But what better guide for a Springtime de-clutter, than that old William Morris quote : "Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful"...
...or 'bootiful', as they say here in Norfolk!
This is the 'Grandmother's Flower Garden' pattern bowl I just finished. I love working with hexies all of a sudden! I am hopeful that this falls into the 'beautiful' category.
The new range of mugs, however, ticks both the 'useful AND beautiful' boxes for me and for you too, judging from your wonderful comments on the new homewares collection!
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, though, and for me it always lies in the detail; and obviously colour and pattern. I can also appreciate calm,understated minimalism too.
Nothing minimalist about the new quilt-block patterned teatowels and coasters, though! I think they scream at the top of their voices "look at me, look at me!".
Useful AND Beautiful was my guiding principle when I designed the new collection, to make everyday things a little special.
What would be fun to know, though, is what you all have around your house which is neither useful nor beautiful!
And, as I write this on International Women's Day ..... ladies, you're not allowed to apply this principle to people in your house, just objects!
Quick reminder ... don't forget my very, very useful and beautiful GIVEAWAY! The winner can choose any item from the online shop : www.cathydaniel.co.uk. Closing date 22nd March 2014. Just leave me a comment and mention it on your own blog/facebook/etc. Take the picture if you wish.
And finally a HUGE thank you to all those who've sent their good wishes and support - it means so much. You are brilliant!
So, tell me ... what are you looking at that's not useful or beautiful??
x Cathy
What a great saying to use when decluttering! Your platter is definitely Beautiful!! And your homewares are a great combo of useful and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love your bowl Cathy - that little stitched detail is perfect. The trouble with the useful and beautiful thing is that it does not take account of all those little gifts and keepsakes which you can't bear to part with! xx
ReplyDeleteAll of your work definitely comes under the beautiful category, and I would also define useful as something that gives you pleasure as well, so it is all useful. What I am looking at that is not useful here at home, is the severe shortage of storage that means so much of my stuff is either untidly strewn around the house or stashed in the garage where it is very awkward to get at it. I am still struggling to be happy in this new home (I did not want to move but the landlord sold out) and I think the lack of space is a major culprit here.
ReplyDeleteI have some ugly useful things and some beautiful useless things, but I honestly can't see anything that is ugly and useless. Do I get Brownie points for that, hehe.
ReplyDeleteYour ceramics in quilt motifs are absolutely beautiful Cathy! Such talent ;0
ReplyDeleteI love your pottery! It is beautiful and would fit in nicely with my other treasures! Things I love surround me which means none of it is ugly and all is useful! But I am a clutterbug! I give things away all the time!
ReplyDeleteAwww...such adorable stuff! Thanks for your comment on my recent post! I'm staring at an old calculator that needs to go in the trashcan! Batteries did not resuscitate it!
ReplyDeleteI love your unique designs! I imagine I have a lot of things around here I could toss in the trash - especially some chipped dishes in the kitchen cupboards - I do not know why I hang on to them, they have no special meaning.
ReplyDeleteThat bowl is just gorgeous -- definitely useful AND beautiful! :-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pottery! I'm sure I have a few things around here that don't qualify as useful or beautiful. That's a good rule to live by.
ReplyDeleteI am in love with you bowl...that is beautiful! :)
ReplyDeleteV x
Hello Cathy, and thanks for visiting my little blog... always nice to see a fellow Norfolk dweller!
ReplyDeleteAnd good luck with the new venture, I really hope it proves a success for you and allows you to carry on doing what you are obviously so good at. Well done for having the idea.
Thank you for visiting my blog - your creations are so unique and beautiful! I love the hexie bowl...the pottery is magical! Chrissie x
ReplyDeleteYour ceramics are beautiful Cathy, so too are your new products in your homewares collection - good luck with those and your new blog. Thank you for your comments on my blog. Have a lovely week.
ReplyDeleteJane x
If I peak outside the window, I can see weeds....which to me are neither useful or beautiful! haha. Great bowl and teatowels/mugs.
ReplyDeleteI hope you put up your 'Grandmother's Flower Garden' pattern bowl for sale too, I love it! I am looking at all of my kids toys all over the floor, grr.. just stepped and "killed" a few military guys, only useful part about them is that they keep my kids busy, for about 2 minutes :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea for a bowl! Love the range of tea towels, mugs and coasters, they must surely sell well for you, best of luck with those! Do you sell via the shows like NEC, Harrogate etc, would have thought youd have a captive audience there and how about contacting the Workbox magazine to try and get them to do an article?
ReplyDeleteI have lots that falls tween useful and bootiful, theres the cant possibly part withs, the that was your/my dads and a variety of other such groups lol h
Hoarders Unite I say!!
Hello Cathy I love your gorgeous hexie bowl, and the little lace threaded through and tied is a wonderful detail! Good luck with your lovely new range!
ReplyDeleteHelen xx
I agree with that WM quote! I've been slowly working my way towards that for a couple of years now. Still have a ways to go, but we're getting there. Useful or beautiful or hopefully both. :-)
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