Love shopping? Fancy a day out in the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside? If so, I have some exciting news for you... POP is back with another fab pop up market on Saturday 14th April! It's free, there will be loads of lovely stuff to buy AND you can bring the kids along. Do you know what, I reckon we'd let your dog in too. 'So what's on offer?' I hear you say. Well, last November I took part in POP’s Christmas Market at Wykham Park Farm (a beautiful little farm near Banbury, Oxfordshire) and had the best day. There was a whole host of beautiful things on sale from children's wear and toys to homewares, handmade bags and personalised gifts. Here's a picture of my stall to prove I was there... The event showcased all these lovely indie brands in ‘The Granary’ a gorgeous stone barn with a log burning fire. It was lush. Well, I’m pleased to say that Sophie and Carly (the lovely ladies behind POP) have organised another one. The #popupspringmarket takes place in the same stunning setting on Saturday 14th April from 10am - 4pm. They’re even running some fun workshops the day before, which you can book onto here. This is a great shopping event for mums, mates, families and seriously cool people. If you don’t fit into any of those categories, you should probably come anyway and hang out with me. If you need more reasons to join us, here’s just three of the awesome brands you could meet: A Tribe Well Dressed makes the cutest personalised patchwork clothes for kids and parents. Check out their Etsy shop here. The Smallish House create adorable screen-printed toys, homewares and stationary using their lovely hand drawn illustrations. Find them on Etsy here. Little m illustrated paper goods make super stylish hand drawn illustrated and typographic prints for the home. Check them out here. Come and meet these guys, plus loads more lovely people - there might even be free cupcakes. And of course I'll be there, but don't let that put you off. I hope to be showcasing some sweet new designs, if they're ready in time... Get the directions to Wykham Park Farm here and make sure you check out the farm shop while you’re there for some delicious home-grown produce. I hope you can make it. Charlie x
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The latest copy of Elle deco hits the doormat. That’s another month gone by where I haven’t painted the spare room, hung that new print, changed the curtains or ordered a macrame wallhanging (yeah, seriously). I feel bad enough about not having time to vacuum, let alone worrying about not having the latest colour walls and faux cactus (or cacti? whatever). I know you understand. But with loads of cool brands out there - even the supermarkets are upping their interiors game - you can style it up this season, whatever your budget. Honest. So here are 5 trends you need to know about this spring, plus easy ways to recreate them… All that glisters IS gold Sorry Shakespeare. Gold, copper or brass; metallic accessories including mirrors, picture frames, candlesticks, tables and wire baskets add a touch of luxury to any interior. Gold and brass look great against teal, plum and navy walls. While pastel shades of pink, mocha and mint make copper pop (white marble looks banging with this combo too.) Habitat always does a good accessory, like these candelabras…. Marble, everywhere Forget replacing your worktops, you can update your kitchen with marble accessories from cheese boards to storage pots. The luxe look needn’t cost the earth. It’s not just for the kitchen either. From cute clocks to candle holders and coasters, made.com have some beauties in stock right now. Marble is also the perfect partner for your metallic accessories. Winner. The whole spectrum Can’t choose one colour? You don’t have to. Rainbow colours are in. Brighten up your bedroom by layering coloured bedding with contrasting throws and pillows. Colour your walls or choose some kaleidoscopic wall art to make a statement. Frame print in bold black or gold frames. Try Print Club London for stand-out prints, like this one… Ice cream colours Imagine a delicious gelato stand; strawberry, pistachio, mint chocolate and toffee. This look is all about layers of soft pastels and textures. Think sunset strip, pastel buildings and art deco details. Lush. H&M home do some lovely linen bedding like this green dream… Green scene Jade, emerald or olive. Paint a wall or paper it with your favourite palm print, just make it green. Too much effort? I hear ya. Instead, go big on foliage. Cluster pot plants in 70s style macrame hangers like these stunners from Not On The High Street… Well, I'm off to paint my skirting boards black, maybe. It’s been a while everyone, I’ve been busy with life, juggling my day lovely job in marketing – which is manic but so inspiring - and getting my new range of notebooks and tea towels designed and printed in time for Christmas. The notebooks are now available online and tea towels will be coming very soon! I wanted to create some smaller pieces in my printed designs, so there is something for all budgets. If you like my prints – I really hope you do - you can treat your friends and family to a little Charlie Pie love. The set of three notebooks makes the perfect stocking filler for the doodlers and list-makers in your life! When I find the time, I love going to see new exhibitions and getting inspired by other designers, artists and makers. There’s a fantastic gallery called Compton Verney, not too far from me on the edge of Warwickshire, set in stunning grounds landscaped by Capability Brown. They have two magical exhibitions running right now; Quentin Blake: Inside Stories and The Lost Words. The Blake exhibition features around 140 original illustrations including favourites from The Twits, Matilda and BFG. For me the most poignant – I admit, I had to hold back the tears and take deep breaths – were the illustrations for Michael Rosen’s Sad Book. Exploring the author’s grief after losing his teenage son. If you do go (it’s on till December) try and get on the guided tour, the guide was