Blog: Design

From the reference box # 107


#107 - 29 Embroidery Stitches, a vintage booklet issued by Clark & Co. of Paisley, Scotland.

In the early 1800's Patrick Clark invented a way of twisting cotton threads together to produce an alternative to silk thread which was unattainable due to the French blockade. Clark & Co. opened their first cotton thread plant in 1812 and went on to offer a range of embroidery threads called 'Anchor Embroidery Threads'.

Clark & Co. merged with J & P Coats in 1952, dating this charming little booklet in the late 40's or very early 50's (I've also read that they merged in 1896, but there is no way this booklet is that old!).

The introduction encourages, "Try out some of the less well-known stitches and you will find a fresh absorbing interest in embroidery". There's a comprehensive guide to the correct threads, fabrics and needle sizes (see below) as well as a lovely illustration demonstrating the correct technique for each of the 29 stitches.









For more fabulous ephemera, have a rummage through out Reference box!

Mon 23 May 2011

Posted under: Design , Reference box , Illustration

1 Comment

Dana Tanamachi's Chalk Lettering


This fantastic chalk lettering is the handy work of Brooklyn based graphic designer, Dana Tanamachi. Her chalky masterpieces have adorned the walls of The Ace Hotel, NY, The Wes Anderson, Brooklyn and Google's NYC offices among many more.

I love her type choices and I'm amazed at the amount of detail and definition she can get from a piece of chalk! As you can see in these time-lapse films she works completely freehand, sketching and re-sketching to get the desired design (see below).

I would be terrified of smudging it right at the end, or of someone else smudging it! Although that vulnerability does add to their charm.

Images copyright Dana Tanamachi.
Via Grain Edit.

Wed 18 May 2011

Posted under: Design , Typography , signage , lettering

0 Comments

Vintage Circus Posters







These gorgeous, vintage circus posters have been tucked away here for quite a few years. They're American and mostly from the 60'/70's with the exception of the black, red and yellow, Royal Hanneford Circus one, which is from 1990.

I absolutely love the off-set print on the graphics, the sometime garish colours and the big type. The circus would have lots of the posters printed with blank space at the top or bottom to have the dates printed as and when required.

All the above posters are printed onto a thick card and are approx. 357 x 560 mm in size. They're currently part of the AT Open House at 42 Hendon Street, Brighton and have just been added to their new web shop. Quick, grab yourself a bargain vintage poster!

Tue 17 May 2011

Posted under: Design , Things to buy , Exhibition , Posters

0 Comments

New Howdoos in stock



Our new Howdoos have arrived! This latest batch are printed on off-white, beermat stock - a smooth, pulpy board which is slightly thicker than the old grey board and we're really pleased with them, maybe even prefer them to the originals!

Anyway we've been busy bees packing them up and they're now available in our Etsy store.

For more information about our Howdoos, see our original post here.

Fri 13 May 2011

Posted under: Design , Delicious work , Things to buy

4 Comments

From the reference box # 106




#106 - Vintage Orange Drink labels. Here are the orange drink labels that came in the collection along with the Lime Cordial ones I bought a couple of weeks ago.

They've all got something interesting to me; the Safeway one (top) is actually gold and has great 'orangeade' type - random, but fun. It's the NAAFI logo I like on the middle label and on the Batemans (bottom) it's the little orange graphics.

There are still the Lemonade and Ginger Beer ones to come!

Wed 11 May 2011

Posted under: Design , Ephemera , Reference box , Packaging

2 Comments

Pics from the AT Openhouse


So Saturday afternoon I worked the vintage tearoom at AT Openhouse (complete with vintage pinny) I sliced cake, poured tea and chatted to visitors about the artists/work on show. It's the first Openhouse I've been involved with and although it was only day one, I really enjoyed it.

The house looks incredible, April and Tim have completely given their lovely home over to the show - every room, corner and shelf is full to bursting with prints, paintings, vintage clothes, jewellery, soft furnishings and cake from 17 different artists, designers, crafters and print makers.









AT Openhouse is at 42 Hendon Street, Brighton BN2
Open throughout May 12-6pm, Saturdays & Sundays.

Keep up to date with AT goings on here.

Mon 09 May 2011

Posted under: Design , Things to buy , Illustration , Exhibition

1 Comment

AT Openhouse kicks off tomorrow!


AT Openhouse finally throws open it's doors tomorrow for a month of fabulousness!

It really is going to be the best Openhouse, with a terrific mix of artists and designers; a vintage Boudoir, vintage tea room, a knitting room, prints/paper ephemera room and live performances in the garden.

We're selling our Howdoo business cards...


Our Don't Worry letter-pressed prints...


And some vintage circus posters we've been hoarding for years...


You'll also find button jewellery by Lorna Davies and fabulous knitted creations from Winsome & Saucy...


Some quirky Jonny Hannah illustrations...

Recent work from illustrator Alice Pattullo...


Mr Wingate's printed textiles and home accessories...


Fun prints and vintage fabric cats & owls from Snorkus...


Pinky's psychedelic paintings and paper cuts...


A selection of elephants and badges from Beatty Hallas...


The wonderful Odds and Bobs vintage boudoir...


Stunning paintings from Natalie Martin...


Badges, books and prints from local illustrator, Carlos Garde-Martin...


Amanda Fatherazi's glamorous brooches and dolls...


