Just catching my breath...

I think I have just enough time to squeeze in a tiny little blog about my weekend.  Yesterday was the Home Is In The North interiors showcase of northern design, at the fantastic St.Peter's where the Halle Orchestra are based in Manchester.  The beautifully restored church was drenched in warm sepia sunlight from the gorgeous yellow stained glass windows as Manchester enjoyed a glorious sunny day yesterday.  

Rachel Adams at the Social Butterfly did a sterling job organising and marketing the event - I think we had around 500 visitors and I have been well and truly warmed by the lovely feedback I had about my designs.  The exhibitors set a high standard, my favourites being Lisa Watson quilts, Greymoose Designs industrial lighting and Annabel Perrin's architectural surface patterns.  I hope everyone had a great day!  I know I did - and it was my birthday too!

Next up is Paris!  Have to get up at the unholy hour of 3.45am for my flight on Tuesday - cripes!   Not complaining though, as I'm an extremely lucky lady to have been asked to join the showcase alongside some very accomplished, established and successful businesses at the British Embassy.   Trying to decide what to wear...very tricky!

Some of my favourite pics from Manchester...

Annabel Perrin - lovely cups and tea towels

My stand!

Anthony Hughes

Loved this little Kate Bufton paper/book sculpture

 Industrial lamps by Greymoose Designs

Ingenious use of straws (yes!) from Rachel Britch

Lomas & Lomas

Beautiful quilts by Lisa Watson

St. Peter's - doesn't do it justice!

Flight has finally landed!

After a few very lovely days with my family over the Easter weekend, I find myself now in the midst of preparations for not just one trade show (Home Is In The North) this weekend, but one that is a) on my birthday, and b) 3 days before I fly off to Paris for the UK Trade & Industry reception, where I will have the chance to meet buyers from Paris home ware stores.  I have hardly even begun on my journey as a surface pattern designer, but I am really hoping that one of those Paris buyers has a liking for my work.  Soo exciting!

I also had some good and bad news today.  Starting with the bad, I heard today that my silks are not arriving soon (order went in in February!!), but the GOOD NEWS is that my 'Flight' wallpaper was finally delivered today after months in the design and printing stage.  It was worth the wait though, and I'm extremely pleased with the results!  What do you think...

Swoon Worthy: Home is In the North: 3 Amazing Designers + A GIVEAWAY!

Swoon Worthy: Home is In the North: 3 Amazing Designers + A GIVEAWAY!: Link

Shades of spring...

I spent yesterday photographing my new lampshades for my Paris look-book, and the website.   I hope you can see the cosy glow the lining casts - it's not as bright gold as the photos suggest, but is a little more subdued.  There's more on the website at clairemurraydesigns.co.uk but here's a little taster...

Happy Easter!

Claire Murray Designs: Very illuminating...

Claire Murray Designs: Very illuminating...:  I'm in the middle of a huge (still growing!), and towering pile of lampshades, and preparing for my show in Manchester in 2 weeks, clo...

Very illuminating...

 I'm in the middle of a huge (still growing!), and towering pile of lampshades, and preparing for my show in Manchester in 2 weeks, closely followed by the trade visit to Paris.  The silks are still on their way so I shall be burning the midnight oil cushion making as soon as they arrive.  The lampshades are now on the website (not a full set of photos yet, but there will be very soon), and available for sale.  I've made these ones with gold linings as it emits a really soft, cosy light, but if it doesn't work with your colour scheme you can email your request - white, silver, champagne and of course, gold are all available.  Go on treat yourself!  

Coriolacae, Flight, In the Wild, Heron and Champignon (l to r, top to bottom)

Claire Murray Designs: "Fun and unique!" The wallpaper that is...

Claire Murray Designs: "Fun and unique!" The wallpaper that is...: The Tab Collective have been busy launching their brand new website, promoting the home-wares of independent designers.  They are doing suc...

"Fun and unique!" The wallpaper that is...

The Tab Collective have been busy launching their brand new website, promoting the home-wares of independent designers.  They are doing such a great job too - a feature in the May issue of Homes and Antiques (out today 3rd April) showing my Flight wallpaper (and 2 more in the basket!).   I love this mag and am thrilled so see my design in there!

The Paris trade visit is quickly approaching now, and I steadily getting prepared.  I've been having some lessons to brush up on my French (v basic!) and I must have all my price lists and information translated into French and prices in euros.  It's all very exciting and a little nerve-wracking too, I'll admit!  The 'what will I wear?' question is also nagging me in the background but I have so much to do I can't really pay that much attention to it (yet!).

Watch out for silk fabrics by the metre later this spring, and some new lampshades too.