Swarovski Crystal World

With the exciting release of the new bejewelled collection Luminaire last week it seems like a good time to talk crystals. Over the summer I was lucky enough to visit the fantastic Swarovski KristallWelten in Wattens near Innsbruck in Austria. Having worked with crystals on cards for many years and being a devoted Swarovski shopper I was very keen to visit. I have to say it did not disappoint. It is everything you would expect from Swarovski - a magical place, completely absorbing and how I imagine walking around wonka's chocolate factory might be.

With the world's largest cut crystal, works of major artists like Dali and Warhol, a giant crystal dome (my personal fave - the acoustics were other worldly), crystalline forests, a giant emerging from the hillside, there's a whole lot to see and experience. Of course, at the end of it all the most amazing gift shop ha! Lovely to spot some super cards from Five Dollar Shake in there. Some fantastic inspiration and am very much looking forward to going back sometime to see the latest works.

SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL WORLD - EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

above clockwise from top left: lee bul's amazing light sculpture room - a personal favourite (bul recently exhibited at the hayward), mr j and miss g wandering the exhibition, me in the fantastic crystal dome, mr j with an amazing crystalline tree designed by tord boontje 'winter wonderland' (his work for lagom can be seen here), a snap of arik levy's bejewelled installation, five dollar shake's some girls sparkle card, one of a few fashion inspired installations, close up of tord boontje's crystal tree, love this installation by arik levy, another view of lee bul's chamber.

#kristallwelten #swarovski #leebul #tordboontje #ariklevy #fivedollarshake #lagom #crystals

Luminaire

Yay samples are here, hot off the press this week is Luminaire, a delightful everyday greetings collection I created for Katie Phythian Design. The range has a lovely fresh colour palette with painterly washes on a textured board. The classic illustrations inspired by Katie's travels in France feature bouquets, bistros, patisserie and sparkling champagne. The design style picks up on the traditional card making techniques of scrapbooking and paper cutting that I love. Each design is hand finished in Katie's Cheshire based studio with beautiful iridescent crystals and packed with a pearlescent envelope. It's been a lovely project to work on with Katie - lots of fun, cake and cups of tea! I'm very much looking forward to seeing it in the shops.

LUMINAIRE - EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

above: a selection of cards from the luminaire everyday range I designed for katie phythian design, available now for trade direct from katie phythian design. 

#paperlove #luminaire #katiephythiandesign #katiephythian #contemporarydesign #painterly #newlaunches #iridescent #crystals #fresh #independentshops #exciting #independentretailer 

Alpine Adventures

Well I'm back in the studio this week after a lovely summer break exploring the Tyrol. Lots of news coming shortly on some fabulous new design. Exciting times!

ALPINE ADVENTURES - EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

above: little mr j taking in the amazing view in ellmau, tyrol, austria. 

 #backinthestudio #alpineview