A few weeks ago at the Made on the Left art and craft market I met a local artist whose work I have admired for a long time and I had a slightly crazy 'fanboy' moment where I didn't know what to say. He goes by the name Creepy and his street art can be seen all over the city.
Last year I collected an entire set of 18 magnets from shops that make up the William Street Collective. The magnets come together to make an awesome illustration by Creepy.
At the market was a selection of his artwork. It was a slightly different style from his street art but I really loved it so I decided to invest in two small pieces (above). I really love the way the aged paint and colours come through and even though the two I selected weren't a set, I think they look great together.
When I decided I wanted them I went off to find some money and Creepy was doing something inside the little artwork 'boxes'. After purchasing them I realised that he was signing the work and he also drew one of the characters in the style of his street art (below). Funnily enough, that evening I went to the Condor Tower Carpark exhib where I saw a lot more of Creepy's work.
Now to find a place to hang them...

Labels: art, brown, craft, Creepy, green, Made on the Left, tree, William Street Collective

Back in June 2008 I wrote about an Ikea Hack of mine involving door stops and a Lack shelf to sit my TV on. I submitted the image and link to one of my fav blogs, Ikea Hacker and after a very long wait, in December they published an entry about my idea which got mixed ("I am shocked, SHOCKED, that somebody let's a non-Ikea product into their life..." Jon) but mostly positive responses. Since then, not only has 95% of new blog traffic come from that page, but people have adapted the idea for their own use. I'm really impressed by these example, all using a variation of the idea as a computer stand. How great is technology in the 21st century where we can share these ideas like this. I love it.
I might just have to do this for my computer...
Thanks to Brian, Patrick and Frank Zen for the images above.

Labels: black and white, computer, ikea, Ikea Hacker, lack wall shelf

Such a long time since I last blogged so I thought I would cover to new(ish) additions to my home in one hit.
On the left is a Jerger alarm clock that was made in Germany. I love the style of numbers and of course, orange, black and white. How could I resist. It works well too although naturally, needs lots of winding so it tends to stay still. It comes from my favourite store, William Topp.
Yesterday I picked up these lovely, vibrant red bulls. A few nicks here and there where white shows through but they haven't lost any of there power. I did ask if they came with a Matador and the shop assistant didn't seem to think so... I am quite happy that they have left the killing behind them and are out for a bit of a bull-style wrestle.
The red bulls are from a shop in Guildford with some really interesting mid-century finds, attempting to present something a bit different from the other antique stores in that strip. I would love to tell you it's name and link a website however I can't find it on the web at all. It was formally called Curio Wearhouse which I think it may still be called. The number is not correct though so I suggest going to that Guildford antiques strip and I am sure you'll be pleased with what you discover there.
Behind them is a reproduction old-style globe from the late 70's which I have had my entire life. Glows an ambient orange when lit.

Labels: bull, decor, globe, Guildford, my new apartment, orange, red, vintage, William Topp