Prints, prints, prints

Yesterday I visited the exhibition 'Six Yards Guaranteed Dutch Design' at the MMKA in Arnhem. This exhibition is a tribute to the Dutch Wax textiles from the company Vlisco, based in Helmond. Since 1846 Vlisco sold their textiles to West African markets and became part of the African culture. The prints are known worldwide and were featured in fashion shows in Paris and galleries in London. Not many people know that these beautiful 'African' prints are actually produced and designed in this little Dutch city called Helmond. 

Checkered circle scarf

Whenever the winter kicks in and knitted scarfs, sweaters and gloves are everywhere, I get the urge to start knitting again. And so I did, right after I went from 30 degrees to 0 when I returned from Australia. I made a circle scarf for my friend Josha with a pattern of blocks and used the bamboo knitting pins which I bought in Sydney.
I must say I'm starting to get addicted, a new scarf is already in progess ;)

Necklace design

Today I want to share with you one of my own designs. This necklace, made out of the tips of cotton swabs sewn together, is inspired by the pattern of coral and the roadmap of the Antillian island Curacao. I love this kind of design where precision is required, interesting materials are worked with and a lot of detailing is involved.

Curacao is the island where my mother lives and which I visited several times. On the beaches many of these pertrified corals can be found and I love the pattern and texture of them. On the right you see the capital of  Curacao, Willemstad, from above. The white lines are roads and the red dot represents the house of my mom. This all resulted in the design of this necklace, a piece that represents beauty as well as personal value for me.