Viva la Frida

Creative minds are rarely tidy!

2011-12-04T04:11:00.000-08:00

In these busy weeks leading up to Christmas my workroom has gradually become more and more chaotic until I could stand it no more and had a huge tidy up! We won't venture into the main store room but here is a peek at my office... I wonder how long I can keep it like this?

Limited Edition Sparkly Doves Necklace

2011-12-04T03:56:00.000-08:00

Our Dove necklaces in blue and white have been really popular since we launched them over the summer so we thought it would be nice to have some made in sparkly acrylic for the festive season. We were so excited when they arrived last week! These necklaces really catch the light! Available as a limited edition in gold or black/silver. Grab them while you can!

Finding Frida in Paris

2011-08-26T05:32:00.000-07:00

We have just returned from an amazing holiday in Paris, which is one of my favourite places! The week went something like this.. fitting in as many metro journeys as possible, walking our socks off, wine, cheese, art, museums, churches, dodging sprinklers in parks, champagne picnics, watching joggers while eating icecream, getting unexpectedly sunburnt, eating our body weight in salted caramels, small triumphs with language, fancy french macaroons, adoring MonoPrix, in awe at Bon Marche Grand Epicerie and bumping into a familiar lady down in the metro!

More pics of our Paris trip can be found here. It's hard adjusting to being back in the drizzle but a huge delivery of new stock has just cheered us up.. time to start sorting it all out and getting it on the website.. more of that soon x

Retro kitchen chairs

2011-06-26T02:12:00.000-07:00

A big thank you to Bettina for sharing these pictures with us. She has used our blue hibiscus oilcloth to reupholster some kitchen chairs.. what a beautiful result! You can see more images of Bettina's work here.

I'm going to have to have them both!

2011-05-09T11:57:00.000-07:00

I love notebooks! I have them all over the place as well as a secret stash hoarded away.. I particuarly like small notebooks that I can keep in my bag.. well, you can imagine my excitment when our new stock arrived today and included The Most Perfect Notebooks! Available now here!

A pretty Sunday picture

2011-04-10T10:30:00.000-07:00

I'd like to pretend that I was civilised enough to eat biscuits on paper doily plates all of the time. but it isn't quite like that.. Opening the packet I had a thought that they would look really pretty against the new 'Mexican Flower Garden Pink' oilcloth and I literally raced to set up this shot and take the picture - fighting off small hands everywhere.. seconds after the picture was taken there was biscuit carnage!

Too much or not enough?

2011-03-31T10:32:00.000-07:00

I often think I might be a bit obsessed by oilcloth, the smell and feel of it, the vibrant colours and beautiful patterns, the sound it makes when you cut through it quickly with a pair of scissors.. schooooooooh.. Erm, you see what I mean! Anyway, in the past I have joked about wallpapering with oilcloth and now I have come across this picture and I'm seriously considering it again! How cool is this?

More from our talented customers..

2011-03-31T10:25:00.000-07:00

We love it when you get in touch to tell us and show us what you have been getting up to with our oilcloth. Thank you to Dianna for sharing pictures of the fabulous wallets you have been making. I love how the pattern matches up on the clasp, so clever! For more details check out her lovely blog.

New patterns for Spring

2011-02-05T08:08:00.000-08:00

It has been an exciting week. Our new shipment of oilcloth has arrived and includes 9 new patterns and colours! I am going to get them all listed on the website this weekend but here is a sneak peek!

The bike of my dreams

2011-01-30T01:13:00.000-08:00

Thank you to the talented Saskia from Spring Cottage for letting us know what she has been getting up to with our oilcloth. She has made these fantastic covers for her bike seat and basket and I am so jealous! You can read about how she did it at her lovely blog site Spring Cottage

In love with...

2010-09-19T08:36:00.000-07:00

We are in love with this new batch of specially commissioned brooches! They are glittery, shiny, glossy and utterly beautiful. Available in 3 colours, my current favourite is the midnight blue but I tend to change my mind every time I look at them. I have been wearing one constantly since they arrived and have been stopped by strangers on almost a daily basis asking where I bought it. I have a feeling they may be our big seller in the run up to Christmas, just hope we don't run out of stock!

A sunny Sunday finds me thinking about aprons and asparagus..

