New Collection?

Ever walked into a shop and the only staff present is a cat? It seems I've started a photo collection....

Don't look at me like that and yes we are open.....

Yeah have a look around, but you're not getting anything wrapped in this tissue paper...
You can often see this market cat at Cornercopia in the Granville Arcade (always hated the new name Brixton Village!) Brixton Market.

Fat Cucumbers

Just because they look great....

This cucumber batch have not been digitally enhanced! Doesn't it make you want to get out some paints and crayons and draw them. Brixton market never fails to be a feast for the eyes.

Cheeky Barista

I was served this cappuccino at Federation Coffee in Brixton yesterday. Someone's having festive fun........wonder what else may have gone unnoticed in my coffee.

Oncycling

Has anyone used the term 'oncycling' yet or can I claim it as my own?

I found what I will call 'oncycled' boxes today. Luckily these little things make my heart sing. I find these truly great sculpture. What was a box has been made into a new box and has reprinted new logo on the outside.

These are things of great beauty but also very strong boxes. I love that the base is a bit skewed and not a perfect oblong. In our increasingly shiny over designed world I appreciate this kind of thing even more.

These boxes have great texture. I found them in Brixton Village (I hate calling it that as it will always be Granville Arcade to me - and see this fantastic footage of it in 1961!) one of Brixton's market arcades, but how appropriate for me to have them for packing the materials of my upcycling endeavours ready for move day when that comes. Maybe I should re-label one with my logo for a 3rd life from biscuits to palm juice to chandeliers.

More Finds

I went to Kempton antiques market recently, a nice crisp sunny cold morning to go hunting for junk but I found everything so expensive, like retail prices. Next time I'll go at closing time when the prices come down. Anyway I was giving up hope of finding any surprising, inspiring treasure when I came across a box of Meccano for £10. I looked up Meccano and they still make it but it's gone the way of Lego: over-designed with little room for imagination. I mourn the loss of a nation of boys making trucks and cranes with working pulleys etc. from scratch!

Also in the box was this screwdriver. I think they still make this style but isn't the practical simplicity beautiful. I have been marveling at it's economy of design. One rod bent around and with one end flattened - ticks all my boxes.

Dresser Find Update

I ended up painting the inside of the glass door cupboard I got recently to lighten it up. I gave it 2 coats proper coverage to avoid any hints of that fake shabby scratchy style....have you seen B&Q do floor covering with a trompe l'oeuil floorboard of worn paint? Amazing, look at it here. It still perplexes me that the styles of arty folk of 30 years ago that were considered leftfield and quirky are now mainstream taste and the things we scavenged because no-one wanted them and because we art students had no money are now highly desirable and expensive items.

I added a narrow shelf at the top for all my tiny glasses. And if you love the LED rabbit light...it was £5.99 at 20 Storey in Market Row in Brixton market. This is a really nice shop and better than the shop at the Design Museum which I found massively disappointing. I've done all my Xmas shopping in Brixton, fantastic to get all that done without leaving SW9.

Food Bank

It's very nice to have lots of thriving independent eateries on my doorstep in Brixton. The market seems to have the right balance but there is a real threat that rents will just soar and that these places could become a victim of their own success. So far the big names have not muscled in. Also this movement 'up' of the area had cleared out some drug dealers - very good news.

However there's an edge to watching this that makes me uncomfortable - the difference between those who can afford to eat out and those who now need to use the Food Bank. I read about my local food bank in the Brixton Bugle - the paper arm of The Brixton Blog and am horrified that we now have hungry neighbours amongst us. Just google to find your local food bank, go on, they tell you what they need. I spent just an extra £5 on my shop before Xmas and dropped in non perishable food.

Why cant benefits be a bit more to meet food costs? - all the money goes back into the economy at local shops, claimants aren't going to put it in an off shore account are they?! no, so it stays in the economy and then everyone's a winner.
Re the last photo - I don't eat meat - it being corpses and therefore unappetising - but I do like big simple words hand painted with shadows.

Friday Flowers and Brixton Market

These flowers were a much stronger colour than the photo and iridescent, a feast for the eyes in Brixton Market - plenty more of those......

Saloon

Circus and Federation Coffee

Leftovers - fantastic antique clothing etc.

Lamps by Charlotte Squire and Okan in view for Japanese street food.

Rachel and Malika's and below the view from inside their shop....

                      
                          where I hadn't thought I was shopping but came out with a new plastic bowl...

Brixton also has it's own currency: the Brixton Pound, yes really, an initiative to shop locally and most traders accept it and some give discounts, more info here. All the above is very near the tube station, wander in Market Row and Brixton Village arcades.

Brixton Market and more

If you're an about town kind of person and live or visit London you'll know about the growth and growth of Brixton Market. It has become a serious food and vintage destination. I love what Seven have done with suitcases and trunks for tables, and big packing labels for menus; the food is Spanish and tapas and it's next door to Casa Morita (Mexican) in Market Row arcade. Seven is open from 8am for breakfast.

At Breads Etc., you can make your own toast and wrap up in blankets if needs be - how cosy.

In Brixton Village arcade Cornercopia has fabulous local food. This is the foodie king of the market, so it's not a cheap snack place, more of a treat, and really great food. I had a halloumi type cheese made in Bermondsey with roasted beetroot and red onion, very delicious, my mum had duck - her favourite - cooked perfectly. It's a small menu (3 or 4 main courses max) and there's always a vegetarian dish included. They serve British wine and as much local stuff as possible, I believe they've even served bread from wheat milled at the restored Brixton Windmill.

But do not fear - the original Brixton Market stalls have not been squeezed out by the rejuvenation, there were alot of empty units for years.





Vintage Fans
This Saturday 19th November check out a new Vintage market on Brixton Station Road by the Recreation Centre. New markets every Saturday, info here.
And.......

an 8 minute walk up Somerleyton Road and turn left will bring you to the 2011 Stirling Prize winner (architectural) the Evelyn Grace Academy by Zaha Hadid.

Foxes and Cherries

Lucy Casson makes creatures and scenes form recycled metals. Her smaller pieces are from tin but she does alot of larger scale outdoor projects these days and now we're lucky enough to have one of her sculptures in Brixton Market. This is on the corner of Electric Avenue and Electric Lane. The foxes are made of copper, I love how one of them is looking at the CCTV camera. You can see some of her smaller works at Rebecca Hossack Gallery in London until 24th November. I met Lucy many years ago and she helped me get my foot in the door of exhibiting in the recyled art, craft and design world. She doesn't have (or need!) a website but you can find plenty of images of her work on line; I recommend a look as she has so many lovely ideas and sense of humour.

Blogworthy

Nothing that blogworthy going on this week, so I thought I'd share this photo with you. It's a couple I spotted shopping in Brixton market recently..........no kidding