Friday, 15th January 2010

WHAT IS LETTERPRESS?

I am asked by clients and fellow designers so often to explain the letterpress printing process that I decided why not create a blog post, so here goes…

Letterpress is a very old printing method which has seen a huge revival in the US and UK in recent years, fine artists and designers like myself  have embraced this old technique to create unique, luxuriously tactile stationery. At Farrell & Chase we are introducing this beautiful printing technique to a new generation in Ireland. When it comes to stationery, there’s simply nothing that compares to the unique, luxurious quality of letterpress.

Letterpress is a historic printing method dating from the mid 1400’s. Today, after centuries of change and technological advances in printing methods, the processes and craft of letterpress printing have remained virtually unchanged…

Each Farrell & Chase letterpress stationery cards begin with a spark of creativity. Once complete the design is then made into printing plates, one for each colour. The printing plate is the essence of the letterpress. A letterpress plate has a raised surface that presses into the paper, leaving behind a slight indentation. The plate is mounted onto the platen of the printing press, next we ink the press with our water-soluble rubber-based inks which come in a rainbow of colours. 

We print all of our designs on 100% cotton paper. Chosen for it’s pillowy texture and thickness, our cotton paper has the added benefit of being eco-friendly. We hand feed the luxurious cotton paper through our vintage Adana press impressing the artwork into the soft cotton paper, one colour at a time. The result, stationery of incredible tactile beauty.

Finally, we inspect and count each piece before packaging in brown paper tied up with string ready for delivery or collection. Your stationery is a unique work of art, the culmination of hours of craft and creativity. 

Because our printing is done on an antique printing press, each piece that we print will be subtly unique. Small variations in inking, color, impression and position are to be expected. These small variations are part of what makes letterpress beautiful.

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Labels: Design, Letterpress

Monday, 11th January 2010

CHARLOTTE MAC DONALD

There’s a huge community of Irish designers out there with beautiful hand crafted goods and inspirational blogs. I was really excited to discover Charlotte MacDonald’s website and blog. Like me she has a love for everything hand made and as very talented freelance designer and stylist she has previously worked for John Galliano, House and Home magazine and Pia Bang Home. She recently launched her vintage textiles range… beautifully appliquéd vintage table linens and cottons…

They are so pretty, so whimsical and fun. Vintage style with a twist. I think I’ll be adding them to my wish list for our house, love them!

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Labels: Design, Interiors

Friday, 8th January 2010

RECYCLED HOME

I wanted to share my discovery of  ”recycled home” by Mark & Sally Bailey… a very thoughtful Christmas gift from Alan. I have always loved old and vintage furniture and architectural pieces and really want to introduce these elements into our new build house when we move in. Recycled Home has given me a huge amount of inspiration, so much so, my new years resolution… to visit auctions, salvage yards and flea markets throughout the year. My aim, to discover pieces that I can give some TLC and customise adding character, interest and life to our house!

If you fancy a bit of their style yourself, the book explains their “guiding principles” are “rescue, repair, reuse and rethink.” They also point out that these principals can be applied anywhere, even in a modern house! Recycled Home’ by Sally & Mark Bailey

Their website www.baileyshome.com is chocker block full of beautiful design pieces for home and garden available to purchase by mail order including my dream Belfast sink and my absolute favourite Xavier Pauchard steel chairs and stools. 

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Labels: Design, Interiors, Our House

Monday, 23rd November 2009

MY DREAM CHRISTMAS WISH LIST!

My dream Christmas wish list!

Dear Santa…

Headband by Jennifer Behr.  www.jenniferbehr.com

Record Cushion by Dark Dog Studio at the Irish Design Shop. www.irishdesignshop.com

Cotton Pyjamas from M&S. It wouldn’t be Christmas without new PJs.

iPhone 3Gs. I wish Vodafone would get these in already, my patience is running out!  www.apple.com 

Stunning beaded dress from Fran and Jane. www.franandjane.com

Lady Gaga concert tickets. I’d love to see her in concert, I’d say it would be an amazing spectacle! www.ticketmaster.ie

Nintendo Wii. I’d love to get a Wii, great entertainment for rainy cold nights in.

Barcelona Chair in brown leather. A design classic.

Miglio Black Diamond Crystal solitaire enhancer set in Burnished Silver and matching black diamond crystal bracelet. I love the vintage look these have. www.facebook.com/pages/Tailor-Lace/129411256684?ref=ts

I did say ‘dream’ wish list, a girl can dream! And seen as we’re dreaming I might just add a trip to Rome in the new year to sample la dolce vita and some delicious pizza, pasta and prosecco, yum!

