Lucy Alice Porter

Out The Corner Of Your Eye: Multifunctional furniture

2012-01-27T10:52:00.001-08:00

My multifunctional furniture pieces were awarded Highly Commended as part of the furniture category in the New Design Britain Awards! My fox and pheasant did me proud! I realised that I hadn't posted many photos of them online, so here they are!

Seating. Storage and Side Table.

The Pacing Pheasant : D 50cm H 36cm

A Fleeting Fox : D 36cm H 50cm

Bespoke Multifunctional Furniture.
Laser Cut Laminate & paper backed veneer all sustainably sourced
from local companies offcuts and samples.
Hand embroidered stitch patterns, plotter cut vinyls.
All individually pieced together and bonded onto a flexi wood frame.

Stay tuned for more blogs posts about my experience at Interiors UK, All the New Design Britain finalists and my time on the Princes Trust enterprise programme!

Press: Interiors Monthly January 2012

2012-01-17T10:31:00.000-08:00

Mr Owl and Friends show an appearance in the

January issue of Interiors Monthly!

'The wall hooks/decorative wall art, along with her multifunctional furniture, create an innovative setting for laminate and hand embroidery, eradicating its mundane stereotypes within the fun, illustrative and colourful product. Bringing embroidery into a functional and contemporary environment while showing the crisp beauty and versatility of laminate.'

A pdf of the magazine is avalible to view here: http://www.interiorsmonthly.co.uk/media/com_flashmagazinedeluxe/pdf/interiors_monthly_january_2012.pdf

Press: Interiors UK & New Design Britain

2012-01-11T05:01:00.001-08:00

Interiors UK 2012 is only 11 days away!

Today I received the show's information newspaper through the post and was pleased to see my squirrels featured on the New Design Britain page. Im looking forward to having a look around the show myself and attending some of the seminars based around trends, products and business advice. The New Design Britain stand is based in Hall 2 as part of the Design Village, I hope to see you there!

Interiors Uk takes place at Birmingham's NEC from the 22nd - 25th January for more information you can visit the website www.interiorsuk.com/newdesignbritain

Lets get personal!

2012-01-09T01:24:00.001-08:00

Now that Christmas is finally over and the presents have been unwrapped, I can show you all the commissions and presents I produced as personalised gifts for Christmas...

Personalised Animal Prints

Mini Initial T-shirts!

If you are interested in a personalised print for yourself or as a unique gift for a loved one please contact me via email...lucyalicedesigns@hotmail.co.uk. Prints are priced at £22 each. They are mounted and are designed with a colour way of your choice.

What will 2012 bring?

2012-01-06T04:40:00.000-08:00

Its time to say goodbye to 2011 and welcome in 2012!

2011 was a fantastic yet stressful year completing my final year of university and finally graduating. It was such a great achievement to finally see everyones hard work displayed at the degree show followed by new designers in July. This time last year the end was a very dim light at a very long tunnel with the dissertation deadline looming and a external examiners visit in the back of everyones mines. After numerous trips to the pub, heaps of noodles, tears and laughter we did it! It is so great to see everyone taking different and individual paths in life. Everyones idea of success of different and I think we should all respect that. Im wishing everyone a successful, healthy and positive year and hoping that creativity plays a part in it!

In 2012 Im looking forward to showing at Interiors Uk and taking part in the Prices Trust enterprise programme. All working towards selling my products online and beyond. As well as constantly looking for experience within the design world. In a nutshell 2012 will be all about persevering, staying positive and learning something new everyday!

