Logic will get you from A - Z...

This quote by Einstein in a typewriter has been painstakingly cut from a single sheet of card by Tina Tarnoff. The artwork is mounted on beautiful, Indian cotton rag paper, then displayed on a sturdy 11" x 14" black mat. More can be seen in her online Etsy shop and she also has a blog. With paper cutting becoming fairly ubiquitous, it's hard to find someone who isn't riding on the back of now cult Rob Ryan. Although this cutting isn't so subtle with its air of romanticism, I think this quote sings to my very heart and I love it.

Christmas wishes...

I've been doing a bit of stumbling around the good ol' tinterweb and have found some delightful paper goodies. The first is this beautiful letterpressed clock by WitShop (I think I need it right now) and also this lovely paper cutting by Tina Tarnoff (stunning). Have a gander and fall in love...

Christmas Craft Fair

Don't forget about the Christmas Craft Fair this Saturday and Sunday at the Corn Exchange in Leeds, 10am to 5pm. PIPO will be trading Sunday and there will be (as always) some awesome crafters and beautiful things to get you in the Christmas spirit. See you there!

I wouldn't mind a paper cut from here!

These paper cuts are absolutely amazing. I cannot get my head round how someone can have so much patience. I've had a go and it isn't easy I can tell you that. Instant gratification is what I need! I particularly like this one of the two lovers on the bike. Have a look at this article for more photos. Rob Ryan eat your heart out!

Sheffield University Global Enterprise Week

PIPO has been invited to hold a talk at the University of Sheffield's Global Enterprise Week about craft business start up. How exciting! Find out how PIPO got the idea and got started.... and watch her tremble with nervousness on the stage! It will be great to see other crafters and their work and ideas. For more information, visit their website.

PIPO at Leeds Corn Exchange

Stumbled across these pictures from one of the Reet Sweet Craft Fairs. More photos of the fair here. Products featured in the photos: Envelope Journals, Notebooks, Over-sized Gift Tags, various Handmade Greetings Cards and Gift Tags.

Inc. Creative

inc.creative is an Enterprise Gateway in the centre of Keighley, West Yorkshire and supports enterprise and business start ups. They are supported by Leeds City College and The European Regional Development Fund. They offer: 




- Window display selling designer-maker products created in or for inc.creative  
- Laser cutting service available to manufacturers and designer-makers 
- Co-working space for creatives using MAC Design Suite, Final Cut Pro and Photoshop  
- Hot desking space for anyone wishing to take a break from working from home 
- Leisure courses and workshops in art, media and design-based learning 
- Social networking (knit and natter, sewing cafe, creative meeting place) 
- WIFI, MAC suite, film making equipment 
- Shared membership of inc.creative and Factory 4

Lost in a stack of magazine piles?

Stumbled across this book list, which I will be looking into swiftly:

Whether you buy or borrow these references are sure to make all your projects eco-chic

• 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse: Remake, Restyle, Recycle, Renew
• Trash-to-Treasure Papermaking: Make Your Own Recycled Paper from Newspapers & Magazines, Can & Bottle Labels, Disgarded Gift Wrap, Old Phone Books, Junk Mail, Comic Books, and More
• Craftcycle: 100+ Earth-Friendly Projects and Ideas for Everyday Living
• The Big-Ass Book of Crafts
• The Envelope Mill: Recycle Magazines into Beautifully Crafted Envelopes/Book and Templates

Ooh 'eck...

I was advised to stumble upon stumbleupon. Man alive it's brilliant! I've just spent the last few hours checking out dozens of sites from just one click. Thanks David :)

Jil Made This

Jil makes lovely little creations for your bag, mantle piece and wall (heck, you can pretty much display them anywhere they're so fab) out of bright fabrics and vinyl illustrations. PIPO commissioned Jil to make a huge pencil to sit across my bed and it’s fantastic. The picture featured here is of her smaller pencils. I love it. Jil frequently sells at The Corn Exchange Reet Sweet Craft Fairs, so head down to have a look at her stall if you've time.

Print and Pattern

Print and Pattern is a blog that celebrates the world of surface pattern design. There are some absolutely stunning pieces and you can't have print without some kind of paper or stock. Check it out of you have time.

Make something!

Fred Aldous is the place to go. PIPO had heart palpitations when vising the shop in Manchester. Man alive it’s brilliant.

Ilkley's first ever Arts Trail

And we hope it goes well. The llkley Arts Trail runs from the 8th- 16th October and will see the lovely Yorkshire town of Ilkley having its first Art Trail with Open Studios and other venues, including exhibitions in unusual spaces. Some venues will cover most of those dates with participation swelling over both weekends as Artists open up their studios, homes, garages and invite you in to see their work. If it's anything like the Saltaire Arts Trail, then I am sure that enthusiasts, and even first-timers, will feel the buzz of the open houses and workshops on offer. Read the Ilkley Gazette's review of the much anticipated Trail here.
Cakewalk will be running a small exhibition in line with the Ilkley Literature Festival, and will be showcasing some of PIPO's book-related work in the shop. Emma from Cakewalk is also holding a fab tombola with a twist... in and around Ilkley will be some books randomly left about, each with their own number inside. If you find one, then take it along to Cakewalk to claim your prize! And whilst you're there, check out some of the beautiful arts and crafts. PIPO is featured with some notebooks, book clocks and comic envelopes.

