Charity of the Month - RISE UK: Freedom from Domestic Abuse
Charity of the Month is RISE UK. Helping people affected by domestic abuse. Practical solutions, shelter and support in Brighton, Hove and Sussex
Read MoreBricks - Lego Show at The Excel Centre
Here is a collection of my photos from The Lego Exhibition at The Excel Centre, for more of the photos check out my Instagram Account
Mrs Penguin Lego Advent Calendar - Day 24
Last year I made Mrs Penguin an advent calendar out of Lego, filled with love notes / quotes about love. So what do I do this year? Well the Lego made advent calendar is back & filled with surprises.
Each day I will be tweeting a photo of the suprise inside. Here is the calendar (12 doors each side)
Day 24 & the final pair
Day 23 & Doughnuts
Day 22 & Claudia Made This earrings
Day 21 & teapot earrings
Day 20 & Pretty Purple Flowers by Claudia Made This
Day 19 & Penguins!
Day 18 & Scissors earrings from Sugar Jones
Day 17 & Mica Peet heart earrings
Day 16 & Dinosaur earrings
Day 15 & cat earrings from That Beast Jen
Day 14 & Brighton Rock earrings from Sugar Jones
Day 13 & Koola earrings from Claudia Made This
Day 12 & Claudia Made This yellow earrings
Day 11 and Little Mermaid earrings
Day 10 & Jessie Jumbles earrings
Day 9 & Lemon Earrings by Claudia Made This
Day 8 & Tea Bag / Tea Pott earrings from OneTenZeroSeven
Day 7 & knitting ball earrings
Day 6 & pair of bird earrings from Mica Peet
Rubber Duck Earrings from OneTenZeroSeven
Day 4 more lollies but this time from Claudia Made This,
Day 3 & pair of feast ice cream lolly earrings also by Sweetiepips
Day 2 - pair of baked beans on toast earrings from Sweetpips
And Day 1's suprise is a pair of Care Bear earrings I got from the recent Comic Con in Brighton
Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar - Day 24
All Lego fans will know about the Lego Advent Calenders, even though been back into the hobby a few years now, this year is the first time I have got a calendar, and I will be updating this blog each day with what I find inside.
It had to be the Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar & day 1 is micro Jabba's Sail Barge
Day 2 of the Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar & we still on Return of the Jedi theme to go with yesterday's Sail Barge
Day 3 & not sure what this is meant to be. Will need to check & find out
Day 4 & we now get our first minifigure & what a great one it is!
Day 5 and another mini build, The Sandcrawler, goes with the Jawa from yesterday
Day 6 & to be honest not the greatest build today, so fingers crossed for tomorrow
Day 7 & another one I'm not sure what it is, thinking it could be Endor
Day 8 & one of my favourites, a great Ewok minifigure
Now Day 9 & we still on Endor
Day 10 & my favourite Star Wars fig, the Stormtropper, classic design
Day 11 & a nice imperial star destroyer mini vehicle
Day 12 & a gun rack, useful if you looking to arm your Stormtropper army
Day 13 & a Bounty Hunter Droid
Day 14 & a classic spaceship
Day 15 & Gun Turret
Day 16 & a Spaceship
Day 17 & we on Hoth
Day 18 & one of the best vehicles ever!
Day 19 & love the use of the pieces to create this moveable laser gun
Day 20 & the space probe droid from Empire Strikes Back
Day 21 & not a great one
Day 22 my new favourite
Day 23 The 'Citizen Kane' of the advent calendar
Day 24 & you can't get better than Santa C3PO
The Week That Was
From Mon 30th Nov to Sun 6th Dec
My Star Wars Lego Advent Calendar
The Lego Advent Calendar I built for Mrs Penguin
Trip to the Albert Hall to see some tennis
The view from our seats
Rare photo of the penguin in the wild
Henri Leconte
The Map House Christmas Tree
Lost Photos of Captain Scott which were on display at The Map House
Launched the Brighton Bricks Charity Lego Drive this weekend
West Norwood Christmas Tree
Brighton Station Christmas Tree
Brighton Etsy Christmas Fair at Brighton Open Market
Brighton Etsy Christmas Fair at Brighton Open Market
Brighton Etsy Christmas Fair at Brighton Open Market
Brighton Etsy Christmas Fair at Brighton Open Market
Brighton Etsy Christmas Fair at Brighton Open Market
Brighton Etsy Christmas Fair at Brighton Open Market
Foodshed at Brighton Open Market
Brighton Etsy Christmas Fair at Brighton Open Market
Cool Hendrix print by Manic Minotaur
Brighton Etsy Christmas Fair at Brighton Open Market
Brighton Etsy Christmas Fair at Brighton Open Market
Studio 45 at Brighton Open Market
Studio 45 at Brighton Open Market
Studio 45 at Brighton Open Market
November Lego Minifigure Display
The Shepherds Pie Mrs Penguin made
Our Christmas Lego Minifigure Display
Brighton Bricks Lego Collection for The Royal Alex Children's Hospital
The Brighton Bricks Lego Christmas Collection for The Royal Alex Children's Hospital
Read MoreArt Based Content Wanted for SouthWaves Radio
SouthWaves Radio are on the lookout for volunteers to contribute content to our varied schedule. While we would welcome local music based programmes, we are currently searching for arts based content.
