Wee Birdy

Shopping in London: V&A shop

Over the past couple of years I’ve posted quite a lot about my favourite bits and pieces from various London museums and galleries, but I’ve never delved into any great detail about the actual shops themselves. So naturally, that’s about to change…

It’s a given that any gallery-goer’s journey will end in the designated shop space – in fact their presence (and the promise of a toy dinosaur) has been used as the proverbial dangling carrot to get many a child through the tedium of an exhibition itself. But some of the world’s greatest and most-loved museums and galleries (New York’s MoMA, London’s Tate Modern, Design Museum and the V&A) have evolved in such a way that their shops are a retail (and tourist) destination in their own right.

I must confess that I’ve been guilty, on more than one occasion, of making a specific gift-buying dash to the V&A shop, without so much as a peep in at any of the permanent collection galleries (I know, shameful behaviour!). But that’s because the V&A, in particular, offers up an expertly-edited line-up of gifts, accessories, books and children’s toys – all perfect candidates for being packaged up and sent away to friends and family far away.

There's also a dedicated bookshop, with subjects spanning the worlds of design, art, fashion, textiles, jewellery, photography and architecture. And they always have an extensive range of the most gorgeous cards:

The website is also an excellent source for all manner of design-led products and accessories, and autumn/winter’s new collection has just arrived online. I’m loving the cherry brooch by Francoise Montague, squirrel ring box by Jonathan Adler, and chirpy cicada brooch.

There's also a really lovely selection of luxe hairbands and headpieces, like this little pleated beauty ...

The shop is also particularly good when it comes to accessing a clever range of kids’ toys, games and activities, starting at pocket-money prices. I’m particularly fond of the vintage-style wind-up tin toys, like this circus elephant, and these Clifford Richards cat and fairy notebooks.

The V&A also have a brilliant prints service, where you can order any print from their vast collection in the size, format and paper of your choice.

Also keep an eye out for pieces from the Cherry on a Cake collection, a brilliant line of limited edition designer collaborations, making them perfect (read: non-crap) souvenirs for tourists and London newcomers alike. Inspired by the museum’s extensive collections, you can take your pick from a stunning Grayson Perry doll (at a super-cool £4000, wow) or a Concise Book of Patterns necklace by Comfort Station. Art and history has never been so wearable.

The V&A Shop
Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell Road
London SW7 2RL
Tel. 020 7942 2687
Nearest tube: South Kensington
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening hours:
Monday to Sunday 10am-5.30pm
Late night every Friday until 9.45pm

Bird is the word: A week of giveaways

 
It’s day four of Wee Birdy’s blogiversary bonanza, and I’m absolutely thrilled that the giveaways have been such a rip-roaring success. Thank you to everyone who’s taken the time to enter so far - I’ve genuinely loved reading every single comment. Your favourite nostalgic scents have particularly blown me away! And I love that Wee Birdy’s readership is truly global.

My next giveaway, generously donated by leading British jewellery designer, Alex Monroe, is a very special goodie bag including an exquisite gold pea Alex Monroe necklace, valued at £108 (pictured above), a copy of his brand new book, The Gardener, and a jar of his very own home-made jam!*

The necklace is from Alex’s upcoming SS10 collection, and I got a sneak peek at the pop-up exhibition he held last week at Penhaligon’s Covent Garden boutique. The collection is based on his new children’s story, The Gardener, which was inspired by his passion for gardening. He has an allotment in Dulwich in South-East London where he likes to potter about and eat strawberries with his daughters.

To showcase his new collection, Alex painstakingly recreated a micro secret garden in Penhaligon’s, adorned with his delicate and ultra-feminine jewellery. There are tiny ant earrings, dragonfly necklaces, and a watering can charm, all rendered in gold, silver and precious stones. There's also a new, smaller version of his popular bee necklace.

To be in the running for the very special Alex Monroe goodie bag, simply leave a comment below, telling me what you’d grown in your ultimate dream garden. Don’t forget to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win!

Please note that the winner will be chosen at random (either picked out of a hat or by a random number generator – TBC) and all competitions close on Friday 24 July at 6pm (British Summer Time). Winners will be announced on Monday 27 July.

*Depending on the winner’s location, jam may or may not be included (Australian customs, for instance, can be particularly draconian).

Thank you, Alex! For more Alex Monroe goodness, you may like to:
- check out his website here;
- read Alex’s Secret London addresses here;
- find your nearest Alex Monroe stockist here; or
- read Alex’s blog here.

Bird is the word: A week of giveaways

The lovely gang from Tatty Devine have joined the Wee Birdy party, and look what they’ve come up with for my week of giveaways. This adorable cockatiel bead necklace is from their current SS09 collection, and features a delicate pink blush and Swarovski crystal eye. Like the rest of Tatty Devine's amazing pieces, he was handmade in their East London studio.

He’s also reversible, and can be worn showing his little feet peeping out over a branch. Cute!

I also really love the retro-style white beading, which adds a touch of old-fashioned glamour. This very special giveaway is valued at £68. For your chance to win, leave a comment telling me your idea for a fab Tatty Devine necklace (here's mine: a Belle and Sebastian collaboration, yeah!). I’ll be using a random number generator to pick the winner, so get busy with your comments now. All giveaway winners will be announced on Monday 27 July, 2009.

*EDIT* Entries close for all giveaways on Friday 24 July at 6pm (British Summer Time). And please remember to include your email address in your comment so I can contact you if you win!

Thank you Tatty Devine! If you love all things Tatty, you might like to:
- check out all their amazing pieces here;
- read my Tatty Devine shop tour here;
- read their secret blog updates here; and
- follow them on Twitter here.

What to take home: Thames pin

This wee wriggly worm is actually a limited edition, gold-plated pin, shaped like the river Thames. Designed by Kit Grover exclusively for the London Design Museum shop, it is also reflective of the folkloric bent pin, which has been used as votive offering in many cultures. Thousands of bent pins have been found on the Thames foreshore and down hundreds of London's holy wells, which were thrown into the water to grant wishes or to allow a safe crossing. Great value for a unique London souvenir.

Thames pin, £5, limited edition of 100 by Kit Grover for the London Design Museum shop.

Coutts London Jewellery Week: Tina Lilienthal

London-based jewellery designer Tina Lilienthal is also exhibiting at Treasure in Covent Garden this weekend. Her juicy cherry necklaces are just ripe for picking, but I'm also loving her collection of white resin skull pieces. And her resin bone hair clips are pretty awesome in a Flintstones kinda way. But if you're in a gloomier frame of mind, her surgical scissors and love heart necklace (inspired by a recent break-up) might just tickle your (dark) fancy.

Treasure
The Flower Cellars
4-6 Russell Street
Covent Garden WC2E 7PR
Friday 12 June: Noon to 8pm
Saturday 13 June:10am to 6pm
Sunday 14 June:10am to 6pm
Admission £5

All images courtesy of Tina Lilenthal