take the pledge

I'm passionate about supporting artists, designers,hand made products,crafts people and small businesses.
There's so much mass produced tat around and many consumers are buckling the trend by revolting and buying unusual,well made,quality objects and products direct from makers as a result of wanting something different and not off the peg.OK not all consumers do it for ethical reasons but the fact that it's going against the grain is a lot to be said about people.Unfortunately large multi million dollar companies have latched on to this trend too but if it makes people aware then at least it's had a positive affect.
So...if you're around London this Holiday season don't forget to check out the vast number of local art and craft markets springing up in the capital.
There's loads of great stuff out there!
Check out my blog page for market dates where I'll be participating.

upcomind dates

This year has been a very busy one for me but I'm not one to complain...it's a joy to be participating in creative events.
As the Christmas season is swiftly approaching a little reminder to those of you who appreciate quality, handcrafted goods.
Munano will be at the following craft markets:


E17 DESIGNERS MARKET
13th of December
7pm-10.30pm
Harmony Hall,Truro Rd.
Walthamstow
E17 London
*visit: www.e17designers.blogspot.com
for details

So if you're around London in December come and visit me and
check out the wealth of creativity in one of London's
most artistic boroughs!

images of my new illustrations

These little canvases were on display at my E17 Art Trail exhibition "in the forest of my mind" in September this year(2207).
Each illustration has been printed onto canvas,painted,printed,lino cut,stitches and/or embroidered.
They measure 20 x 20 cm and are £75.00 each. I'm going to have them made into
limited edition prints and will be available soon yo buy. If you are interested in purchasing one please contact me via e mail.

Come join the E17 Art Trail!

"Ms. Priscilla, the future bakers wife
lived above the shop in a small but tidy flat
with her pet chinchilla Morris and fat ginger cat."

(pictured: Ms.Priscilla,the future bakers wife)
Mixed media work on family portraits fused with fantasy and story telling playfully depicted through the hypothesis
of "animal" evolution in place of humanity.
Photo manipulation printed onto canvas,embellished with embroidery,lino printing, collage,ink drawing etc.

This year the E17 Art Trail will run from the 1st to the 9th of September and I am proud to say that I shall be exhibiting my illustration work at Penny Fielding Beautiful Interiors in Walthamstow. There are 67 venues hosting 97 exhibitions and events, with well over 300 artists taking part.Please visit the Art Trail website for details and listings of all other shows and artists.
www.e17arttrail.co.uk
Once again with no support from the local council(shame on you Mr. Loakes...art is not a middle class pass time as you can see it's made by everyone for everyone! ) artists have taken it onto themselves to showcase their work and the creative richness of this sometimes forgotten borough.Thank you Cris and Laura for all your hard work.
Come support your local artists and crafts people!

What to do when a multi million $ company doesn't pay up?

A very good question. Maybe you can help and answer with some legal know how.
It all started last year. I was so happy to have my dolls up for sale in Fabrica Features Benetton Shop in Lisbon. Apart from the great kudos, but I must confess that as a teenager I absolutely hated Benetton... too many pastel shades for a young punk rocker, I thought it would be a great chance to get my creations out in the big wide world. They were taken on a sale or return basis which with hindsight I would never have done but each opportunity must be explored and taken...or so I though!
I've now taken back my stock and have been awaiting payment for over 4 months. All receipts/invoices are legal but they say otherwise. After speaking to the relevant tax offices it was said that on imported stock they are exempt from paying the VAT what they need to do is pay their equivalent tax to their country's financial department. So why they need it is beyond me. Basically you would need a VAT number only if you were trying to get a reimbursement from the UK's tax office which they can not do. From what I understand a company that exports to another EU country does not need to provide their Tax registration number as this is only relevant in their own country.
I know that this Benetton shop in Lisbon is a franchise but it does leave a sour taste in my mouth regarding the company as a whole. It's just really sad when a large company like Benetton tries to tap into the handmade, art and craft market and actually explores small makers like myself.
Oh well...that'll teach me for not stick to my ethos and teenage beliefs!

There here!

Hooray...the new collection is ready to purchase in my online boutique!My little hands were sewing away like frantic ferrets...can they even hold a sewing needle? You get the picture.
It was intense, hours of designing, sewing and stuffing but all worth it. As well as the old favorites there are some new
characters. Misleading bunnies, gang land squirrels,
hot headed bears and run away rock show flames(pictured).
Go check it out!

UPDATE: new collection out end of JUNE

New 2007/08 MuNANO collection out soon.
After much "uhmmming" and "Awwwwing" I've taken the plunge and finally got my act together and opened a web site. You can now buy directly from me at my web boutique. Payment is easy as you can purchase using Pay Pal. If you haven't an account go to www.paypal.com and sign up for one.It's a safe web based bank used widely on the net by many traders (ebay etc). It's easy and safe!
Also sign up to the mailing list at www.munano.co.uk and meet our new characters,get special discounts and hear all the gossip!
For this new collection my inspiration has been a return to the natural world and Japanese Manga animation. Lots of twisted, "kawaii" forest creatures, bunnies, wild cats, gnarley bears and sadistic squirrels. I've kept the materials beautiful and simple. Lots of vintage fabrics and buttons. It makes life so much easier as I work on a small batch basis and I think that makes them even more special. I do like the idea of some kind of consistency and later along the line I will buy large amounts of the one fabric design so I can offer people just that. Check out my new designs and tell me what you think...go on you know you want to!

forest bunnies

"forest bunnies"
collage,drawing
and photo-shop.

For the Walthamstow Arts trail exhibition (London 2006) I did a series of
"electronic collages" based on childhood dreams and fantasies. It's a process that has evolved into more elaborate illustrations with the use of hand drawings,photography and photo-shop manipulation that gives them rich layers of colours. At the moment I'm doing a printing course and hopefully I can incorporate some silk screen printing onto my work which I think can add an extra layer of depth.
My "Forest Bunnies" are for sale in a limited edition print mounted on board. Contact me for price and details or for bespoke illustrations.

making dolls

Busy,busy,busy...my life revolves around hectic days of holding down a job and coming up with new designs and ideas for my own ventures. I love ,and always have loved, sewing and making things.My mind is always filled with images, projects,songs,poetry,music ,colour and a strong belief that everything in our imaginations is possible to recreate. I made my first doll in 1984
when my cousin was a toddler.It was a freaky,skinny,pink wool haired doll with the most fabulous white velor fabric for skin. I went on to study ceramics in Porto ,Portugal. I took a break from doll making and as a young punk I continued to sew but then for more selfish and pressing reasons...I needed some cool clothing to wear so I made my own! After many years of going through many professions, different jobs and then the last straw...when my last much loved job was made redundant I returned to my first love and began to stitch my way into making bunnies, cats and other creatures. After a stint at Sunday UpMarket (Brick Lane) in 2005 I decided to sell via the net and direct to shops. Last year I went to Lisbon and took my creatures with me. The response was good and very interesting. Now I have a boutique on ETSY (see link),sell in Fabrica Features Lisboa and Penny Fielding Beautiful Interiors London. This has been a slow process and an tiring one at times but absolutely worth it!