Lorna Syson

Video of the latest installation

2011-07-04T15:38:00.000+01:00

The Makerie

2011-06-27T16:58:00.000+01:00

Whilst at the open studios I got to go and look around all of the other designers in the building, one studio that really caught my eye was Joyanne Horscroft's. Joyanne works under the name The Makerie for her fabulous creations and she was in the middle of creating a second beautiful paper peacock for a shop window.

Joy creates beautiful pieces all out of paper, I am personally very into birds at the moment and I fell in love with all of them but this gorgeous bunny really stood out for me!

Open studio's at SE1 Studios Bow Arts

2011-06-27T16:37:00.000+01:00

This weekend we had an opening studios at the SE1 studios, it was a great chance for over 50 designers and artists to show their work and work areas to the public. The event was well attended with many people coming through the doors all weekend.

For those who didn't get to visit you can see our new look, larger studio in the photos. There are now four of us in the studio, myself, Francie a freelance print designer for fashion as well as two knit designers for fashion Frankie and Taz.

Good Homes Features

2011-06-27T15:03:00.000+01:00

Thank you to Good home for featuring my products in both June and July's magazine. I LOVE how they have styled the piece and think the linear gold cushion looks fab next to the geometric prints!

New product! Ruffle tryptic

2011-06-24T14:14:00.000+01:00

To scale image of commission proposal

I really enjoyed making this ruffle piece, I had a chat with Alastiar and Fiona who were looking for something different in their bedroom, they were first attracted to the large wool hearts but decided it wasn't quite right for them. The brief I was given was to keep the richness of the red and look to draw inspiration from Rothco. I did some drawings to scale know the size of their space before creating the finish items. We eventually settled on this three-toned red tryptic piece

Space before installation

Installation once fitting in the bedroom

close up of the tryptic

Flower installation

2011-06-23T21:55:00.000+01:00

This week I installed an eleven flowers in an installation in a private home in south London. The installation went in very smoothly and I am very pleased with the results.

I had a wonderful email from Alastair and Fiona who commisioned the flowers along with another piece in their bedroom.

"Just wanted to say how much we both love the installations - they are fabulous. With the sun setting onto the wall the flowers look magical and bring a smile to my face every time I see them. They have transformed the space. The tryptich in the bedroom is utterly amazing; stylish, bold, tactile yet warm - it has made the room. Thank you so much again, I hope you are as pleased as we are!"

I love seeing the difference between in the before and after photos, I will soon have a short video documenting the installation going in!

If you are interested in an installation or something to transform your own space let me know!

Hallway before the flower installation

Hallway after installation

Top Part of the installation

Flower installation looking up the wall

top of the wall before

top of the wall afterwards

L'Atelier exhibition

2011-06-23T19:43:00.000+01:00

I had a fabulous time at the opening of the Design Factory exhibition in Paris.

I was honored to be selected as one of the thirteen top designer/makers from the East Midlands which headed over to Paris this summer to take part in ‘Le Design à l’heure anglaise’, Design Factory’s first international gallery show. The exhibition runs from 10th June to 28th July at l’Atelier, a prestigious gallery located at Viaduc des Arts, close to the Bastille area of central Paris.

It was wonderful to see the familiar faces of knit designer Debbie Bryan and Design Factories Hayley Banks and Claire Edwards as well as finally meeting some of my favourite designers such as Stuart Akroyd and Phiona Richards. I also discovered new designers such as Gill Wilson who's fabulous paper sculptures are fantastic.

L'Atelier Gallery Paris

Linear Fold Cushion in the gallery window

The lovely ladies from Design Factory and The Hub who made the whole exhibition possible

Me next to my large Teal Pompom flower.

Beautiful glass pieces by Stuart

Ruffle cushion and Clare Gage ceramics

Design Factory is the East Midlands’ leading creative development agency and exists to support and champion the thriving craft and design sector in the region. The invitation to exhibit at l’Atelier is the result of an ongoing partnership with Ateliers d’Art de France, the federation of craft professionals who co-own the Maison&Objet trade fair and four Paris galleries, including l’Atelier. As part of a developing exchange programme, Design Factory will invite a group of French designer/makers to exhibit in the UK in 2013, at The National Centre for Craft & Design.

Lorna Syson Textiles soon to be exhibiting in Paris

2011-06-04T17:41:00.000+01:00

I LOVE living in London

2011-06-04T17:23:00.000+01:00

My boyfriend has just moved down to London and we are finally getting to know the city together. We went for a walk from my studio close to London Bridge to the Southbank centre and these photos really captured the mood of the evening.

Tate Modern

Bankside

Sunset Bridge

St Pauls

Many goings on.....

2011-06-04T17:20:00.000+01:00

I can not believe how long it has been since I last posted on my blog! There has been so much that has gone on I thought I would condense them into one larger post!

Firstly we had our sale with My Deco which went well, look out for the video feature coming soon on their site. We also had our own competition running for the lovely people that retweeted and shared on facebook about the offer. We are please to announce the winner as Ana Aguilar-Corney from Aguilar Interiors was the winner of our limited edition Kate Linear fold cushion.

I also popped over to Dulage design week to the open house of Cavaliero and Finn, It was a wonderful event and they managed to select some of my favourite designers such as Shan Annabelle Valla and they also introduced me to some of my new favourite such as Custhom and Ali Miller

The next event was at Craft Central, which I am a member of. I saw some fab designers there including Laura Felicity and London Kills me, I then went and had a day playing with my new digital SLR camera. I must admit, the mojority of the day was sitting in one place taking the same photograph and seeing what happened to it, but I am proud of some of my new images.

I also popped into Ali Miller one day showcase of work, I LOVE her frog and butterfly cup and saucers!

Wall of up-cycled vintage plates

My most favourite piece from Ali Millers whole collection

Ali Miller wall paper and ceramics

Earlier this week I went to the RCA graduation show, which was a fabulous experience. I have some definitely favourites by mainly loved the atmosphere of the show. I'm an interiors girl at heart but thoroughly enjoyed it all the same.

Vital Feature

2011-06-04T12:00:00.000+01:00

Thank you to German Vital magazine for featuring me.

Spinning wall flower

2011-05-19T11:31:00.001+01:00

Now you can see the flower from all sides on the web!

Have you seen?................25% off at My Deco

2011-05-09T13:51:00.000+01:00

Summer Blooms

2011-05-02T09:24:00.002+01:00

Featured by Trend Bible

2011-04-30T11:30:00.000+01:00

'Something Blue' has been featured by Trend Bible. Blue has become a huge trend since Kate wore that blue dress... and the colours affinity with weddings from Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed and Something Blue.

Thank you Trend Bible!

Sarah from SjGuest Designs, Louise from La De Dah Cakery and Elle from Ellen Calvert all enjoying a glass of bubbly at the opening of 'Something Blue'

Something Blue Pop Up Shop

2011-04-30T11:23:00.001+01:00

This week we have set up a new, exciting London-based pop-up shop to celebrate the Royal Wedding. At 'Something Blue' we will be showcasing the best in British design, from upcycled furniture to Eco wall flowers.

I have joined forces with university friends, Sj Guest Design (you may have realised she features quite often on this blog) Ellen Calvert and Emma Britton. All of us have gone our separate ways since graduating from Loughborough University but as we all have our own specialisms within the interior design world we decided there would be not better way to celebrate our excitement over the Royal Wedding than this shop.

