Knitting seminars at la.trap

La.trap shop, Athens, is about to start a series of knitting and embroiding seminars. Since doilies are so hot right now* you might consider giving them a go. Amurigami is on the menu too - makes 'sushi' sound so last year.
*never thought I'd use the words 'doily' and 'hot' in a sentence that does not involve 'tea'.

la.trap opening party

La.trap shop-gallery is having it's official opening party on Wednesday 24th (that's tomorrow). Psarokokalo + Evrydiki are inviting everyone to their warm, alternative space to mingle and share the occasion.

on the decks: amateurboyz
on the table: cheese and whine
all around: art and handmade goods

Trivonianou 56,Mets
trapme.blogspot.com

La.trap in photos

La.trap is a work lab and at the same time a boutique with carefully hand-picked merchandise. It's handmade too, but nothing like what you'd be making in your spare time. The girls, professional crafters themselves, pay special attention to skill and technique of what they feature, which makes every item in la.trap special. They are also good at spotting international talent. The internet has brought together people who share passion for imaginative items from many parts of the world.

La.trap is at #56 Trivonianou str., Mets - Athens. More about it, here.

la.trap(ped) and back

(It's pin-holders!)
The past few days I've been MIA, and sadly by that, I do not mean holidays. However, amongst it all I found some time to finally visit la.trap and get a cheeky gift for a friend (ja, the pin holder). This relatively new neighbourhood store, brainchild of Maria-Psarokokalo-Polyxa and Evrydiki Tsistraki, is such a beautifully put together space, I couldn't stop taking pictures to show you (weird customer, agreed). For now, check out the window view from outside vs inside and stay put for the more enlightening post soon to follow;)

Psarokokalo Open Day - xmas gifts inspiration #1

I've already said I went to Psarokokalo's Open Day last Sunday. It was great to be at the the place where all her lovely crafts come to life and even greater to have finally crossed out a few names off my xmas shopping list. As I suspect you have your very own list to worry about these days, I am presenting you with my finds for inspiration & planning;)

Stuff I bought:
Handmade stuffed fishy, filled with soothing lavender, by Psarokokalo. Bought for a special someone who works daily with fabrics, to use as a pin/needle holder.

Blackboard ring, complete with a colour pensil and tiny sponge, by Evrydiki. This one is for someone who loves rings and... messages. Would come in handy to write down phone numbers at a night out too! I think she'll luuuuv it.

Another needle holder by Psarokokalo. The one featured here is her own. I ordered a similar one for a designer friend, customised to be worn as a bracelet especially for him. Ah, the joys of the custom-made option!

And of course I got this knit detail t-shirt I've had my eyes on since this post. You can't tell much from this shot but that's only because it's soon to be featured here as part of an outfit.

Stuff I didn't buy, but are still awesome:
Children's toy - pouch, handmade by Psarokokalo. It looks like a lovely pouch but once opened, it spreads into a perfect circle playland, complete with toys according to the theme (boys/girls). Ideal for Mums & Dads who want to keep their little one busy whilst out and about. Genius.

Custom-made pendants. The girls could write any message you chose to the small silver plates and create personalised necklaces and bracelets in just a few minutes. Here's an idea for something that would be literally "made for you".

Stuffed dolls and mustache pillows, Psarokokalo's trademark designs for a while now.

And so are these wise, quiet owls.

Other customise-able items were fabric frames - although clever ready made ones were on display too - and...

...sketches of you or any face you could provide a picture of, designed on the spot, to hang maybe forever on your wall. A portrait like no other and most certainly a gift like no other.

*sad you missed this? Another one is coming up real soon! On 18-19-20 of December, at 8 Kosma Mpalanou str, Mets, Athens, 17:00-22:00. Buzzer "Psarokokalo Studio".

Xmas Shopping Sunday

It maybe a cold, rainy Sunday tomorrow, but some of the hottest xmas shopping events are scheduled to take place in town and bring some sunshine to your gifts' list - or simply your closet!