A Designer a Day: 15th-21st December

2011-12-23T07:09:00.000-08:00

15th : Tyvek Bauble by Sarah Matthews

16th : Porcelaine Acorns Papier D'amour

17th : Iluq and her artic fox by Royal Mint

18th : Grizzly bear family by Shell Thomas

19th : Owl lavender bag by Heart Zeena

20th : Strange feeling ceramic brooch by Baubukas

21st : Decorative wooden blocks by Fiona Wilson

A Designer a Day: 7th-14th December

2011-12-14T04:53:00.000-08:00

8th: Ceramic house by Mizuyo Yamashita

9th: Robin & Mould Fox Cushion

10th: Festive Friends by Mibo

11th: Julie Arkell Creature

12th: Donna Wilson owl plate

13th: Suet Yip Yip ceramics birds and trees

14th: Alison Hadden Bird Necklace

Blog Loving

2011-12-14T01:22:00.001-08:00

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

A Designer a Day: 1st-7th December

2011-12-07T09:59:00.000-08:00

As part of Advent 2011 I have created a advent calendar full of 25 of my favourite and inspiring designer makers, including those that I have come across at some of the lovely shows I have visited over the last year including MADE 11, TopDrawer and The Harley Gallery Christmas Market. Maybe not as tasty as a chocolate advent calendar but it is certainly a treat for your eyes! Here is the first 7, enjoy!

1. Silver garden brooch from Shere Designs

2. Owl Nightlight from White Rabbit England

3. Ocean brooch from Becky Crow

4. Hand-painted plate from Jim Bob Art

5. Red robin from Abigail Brown

6. Jugs from Katie Almond Ceramics

7. Lamps from Sarah Lock Lighting

Harley Gallery Christmas Art and Food Market November 2011

2011-11-30T12:44:00.000-08:00

I had a fantastic weekend at The Harley Gallery in the beautiful surroundings of the Welbeck estate in rural Nottinghamshire! A perfect setting to showcase my wildlife friends! The Market was very successful, with a flow of people constantly coming through the doors of the art marquee sampling delicious food from the food market and festive cheer flowing from the brass band's carols! The standard of work from the other makers was top class and i was honoured to be chosen as a rising star among them. I met some lovely people all laden with helpful advice and I enjoyed hearing about their achievements as designers.

As this was my first show and the first time I was selling my work I was very anxious about how things would go but the visitors comments and reactions were so positive and it was lovely to see peoples faces light up as they saw the little squirrels hoping down the wall as they came in the door!

A big thank you to everyone at the Harley Gallery for such relaxed and well organised event, it was a great experience and a fantastic opportunity to network with fellow designers and future customers. I am already looking forward to applying for some more art markets and shows in the New Year!

p.s. A lot of people were asking if I had an online shop, Lucy Alice products should be online come the new year however if you would like to purchase any of my products or would like to commission your own animal please do not hesitate to contact me via email: lucyalicedesigns@hotmail.com

Hand embroidered brooches with a difference...

2011-11-22T12:08:00.000-08:00

I have finally finished my first collection of wildlife brooches! Each brooch is one of a kind, laser cut from reclaimed laminate and wood veneer featuring birds, squirrels, foxes and Hares. They are a fresh take on the use embroidery within accessories, combining hard materials with geometric stitched patterns and bright contemporary colours. Add a stylish little character to your outfit this season! They will be available to buy at the Harley Gallery Christmas Market this weekend and online soon!

New Editions...

2011-11-07T13:50:00.000-08:00

Here is a selection of some new editions to the LucyAlice 'Great Outdoors' collection including cushions, prints and new wall art. Cushions are printed with quirky illustrative British Wildlife designs and backed with a striking striped cotton. New wall art pieces are inspired by recognisable, decorative interior accessories such as the Beswick flying ducks and taxidermy. Made using up cycled wood and laminate complete with intricate hand embroidery. All of the collection plus more will be available to buy at the Harley Gallery Christmas Market on the 26th & 27th November and will also be available to buy online very soon!

New Design Britain 2012

2011-11-05T02:12:00.000-07:00

I have been lucky enough to be chosen as one of the 16 finalists for this years New Design Britain Competition! I was very shocked that I got through to the furniture and interior accessories categories, along with some really talented designers. I was pleased to also find out that fellow Bucks students James Uren and Wendy Braithwaite are also finalists and we will all be showing our work at Interiors UK in January!

You can see all of the finalists and register for the show here!

Feeling Festive!

2011-10-24T09:24:00.000-07:00

With the nights drawing in and my woolly jumpers being dug out i think its time for me to introduce my christmas card collection! The cards feature festive wildlife including a pheasant, red robin and of course the red nosed reindeer, all with a contemporary, illustrative feel! All packaged up and ready to go to the Harley Gallery Christmas Market!