The shop is only open for a week and closes at 4pm on Sunday 1st of May so if you want to pop down and see the products for yourself you will need to be quick! I'm in until 6pm today (Saturday) so please pop down and say hi! Enjoy the long royal wedding weekend

We also had a selection of Fabulous cakes provided by La De Dah Cakery, Louise is a artist with icing, with her, her cakes and a her wonderful home soon to be featured in Living Etc and 25 Beautiful Homes Magazines!

London Kills me, popup shop

2011-04-24T11:23:00.000+01:00

Last Thursday I popped over to London Kills Me shop at Craft Central. I have been a fan of their work since I met Jane at Top Drawer at the beginning of this year. I love their illustrations on the hand cut slate and bought myself some hand cut slate planter labels.
LKM will be at Craft Central's Showcase Gallery between the 19th-23rd April with Spring garden and interiors range

Lorna Syson Textiles on NOTHS with Craft House Concept

2011-04-21T13:09:00.000+01:00

Exciting news, I heard from Steph the owner or Craft House Concept yesterday to inform me that the shop front on Not On The High Street had gone live. She has done a fabulous job with making it look great! Check out her page, I know she is constantly updating!

website.... NEW LOOK, NEW PRODUCTS

2011-04-18T12:37:00.000+01:00

I have had a website revamp, making sure all the new products are up there as well as giving it a new fresh look. What do you think?

Britian's Next Big Thing

2011-04-14T10:52:00.002+01:00

I was recently featured on BBC2's Britian's Next Big Thing talking to Theo Patihetis, those of you who have been reading my blog for a while will remember me blogging about meeting him back in February 2010.
It was for this TV show about suppliers meeting the buyers of liberties. I watched it last night and found it so strange watching myself and knowing how things had progressed for me over the last 14/15 months since it was filmed.

See the video here.... I'm about 40ish mins in (very brief)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b010hgdt/Britains_Next_Big_Thing_Episode_1/

photo from when i spoke to theo

Installation in Eco Age

2011-04-11T09:40:00.000+01:00

Check out these images of Eco Age, these three flowers are made with 100% British wool and are on sale in the store.

Something old, something new, come and see our something blue

2011-04-08T09:56:00.000+01:00

The London based 'Something Blue' pop up shop is shaping up to be an exciting event, already featured in Trend Bible's blue trend report of My Deco we delighted to deliver a bespoke interior shop bang on trend.

Here in the studio we are also getting royal fever, we have remade the fabulous Linear Fold cushion in teal wool felt and cream stinging nettle fabric to create the limited edition 'Kate' cushion. Only 15 of these will be made and each one is labeled and number. We are taking pre-orders so make sure you drop me an email to reserve one!

Limited edition Kate cushion £92

Linear Fold Cushion featured in the Telegraph

2011-04-02T18:06:00.000+01:00

Good Homes magazine

2011-03-22T15:54:00.000Z

Yesterday I dropped off some items for a Good Homes photo shoot on location in South London. Check out the flower below this was one of the items

Bright Bedroom on mydeco

2011-03-20T15:50:00.002Z

Bright Bedroom by lorna_syson

Explore home design ideas

Lorna Syson on My Deco Moodboard

2011-03-15T16:18:00.000Z

I am now selling on My Deco, and one of the great things about the website is you can create 3-D rooms and mood-boards with items selling on the site.
I created this mood-board to include some of my items!

Blue/lime and grey Lorna Syson Textiles by lorna_syson

Explore home design ideas

Nicole Wade spotted by Trendstop

2011-03-12T10:53:00.001Z

I am really delighted to introduce you to Nicole Wade. Nicole has been helping out in the studio since November and has been recently spotted by the trend website Trendstop. Her interior knitted building blocks are beautiful. Her designs are inspired by London's unique architecture and this structure is echoed in her final product.

Well done Nicole, article looks great!

Mad hatters tea party!

2011-03-08T12:13:00.000Z

Sarah finished off her mad hatters tea party lampshade it is amazing! She is obviously an extremely talented lady, check out the images below.

Shining the light on sustainabily workshop

2011-03-07T11:35:00.001Z

I am pleased to say that the workshop last Saturday was a huge success. I really enjoyed the day and everyone left with smiles on their faces and lampshades tucked under their arms. I had four lovely ladies for the day, each of them made very different lampshade designs, it was really exciting to see how they would all turn out!

The workshop was at Debbie Bryan's studio and shop, in the Lace Market, Nottingham. It was a fabulous space to work in, we were surrounded by inspirational work by British Designers, original lace patterns, as well as some of my framed pieces, wall flowers and British Hedgerow cushions.

The light above was created by Hazel, she did a brilliant city scape design. Without the light in the middle it is hard to see the full effect of the lampshade.

Below is a fabulous mad hatters tea party design. This design is extremely elegant and unfortunately there wasn't enough time to make this into a light but I am hoping we will get some brilliant pictures sent over. I definitely think this one is going to be a winner!

how will fair-trade fortnight affect you?

2011-03-03T14:16:00.000Z

It is fair-trade fornight and to celebrate I am giving a 'shining the light on sustainabilty workshop' at Debbie Bryan's studio and shop in Nottingham. I am discussing sustainable fabrics, raising the Eco issue, but I feel this issue also crosses over with fair trade.

Where possible we source in the UK and check with our suppliers where the fabrics and items have come to so we can provide a full history of our products.

I personally am using this fortnight to look more at my purchases both personally and in my business to see how my decisions will affect other people down the manufacturing chain. What changes will you look at making?

Commissioned pieces

2011-02-27T15:02:00.000Z

We have had a run of commissioned pieces in the studio this month, which are a lot of fun to produce, below you can see the ruffle design in three different colours of 100% Eco wool felt on square cushions and a bed runner. I can't wait to see them in a room setting!

I love La De Dah Cakery

2011-02-27T12:26:00.000Z

Friday was a brilliant day, as well as having the innocent hamper delivered we also had a visit from Louise, master baker and designer behind La De Dah Cakery. It was great to have Louise and her girls in the studio!

Louise delivered six fabric inspired cakes as well as a couple just like my wall flowers! We dived in at cake time and they were absolutely fabulous, as well as a expert in cake designs Louise is also a brilliant baker!

We have just had the fantastic news that Louise will be designing some blue royal themed cupcakes for our pop-up shop opening on the 26th of April. We all fell in love with her classy designs and we have asked Louise use her creative flair to go along with the theme. Can't wait to see what she comes up with!

How do you make an apple turnover.........?

2011-02-26T10:27:00.000Z

.............push it down a hill

I know its a lame joke but it has now become my favourite after it won me a huge Breakfast hamper from Innocent for the launch of their apple and orange juices. I think it helps that I am already a huge fan of the company, I love their veg pots especially but I must admit their new orange juice with bits is coming a close second!

We were delighted when the delivery man arrived with Muffins, Orange juice, apple juice, fresh bread, marmalade, granola, oranges, apples, great classes with orange themed jokes on them and teapig earl grey and breakfast tea's! So much breakfast it fed myself, Alison (who comes and helps out on Friday's) Francie, who I share my studio with and also Marc, who popped over (he also is my web designer)

Can you also spot the cupcakes supplied by La De Dah Cakery? Blog post to follow on Louise's creations soon!

Save the date

2011-02-24T09:57:00.000Z

I am really excited to be showing my Blue wallflowers and NEW teal/aqua ECO cushions at the Craft Central pop up shop with three other exciting friends and peers.

Check out the details below and hopefully we will see you there!

With the Royal Wedding set for the 29^th April, four British designers are celebrating the occasion with a weeklong showcase of all things blue.

Including names most frequently found in Selfridges, this one-week installation of interiors products will provide a great opportunity to furnish your own nest, or perhaps to pick up an appropriate wedding gift if you are lucky enough to be heading to Westminster that weekend.

