We Have Band

Here's a interview with the amazing We Have Band, and Darren is wearing one of our sweatshirts (so they must be good). If you don't own their album go and buy it now!!!

Fabric Printing

We've were busy printing some new fabric last week, that will get made into some great handmade dresses and playsuits.

We're also busy working on some more handmade t-shirts and a few new designs. The handmade t's are going to be a big part of what we do from now on. The plan is to produce limited runs of these beautiful handmade t's throughout the year. So far the small runs we have been doing have been very popular so we're looking to do a few more, we may be slightly biased but we do love the cut of these t's (we own alot of different t-shirts!!!) - and they are made in the UK!!!!!

Rags to Bitches

Nestled in the heart of the Northern Quarter is a great vintage store called Rags to Bitches. Specialising in made to measure garments and sewing courses as well as vintage treasures, it has been a destination location for the last 5 years but this weekend the award winning shop will sadly close its doors.

Leaving shop premises to develop the website has been a tough decision for owners Flic and Simon but with massive overheads and less people shopping on the high street (never mind tucked away in the NQ) the lack of passing trade has meant re-thinking and evolving their business. We wish them the best of luck with their new venture! Keep an eye on their website here - www.rags-to-bitches.co.uk

And if you want to grab yourself a part of fashion history get down to Rags to Bitches this weekend for a final Sale of the Century! Doors open Saturday 10-30-6pm and Sunday 12-5pm. Selling off everything from old shop-fittings and furniture as well as clothes from 50p - everything must go!

Dylan Chubb Photography

One of the great things about being based in a mill surrounded by other creative types is that there's always something going on. When our neighbor popped his head into our studio the other day asking to borrow clothes for a photoshoot (someone had let him down) we were only happy to help. These are the amazing results!

See more of Dylan's work on Flickr  here.

New Handmade T-Shirts

We've added a new handmade and handprinted t-shirt to the online shop, it's limited edition (probably about 20 available). Made completely by us in Manchester.

Thats cool but can you make it more shit?

Just thought we'd blog about this LCD Soundsystem and DFA artwork exhibition, obviously only those of you in Sydney (if only hey) are going to be able to make it down there, but we liked the title so much we had to post it. We hate things to look too slick as you might know, so the title kind of sums up our way of thinking.
It's at the Tom Dunne gallery in Darlinghurst from 28th July - 2nd August.

Lady Garden

We were recently approached by Lady Garden, to see if we could provide costumes/clothes for their upcoming Edinburgh show. We get asked alot by bands for free stuff and it's always good for promotion, but it's very rare an all female comedy group (??) ask us!!! So we jumped at the chance, so if your going up to Edinburgh checkout their show (or just have a look at their site). Here's the trailer for the show

Charity Shop Orphans

Browsing on Etsy to decide about setting up and Etsy shop I came across this great interview with Emma Harding about her Charity Shop Orphans project - thought I'd share it with you!

UK Edition: Interview With charityshoporphans

Story by AmityUK, charityshoporphans  Published on July 16, 2010 in Spotlight	Photo by  charityshoporphans

In my eyes, upcycling is about both history and transformation. Emma Harding's project and Etsy shop, charityshoporphans, is a fantastic example of this: her pieces morph from twee ceramic figurines to contemporary and quirky objets d'art in a most delightful manner. What makes Emma's creations extra special is the charming sense of depth she brings to each creature. Not only do they retain a sense of history, their sentimental forms cloaked in new apparel, but their newly adopted lineages really bring them to life.

Tell us a wee bit about yourself.
I live and work in London, England, which is where I’m originally from, although I grew up in the lovely rolling Kent countryside. I studied illustration at what is now Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge and ended up at Central Saint Martins College with an MA. Since then I’ve done freelance illustration and some lecturing in a few different UK art colleges. Now I’m more focused on exhibiting my own work.

Give us a brief overview of what you're doing with Charity Shop Orphans.
I had a growing collection of animal ornaments, which I’d bought from charity shops, that were gradually filling up my flat. In 2004 I started painting, naming and giving each one a new set of characteristics, which attached them to a family such as the Parmigiani's, Horne's or Moretti's. Currently there are almost 200 individual Charity Shop Orphans, which are members of over 25 different families.