Busy Bee

2011-10-05T02:48:00.000-07:00

I have had a busy few weeks working on my collection for the Harley Gallery's Art Market plus working on wedding styling for 'The Handcrafted Catering Company'. My to do lists are growing!

The stall holders are gradually being confirmed and added to the line up. The standard looks amazing and Im excited to be taking part with such a talented bunch of creatives! Take a look at: http://www.harleygallery.co.uk/index.php?pg_id=98

Over at Handcrafted Catering we have finished this season of wedding fairs and working on a number of exciting projects as well as getting ready for the New Year! Take a look at our blog:

www.handcraftedcatering.blogspot.com

Harley Gallery, Rising Stars Art Market.

2011-09-10T13:00:00.000-07:00

I am so happy to have been accepted to take part in the Christmas art market this November at the Harley Gallery in Welbeck, Nottinghamshire including mentoring. Quite ironic that I will be heading back to the county where I was born to take part in my first showcase!

http://www.harleygallery.co.uk

I am now preparing and organising what to take and make for my stall! lots and lots of lists! I feel like i've got a degree deadline all over again! Here is a sneak peak at some of my new inspiration, the fair will include two new wildlife characters to LucyAlice 'Great Outdoors' collection!

Je Vous En Prie

2011-09-08T14:30:00.000-07:00

A big thank you to Fabienne at Je Vous En Prie for letting me experience a week in the studio of a flourishing british woven textiles company. I now feel a little more ready to step into some business shoes, learning about costings, ordering, labelling, design and helping them prepare for their up and coming trade show. I am looking forward to visiting them at TopDrawer trade show next week and to see what other companies are up to!

Check out Je Vous En Prie's Website for beautiful contemporary interior products. www.jevousenprie.co.uk

A Creative Space...

2011-08-27T13:30:00.000-07:00

What was once a old damp cupboard has been transformed into my new creative cupboard! I even put the shelves up myself (i wouldn't trust them!) Whats nice is that i can shut everything away when Im having one of those stressful creative blocks and pretend nothing ever happened! Heres to much more making and creating *clink clink!* p.s.. Blackboard paint is my new favourite thing!

My Moo cards arrived...heres to business!

2011-07-28T08:38:00.001-07:00

Hello Etsy!

2011-07-25T13:54:00.000-07:00

I am in the process of adding items to my new Etsy shop!

Lucy Alice Textiles

So far i have added my handprinted and handmade selection of one off and completely unique Bow accessories...more pieces to come in the next few months including my 'Great Outdoors' collection!

Bows available here http://www.etsy.com/shop/LucyAliceTextiles?ref=pr_shop

2011-07-18T14:25:00.000-07:00

Hello Mr Fox.

2011-07-14T04:06:00.000-07:00

Mr Fox Started out as a mini sculpture made from old electrical components and metal waste, commenting on how much time children watch television in comparison to how much time they spend outside enjoying the fresh air and local wildlife.

I literally killed my TV to make a statement and create art!

Mr Fox then developed through his environment, creating line drawings of urban gardens. Colour, texture and stitch were then added, resulting in an interesting, quirky composition truly adaptable for developments into prints, interior accessories and brooches.This is the next stage! I cant wait to start!

Happy Very 1st Birthday Mabel!

2011-07-11T01:42:00.000-07:00

Handmade bunting and birthday card, made by your auntie LucyAlice!

Trade Show Report: New Designers Part 1 2011

2011-07-11T01:39:00.000-07:00

Trade Show Report: New Designers Part 1 2011

Great to see my work alongside the work many of my fellow Bucks New University classmates on the Trend Bible Blog.

Im already inspired to create some new wildlife inspired pieces!

Exhibitions

2011-07-09T08:35:00.001-07:00

New Designers 2011 : Part One : 29th-2nd July 2011

Textiles & Surface Design Degree Show 2011 : Bucks New Uni : 10th-16th June 2011

2011-07-08T03:28:00.000-07:00

Sustainable and Recycled...

2011-07-07T09:14:00.000-07:00

A big thank you to Neil Dixon at BGN boards who helped me source offcuts of laminate and veneers from local companies for use within my project.