Having borrowed the corner shop exhibition space at Craft Central - Clerkenwell, ‘Something Blue’ will host a mix of handmade home accessories and recycled designer furniture in every shade of the colour. Appearing on the guest list will be the popular aqua teal-wall flowers  by Lorna Syson, navy cushions and upholstery by Sarah-Jayne Guest, and Ellen Calvert will also be introducing her range of turquoise and knitted furnishings alongside Emma Britton’s blue hydrangea floral glass splashbacks.

Even if the Windsor’s invite hasn’t arrived yet, you are warmly invited to save the date, and join us for our celebration of all things old, new, borrowed and blue.

From Tues 26^th April – Sun 1^st May
21 Clerkenwell Green
EC1R ODX
Opening times:
Tues High tea opening from 3pm-late
Wed   10am-6pm
Thur 10am-9pm
Fri      10am-9pm
Sat     10am-6pm
Sun    10am-4pm

CONTACT: designers@interiorpopupshop.co.uk

Design Workshops at Debbie Bryan Studio and Shop

2011-02-22T16:02:00.000Z

Check out the workshops available at the Debbie Bryan Studio and Shop.

5^th March, Saturday 11-5pm

Paper Light Making Workshop £42, includes all materials, tea, light lunch & homemade cake

Award winning sculptural textile designer Lorna Syson will be shining the light on sustainability & sharing her craft skills to help you create your paper light.

Part of Sustainable Design Workshop Season at Debbie Bryan Studio & Shop

12^th March, Saturday 11-1pm

Porcelain Brooch Making Workshop £20, includes all materials, tea & homemade cake

Be inspired by talented ceramist Katie Almond’s design secrets & create your own stunning trio of porcelain brooches.

Part of Sustainable Design Workshop Season at Debbie Bryan Studio & Shop

12^th March, Saturday 2-5pm

Stoneware Tile Making Workshop £25, includes all materials, tea & homemade cake

Spend the afternoon learning from local designer/maker Katie Almond & create set of 3 decorative stoneware tiles.

19^th March, Saturday, 11-5pm

3D Paper Mosaic Frame Making Workshop, £42 includes all materials, tea & light lunch & homemade cake

In this workshop multiple award winning designer Hannah Lobley will share her working methods & inspiration for her innovative Paperwork technique & teach you how to create your own 3d box frame collage/mosaic.

Part of the Sustainable Design Workshop Season at Debbie Bryan Studio & Shop

24^th March, Thursday, 6-9pm, £25 includes all materials, tea & homemade cake

Femme Fatale Life Drawing Party with Illustrator Charlotte Thomson

Be Glamorous! This is not your usual life drawing class; the theme is Film Noir & Hollywood Starlet.

Learn from Charlotte how to create beautiful & voluptuous drawings of our clothed muse model Jody Capuano.

Part of the Sustainable Design Workshop Season at Debbie Bryan Studio & Shop

26^th March Saturday 10-1pm

Textile Frame Making Workshop £25, includes all materials, tea & homemade cake

Designer/maker Jayne Childs shares her experience & gives individual help to create your own reference samples & hand embroidered textile frame using J.C Middlebrooks’s own Nottingham Lace designs & specially sourced vintage fabrics.

Part of the Sustainable Design Workshop Season at Debbie Bryan Studio & Shop

My Deco

2011-02-22T14:15:00.000Z

I am pleased to announce that Lorna Syson Textiles products are now available on the fabulous interior website My Deco. I have been a memeber of My Deco since 2009 and love the site, so was delighted to be involved with them. The collection is slowly being added but check them out in New Arrivals at the moment!

Surface design show

2011-02-21T18:10:00.000Z

Last week I headed over to the surface design show with Laura Felicity and Nicole Wade. We all agreed the best stand in the show was the trend wall by Mix Interiors magazine.

The best wall was definately Giles Miller and his three-dimensional wall decor. As usual his work is gorgeous! I love the one of the left below.

Beautiful Homes Feature

2011-02-16T13:39:00.000Z

Check out the feature on Beautiful Homes magazine, I personally love this page and think whoever chose the images and lay it out has a brilliant eye for colour!

Last Valentine’s post... Craft House Concept guest blog

2011-02-13T11:11:00.001Z

Hi, My name is Steph Marsden, I’m a furniture designer/maker and owner of Edinburgh-based Craft House Concept http://www.livingwithcraft.com which sells the best of British craft and design for the home. I thought I’d share some of my favourite Valentine’s gifts by some talented designers – some of which I stock – and some of which I covet!

My pick of Valentine’s cards would be Mr Yen http://www.mr-yen.com/ He’s a Leeds based paper cut artist who’s very handy with a scalpel! Valentines cards £3 Craft House Concept.

For the romantic amongst you who like clean lines and effortless style, have a look at work by Timea Sido. Her gleaming ceramic tangled range is beautiful. Tangled heart container £18.

Tangled heart tea light holder £12.

To me there’s nothing more romantic than a nice bit of lace, so rather than hiding it away in expensive lingerie, why not put in on display? These lampshades by Stella Corrall of Lucient Designs are a gorgeous way to add a sensous atmosphere to your boudoir. Prices from £45, Craft House Concept Image: www.ilian.co.uk)

Now, the classic Valentine’s gift always seems to be jewellery . I always like to wear pieces that are a little bit unusual. I’m a bit fan of London duo Eat Your Feet’s designs and love their love-themed lifesaver. http://www.eatyourfeet.com/

New Edinburgh based boutique Hannah Zakari stocks the wacky but wonderful work of Margaux Lange – an American based designer/maker whose entire collection is made from upcycled Barbie dolls. I love her Vanilla heart necklace available online from Hannah Zakari. http://www.hannahzakari.co.uk/

For the espresso - drinking man in my life I would have to choose a Moka Express print by Mengsel design. http://www.mengsel.comGorgeous screen prints of an iconic design piece. Mini print £32. Teatowel

£9.

For men who wish to think outside the box, how about treating your loved one to a craft class? (or ladies – go on just treat yourself!)

I just completed a Cake Decorating class by http://www.cakesbylyndsey.co.uk/, had a great time and was very pleased with my beginner’s attempts at cake decorating. This is one I made earlier:

Whilst we’re on the cake theme, I love these super- cute ceramic hearts and spoon stands by Glasgow based ceramicists Angela and Laura at Studio at 37, available at Craft House Concept http://www.studioat37.com/

Looking for Love...

2011-02-12T10:45:00.000Z

Thank you to 100% Design for featuring us on their Valentines blog! But don't worry if you think you're not going to have time over the weekend to pick up the perfect present, we can send you E-vouchers for your special someone, so they can choose something perfect just for them!

A Treat For Two or Just For You

2011-02-11T17:25:00.000Z

Fancy a bit of pampering this Valentine's day? Look no further than Anesis, London’s largest fish spa where the fish do all the hard work! From £10 for a taster, you can sit and relax while an army of small fish eat away the dead skin on your feet leaving them feeling soft and smooth!

Some friends and I tried this out and had a lot of fun being pampered. I thought I would recommend it to you as a great way to treat yourself or to spend time with friends.

Anesis currently have a Valentine's Day offer for a romantic Piscean Pedicure accompanied with champagne and chocolate strawberries for £75 per couple! The perfect way to spend time together on the most romantic day of the year!

Valentines for men

2011-02-10T11:29:00.000Z

At this time of year, all of the attention is on the women in the relationship, but what about the men? What do us women buy them which shows we care but so we don't present them with an extremely girly red or pink present which will end up at the bottom on the draw/ on a dusty shelf and never touched within a month?

