I was so pleased this morning to hear about a new TV series hosted by Kirstie Allsopp which will focus on renovating an old house from top to bottom, using products made by local artists and craftspeople (or artisans, if you like), rather than just buying mass-produced items. Apparently, it will contain lots of tips on buying and renovating antique furniture, and how to make a wonderful home by employing the skills of local independent businesses, or by learning certain arts and crafts skills yourself, so that you're able to make things for your own home.
This appeals to me because it's basically what I've been banging on about for years! From the age of about 18 or 19 when I started buying my own furniture, I didn't go to IKEA or MFI or any of the other huge home retailers - I went to auction houses and antiques warehouses, and found beautifully-designed-and-constructed one-off pieces that I knew nobody else would have, and which I still love (possibly even more so) years later. I've never been the type of person who believes that if you haven't got a lot of spare money, then you just go out and buy cheap tat. I would rather sit on a cardboard box, or store my clothes in a suitcase, while I wait until I've saved enough money to buy a quality piece of furniture that will be a joy to use and to look at for years to come, instead of heading out straight away to buy something flimsy and mass-produced, which will most likely fall apart in a couple of years and have to be replaced anyway.
I've always hated the rampant consumerism of modern society - the 'stack it high and sell it cheap' mentality...oh, and if it doesn't last, then we'll just throw it into landfill and buy another one! I think that the one good aspect of this recession we now find ourselves in, is that people seem to be slowing down when it comes to 'consuming'. They are finally thinking about exactly what they're spending their money on, and thinking more seriously about buying high quality and unique pieces that will last, instead of throwaway items.
I've never liked to walk into people's homes when they've bought everything from these huge homestores - to me, it feels soulless and uninventive. Quite honestly, it doesn't give the home a nice feel or ambience. Of course, we all have the odd piece from IKEA or their equivalent, and I love a mix of vintage and modern - for example, to mix some cheap and modern IKEA chairs with a well-loved, one-off vintage table and some retro kitchenware looks fantastic, but to decorate your house from top to bottom with modern flat-pack furniture will result in a home with no character.
However, more people are now realising this, and I'm sure that this is partly why online art & craft sites such as Etsy are now booming, even during a worldwide recession! Buying handmade items and original artwork is now more accessible than ever, and one of the wonders of the internet is that buyers can connect directly with the artists and craftspeople who are making the items. I use Etsy for buying as much as I do for selling. I love the fact that I can find unique and beautifully crafted items from around the world that inspire me and enhance my home, while at the same time being able to communicate with the artist who made the piece. I also like the feeling of knowing that I'm helping independent artists - after all, I am one!
I've never (so far, at least!) had a huge amount of money to spend on whatever I like. All of my purchases are carefully thought-out beforehand. But I've never been the type of person, for example, who wants something for their wall, and so just goes out to buy a cheap print in a frame and throws it up there. I've always bought original artwork, and it has been a wonderful investment. Not only financially (as it rises in value every year if you chose your artist wisely), but the pleasure I get from looking at these pieces every day is unending. Even if you're only able to buy one piece a year, it's worth it. I'd rather save up for one beautiful, original work, than have ten cheap, mass-produced prints cluttering up my walls. Limited edition artists' prints are another thing entirely, of course...but we'll go there another day!
If this sounds like an advertisement on behalf of artists and craftspeople, well that's because it is! My blog and the ability to connect to all of you directly through this, is a wonderful marketing device. These huge companies have millions of pounds to spend on TV/magazine/newspaper advertising campaigns. Independent artists don't. We have to market ourselves and our work however we can. Thanks to the internet (a kind of shop-front to the world) it's becoming a little easier. So, spend your hard-earned money wisely, look to the long-term, and enjoy the fact that original handmade art & craft items are no longer just for 'the few' - this is an exciting and inspiring new world which is a lot more accessible than it ever was before. Make the most of it!
www.natasha-newton.co.uk
www.theblackbirdsings.etsy.com
** Psssst! I have new pieces to show you VERY SOON for The Silent Landscape show!! :) **
This appeals to me because it's basically what I've been banging on about for years! From the age of about 18 or 19 when I started buying my own furniture, I didn't go to IKEA or MFI or any of the other huge home retailers - I went to auction houses and antiques warehouses, and found beautifully-designed-and-constructed one-off pieces that I knew nobody else would have, and which I still love (possibly even more so) years later. I've never been the type of person who believes that if you haven't got a lot of spare money, then you just go out and buy cheap tat. I would rather sit on a cardboard box, or store my clothes in a suitcase, while I wait until I've saved enough money to buy a quality piece of furniture that will be a joy to use and to look at for years to come, instead of heading out straight away to buy something flimsy and mass-produced, which will most likely fall apart in a couple of years and have to be replaced anyway.
I've always hated the rampant consumerism of modern society - the 'stack it high and sell it cheap' mentality...oh, and if it doesn't last, then we'll just throw it into landfill and buy another one! I think that the one good aspect of this recession we now find ourselves in, is that people seem to be slowing down when it comes to 'consuming'. They are finally thinking about exactly what they're spending their money on, and thinking more seriously about buying high quality and unique pieces that will last, instead of throwaway items.
I've never liked to walk into people's homes when they've bought everything from these huge homestores - to me, it feels soulless and uninventive. Quite honestly, it doesn't give the home a nice feel or ambience. Of course, we all have the odd piece from IKEA or their equivalent, and I love a mix of vintage and modern - for example, to mix some cheap and modern IKEA chairs with a well-loved, one-off vintage table and some retro kitchenware looks fantastic, but to decorate your house from top to bottom with modern flat-pack furniture will result in a home with no character.
However, more people are now realising this, and I'm sure that this is partly why online art & craft sites such as Etsy are now booming, even during a worldwide recession! Buying handmade items and original artwork is now more accessible than ever, and one of the wonders of the internet is that buyers can connect directly with the artists and craftspeople who are making the items. I use Etsy for buying as much as I do for selling. I love the fact that I can find unique and beautifully crafted items from around the world that inspire me and enhance my home, while at the same time being able to communicate with the artist who made the piece. I also like the feeling of knowing that I'm helping independent artists - after all, I am one!
I've never (so far, at least!) had a huge amount of money to spend on whatever I like. All of my purchases are carefully thought-out beforehand. But I've never been the type of person, for example, who wants something for their wall, and so just goes out to buy a cheap print in a frame and throws it up there. I've always bought original artwork, and it has been a wonderful investment. Not only financially (as it rises in value every year if you chose your artist wisely), but the pleasure I get from looking at these pieces every day is unending. Even if you're only able to buy one piece a year, it's worth it. I'd rather save up for one beautiful, original work, than have ten cheap, mass-produced prints cluttering up my walls. Limited edition artists' prints are another thing entirely, of course...but we'll go there another day!
If this sounds like an advertisement on behalf of artists and craftspeople, well that's because it is! My blog and the ability to connect to all of you directly through this, is a wonderful marketing device. These huge companies have millions of pounds to spend on TV/magazine/newspaper advertising campaigns. Independent artists don't. We have to market ourselves and our work however we can. Thanks to the internet (a kind of shop-front to the world) it's becoming a little easier. So, spend your hard-earned money wisely, look to the long-term, and enjoy the fact that original handmade art & craft items are no longer just for 'the few' - this is an exciting and inspiring new world which is a lot more accessible than it ever was before. Make the most of it!
www.natasha-newton.co.uk
www.theblackbirdsings.etsy.com
** Psssst! I have new pieces to show you VERY SOON for The Silent Landscape show!! :) **