It's such a great concept for a project, what led you there?
I’m sure it all stems back to childhood. I absolutely loved animal ornaments and always made big, elaborate displays on a shared dressing table (my poor sister). Nowadays, even though I’m really drawn to the ornaments, my aesthetic taste is entirely different, which goes some way to explaining how they look. However, the family naming and grouping is perhaps to do with the fact that they are in the charity shop and no longer wanted, which appeals to my outsiderish nature.

I love that there are several families of orphans in the ongoing collection, is this tied in with themes of connectedness and belonging?Yes. I’ve been in many a charity shop and caught somebody’s eye sighing and awwing at a little wide-eyed ceramic creature sat on a lonely shelf with a 50p price sticker. A lot of these ornaments are designed to be very emotive and in the charity shop situation, where they’re no longer wanted, they are certainly in need of belonging. I’m definitely having fun with the concept of family, putting together unlikely combinations such as bear, cat and seahorse! For me, it creates a sense of story.

What else inspires you when you sit down with a new orphan?
I was asked this question not long ago and came to the conclusion that it’s the creative process itself that inspires me — I get a thrill out of the complexities, warts and all. More specifically with the orphans, it’s the transformation process of a nostalgic object into one that’s more contemporary. Names come from all over the place, from my favourite film directors to people I know, or just in response to a particular ornament orphan.

In your personal opinion, what is the value and appeal of upcycling?
I’m sure that anyone who is creative and can remember making stuff out of virtually nothing in their childhood (as I did) would agree that upcycling seems to be an extension of that natural process. When there’s a strong connection with a found object or material the transformation can be truly creative and personal.

When you're not giving ceramic, wooden and metal creatures a new lease of life, what else do you do?
I’ve got a succession of exhibitions coming up in October, so I’m busy in the studio at the moment. I'm also painting and chopping up ceramic horses, then reconstructing them into some very strange forms, usually involving oversized heads and wrong legs. These are painted and drawn on too, so they're really time-absorbing. Apart from that, I’m working on several film scripts which I’m developing (all from the privacy of my own computer screen!). A few years ago I studied screenwriting quite seriously and have since made a few short films — it’s a really thorny process to go through, but I love it.

What handmade possession do you most cherish?
This is really difficult, as there are so many contenders, though I think my favourite is a mixed media piece called “What Cats Want.” On one side is a black plastic moustache and tiny white key and below is text, which reads What Cats Want. On the other side is a red plastic hair clip and miniature green comb and written beneath is What Cats Get. All the plastic bits come from inside Christmas crackers and it was made for me by a former teaching colleague with a great sense of humour. It never fails to make me laugh.

Do you have any advice for artists starting out in their career?
Wow, this is a difficult one! It took a long time (a really long time) for me to see myself as an artist, and it’s been a bit of a struggle. Now I seem to spend a large amount of time trying to solve that ongoing riddle of how to make a living and continue what I’m doing without being pulled in all directions. It’s been a slow process with many tricky setbacks — though I am getting there with obstinate perseverance!

However, I did teach for a long time and met hundreds of artists and designers entering into a creative life. What I remember saying a lot, above all the hard work and commitment stuff, was that what really matters is how you feel about the work you are making. Without being over the top, I feel that it’s a love story between you and your work, which is full of all the excitement and ups and downs, but ultimately the quality of the relationship is what holds it all together.

Anything else you'd like to tell us?
I’m in the process of setting up a gallery/shop stall in historical Greenwich Market Square called Haybox that will be selling lots of Orphan related stuff like illustrated prints, t-shirts, cards, the new booklet, plus the Orphans themselves — all of which will eventually be in my Etsy shop too!

SuperDuper Fair - Blackpool

Me&Yu are gonna be involved in the SuperDuper Fair in Blackpools beautiful Stanley Park this Sunday (it's round the corner form our house).  It's the first event we've been involved in, in Blackpool so thats kind of cool for us (we've only lived there 10 years!!!). Anyway why not have a day out to Blackpool!!!!!!

Here's the info - 35 stalls of handmade things; Knitwear, Clothing, Ceramics, Home Ware, Prints, Jewellery, Accessories, Artwork and Plenty More!

