Specific Flavour is backed by Bella, a lovely, talented artist based in London. She creates beautiful pieces of all types of materials - but they're all colorful, fun, and interesting. She's also incredibly generous and has offered a spectacular gift with purchase for Kate and Oli readers!
Tell me some basic info about yourself.
My name is Bella. I was brought up in Sweden, Scandinavia, but have been an expat for many years now. I received a Bachelor of Arts from Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design in 2003 and I have since been the spirit behind Specific Flavour, a creative cottage industry run from my home; a little terraced house with a very long and narrow garden situated in London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom – huzzah!
What kind of mediums do you use and why?
My work is by default cross disciplinary and so I jump between mediums quite a lot depending upon project, but some I always return to are pencil and paper (of course, don’t we all?), screen printing inks, canvas, acrylic and oil paints + an array of vintage materials.
What made you decide to sell on etsy?
When I started selling on etsy I had exhibited in shows around the UK and I had peddled on many a London market and I was getting a wee tired of setting up and taking down shops day in and day out. I wanted a more permanent shop front and decided it was time to give it a go on ye olde inter-net! Being online has enabled me to live a more sustainable life that is friendlier to myself, others and the environment. It enables me to grow most of my own food, reducing food miles and it has even enabled me to keep hens rescued from battery cages in my garden as pets. It’s a win-win situation really. It’s an urban farm of sorts.
Where do you get your inspiration?
My inspirations are often vague; more of a sense rather than a hands on traceable set of documents of any kind. I am inspired by my dreams and my everyday life and the goings-on here at what familiarly has come to be called “Flavour Factory” or sometimes “Flavour Manor”.
What is your favorite music to craft by?
Ooo, the music I listen to is as interchangeable as the English weather, that is, highly so! One day is strictly no singing Yann Tiersen and accordions, another is the raging roar of black metallists Darkthrone; I am really quite schizophrenic with regards to music. Being a child of the 80s I shall always have a soft spot for Depeche Mode and as for many of my peers there are of course quite a few Tom Waits albums thrown into the player. Oh, and then there is Tindersicks, especially favoured on rainy days.
When it's cold outside...
I dream of an open fire, a basketful of logs, tea and crumpets and a thick crocheted throw.
When I'm hungry...
I can’t eat anything sweet or else I feel sick. I have to have a real meal, or if that fails lots and lots of nuts. I love toasted Marconi almonds.
{forest on neon}
When I need a boost...
I bake.
I wish I was/were...
In a cottage somewhere in my native Scandinavia, surrounded by my forest garden, my friends and a lot of wildlife.
If I could give one gift to everyone I know, it would be...
Green fingers.
If I could have coffee with anyone, it would be...
Hmm, right now I think I would have to choose Julie Arkell, as I, strangely, just discovered her and she seems like such as sweet lady and a bit like a copy of myself when I’m older. She makes such endearing little papier maché dolls and her house is full of whimsy objects.
If you were an animal, what would you be?
I was going to say a squirrel, what with my love of nuts, but the truth is I am too timid for a squirrel. I’ve been told I am like a cat as I can go from super affectionate to an extremely anti social recluse at the snap of a finger.
What's your favorite piece of your own?
Hmm, difficult.. maybe it would be Sing sing song , a little pink painting that seems to cling on to me and I have never really managed to say goodbye to the original.
What are your favorite blogs/websites right now?
I loved to read the recently deceased and sadly missed garden writer, Elspeth Thompson’s blog about her lovely coastal home contained in an old railway carriage, so I now have a void to fill in the blog/admiration department. I also like to catch up on image maker, Art & Ghosts via her blog and for fun vegan baking and cooking I pop into cake maker to the stars.
You can find Specific Flavour
on etsy,
and on her blog!
Bella has offered up a fabulous gift with purchase just for Kate and Oli readers! Simply mention Kate and Oli in the message to seller box on any purchase before December 15, 2010 and you will receive a fun goodie bag valued at over $20!
Her work is so fun, I love the sense of color and humor! Thanks for introducing me to her shop!
ReplyDeletei loved the recycled bowl!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feature Katie! xo Bella
ReplyDelete