Jennifer Collier: The Art of upcycling paper

I never tire of learning and being inspired by the many amazing uses of such a simple commodity as paper. So easily disposed of, its potential to be upcycled and reused into amazing pieces of art is so often overseen. Which is why I am so easily inspired by artists such as Jennifer Collier who have the gift of interpreting their imaginations through finely constructed works of art through the simple use of paper. Similar, but in many ways worlds apart from Ana Wili Highfield (who I have previously blogged about) Jennifer creates animated versions of everyday objects by upcycling literature, maps, music manuscripts, newspapers and many other forms of paper.

Having graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with a BA (Hons) in Textiles. Jennifer often uses her skills in weaving, stitching, embedding, fusing, layering and laminating to create her works of art which are on display or available for purchase. Her inspiration is often drawn from objects in thrift stores, fruit and vegetable markets, and often poetry (among many others). 

I personally believe that a true artist always shares their talent not only through the sale and display of their art but through passing it on and teaching others their techniques and skills to others. The fact that Jennifer passes her work on through teaching willing students through workshops and seminars is very inspirational. She runs these workshops in an old converted barn called Unit Twelve in Stafford which she also shares with 4 other artists. 

More of Jennifer Collier's work can be found below.
Jennifer Collier Official Website
Unit Twelve Website


xx Jo

Old Fashioned Book Binding With Landbaby

It's been a busy past 2 week or so just trying to get things officially started with my little range of vintage goodies. I just wanted to make sure that everything was right before I got things started. It doesn't look like much from the outset but trust me, it is time consuming, especially when your computer decides to throw a tantrum on you come D Day :P. Oh well, maybe its because I'm just the fussiest of fussy, and always want things looking and feeling perfect, serves me right hehe.

Anyway, luckily to get my mind of things, I found out through Landbaby's Facebook Page, that they were holding a workshop for Old Fashioned Book Binding. I jumped at the opportunity and made a booking for a friend of mine and myself to attend as I thought it would be the perfect skill to learn for a few products I had in mind as part of a new LLPA reclaimed/handmade range which is still in the woodworks.

An amazing lady by the name of Lucy Wilson ran the workshop. A talented illustrator and book and crafts maker herself, it was a treat to learn this beautiful dying art off her. Here are a few pics from my little book making experience.

 Ready to start, all the tools of the trade.

 Sample of some of the beauties we'll be making

 Our lovely instructor, Lucy Wilson.

 My binding so far... exciting!

 Relying on Selina's notes hehe.

 Ladies at work

 Nearly there! My book starting to take shape.

 Voila! The finished product! So made up :D

 Claire, the wonderful mind behind Landbaby

Some of the wonderful handmade goodies on offer at Landbaby.

All it all, learning how to bind books the old fashioned way was such a good experience, a little bit fiddly but so rewarding in the end. Landbaby regularly hold craft workshops wether it be making concertina photo folders, felt pins, or paper flowers theres definitely something for everyone into their crafts! 

Here are the links to:

Landbaby's Facbook Page & 

Lucy Wilson's beautiful traditional art.

xx Jo

Erika Iris Simmons- Art you could quite literally dance to...

Ghost In the Machine: Bob Dylan

I just love stumbling across and being inspired by treasures such as this. The amazing work of Erika Iris Simmons was popularised through her creation of the beautiful cassette tape artwork featured on Bruno Mars' film clip of his hit, Just the Way You Are. I love the song, but personally had never seen the film clip before until today when heard that her work was featured on it. (FYI Bruno Mars' love interest on the clip is a fellow Aussie, I was so shocked! I remember seeing her often when I used to be very much into the salsa dance scene in Australia. How fantastic!)


Having graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a Degree in Russian, as a woman after my own heart, Erika is now making a living as a self taught artist using non conventional materials by recycling them to create masterpieces such as the ones featured on this blog. "I love the nostalgia of the archaic and I hope that not everything which has outlived its use goes to waste."- IRI5 <---------"I flippen love that!"- Me


The artwork above as well as the following are all part of her Ghost in the Machine Series. Click on the images for their source.

