could this be the epitome of origami?

this is truly stunning, created by a very talented (and slightly obsessed?) artist..i mean look at the attention to detail! and who has fingers that steady? i KNOW i would stomp on this beauty as i was making it in my studio, or drop a spot of tea or biscuit crumbs down the little paper streets. but it's sooooo beautiful. this entire piece is made from paper and even has a moving train, theme park, cathedral and has lights built in to highlight the structure. shockingly the artist wataru ito says he intends to burn in down when the exhibition has finished, record the burning, and then play it in reverse to see the 'castle by the ocean' rise from the ashes. someone really needs to hide all fire starting materials from this gent.....

check out these amazing photos via tokyobling:

however if your budget and skills don't quite stretch to this paper castle here are a few origami and paper craft goodies...

1. papercutdiecut

2. crazybutcute

3. twinravenpress

4. tinatornoff

and even more papercrafts and cutting over at my paper cut blogpost

35 artists, 35 prints, 35 pounds...

i've become a bit of a fan of anthony burrill since stumbling across his prints...so was really excited to see another print over on the print club london site as part of their secret blisters exhibition! the exhibition looked great and i would have loved to go along to it...35 artists each anonymously produced a poster design which was screenprinted for the exhibition - anonymous so that buyers were encouraged to buy what they liked purely because they liked it rather than the name behind the design. each design has had 35 copies printed and are selling for £35 a pop - a bargain me thinks for a limited edition design which is a good size at 50cm x 70cm.

i read up on the 'print club london' through the site and it sounds like a really interesting little business that aims to revive screenprinting by providing artists with an affordable environment to get their designs screenprinted. members pay a monthly fee to use the facilities and you can also have workshops if you are fresh to screenprinting (like me, i would love to learn!).

check out these other gorgeous prints....i'm sooo tempted to splurge, can i wait until november to add them to my birthday wishlist?? if you're just as tempted as me you can purchase them over here at their online shop

read more related posts here!

wishlist (all the things i want but cant have)

inspiration (all the things i intend to be inspired by)

handmade in the uk (the work of clever folk living in the UK)

a 50% off voucher for you...

here's my little stash of parcels waiting for the postie on monday...a collection of orders and goodies for my giveaway winners! i've also still got 2 x 50% off vouchers for my etsy left so drop me an email at claire@gugaw.co.uk if you would like one (voucher to be used by 17th July 2009).

as a little temptation here are some new items i've just added to my shop:

sparrow in mustard

gold lining

see my etsy shop here

and the winners are...

thanks sooo much to everyone who entered the merry unbirthday giveaway! the comments, tweets and blog mentions were very sweet and overwhelming, and to show my gratitude i've decided to randomly pick two merry unbirthday winners! congrats to blue moss and renee.bradbeer! and interestingly you have the same taste with blue moss choosing the sweet rose earrings and renee choosing the sweet rose necklace!

aaaand i'd also like to offer a little something extra...i have 4 x 50% off vouchers for my shop offered on a first come first serve basis. just send an email to claire@gugaw.co.uk and i will send you your personalised voucher (the one below wont work!!) and make sure to use it by the 17th July 2009.

much love xx

update: there are two vouchers left as of 10pm tonight, dont be shy and just drop me an email with your contact details!

summersville prints...

i was introduced to this clever artist via lupin's tweets and i absolutely adore all her gorgeous prints!

here's a flavour of some of lucie's lovely designs...

i love the books and after seeing how great they look it's given me a little nudge about using the fabric stash at home to cover some notebooks i've got. i've been wanting to cover them for ages but it's just one of those crafty projects that i never quite get round to - bet you know what i mean eh!? what little projects have you got waiting for a spare moment of your time?

and don't forget, today is your last chance to enter my jewellery giveaway!

swords and leather...

so this feeds in perfectly to current obsession with rock chic (that's chic, not chick....or is it sexy punk as elle describe it in their latest issue?). loving the black leather (hmm, i've temporarily given in to my moral battle) and the sword. but i think it's because its a real sword that makes it gorgeous. it could easily be a tacky plastic/cheap metal sword. but it isn't. which is why i really like it. think this would look GORGEOUS teamed with black skinnys, a loose white tee and a cute black biker jacket....hmm my autumn/winter inspiration! find this custer bag over at empire33. cheers to likecool for the introduction.

aaaand....you've still got a chance to win anything from my etsy shop!

p.s. it's bad news when the price of a bag is on application only right?

creating jewellery with silverware...

how beautiful is this! the talented and very kind rachelle over at spoonerz sent me these lovely pendants made from preloved silverware. these are made from the end of the cutlery, who'd of thought that old spoons, forks and knives could make such lovely jewellery! and...i absolutely adore the pieces that she makes with fork tines, you can see them in her shop over on etsy. and because she is such a fab artist, etsy decided to make her a featured artist! thank you muchly lovely lady.