Screenprints, books and letter-pressed prints from Mark Pavey...


And last, but definitely not least paintings by Rhys Trussler...


So if you find yourself at a loose end over the weekend (or any weekend in May) pop over to 42 Hendon Street and say "hello".

Image copyrights with the individual artsists.

Fri 06 May 2011

Posted under: Design , Prints , Things to buy , Illustration , Exhibition

0 Comments

From the reference box # 105




#105 - Vintage Lime Juice Cordial labels. I recently came across a small collection of juice and soft drink labels to add to the reference box. I'm not sure of dates, but would guess late 60's early 70's.

I love the simplicity of the Sainsbury's one (top) and the overlays on the Hooper Struve graphics (bottom), but those limes on the C&C label (middle) look like they've seen better days!

The collection also includes Orange cordial, ginger beer and lemonade labels from a similar era - watch this space!

Tue 03 May 2011

Posted under: Design , Reference box , Packaging

1 Comment

Lasse Skarbovik at Castor + Pollux


Hope you all had a lovely Easter Bank Holiday weekend. We kicked ours off in fine style Good Friday evening at the Castor + Pollux preview (pics below) of Norwegian graphic artist and muralist, Lasse Skarbovik's paintings and prints.

Lasse Skarbovik currently works and lives in Stockholm where he's part of the Stockholm Illustration Collective. His fun, graphic illustrations that have graced the pages of the New Yorker, TIme Magazine and The Economist will be exhibited throughout the Brighton Festival (until 30 May). But don't worry if you can't make it down to Brighton - many of the prints are available to buy in their online store.


Image copyright Lasse Skarbovik.
Gallery images copyright Castor + Pollux.

Tue 26 Apr 2011

Posted under: Design , Prints , Illustration , Exhibition

0 Comments

From the reference box #104



#104 - Vintage OXO tin, but no ordinary OXO tin! No, this one is a souvenir celebrating the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, 2 June 1953 - "LONG MAY SHE REIGN".

Whilst everyone seems to have Royal Wedding fever I thought it only fitting to share this fabulous little tin. It's not in the best condition, but I love it's kitschness - there's even a timeline of the Queens life on the inside of the lid (below).


If you get bored over the Bank Holiday (or any day really) make a cuppa and have a good look through our reference box.

Wed 20 Apr 2011

Posted under: Design , Reference box , Packaging

0 Comments

It Pays to Advertise - The Answers!

Mon 18 Apr 2011

Posted under: Design , Ephemera

0 Comments

Draplin's Show and Tell





It's reassuring to know I'm not the only person with drawers full of what most people would call 'old crap', but that I call 'design reference'.

The images above are stills from Level Mag's Show and Tell with Portland's renowned graphic designer, Aaron Draplin of Draplin Design Co.

Filmed by Jared Sourney whilst video-documenting Draplin for a snowboard website, the clip shows, "a guided peak into the big man’s drawers of dirty delights"!

Watch the full video here.

Stills/footage copyright Level Mag.
Via Notcot.

Mon 11 Apr 2011

Posted under: Design , Ephemera , Inspiration , Packaging

0 Comments

Wim Crouwel: A Graphic Odyssey






The Design Museum, London are currently showing the UK's first retrospective of Dutch designer Wim Crouwel's work, Wim Crouwel: A Graphic Odyssey. An exhibition showcasing posters, print, typography and exhibition design from his 60 year of his career.

Crouwel is recognised for his love of grids and typographic systems to create dynamic, experimental work. "Regarded as one of the leading designers of the twentieth century, Crouwel embraced a new modernity to produce typographic designs that captured the essence of the emerging computer and space age of the early 1960s".

Wim Crouwel: A Graphic Odyssey runs until 3 July 2011. A set of 5 limited edition 'C' prints (above) designed exclusively for the Design Museum by Spin are available here throughout the exhibition.

Images copyright of the Design Museum.

Tue 05 Apr 2011

Posted under: Design , Typography , Exhibition , Posters

0 Comments

Qantas Travel Posters








Here's some fabulous Monday inspiration in the form of 50's and 60's Qantas Travel Posters designed by William F Schey and Harry Rogers.

The full range can be seen here.

Images copyright GMJames.
Via Stickers and Stuff.

Mon 04 Apr 2011

Posted under: Design , Ephemera , Inspiration , Posters

1 Comment

From the reference box #102




#102 - more vintage tins, small but perfectly formed!

The Songster Gramaphone Needles tin (top) is my favourite of this bunch. All that detailed design, illustration and typography on such a small tin - it's easy to see why they have become so desirable in recent years.

I think the Snowfire Jelly tin (middle) is from the 1940's - Snowfire Jelly was a hand cream, "for beautiful hands".

The QA Brand Tablet tin (bottom) is really, really small - only 25mm high and 12mm in diameter. QA Brand "quick acting Asprin" were produced by Thompson & Capper, a homeopathic chemist company based in Liverpool.

As always, there's lots more vintage packaging and ephemera in the reference box if you feel like a root around.

Tue 29 Mar 2011

Posted under: Design , Ephemera , Reference box , Packaging

0 Comments

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Welcome to the Delicious Industries blog. We're an independent design studio based in Brighton, UK and this is our scrapbook packed full of design, illustration, photography & typography inspiration. Check out our work here.

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