Erkn Footwear | Spring/Summer 2016 Collection | Bournemouth (UK) | By Lee Fleming

London-based ERKN Footwear is the brainchild of Bournemouth graduated Elliott Erkan and we're looking forward to getting our hands on the Spring/Summer 2016 collection. Handmade in Italy using the finest leathers from the likes of the Carli leather tannery, the tightly-edited collection features three silhouettes understandably titled 001, 002 and 003 representing their order of conception. The use of premium leather, old-world Italian craft techniques and traditional dyeing techniques makes ERKN Footwear one to watch.

Visit the ERKN Footwear website for further information and find your nearest stockist which includes New York City's C'H'C'M.

London Cityscape | Chisel & Mouse | Sussex (UK) | By Lee Fleming

Having recently discovered the work of Sussex-based Chisel and Mouse we had to share their 3D map of the City of London. Founded in 2011, Chisel and Mouse is by brothers and architecture enthusiasts Robert and Gavin Paisley. Operating from their Ashdown Forest workshop in East Sussex the hobbyists-come-architectural-sculptors have created an impressive collection of sculptures which includes models of iconic buildings such as Battersea Power Station, Bauhaus Dessau and Buckingham Palace.

The 3D London cityscape is made up of 9 x 200mm x 200mm magnetic tiles that stick onto an underlying map. View more on the Chisel and Mouse website.

Hole & Corner Magazine | Des Pawson | London (UK) | By Lee Fleming

Recently on Hole & Corner Magazine is this feature on researcher and historian Des Pawson, who founded the Museum of Knots and Sailors’ Ropes. The insightful feature highlights how Des Pawson became obsessed with ropes and documents his passion alongside the tools Pawson has gathered over 60 years.

"Pawson first became interested in ropes when he was seven years old, and an uncle gave him a book for boy scouts about knots. He wasn’t in the scouts, but he was into the knots, and he didn’t look back."

Having given up full-time work in 1989 to concentrate on his rope business which he does alongside his wife Liz, Pawson opened his Museum of Knots and Sailors’ Ropes in 1996. The photography that accompanies the Hole and Corner Magazine feature is by British photographer Luke Stephenson.

To read the full feature visit the Hole & Corner Magazine website.

Hitohari Handmade bags by Masahiko Fukuda | Furano, Hokkaido (JAP) | By Lee Fleming

We’re relentlessly on the lookout for well-made luggage such as these fine articles from Japanese bag maker Hitohari. Founded in 2006 by Yokohama-born Masahiko Fukuda, Hitohari started from a personal need for a bicycle bag while commuting for his studies at Hachinohe Institute of Technology, Aomori.

Residing in Furano (Hokkaido), Hitohari is a one man brand with a conscious philosophy of scrap and craftsmanship. Taking thrown away, discard materials, Fukuda collects unwanted scraps to create his handmade bags and everyday carriers with distinct styles such as the Suso (made from off cuts of denim) and Mosiac (patchwork shoulder bag).

Featured above: Camp Tote (H 42cm, W 68cm, D 36cm) | Storage | Market Tote (H 38cm, W 28cm, D 17cm) | Roll Top

To view all of Hitohari’s handmade collection visit the website.

Masha Ryskin | Time Travel | Boston (USA) | By Lee Fleming

Masha Ryskin is a Russian-born printmaker and multi-disciplinary artist currently based in Providence, Rhode Island. Currently represented by the Candita Clayton Gallery, Ryskin has worked, exhibited and taught in the United States, Europe, Costa Rica, and Indonesia. Ryskin’s art is best described in her on words:

“A sense of place and belonging is increasingly important to me, especially since my immigration from the Soviet Union. As a result, my work explores landscape and its elements through direct experience of the environment around me. I take bits and pieces of my surroundings and assemble them into imaginary environments. The work investigates the concepts of history, personal memories and everyday rituals, as well as identity and assimilation.”

Ryskin’s limited edited book Time Travel is a beautiful, ethereal accordion book screen-printed on both sides of a sheet of double-matte mylar (Dimensions: 5” x 25”). She created each of the ten books by embellishing them with pen and thread, combining layers of textural drawings, halftone elements and snippets from her sketchbooks.

To view more of Ryskin’s works visit her Website.