It was important for me to limit the use of new materials within the project and make use of old and unwanted materials, linking in with the overall theme of 'The Great Outdoors' and making sure our natural environments are kept for us to enjoy and limiting products going to landfill.

www.bgn.co.uk

Time to reflect...

2011-07-05T10:53:00.000-07:00

Mood Boards

A new beginning...

2011-07-04T12:21:00.000-07:00

New Designers is over, a great experience and nice to here so many positive things! Thank you to all that visited! Now here is to a summer full of making, creating and exploring...

Many Thanks to Sarah at projectROARsome who blogged about my work after visiting!...

'Lucy’s creative direction for her inventive squirrel wall-hooks, was to connect children with our urban wildlife. Titled ‘Out the Corner of Our Eye’, she applies a contemporary, architectural approach to nature in the suburban setting. To assist with research, the ‘Wild Child’ campaign by the National Trust, (which develops children’s awareness of our environment) is incorporated into the development process.' SP

The show starts tomorrow!

2011-06-24T01:33:00.000-07:00

New Designers 2011 is almost here! After years of visiting the show, I am now part of it and my work is finally up and ready to be viewed! eek! Im looking forward to viewing all of the other universities work and celebrating a year of hard work!

Count Down to New Designers...

2011-06-23T01:51:00.001-07:00

I am getting increasingly excited about being part of New Designers 2011. Today i will be packing everything up ready to be taken to the big city!

5 days to go!

Business Cards...

Bucks New University Textiles & Surface Design will showing at part one, stand T6.

http://www.newdesigners.com/

I support UK creativity.

2011-06-23T01:11:00.000-07:00

On my way back from a lovely camping trip in Kent, I stopped off in London and visited the cockpit open studios. It was lovely to see designer makers making a living from their love of craft.

My ambition is to eventually own my own studio space at a place like Cockpit Arts!

I really like the detail within Lizzie Allen's hand printed designs capturing the vibrancy within city environments.

www.lizzieallen.co.uk

Drawn to anything animal related and illustrative, i admired Helen Minns style of loose un complicated mark making.

www.helenminns.co.uk

Displaying the charm of free hand embroidery i really liked Naomi Ryder's illustrating the beauty of the everyday.

www.naomiryder.co.uk

I also loved Ruth Martin's paper curiosity's, hand stamped papers displaying quintessentially english imagery and humour.

http://www.nothingbuttheruth.co.uk/

I am exhibiting...

2011-06-12T14:17:00.000-07:00

Hello Mr Owl.

2011-06-12T13:56:00.000-07:00

'Out the Corner of Your Eye'

2011-06-12T08:40:00.001-07:00

Playing on the excitement of spotting an animal within your own environment as well as commenting on how these animals hide and creep quietly around us, most coming out only at night. Playing with textures and the idea of movement, creating monoprints,

a mixture of matt and sheen.

Matchbox pinhole.

2011-06-12T07:05:00.000-07:00

Capturing a sense of the undiscovered

and unpredictable British outdoors.

Creation of a homemade matchbox pin hole film camera and 35mm SLR photography.

http://www.matchboxpinhole.com/

British Wildlife

2011-06-11T12:47:00.000-07:00

The sense of adventure connected with the outdoors is fading and children are losing interest. A recent survey found that children could identify what a dalek looked like from the television but few could identify a Barn Owl. Similarly a sample group of children couldn’t identify popular species including Bluebells and Frogs. With the British Wildlife species diminishing it is important to rediscover and reveal the interest and beauty of the wildlife on our doorsteps.

Hare

Egale Owl

Falcon

Deer

Badger

Wild Boar

British Wolf

Buzzard

Squirrel

Red Fox

Final Major Project: The Great Outdoors

2011-06-11T12:30:00.000-07:00

Within a world now dependent on technology is the

love for the 'Great Outdoors' fading?

Old Suitcase New Love

2010-08-31T09:08:00.000-07:00

I found a old suitcase in the loft and relined the inside with some material I had been meaning to do something with for a while! I cut up a cheap pillow protecter for the bottom and quilted it then I used spray mount to fix all the material inside and finished off the edges with pink bias binding! Im hoping to come across more old suitcase to revamp and use as storage cases under my bed! I think my Cat Molly preferred the suitcase as her bed!

