Let’s be Frank, or shall I say let’s meet Frank, an online shop specializing in work created by independent British designers, a delightful mix ranging from ceramics to pillows and art. It’s quite obvious that a great talent runs this very special shop because everything is exquisite, from the site design to the bounty of creative work. Frank is impressive.
Sukie, Vicky Hageman, Poppy Treffry tea cosies, Hannah Turner Ceramics, notebooks by Angie Lewin, more paper goods by Kim Jenkins, Twee As Can Be Sewing Buddy sewing kits, Laura McCafferty prints, and Julie Arkell’s paper mache dolls are just a few of my favorites.
It’s so refreshing to catch a glimpse of what the British indie design scene is up to lately. I’m dying to visit a craft fair in England someday, I’ve only visited flea markets so I hope to check out something like Origin or Top Drawer in the near future. Have you attended either of these two craft fairs and if so, would you suggest one over the other or something totally different? I may try to visit London in the Fall…
(images from frank)
May 29th, 2008 at 11:52 am
I ‘m a big Frank fan, love the shop& Whistable
May 29th, 2008 at 11:56 am
i’d say origin over top drawer. origin is from the crafts council where as top drawer is more of a trade show with a lot more commercial exhibitors.
May 29th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Yes I agree with Sarah, although trade shows do have a lot to offer – Autumn Fair is a great one in Birmingham (easy train ride). They do have some larger companies but there’s also a lot of smaller businesses, there’s even a special area for them. You’d like Pulse too, although that’s in June. The company I work for exhibits at lots of these and I always love having a wander round, drooling most of the way.
May 30th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
hello..
i agree that top drawer is a trade show more than a craft show like origin..also check out cockpit arts when your here..or see them online…when they have the open days its like shopping in their own studios..so you get to see where the work comes from…and meet the designers..
May 31st, 2008 at 9:41 am
I’d say origin over topdrawer its much more about small and independant designer makers. and alot of the frank designers u mention i’ve seen exhibiting at origin. Also New Designers is a show that exhibits graduating students from all the art and design colleges. So there is some really exciting things goinf on. I know laura McCafferty exhibited there when she graduated. Theres also The knitting and stitching show which sells alot of intereserting supplies and products but there is a big exhibition where last year Julie Arkell and tileke schwarz exhibited.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
i looove laura mccafferty for years. good to find her work again. thanks!
August 7th, 2009 at 1:14 am
I have just come across your blog and its just fantastic. This a very refreshing site and store, to have access to all sorts of stuff like they have under on roof is just great. I never thought of a top drawer like that, but then again I am getting it muddled up with the bottom drawer my mistake.