We Have Moved / / New Website & Blog Launch

Here at the studio we would like to THANK YOU for your ongoing support, we have loved sharing our inspiration & daily blog posts with you. Thank you for following our blog & always leaving fab comments we really appreciate it.

Our blogger posts are no more... but don't worry! We have a shiny brand new blog over on the new Rachael Taylor website. You can still keep up to date with our fun posts & studio news there.

We hope you enjoy the new website & look forward to sharing lots more inspiration with you.

Here are a few screen shots taken from our new site.

Add caption

Gift Guide / / Dog Lover

What do you buy for the person who already has everything? Well, I can think of a thing or two...

Welcome to the weekly gift-guide: I am delighted to be sharing with you unique, inspiring & significant gift ideas on Rachael's blog. This week I bring you ideas for the dog lover. I hope these gift ideas inspire you. Enjoy, Hannah.

Scottie dog fleece hot water bottle by dotcomgiftshop.

Wall art print for dog lovers by SusanNewberryDesigns via Etsy.

Mucky pup rainbow coloured collar by Mrs Bow Tie via notonthehighstreet.

Personalised solid oak dog bowlby The Oak & Rope Company via notonthehighstreet.

Pet mat by Turtle Mat via John Lewis.

Seaside dog donut bed by The Stylish Dog Company via notonthehighstreet.

That Feeling of Uniquity!

Today I am taking part in a wonderful blog series & I will be writing about the the topic of 'Uniquity'. This is an amazing opportunity to be part of a huge creative community of artists & designers all ready to share their thoughts on so many interesting subjects!

'The Declaration of You' will be published by North Light Craft Books this summer, with readers getting all the permission they've craved to step passionately into their lives, discover how they and their gifts are unique and uncover what they are meant to do! This post is part of 'The Declaration of You's BlogLovin' Tour', which I'm thrilled to participate in alongside over 100 other creative bloggers. Learn more and join us! by clicking here.

There are several definitions to the word 'unique' my favourite being 'not typical; unusual'. These are terms that have often been used to describe my design work & my design work is what I believe to be one of the most unique aspects of me & what gives me that feeling of uniquity!

Early on in my design career, working as an in-house designer I felt like I wanted to be more of an individual & to be able to express myself & my uniqueness & it was only when I achieved this that I really began to enjoy my creative work. I always knew I was meant to do something else. I just needed to figure out what that was. I longed to be unrestricted & free within my work, I dreamt of being left to do my own things. I wanted to design & create art based on my personality, my instincts & how I felt rather than creating designs that would tick a particular box or area of the marketplace. I love spontaneity & I longed to apply this to more lifestyle and design work. I always say my ‘inner doodle’ was set free once I decided to go it alone & be an individual.

After freelancing for a while (as an unnamed artist) I dreamed of putting my own stamp on products & being able to add my name to collections sold in the marketplace. I never assumed I’d become an international brand, I just wanted to be recognised as an independent artist but before I knew it I had built a design label! I think being true to myself & injecting my own uniqueness & personality into my work & website created a look that defined my signature style. It felt like an organic & laid back process rather than being contrived.

I now have my very own, very unique online shop & there are lots more interesting & special projects in the pipeline! I run an e-course on surface pattern design with my fabulous business partner Beth Kempton of 'Do What You Love' as well as 'MOYO' a free online magazine, dedicated to the world of surface pattern design! Also check out makeitindesign.com & watch this space!

Other things that give me that feeling of uniquity:

• Designing to different types of music
• Celebrating the highs & making the most of the lows
• My LOVE of colour!
• Travelling & seeing the world
• Living spontaneously
• Celebrating the highs & making the most of the lows
• Working hard but having lots of fun!

What things give you a feeling of uniquity? Feel free to leave a comment! Or you can comment on our Facebook page or send us a Tweet: @rachael_taylor_

I can’t wait to be a part of The Declaration of You’s Facebook party Friday 14th June at 9-9:30a PST/11-11:30a CST/12-12:30p EST. We’ll be chatting in real time about Uniquity over at facebook.com/TheDeclarationOfYou. Hope you can join us!

