Wedding Season Has Arrived!

This is, personally, one of my favourite times of the year.  I'm a bit of a romantic at heart and I'm a sucker for a beautiful wedding, i just love watching two people tie the knot.  Wedding season, however, comes with its issues, what do you buy for the happy couple that have everything and where can you find lots of lovely unique gift ideas? 

 

This is why we have put together a beautiful collection of items, that we think would be ideal for any happy couple.   All of these gifts are created by independent designers and illustrators and are available from MoonKo.

The Aviary's floral heart card is just the epitome of romance, beautifully drawn, simple and classy.  The moth necklace, which is also by The Aviary, would be a perfect gift for any bridesmaid, a beautiful keep sake to remember the happy day, a little thank you that can be worn again and again.

The pocket mirror designed by Deborah Ballinger would also be a lovely alternative as a gift for your bridesmaids, or even as wedding favours for your guests.  

The beautiful paper butterflies would make great confetti and add something a little special to someone's big day.  

These last two items, the photography print and the cushion, would make perfect gifts for happy newlyweds setting up home together or beautiful editions to an already lovely abode.  A little something special to remind them of the beautiful day.


Written by Kendall Turner

MoonKo Won an #SBS Award!

 

"You make your own luck by making use of every opportunity." - Theo Paphitis

 

July 1st was a truly great day for MoonKo as we found out we had won an #SBS award from Theo Paphitis. We were so honoured and very proud to be appreciated by such an influential name in business, who is most recognisable from featuring on the BBC show Dragon's Den. 

#SBS, which is shortened for 'Small Business Sunday', was created by Theo Paphitis as a way of championing small businesses who show promise and sharing the goodwill that he has gained in business to others. The winners of this award are announced via a retweet from Theo, instantly spreading the companies name (and brief description) to over 350,000 followers!

 

 

 
This helps newer businesses like MoonKo to gain lots of lovely new Twitter followers and make plenty of useful connections, helping MoonKo to promote how it supports emerging artistic talent through our shop and exhibitions.  From winning an #SBS Award we have been welcomed into a great new community of like minded people and companies who hold similar values to us, all strive for success and work incredibly hard.

Every bit of publicity and support means the world to a small business and it's success, so the fact that Theo is offering a platform of recognition and praise to such companies is hugely beneficial and we can't thank Theo and his team enough for their support. To have a look at the other winners and view MoonKo's #SBS profile click here!

 

The Art of Furoshiki: Japanese Packaging

 

       This art of Furoshiki is so simple and beautiful, derived from Japan, the name meaning “bath 

       spread” originated from it’s traditional use of using cloth to bundle cloths while at the public 

       baths

 

       Its green and adds that little bit extra when wrapping those beautiful gifts.  You can use   

       vintage scarps, beautiful purpose made Furoshiki cloth or design your own. Get creating and 

       making, you can find lots of websites that give you tips on how to fold your fabrics.

 

 

       Chewing the Cud

 

    Ecoshiki

 

 

Enchanted Forest

Jewellery can be a very expressive and personal purchase, fashion pieces, that add a touch of glamour to the everyday.  Classic, simple pieces for the minimalist, and the bold, colourful, eccentric jewels for the more extrovert among us.  This is what makes accessories so great, they add an air of character.   Even with the most plain of shift dresses, a necklace can express how you feel on a certain day and bring an outfit to life.

I would say that i take the more minimalistic route when it comes to jewellery choices.  I wear very few items, but the ones that I do chose, I chose carefully.  I like my jewellery to mean something to me, that has some relevance to my life and personality.  That is why I like my jewellery to be handmade, that tells a story, knowing that it has been created with so much love and care.

I have known about Bonbi Forest creations by Lee May Foster-Wilson for a long time, they fit all of the above, such beautiful and inspiring pieces.  I  love the way she sees the world, there is something very magical about her designs, their whimsical character and the way they encompass nature make you feel like you have found a secret, magical treasure.   This is very special in an item of jewellery and only something that is handmade could evoke such wonder. 

 

You can purchase Bonbi Forest items on the Moonko website

 Kendall Turner Aka Trends with Benefits

How To Use Washi Tape.

When the beautiful new Bevolee washi tape arrived in at Moonko recently I snapped up the chance to write a post about how to go about using this crafty tape.  I run a craft and DIY blog myself called 'Trends With Benefits' and washi tape is a staple in our box of supplies.  I thought I would put together some of my favourite creative ideas for you all to have a look at.  All of the images above were found on Pinterest, so why not come on over and give MoonKo a follow!

ONE: Use washi tape to label you cables and chargers.

