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'Christmas Fayre' ( - Part 2)

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The ceramic products that I designed for 'Christmas Fayre' have been amongst the most challenging and exciting! As a surface pattern designer I work in 2D, but as a product developer I have to be able to imagine my finished product in 3D and provide accurate drawings and instructions to help factories turn my concepts into reality. My design process nearly always begins with hand drawing. For 'Christmas Fayre', I scanned my drawings into Adobe Illustrator and converted them into vector files for the factories to use; however, for the salt and pepper set and napkin rings pictured above I had to provide accurate drawings of the sides, top and bottom as well - pretty tricky when designing on paper! The factories have done an amazing job of interpreting my drawings and I couldn't be more pleased with these finished products - all of which, incidentally, are painted by hand! For the ceramic mug and plates I chose areas of the designs to emboss, so that the ch

It's forever Christmas! 'Christmas Fayre' ( - Part 1)

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The life of a surface pattern designer and product developer can be quite confusing. Here I am in mid-July 2012 sitting watching the rain and wondering if summer will ever actually arrive... but at the same time I am in a Christmas head-space, as I have to work so far in advance I have design deadlines for Christmas 2013 projects due at the end of the month! If that isn't confusing enough Kitchen Craft have just launched my two tabletop Christmas ranges for 2012 , ready for stores to buy in stock in time for this Christmas... The ranges were launched at Exclusively Housewares last month and I have already given you a sneaky peak at 'Partridge & Pear', so I thought I would start today by showing you my fun and quirky interpretation of the Christmas theme, 'Christmas Fayre'. Inspiration for this range came from the fun and happiness that Christmas brings and of course the yummy food that we all enjoy! Using the gingerbread man as the 'star' of the de

CUPCAKES updated!

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In case you couldn't see all of the designs on the cupcake cases yesterday I am adding my drawings, which show more detail :) (Click on the images to enlarge further). Images copyright Kitchen Craft 2012

And finally - CUPCAKES!!!

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' Sweetly Does It ' is probably most famous for cupcakes and baking - so what better way to round up my blog posts on the brand than to show you some of my new cupcake case and pick designs that have just been launched! Above are romantic lace and polka dot designs with complimentary filigree chandelier and heart picks (- perfect for giving to the one you love?), as well as a quirky animal prints set - with a nod to fashion with matching handbag and shoe picks. Ideal for cupcake baking with the girls! There is also a 'country rose' style pack for a more traditional cupcake tea party... ... and gold and silver filigree packs with matching butterfly and dove picks that are perfect for weddings, christenings and other special occasions. Images copyright Kitchen Craft 2012

Cake Stencils!

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Following on from last week's post on chocolate moulds, I thought I would today show you some cake stencils that I have also designed for Sweetly Does It . The stencils provide an easy way to decorate cakes and come in a variety of designs from filigree swirls to 'Happy Birthday' and Christmas motifs. I am not known for my cake decorating skills, so luckily for me a more skillful baker has shown how the stencils can be used to make unique cake designs. It looks so simple perhaps I will actually give it a go...! Images copyright Kitchen Craft 2012

Sweet things!

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One of the more unusual projects I have undertaken in recent months was designing a set of moulds for chocolate making for 'Sweetly Does It'. Although I have designed lots of craft based products in the past this was particularly interesting as I had to think about how the chocolate would be built up in painted layers to create the finished sweet treats. I really love the process of how my illustrations can become a product, especially craft products where they then help other people to make things. I'm very relieved to see that the moulds work perfectly! Not only is chocolate making a lot of fun to do, but the finished results would also make a lovely homemade gift. Luckily I have also designed some complimentary gift bags, which could be used for presenting the finished chocolates or any sweet treats of your choosing! You can find out more about the moulds and gift bags   here. Images copyright Kitchen Craft 2012.

Exclusively Housewares 2012

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I am delighted to tell you that the first of the homeware / kitchenware items that I have designed for Kitchen Craft   have been launched at Exclusively Housewares in London this week. Over the coming weeks I will be telling you all about the many products I have designed for Kitchen Craft, but for now above is a sneaky peak at my colourful 'Mix It' cocktail range and pub style 'Lock In' bar range. And above is 'Partridge & Pear', one of two Christmas ranges I have designed - all styled beautifully at the show! Images are copyright Kitchen Craft 2012.