Poets, people with opinions and more; we want to hear from you. Length of content can be between 10 and 30 minutes, either on a one off or regular basis.
It doesn't matter if you've never done it before, we welcome all. There is no need for fancy equipment, even just a tablet, phone or laptop will do.
Email Studio@SouthWavesRadio.co.uk for more information!
SouthWaves Radio is a non-profit internet radio station based in the South of England, run by people with Autism
Bison Beer v Burger King: A Crowdfunding Campaign for Brighton
On Friday 27th November was the start date of Bison Beer's Crowdfunding campaign. Bison Beer are a small bottleshop very show walk away from Brighton Beach, stocking beers from around the world.
Their crowdfunding campaign is to revive the derelict site Clarendon Mansions at 80 East Street, Brighton and turn it in The Bison Arms, which will be created and run by a local collective of small business owners in Brighton & Hove
One of the big reasons for this appeal is to stop Burger King from taking over this site, and turning it into another one of their restaurants. Local residents have expressed concerns about this effecting the character of the Brighton Lanes. A online petition was started to keep Burger King out of the lanes, and achieved 3,000 names in just 4 hours, and got over 11,500 names in total.
The character of Brighton Lanes (and the North Laine) is all about local businesses, small shops and businesses, which create a unique shopping experience and makes it different from the typical highstreet, where it is just chain stores.
The crowdfunding appeal means that investors big and small from the local community can contribute to this project, and have a stake in a business which will grow (as well as other stakeholder benefits such as discount!)
As well as Bison Beer working with local breweries for craft beers and real ales, the plan would be to have the design and look of the interiors worked on by local artists and creatives
Check out the crowdfunding appeal www.thebisonarms.co.uk
The Week That Was
Last week in pictures
Takeaway pizza from outside Brighton Station
My journey from home to the station every day
Brighton Bricks meetup
Street Art on way back from Brighton Bricks
Art Exhibition at Parkhall Business Centre
The Parkhall Business Centre's Tree of Hope for local children's centre
Parkhall Business Centre Christmas Fair
Stick It On at The Joker, raising money for charity Rise
Meeting at Rendezvous Brighton regarding my Lego Charity appeal, and checking out the art work there
Wild Strawbery Christmas Fair
My plate after Pork Belly Roast Dinner at Basketmakers Arms
InHouse Space, North Laine
Goodmoney Gift Vouchers helping you to #switchlocal
One of the big things I like to promote is for people to #shoplocal to support local businesses, to support independent shops, designers, galleries and makers. You may have seen my blogs on supporting local designers on Christmas Cards, Christmas Gifts etc.
One group who is trying to encourage people to shop local is Goodmoney CIC, a Brighton based social enterprise, who's vision is to find alternative ways of exchanging value within the community.
They have created a gift voucher that links up independent local businesses to create a more exciting choice of gifts and experiences than high street gift vouchers. Which would allow local businesses get a larger share of the estimated £5 billion spent in the UK each year on gift vouchers and gift cards.
To understand how Goodmoney Gift Vouchers work watch this video www.goodmoney.co.uk/video/
You can buy Goodmoney Gift Vouchers either online or at City Books, or at hiSbe Food CIC
To find out more about Goodmoney visit their website at www.goodmoney.co.uk
There is a wide range of Brighton businesses which accept Goodmoney Gift Vouchers including
(N + 1) Cycle Cafe &Workshop
Bang & Olusfen of Brighton & Hove
Bison Beer
Boho Gelato
Brighton Toy and Model Museum
City Books
Dynamite Gallery
Foodshed co-op
hiSbe Food CIC
Little Beach Boutique
My Slice Pizza
Present in the Laine
Sew Chic Brighton
Stoneham Bakehouse
and lots more
Brighton could be looking at a new currency. GoodMoney is a local gift voucher scheme and social enterprise based in Brighton aiming to help local businesses, charities and community organisations achieve more. Latest TV's James Lillywhite reports.
