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

Visual Diary: Melbourne

While I was back in Oz, I paid a vist to my best friend in Melbourne. It's the 3rd time I've been to this beautiful city and whilst I love the vibrancy, the beaches and the fast pace of Sydney life, I do appreciate Melbourne's more laid back lifestyle and its appreciation for the arts which shows in its architecture, fashion and abundance of music, drama and art events. Another thing that struck me was how beautifuly and cleverly styled all the window displays were in many of the high street and independent stores I came across. Every time I visit, I can't stop going on about how much I love the layout of the city and how much it reminded me of a 'mini London'. I was only there for the weekend but because I was child free, we got a lot eating, catching up, shopping, eating, hanging out and of course, eating done ;). My favourites definitely have to be the different cafes and shops around the Brunswick area as well as the Camberwell Sunday Markets which I literally had to be pried away from.

Another great window display at a vintage store in Brunswick. I love how they've used pages out of a children's book as the backdrop! Cute.

MUD Australia's fabulous suspended tableware and cutlery window display. Their current range is pretty darn amazing too!

Bustling, eclectic and eccentric. Camberwell Sunday Markets.

Mooching...bargaining...mooching...bargaining...if only life were that simple.

Stunning asian inspired lantern.

Can never run out of ideas of what to do with old frames!

Vintage printing press letters. Completely useless unless you have a printing press of course but there is something I just love about them.

I was so close to purchasing these beautiful solid rose wood corbels to use as brackets for a ledge in our house in Australia. I still have nightmares about not getting them. So beautiful, so regretting it!

I purchased all this plus another pair of sunglasses for well under $60! I could have bought more but had no more room in my luggage :(.

xx Jo

More vintage coming soon!

Delicately hand washed and hanging up to dry. This stunning, ethereal, hand crochet, white vintage top could be in your hot little hands very, very soon. Keep an eye out for it as well as more gorgeous vintage goodies arriving in store for your toasty Autumn wardrobe. 


xx Jo

Lovely things...

Its been one week since I've returned back to the UK and with jetlag, the craziness of all my boys returning to school (one just starting and the other starting highschool) as well as 3 separate drop offs in the morning, I am surprisingly starting to get my groove back and settling into a good routine.

I've just purchased some design books and a bundle of my favourite design mags in an effort to gain some blog inspiration. To be honest I was looking to write about something with more substance but with new Autumn/Winter ranges out, there are just so many amazing products out there that I am ogling at the moment. Here are a few of my faves.

Urban Outfitters Paisley Floral Tapestry Throw

Would look deliciously cosy partnered with crisp white sheets and a mish mash of pillows of different shades, shapes and textures. Would look just as lovely thrown carelessly over a lovely mid century vintage couch.

Seletti fruit and weapons shelf sculpture in still life white.

I just love it when fruit and felony unite to make a truely wonderful kitsch statement piece for the abode. Seletti products never cease to please! More of their product range could be found here.

Olympus Pen digital camera

"Most people think that a cool camera has to look like it came from the future. The PEN looks like it came from your dad!"

...call me shallow but under that permise alone, I'm sold!

Broughton steel and leather log basket at Chesneys

With Autumn now upon us and the temps cooling down, this is the perfectly stylish accessory for any log fireplace.

xx Jo

Meeting Sibella Court

Those of you who follow my blog know its no secret that I admire the work of Stylist, Interior Designer, author and The Society Inc. owner, Sibella Court. The influence of her love of travel, history, the beach and personal memories is so profound in her commercial styling, interior design and the items she curates for The Society Inc. I love the fact that the store undergoes a complete colour palette and theme change 4 times a year...something I find very thoughtful and true to what she does best as a stylist and designer.
So naturally, when I found out she was conducting a book signing session at Potts Point Bookstore, I was excited to get the chance to meet her. I was so un-blogger like as to not prepare myself to interview her because I thought it might be too busy tsk'tsk (Obviously something I'm still learning about as a blogger). So when I discovered she had plenty of free time to sign, take a photo and have a little chat, I was pleasantly surprised....as well as kinda bummed that I didn't prepare anything :P.

Sibella was very polite and attentive and mentioned that she had come across Lola Lovely Pre Adored when I told her the name of my blog, which I was quite chuffed about! Apart from that, my lack of preparation reduced me to being a bit of a nervous wreck; apologising for taking photos, fumbling around my mind for questions whilst listening to her generous answers, and my indecisiveness as to which book I should get her to sign.What I had discovered during our conversation, was that her 3rd book Nomad will be hitting bookstores internationally on the 1st of November. Its theme as the title suggests, is styling with items collected throughout her travels. I was fortunate enough to have a sneak peek into Nomad and was taken aback by the beautiful photography and layout of styled vignettes filled with the colours, textures and the ornate ethnic patterns of objects picked up during her travels throughout the Mediterranean, South America, Asia and the Middle East. Definitely a book for people like myself, who love to collect all sorts of curio during their travels...PLUS, she also mentioned that she is in the process of working on a 4th book which will be released some time next year, so be sure to look out for that!

As some may know, Sibella works closely with Justin and Bettina Hemmes as an interior stylist for the Merivale Group where among others, she has styled and designed rooms such the Upstairs at the Beresford Hotel in Surry Hills and Ms G's in Potts Point (Which co-incidentally was the same restaurant I stopped to gawk at the interior of on my way to the book signing.). Sibella is currently working on several projects at the moment. She particularly spoke about the research she is currently conducting to convert an old 1920's bathing pavilion in Neilson Park into a bar. Her fascination with the locker rooms of old underground boxing gyms will present itself in the styling of this bar. I envisage old rust patina metal lockers, exposed bulb lamps suspended from the ceiling, worn wooden benches and cracked concrete walls. With an amazing eye and a bevy of local and international suppliers, I'm sure this space will deliver in style and ambiance and I personally can't wait to see the finished result.

'Upstairs' live music venue at the Beresford Hotel in Surry Hills

It was hard to think of insightful questions on the spot but as a budding designer all I wanted to know was where Sibella drew particular inspiration from. She mentioned her fascination for galleries and museums, some of which she had worked on several projects with. She also mentioned the great working relationship she has with local curators and artists. I noticed in particular on her blog, Anna Wili Highfield whom she is good friends with and an artist who I had blogged about in the past here.

I wish I could cover all we spoke about but to be honest, a lot of it was a blur, I was too busy
thinking whether she noticed how flustered I was as well as the beads of sweat forming on my forehead (not sure if that was due to nerves or the fact that I had speedily walked several kilometres to get to the bookstore lol). All in all, it was a very pleasant, casual but inspirational experience. But I couldn't help but feel the pressure when she said she'll keep eye out on my blog. If that's not encouragement enough to push me along with my studies and what I do with LLPA, I don't know what is! 


xx Jo
For my previous blog on Sibella Court, click here.