Ghost in the Machine: Ian Brown

Ghost in the Machine: Michael Jackson

Ghost in the Machine: The Hendrix Experience

Ghost in the Machine: John Lennon

Ghost in the Machine: Lauryn Hill

Recycled cassette tape isn't the only medium Erika uses. Her series titled, Remixes is a collection of pieces she's created by cutting up artwork or images of a particular artist or person to create one complete image of that person. I guess it's kind of like decoupage but on a whole new level. My favourite piece from this series is this one of one of my favourite artists, Salvador Dali titled, I am Surrealism. It's made from cut up pieces of a print I have in my own personal collection, The Sacrament of the Last Supper.

Remixes: I am Surrealism

Such an inspiring artist with so much to give. Keep an eye out for more from this talent.

For more about Erika and her work, follow the links below.

Erika Iris Simmons Webpage

Erika Iris Simmons Flickr

xx Jo

Killing time...

By me. For me. Fun :D!

xx Jo

Word up yo!

I was just looking around my house today and took particular notice of how my love for words and typography is so evident in what I use to decorate. I'm by no means not one to label everything in my home, but there's something about the way things are written and more importantly, what is written that really inspires and intrigues me. 

The image above and the one below are actually two kitchen tea towels I purchased back in Oz and decided to frame (as you do). The one below are the names of some of the amazing cities around Sydney. My little reminder of home.

I really don't intend on giving out any of the greeting cards below...yet lol. But being the impulse buyer I am, the amusement factor of these cards were so purchase worthy, I couldn't resist! Sorry if I offended anyone with the lingo. I got these at Typo back in Australia. They have a great range of affordable, cute and quirky stationary.

Well you most probably received the e-mail, now introducing the book! Thanks Urban Outfitters for making cool books like 'Chinglish' available for purchase by easily amused people such as myself hehe ;).

xx Jo

Artist- Anna-Wili Highfield

Whats the most creative thing you can think of when you see an empty egg carton? Sprouts grown on wet cotton? Caterpillars with little wire antennae? Well perhaps try crafting together a Run Away Carnival Horse. Impossible you say? Well not for Anna-Wili Highfield. As the daughter of a puppeteer,  Anna grew up with the wonderful experience of observing people create all sorts of whimsical creatures. She studied a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the National Art School and or two years after this she worked for Opera Australia as their scenic artist and exhibited at several small artist run galleries throughout Sydney. She now has her own collection of sculptures using materials such as archival paper and empty egg cartons which she carefully sews or staples together. She also creates animals using copper sheets and wire. All of which I find so fascinating. Here are a few examples of her amazing work.

 House Finch

 Australian Magpie

 Boobook

Horse in a Timber Box

White Bellied Eeagle

Runaway Carnival Horse

This woman has quite a gift but try as I may, I think I'll stick to my paper mache masks and semi decent origami cranes.


xx Jo

All images can be found here.

Emma Leonard

I don't know what it is, but I've always been drawn to female portraits and artwork. Several months back I Facebook 'Liked' an article Finders Keepers had featuring Melbourne based artist, Emma Leonard. A simple Facebook 'Like' certainly didn't do justice to this woman's talent so I've decided to blog it. Perfect opportunity to have her lovely work adorn my page ;).

Amazingly enough, Emma Leonard is only new to the art scene in Oz. Wanting to escape the mundane of doing the same thing day to day, she quit her full time retail job just over 12 months ago to pursue a different career path. Despite being a super talented hobby sketcher, it took Emma several months to decide that illustration was just the job for her!

Now having exhibited at several exhibitions among the likes of artist, Jo Dyer and Catlin Sheerer, Emma is certainly sketching a name for herself in the Australian illustration scene as well as the hearts of avid fans such as myself!


xx Jo


Emma Leonard
Please click on images for original source.

eye poetry - The photo blog of fine art photographer Irene Suchocki: Laundry day

I really dislike the chore of doing laundry. But if the experience was every bit as whimsical as blogger and photographer, Irene Suchocki captures it to be in her blog Laundry Day, I'm sure that mentality would very easily change.

xx Jo