Brighton Bricks Guide to Christmas Gifts for an adult fan of Lego (AFOL)
So do you have a partner or family member (or even friend) who is a big Lego geek, and wondering what to buy them for Christmas (when they already have a ton of Lego sets already!) So check out the list below.
Fairytale Fair Christmas Market in Patcham, Brighton
Had a great time visiting the Fairytale Fair, seeing some of the great makers I have seen before and some new ones.
So here below is a list of some of the great sellers who were there
Pomelo Crafts
www.etsy.com/shop/pomelocrafts
Kirks Carvings
www.kirkscarvings.co.uk
Kittys Stitches
www.kittysstitches.co.uk
![thumb_IMG_0848[1].JPG](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55fbff55e4b01342ae913ce9/1448190814351-3DEE1OC4TQGYO2Y026W7/thumb_IMG_0848%5B1%5D.JPG)
Yellow Bear Wares
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/YellowBearWares
Tiny Treat Boutique
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TinyTreatBoutique
Louise Mulgrew Designs
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/LouiseMulgrewDesigns
Craft Drawer
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/CraftDrawerUK
The Big Forest
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TheBigForest
Crowns from Ashes
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/CrownsFromAshes
Jen Moules Designs
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/JenMoulesDesigns
Stay True Stitches
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/StayTrueStitches
Wild Whiskers
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/WildWhiskersStudio
Hello DODO
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/helloDODOshop
Art of Fielding
www.artoffielding.co.uk
Bedsit Games
http://bedsitgames.co.uk
I Like Cats
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ilikeCATSshop
Charity Lego Collection Drive in Brighton - Can you help?
As founder of Brighton Bricks, I am wanting to set up a Lego collection drive to donate to a children's hospital in Brighton. This is being organised with Fairy Bricks, a charity with the aim of Brightening the lives of sick children through Lego.
So to help with that, I am planning to organise a Lego drive in Brighton. What I am looking for is venues, be it a shop, cafe or community centre where people can go and drop off the Lego sets to. Depending on the venues, this could be a one day collection date, or over a period of time.
I will be tweeting, blogging, and trying to find any other way of promoting this to everyone and encouraging people to donate. I will also be producing a blog post giving ideas of what to donate. It needs to be brand new Lego (unopened for H&S reasons as it is going to an hospital) and the main themes to donate are Lego City, Creator and Friends.
So if you know of anyone who has a shop or cafe, or any other venue who would be willing to accept boxes of Lego please let me know at nick@brightgreenpenguin.com We can then talk about if we want a one day collection, or if a longer period would work for you. I can arrange to pick up boxes if it gets too many. We can have as many venues as possible
My #FunkoPop Collection
My current collecting craze is Funk Pop Vinyls, and the biggest reason why I love them is because of the some many different pop culture range of figures from Dr Who to Start Wars to Alien to Dumbo
So see below for my collection so far
#CookandCreche A FoodShed Brighton Project
Foodshed Brighton, is an new social enterprise in the Brighton Open Market. An educational Food Hub working with local producers and community projects in and around Brighton & Hove
A project run by the Foodshed Co-op in association with the Salvation Army Brighton.
It is a 6 week cookery course with a crèche provided.
The cost and availability of childcare is often a barrier to education for many parents, especially those on a low income or in receipt of benefits.
Cook & Crèche will target social isolation, peer to peer support and skill-sharing between adults and widen children's early experiences of new foods and healthy eating.
The course entry fee costs £3.50 per family per week materials and crèche included.
We need to raise £2000 to make this course happen and sponsoring a family will help with our fundraising efforts and every little helps.
If you would like to attend the course please get in touch
email: foodshedcourses@gmail.com
If you would like to sponsor a family to attend please click their sponsor button on their website
Octopus Alchemy Crowdfunding Appeal
Octopus Alchemy are a small social venture in Brighton & Hove who works with people to help them refine their relationship with both their own health as well as health of their families and communities. Working through nutrition, bodywork, massage, yoga and activism to help empower people in their lives so they can change it for the better.
On the 15th November, a new crowdfunding campaign is being launch to support a new collaborative project between Octopus Alchemy, Silo, and the Real Junk Food Project
#transformingfoodwasteintosuperfood
Launch event will be at Silo, and will be run on a donation basis, though as limited places you will need too book beforehand.
Octopus Alchemy are also looking for businesses who maybe able to support them in other ways such as:
- Donating vouchers, goods or services to their venture to distribute to individuals who makes a financial pledge to their fundraising campaign
- Offer support in advertising and distributing any promotional materials relating to the crowdfunding appeal
Check out their video below, and click on the link here for more information about Octopus Alchemy
Brighton Film & Comic Con: The Sellers
This weekend in Brighton was Showmaster's Film & Comic Con with star names like John Hurt, Carl Weathers, James Marsters, and George A Romero.