great, really informative and funny. Lost Stories was also lovely, looking at wildlife commonly found in our gardens, woods and rivers, but that studies have found children in 2017 no longer recognise. The illustrations and ‘spells’ that make up the book create a visual and engaging narrative to help our kids learn about wildlife, so they don’t become ‘lost words’. Now, more exciting news… I am joining a collective of lovely designer makers called POP, for a Christmas market at Wykham Park Farm in the beautiful Granary (formerly Bakery Girl if you know it). The Christmas Market is happening next Saturday, 11th November, so if you’re in Oxfordshire, come on down. POP curates brilliant indie designers who create handmade toys, clothes and accessories for babies and children, as well as cute homewares by people like me. I hope to see you there! Charlie x “They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.” Andy Warhol was absolutely right. Time can change our perceptions on events - or at least how we remember them – but it doesn’t change what has already occurred. Well it’s been almost six months since I exhibited at Best of Britannia in London (B.O.B) for the first time. It took place on the first weekend in October of 2016 and showcased an eclectic mix of more than 300 brilliant British brands. From beautifully industrial ceramics – my favourite was the London brick vase (Stolen Form) and ethical make-up (The English Mineral Company) to an awesome sock company that donates socks to the homeless with every purchase (Jollie Socks). I was proud to be exhibiting my first collection of homewares amid these stellar businesses. The setting within the basement of Victoria House in Holborn added a certain charm - the original cracked wall tiles creating the perfect backdrop to my retro prints of spitfires, London buses, scooters and caravans. I was pretty damn pleased with how the stand looked even if footfall and sales were disappointingly low throughout that particularly wet October weekend. It was lovely to be surrounded by other like-minded makers and crafts people, and although there was sense of disappointment at the low turn-out (some put it down to the location, weather, PR efforts etc.) it was certainly a learning curve. Any London show is a big financial hit for a small fledgling business, but onwards and upwards as I make plans for this year.
Right now I’m working on new designs and experimenting with print placements for a clothing line. I’m also looking out for exhibition opportunities as I realised from attending B.O.B that selling my work in person and getting the chance to talk to the public about is a big part of what I love about making and designing - creating those connections with others and hearing their stories. So it's been a while... But I've been busy working on new photography and launching my homewares on Not On The High Street - exciting times! Not only that, the online store is now live - beautiful linen lampshades are now available - with more products coming soon!
You can browse and buy more of the Charlie Pie collection at Not On The High Street here. From quirky framed gift prints for the vintage London Bus lover or Spitfire fanatic in your life, to beautiful linen lampshades and cushions in our range of playful prints. Create a mid-century modern look to your home, from boys bedrooms to your living spaces, with our fun Scooter and Caravan printed lampshades. The luxurious slub of the 100% linen beautifully diffuses the light for a soft glow. Check out some of our fresh photography below and get in touch if you want to discuss upcycling projects or order our signature fabrics by the metre. Peace out. x Hello and welcome to my new website. This has been a long time coming, I've spent a few years working away on designing the signature fabric designs that make the Charlie Pie collection of homewares products truly unique.
I'm really excited to finally share some of the designs and products I have spent years drawing and developing. From rusting scooters to dilapidated cars, I am drawn to all things mechanical, particularly if they are unloved or abandoned. I can't fully explain my passion for forgotten vehicles, but if I see an old caravan tucked away in a field I can't help but stop to take a photo. I think it might stem from regular visits to the local scrap yard with my Dad and brother as a kid. Most Sunday mornings we would we would while away a happy hour or two while my Dad scavenged for obscure car parts, surrounded by piles of cars, caravans and motorbikes left to decay or be salvaged for parts. I guess I love the idea that even when they have reached the end of their functioning lives, they can be transformed into something new and beautiful and be appreciated once more. Another big inspiration and love of mine is mid-century design, this collection draws on the simple lines and colour palettes that epitomise 1950's textile design. Often the subject of my designs are of this era too or earlier, including vintage London buses and the iconic Spitfire. This collection of home accessories is designed to work in interiors of all ages and design, each piece works equally well on its own or mixed and matched with other designs in the collection. From living spaces to boys bedrooms, I hope the range offers something for everyone and will create a talking point in your home. I use a combination of digital and hand screen printing in this collection and each piece of vintage furniture featured is lovingly upcycled using Charlie Pie printed fabrics. If you have a piece of furniture looking a little unloved or in need of a fresh lease of life and fancy a Charlie Pie makeover, get in touch - we would love to help bring your project to life with our upcycling service using our signature fabric designs. The full online store will be coming soon, but it feels great to finally be here. I would love to hear your thoughts on the collection so far. Charlie x |
AuthorCharlie shares the latest goings on at Charlie Pie Designs. Archives
April 2018
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