Edinburgh found us in a 70’s style hotel (unintentionally 70’s – it just hadn’t had a spruce up since ’72) with epic views of the Castle, whilst Antwerp showed us our first experience at AirB&B consisting of a private room for the night in the centre of the city, 2 minutes walk from the shops and MOMU for the Unravelled exhibit. In case you aren’t aware of AirB&B, it’s a service where you stay in people’s houses, spare rooms or apartments. It’s  generally cheaper than a hotel, plusher than a hostel and you get a cozier, more welcoming experience.

Anyhow – This isn’t online version of ‘Wish You Were Here’ with Judith Charmers, it should be a little ditty about a couple of food experiences we encountered on our travels, making our stays both rich and flavorsome .

Firstly, before I embark on a dinner review I have to tell you about Wellington Coffee on the corner of Hanover St and George st. Owned and run by Kiwi’s it offers a simple menu of coffee, scones and a few cake options. Located directly opposite the American chain of milky brew drinks with a green logo and flying mermaid, I wouldn’t be a good friend if I didn’t tell you about Wellington’s coffee and service..

So – back to the point, which was….. Hotel Missoni. It stole our hearts with a medley of monochrome patterns whisking us into lunchtime happiness. For an extremely reasonable ‘3 courses for 16.00quid’ lunch the tasty Italian fayre gave us no other choice but go again in the evening for their pre theatre menu. Sad, yes, tasty, of course.

An attempt to ‘borrow’ some of their lovely table napkins was foiled with the realisation that my purse wouldn’t have held 1 let alone 4.

A week later whilst in Antwerp after an afternoon at MoMu we, eager for some sugar and caffeine, stumbled across a cutsie cupcake shop which provided us with all  with all the elements necessary for re fueling and recharging.

With a stunning selection of fruit tarts, cupcakes (with additional goodies hidden within) and slabs of chocolate cake, the Momade Cupcakes was a sugar oasis.

With additional muffins purchased ahead of our journey home, we walked out with smiles on our faces and crumbs on our chins.

1) Waiting in a queue

2) Dry sense of humour

3) Binge drinking.

All agree? – OK!

Think of another….craftsmanship? YES! I shout!

The Brits have been doing this for years, centuries even. The heritage we have huge when it comes to pottery, ceramics, leather-ware, even fabric manufacturing but what with the desire for the Swedish blue and yellow giants of this world, the local and unique arts and crafts communities have been disappearing for years. Quite simply there is no mainstream demand for it anymore and there is a real lack of appreciation when it comes to locally crafted pieces; unique pieces that are collectible.

But I’m not ruling myself out in this demographic. I’m completely guilty of buying cheap-er rather than getting bespoke because my financial situation is pitched at this level but it doesn’t stop me from buying the occasional collectible from a small artist to support their business and the country’s legacy.

So reading in the Guardian yesterday filled me with a sense of pride and hope for an industry that shouldn’t be allowed to die out.

Crafted is an organisation set up to mentor new craftsmen and women in their chosen area.

Through business workshops and mentoring (a word I love at the moment) 12 artists a year are selected (by a panel of industry craftsmen) for this development program and are given advise on business and networking to help them propel their business from a fledgling one to a fledgling few in the space of a year.

With so many heritage craft industries waiting for a helping hand and with a demand out their for the product a concept like this is not rocket science, it’s logical and it’s brilliant.

If there was a central information site which listed fashion courses, creative workshops, had online learning, my world would have been different, and i have to say, possibly a richer one.

Artsthread has been set up to link the creative peeps of this world to those in industry. Obvious I hear you say… maybe…. but this is the first site to do it.

After spending years in industry and on the receiving end of graduates who are creative but lack business skills, this is a dream opportunity and one greatly needed.

Recently invited by the V&A in London to host a talk, the people at Artsthread know their fabric from their fusing so If you are creative, want to be or know someone who is – check out the site.

I wouldn’t say that my own personal style revolves completely around their vision but the creativity and presence need to be admired and appreciated.

Both of which i intend to do.