Jo Loves...
Welcome to Jo Loves…
This is a collection of some of Jo’s favourite designers. makers and general good stuff!
Please let Jo know if you find something you like or have any suggestions of websites / blogs to feature.
Another Etsy beauty… I bought these gorgeous bird measuring spoons from Beehive Kitchenware for my Mum last Christmas. I covet them for myself – they make baking even more of a pleasure!
I’m so in love with my porcelain key necklace by fellow Cockpit Arts maker Shan Valla – I’m wearing it every chance I get!
This LA based Etsy shop is overflowing with the most amazing cake decorations – I am so besotted with Andie’s Specialty Sweets’ edible sugar buttons – I’m desperate to come up with a cake recipe to do them justice!
I fell in love with Cutture’s beautiful laser cut stationery while we I was exhibiting at the Designer Wedding Show. The gorgeous photos are by Eddie Judd.
I’m completely obsessed with these photo letters – wish I’d come up with them!
www.alphabet-photography.co.uk
BEST EVER PUMPKIN PIE
This is my absolutely favourite pumpkin pie recipe. It is properly sweet, spiced, and not at all vegetable-y. If you don’t like your deserts too sweet you can reduce the sugar and / or the golden syrup by up to about a third. You can make your own pastry or you can use a ready made 9 inch / 23cm pie crust. You can also substitute the pumpkin puree with tinned pumpkin, but I like the flavours of the real thing.
Don’t be put off by the long list of ingredients – this pie is super easy to make – just measure, mix, pour and bake!
To make the pumpkin puree, roast or steam the flesh in chunks or wedges (peel first if steaming), then pass it through a sieve. If roasting, leave the skins on and scoop out the flesh when soft.
Please excuse the mixture of metric & imperial measurements – it seems to work for me!
INGREDIENTS
9 inch / 23 cm pie crust
375ml cooked pumpkin puree (see above)
375 ml double cream
6 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
60-90 ml golden syrup
3 lightly beaten eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
175 ml shelled pecans or walnuts (optional)
METHOD
Blind bake the pie crust if using your own pastry.
Preheat the oven to 160-180 C / 325-350 F / Gas mark 3-4.
Mix all the ingredients together, pour into the pie crust and bake in the oven for about an hour. Any extra mixture can be poured into an oven proof dish and baked as stand alone pudding.
Eaten hot or cold this is yummy with sour cream or creme fraiche.
I guarantee you’ve never seen anything like these amazing paper eyelashes from Paperself before – Talk about eye candy! I fell in love them at Pulse earlier this year and just had to share.
I’ve been a big fan of Feltmeupdesign for a while (the name alone is enough to raise a smile!), but these Real Bird Tweets are absolutely adorable – check out the whole range for tiny collectables with huge character!
This my totally favourite blog. Domestic Sluttery covers all the essentials – design, baking, cocktails, clothes, restaurants and more. Like the very best magazine, but in your inbox (or on Facebook, Twitter etc). Highly recommended for recipes, tips and all round good times!
Claudia Pearson is my favourite illustrator. Her work has great panache and manages to mix a funky world view with subtle observation. How cool is this Buy Local Tea Towel Calender? Talk about multi-tasking – love it!
The Museum of Brands. I absolutely adore this treasure trove of packaging. From Victorian times to the current day the simple everyday design that makes up the background to our lives is lovingly displayed from the personal collection of owner, Robert Opie. If you haven’t been before, go!
The Museum of Brands, 2 Colville Mews, Lonsdale Road, Notting Hill, London, W11 2AR
Reiko Kaneko adds her own cool twist to everyday products. This Crowd Glass has so much charm, it really makes me smile, but she has so many fun designs it was hard to choose just one to showcase.
An intriguing mix of Irish and African, these guys make some incredibly beautiful music. Have a listen for yourself at www.myspace.com/metisse, or for a really cool update of some traditional Irish classics visit Irish Makeover at www.myspace.com/irishskully
For lots more handmade in the UK goodies, try this website!
I’ve recently joined Etsy (you can see my stuff at www.joheckett.etsy.com), and have been having a blast checking out all the fantastic handmade goodies. I was bowled over by these Porthole Wall Decals, but just can’t decide which one I want most! You can see all their handprinted decals at www.WilsonGraphics.etsy.com
Yoyo Ceramics has some of the best ceramic design around. I just love their new ceramic notepad – what a brilliant idea. I also think Yoyo’s butter dish is the best. I personally have two at home!
Of course I love this one. Molly and Berts is my other business with my graphic designer husband. Lots of cool London inspired goodies, from organic ‘Jack the Nipper’ kid’s T-shirt to UK made ‘Cockney Rhymes’ Mugs. All very tongue-in-cheek and London-centric.
These gorgeous paper goodies are the work of Ruth Martin. She hand cuts the stamps and then uses them to create cards, books and all things paper. I really love these paper biscuits – all the charm with none of the calories!
Laura Long makes the most charming knitted dolls I’ve ever seen. I absolutely adore these bride and groom dolls. Describe your bride and groom and Laura will make the dolls to match.
I am lusting after one of Ruth Tomlinson’s encrustation rings – totally high end and absolutely gorgeous. One day my princely jewellery will come!