Well if my other half liked cheese I would get them this! (I'm even tempted so I can eat it!) It's a bit pricey for cheese at £175 by Godminster Gourmet Gift Bundle With Heart Shaped Board from Rockett St George but I think it's worth every penny! I have sampled this cheese before and being a huge cheese lover/snob completely fell in love with it! And what's great about Rockett St George is you can send a gift hint to a loved one! Genius!

Also check out the flowers we stock with Rockett St George!

Bianco Giglio Galleries.

2011-02-09T08:37:00.000Z

Less than a week until Valentines and we were very excited to receive these images from the Bianco Giglio Galleries of the wall hearts in their valentines display!

Creative Hearts Pop Up Shop

2011-02-08T09:31:00.000Z

Hi, my name is Laura, designer-maker behind Laura Felicity. I hand draw and silk screen print handmade wallpapers and soft interior furnishings for retail and bespoke spaces.

The lovely Lorna has asked me to tell you about a great Pop Up Shop which is being held for a brilliant cause...

Creative Hearts is a lovely little Pop Up Shop with a big heart that has been set up in the middle of London from the 3^rd-13^th February 2011. The shop consists of 14 designer-makers from a variety of disciplines including, jewellery, textiles, paper, print and ceramics, who have come together to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

Top Left-Right: Lucy Prichard, Janet Stahelin; Bottom Left-Right: Keren Cornelius, Clare Nichols, Janet Knibbs

Each designer has created unique heart pieces especially for the Pop Up Shop as well as showing their uniquely created products from their current collection, perfect for an opportunity to spend money on yourself or buy a present for Valentine’s Day.

Some of my favourites from the shop are; London Kills Me who screen print beautiful interior and fashion accessories, Sarah Morpeth produces gorgeous cut-paper books, cards and mobiles, Namiko Murakoshi creates ceramic pieces with quirky dotty 3D elements, and Squash Bespoke Cushions machine knitted and hand finished techniques create lovely warm and cosy cushions.

Top Left-Right: London Kills Me, Namiko Murakoshi, Nancy Waters; Bottom Left-Right: Rosemary Lucas, Sarah Morpeth, Squash Bespoke Cushions

The Creative Hearts Shop is open until Sunday 13^th February 2011 at Craft Central 33-35 St Johns Square, London EC1M 4DS. Please go along and show your support and buy some lovely handmade gifts with 5% of each purchase donated directly to the British Heart Foundation.

You can also donate with money gestures in their money boxes, and find out ways to support this amazing charity which is set up to support and find new ways to heal real hearts!

For more information please visit www.creative-hearts.com

Design Factory

2011-02-07T09:03:00.000Z

With 8 days to go I thought I would bring the wonderful work of design factory members to your attention, check out there gift guide below!

With February 14th just around the corner - here is a fantastic opportunity to buy directly from Design Factory members to give your loved one something unique and special which can't be found on the high street...


	Katie Almond Ceramic 'Heart' Brooch Price: £12 each

	Katie AlmondCeramic 'Love Birds' Brooch Price: £12 each

	Anne Menary'I give you my heart' Embroidered Panel Size: 21 x 16cm Price: £30

	Lorna SysonFramed Heart Available in Red or Cream Price: £55

	Lorna SysonHeart Wall Art Made to order from 25cm upwards. Starting from £180

To purchase any of these beautiful gifts, simply click on the designers name and contact them through their profile page.

New colour way for hearts!

2011-02-05T17:51:00.000Z

We have just made up these new hearts in a hot pink! They are fabulous and this colour is gorgeous! These are a preview and are not yet up on the website but if you want to get these before they are even up just drop us an email, this colour is on special offer at £45 instead of £55 with free delivery until valentines day!

A Hearty Cut Out

2011-02-05T11:52:00.001Z

Hi I’m Alison Baxter, printed textile designer maker and also currently working at Lorna Syson Textiles!

On my wish list for this Valentine’s Day is a fantastic hand cut card from Helen Foers at Storeyshop. www.storeyshop.blogspot.com These bespoke cards are made to order and can be personalised with your own message or your loved ones name. Helen uses high quality card that comes in wide range of rich colours and the end result is a beautiful hand crafted keepsake.

I absolutely love the detail that goes into these cards and I think they are a fun and perfect gift for February 14^th!

Storeyshop is very popular but if you order by the 8^th of February you are guaranteed to receive your hand cut card in time for Valentine’s Day! Go to www.storeyshop.etsy.com to buy.

Unravel your Heart...

2011-02-04T07:38:00.000Z

11 days to go til Valentines...

Hello, I'm today's guest blogger Nicole Wade. Knit and Textile Designer/Maker, currently working at Lorna Syson Textiles.

My favourite Valentines gift this year is Catherine Tough's hand crafted knit/felt lavender hearts, which come in all colours and patterns. From cherry red polka dots and strawberry pink stripes to citrus florals and gold check. Tough's range of beautiful hearts can be heated up on the radiator to keep you nice and cosy on these cold wintry nights!

Pink & Gold Fairisle

Citrus Floral

As a knit designer I particularly love these fairisle and floral patterned knit fabrics. Tough's great sense of colour and pattern stood out to me at Top Drawer 2011. Check out Catherine Tough's 100% lambswool products at www.catherinetough.co.uk

Home is where the heart is...

2011-02-03T07:31:00.000Z

12 days left on our valentine day count down.... and we thought we would bring the framed hearts to your attention. These are a relatively new product but since the first trade show have been very popular!

Below are just three colours but we have a huge selection for those of you looking for something less traditional!

Also from now until Feb 14th get free delivery with promotional code LOVE

13 Days until Valentines day!

2011-02-02T07:58:00.000Z

Tonight craft central will be having it's private launch of the creative hearts exhibition. From 6pm-8pm at Craft Central, 33-35 St John’s Square, London EC1M 4DS.

Meet the makers. Enjoy drinks and tasty nibbles.

There will be 14 talented designer-makers who create cards, ceramics, jewellery, print, paper, silver and textiles

There is a fundraising sweepstake with prizes donated by local businesses and the ‘silent auction’ in support of the British Heart Foundation’s 50th Anniversary Appeal. The makers will be donating 5% of their sales at the show to this appeal

http://www.creative-hearts.com/

Valentines.... 14 days to go

2011-02-01T07:54:00.000Z

Yes thats right, how did it get to February already? We have only just had New Years Eve!

Well don't worry, no need to fear, here at Lorna Syson Textiles we have been thinking about it for a while and we are happy to share our favourate valentines gifts in our handy 14 day count down!

And of course we are starting with our own custom made wall hearts, starting at 25cm in diameter, we know what you're thinking..... how can one of these be made for me and arrive at my door BEFORE the 14th?!? Well it just so happens that if you order before Feb 6th we can do this for you and what's more we are offering 20% off until the 6th on this product! That means a custom made piece of art starting at £120! Just drop us a line for your own quote!

International Life Magazine Feature

2011-01-31T15:29:00.000Z

I have finally managed to get my hands on the copy of International Life Magazine which I was featured it, and when I opened it to my delight I was along side knit designer and friend Debbie Bryan from Debbie Bryan Studio and shop. I have also just found out we are in this months House Beautiul Magazine!
I am doing a workshop at Debbie's shop on March 5th called shinning the light on sustainability' to check out more details and book click here

Supermarket Sarah's Launch at Selfridges

2011-01-29T14:51:00.000Z

On Friday night I headed over to Selfridges to go the launch of the Supermarket Sarah concessions. A friend of mine, and brilliant jewelry designer Kat from Creme Nouveau had her work there within the Selfridges Store.

