Letterpress joy!

My sister Lucy Johnston bought me a Letterpress for Christmas. Here’s me opening it VERY excitedly. It’s an awesome present.

Ella's Christmas joy!

I’ve been fascinated by the Letterpress process for some time now (print, ink, paper and typography – what’s not to love?) and I’ve clearly been boring everyone with my latest design crush – so much so that someone’s put their money where my mouth is. Now armed with this fab piece of kit and some gorgeous metal type blocks (I’ve resisted making swearwords when I’ve been playing with them), I’ve enrolled on a workshop with Turnbull Grey and am looking forward to making some new designs.

To whet my appetite I’ve spent all of this morning looking at some great Letterpress practitioners; here’s a round-up of what I’ve been gawping at.

Letterpress brilliance

1: Harrington & Squires. 2: Old School Stationers. 3: Pearl & Marmalade. 4: Papermedium. 5: Albertine Press. 6: Hand & Eye. 7:Sesame Letterpress 8: Thoughtful Day.

Oh for the love of books

Here’s another Ella Johnston round-up, this time it’s those wonderful objects that have been constant companion to me – BOOKS.

Whether it’s a trusty notebook to jot down thoughts, a well thumbed-through photo album full of  memories, the piece of magic that is a work of fiction or a treasure trove of facts and figures of the beloved history or reference book – books are without doubt my favourite objects and I believe they make a home .

With the advent of the Kindle and iPad you may think that books have had their day but I’m not so sure. Publishers and retailers have had to consider why you may opt for pages rather than pixels and have returned to the sense of event that’s tied up with a book. The touch, the feel, the smell and interestingly, in relation to books with words in, the design and typography that captures the period in which that particular edition was published.

Below is a little book-related celebratory moodboard – for all you book lovers out there…

Books glorious books

Clockwise from top left: A selection of decorative book lining paper from Shepherds Falkiners fine paper and bookbinding supplies. Random Spectacular – a collaborative exploration of the visual arts, literature, nature, travel and much more compiled by St Jude’s (Again! But they are brilliant). Penguin Classics Lady Chatterley’s Lover and Jane Eyre (gorgeous), available at Waterstones. New York Vintage Postage Stamp Accordion Album from the Brooklyn-based Campbell Raw Press. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath A1 Poster from The Literary Gift Company. Ella Johnston Handmade, coptic-bound book with two-colour stork motif available from Folksy.

Feel the love number 1: black and white

I love working with black and white – it’s clean, it’s clear, it’s utterly gorgeous and it wonderfully effective. Black and white also celebrates ‘the line’ – something I could go on and on about for ages (just look at the masterly black and white drawings of Matisse and Picasso and you’ll know exactly what I mean).

Black and white is brave too. For me it positively shouts confidence – the whole less is more thing really speaks to me. Personally,  I think some of my best work has been produced when I discard my colours and get down to these stark brave basics – like in my Bluebell drawing seen below.

Bluebells, pencil on paper A1 drawing

The amazing thing is the retail world seems to share my joy too – and why shouldn’t they, it is so powerful and strong. Just  take a look at this wonderful Henri Matisse- Petit Bol 1 Framed Print, available to buy at John Lewis… Simple yet completely beautiful.

There are a whole host of stunning black and white design-led products you can buy – here’s a round up of my favourites. And it’s not too late to snap these up before Christmas.

A selection of black and white gifts

1: Miller Harris La Fumée Eau de Parfum£60 – £85, available at John Lewis. 2: Ella Johnston Art handmade A7 screenprinted notebook £3, available from Folksy. 3: Aesop ‘Animal’ Cleanser £23, available at Liberty. 4: Grey Hera Silk Scarf £95, from Liberty. 5: Velvet Hand Lotion £28, from Diptyque Paris. 6: Boy and Girl pillow cases (double set), by Jenni Desmond at Etsy. 7: Nana De Bary ‘Green’ Eau de Parfum £100, exclusive to Liberty. 8: Ella Johnston Owl T-shirt £18, from WeAdmire. 9:  Edward Bawden Billingsgate Fish Market Ltd Edition Lithograph £225, from St Judes. 10: Star Print Silk Scarf by Sonia Rykiel £90, at Liberty.

Love for sale!

Me with my wares

On Friday I took part in a Mercy&Pearl Present’s craft fair at the Arts Depot in Finchley. I’ll be doing one on Friday February 3rd, so pop in and say hello…

And if you can’t wait till Feb to buy, come and peruse my Folksy shop, www.folksy.com/shops/ellajohnstonart to view…

My books

Cards and stationery sets

Mercy&Pearl Presents
Arts Depot