Castor and Pollux is FIVE!!!

This month we're celebrating our fifth birthday with a gallery stuffed with a festive selection of art books, cards, limited edition prints and wonderful handmade gifts, including Abigail Brown's textile birds which grace our Xmas tree this year.

In the know customers get to dip into our birthday brantub to pick a special present ... just whisper the word 'jamboree' into the ear of whoever's behind the counter when you visit.

We're open 10-6 every day between now and Xmas,
so drop by for your pressie and wish us
a very happy birthday.




Castor + Pollux Modern Artwork, 164–166 King's Road Arches, Brighton BN1 1NB Tel:01273 773776

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Extreme Knitting

FLOCKS is producing outsized knitted objects such as this Aran Rug as well asand more conventional knitted products.

Flocks is the brainchild of Christien Meindertsma who lives and works in Rotterdam. Together with a knitter, a graphic designer, spinners, farmers and felters from all over the world she makes the products for FLOCKS, a knitwearbrand in the broadest sense of the word.

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New England House Open Studios Brighton

We braved the rugby scrum which is Sukie's warehouse sale in New England House Brighton, but with journals reduced to £1 people could (and did) do their entire Christmas shopping
There were a number of more hand-made workshops open in the building selling seconds at a big discount and normal stock.

Painter and printmaker Clair Letton was selling her paintings and also freshly created sock puppets and cards which she'll be selling at the studio and next weeks Christmas market at Jubilee square.

Ken Eardley was selling his seconds and perfects in the ceramics workshopp along with Ulrika Jarl, Angela Evans Rowena Gilburt and others.


Angela Evans tiles, and badges (and bargain bin!)

Angela Evans new Soap dishes, sconces and plant shelves.

New England House is still open tomorrow and might be a little more civilised than the opening scum and I'm sure there will be some bargains left. Lots more studios opened than I've mentioned.

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Etsy - Alyssa Ettinger

As promised the best of etsy...Knitware Bowl $65

Brooklyn (NY) based Alyssa Ettinger left a high-flying career in publishing to become a potter. She makes slipcast and handbuilt ceramics. Meiko range - the thrown work named after her friend who got her into pottery and the knitware range which takes the vogue for textile/fabric inspired ceramics to a logical and wonderfully bizarre new high.
Knitware Demitasse Cups, set of two $50

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Alexander Girard

Just a couple of items, available in Brighton, that are great!



Girard dolls from the original 1963 collection for his own home at Lollipop Shop £79 each
44 Trafalgar Street



Girard alphabet blocks from House Industries at Castor and Pollux £75

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Xmas Presents 2

Some more handmade Christmas present ideas

Prod's handmade Screen printed Leather Belts make the perfect Christmas present! Each Prod Belt has its own combination of our own designs and colours making it a truly unique, one of a kind gift for both men and women. £28

Ulrika Jarl
Three ceramic tealight holders (£20)
Available from www.ulrikajarl.com
info@ulrikajarl.com


Fleur Grenier
PEWTER VASE - Lead -free pewter, diameter 11cm
Price: £25
available from Fleur Grenier at: www.fleurgrenier.co.uk

Christiane Kersten

Blue angled bowls, 11cm - glazed inside, polished on the outside.
£12.00 pounds each, set of 3 for 30.00 pounds P&P 5.00 pounds.
To order, telephone Christiane at 01903 763021
or email chrish@lychpolefarm.fsnet.co.uk

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Brighton Open Houses and Studios

Its the second week of Brighton's Open Houses and Studios this weekend with 61 venues opening for 2 weekends. We had a look at a few last weekend in between the rain storms and thought that they were fantastic.

Sarah is showing some prints, dolls and kits at 14 Southdown Avenue, - along with Maika Crampton - textiles, Wendy Jung - Cermaics, Gail Kelly - Linocuts, Vanessa Mooncie - crochet jewellery, and many others. (below)


The Real McKay - 59a Springfield Road, - Angela has put together a great exhibition of her prints paintings and books, along with guests such as Ramp (Roop and Al make pots) and Maiko Dawson hand made shoes.

We also went to The Dragonfly House 48 Ditchling Rise - 20+ artists and makers, selling ideal Christmas Presents! such as Joy Fox' s button jewellery, Wolfram Lohr's bags, wallets, and belts .
and 6 Clifton Street , with lots of makers (26 in all) including - Johny Hannah - screenprints, Melissa Simpson - leather bags, Hannah Bedford - Jewellery, and Mike Levy - figurative ceramic pots, tiles, mugs etc.

Hopefully the weather will be better this weekend as we have another batch of houses/studios to visit.

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Christmas shopping with Etsy

Etsy is a vast online window shop, hosting thousands of individuals and their handmade items.

I have been a member and advocate of Etsy for nearly two years, and buying from makers and artists rather than high street chains is always a preference, so here are a few of my favourites.

www.gypsyandtwink.etsy.com Wood cut into shapes, painted and decorated with paper collage. Great attention to detail.



www.matteart.etsy.com Fabulous 50s cartoon style paintings and grocco prints.



www.shoshonasnow.etsy.com Beautiful ceramics. black and white texture on the outside, colour glaze inside.



www.sanfran67.etsy.com Intricate paper cuts and collages. She says of her work: Paper+scalpel+Paper+photocopier+love=my work!




I will add more in a second post later, but remember to shop with Etsy early as most of the shops are based in America, or search out local makers from from the UK.

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