Yayoi Kusama

I've been busy organising a polka dot themed birthday party for my little son and his play group friend. It got me thinking about the work of top selling female artist in the world, Yayoi Kusama. I've long been a fan of hers and was lucky enough to visit her exhibition at the Tate Modern a few years ago - complete with a signature Kusama 'infinity room' (amazing mirrored space filled with lights). A new one of these spaces just opened at Swarovski Kristallwelten featuring a crystal chandlier. I've yet to see the film 'Kusama - Infinity' that was released last year, it's certainly on my to do list! This incredibly iconic lady will be celebrating her 90th birthday this month - I'd like to think she is having a polka dot themed party too! Some Kusama dotty inspiration here.

YAYOI KUSAMA | EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

images clockwise from the top: a still from the film 'kusama - infinity' seen here, pic from her infinity mirror room - phalli's field seen here in this great article on artsy, love love this make and wonder kusama inspired art box on trouva,  fab pic of the artist at work from victoria miro gallery, pic of yayoi kusama infinity theory on artsy, image of the passing winter from victoria miro gallery, 'kusama - infinity' poster seen here on imdb, fab kusama (catsama) greeting card from niaski who asks 'what if your favourite artists were cats?'

#yayoikusama #kusama #art #dots #dotty #inspo #paperlove #greetings

The Fish Can Sing

So it's world book day tomorrow. A few years ago when I mentioned I was travelling to Iceland (loved it there - waterfalls, rainbows + the northern lights - will search out some holiday pics for instagram), a friend gave me a copy of The Fish Can Sing by Halldor Laxness and I am just getting round to reading it. Following on from The Leopard post last year, this book has inspired me to look at the recent illustration trend for fish.

We're in the month of Pisces and in the year of Living Coral so it appears to be a good time to talking fish. As an icon, Fish seem to be catching the zeitgeist - this could follow on from the escapism trend for mermaids or it may more likely come from our love and concern for the oceans after we watched Blue Planet Two (topically on the front of this month's greetings today). I'm especially loving the work of Don Fisher who creates wonderful purses/pockets in the shape of fish, with great detail even on the inside. Eira Teufel's sequinned fish are certainly something special. Whilst they are a tricky icon to use in greetings there are some fabulous cards out there. Some favourites below.

THE FISH CAN SING | EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

above clockwise from top left: whale of a time from card nest, quite the catch from oliver bonas, the fish pisces zodiac card from blank inside, sardines from red cap cards, you got this from amy heitman, alfonsino case from don fisher, father's day fishes from amy heitman, redfish case made by don fisher available from ohh deer, lady marshmellow embroidered fish brooch from eira teufel, quirky fish gift wrap and card by katy pillinger designs, you're a keeper by 1canoe2 from papier, the fish can sing by halldor laxness.

Further reading/listening:

• A fab 'Reason's to be Cheerful' podcast out last week on Iceland here. 
• The favourite film in our house at the moment is Studio Ghibli's ocean themed Ponyo, little J and G love it.
• Fishing rather than fish themed card I designed for Cinnamon Aitch. 

#fish #fishes #greetings #paperlove #stationery #gift #iceland #halldorlaxness #thefishcansing #fishcansing #illustration #illustrationtrend #worldbookday #blueplanet #pisces #livingcoral

Living Coral Edit

With the warmest February day on record it seems appropriate to be talking summery colour this week. I thought I'd take some time out to look at Pantone's new Colour of the Year for 2019, Living Coral.

Pantone have picked up on our need for something joyful to take us away from 'the onslaught of digital technology and social media'. Described as 'an animating and life-affirming coral hue with a golden undertone that energizes and enlivens with a softer edge' by Pantone, Living Coral offers the positive and optimistic feel of 2018's popular hit colour Gen-Z yellow but with a softer more calming vibe.

Living Coral will certainly be easier to use in greetings and stationery than last year's choice of Ultra Violet which pretty much clashed with anything seasonal. Think coral colour hearts for love captions, beautiful warm toned flowers for Mother's Day, flamingos, summery watermelon, sunsets, confectionary and more. I'm looking forward to seeing this colour trend develop over the coming year. Lovely coral hue favourites below.

