Because it's Friday..... Lana Del Rey

Quick Shout: Oxfam

Here at 1973 we are very proud to announce a new collaboration with Oxfam. The range consists of writing sets, memo blocks, large and extra large notebooks all made from old lines of wrapping paper that were hanging around the 1973 warehouse . The collection is going in to all UK Oxfam stores this week so keep your eye out.

Retail Therapy: Nest Boutique, Madrid.

Name: Nest Boutique

Established: May 2008

Location: Madrid, Spain. The city centre in an area called Malasaña, full of little boutique and vintage shops and cafes. 

Shop style? Cosy, colourful, filled with unique gifts, decorations for the house, stationery and accessories. 

What sets it apart? Most of the stock is from abroad and very unique to the area. The 'gift shop' in Madrid is still quite a rare thing, particularly greeting cards and wrapping papers, so it stands out. The boutique and homely style is also an attraction I think, it draws people in. 

Where to can we find you? website: www.nest-boutique.com which unfortunately is currently under construction to become an online shop, but hopefully will be up and running by the end of the year. Facebook – Nest group. I’ll try to make an effort on Twitter soon too!

Interview: Patrick Hruby.

Los Angeles-based illustrator Patrick Hruby. A graduate from the Art Centre College of Design, his distinct style of geometric shapes and bold colours result in striking designs. He was kind enough to answer our ten questions.

What is your greatest achievement? 

That's a difficult question. I guess if I had to choose something related to my work it would be that I have survived a freelance illustrator ever since school. It has been scary sometimes but I think it was important that I believed that it would work. One of my favourite professors once told me 'Don't have a backup plan. If you do, you'll use it.'

How would you describe your work/style to someone who hadn't seen it? 

Bright and playful, flat and graphic.

Who/What inspires you most? 

I am really most inspired when I see someone do something really well. When someone creates something that makes me think 'Why didn't I think of that?' It challenges me to try my hardest to do the same.

Who would you most like to collaborate with? 

I have had the chance to collaborate with some really amazing people already, but if I had to choose someone new it would be something I have never done before. Maybe Herman Miller, or Michel Gondry.

What is the worst job you have ever had? 

When I was in high school in Idaho I was a farm hand. I eventually was fired.

What one piece of advice would you give your 15 year old self? 

Relax!

Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years time? 

I would love to have the opportunity to design more. I mean really get involved in every aspect. I would love to be in a position where I had the trust and resources to do that. 

What do you dislike most about popular culture? 

There is a lot of pop culture that I love. The only times that I am at odds with it is when it focus on the negative. There is already war, poverty and famine. There is a place in the arts for exposing that for what it is, but I really feel like my role is to expose the beautiful. 

What is the greatest invention of all time? 

Mathematics. I guess that is more a discovery than an invention, but it is at the heart of everything and really makes the magical possible. 

If you didn't do what you do. What would you do? 

Realistically I would probably still be waiting tables, but in my fantasy I would be a scientist. 

Images courtesy of Patrick Hruby

Seen you looking... Tuna

More food packaging...these tins of Spanish Ortiz tuna are truly fantastic. They taste great too.

Featured!! Design Sponge.

Design Sponge posted about our fantastic stockist Howkapow. It received some great comments and featured some of our Sanna Annukka and Grafika products. 

Seen you looking.... Paul and Joe Store, L.A

Post by James & Emma

Because it's Friday..... An oldie but a goody...

Have a lovely one.....

Photo shoot... Grafika Notebooks.

Featured!! Wantist.

Amazing gift blog Wantist posted about our Alphabet wrapping paper. Created out of a love of gift giving their catalogue of gift ideas and contemporary wrapping solutions makes finding the perfect present easy. 

Retail Therapy... Tante Jojo

Name: Tante Jojo
Established: 2007
Location: Leuven, Belgium.
How would you define your shop style? Personal, original, flowery, exclusive, girly, special. 

What sets your shop apart from the others? You can't find Tante Jojo's collections anywhere else in the area.
Where can we find you? www.tantejojo.be and Facebook 

Interview: Donna Wilson

Donna Wilson set up her company is 2003 after she graduated from the RCA. Now located in London, Donna's designs embellish varied products from ceramics to cushions to stationery. Her illustrations are bright, colourful and instantly recognisable. She was kind enough to take 10 minutes out of her busy schedule to answer some of our questions.

How would you describe your work/style to someone who hadn't seen it? 

Colourful, bold, tactile and happy

What is biggest highlight of your career to date? 

There has been so many highlights, working with a great team of people which help me to have the best job! Meeting designers like Rob Ryan and Orla Kieley, and making the creatures and props for a music video for Gideon Conn. This year it would also have to be winning the Elle Deco British designer of the year award.

Where does your inspiration come from? 

All over the place, the landscape, music, dreams, magazines, ceramics, Scandinavian design, people. Sometimes I just see a tiny snippit of something which triggers an idea, which is then developed into a product. I recently went to a small remote island off the coast of Newfoundland and came back feeling really inspired by its landscape boats and houses, but normally I find inspiration everywhere, it can be a tiny piece of cloth, a picture in a book, or found object from my travels.

