Essi Kimpimaki

Today I stumbled across the work of Glasgow based freelancer Essi Kimpimaki, more commonly referred to as Ess Illustration. She works in a range of different styles, but most effectively (in my opinion) in print. These are a few of my favourite illustrations, but visit Essi's website: www.essillustration.com to find your own favourites. You can also find her on Facebook, and Etsy.

A new years project - Kiriki Press

Kirikí Press is an indie design company producing D.I.Y. embroidery kits, screen prints and other handcrafted goods. I’m a particular fan of the embroidery kits, labeled in difficulty from one to three, together with a downloadable guide explaining the stitches, there’s no excuse not to have a go.

Launched in 2012 by Michelle Galletta, Kirikí Press was created to offer contemporary and creatively designed products at accessible prices. Visit the website: www.kirikipress.com.

Tatsuro Kiuchi - Illustration

Tatsuro Kiuchi is a world renowned Japanese illustrator, who's many accolades include being commissioned by the royal mail, to design their Christmas 2006 stamps, and Starbucks for their 2007 Christmas marketing, as well as being an award winning book illustrator. His bold use of shape and distressed block colour give his work a timeless quality, which works brilliantly across all mediums it’s applied to. Find more about him and his work on his website: kiuchi.prosite.com.

Liekeland - illustration

Beautiful designs and illustrations from Liekeland, a label set up in 2011, by a hugely talented designer and illustrator based in Helmond. Her designs are quirky and full of detail, yet still maintain a clean quality. Her website is a wonderful place to loose yourself for a while – not all sections are translated into English, but as with many illustrators, her pictures speak for themselves. Have a look for yourselves: www.liekeland.nl.

Crate and Barrel - Suzy Ultman

Inspired by the traditional Russian matryoshka nesting dolls, this charming set is designed by Suzy Ultman and hand-painted in India, with detailed, folkloric patterns. Each matryoshka is hollow inside and opens in two, so you can hide a tiny treat or gift inside.

The dolls are available exclusively at Create and Barrel, but more of Suzy’s work can be seen on her website: suzyultman.com.

Sew heart Felt - animal rugs

These brilliant life size characters are a fabulously fun way to accesorise a room, and there are so many wonderful characters to choose from, it seems a shame to settle for just one!!!

The Sew Heart Felt Collection is designed in England by Sonia Spencer and skilfully hand made by women across the world, using local traditional crafts handed down over many generations, using natural fibers and pigment where possible.

Visit their website: www.sewheartfelt.co.uk to find the full collection, a favourite of mine is the swan; and discover all the matching accessories.