ooh, and here's a sneak peek of some gorgeous new silver coloured beads i've brought...think i might do something nice and simple with them, maybe a multilayered necklace? let me know if you have any other ideas.

annnd, dont forget about the giveaway for ANY piece of jewellery in my shop - only two days left to enter!

enter here

beautiful feathers...

i came across these beautiful photos by babyjoan over on la marquise des anges lovely blog. the dreamy focus and irridescent colours are just stunning....aaaaand would look perfect framed in a little bunch on my bedroom wall! these photos have also inspired me to make some jewellery pieces, so now i'm off to hunt out some beautiful feathers....

also, dont forget to check out my giveaway where you could win any piece of jewellery from my etsy shop!

GUGAW Jewellery Giveaway

aaaand, lovely PJ is offering a $50 amazon voucher for her caption competition - it ends tonight so make sure you go check out the very cute photo asap!

merry unbirthday giveaway: another chance to win ANYTHING from my shop!

giveaway? to you? yes you! yes indeed there are 364 unbirthdays in a year and to celebrate your very merry unbirthday you've another chance to go grab yourself a design from my shop, go on, any piece....what do you like the look of?

so just two things to do:

1: pop by my shop and find something that you would like
2: let me know what you would like in the comments below!
2a: aaaand, if you mention my giveaway in your blog or tweet i'll double your chances of winning by giving you a second entry (just leave a comment letting me know your friendly deed)!

so, have you decided what you'd like? just drop me a comment below telling me what you would like below and then on Monday 6th July 09 i'll randomly select one unbirthday boy or unbirthday girl and will whizz your unbirthday present your way.


and, perfectly on theme, check out these amazing new shots from the tim burton adaptation of alice in wonderland!






and just in case you forgot the song....

A very merry unbirthday

To you

Who, me?

To you

Oh, me

Let's all congratulate us with another cup of tea

A very merry unbirthday to you

Now statistics prove

Prove that you've one birthday

Imagine just one birthday every year

Ah, but there are 364 unbirthdays

Precisely why we're gathered here to cheer

From: Alice In Wonderland

reminiscing on the solstice...

have you ever been to stonehenge? it is my most favourite place from 'back home'...it is mysterious, beautiful and to me, has a really powerful energy. on two days of the year the fences are taken down and you can walk right amongst these enormous beauties to celebrate the summer and winter solstice. last night was the summer solstice...celebrating the longest day of the year: midsummer. i find it hard to describe what it is like being at the stones...i wouldn't say i was a spiritual person but i feel such a strong energy emanating from the stones when i'm that close to them. not a physical energy (although some people claim to feel a 'shiver' of energy when they touch the stones) more of an emotional energy, a connection with something ancient. when you visit the stones you park a mile or so from the henge and walk across fields with the stones beckoning you in the distance....walking with a tribe of people all heading towards the stones, playing instruments, wearing flowers and ivy in their hair. and as you get closer to the stones you can take them in in all their huge and mysterious glory...a henge which supposedly took over 3 million man hours to build with it's creation beginning over 5000 years ago.

theories and rumours abound around the mysteries of the stone (many of them avalonion, which to me creates beautiful imagery in my mind of knights, white horses and flowing locks full of flowers!) and the henge site is surrounded by other ancient sites which are thought to coincide with ley lines, or energy lines, that run through the earth. growing up just 20 minutes from the stones i've been able to visit these other sites, such as avebury stones, the chalk horses and silbury hill, and have been able to walk among the many crop circles that 'mysteriously' arrive (or less mysteriously are created by wiltshire folk who arrive late at night to create these beautiful signs by pressing the crops down with boards!). i have yet to visit the beautiful glastonbury tor though....

unfortunately cloud covered the sunrise this solstice year so i thought i would share some shots from 2005 where we had a beautiful sunrise among the stones...

i've been visiting the saracens at stonehenge for almost 10 years now....but i think it might be my last time. over the years the number of visitors have massively increased, with other 36,000 people thought to be at the stones last night. but it's not the number of people, it's the type....when i first started visiting on the summer solstice the stones encircled a wide tribe of people for that night: pagans, druids, neo-travellers, locals, those who respect the earth but who hold no particular religion. last night was saddening....it was like a student union party, full of teens wearing day glo glasses, falling over themselves wrecked on alcohol and party drugs, climbing on the stones....and other more aggressive types who were skulking around and bringing an odd air to the celebrations. the media made out it was a pagan and druid celebration....it was more like an acoustic rave full of people who have no respect or care for the ancient stones that they were puking on. also made me realise i'm turning in to an oldie....'back in my day....'!! but, it is sad, think i'll attend the winter solstice next time, utterly cold but i'm sure much more magical.