Make a day of it: bring the family and listen to music performed by Troubadour and Andy Stones on the bandstand, take a boat out on the lake and have lunch in the park's Art Deco Café.

Guerra De La Paz

 I was having my daily look at Boooooooom when I came across the work of Guerra De La Paz, who make (it's 2 people) these amazing clothing sculptures, you really have to look at his site. I suspect photographs dont do them justice. Maybe we'll try some in the shop

Huh Magazine now at Me&Yu

Me&Yu are now stocking Huh Magazine in our Afflecks store. For those of you that don't know HUH. Magazine is a FREE, arts & culture paper based in London. The magazine is released sporadically and contains interviews and features on both established and little known creatives. It's normally only available in London, but not now!!! we have it!!! - call in and pick one up. We will probably also send them out with internet orders - but I cant promise as I may forget!!.

Also check out the Huh magazine website - there's loads of good stuff on there.

Patterned Tights

We had a lovely blog post about us from Hannah at Patterned Tights. If you've not checked out her blog - give it a look.

THURSDAY, 8 JULY 2010

It wasn't supposed to be this way.

I finished my placement a few months ago and I love having a look through Me&Yu's website and blog for information on what they're up to at the moment. I've been oggling some of the new designs as they are soo cute and wanted to showcase a few of them on my blog for those new followers who may have missed my Me&Yu themed posts before April. Me&Yu specialise in handprinted and handmade designs and their amazing mix of screen prints and transfers are what they are best known for. Have a look at some of the following designs available NOW at www.meandyu.com

This one is where my post title is taken from and I have fallen in love with the quote. It's an amazing design and you all should have one in your wardrobe. I know I'll be getting one asap!

'They're like moments of time' is another cute Summer print which will look amazing as an oversized vest with some leggings or tights or even bare legs of you're brave enough!

'Lilac Swallows' is another favourite of mine. It is available in the vest option too but I think I'd prefer this print as a baggy tee with the sleeves rolled up. That's the great thing about Me&Yu designs - you can wear and adapt the garment to however you like or feel comfortable wearing. I have an entire section of my wardrobe dedicated to my Me&Yu pieces and I wear them differently all the time.

Angie - one half of Me&Yu - has her own blog which she includes Me&Yu related posts as well as personal themes. Click HERE to be taken straight to her blog... (you can also get to the Me&Yu blog through their homepage of the website)

And finally here is an old look book post I did as a Me&Yu themed post of my last batch of freebies. Hopefully this will give you an idea of the different ways you can wear Me&Yu and let me know if you do buy anything or post any looks including Me&Yu. If you're around and about in Manchester, pop into Afflecks Palace in the Northern Quarter and say hello to Me&Yu as they have a shop on the third floor and an amazing display gallery at the top of the stairs! They are just cool. So why wouldn't you want to shop at Me&Yu?

Salon Event 4 @ The Continental

Tonight we will be calling in at The Continental (Preston), to catch Flash Pick 2010, a exhibition of a selection of work from North West degeree shows. here's the blurb.

Artists David Henckel, Simon Plum and Sean Payne have chosen a number of works from Blackpool College of Art & Design, UCLAN, Lancaster and Manchester Metropolitan University to create a diverse show of fresh talent.

This group show will be on display at the Continental from  8 July  to 10 September 2010.

Go down - get cultured

Skate4Cancer

Me&Yu are happy to support Skate4cancer, so happy in fact we're making them some flyers!!! checkout the facebook. We'll post more about it soon

WAD Magazine

We we're very happy to get featured in this months WAD, as it's one of our favourite magazines, (it's available in Magma), and it's always good to read a description of yourself in French!!!

Sale in Afflecks

So it's Sale time again!!!!!!!! - Pop along to Afflecks for some great bargains. If you can't make it, don't worry we will be having an online sale in the next few weeks.

Sue Denim - Robots in Disguise

a big thank you to Sue for sending us this pic of her wearing one of our oversize wolf t-shirts/dresses

Handmade T-Shirts

We've had a massive response to our small collection of handmade t-shirts, so much so that (hopefully) over the next few weeks we will be adding a few more prints/colours etc.

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