LIVING CORAL EDIT | EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

clockwise from the top left: rifle paper's poppy birthday card at papermash, cake birthday card from caroline gardner, sprinkles gift wrap by write sketch &, pawty frenchie card by jolly awesome from papier, A5 good karma club notebook from paperchase, katie phythian's flamingo's from lilly and thorn, love the paper flowers on this m&s sister card, monochrome balloons card from paperchase, pink and orange poster by iris lehnhardt, rhubarb and ginger chocolate from coco, coral floral birthday card from caroline gardner,

#livingcoral #pantone2019 #pantonecoloroftheyear #pantonecoloroftheyear2019 #coral #colour #trend #colortrend #greetings #stationery #paperlove #stationerylove

Luminaire SS19

Excitingly I have even more new design news! Lovely new samples for Luminaire SS19 have arrived. It's going so well, we have added over 40 new cards to the delightful everyday greetings collection Luminaire created for Katie Phythian Design.
The range has a fresh colour palette with painterly washes on a textured watercolour style board. Luminaire's fun illustrations are inspired by Katie's travels with rainbows, lovely ladies, bicycles (Katie is a super cyclist) a carousel 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 the UK with beautiful iridescent crystals and packed with a pearlescent envelope. Launched January 2019 and is now available to stock from Katie Phythian Design.

LUMINAIRE SS19 ADDITIONS | EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

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

#paperlove #luminaire #katiephythiandesign #katiephythian #contemporarydesign #painterly #new #iridescent #crystals #fresh #independentshops #exciting #stationerylove 

With Love

On the week of Valentine's Day it seems timely to be talking about a heart themed story. Excitingly here is the brand new luxury wedding gift packaging collection I created for Penny Kennedy. The ‘with love’ story has elegant subtle hues contrasted with gorgeous foiled copper on quality paper. Motifs include flowering blossoms, classic hearts and champagne. The detailed pattern work is inspired by my love of modern natural lace and macrame styles.

Launched ready for 2019’s wedding season which seems especially timely as we are guests at our first wedding of the year next week. The collection includes gift bags + gift wraps and is available to stock now from Penny Kennedy.

WITH LOVE | EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

above clockwise from the top: a beautiful image from the penny kennedy website showing the medium and shopper size bags, close up of the hearts shopper bag, the hearts gift wrap on the rack between the fab william morris collection and lovely sara miller, gift bags on the stand at spring fair,  a wider snap of the penny kennedy stand at spring fair,  lovely pic complete with confetti from penny kennedy, 

#withlove #pennykennedy #emilyhauck #wedding #weddinggift #giftpackaging #paperlove #stationerylove #springfair

Spring Fair 2019

I'm back in the office today after a super day out at Spring Fair yesterday. Lovely to catch up with everyone and talk all things creative - lots of exciting projects to look forward to. Having learnt from last year, I took my eco Rcup with me to ensure I had a brew I could drink on the go at the busy show!

Most excitingly the new wedding 'with love' story giftware I designed for Penny Kennedy was on show. More on that soon!

SPRING FAIR 2019 - EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

above clockwise from the top left: me on the go with my Rcup, lovely sky on the way to the show, greetings hall 3a, wedding 'with love' story on the penny kennedy stand,  close up pic of the lovely hearts bag,  my full desk, snap of the fab lanterns on light and living, loved these birch trees on coach house christmas stand.

#springfair #springfair19 #NEC #greetings #stationery #pennykennedy #paperlove 

GFSmith Show Space

A little paper inspo this week from the wonderful GFSmith Show Space in London. After Top Drawer (which has the fabulous paper awards sponsored by GFSmith) I popped over to their wonderful gallery space on Eastcastle Street with colleagues who work in publishing at the University of London.

Described as a 'paper palace' by Wallpaper magazine the Show Space did not disappoint. The exhibition room houses a history of the company and examples of the many creative projects - I especially liked the 'Mulberry Green' paper developed for the Mulberry fashion brand. The most striking piece is the incredible Collection Wall which displays each of the papers GFSmith has created and curated. This includes one of my faves, the super eco designer paper Extract made from coffee cups.

The Show Space is a most welcome break from screen time. It is lovely to have the opportunity to spend a morning appreciating such beautiful paper.

GFSMITH SHOW SPACE LONDON | EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

above clockwise from the top: a pic of #TheCollection Wall housing each of the papers gfsmith has created and curated, designer books and prints showing the best in the technology, a brand new collection of gfsmith colorplan labels available in a variety of shapes and colours, close up of the beautiful twist paper, university of london publishing team selecting papers, amazing window display of boxed papers, close up of one of the japanese papers from #TheCollection Wall.

The GFS Show Space is viewable by appointment, contact the Show Space directly on: 020 3205 0074  

#gfsmith #showspace #london #gfsmithlondon #GFShowSpace #GFS #colorplan #paperlove #stationerylove #papersmiths