Gift inspiration, wine, browsing and a 15% off all purchases are on the menu of numerous shops in Psirri area which will be open especially this Sunday for your convenience and pleasure. Those are:

Formika design store (Pallados 9 - 210.3234636)
Occhi (Sarri 35 - 210.3213298)
Mofu (Sarri 28 - 210.3311922)
Euangelia (Aristofanous 15. 4th floor - 6972533664)
Tonic Essentials (Pallados 24-26 - 210.3317371 )
Sotiris Georgiou ( Miaouli 16. 2nd floor - 210.3243201 )
Κartoutsa (Taki 9 - 210.3247525)

Shopping activity will be taking over the Mets area too:

Sugar Line Productions, the most fun, retro-pop accessories brand around, is throwing and xmas shopping party at its headquarters, Trivonianou 42-44 (Mets). Music and munchies will be keeping the spirits high whilst you go down memory lane and ...choose which part you'd like to immortalise is the shape of a very skillfully crafted necklace or barcelet.

A couple of blocks down the road, Psarokokalo is hosting an open day at 8 Kosma Balanou str. Unique, fresh and funky items extend beyond clothes and accessories and promise to add the nicest touch of original, limited edition design to your home too.

Apart from Psarokokalo, designers participating are Taxis+Quat, Lacravate du Chien, Evrydiki and Efig. Very exciting detail: they will all be handcrafting on the spot personalised gifts & toys.

*For the facebook events pages, click on the images above.

Other stuff going on are noted and posted by Battered Couture, here and THE1015LAB, here.

Keep checking my right column for latest additions (all images linked to the events, click-click!). The closer we move to Christmas, the more exciting bazaars are listed.
Oh, joy!

Have a lovely, successful & merry shopping weekend;)

All I want for Christmas

You know Christmas is approaching fast the minute you come across Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas" whilst switching stations on your radio. I am informing you that this has just happened.

What also happened though is Psarokokalo's excellent Christmas Tree, made from fabric scraps! I give it a week before I O.D. on Mariah's vocals, but this tree, I just can't get enough. Unique, arty and a member of the fashion family - well, a shredded cousin!

And whilst browsing at Psarokokalo's Etsy shop, I realised that All I Want For Christmas is this wool detail tee. Is this special, or what: 100% handmade, hand knitted, one of a kind. Come on Santa, this is an easy one.

Tic-toc...26 days to Xmas;)

Fox Fair Finds - Psarokokalo

If Psarokokalo is around, it is gonna catch your eye for sure. The peculiar stuffed dolls and quirky accessories under the brand, somehow stand out. Psarokokalo is Maria Polyxa.

Her etsy.com shop reads:

"psarokokalo = fishbone in greek

psarokokalo is: handmade, well made designer goods that are sophisticated yet fun... I try to make things from recycling materials , change the form and the function of things into my own creations. my creations come from a nonsmoking studio we do not have cats but we do have a dog called Eric Satie!"


Alecca: How did you come up with the name?
Maria: psarokokalo is my nick name since my BA studies 1998, I had a project then that included an image of Picasso eating a fish bone so I ended up with psarokokalo!

A: What is it about stuffed animals?
M: I do hate and despise stuffed animals and anything that has to do with animal abuse and production of animal fur and bones sometimes ... It is amazing to try and imitate their amazing shape and characteristics in art and design , it is great inspiration for me. So, go for fabric stuffed animals people and leave the real ones alone!

A: What other stuff do you make? What materials do you use?
M: I make human shaped dolls , some jewellery, little books, a little clothing when I have a good idea. I use mainly fabric, plastic, wood.

A: What's your relationship with fashion?
M: Most of my materials are upcycled from scraps of fabrics I gather from fashion designers, plastics and other finds from the beach, scraps of wood from wood-technicians.


A: Where can we see/get what you make?
M: You can e-shop my work at http://www.psarokokalo.etsy.com (us dollars) and http://en.dawanda.com/shop/psarokokalo (euro)
also in greek shops:
''occhi'' 35 sarri str athens
''koukoutsi'' emmanouil benaki 96 exarchia athens
''axinos'' ksenokratous 42 kolonaki athens
''axinos'' xora serifou,serifos
''suonsi'' formionos 82 pagrati athens
''sobe'' 5a nikokreontos str. nicosia cyprus
''formika'' pallados 9 athens
''so shic'' iraklio kritis
''daxtylithra shop'' akti toti chatzi 9 ,Aigina