In case you don't know me, my name's Emma Balch, I'm English, but I now live in Argentina. I wanted to kick off with a bit of background to handpicked, before I get going with the blog. If you're just after a quick summary of what handpicked is, and the details of the launch, please skip to the next post. This is the long-winded version.
So, next month it's six years since we moved to Buenos Aires. It's hard to believe it's been that long, especially if you hear my Spanish, but I can use as evidence my bulging contact book of artists, designers and artisans who produce interesting products on a small scale. Six years of pounding the streets of Buenos Aires, following leads, going to addresses in faraway parts of town, or knocking on doors in hidden passageways, I've found some wonderful people who are hugely resourceful and creative. I've found in Argentina that much of the great design comes out a real enjoyment of being creative or finding use for discarded things. Of course there are are career designers, some superb ones, but they're not the ones who've grabbed my attention. I'm interested in the ones that few people know about, those who are making really great stuff but don't have a good sales outlet. My passion is to get the word out, to blab about them all over Buenos Aires, to give people an opportunity to buy and enjoy their work. A piece has so much more value if you know about the person who crafted it, their story and their inspiration. I want to tell the stories of some of these talented Argentines.
I've thought many times about opening a shop, but for now I've decided go down another route. I don't want to be tied down by heavy overheads, which push up the prices of the products, and neither do I want to be weighed down by a big stock. My idea is to have an evolving collection that is always changing and growing. So, I will launch with some of my favourites, who have become sort of my signature style, people like the ceramacist Angeles Castro Corbat and Maria McCormick who works with discarded objects. There will be things for the home home, jewelry and accessories, and I will always have two artists whose paintings I will be selling.
The idea is that each week I will post new additions to the collection on this blog. This will include photos, details about the new products, some background on who made them, and prices. Photos of the entire collection can be viewed on the
handpicked flickr album, and this will be updated each week. I will also be creating 'sets' featuring different products in themes (materials, colours, seasons etc.) which will appear on the blog and in the flickr album.
I will showcase the collection at fairs and at private viewings (contact me if you're interested in having one at your home or workplace). Orders can be placed at any time and I'm offering free delivery in Capital Federal on Thursdays (orders should be placed by 8pm the day before). I can deliver on other days and in Gran Buenos Aires by arrangement.
I hope it works! I'll start posting products from next week, so check back in next week to see the launch collection. And I'd love to see you at the Christmas Fair next Saturday (20th) in the garden of the British Ambassador's Residence where I'll have a big display of things for sale. Perfect place to buy Christmas gifts!
www.dobleMdesign.com