2010-05-09T08:49:00.000-07:00

This morning the sun was shining, the sky unbroken blue, cherry blossom everywhere and birds singing, a glorious day after what has been a chilly and blustery week. Most days like this would call me out to the sea or the woods but today S was out with the car and so homebound I was and I have spent a peaceful day pottering around, listening to the Archers, cleaning the kitchen and doing two lots of washing, stewing some rhubarb, feeding the birds and then watching the birds, having a whole bunch of asparagus for lunch and generally a lovely time. Carrying on the 50's housewife vibe this afternoon I felt compelled to look online for china tea cups, doilies and aprons.. and it was my search for aprons that brought me to this lucky discovery which I must share with you.. Kim from Calamity Kim makes the most fantastic, beautiful aprons and quilts and bags I have ever seen - they are true works of art and I am in awe.. In fact her whole blog is a joy and I will be an avid follower from now on.. You must check it out yourself but here is something to whet your appetite - her amazing Frida Kahlo apron!

An alternative to recycling

2009-08-25T05:18:00.000-07:00

I have so much craft stuff! It is hard to keep my tiny work room organised but I do like to be organised so I love new storage ideas but I like my storage to be pretty! I have found a really cheap and colourful way of organising my pens, pencils, paintbrushes, knitting needles and crochet hooks and also to make a little vase for a posy on my desk.
It is so straight forward it hardly needs explaining but here goes.. get an old tin can (the ones with the easy open tops are best as no sharp edges) wash and dry thoroughly. Select a pretty piece of oilcloth (approx 20cm x 10.5cm). Using a glue gun secure one of the short sides down, wrap oilcloth around tin and glue in place. You're done. Then make another, and another.. it's addictive! Nx

Viva office

2009-08-11T03:10:00.000-07:00

I'm nosey! I love seeing other people's workrooms and studios. Here is my own office/refuge/place for hoarded things and treasures..

Viva decks out Lovebox Festival

2009-08-11T02:56:00.001-07:00

Those of you who attended Lovebox Festival in London on 18-19th July will probably have seen our oilcloth and papel picado banners on show.. We supplied a lovely mix of oilcloths for table decking (emerald green hibiscus, yellow hibiscus, red strawberry, aqua rose and light blue mums) as well as over 90 metres of banners!

Mexican Wedding in Cape Town

2009-07-24T09:24:00.000-07:00

Viva la Frida would like to send warm congratulations to Mrs Phillipa Mohr and Mr Mark Mohr who were married at the Old Biscuit Mill in Cape Town on 15th June 2009.

Phillipa contacted us a few months ago to see if it would be possible to send a roll of our oilcloth to Cape Town, South Africa. After looking at various options to get it there and lots of emails back and forth it was eventually dispatched to Phillipa's sister in the UK who then travelled to Cape Town with it.

We love a bit of romance here and so I was thrilled to see some of the photos from their big day! Absolutely beautiful!

Happy Birthday Viva la Frida

2009-06-15T04:38:00.000-07:00

This year Viva is celebrating her fifth birthday and it seems like a good time to start this blog and reflect on how far we have come.
5 years ago I was living in Bristol, working in an office and spending everything (bar the rent) feeding my obsession for Mexico, books, clothes, kitchenware, food, music, folk art, you name it I craved it! The flat I shared with T became a colourful kitschy haven and we had lots of fun creating it.

It was while trying to source some Mexican oilcloth for the 'Bristol Hacienda' that I realised it wasn't available in the UK. I had discovered a niche market and the idea for Viva la Frida was born. Despite being totally inexperienced in all aspects of running a business I was determined to at least give it a go and let the experiment run its course. I took out a personal loan of £2400 and with the help of a friend started learning about websites. My first stock was 15 rolls of oilcloth and it was a happy day when it eventually arrived after getting stuck in customs for a week (my first lessons in importing were quickly learnt!)

There have of course been frustrations along the way, like trying to understand css style sheets, filling in tax returns, an early stock management system that would allow people to order items that weren't in stock and moving house and business 4 times in 5 years!
It has been a lot of work and continues to be so but I do it because I love it. I remain passionate about Mexico and Mexican oilcloth, although my house is a bit less kitsch these days! I still get excited when we have a new colour or pattern of cloth and immediately cut a length for our table to 'try it out', I still love the ritual of cutting the oilcloth to order and folding it with my husband or apprentice Laura and it makes my day when customers email to say how much they love the cloth or come back for more. It has been fun trying out new products, some of which have been a success, some not, and it has been great planning the next steps, like our sister site Oilcloth UK which launched in 2006. I have loved this journey with Viva over the last 5 years and can't wait to see where the next 5 will take us! Nikx