Some great new summer jewellery by Driftwood Beach is now available from Dezigne - perfect additions to your summer wardrobe !

                                 Fabulous Wood, Jasper and Leather Necklace  £23.50

                       Stunning Wood, Ceramic, Stone and Leather Necklace  £35.00

Most of my jewellery is inspired by the ocean, the beach and the coastline so I love to use pebble shaped beads in natural materials such as wood and semi-precious stone. The wood twist beads I have used in the necklace above reminds me of driftwood -smooth to the touch and ever so slightly faded. The bright aqua ceramic ovals and dyed turquoise chips really contrast well with the wood.
I think the wood and jasper necklace has quite a designer look-I must admit I find it difficult to do asymetrical jewellery  - it's far more difficult than it looks!
One of my favourite Etsy  makers Lorelei Eurto gets it right every time! 


I have recently been asked to make some bridal jewellery for a lady who is getting married in St Ives in Cornwall later this year -which is wonderful as St Ives is one of my favourite places and I am so pleased to have been asked to make this jewellery which will feature some gorgeous freshwater pearls.

Alison -Driftwood Beach Jewellery

Actually managed to grab a bit of sunshine and sat outside to have a drink in Nottingham City Centre today.

So it's Father's Day on Sunday 17th June - what to buy ? 

Here's a perfect gift idea   - Handmade wooden pens in three colour choices by Richard Burrow

The Dezigne Shop also has other products from Richard such as adorable wooden owls and gorgeous wooden bowls and a very funky chair all made by his own fair hands !

Went down to London this week for the Clerkenwell Design Week Shows.
Loads of things to see on the design front, however I spotted this beautiful duck-egg blue Vespa parked in one of the streets. 

                 Also spotted was this gorgeous vintage VW Camper Van.

                                             Classic Design !

A colourful wake up....

I just woke up this morning, very mellow from last night’s fantasy epic movie (Solomon Kane) and a glass of rose (ok it was 2 glasses).

Very nice sunny morning - I went outside to leave some recycling in my outhouse and there it was - a large parcel. I was so confused … “I didn’t order anything” I thought. It was well wrapped and difficult to open, just open it a bit and saw the word “COLOUR”. Now even more confused I had to get a big knife to finish opening the parcel!

Inside were three  inspirational architectural books about colour and a magazine in time- line style  - all by the late Tom Porter.

Ok time for fresh ground coffee……

What an inspirational morning .The books were sent by his wife Andree along with a brief for a light design commission for her new apartment in France.

I just started work thinking and designing. I would like to have this light ready for Designers Resolutions 5 at Antenna Nottingham and exhibit it along with the books I received.

Andree is delighted to exhibit this light as it is in memory of Tom Porter and celebrates his work as a Designer Architect and colour expert. 

From 19th May the V & A Museum is celebrating `Ballgowns: British Glamour since 1950'

an exhibition of beautiful ballgowns, red carpet evening dresses and catwalk showstoppers from more than 60 designers including Alexander McQueen, Zandra Rhodes and Catherine Walker. 

Many of these gowns have been designed for and worn by royalty and celebrities alike.

Don't worry if you can make it to the V & A this month  - the exhibition runs until January 2013.

Why not check out Craft & Design Month May 2012 ? This is a national celebration of designers, makers and small creative businesses which runs throughout the month of May.

If you are looking for events or want to organise an event you can list them here for free.

Meanwhile the Craft & Design blog has all the up to date info on Craft & Design Month 2012