The Letter Room

I swear that when I finally get my own house it will be filled with blocks of colour and letters! If there are any other type geeks out there who want to join me in The Letter Room, then please do! There are some lovely bits of type-related things which were most definitely made just for me! With all this bizarre and beautiful weather we've been having at the beginning of October(!), PIPO was drawn to these Fun Paper Alphabet Cups for lazy late-summer drinks out in the garden.

David Harper's Stacks

This is an absolutely stunning site-specific piece, with a concept of paper taken right from inception. The theme for Harper’s installation: “These trees shall be my books,” comes from William Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” but the goal of the work goes far beyond Orlando’s wish to immortalize Rosalind. Harper seeks to immortalize the love of knowledge, and the homage owed to the living things we use to create stores of knowledge for all to study. “STACKS” captures the transformation from living tree to store of knowledge.

I Fermly believe that these guys are fab.

PIPO has finally moved out. The stress is finally over! And with the thought of a new home on my mind, I have been looking for some lovely little homey things. I was drawn to this by my friend Jil who blogged it....

Ferm Living is a Danish company that aims at designing and manufacturing interior products with a graphic touch. Have a look at their range of wall stickers and decals. PIPO loves these suitcase decals – if I had these on my wall I think I would feel inspired all of the time. Bea-u-tiful. And also the sewing kit wall decal! Amazing.

This is Colossal

This is Colossal is a blog that explores the intersection of art, design and physical craft. There are frequent posts that have nothing to do with art, design, or craft but are just interesting and worthwhile. PIPO really likes Jennifer Collier's Paper Devices, with her typewriter pictured here.

The Paper Convention Collective

The Paper Convention is directed by Lisa Loxley with the help of many hands. It is a collaborative collective dedicated to the documentation of Paper Expressionism. It is a simple, powerful statement that aims to encourage and harness emerging paper artists and makers. It is a message that insists on the notion of community and utilises art as a catalyst for documenting and bringing communities together. From designers to artists to paper enthusiasts, the collective believe in collaborative initiatives, exchanging ideas and supporting the paper community. The Paper Convention Collective also introducing the highly anticipated A4 Paper Festival - an event unique to Sydney, Australia and solely dedicated to the uses of print and paper. It offers audiences insight in contemporary developments with paper, by means of groundbreaking exhibitions, lectures and workshops. PIPO cannot wait until the one next year and hopes to be able to make it.

What the Hex?

This is a quick post for all you digital design geeks out there. What the Hex is a game where you are given a hex code and a set of multiple choice colour swatches for you to choose the correct one. Fun for those who understand it... I showed it to a few friends who hadn't a clue what the whole things was about!

Nothing pear shaped about this...

PIPO has recently been introduced to PopDeluxe, a site that hosts all sorts of retro and cool things. One of the favourites is this memo block shaped like a pear. Pull a leaf out of its 3D form, or keep them attached for a novel little twist on a diary. PIPO is also loving these cute little monster sticky notes, too.

Handcut Typography

Sydney based designer and paper artist Bianca Chang creates beautifully complex typographic sculptures by sequentially cutting shifting forms out of dozens, if not hundreds, of sheets of paper. Once stacked, the three-dimensional letters are born.
Just looking at this, PIPO cannot wait to get her hands on that laser cutter....

Paper Eyelashes

Here's an unusual but lovely idea by nonesuchthings. Now, I can't think of an ocassion they would be suitable for, but just looking at the detailing in the scenes makes me want to find one. See more photos of the eyelashes here. Also have a look at these leaf post it notes. The packaging finishes them off nicely.

Beautiful Paper Garlands

These delicate paper garlands are by French crafter Mi Avril. Each limited edition garland is handmade from recycled paper, second-hand papers and organic cotton thread. Mi Avril uses environmentally friendly materials as much as possible. (PIPO went particularly nuts over the Pantone swatch ones!)

Caught by surprise!

PIPO was surprised and flattered today when I found a picture of my stall in the Keighley Arts Market Newsletter!It was taken at the Arts Market Christmas Fair at Riddings Hall in Ilkley. There was a group of yule tide Carol-ers and I even found a couple of awesome Christmas pressies for some friends.Handmade craft fairs are frequently held at Riddings Hall, and now also at Haworth, so try pop down if you've time. - but no photos!

For more information about Keighley Arts Markets and to read the infamous newsletter and creative update, click here. For an even bigger photo of PIPO's stall, click here!