Indigo Lounge at Top Drawer 2011,

2011-01-29T12:45:00.000Z

Paper lampshade workshops start in March

2011-01-24T21:21:00.000Z

I am giving my first Shining the light on sustainability workshop at Debbie Bryan's Studio and Shop in Nottingham on the 5th of March 2011. I brought a couple of friends into the studio this weekend to have a trial run and make sure the planned workshop worked smoothly.

Researching and planning the final design

Tasha Drawing out her final design

Starting to cut out the design

Practicing rolling the lampshade

The final product

As well as drawing, cutting and making the lampshade with the recycled papers I will be showing all my work from the research stage through the drawing to show how I get from the first idea to the final piece. I will also be showing different types of eco fabrics including bamboos and hemps to show how eco fabrics are changing and developing.

The workshop worked really well and the final products were gorgeous! Very excited about the 5th of March, you can book a place via this link, looking forward to seeing you there!

Top Drawer Jan 2011

2011-01-20T12:55:00.000Z

After the success of Top Drawer 2010 I decided to rejoin Design Gap and show with them at Top Drawer 2011 this January. There was a lot of prep which needed to be done by myself and the team here at the studio but with a very special thanks to Nicole Wade and Alison Baxter we got the job done and we were very proud of the end result. We were close to other designers such as textile designer Emma Burton, who's work I love and have brought some of her items before and product designer and skilled photographer Charles Churchman, who was recently in the Telegraph's magazine for his acrylic egg cups.

We also had a busy time getting the cushions ready for the Indigo Lounge, the VIP buyer lounge at the event. It's a place to get free tea and coffee and have a chance to sit down, I was delighted when I got the phone call from the Indigo Lounge designer asking me to help with the styling.

Like many exhibitors the show did start off slowly, but it definitely ended in a bang and then to top it all off winning a bottle of Champagne in a twitter competition set up by Top Drawer! Now its back to the studio.....

Here is to an exciting 2011!

2011-01-09T13:21:00.000Z

2011 is already shaping up to be an exciting year at Lorna Syson Textiles. Right from the 1st of January we had some flower commissions and we were getting ready for Top Drawer, which is now only a week away! At the moment the studio is piled high with feather cushion inners in huge bags and we are putting the final touches to the British Hedgerow collection the dress the VIP, Indigo Lounge and Press Room. So if you are privileged Indigo member you can look forward to cuddling up for one of the wool and stinging nettle ruffle cushions or Linear Fold with you complimentary cappuccino and biscuits, and even if your not come over to the stand number o62 in the Design Gap area and give the cushions a squeeze, we are so proud of the quality of the product, we love showing it off, so come over to Earls Court between the 16th and 18th of January

Also I had an exciting evening at the The Designer Craftsmen at the Mall private view and opening last Friday evening. I have some of my products in the Shop at the Mall. As usual the started of work at the show was amazing, it is still on for another two weeks so if you get chance or are passing by Trafalgar square it is definitely worth a little detour, it is on until Sunday 16th January.

Lorna Syson Textiles mentioned in Xmas wish lists

2010-12-27T21:43:00.000Z

Dovetail Design

Arianna Interiors

Dear Designers Dear Designers

International Life

Very Lucky end to 2010

2010-12-27T19:49:00.001Z

The week before christmas was very exciting for me thanks to some wonderful people in the design world. First up I was delighted to have won the Christmas compition run by www.modenus.com in conjunction with Anglepoise. The light arrived a couple of days before Christmas and I am itching to put it all together and set it up but it's still packed up in the box waiting to go down to the studio in London. I won a blue version of the light below. Turns out we have an original style anglepoise from the 60's at dads house, I will have to search for that at home!

I also want to say a massive thank you to the people at Selvedge magazine. I received a lovely Christmas tea towel made from organic and fair trade cotton by the company Gossypium called the 12 days of Christmas. Again this is heading down to the studio with me as I love filling my creative space with beautiful items.

And finally my third Christmas treat came from 100% Design. I received this great Christmas gift wrap was some of the iconic images and products from 100% Design this year. You can even seen the Anglepoise Light!

Snow Joke, Christmas is here!

2010-12-19T22:59:00.001Z

This weekend was the last before heading home for christmas and it has definitely been a fun and jam packed weekend.

We had a light dusting on Friday afternoon which seemed to make the the roads slippery, I slowly slid my way across London to meet up with my old housemates and university friends, recently married Jemma (Ayres) who wore my flowers in her hair for m wedding and the fantastic and very talented textile designer Helen from Pondage Design, I was delighted to receive my Birthday/Christmas present of a hand-made custom designed and screen printed suede note book, made even more special by the the note inside saying:

"Our tomorrows start with dreams of today...."

The next day we had a snow storm over London, it made everything very pretty and me very happy I packed my Wellington's so our trip over to Spitalfields market to purouse the vintage shops with relatively slip free. I picked myself up some sheep skin vintage mittens which I have been searching for for about a month, kept my hands very toasty all weekend.

We also came across numerous snow men in our travels, this one was by far to best just outside Beyond Retro

As always I spend my weekend going around looking at markets, and seeing what other designers are up to and some to me really stood out. I loved the illustrations by Laura Jordon under the name of Delicate Mayhem, especially her London drawings. I love the way her pen seems to have drawn across the page with a whimsically perfection and play on scale. It is the type of image you can constantly look and and find something different each time.

Another designer using similar inspiration is ink cities. This style of drawing has been catching my eye for a while in the form of prints but also on ceramics such as People Will Always Need Plates

I also came across one of my favorite Jewelry designers Maria Zureta. I brought a necklace from Maria about a year and a half ago and it has become a firm favourite ever since. I included an image below of a group of us after graduating which includes Helen from Pondedge design and Sarah from SJGuest Designs and me wearing my the necklace

Finally after falling in love with too many designers I fell head over heals for the delights of Kooky Bakes cupcakes. I'm not even exaggerating, it is by far the best cupcake I have ever had and I feel like after living in New York and sampling many of the brands based in Chelsea Market and the infamous Magnolia bakery from the Sex in the City show, i know what I am on about. I had the white chocolate and raspberry cupcake, strongly recommend heading over and samplings one. I am looking forward to having another one very soon!

As we walked back we came across this called tweets of snow. As the sign said, whenever anyone mentions the word snow on twitter the comment is printed off and it falls over the cardboard street the artists have made. I have already started my own twitter campaign to get this seen more as it was only on the 6th time walking past this window we noticed it. I think its a great idea so check out the hash tag #tweetofsnow see if anyone else has joined in...... or it maybe just me!

Christmas Time

2010-12-17T15:10:00.000Z

Thank you to the fabulous press team at 100% Design for featuring the eco-friendly wool and stinging nettle ruffle cushion in their christmas gift guide this year.

Also a big thank you to International Life magazine which has featured my work in their business section on the website, the newsletter and also their New Year addition of the magazine!

Flower commissions

2010-12-13T17:20:00.000Z

I have been working on a number of private commissions recently which have been really exciting to do! I love creating something which I know of to someone's home to make a statement and be loved.
I'm in the middle of an exciting blue/ grey 60 x 60cm flower at the moment.

Corsage gets approval from 150 year old legend!

