Bloesem

Iittala and Orla Kiely... 2 new gifts from my friends

Dear Bloesem readers, time to take a little break for this super tired women... after three weeks of going back and forth to Singapore, two little sons that keep me busy during their school holidays, having wonderful friends here from the Netherlands visiting us and setting up a new pillar for Bloesem, which will launch May 9, I just need to take it slowly this week and leave you with only one post... so I can get some rest and prepare a whole bunch of nice-ness for next week... i hope you understand? love irene xoxo

Like I said I have some wonderful Dutch friends over for a short visit, who I met while living in Toronto. They brought this beautiful gift for us,  a plate and two serving bowls from the new dewdrop collection called Kastehelmi by Oiva Toikka for Iittala. The plates fit perfectly well with my mix of vintage, ikea and marimekko tableware :) 

...and then I was even more lucky last week when this book arrived in my mailbox. Another gift from another friend... she is expecting her first baby any day now and I helped her creating the birth announcement, perhaps I can show you soon on BKids. The new Orla Kiely book has been on my wish-list ever since I saw it appear in the blogland and I can only say the book will not disappoint you. Pattern by Orla Kiely is absolutely very inspirational and a true feast for your eyes... who doesn't love Orla? Thanks Marjolein!

{All images by me, Irene from Bloesem}

Watercolour ceramics from PALAiS XIII

 

Wow I absolutely LOVE these watercolour ceramics, but have no idea who made them, can you help me out? I know they are being sold in this shop in Hamburg.... PALAiS XIII

via day dream in color, twins garden. 

Amazing handmade jewelry from Goldenink

Two artists, Katherine Wheeler and  Abby Seymour are Goldenink and together they create pieces that are hand crafted, painted and fired in their very own kiln. No mass production, casting or transfers are used. 

...And I love love love all the pieces, the ring and bracelet in the top is my absolute favorite because of the soft warm colors and the fragile illustration...wow these ladies have come up with a great and totally new to me looking collection of jewelry. The Blue from below is so fresh ...ready for summer and spring!... the shop is right here...

I Love these tiles from Made a Mano

While visiting Norwegian blog, design-shimmer my eye immediately fell on these pictures showcasing the amazing ceramic tiles from the company Made a Mano, which was founded in 2001 by Rosario Parrinello, NanaKi Bonfils and Josephine Aquama Hoffmeyer. Their ambition was: "to create a collection of tiles, counter-tops and sinks, combining ancient traditional handicraft with modern techniques. Revealing a sure sense of beauty and style."...well they succeeded don't you think?

I absolutely love seeing them on the floor and on the walls and totally makes me re-consider using 'tiles' as decoration for flooring and kitchen walls.... it beautifully brings back the old-style kitchens and gives character to any house....love love for Made a Mano

Stunning elephant ceramics

 

 

Many things are going on right now in my private life...all good but it feels like 'hard to keep up with my own life'...looking at the amazing ceramic work by Michele Michael from elephant ceramics makes me calm down, pause and rest, thanks Tara for introducing me to her work. All the images were taken by philip ficks, you can view his portfolio here.

You might wonder when I'm going to start showing you Let's Get Personal Tours again..well I hope I can very soon...I have invited some artisits already but am waiting for the images, sure it will be worth the wait...in the meantime if you are an artist, designer or architect and like to share images of your home with the Bloesem readers please shoot me an email!

Ceramics in black, blue and white...

Assiettes animales ; Porcelain mixed with animal bone by Foekje Fleur...

Photography by Maria Grossmann...very inspiring...