TWO: Great for organising your diary or filo fax. Keeps all your notes neat and tidy and looks great too.

THREE: Why not cut out little squares and stick them on your laptop keyboard? I love the one in the picture above - it looks so cute!

FOUR: Wrap a small amount of washi tape around a tea light to bring a splash of colour into any room.

FIVE: Create beautiful gift tags or cards using complementing colours and ribbon.

SIX: Wrap washi tape around glass jars or glasses and use as candle holders or pen pots.

I hope this post has provided some inspiration for you all and has given you some ideas on how to get crafty with washi tape!

Festival Fashion: Badger & Kingdom

I have spent the last few weeks becoming extremely envious of the people tweeting about going to Glastonbury this coming weekend, and this jealousy is not being helped by the numerous instagram images of festival outfits and half-packed bags that keep popping up on my feed.  However, as much as the green monster may rear its head, I find comfort in the fact that I have had my festival experiences and I have all the amazing memories of those wet and windy English weekends.  As well as catching up on all the live performances from the artists, I equally enjoy scrolling through the photos online of the fashionable festival goers. 

It really does seem that fashion and festivals go hand in hand, with many people experimenting with outfit choices and embracing the cool, nature-inspired look.  If it's T in the Park, Latitude, Bestival or Reading and Leeds, these statement print t-shirts from Badger & Kingdom fit the bill for festival fashion.  They are easy to wear and effortlessly cool.  Lets face it, it is not the most sensible of ideas to be donning a maxi skirt at an English festival, but rocking a pair of denim shorts, wellies (naturally) and an icon tee keeps you festival fresh and on-trend!

To check out the range of clothing my Badger & Kingdom, pop in and see us at Bird's Yard, Sheffield.

China Blue

 

Recently, the fashion world has been going mad for china blue!  It brings about associations of vintage china tea services and wonderful antiques that you come across in dusty hideaways.  The Blue Willow pattern, which seems to be featured in every style page, is a classic look and one that screams sophistication.  This is one of the reasons we love Stay Gold Mary Rose. 

Abigail, who is the creative mind behind the brand, has created a collection of items all made from vintage china tea cups.  On the left is 'Spear Head Pendant' which hangs on a copper chain, this necklace would be a lovely addition to any outfit, keeping your look right on trend.  The item on the right is part of a collection of handmade bracelets by Stay Gold Mary Rose which are all crafted and adapted from vintage teacups.  I love the fact that when you wear that bracelet, you are wearing something that has a history, a story to tell - what a perfect way to mix vintage charm and high fashion style! 

Click here to buy your very own vintage charm from Moonko.

Miss Selfridge, Aliexpress.com, Topshop

Roll up! Roll up!

Elephants who walk on high wires, acrobatic snails, and a moon caterpillar who loves the circus...

These beautifully crafted items entice you into this whimsical circus of wonders and into the imaginings of Camilla Westergaard. The dreamworld of Butterscotch and Beesting captures the very essence of childhood and the fabrication of magical creatures and the impossible, making it loveable, fun and bewitching. Each item is lovingly created, and their bold designs and colours add a quirky and contemporary twist to ordinary objects. The characters and story behind the Butterscotch and Beesting collection create a feeling of inclusiveness, as if you have entered into a world created just for you and the magical background of every piece just makes you fall in love even more. From charmingly designed washi tape (a favourite for any crafter out there), to yummy sweets and confectionary, Butterscotch and Beesting offer something for everyone. Young or old.  

So step right up and go and check out all the marvellous items waiting to be discovered right HERE at Moonko!

Make do and Mend

‘Make do and Mend’ That classic and wonderful quote from wartime Britain, rings true… Something my wonderful nan used to say, ‘Mend, Reuse and Love’.  Like that yummy bread pudding she used to make from stale old bread and gorgeous woolly scarves she knitted that were always far to long, but were much loved.

I have always tried to reuse, fix (sometimes with terrible results, namely with super glue) and love old worn out items, that i still treasure and refuse to throw in the bin, like sun bleached t shirts and worn out old shoes.  For some reason they hold precious memories, it’s like thoughts and feelings get absorbed into the fabrics, leather, both happy and sad.

Books with torn edges and flowers pressed between pages, found at old junk shops, adored for years, little notes, handwritten ideas on the back of envelops and scarps of fabric collected ready to use for a rainy day.

My house is full of precious little items that have travelled from place to place, been boxed up, unpacked, boxed up again.  Been with me through childhood, courting, marriage and motherhood.  I always think, i must give them space amongst the clutter, of my everyday mess, but there they sit, happy to just be, a constant reminder of who i am, who i have become and what i will be.


By Deborah Moon aka MoonKo