2010-12-12T18:11:00.003Z

Check out this image of 150 year old James the tortoise, long time resident of Fregate Island in the Seychelles. He definitely has his eye on the cream Lorna Syson Textiles corsage which was purchased from the Craft House Concept in Edinburgh

The best of East London Design Show

2010-12-08T11:38:00.000Z

Last weekend was the East London Design Show at Shordich town hall. After battling with trains for the midlands down to London and my usual 1-2 hour journey taking 5 hours, I managed to make it on the last day in the last hour!

The first stand I saw was one of my favorites. People Will Always Need Plates. I have been a huge fan of their British sourced and made ceramics ever since I came to know of them via the collaboration with Margo Selby. I then heard Robin talk at the Hidden Art Forum and was on a stand next to them at Top Drawer September 2010 in the Design Gap section. Because of this I made my first purchase in less than 2 minuets of entering the show, and I don't think i was the only one as they were running extremely low on stock.

I am now the proud owner of the limited edition Sir Johns Sloane's Museum London Mug to have my tea from in the studio an i am already perusing the website to see my next purchase... I'm thinking the 30 St Mary Axe or a B of the Bang Mug.... decisions, decisions.

Another stand which caught my eye was Latorre Cruz Design I was drawn to his light but soon saw his Jet Set shelves. They are plastic shelves in the form of a traditional paper airplane. Wonderful Idea and a great contemporary and useful take on the traditional english ducks when displayed in a three on the wall. The only problem I see with them is that you wouldn't want to use them as shelves because it would ruin their beauty.

Latorre Cruz Design

I also was stopped in my tracks by Mini Moderns new wallpaper collection. I first saw their Sitting Comfortably wall paper at Tent 2009 and thought there simple style was exquisite. They are launching their new collection to celebrate the enduring influence of the 1951 Festival of Britain.

Mini Moderns Family Album Collection

Festival Wall Paper, Mini Moderns

Finally I came across one of the main reasons for me to head over to show, to see Designer and friend of mine Laura Felicity. Laura and I met at a Hidden Art event about how to promote our work. She creates bespoke wall papers and has recently branched out into cushions. I have added my favourate wall paper below but keep your eyes peeled for a whole post dedicated to her work!

Laura on her stand

Geometric flower, steel, Laura Felicity

Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition 2010

2010-12-02T10:26:00.000Z

Monday was my Birthday so I treated myself to a day away from the freezing cold studio and went over the National History Museum to see the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition. Below I have attached my five favourate images. The Top image was taken by Bence Mate, a Hungarian photographer who was named Wildlife photographer of the year 2010 for a different image. I brought a postcard of this at the exhibition and it is now on my inspirational wall in the studio!

Open Studio's cockpit arts and Clerkenwell

2010-12-02T10:05:00.000Z

Last week I took my Friday afternoon off and headed over to the Hoborn Cockpit arts and Clerkenwell open studios with Craft Central.

I must admit, cockpits arts blew me away, the quality of work for all of the artist was amazing. I bought some Christmas presents from Thornback and Peel, gorgeous birthday cards from Claire Coles. I also loved the papercut by Nahoko Kojima and ceramic goldfinches by Shan Annabelle Valla.

I bumped into Lauren Moriarty, whose work was recently in crafts magazine. Lauren has been a massive help to me throught my final year at Loughborough University and since setting up on my own. She creates so great lights which have moving butterflies and has recently moved into using more traditional materials and techniques which she exhibited at 100% Design this year.

Shan Annabelle Valla's goldfinches

Shoe Tree by Claire Coles

Lauren's Studio

I headed over to Made In Clerkenwell, the studio and saw jewellery designer Laura Gravestock, I last met Laura at a contemporary design far in Islington. I love angles in her promise collection.

Laura Gravestock, Promise Collection

Fashion and Textiles Museum with ASOS

2010-11-25T17:13:00.001Z

Fashion and Textiles Museum

Yesterday I headed over the the Fashion and Textiles Museum for the Hub@FTM event. The event was called the Buying Lounge and we got to listen to Anna Baxter the Buyer for Premiere ladies wear brands from ASOS. The talk was really informative with Alison from the Fashion and textiles museum giving a kind of interview about all the questions we all want to know, such as 'how do get in contact with the right buyer' and 'what to do/have when you finally get the meeting'

Sue Timney exhibition

I was great to hear it from the buyers point of view, much of it was common sense it is still great just to help reassure what you are already thinking.

Whilst I was there I went around the Sue Timney exhibition and also bumped into a friend of mine, Katherine who makes the most fabulous jewelry under her brand of Creme Nouveau.

Necklace by Creme Nouveau

Tatty Devine's 1st birthday party

2010-11-20T10:21:00.000Z

On Thursday night a couple of university textile friends and I headed over the Covent Garden to check out Tatty Devine's 1st Birthday party. I didn't realise how small the shop was and when we arrived it was literally bursting at the seams. I love Tatty devine's work and I was especially admiring the collection with the clocks... unfortunately it was too busy for me to make a purchase!
Below are photos from the event, I decided to wear one of my favourate headpieces, check it out on the website

Dear Designers Give Away

2010-11-19T09:33:00.000Z

As promised I am letting you know about the give away with Dear Designers. Pop over to her blog and find out how you can win a framed flower white/black worth £55 as well as 4 other beautiful gifts from My Deco, Denise O'Sullivan, Anonymous shop and Red Lilly.
It is Dear Designers first Birthday and Carole has organised give away to celebrate!
You have all week to enter so head over to her blog now! Good Luck

Will's Bright.Bazzar!!

2010-11-17T12:18:00.000Z

I Love Will's Bright.Bazaar blog, he now has his own feature in a magazine! Check it out!

Bright.Bazaar: Sweet Paul: The Holiday Issue: "Tuesday just became a whole lot more interesting, friends! Yep, the first ever holiday issue of Sweet Paul magazine is now live"

Dear Designers Christmas post!

2010-11-17T11:57:00.001Z

A massive thank you to Dear Designers for including me in their Christmas Gift Inspiration, check out the post and rest of the blog! It is also the Dear Designers first birthday week so keep your eyes peeled for giveaways to celebrate!

Where to buy:1.Perroquet dining chair, The Cross Design. 2.Dahlia wallflower, Lorna Syson. 3.Silver hanging pendant lamp, Sweetpea and Willow. 4.Flying ducks, Designed in England. 5.Red perfume bottle, Marks and Spencer. 6.Swan tray, Pedlars. 7.Horn sculpture, Katherine Pooley. 8.Cushion,The Cross Design. 9.LSA Jazz flutes, John Lewis.

All images and text is taken from the Dear Designers Blog

Gifted exhibition

2010-11-16T15:37:00.000Z

My work will be at the Gifted exhibition this Christmas, if you are in Newcastle-under-lyme check it out!

Inspirational trip to Stratford butterfly farm!

2010-11-16T09:35:00.000Z

I had a wonderful day at Stratford upon avon's butterfly farm. I must admit I was slightly apprehensive at what it would be like inside and whether it was worth the £6 entry charge but as soon as we stepped into the warm building at a butterfly landed on my head within the first minute or so it definitely was! The patterns on the wings are hugely inspirational for my textiles work! Keep an eye out for butterfly inspired work!

Highlights of Luster at the Lakeside Arts Centre

2010-11-14T21:44:00.000Z

Lakeside arts centre

Luster

Today I went to visit the widely talked about and well respected Luster at the Lakeside Arts Centre. The standard if work on show was extremely high and I recognised many of the exhibitors from showing at BCTF, Top Drawer and 100% Design and fellow design factory members.

One of my favourites was the jewellery made by Kate Gilliland, I fell in love with her own quirky take on taxidermy pieces from her 'The weird and wonderful' collection, especially the sleeping mouse necklace in it's own leather pouch and the harnessed bird necklace.

