warehouse.co.uk.

It's suddenly feeling like that cosy time of year again isn't it? Bring me leg warmers, chunky cardis and cowls! Here are just a few of my top knit-picks on etsy...

Cropped Racer Back by isobelandcleo, The Dookie Rope 2 tone by yokoo, Watermelon Sweater by sirenaconjersey, Burnt Orange Chunky Hat by ileaiye.

Crafty London: The Queen Of Hoxton

Along with my friends Karel & Didi, I made a flying visit to The Queen Of Hoxton last night just in time to catch the very end of Round London Gives You Spots - the monthly art, craft & fashion event - and have a quick chat and drink with the lovely Mary of DaintyPrettyThings who invited me along.

Myself and Mary

My plan is to visit again next month to report back with more info on the designers and their wares, perhaps a short interview or two along with some more photos.

The Queen Of Hoxton itself is a bar, club & art collective in the East End of London, with many a screening, exhibition and gig taking place each week. My friends & I loved its vibe and I have no doubt we'll be back not just for the events but to kick back (feeling oh so trendy) in its ultra hip decor.

Worth the trip alone are the Washroom Galleries. Each bathroom stall in the lavs feature a different theme, showcasing work from up-and-coming East End Artists.

One of the painted bathroom stalls in the ladies'.

The ground floor of the venue (I have yet to discover the roof terrace and basement, both temporarily closed to the public while we were there) had more than enough going on to keep my eager eyes wandering, while the truly eclectic array of music being played had me boogieing in one of the many black leather sofas. What's not to like?

A small portion of the window etchings.

Ground floor bar.

Lighting is moody and industrial all at once in this place, I was particularly drawn to the clusters of bare bulbs which dotted the room. I'd like to emulate this in my new living room if possible.

I will leave you with one last photo (courtesy of Karel) of Didi and I posing with the amazing chocolate & mint cupcakes she made & brought along for us. We spent quite a bit of time chatting about her love for baking and the new movie Julie & Julia (I'm also doing my best to get her to open up a bake shop on etsy!). Well, she ran straight home and set up a blog to document her experimentations in the quest for perfect cakes.

Ami & Didi doing the 'Cupcake Vogue'.

She's only just setting up but it promises to be a deliciously colourful adventure, be sure to visit The Cupcake Mystery often!

More pics from the night on Flickr: Click.

Trend Spotting: The New Houndstooth

Bird Print Funnel-Neck Dress at Alexander McQueen.com

One of my all time favourite designers, Alexander McQueen has taken a contemporary look at Houndstooth in his Autumn/Winter collection this year. I'm feeling a real M. C. Ecsher influence in his graphic prints and in the surreal, almost impossible curves in his shoe and boot designs.

Houndstooth is currently enjoying a major reinvention in both catwalk and interior trends, oversized and abstract being the high-fashion key words.

Houndstooth Ankle Boots by Alexander McQueen at net-a-porter.com

While I'm not the biggest Houndstooth fan in town, McQueen has inspired me to look for ways I can make this perennial fashion favorite work for me.

Both of these designers have an off-beat take on this trend that McQueen would surely approve of. ashesandempires' spats with rivets appeal to my deep lust for all things rocker chic, while toybreaker's Catstooth (Houndstooth) Silkscreened Neckties have an irresistable humerous streak.

janejoss' Fabric Potted Plant and LuckyBluebirdArt's Love Life Print prove once and for all that Houndstooth really can be light and modern affair in the home.

Last but not least, jumping head-first into the oversized aspect of this trend are nihonfleur with Livin' in a Houndstooth World - Green Purse and Softspoken with Black and White Crochet Beret, both of which I can totally see myself donning this autumn. Success!

Artful Events in October: Branding & Accessibility

This October two entirely different events in London take a varied, yet related approach and are set to challenge views on art and of course, ourselves as artists.

The Tate Modern's exhibition Pop Life: Art In A Material World delves into the phenomenon of 'artist as brand', using Andy Warhol's notorious statement that "good business is the best art" as a spring board for exploring the various ways in which artists have engaged with mass media and cultivated artistic personas, creating their own signature 'brands' since the 80s.

Pop Life runs from the 1st of October 2009 to the 17th of January 2010.

Related Etsy Picks: Andy Warhol (Red Glasses) by ArtByLiza, Polymer Clay Baloon Dog (in the style of Jeff Koons) by roscata, Andy Warhol Pin by ButtonRouge, Keith Haring No. 1 by murdermike.

Next on the list is The Affordable Art Fair's Autumn collection, where you can pick up a wide array of paintings, drawings, sculpture, photography and original prints from as little as £50.

In 1999 Will Ramsey founded the AAF with the intention of making art accessable to everyone and to demonstrate that you don't need to be an expert or a millionaire to enjoy or buy art. A decade on on (this Autumn marks its 10th anniversary) the fair promises to continue to be 'a relaxed and fun way to browse a huge variety of art at one time'.

Held in Battersea Park, The Affordable Art Fair runs from the 22nd to the 25th of October.

Related Etsy Picks: Fine & Magnificent Print by FreyaArt, Sunset Print by osoo, Deer 3 (mixed media drawing) by floodplainstudio, Contemplating My Knee-Cap print by AnthonyButkovich.

Trend Spotting: Skulls

Each transition into Autumn sees this slick, macabre design reappearing all over fashion & jewellery trends, making the gothic motif a firm favourite amongst edgy fashionistas. But skulls on homeware?

Interiors are flirting with the dark side just in time to make a tongue-in-cheek, or chic, appearance this Halloween.

Skull With Acorn Hat Throw Pillow by utilitarianfranchise, Metalic Rock On Picture Frame by loveubabe, Skull Decopage Plate by pricklygirl, Girly Punk Rock Wall Decals by asignofthetimes.

Urban Skull Mug by soule, Crystal Skull Lamp by CreativePal, Skull Bench by sprucehome, Skull Magnets by SayHiBeth.