has anyone else ever visited stonehenge? would love to know you thought of the stones...and where are your favourite places from your home town?

makeover: white rustic mirror

thought i'd share a tutorial...i had a spontaneous moment a couple of weekends ago which involved a bright teal tin of paint and a spray can of white satin paint....which resulted in this.....

so pleased with the results! and it was super super easy to do.

started off with a chunky wooden mirror (and check out nosey esau's really dirty paws, they are meant to be bright white where had he been?!)...i liked the cutout detail of the mirror but wasn't too keen on the burnt wood effect and in a small bathroom it was just too dark. now, as far of doing a proper job of painting the mirror i maaaaay have missed a few steps (like the bits where i have to sand it down before painting and between layes.....) but i'm pleased with the finish and so far the paint has happily stayed in place. even when wiping it down with a wet cloth when i've been cleaning the bathroom so i think we should be all fine.

for some reason the mirror wouldn't remove from the frame (assume the wood probably warped a little from it being in the bathroom and getting damp) so i marked off the mirror using brown paper and masking tape. i would recommend making an effort to get the paper and tape as close to the edge of the mirror as possible, in my spontaneous excitement i neglected to check this properly and had a little bit of white paint seep on the mirror.

next step is to get merry with the paint can. i'd sprayed the wood edge in light layers, so that after the first layer you could still see the brown wood coming through. but by using lots of thin layers rather than one heavy layer you get a much more even coverage. in total i probably used 3-4 layers, and spraying the mirror from different angles to get inside all the cutouts. however, it was pretty tricky to get the chunky paintcan at all the different angles and i could have been there forever making sure it was perfect...and besides, i quite liked the inside of the cutouts not being quite perfect....it added to the rustic feel of the mirror.

so, following a mad dash indoors as the raindrops started to fall on my still wait paint (grr), peeling back the paper and tape and scrapping off with a knife the little bits of paint that had trickled on the mirror (better taping would have prevented this) i had my new white mirror. and it worked so well against my freshly painted teal wall - woo!

so, super cheap and easy makeover: i already had the mirror (though you can pick up similar ones from ebay and flea markets for less than £15), tin of hardware store's own brand white satin spray paint - £5, and about 30 mins of my time.

anyone else been getting handy with white paint? you can be sure there will be a lot more spray painted furniture to come!

can fish and cats be friends?

is it inhumane to buy bright flouncy fish when you have a very curious, very naughty and rather large feline boy? i've always wanted to have some of these beautiful japanese (or siamese?) fighting fish. these dazzlingly coloured betta splendens (that's their proper name innit) are particularly handsome fish....i've had some of those cute flouncy goldfish before but these are something else. and apparently they are pretty ferocious too, hence the name, and need to be kept in solitary confinement. i'm thinking they would look gorgeous lined up along a shelf - three fish in three matching bowls....maybe something like this but bigger.....and filled with marbles on the bottom....? for my last fish bowl i brought an amazing bag of clear marbles from the house of marbles and it looked lovely. but would the temptation be too much for esau and would i come home to broken glass, spilt water and a smug cat? aaaaaand, there the whole choice about colours....three matching fish? different colours?....

beautiful photos from mochi, creative research house, kokako, petezpan, saveena, ktischlinger, tanakawho, amanda emblow, emmyloucooper, ray134

if you could wake up anywhere, no limits, where would it be?

these videos are so beautiful....i find them strangely moving and uplifting, difficult to watch without a tear in my eye and i'm not really sure why. maybe it's the simple aspirations of people, maybe it's because of those who love their life exactly as it is and with who they spend it....

a simple concept but stunningly executed: ask one question to fifty people. and from this you are offered a brief but insightful snapshot into these people's life and loves. the cinematography is lovely....i love how from the single location (both city and spot on the street), you can imagine these people walking by and stopping to answer the question. some look a little bemused, some really happy to be taking part. and the choice of music to go with it is so perfect. i'm really in love with these films!


click here if you can't see the video...

my choice, to wake up tomorrow, would be in an island within a beautiful indonesian style lodge, on a bed draped in silk throws, white muslin billowing at the doors and windows, R beside me and esau at the foot of the bed.....how would we get back? not sure that we would want to....

so, where do you want to wake up? no limitations...where would it be?

the sartorialist...

i browse the satorialist, and whilst i love the photography i'm not always inspired by the outfits. except for this one. she is gorgeous, the dress is gorgeous, the shoes are gorgeous. i. must. find. this. outfit. (or at least something similar). and so the hunt begins...

anyone else visited the satorialist? would love to hear your thoughts on the outfits there...and do let me know if you've spotted a similar dress anywhere!

