Blow your own Bauble at Michael Ruh's Glass Studio

Tuesday 20 November 2012

A while back we all went Glass Blowing with Michael Ruh. Michael makes his own amazing work, vases, jars, bowls etc of which I've always been a big fan.  My first studio was next door to Michael and Natascha, in West Norwood.
I used to watch them in amazement at how they make a glass  by turning a molten burning hot blob of material skilfully into something that is beautiful and fragile and pure. 

Michel and Natascha hold Glass blowing workshops in December so you can have a go at blowing your own Christmas Bauble. I'd thoroughly recommend it, it's great fun and the whole process is mind blowing to me!
Here's some pics of us:

Michael showing us how they make optic fibres demonstrating how bendy and stretchy glass is.















Look at what we made!  find out more here: www.michaelruh.com

My new blog Birdie and Bear is live

Saturday 17 November 2012

 Hi everyone... I have some news for you all. I'm expecting my first child! so I've decided to make a new blog called Birdie and Bear, so as not to annoy the non kiddy people reading this blog!

It's a sort of diary focussing on creative things for kids, things i like, children's illustrations and such like. So if you're interested in that please follow me on www.birdieandbear.blogspot.co.uk too! I've just started it, so lots more posts to come shortly. 

 Bobo Choses
 Alternative kids toys
You are my sunshine

Thursday 15 November 2012

And the winner of the Mono Cat scary sentence competition is......
Cathy Baran!
Congratulations!
We will be in touch with you shortly.

My Fav Christmas present ideas

Don't normally like to push my own products to you, but since it's Christmas and I do think we have something for everyone I thought I'd select a few of my own favourites to give you some ideas... all of these products are  proudly made in the UK and are available from our stockists on donnawilson.com

Starting off with the not too Christmassy Christmas cards- beautifully printed A5 size cards blank inside. £12.00 for pack of 5 designs.
Something for the creative kid... Fun stamp set, all wooden blocks 11 different shapes includes a green/blue ink pad £30.00 
 Also for the kids we also still do the make your own magpie and monster kits see our tumblr page!

 One of my fav cushions owl and pussy cat, ideal for a child's room, although I'd be happy to receive this for myself! £62.50

For the baby in the family- something to keep and treasure forever the boat baby blanket- 100% softest lambswool. £62.50 available in 3 different colourways.


For the man in your life- a sophisticated understated Clyde Scarf! £52.50



 Or not so understated... but very sophisticated.. Black swan Scarf - definitely a talking point for who ever wears it. £52.20

Oh yes and for someone who really has everything ... our new 2013 calendar..£10.00 only on the website ( or if your in Japan you can buy it there)
Time for Tea Melamine tray for Mum £31.50


 and some placemats and tableware- cotton screen printed placemat (washable) £11.00

 small acorn bowl ( we have a whole dinner set in this design) £18.00 all made in Stoke on trent.
 And a beautiful Nos Da (meaning good night in Welsh) throw £200 made in Wales with beautiful traditional wool.

 and finally to wrap it all up... i love our new gift tag sets- thick leaf shaped cards to tie onto your presents. £5.50 for set of 6, and £4.75 for sticky tape- bird foot or acorns. 

Happy Shopping!!



Studio Sample Sale 30th Nov-2nd Dec 2012

Wednesday 7 November 2012


Winter Sample Sale

Now there is a chill in the air it's time for our annual sample sale with many bargains to be had.

A perfect chance to get your Christmas shopping done, meet us all in our East London studio and have a warm cup of mulled wine.


Scarves from £10
Ceramic plates from £10
Cotton cushions from £25
Also including samples of creatures, discontinued woollen accessories, slight seconds of trays, lambswool blankets and lots more. 


...And our studio neighbour Mr Thorsten Van Elten is also opening his doors- with some incredible bargains here's his site: http://www.theo-theo.com/



Times:
Friday 30th November 10am-8pm
Saturday 1st December 10am-5pm
Sunday 2nd December 10am-4pm
This year we are feeling creative, and anyone that comes along dressed up as a one of our creatures will get a free goodie bag!   
Our Address: unit 12, 3rd floor, 10-14 Hollybush Gardens, E2 9QP

2 minutes walk from Bethnal Green Underground (on the Central line)
We can take card payments apart from Amex, or cash- sorry no cheques  and no returns!

Hope to see you there! please pass this on to anyone you think might come.

Behind the scenes- our catalogue photoshoot

Sunday 4 November 2012

Thought you might like to see some photos of our photoshoot for our new catalogue- to let you into some of our trade secrets!
Hair and makeup, props and styling- Grace and Erin, Eva and me.
Photography- Gareth Hacker garethhacker.com
Models: Kimmie Endresen and Jon Boy Almond
If you want to see the final catalogue you can download it from our website: donnawilson.com - the photos look very different from these!