Sleeping Mouse

Harnessed Bird

Staying on the Jewellery theme I also loved the cuffs made by Syann Van Niftrik, the necklaces made by Serra Malta and quirky pieces by Rachel Leardley.

I also loved the ceramic wall pieces by Porcellana and Duomo, I think I love it so much because I can see some of my own work within the large wall panels but instead of textiles, the pieces are made from ceramics. I loved how delicate the porcelain is folded and manipulated to create such brilliant abstract effects.

As well as the new designers i saw I have my firm favourites which I have seen at different trade shows and events, these include Catherine Hammerton. I think her ceramic pieces are beautiful and brilliant value! I also spotted Gillian Lee Smith's quirky dolls and did some christmas shopping and brought some of Amanda Ross's notelets.... as always I was drawn straight to her stand!

Catherine Hammerton Mug

Catherine Hammerton Plate

Gillian Lee Smith's Linnet doll

Amanda Ross Original Artwork

I really enjoyed the show and would love to get involved next year... I will definitely be applying!

Debbie Bryan's Studio and Shop

2010-11-12T16:29:00.000Z

I LOVE popping into Debbie shop in the Lace Market, Nottingham. She has some beautiful items from designer makers from the East Midlands and further afield in the UK.
I noticed she has a new table of goodies by Lucy Roscoe. I met Lucy at the Craft House Concept opening in Edinburgh earlier on in the year and now have one of her lovely gift boxes up in my studio.
I have also sent some of the wall flowers and framed flowers and hearts to Debbie for the shop, check out the images below to see how they are beautifully displayed!
Also watch this space, looks like I maybe be doing some sustainability workshops at the shop in 2011! Will keep you all updated!

The framed hearts and flowers on the wall

Lucy's gift box

Swedish Belvedere Design Magazine Feature

2010-11-10T15:18:00.000Z

Thank you to Sylvia for featuing the Morrocan Dahlia interior cushion collection in the magazines 16 page feature in there top interior magazine.

Check out the whole e-version here

Xmas Gift Ideas from Shell Livewire

2010-11-08T18:24:00.000Z

Check out this blog by Shell Live wire, I became one of the Shell Live Wire Grand Idea's winners this July. They have collected together past winners and created a blog to help you make your christmas shopping decisions.

2010-11-08T17:56:00.001Z

Thank you to Sarah for featuring the wall flowers on her Interior Life blog!

Film and animation!

2010-11-08T17:05:00.000Z

Today I have had a sneaky peak into the world of online short films on Vimeo! There is such talent out there... the one that started this journey... and still my favourate one was 'What Makes Your Day?' a 2 min film by Napatsawan Chirayukool who won the Adobe Design Achievement Award for the film.

WHAT MAKES YOUR DAY? from Napatsawan Chirayukool on Vimeo.

Love Cooking with Huge

2010-11-03T13:02:00.000Z

Last night Francie and I managed to get ourselves some free tickets to the Love Cooking event happening at the Royal Festival Hall. We went to see the Huge Fearnley Whittingstall show, Spade! Fork! Spoon!

We walked there along the south bank which was beautiful!

The event started off with a rather strange discussion about different sorts of apples. At this point we were wondering what we had let ourselves in for but when Huge came out the evening livened up, especially for Huge as he enjoyed a couple of bottles of what looked like some very nice cider!

He cooked an amazing apple cake, butternut and peanut butter soup, Mussels with Bacon and Leeks and venison and pork burgers. We were kicking ourselves that we were not closer to the front so we could get called up onto stage and try out the food! We are already discussing evenings to get together and try out his recipes!

We left on a massive high which was then dampened considerably by the tube strike combined with a long cold and dark wait for the bus to take us back home!

NEW colours for framed flowers

2010-10-26T16:18:00.000+01:00

The new purple/ hot pink colour way is used in these two complementing framed flowers. These RRP at £55, trade customers please contact me about wholesale T+C's

In London town and around

2010-10-25T20:06:00.001+01:00

I went to an event which the princes trust put on for it's volunteers, it shows the volunteers and mentors what work the princes trust has been doing in the area, I went along with some of my work to show how the trust has supported my business and how it has grown.

I was also lucky enough to be invited to the party celebrating the clothing brand Eden Park sponsoring the Rugby Football Union at the Kensington roof gardens. It was a wonderful night with examples of the Eden Park clothes. I celebrating the evening with two friend of mine from university, Scarlett and Francie, who i share my London studio with Scarlett (left) is also a textile designer with a passion for cupcakes and creating her own recipes! She is based in Oxford check out her cupcake blog.

I have also had a busy week with completing orders. Above is a 90cm x 90cm heart made for a private order. It was a challenge and also great fun creating this heart as it is the largest I have made to date. The heart is being sent out this week and I will post pictures of how it looks in situ!

I also sent out orders to a number of new stockiest around the country including the Arteria shop, Gallery 23 in Lancaster, the craft shop at the royal exchange theatre, Manchester and the Bankfield Museum in Halifax which also has a permeant costume and textile exhibition

I have also added the new products to the website of the framed flowers and hearts, these have been very popular. Check out all the different colours on the website, and I will add more as they are being made shortly. Pieces can be made to order so if you would like a specific colour way just give me a call!

Check out the article by the Irish house and home magazine showing the top trends for 2011. The ruffle cushion has been selected, check out the article here.

There are also a number of foreign language blogs about Lorna Syson Textiles, if you would like to see them check them out here!

PaperBlog

Dekorella

Business Woman of the year awards

2010-10-18T22:09:00.000+01:00

I was lucky enough to get a ticket to go to the Vitalise Business Woman of the Year Awards at Birmingham's Hitlon Metropole Hotel. It was a wonderful lunch which included a Harvey Nichols fashion show with beautiful clothes. The host was Viscountess Cobham and the BBC Midlands anchor Suzanne Virdee and the guest speakers were Ruby Wax and Emma Bridgewater with Awards going to Katie Piper, Karen Darke and Suzie Norton

Vitalise is a brilliant charity which gives essential breaks for disabled people and carrers

In the photo below is Jo Edden a free lance textile designer, myself and Andrea Daly who is one of the cousins from the Two Cousins Bakery in Coventry. I have tried the cupcakes and they are delicious!

Debbie Bryan's Studio and Shop

2010-10-13T21:07:00.000+01:00

Today I headed over to Debbie's studio and shop, in the Lace market, Nottingham. Debbie is creating a Quintessentially British Collection for Nottingham's creative October and I delivered some pieces from my new eco-friendly collection and some of my framed flowers and hearts.
Check out her blog as well for updates on workshops and other designers in her shop.

Live in Style Magazine

2010-10-13T20:45:00.001+01:00

Check out the wall flowers being featured in the Editors choice for Live in Style Magazine

New articles about Lorna Syson Textiles

2010-10-10T21:36:00.000+01:00

IDFX magazine

YSH London

NEW studio space

2010-10-10T21:12:00.000+01:00

Monday will be the start of my first working week in the new studio! Francie and I are now completely set up and have a fully functioning studio. The studio has a really good atmosphere and I am currently looking for an intern to come and join me at Lorna Syson Textiles, anyone interested just email me your C.V and a couple of images of work!
Francie works as a freelance textile print designer for a textile design company who sell her work to design houses and fashion lables such as Kenzo, Ted Baker and Calvin Klein

Eight Square in Spitalfields market

2010-10-10T20:36:00.000+01:00

Today I popped over to the beautiful eclectic shop Eight Square in Spitalfeilds market. I forgot how busy it would be on a Sunday as I tried to walk threw the uber fashionable crowd with a huge hat box containing a new eco-friendly heart to drop off!
I recommend heading over the shop it is gorgeous!

