Patchwork Present opens

Founder Olivia Knight outside PPHQ

Patchwork Present is open. The digital start-up team have been beavering away in their Harefield Road base for months and launched their group-gifting website last week.

The site, which they describe as a hybrid of Pinterest and Kickstarter, allows people to break down big presents into constituent parts, so that rather than simply putting money into a pot, people can choose which element of the present they want to give: For example, want to contribute to your friends' honeymoon? You can choose whether to buy them their first cocktails when they arrive at their hotel, their ride from the airport or the flights themselves.

Founder Olivia Knight says:

As my nan has helpfully pointed out - “It’s not a new idea. It’s a whip-round, love” - and she’s right.

You can read more about it in Design Week.

Lauren Jackson at Room 104

The community-run art gallery at the Tea Factory may have failed, but the building's role as an art space survives in the form of Room 104, which is available for hire. The latest exhibition starts next week:

Monday 2nd September - 13th September 2013

Lauren Jackson studied BA Contemporary Art Practice at the University of Leeds and Cyprus College of Art. Her work has been displayed in Stratford upon Avon, Cyprus and Melbourne. The experiences of living, working and travelling in different. Countries has significantly developed the concepts and form of her visual work over the years.

All the artwork is available to buy, please drop in any time Mon-Fri 10am-5pm (Green Tea Architects will open up the gallery for you) More information at www.room104.co.uk

Artist studios created in Brockley

Enclave, the Deptford art complex developers, are expanding into Brockley, offering artist studio space in Dragonfly Place [the current BC sponsor], Brockley's new business hub.

They say:

There will be a combination of new shared, open and private studios up to 1000 sq ft each. Each unit is on the first floor, will have a sink, windows, concrete screed floor and heating. There is on-site parking. Email studios@tempcontemp.co.uk to be added to the invite list for October viewings. 

It's exciting to see the live-work development come to life and attract small businesses back to the area, including some run by friends of BC, who'd previously had to look elsewhere for premises.

The Brockley Front Garden Sale, September 7th

The Brockely Society is organising a mass-participation garden sale from 11am-4pm on Saturday, September 7th - a jumble sale answer to Brockley Open Studios.

They say:

We're staging a coordinated front-garden table-top sale to end the summer.
Come and buy, from one front garden to the next, or one that's near you! Look out for balloons, ribbons, bunting at participating houses.

If you want to participate, the closing date for listing your stall on our list is Wednesday 4 September - please email gardensale@brockleysociety.org.uk with your house no. + street + postcode.

A list of addresses taking part will go on the Brockley Society website www.brockleysociety.org.uk

The London Analogue Festival, September 7th-8th

The London Analogue Festival is a new event taking place across venues in Deptford. We are all invited.

The Brockley Barn for sale

Alastair spotted this Arabin Road property featured in the Standard's Unusual Homes [for sale] feature today. They say:

This unique, secluded home in the heart of Brockley was built around 1875 and was originally used as horse stables, and more recently as a car dealership. The property was granted residential status in 2000 and was transformed into one of London's most unique homes.

More pictures on Zoopla here.

Magi Decoupage

Nova & Lorsten's Decoupage Day - Magi Gifts from Kai Clear on Vimeo.

Kai sent us this timelapse video. He says: It's a Rose Dancer Mural for Magi Gifts created by local decoupage artist and former Moonbows DJ Carol Vigurs aka Nova & Lorsten.