Figgjo fireworks/flowers

Inspired by the New Year’s Eve fireworks that is starting to pop, here's a little work in progress by me. And with this I'd like to wish you all a happy 2012.

I'm not sure where Whatsbloggingmyview will be in the new year, but if you stick around you'll find out :-) Take care!

Colourful bon-bon dishes

This is the other product line I have been working on lately which I will be selling at the Designers' Christmas Fair this weekend. Each dish is unique, designed using vintage china.

The little yellow one above is one of my favorites. The saucer I've used is Figgjo Flint's 'Lilli' (Rolf design).

Designers’ Christmas Fair, Oslo

It's that time of year again, and time for me to prepare for the annual Designers’ Christmas Fair in Oslo next weekend. I will be there selling my latest designs, a continuation of the Pølse & Lompe project from last year - calendars. This year we have two different calendar designs, plus some greeting cards. If you happen to be in Oslo next weekend, I hope you make your way to DogA. It's going to be good :-)

I'm also currently designing some other products that I hope to get finished for the fair. More about these later...

Eames movie

Great news brought to my attention a couple of days ago :-)

Here's the synopsis of the film:

"The husband-and-wife team of Charles and Ray Eames are widely regarded as America's most important designers. Perhaps best remembered for their mid-century plywood and fiberglass furniture, the Eames Office also created a mind-bending variety of other products, from splints for wounded military during World War II, to photography, interiors, multi-media exhibits, graphics, games, films and toys. But their personal lives and influence on significant events in American life - from the development of modernism, to the rise of the computer age - has been less widely understood. Narrated by James Franco, Eames: The Architect and the Painter is the first film dedicated to these creative geniuses and their work."

In cinemas from 18th November (I guess that's the US so probably a little later for Europe).

You can watch the trailer here.

Stavangerflint by Stanley Salvesen

About two years ago I found the blue-ish grey bowl above at some fleamarket. I didn't know anything about it, I just really liked the design. Then, a couple of months ago my good friend Cecilie gave me some items as she was clearing out her cupboards (good girl!). I was thrilled to get my hands on the beautiful yellow vase also in the pic. It went SO well with the bowl :-) A short time after, I was researching some Stavangerflint info for a blog post, and I found this:

My two items were related! (Items # 109 and #107). The designer is Stanley Salvesen – I love his name, btw. Not to mention all the other fab items he designed for Stavangerflint. Click here to see more.

The beauty of glass

I enjoy photographing glass. The light, the reflections, the transparency and the shadows are all interesting to me. The vintage stained black glass bowl above is my latest find. I think it might be from Hadeland, but that's a wild guess.

Still here!

While I'm about to prepare some new blogposts at long last, I'm putting up this fantastic pallette of coloured mosaic tiles for you to enjoy. (I can't remember where I found the image, but I'm trying to locate the source...)

Turning 5

A couple of weeks ago Ellis turned 5. I guess turning 5 is a kind of landmark birthday. I certainly remember mine well. That's me on the left on that very day back in 1974 and to the right is Ellis on his (37 years and 5 days later.)

(I did not make that fabulous crown for him btw, - his arts and craft teacher in kindergarten did :-)

Vintage ceramic lamps

I have a thing for vintage table lamps, particularly of the ceramic variety. Here is my collection (so far).

Søholm, Denmark.

Desirée stentøj, Denmark.

Design: Per and Annelise Linnemann Schmidt for Palshus, Denmark. This is all of 70 cm tall. Quite a bit is hidden under that big shade. (Which is from Ikea, btw.) If you want to see more art pottery from Palshus, click here.

Unknown make.

If you've been following my blog for some time you might have seen these before:

Lovely yellow Bitossi, Italy.

Green Bitossi.

Bay, Germany.

Que sera, Sera?

It was my birthday on Friday, and my friend Maggie presented me with this lovely jug and creamer from Stavangerflint. The pattern is called Sera and is by Inger Waage. I had the serving dish from before, so now this makes a great little trio.

At yesterday’s fleamarket I did actually find a complete coffee set in this pattern, but I have decided I just haven't got room for any more... Besides, I often like mixing plain cups with vintage items as I think a full set in one pattern can sometimes be too busy and you don't notice how great the pattern actually is. What do you think?

I did also have this one little Sera egg cup from before. I it is my favorite object in this pattern. It's got to do with the simplicity of the decoration plus the fat border on the brim. I do like that detail.

Yesterday’s catch

The fleamarkets are back on again and here is what I scored yesterday: Lots of Staffordshire mugs, the white ones even came with plates to match. Note the lovely steel tray with wooden handles that they are sitting on - it’s stamped Cultura Stainless AB Silver & Stål Sweden.

I remember my mum having a set of the brown mugs when I grew up. I have come across a couple of them in various colour combos before but never so many in mint condition. Not yet decided if they’re going into my Etsy shop or not... Any takers?

I'm very pleased with these new additions to my random plates and saucers collection. The top one is by Stavangerflint. I don't have the name for the pattern or the designer. If you know, please share! The bottom one is Swedish, from Rörstrand and is called Drapé.

Torun - a sterling passion

I would like to share a fantastic Swedish documentary with you on the late jewelry designer Torun Bülow-Hübe (she was the first female silversmith to become internationally famous). Unfortunately it's only available via svt.se in Sweden, but I recommend all my Swedish readers to see it if they haven't already. The rest of you should be able to enjoy this clip at least. And possibly a follow-up post. Watch this space.

Marimekko fall favourites

(Click image to enlarge.)

While I'm on the Marimekko trail... These are my favourite clothes from their autumn/winter collection. Not sure I could get away with wearing those bold horizontal stripes, but one can dream, right? The top right outfit looks like something my grandmother used to wear. Maybe that's why I'm attracted to it :-) What it lacks in sex appeal I'm sure it makes up for in comfort!

Marimekko accessories

You can never have enough accessories, right? And certainly not if they're by Marimekko! I was lucky to find the Marimekko Converse sneakers and the lovely Pisaroi tote in the sales a few weeks ago. I also needed a good umbrella so I decided to finally invest in one (I'm really tired of cheap ones that come apart after a few days). I went for the classic Piccolo pattern that I love as it will go with anything.

A day at Tivoli in Copenhagen

Leaving rainy Oslo. My travelling companion pointing out to sea.

Breakfast Danish style.

Where the fun begins.

The Pantomime Theater.

'T' for tivoli.

The facade of the aquarium.

The back of restaurant Nimb Terrasse.

Chick!

The Japanese Tower and 'dragon boats'.

Total concentration in one of the veteran cars.

From the ride The Flying Suitcase - a travel through H.C. Andersen's fairytales. As Ellis said: 'It's like being in a different world!'
:-)

The Little Mermaid.

The Ugly Duckling.

The Snow Queen.
(To mention just a few...)

Ellis’ first candy floss.

...and possibly last. (A couple of bites and he'd had enough.)

The Big Clock. A charming little vintage ferris wheel. I just loved this one.

So long, Tivoli. I'm sure we'll be back before too long.