Richard Brendon - Tea Cups & Saucers (Willow & Reflect)

TeaseMaid just loves tea cups and saucers. Period. Wherever TeaseMaid goes we are always on the look out for a nice bit of crockery. We've bought the most fragile teacup from an antiques shop hidden in a dark alley in Ciutadella, bartered in Bangkok for a full tea set and have come across real gems in second hand shops in the middle of nowhere in this fine country.

Nothing had prepared TeaseMaid for the works by Richard Brendon. We came across his designs at Kingston market one Sunday afternoon. There on a white plinth were two of his creations Willow and Reflect - TeaseMaid knew straight away that these had to be added to the collection - we just loved them. Willow is play on the familiar willow pattern that we all know. Richard has taken the pattern and used just snippets of it and placed it delicately and thoughtfully on the tea cup and saucer. Reflect is a split personality. The saucer consists of a pattern that isn't unusual for, well, a saucer and at first glace you also think that the tea cup is the same design then you realise that its actually a reflective surface on which the saucer the creates the pattern for the tea cup - inspired! Reflect has been featured in the FT "How to Spend It" supplement; Period Living November 2011; The Times Fashion Issue 19th September 2011.

Check out his site for more information about his designs and how to buy www.richardbrendon.com. He also sells through:

Wolf and Badger, 46 Ledbury Road, W11 2AB
Katrina Phillips, 99 Portobello Road, W11 2QB
Mint, 2 North Terrace, SW3 2BA
The Workshop, Kingston Upon Thames, Market House

Paris
Le Bon Marché

Fabric & Stitch - Quirky and Divine Cake Stands

When I first came across these cakestands I had to do a double take - I had never seen anything like them before. I loved the way that each one is so individual, quirky and eye catching. I stopped to have a chat with Gaylene to find out more, each stand is made from reclaimed teacups, saucers, serving platters and glass vessels. It turns out that it is a friend of hers called Magdalena who makes them and that she is the 'face'. Whilst chatting away many people were also drawn to the stall and bought items. The prices are very competitive considering the care, time and thought that has been put into each one. If you want to find out more you can contact Gaylene directly ickyboo@btinternet.com

Kamila Wasilkowska - High Tea Jewellery

TeaseMaid met Kamila on wet and windy Saturday afternoon at Kingston Market - it was also the carnival hence the bad weather, despite this Kamila's stall was a ray of sunshine.

The  stall was decorated with handmade aprons by Amelia Scott sheilding Kamila's handmade jewellery both designers were very happy and chatty. What drew Teasemaid to the jewellery was the subject - HighTea and pearls - both of which TeaseMaid loves very much (champagne coming a very close third!) Kamila's jewellery is hand made using fresh water pearls and highly decorative tea cups and teapots. There are other delightful items she makes such as diamonte swallow freshwater pink pearl necklaces and blue saucer cuff links and many more. You can buy her products on etsy.com

TeaseMaid would be very happy wearing all of Kamila's jewellery at the same time.