There were also lots of great sellers there, everything from vintage toys to T-shirts to jewellery to art work, so I am going to do a little list below of some of the great people I saw (BFCC is my short hand for the Brighton Film & Comic Con). Will be adding to this post when I have gone through a lot of the business cards / flyers / photos I took
Iconz T-shirts via their EBAY Store Featuring wide range of popular culture characters. At the BFCC there were selling stickers and mugs
Hobbs Lane - produce series of T-Shirts inspired by films like Jaws, Alien, Shawshank Redemption, and The Exorcist via there website
Snikt and Bamf produce jewellery and homeware based on movies like Jurassic Park, Iron Man, Captain America, Star Wars, Batman etc. Available via their website
Oxford Brick Art produce stunning and unique art mosaics and prints, all Lego based. Personalised and commissioned mosaics are possible. Available via their website
Geeky Cool is handmade jewellery based off Disney movies, Lego, Superheroes available conventions and on their website
Baku Forest Studios have an interesting collection of necklaces, earrings and notebooks on their Etsy Store
Down the Rabbitt Hole makers of both Clockwork and Acrylic Jewellery. Available via their website
Twilight Theatre produces a range of full and half face masks. Available via Etsy
ComicConArtist produces excellent comic based artwork available via his Etsy store
Frodo in Wonderland maker of curious things, like chopping boards with Japanese & popular culture images burnt into them. Available via Etsy
Geek Boutique, a Bournemouth shop selling geek inspired clothes and homeware for fangirls and fan boys. Check out their website
Artwork and Illustrations by Becky Knapp. Available via her website
The Art of Paul Malone, artist and illustrator with Posters, Metal plates and T-Shirts available via his website
SM-Artworks produce a range of Sci-Fi / Popular Culture limited edition prints & commissions. Check out website
Retrospective22 home to custom consoles. Check them on at www.retrospective22.com
After wandering around a film & comic con for a while, energy levels drop and fudge from The Galloway Fudge Company is best way to get that energy back. Check their website out
Jason Freeny - Artist
Only discovered Jason Freeny, an artist/designer fairly recently (either someone sent me the link to his Lego anatomy figure, or I found it by luck) and discovered what amazing stuff he has done. I am such a big toy geek, so seeing how he specialise in designer toys made me check out his stuff. He also specialise in sculpture and computer generated imagery.
Jason created his first fictional anatomy illustration in 2000 with his depiction of the mythological "Incubus". His first anatomical digital illustration in 2007with "Pneumatic Anatomica" balloon animal anatomy and his first anatomical sculpt in 2010 with an anatomical Dunny.
Armed with a youthful, overactive imagination, Jason creates smart, intricate works that tickle the deviant intellect through a mix of hard graphics, detailed anatomy, pop iconography and wit.
Jason went full time as a working artist in 2010 and can now be found hunched over his work table developing works of candy colored madness. He set up Moist Production Studio
More great work by Jason
Couple of places to buy Jason's work from in the US (will ship to the UK).
Brighton Film Club
a monthly short indie film screening
A new short film night. Every month we will curate a screening of a series of short films submitted from artists all over the world, chosen by us. We will showcase around 20 films a month. The screenings will be the second yo last Tuesday every month at Patterns.
Submit your short film anytime and we will contact you if we want to use it for the months Brighton Film Club. We will be looking for themes in the submissions so if your film fits into one of the following themes, please put the month if your application. If it doesn't please submit your film anyway.
November - Winter - Deadline 11th Nov
December - Festive - Deadline 4th Dec
Janurary - New beginnings - Deadline 12th Jan
February - Love / Heart break - Deadline 9th Feb
For Short Films / Animation Submissions Click HERE
Bright Green Penguins Guide to Christmas Cards
Why send the same Christmas card as everyone else, why not send something different, and you can also help support independent designers, shops and galleries
So I am going to post lots of great card designs, which can be bought of sites like Etsy, from craft fairs, galleries or independent shops.
So click on the card you like to take you through to the site which sells the cards
Part of the inspiration behind my Christmas Card blog is the #justacard campaign to encourage people to buy from independent shops, galleries & designers. www.justacard.org
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![for-ewe-at-christmas-christmas-card-523-p[ekm]299x224[ekm].jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55fbff55e4b01342ae913ce9/1446996121399-F2C3QC05KEZGABJWUMGP/for-ewe-at-christmas-christmas-card-523-p%5Bekm%5D299x224%5Bekm%5D.jpg)