Our fabulous new blogging team!

Hello everyone!

Today we are so excited to introduce our fantastic new blogging team, who are going to bring some gorgeous & inspirational new content to the blog!

Tuesday's will now be a 'Double Post Day'. The talented Justine Aldersey-Williams is our 'Art and Creative Writer' & will be posting in the morning, reviewing inspiring artists each week. In the afternoon the lovely Leonie McDonald our 'Gift Guide Editor' will be sharing her gift guide for the week.

Wednesday's posts are from our regular guest blogger Hannah Byatt, who for the moment is reviewing designers & artists from the wonderful Lilla Rogers Studio.

Thursday's are also now a 'Double Post Day' & bringing you some delicious beauty inspiration in the morning is MaJo BV our 'Beauty Editor'. In the afternoon we will be bringing you some beautiful interiors inspiration by Emily Black our 'Interiors Round-up Editor'.

And of course myself & Kelly will still be bringing you our latest, exciting news & product developments as well as reviewing students, designers & artists ourselves. The blog will just be jam packed with eye candy!

Here is a bit more about our new team:

Justine Aldersey-Williams - Art and Creative Writer

Justine is a colour-loving, pattern/textile designer and yoga teacher currently studying an MA. Her work is to be featured in the forthcoming publication, ‘Patternbase: a Book of Contemporary Textile and Surface Design’ and she will be exhibiting this June at New Designers in London. Justine is currently working on her dissertation, which explores how meditation techniques can enhance creative practice and will begin sharing her findings through online workshops for artists and designers later this year.

Having graduated in Printed Textiles and Fashion in the pre-digital era, Justine was one of the first batch of students to complete all three modules of the Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design course. Since thoroughly updating her technical skills and launching her own brand of printed products, ‘Joybringer’, Justine is now going ‘back to basics’ in her practical work by exploring natural fabric dyeing and embroidery. She hopes to balance the fun and convenience of modern digital design with the provenance and therapeutic benefits of ancient handcrafted skills in her final MA collection.

Prior to re-kindling her first love, textile design, Justine ran her own successful personal development company producing illustrated visual aids and teaching children art, yoga, tai chi, massage, Bollywood/bellydance and meditation. She is a qualified life coach, EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) practitioner and Reiki Master. Her aim has always been to help people discover the potential of their latent talents. She candidly shares her process of blending creativity and yoga in her blog, ‘Justine and the Joybringer’.

MaJo BV - Beauty Editor

MaJo is a Colombian fashion, textile and surface pattern designer living in Milan. She is in love with whimsical, bright, quirky and fun design and is inspired by everything around her. She is a very curious girl who enjoys traveling and exploring and asking lots of questions (even to strangers!) She is obsessed with make-up, fake eye lashes and nail polish so she is very happy to be the one to show you the latest in beauty products and their lovely designs.

Emily Black - Interiors Roundup Editor

Hello! I'm Emily, interior designer for Groves Interiors. I love anything and everything relating to interiors. I wish to share with you my passion for interior design, decorating, DIY and home shopping, and am so excited to bring you inspiration for your home.

Leonie McDonald - Gift Guide Editor

Leonie is a full-time freelance writer specialising in the arts, design and style. You can check out her DIY website (please excuse the mess) here. 

Hannah Byatt

Hannah is a contemporary Surface Pattern Designer, enthusiastic blogger with a keen interest in photography. She freelances for Black Cherry Studio which is based in Glasgow, UK. Hannah has also carried out work experience with the RT studio!

Dishes Undressed Blog

Recently the lovely Angela Bee, "an enthusiastic cook" who set up the food lovers blog 'Dishes Undressed', which aims to "teach people how you can rustle up a simple, healthy dish in minutes" featured my 'Etched Floral' pink oven mitt as part of a 'Kitchen Crushes' article! (See image below). Her wonderful blog is not only handy for all need-to-know food questions but is beautifully designed too! Thank you Angela!
You can read more articles and see her gorgeous blog by clicking here.