The Miniature Lazy Chair

Here is a movie of the Miniature Lazy Chair. It has all the characteristics and movement of the original Lazy Chair but is exactly 1/6th in scale.

A push of the lever and the Lazy Chair collapses, it slowly rights itself in a random human-like manner after a few moments delay.

The Laikingland team are finding that once completed each chair has a unique personality. Shall we say, "some are more lazy than others".

Conran Shop Visit No 3

I've saved the best for last of my Conran Shop Visit trilogy...

There I was on Thursday evening trying to figure out how to attact customers away from my "wine tasting in different sized glasses event" neighbour and over to the Laikingland product showcase....

A smiling old(ish) gentleman seemingly takes pity on me and wanders over for a chat. "I really love your machines," he confirms looking across our space.

"Thanks very much" I reply, "Would you like me to tell you more about our company or the products?"

"Actually" he says "I know quite a lot about them..." and with an even bigger smile... "My name is Conran."

"Ahhh,,," I exclaim, shaking his hand, somewhat embarassed & slightly in awe,,, "well it's really nice to meet you and errm,,, Thanks very much for inviting us here!!"

What a really lovely chap, we chatted for a few minutes and then he wandered off leaving me to pull myself back together and quickly text Martin about our latest Laikingland fan....

Conran Shop Visit 2

Thursday evening at the Conran Shop on Fulham Road was their first Christmas shopping event of the year,,, always a bit of a party.

Here's a couple of films showing Martin's Party Popper Machine in action... every memorable party should have one.

A beautifully crafted nonsense machine,,,,,, the reactions always make me smile.

Conran Shop Visit 1

Today was exciting and fun. I'm in London to visit the Conran Shop and make sure everything is OK for our Handcrafted in Britain product showcase.

Here's the famous old Michelin building that's home to the Conran Shop on Fulham Road.

There's already a Christmas feel from across the road.

Here's the window display for the upcoming festive period.

The store is so full of beautiful design items,,, there's something I recognise over in the corner.

Here's the Handcrafted in Britain space.

And here's Laikingland's Fingers, Storm in a Tea Cup & Miniature Lazy Chair, patiently awaiting all the action of the upcoming month.

Here's the Clapping Hand(s)crafted in Britain.

And finally The Party Popper Machine.... as you can see already being put to good use.

I'm back there tomorrow evening for the Conran shop Christmas shopping event.

Looking forward to see the customers reactions,,,, if they like the objects half as much as the Conran staff do, then we can expect a successful few weeks.

The work will be on display until 15th December at:

The Conran Shop

Michelin House
81 Fulham road
London
SW3 6RD
www.conranshop.co.uk

Britain's Top Makers & Assistants @ Laikingland

"It’s important that we support craft in the UK because it is the only way Britain can revive manufacturing while developing a luxury goods market,’ says Sir Terence Conran.

‘If successful, what starts off as craftspeople making things on a small scale can become an industry of its own.’ Polly Dickens, the Creative Director of The Conran Shop agrees. "With Handcrafted in Britain, we’re promoting the assistants of the top makers – as these people become better known, they will go on to get their own studios and train their own assistants." she continues.

For more details click here.

Here's some images of our Laikingland top makers & assistants who've helped us make products for the Handcrafted in Britain showcase.

Nik Ramage, in the foreground & me in the background. (NOTE: I'm the only none maker in the company....)

John Lumbus, the artist who created Storm in a Tea Cup, seen above brazing some Applause Machine sub assemblies.

Olivia Ball, who is our very very talented maker / assistant.

Phil Procter, our newest design graduate recruit.

Jim Bond and Samantha Bryan, our artist / friends who help out from time to time.

BIG THANKS to all you guys.

Nick & Martin.

White Week

The Chalk White Party Popper Machines are finished and have already been shipped to The Conran Shop in London and the Frozen Fountain in Amsterdam.

We are now working on a set of 6 Chalk White Applause Machines, some of which are destined for Moss in New York City.

Anonymous Boxes

Here are the boxes containing all the pieces for the Handcrafted in Britain show at the Conran Shop.

They don't look much but inside there are:

19 Applause Machines (various colours)

2 Party Popper Machines (1 black, 1 white)

4 Miniature Lazy Chairs

3 Fingers

4 Storm in a Tea Cups (2 delft, 2 New English)

It's quite fragile and quite valuable (£10,430.00) but can also be stacked like this:

The work will be on display from Monday 15th November at:

The Conran Shop

Michelin House
81 Fulham road
London
SW3 6RD
www.conranshop.co.uk

Hopefully out of the boxes!

Highly Skilled & Local Suppliers

It's always our aim to either make our components at Laikingland or buy them from highly skilled local UK suppliers.

Sometimes we find fantastic suppliers right on our own doorstep!

For example the supplier of these Miniature Lazy Chair axles is so local that they weren't delivered but we picked them up.

Always good to keep transport & delivery costs to a minium,,,. our journey takes us down the stairs from our workshop , 10 metres up the road, a knock on Simon's door and remember to say "Thanks" as he hands over the parts.

What Lies Beneath.

This is the mechanism that makes the Miniature Lazy Chair lazy.

You can see more of this piece on the Laikingland website.

The Party Popper Machine by Martin Smith

Here is the first cut (and maybe the last) of the Party Popper Machine movie.

Handmade Production @ Design Academy, Eindhoven

There's always so much to see during the graduation galleries at the Design Academy, Eindhoven.

I also love to read what the students have to say.



I particularly enjoyed the study and work of Kitikoon Worrasorratorn. The issues he raises certainly ring true with our own Laikingland objects and handmade production techniques.

Here is his beautifully made anonymous box.... apologies that the photo doesn't divulge the secret beauty of the craftwork inside.

Congratulations Kitikoon!

Dutch Design Eek

I had a completely brilliant time visiting the new space of Piet Hein Eek during Dutch Design week.

His new factory isn't quite ready...

But the plans are certainly coming together.

Above technical drawing of this chair seems to be in order.

Exhibition space is wonderful, with Piet Hein Eek work showing alongside invited guests including Tom Dixon.

In one of the newly rented studio / workhops, I also had the pleasure to meet Wouter Scheublin and see his completely amazing walking furniture.

The restaurant is also wonderful and the shop full of treats.

We were all sad to leave,,,, especially the kids who can be seen above taking glass blowing lessons.