We have been taking lots of photographs this week in readiness for the new website, which by the way is really taking shape and shouldn't be too long now (hooray). It's always hard photographing lights but we're learning a few tricks and enjoying having a play.
Look at these fantastic monkeys swinging through the trees.
I was chatting to Colin Chetwood a few weeks ago and said that it would be great if he made some kind of wall light because people are often searching for unusual wall lighting. Being the fantastic creative guy that he is he designed one straight away and here it is. Just perfect! It has three simple petals to shade the bulb which can be made in many colours. It can come with a plug or be wired directly into the wall. I'm very excited to add it to the Radiance collection! What do you think?
Fiona has just done this lovely podcast with Helen Tayler of Ose Design. Go and get yourself a cuppa and have a listen while Helen and Fiona chat about Helens journey to becoming a design/maker, the difference between recycling and up-cycling and of course knitting!
It's been a while since we have done an artist interview on the blog so I thought an interview would be a good way to introduce a brand new designer/maker to Radiance. Helen Taylor makes these lovely knitted lamps which I immediately fell for - their lovely colours and their quirky asymmetric shapes give them real character.
So Helen, tell us about what you do? I make hand knitted lampshades from yarns which I choose for having a lower environmental impact, such as recycled materials, silk and linen. The lampshades are very unusual: the flexible knitted cover gives them a curvy, 'organic' shape, and I mount the lampshade frame within the knitting to give an asymmetric design to the shade. I make pendant and table/standard lampshades.
What inspired you to start making them? Where did the idea come from?It's simple really, I needed a new lampshade for my bedside lamp, and having looked around I couldn't find anything which caught my eye as being a bit different. I decided to make my own from an old lampshade frame I had. In fact, the very first shade was woven, using fluffy wool. I loved the curvy asymmetric shape and so did friends, so I thought I would make more.
I know a lot of thought has gone into the production and safety testing etc. How long were you working on your research and development?R&D has taken about 6 months, and is ongoing! To display my shades I make simple wooden lamp bases from chunks of oak wood (FSC certified) and the lamp bases had to be safety tested to ensure they comply with the relevant British Standard for safety. The shades have been tested against the British Standard to ensure they meet the fire safety requirements.
Have you always been a knitter? What’s your background?I have always loved making things, particularly with textiles, and I did a degree in Textile Science years ago, followed up by a Masters in environmental chemical engineering which is where I get my knowledge of sustainability issues. I also worked in sustainability consultancy in the construction industry, helping to encourage resource conservation in buildings. I gave all that up, though, to work for myself as a designer maker.
You have called your business Ose Designs. Where did the name come from?Ose is French for 'dare'. I speak French and love the language, and chose Ose to reflect the idea that a lampshade can be daring and punctuate a space with a designed form, as well as being functional.
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You told me you work at home. Do you have a designated work space?I have a workshop in the cellar, a desk in my bedroom, and I do most of the knitting in the living room!
What piece of machinery or tool could you not live without?The knitting needles!
What do you like the most about being a designer?I love seeing the finished product, hanging a new shade and switching on the light for the first time, to see how it looks. It's always a pleasure.
LINK LIST. Elle Decoration magazine - always full of beautiful homes. (no web address)www.folksy.com - I think it's a great site.
You can find Helen's work on the Radiance website here.
We have a new glowing selection of porcelain lamps and candle covers in....I know it's still only August...and it is actually sunny today but the glow of this porcelain makes me look forward to the coming Autumn.
These lights are by Bristol based ceramicist Meryl Till. Meryl imprints textures into the clay and then pierces shapes which project beautiful patterns onto the surrounding surfaces.
I love this new lampshade that Nikki Rose has just delivered. It was in the shop to greet me when I got back from my holidays which was a nice surprise! Perfect for a traditional standard lamp base. Nikki has used a beautiful zingy retro fabric and added crochet circles.
We have had the fantastic and quirky 'Tea Lady' lamps by Victoria Robinson in at Radiance since we first opened and everyone loves them. This weekend she will be taking part in the Holmfirth Arts Market along with many other creative artist and designers. Its on the 7th and the 14th June at Holmfirth Indoor Market from 10 -4pm.
The lovely lighting and textile designer Helen Rawlinson has taken inspiration from time spent at home looking after her little boy and come up with these lovely new 'ABC' and 'Shapes and Things' designs. It takes me back to when my children were small with a living room constantly scattered with jigsaw peices, cars, wooden blocks and toys. I think her new designs are lovely and her 'ABC' shades will be arriving at Radiance very soon, aswell as some of her more grown up table lamps and shades. I'm looking forward to them!See Helens blog here.She's a busy lady. Aswell as being a Mum and making lamps and prints she has also being restoring a barn in France. It looks amazing!
I remember seeing these beautiful wall lights by Feinedinge a while ago now. You know how sometimes you don't get round to following something up?? Well I wish I had sooner as she has a vast range of beautiful ceramic work. It is all 100% handmade by Sandra Haischberger in her workshop/shop in Vienna. She has a beautiful shop too. She has just replied to me with a lovely email and her brochure and and I am busily considering which to choose for Radiance. Vist her website to see her full range of lovely work.
I am SO utterly excited by this! Joby Catto of Anti Limited did a panoramic photo shoot of Radiance this week. He has just sent me the results of his work and they are astounding! He specialises in panoramic photography, 3D visualisation, and design and is quite brilliant! There are loads of amazing panoramas of various buildings and landscapes on his blog.You must see!
You can scroll right around them 360 degrees, left, right, up and down. To have a play visit his blog. I'll have it up and running on my own website soon but I couldn't WAIT to show you!
I like these enamel lampshades by jodii. Shefinds them in antique shops and gives them a new lease of life with a lovely lick of paint!You can buy them here.She makes alsorts of other lovely things with any materials that inspire her.
Hello everyone. I have had a list of new things to find for Radiance in my mind for sometime and in the last few days I have found them all! It's good when that happens! Last week I have found some new simple chrome lamp bases, small and medium for table lamps and large for floor lamps. I often get asked for plain shades and I have found some coloured shades in various sizes. Another request has been for paper globes. There are some BIG white ones on the way-50 and 75cm in diameter. HUGE! Sometimes you just can't beat a simple paper globe.
Yesterday i visited the Interiors show in Birmingham. It's not really my kind of show. It's a little too commercial for me. I prefer the handmade and crafty shows but I did find some interesting bases (and I had a lovely weekend away with my friend!). I found some classic standard lamp bases in wood and some funky resin bases in lots of juicy colours. All on the way soon!
I took the first step towards building the new Radiance online shop today and had a little photoshoot of some small things. This is Amy Coopers 'holey planet' porcelain lamp. I love the way it projects the light onto the surrounding surfaces through its holes.
I came across Ink & Spindle whilst doodling about on the internet recently. I LOVE their fabrics and they make lovely lamps with it too! It is run by three young women in Melbourne, Australia. They have a fascinatingblog about their business start up and the renovation of their most enviable studio space!
This is 'Coin Lamp' by Jethro Macey. You turn it on by a coin operated switch. He says 'It's the first product in a range, based on the concept of values and reward, it subtly heightens awareness of consumption through design.' See more of his designs on his website.
These beautiful new lights are new from Colin Chetwood. The Snowdrop light at the top is £420 + £20 P&P and is made to order. The two other 'Oak Lights' are £220 each and they arrived in the shopthis afternoon and are looking glorious!