Who would you most like to collaborate with?

 Michele Gondry the director in Science of sleep, I was totally inspired by that film, especially the cardboard world he created.

Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years time? 

I hope to continue developing interesting, happy, exciting, beautiful, cosy, friendly, products for nice people. 

What is the best aspect of your job? 

Designing, and I have only recently given myself a bit of time to do this, I used to design in my own spare time, and on the back of an envelope on the bus! But I have been spending the last few weeks making mood boards, sketching and trying things out on the machine, and I remember why I love it. Being creative is a fantastic feeling, and I'd recommend anyone give it a go.  What is it like to be in love? 

Like you’re walking on air with a huge grin on your face

Last meal on Death Row. What would you eat? 

That’s a difficult one as I love food! Thai green curry, or a big roast dinner, followed by a old fashioned triffle with loads of cream and brandy!

What is the greatest invention of all time? 

I think staplers are pretty clever, as without that my filing would be even worse , there’s something really satisfying about using a stapler!

If you didn't do what you do. What would've you liked to have done? 

I’d liked to have worked with animals, having grown up around animals, I really miss not having any around! Although I don’t think I could be a vet, maybe a dog trainer!

All products featured are available at www.donnawilson.com

All images courtesy of Donna at donnawilson.com

Paper Craft... Fan Rosettes.

To make each rosette you will need:

2 pieces of your favourite wrapping paper, cutting mat, scalpel, double sided sticky tape, metal ruler, pen/pencil, scissors, glue stick, string/thread, scorer, sellotape.

1. Using a ruler, scalpel and cutting mat, cut out four pieces from your wrapping papers which are all 34cm long and 32cm wide.

2.    Then stick two back to back very neatly with pritt stick so that the patterns are on the outside, and repeat with the remaining two pieces. 

3.    Then take one piece, and with a ruler, score 2cm lines of equal distance all the way along the 34cm length in order to create the folds. Repeat this with the second piece.

4.  Then fold back and forth on the scored lines – keep repeating this back and forth so that a concertina zig-zag effect is produced. Repeat this with the one remaining piece so that you now have the two halves of rosette.

5. Fold in half and add double sided tape to one half of the edge. 

6. Fold one in half and where it meets in the middle and stick. Then spread it out so that it fans into a semi-circle. Repeat this with the other piece.

7. Apply double sided tape to the whole side edge of the rosette. 

8.    Then, take both semi-circles and stick their flat edges together which will then make a full fan rosette.

9.    Attach some string to the back using sellotape, and hang up for a great effect. You could make a series of different shapes using our different wrapping papers.

      

Post by Rachel and Holly

Seen you Looking....M&S

Here at 1973 we are fans of Marks & Spencers illustrated biscuit tins. This lovely design caught James' eye over the weekend.

Because its Friday.... Dominant Legs

We are loving this band from San Francisco here in the studio.

Seen you looking... Rifle Paper Co.

I was lured towards these beautiful cards in Liberty London.  They're from the delectable Rifle Paper Co. Further proof that Husband & Wife team's really do work as well together as play, but we already know this!  You can see more of their designs here

post by Lucy.

Retail Therapy: Frank

Name: Frank

Established: June 2006

Location: 65 Harbour Street, Whitstable

How would you define your store? We seek out and celebrate the homegrown creativity of the newly fledged, as well as more firmly established practitioners.

Products by: Jonny Hannah, Sukie, Rob Ryan, John Dilnot, Gary Goodman, Laura McCafferty, Lucy Gough to name but a few. 

Where can we find you online? www.frankworks.eu

Interview: Andy Macgregor.

London based Illustrator, Set Designer and Prop Stylist Andy Macgregor has many strings to his talented bow. With projects for everyone from Chopard  to The Guardian his work spans across the creative Spectrum. He took 5 minutes out to answer some of our questions. 

How would you define your work / style? 

That's better left to others.

What / who has had the biggest impact on your work? 

Colour and form.

What is your biggest achievement in your life? 

Having a career at all.

Who would you most like to collaborate with? 

Probably Anish Kapoor.

Last meal on Death Row. What would you have? 

I'd trade my meal for time with my partner.

Where are you right now? 

Somewhere I'd rather not be.

Recommend a film? 

Solaris.

What do you hate most about popular culture? 

Irritating fakers.

If you didn't do what you do what would your profession be? 

Nature conservancy.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time? 

Somewhere green and pleasant.

You can view all of Andy's work at his website here

Featured!! Maiya.

 Gorgeous lifestyle blog Maiya featured our new Grafika Wrap on their blog. We love love this ladies work. Go and read the full post here. Lovely Stuff!

Because it's Friday.... The Monotones.

so cute

New brochure!!!

new brochure available for wholesale customers. email enquiries@nineteenseventythree.com for more info.

Sean Sims.

We love this super cute pic of Sean Sims' daughter Mabel opening her card and presents wrapped in paper from her dads 'Playtime' range. Pretty cool huh!