Lucy Alice Textiles

2010-08-31T08:01:00.001-07:00

These are a selection of accessories I have made to be sold at the Brocantes Whitstable Craft Fair on the 18th September! Fingers crossed!

The Great Outdoors!

2010-08-05T00:29:00.001-07:00

Aardvark Manifesto poster

via www.supply.com

I love this poster! Not just because of the old fashioned print and style but the way it can ironically comment on todays society. Apparently children today watch on average of 5 hours and 20 minutes of television a day! When i was younger it was all about the freedom of the outdoors, i was lucky enough to have a garden and was always being told off for my muddy wellys and school uniform combination as i rushed in from school desperate to make mud pies!

I say bring back wellington boots, p.v.a glue and messy cupcake making!

Inspire Me...

2010-08-03T02:32:00.000-07:00

The time has come for me to start thinking about my final 3rd year project, eek! We have to think of our own concept...it seems to be like finding a needle in a haystack! I have been looking through my old photos in hope of some well needed inspiration!

New York May 2010

.Food Fairs.Pretty Parks.Flea Markets.American Diners.Yellow Cabs.

.Hidden Gems.Boat Trips.The City at Night.Galleries.Toy Shops.

Making Creatures...

2010-08-02T06:15:00.000-07:00

Fish Eyed Izzy Bird

Feather Scales - detail

Firebird

Homemade Menagerie Jewellery.

2010-08-02T05:45:00.000-07:00

I created a collection of brooches and necklaces using wood veneers and leather which i heat pressed, embossed and stitched. I also created a vacuum formed book for each piece to sit in.

If i had more time on this project i would bring the creatures to life with their own stories and create new uses for them such as

interiors or children's books, lots of possibilities!

They are like new little friends!

Found and Love...

2010-03-31T10:38:00.000-07:00

Clare Hillerby

Handwriting/Old Papers/Preciousness/History/Stories

http://www.clarehillerby.co.uk/index.htm

Bed Rest.

2010-03-26T14:10:00.000-07:00

This week i will mostly be...in my bed :(

Dreaming about cupcakes, tea dresses and jumble sales...

Bob the Bookkeeper.

2010-03-26T02:25:00.000-07:00

Up-cycled Luggage.

2010-03-26T01:27:00.001-07:00

I created linings and coated linens (oilcloth) for luggage using materials from charity shops and material given to me by my Grandma.

Cad/heat transfer/quilting/tucks/hand and machine embroidery.

Past Projects...S o f t M a t e r i a l s.

2010-03-25T14:54:00.000-07:00

The things we keep for comfort.

.home/bric a brac/sentimental value.

Initial drawings concentrating on colour and shape, based on photographs from my Grandmas house!

Stationary.

2010-03-25T14:17:00.000-07:00

Experiments with tyvek. Heat transfer/stitch/collage.

Final Pieces...

S t a t i o n a r y

Fabric purses- keepsake holders for tags/envelopes/post its etc

Secret places - tags/letter writing stationary sets.

Write me a letter.

Past Projects...P a p e r.

2010-03-25T12:31:00.001-07:00

Lost Communication.

.attachments/letters/keepsakes.

Hidden meaning...

Photoshop Menagerie.

2010-03-25T11:33:00.001-07:00

I combined my photos and 3d animals to create new weird and wonderful creatures using the joys of photoshop! I only got introduced to photoshop a few months ago so they aren't perfect...!

Snussle Finned Zee-Zee...

Spiral Fish...

Clasp Mouthed Spike...

Zeebracoo...

Button Horned Armadeerlo...

Homemade Menagerie.

2010-03-25T11:16:00.000-07:00

The unusual animals at the museums inspired me to create my own collection of creatures using found objects..

2010-03-25T09:32:00.000-07:00

2010-03-25T09:30:00.000-07:00

2010-03-25T09:27:00.000-07:00

Hello Mr Blog!

2010-03-25T09:01:00.000-07:00

After discovering i have mumps and have to reside in my own company for 2 weeks...what better time to start a blog!
Im not really sure how everything works but i will start with my most recent hard materials project!
As part of my initial research i visited the natural history museums at London and Tring...