Welsh sheep now have my necklace.

2010-10-05T18:45:00.000+01:00

After the busy and successful time at Top Draw and 100% Design I decided to retreat into the Welsh country side with two of my friends, Francie and Sam for a well deserved break. Francie's parents own a beautiful little cottage on the edge of Snowdonia national park which is literally in the middle of no where so it was perfect. On the first day we headed for a walk, something which is think is fairly common for thoses on mini breaks in this area.

I decided to wear my favourate and most sentimental necklace (error), this necklace was given to me by a Scottish designer Mhairi Hughes at New Designers 2009. It was part of her finally collection for her degree show where she asked children their wishes, many said 'I wish I was a princess' or 'I wish I was a fireman' but this one necklace said 'May all your wishes come to be' something which I thought was extremely touching.

Mhairi had laser cut these pendents into wood and metal and etched the wishes on top. This particular one was imperfect, the wood had part of the bark on and to me this made the statement even more special. I deliberated who I could buy this for and who would understand the story and the meaning behind it.

On the last day of New Designers 2009, whilst packing up Mhairi walked past my stand and left me this pendent. It took me a couple of months of trying to track her down and I eventually sent her one of my corsages as a Thank you.

It fast became one of the few items of jewelry I would wear. Throughout the time I was setting up my business I would wear it to all important meetings, photo-shoots and at every trade-fair I have done to date. This is why I was devastated this morning when I couldn't find it and realised through photographic evidence I was wearing at the start of our walk yesterday up the hill but no on our way down.

We went to check our route again with no luck, the sheep in that hilly field now have my necklace.

We discussed that I should look at it in a kind of symbolic way. The business is doing well at the moment with more clients, more orders and enquires, maybe the necklace did it's job in getting me this far and it was time for me let go to my wishes as many have turned into reality and I am on the path which i was aiming for when I received the necklace 16 months ago.

It is still a sad day and I have attached my final image of me wearing the necklace on a Welsh hill with Francie. I wanted to say a massive thank you to Mahiri, for such a thoughtful gift

Jemma and Lewis's wedding

2010-10-05T12:57:00.001+01:00

The 1st of October 2010 was a very happy day for two of our friends Jemma and Lewis, after a year of planning we went to a very beautiful, classy and tastefully decorated wedding.

There were also a number of Lorna Syson Textile's pieces dotted around the wedding, I was honored when Jemma requested a couple of custom made flowers for her hair, I also created so flowers for my own piece which i sent over to Mary at Fabulous Fascinators who combined both of our work to create a statement art work in the form of a fasinator.

I also helped out with the design of the hearts used for place names and matching table numbers.

I wanted to say a massive thank you to both Jemma and Lewis for letting me part of their wedding! It was beautiful

I also created a bespoke wedding present just for them, last time Jemma was in my studio I saw she had her eye on the new textile hearts I had created for recent orders. I made a heart just for them to hang in their home and start their new married life together!

100% Design

2010-09-29T13:09:00.000+01:00

Thank your to all those who came to meet Sarah and I at our stand H114 at 100% Design this year. We had a brilliant and very busy show meeting lots of new people.
We had very positive reactions to our work and were very proud that we managed to make our work complement each other within our space.

I always want to say a massive thank you to Gemma for Jam and all the wonderful ladies in the Press and VIP rooms who kept sending people down when they have seen the installations!

100% Design Set Up

2010-09-22T20:22:00.002+01:00

I have spent the last two days setting up my joint stand at 100% Design. I will be sharing stand H114 with fellow designer and friend SjGuest Designs.
We had a rocky start, I turned up to find our whole stand painted a dark grey instead of just one wall! I range Sarah to let her know she maybe turning up to a stand looking quite different than she anticipated... all she really said was "you have to laugh" which was a relief but thankfully the event organisers were on the ball and the two walls which should have been left white were repainted before Sarah arrived at the stand! Check out the very grey and small looking stand!
The stand is now looking beautiful and with our furniture and textiles it makes the stand look quite a bit larger than when we arrived.
I have also completed the flower installation in the press and VIP rooms at 100% Design. The one in the press room spans a wall of 4 meters and the colours tone in really well with the other collaborators for the space so I am very excited to see all the lights on and it completely finished tomorrow!

100% Design is at Earls Court 2 and the opening times are:

Thursday 10.00- 21.00

Friday 10.00 -19.00

Saturday 10.00 - 18.00

Sunday 11.00- 17.00

Design Hole Feature

2010-09-16T09:47:00.000+01:00

The wall flowers have been featured on Top Blog Design Hole, follow the link ti check out the article

Panic over

2010-09-15T20:08:00.000+01:00

The website is now back up, very sorry to all of those who tried to log on for the five hours it was down. I will be writing a stern letter to my provider about the service they provide!I have also managed to add the new products so you can now find the Framed flowers and the 100% British felt heart on the website.
Please contact me if you are trade and would like to create a trade account to view products at wholesale price on the website.

As mentioned on my facebook fan page I am also looking for a stockiest in Surrey, I have spoken to a Surrey based magazine which would like to feature my work but it needs to be connected with Surrey! Therefore would like to feature my work and the shop it is stocked in!

Website problems

2010-09-15T17:24:00.000+01:00

I have been experiencing problems with my website since about 12.00 midday on the 15th September.
This is very frustrating as its the day after Top Drawer 2010 and I need people to see the website. Please bare with me and I will let you know when it is back working again!

Top Drawer 2010

2010-09-14T23:18:00.001+01:00

I have just arrive back home after my first Top Drawer experience which I must say was a very positive one! I was showing with Design Gap in a Made in Britain section and also certified Product GB and Eco-friendly by Top Drawer

I am now stocking more shops in Surrey, London, Manchester and The Scottish boarders! I was also showing a couple of new product which turned out to be extremely popular, these included the large 100% wool eco-friendly heart and the smaller flowers and hearts in the picture frames, both products not yet on the website!

Unfortunately the event ended with me coming back home on the train and leaving my suitcase on the train with all my favourite exhibition clothes in it! Hope I get in back in time for 100% Design, at least I didn't have my laptop in the bag!

Lorna Syson Textiles spotted in Modern Carpets and Textiles Magazine

2010-09-09T13:24:00.000+01:00

Lorna Syson is now a creative boom London writter

2010-09-09T10:03:00.000+01:00

I am loved getting into writing my blog and when I can, featuring other people's work which I love! Now I can but to a wider audience. I have become a creative Boom London contributor which means I now have more of a reason to go to exhibitions, shows and meet designers, choose my favourite and feature them on the site!
I know how difficult it is to raise small business profiles to the wider audience to now I can hopefully help by doing my bit!
Now I have to work out what my first post is going to be.............

NEW website

2010-09-09T09:32:00.001+01:00

Thank you to my wonderful web designer Marc Burrows for completing the new website just in time for Top Draw.
The website shows the new eco-friendly collection which is being launched this month, as well as having a trade area accessible via password so see trade prices and buy directly on the website! Please contact me if you are trade and would like to set up an account.

Please go to www.lornasyson.co.uk to see the new website and collections

The new British Hedgerow collection is inspired by the British countryside. The fabrics are made from a combination of wool and stinging nettles. All products are protected by ACID, world wide copyright design protection

Homes and Gardens Magazine

2010-09-09T09:22:00.000+01:00

Check out my blue/purple wall flower featured in homes and Gardens magazine.