News Flash

I think I have a new obsession. From the first time I laid eyes on the work of Dorothy Hafner, I was hooked! This American designer, born in 1952 and still working today, started creating ceramics in 1972. She went on to create the shapes for the Flash range for Rosenthal in 1982, and also designed most of the decors on the series.

Creamer and sugar bowl - Flash One by Dorothy Hafner for Rosenthal

A few weeks ago I came across the above creamer and sugar bowl of the "Flash one" series, and I just had to have them. What I love most about them is how the shape complements the décor. They really work together, the angular lines of the shape are strengthened by the lines and blocks of color in the décor. My favorite item in the range must be the fondue set: it doesn't get more eighties than this!

The items in the Flash range remind me a lot of the postmodern designs from the Memphis group. Both the wacky, asymmetrical shapes, and bizarre color combinations. They are so much fun, looking at them makes me happy!

In addition to her work for Rosenthal, Dorothy Hafner also designed some beautiful items for Tiffany's, including a range of angular teapots with bamboo handles, that are absolutely wonderful! She still creates art for her own studio, but nowadays she mostly works in glass. These items are also incredibly pretty.

Her work is included in a lot of museum collections, including the Victoria & Albert in London and the Smithsonian. Although Rosenthal's Flash range is already collectible, I think this will be an area for future investment. If you can snap some pieces up, it seems like a wise choice.

Dorothy Hafner has a great website, where she sells some of her studio work, sadly a bit above my budget. You can find it on www.dorothyhafner.com

Busy Susan

During the holidays there wasn't a lot of time to go thrifting, but I was still able to go to one market nearby. There were a few nice things, so I just wanted to show you the last finds of 2013. From left to right we found a vase from the Dutch designer Max Verboeket for Maastricht Unie, with a very pretty purple swirl, a plastic orange Busy Susan spice rack by the Danish company Digsmed DK, a very kitsch 1970s or 1980s cat brooch, with creepy little red eyes, and last but not least a Riihimaki vase by Tamara Alladin, which will be added to my Riihimaki collection.

Digsmed were a Danish company, there isn't a lot of information available about them. It looks like they made mostly kitchen and table ware, mainly in teak. There is a report that the company was located in Roskilde and closed in 1975, although this information is not verified.

The spice rack I found is called a Busy Susan, they are named on the original box (that sadly didn't come with my purchase). These also came in teak, which are very cool as well. There is even a teak version available with an amazing 18 bottles. They can be mounted on the wall, and the wheel they are on turns. What I love about the item is it's functionality, this could easily be used in a modern kitchen, or even to store little knick-knacks in.

If you have any more information on Digsmed, please leave a comment, as I would love to know! I'm sure there must be more sources about this factory in Danish, maybe we'll find out more in the future!

Happy New Year!

I would like to wish everybody the best for 2014! I hope it'll be a wonderful year with plenty of pots and many amazing discoveries.

Leanne

Party like it's 1954! Source