sneak preview + doughy cookies, felt and chunky ceramic...

this weekend just past involved a massive plate of ben's super doughy cookies...a divine chocolate selection of choc chip, double choc chip, and triple choc chip (all R's selection) with perfectly doughy centres, crisp crunchy edges and generous chocolate chunks...if you are ever in the city of bath i THOROUGHLY recommend stopping by and grabbing yourself a large mug of earl grey and a warm cookie, sitting outside in the small but charming alleyway and watching the bath citizens stroll by...but, if you are not near bath these delicious cookies are also available in a few select locations (including egypt!) aaaaaaand you can buy them online.

following the cookie and tea devouring i started work on two new pieces...here is a sneak peek of some new pieces i've been working on which encompass my love of chartreuse and chunky ceramic beads.....

hope you also had a weekend filled with cookies, tea and crafts!

loving these typographic prints...

is it ok for me to have everything i want: anthony burrill

i've mentioned previously my LOVE of typography (here too)...well, i've got some more finds to share with you! these awesome posters are by anthony burrill...whilst i'm reminded of the infamous 'stay calm and carry on' posters, these posters seem a little more...thought provoking?

via goodintheair

for a cheap treat these lovely postcards are only £2 for four:

anthony burrill: friendchip postcards

and even better, this typographic poster from sell sell is....FREE! i got mine through the post last week and it really is rather fab. a little tempted to put it up in my workplace but it may cause a little offence....so i might just stick with putting in the studio, bullshitters be warned!

could i ever be a live music photographer?

bat for lashes, originally uploaded by GUGAW.

my first (unofficial) role as live music snapper....featured on the bat for lashes website woo! such a lovely gig. i think this is one of my secret (less so now) career aspirations....taking pictures of live acts is one of my favourite part of going to gigs. would love to actually take all those great intimate shots of the bands...

hmm, guess i'll just have to watch the other photographers with their fabulous cameras and triple a's whilst i lean over the barrier as much as i can to sneak a shot (after hustling my way to the front!). i have a few ok pics i've managed to get this way, there's a picture of the noisettes that i'm really pleased with, must try and find it and post it here.

anyone else got live act images to share? would love to see 'em!

making an impression: awesome business cards...

i know a lot of us bloggers are also crafty types, often with a penchant for paper goods, and often looking for creative ways to help spread the word about our crafts. so...thought i would share these rather gorgeous business cards that i stumbled across over at webdesigner depot. moo cards are pretty fab so far as business cards go (and not just for business cards, i'm rather pleased with the collage i created) but the cards below have something extra special about them. i'm rather inspired to make some actual handmade business cards, i particularly like the kraft paper and corrugated cards below, and the wax seal is just genious!

pretty cool eh? there's more over here if you want some more inspiration. so i'm curious - do business cards make an impression on you and have you any fab examples to share?

oh i do like to be beside the seaside....

abalone shells, carousels and veggie fish and chips - a perfect bank holiday weekend beside the seaside (....beside the sea.........). after a long and lazy lie in we nipped off to brighton for a bit of coastal strolling. the brighton fringe festival was on so the streets were teaming with jugglers, percusionists and football fan belly dancers (though i think the latter may have been a stag party straggler rather than official entertainment, but his wobbly belly and boobies were incredibly hypnotic).

after wandering along the beach front and taking a few obligatory carousel and coastline shots we took an early dinner at terre a terre, a really scrummy veggie restaurant just off the main beach front. despite being vegetarian we tend not to eat in veggie restaurant as they seem to be overpriced and full of very...how can i say...'vegetarian' food! so, lots of beans, lentils, pulses....raw peculiar vegetables i've never heard of and a massive clash/fusion of intense flavours that seem to be used to 'replace' the meat. by the way, my description says more about my uncultured palette than the quality of vegetarian cuisine! but whilst the prices were still high at terre a terre at around £8 a starter and £15 a main dish it was actually delicious. i had veggie fish and chips, which was a plate laden with very chunky homemade chips which were more like roast potatoes, very minty mushy peas and the amazing buttermilk soaked halloumi coated in chip shop batter. it really was bizarrelly like a bit of cod, or maybe it's been a veeeery long time since i've eaten fish. definately worth a visit.

here are some more snaps from the day:

did anyone else manage to enjoy a bit of the beautifully rare bank holiday sunshine?

and the winner is...

thanks so much for joining in everybody! i hope you all served yourself tea and cake to celebrate your very merry unbirthday. from the entries through blog, facebook and email it's time to announce the very merry unbirthday winner....who is number....

by hannah.aviva





number 2: 'down and out chic' you are crowned the very merry unbirthday girl and win your prize of 'boheme in brass' necklace!





thanks so much for entering everyone and i'll be sure to celebrate again your very merry unbirthdays very soon!