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Labels: Design, Fashion, Interiors

Friday, 6th November 2009

LETTERPRESS CHRISTMAS STATIONERY

Our letterpress Christmas cards, gift tags and hanging “Dear Santa” Christmas lists have arrived…

The moment you send a Christmas card it’s Christmas! Get into the spirit with our unique letterpress Christmas cards and don’t forget to send them before the 19th December, for deliveries within Ireland, or before the 5th December, for deliveries further afield, to make sure they arrive in time. You can check the full postal Christmas timetable here.

Write your Christmas wish list on our “Dear Santa” hanging cards and hang them on your Christmas tree ready for Santa to see when he come down the chimney!  

Top a gift or a table with our Christmas tags, the perfect festive finishing touch.

We also have special mixed Christmas stationery packs…

Christmas Lucky Dip Pack = 6 Christmas Cards + 6 Christmas Tags

Christmas Surprise Pack = 12 Christmas Cards + 12 Christmas Tags + 2 Hanging “Dear Santa” Wish Lists + A Complimentary Letterpress Christmas Surprise!

You can browse or purchase our Christmas stationery in our stationery shop here.

Merry Christmas!

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Labels: Design, Greeting Cards, Letterpress, Stationery

Monday, 2nd November 2009

DESIGN WEEK 2009

From November 2nd to 8th Design Week is a week long celebration of Irish and international design. The main purpose is to highlight the important contribution good design makes to the cultural and economic life of Ireland through fostering a reputation for creative excellence and innovation.

A key feature of this year’s programme is the huge increase in the number of events happening throughout Ireland. Numerous lectures, exhibitions, conferences and seminars are taking place in Belfast, Cork, Dublin, Kilkenny, Limerick, Louth, Tullamore and Waterford.

Get involved and enjoy! Irish Design Shop are also taking part with lots of events throughout the week.

For more information and a list of events check out www.designweek.ie

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Labels: Design, Events

Tuesday, 20th October 2009

IRISHDESIGNSHOP.COM TAKE STOCK

I was in the Irish Design Shop in Bow Lane yesterday dropping off a new order of letterpress cards and found myself drooling over some of their new stock…

I especially love the record cushions by Dark Dog Studio, I think I’ll be buying a couple of these for our house, maybe Alan would like one as a Christmas present? Is it too soon to mention Christmas presents? The robot badge and gun pendant by Angela Cuthill are digitally printed on laser cut wood, they’re great, very different. She also designs bird pendants. The pink/gray bike scarf designed by Paget Scott-McCarthy is screen printed on jersey fabric, love it! The inquisitive bird plate also by Paget Scott-McCarthy is beautifully whimsical. And last but not least of course our collection of letterpress cards printed exclusively for the Irish Design Shop. 

All of the above and many more beautiful things by Irish designers are all available to purchase online at www.irishdesignshop.com or in store at Irish Design Shop, Bow Lane East, Dublin 2.

Author: pamela | 1 Comment »

Labels: Design, Fashion, Interiors, Letterpress

Thursday, 15th October 2009

MIGLIO DESIGNER JEWELLERY

So, as some of you might know I’m a big fan of Miglio Designer Jewellery. I was at a Miglio party last night where it was so well received I though I’d fill you all in on this beautiful range of jewellery…

Miglio Designer Jewellery is produced in South Africa using precious and semi precious stone, silver, bronze and Swarovski Crystals. It’s so versatile, I cannot emphasise this enough. I have one of their necklaces which I can wear three different ways and then if I add and enhancer (enhancers are sold separately and can be added to any necklace to create a whole new look), it looks like a completely different necklace. Bracelets can also be worn as necklaces if an extension chain is added and some of their earings can also be worn multi ways.

Anyway they have just launched their new Firenze Collection which includes some stunning pieces. It is beautiful for any occasion, and makes a great gift for Christmas, a birthday or a gift for your bridesmaids.

Host a Miglio evening and you will be able to choose a piece from the collection at half price. All you have to do is add friends, maybe a bottle of wine and Pauline will present the Miglio range in the comfort of your home. Or alternatively you can request a free brochure which Pauline will post out to you and you can order from the brochure by phone or email.

To host a Miglio evening or to request a brochure contact Pauline on 0876869220 or email tailorandlace@gmail.com. Check out their facebook page here

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Labels: Design, Fashion

Monday, 17th August 2009

INK CALENDAR

I came across this calendar and thought it was an ingenious piece of art. Simply, it’s beautiful!

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Labels: Design

Wednesday, 12th August 2009

MAKE YOUR OWN WEDDING RINGS!

I just got an email from Clare and Laura, both very talented jewellers from irishdesignshop.com, about their brilliant new jewellery course “make you own wedding rings!”. I had to share. The idea is to spend the weekend with your future husband or wife making each others wedding rings in your chosen precious metal. There is a limit of one couple per weekend, photos will be taken to document your progress and you get to celebrate the completion of your rings over a glass of champagne!

I think this is such a romantic idea. You will always have the memories of making each others rings, they’ll have huge sentimental value.  

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Labels: Design, Wedding