My Bicycle rugs in the making

I have just received these pictures from Paul Vowles of WovenGround. He has been at the factory in India where my first Bicycle rugs (from my Bikes of Hackney collection) are being made - in time for us to launch them to our trade buyers next week, at HOME London, Earls Court, 12-14th January.

The above image is from the back of the cloth as the bicycle begins to take shape.
 
These pictures give you an idea of how they stretch the cloth over a frame, with the design printed on as a guide for the craftsmen. They then hand tuft the different colours of wool into the cloth, following the background template of colours. It's like painting in numbers, which I always loved doing as a child! 

This is what it looks like once they have finished tufting, but before the surface is trimmed off so that it is all even, and soft to touch. 

Voila! Now it can be removed from the frame and be backed and finished!

I have not yet visited the artisans myself, but I hope to do it this year, so I can learn and share even more about what is involved in making these beautiful products. Once HOME London has ended I'll post more pictures of the finished rugs. 

In the meantime, have a wonderful first week of January and remember to set your goals high and enjoy the ride wherever it takes you this year.

Love,
Ella

Participatory Urbanism and my love of BIKES!

A beautiful thing has been unfolding over these past few months thanks to the connectivity of Instagram. I have made contact with the owner of one of the bikes that I photographed to create the Bikes of Hackney range, because of the lovely @bobbinbicycles who put me in touch with Eloise Moody from Moody and Farrel, after spotting her bike in my repeat design on the notebook. She is up for being part of my next project which I am planning and I would love as many of you to get involved as possible, so read on!

Here is her bike that I photographed - it has the most beautiful pea green colour - which is what caught my eye ... if you like the look of it and want to buy and customize your own, be sure to check out Bobbin Bicycles.

Now I am excited to announce that the lovely folk at East London Design Store (just off Broadway market E8) are preparing to launch my brand new Pop Art goes Design collection of products on the 7th of November. We are going to link up with Lucy Mortimer from Galapagus Designs to create some one-off upholstered chairs (which I am super excited about) and there will be new lampshades and all of my Bikes of Hackney collection available too. 

This bike belongs to Guido who works at East London Design Store - many of you may recognise it - as he is well known for riding the streets of London - the gold wheels on his bike are like works of Art!

I will kick start my new project during my installation at the store and want you to spread the word that I will be set up with my tripod and camera on the Saturday and Sunday of the 16th and 17th November outside East London Design Store at 6a Ada Street  London E8 4QU photographing you and your bike - come dressed to the nines or in your cycling pants, it doesn't matter, I want your individual characters to shine out along with your bicycles.

We are still planning all the details, so come back to the Blog and follow me on Instagram if you like.

Happy Monday everyone.
Love
Ella

Ella Doran stand at Maison September 2013

Here are a few pictures of my exhibition at trade show Maison et Objet in Paris - last week.

Vintage Bicycle rug produced by WovenGround - I have designed 2 rugs for this season to complement my Bikes of Hackney range of products 

Bikes of Hackney Collection

 

Camera: After Lichtenstein. 2013 Ella Doran.

 

'Camera Lenses' coasters available at the end of September in our online shop!

 

Screen printed 'Cameras Stack' cushion 100% cotton 45x45cm

The walk way past our stand @ Maison

The 'Portables' and 'Sevens' collections had a wonderful setting on the Ary Trays stand - the tables and stools will be available to order from our online shop by the beginning of October.

As always it was good to meet new and familiar faces - thank you to everyone who visited us!

Very best,

Ella