A L'Etage 2

2017 is shaping up to be a bumper year on the Triangle, with, it would seem, more new openings than the previous 5 years I've been writing this blog, put together. One of the most recent is, A L'Etage 2, a new project by local/Danish jeweller, Tine Bladbjerg. As she explains, 
"A friend once asked my sister and I what games we liked to play as children. We looked at each other and then replied that we made stuff and played shop. I guess some things never change…"
Up until recently, the sisters, Tine and Lene shared a studio in Coopers Yard, but Tine always hoped to fulfil the second half of her childhood dream, and open a shop. That wish finally came to pass when she took on the lease of No.4 Westow Hill, formerly an internet cafe, and began to turn it into, not only a shop for her jewellery designs, but also a gallery space showcasing the work of other artists and makers, including her sister, Lene. The undertaking proved bigger than expected, when dry rot was found in part of the flooring, which had to be replaced. Fortunately she had the help of a very supportive landlord in carrying out the works. The long narrow premises also allowed Tine to move her studio across the road from nearby Coopers Yard, but due to the shop's location and the one way system, transporting the contents of the studio had to be done by hand by Tine's husband, Dominic, as a van would have entailed an almost complete circuit of the Triangle for each load.
The finished gallery, gives space to talented artists and makers, some local and familiar, selling high quality handmade products, ranging from jewellery by a number of different designers, to accessories, homewares and fine art, at a range of prices to suit all. And thanks to the existing success of A L'Etage online, Tine has been inundated with people hoping to showcase their work in her gallery.
Meanwhile beyond the counter at the back of the shop, Tine continues to work on her own exquisite designs in her new studio, where she also plans to hold classes and workshops. She is also preparing for Art Unequalled, a show taking place in Ely in November.

Tine Bladbjerg

Woven scarves by Kate Williams, belts by Melissa Simpson

Art by Lene Bladbjerg

Glass vase by Christiaan D Maas

Cookie Scottorn Ceramics

Jewellery

Rings by Tine Bladbjerg

Pendant by Tine Bladbjerg

Necklace by Sabine Konig

Pendant by Tine Bladbjerg

Pendant by Gill Laverick

Necklace by Deborah Kelly-Hopkins

Earings by Karen Faulkner-Dunkley

The Studio

A L'Etage 2

4 Westow Hill

info@aletage2.com

@aletage2 (instagram)

No.4 & No.67 Westow Hill

The Triangle's range of fantastic independent shops, cafes and restaurants is one of the reasons I started this blog. And I'm glad to say, that six years on, local businesses seem to be thriving. Smash Bang Wallop has just this week celebrated it's 10th birthday, while Joanna's has reached the grand old age of 39, so congratulations to both! Meanwhile, sadly, Mandy Raven decided to shut shop, and head for new adventures on the south coast. Glitter & Twisted was a local favourite, and will be much missed. 
There seems to have been no shortage of new openings lately, and we will soon be seeing two more. No.67 Westow Hill has changed a few times over the years. When I first moved to the area, it was part of a Budgens store, before becoming Betty's Bakery. Now work is under way on an exciting new venue called Salt & Pickle, a new project for Manish of Good Taste just along the road. It will be a licensed cafe/bar featuring all things pickled and cured. It's scheduled to open at the end of May, and I for one can't wait! You can keep up to date with their plans via Instagram and Twitter @saltandpickle.

At the other end of the street, No.4 is the brainchild of Tine Bladbjerg, the jeweller currently based in Cooper's Yard. She has taken on this former internet cafe next to the Sparrowhawk pub, to house not only her jewellery shop and workshop, but also to serve as a gallery for the work of other local makers. The store is to be called À L'Étage 2, and should also be open very soon. Watch these spaces!

Tine Bladbjerg

Tractor Factory - Jake Dunn Designs -

A tractor factory, in Crystal Palace? Seriously? Well, not exactly, but believe it or not, until quite recently, No.69 Church Road was the location of a company which bought and sold farm machinery. I always wondered what the story behind this was, as it just seemed so improbable. Apparently they used to buy up old tractors and recondition them, for sale to farmers in developing countries. And it wasn't the only unusual shop in the area. As someone reminded me, there's somewhere else along Church Road selling old shop tills, and does anyone have any idea what exactly Dohm Industries on Gipsy Hill makes or sells? Something to do with scientific instruments I believe.
Anyway, since 2013, the former tractor shop has been home to Jake Dunn Designs. You can't fail to have noticed the colourful window displays, which currently feature, three oversized, spray painted skulls, and a couple of chickens. So although Jake is predominantly a carpenter and furniture maker, it comes as no surprise that among other things, he used to design and builds sets, for stage and traveling trade fairs. Originally from the beautiful Antrim coast in Northern Ireland, Jake spent many years working in California, before landing in Southeast London nearly a decade ago. Beyond the random skulls, chickens, an old Sinclair C5, and a pair of slot machines, the space displays Jake's colourful furniture designs, from stools, side tables and coat racks, right up to built in shelving, cupboards, and a DJ station. The shop is the outward manifestation of Jake's creative mind, brimming with ideas and inspiration, mixing his own creations with stuff he picks up here and there. Just talking to him, you get a sense of someone with boundless energy and enthusiasm for what he does, and someone contented with life above the shop, on the edge of the Triangle, with his workshop out the back and its views across Kent. Having said that however, as we are talking, I become aware of one fly in the ointment. Jake is understandably concerned by the huge trucks which squeeze along this narrow stretch of the Triangle. In the past, he has tried to take matters into his own hands, putting up a 20mph speed limit sign outside the building, but naturally the authorities took a dim view. But it seems that it may not be a truck that takes out this corner, but rather, yet another new development of flats. I feel sure however, that should that happen, Jake will quickly find a new outlet for his creativity.

 

Jake with some of his smaller creations

Impressed with Jake's work, I commissioned him recently to make a radiator cover for the hall in my flat. I was really pleased with the result. As well as hiding a fairly unsightly storage heater, it also provided much needed storage for shoes.

Tractor Factory

69 Church Road

020 8771 2435

jakedunndesigns@gmail.com