o.k., o.k., already

If any further proof were needed as to why it's well worth the effort of blogging, I arrived home from Interesting 2008 on Saturday to find that the postman had delivered me my brand-spanking new copy of O.K. Collections, published by my good (virtual) friend William and the team over at the ok-blog (and yes, before you ask, I did pay for it).

And what a lovely piece of design and print it is (though very Dutch, mind you). But don't worry, the text is in English. Now William had invited me a while ago to make a contribution, but unfortunately I'm simply not a collector. So, sadly, I had to decline: but William has promised to invite me to contribute to their next publication (once they've decided what that will be).

But I tell you what: even though I might not be a collector, I'm fascinated by the things that people do collect. Like these salt-and-pepper sets from George Sponselee, a retired teacher from the Netherlands.

And Vitorre Baroni from Italy (who describes himself as a counter culture explorer) collects mail art.

Emily Darnell, from the US, collects - among other things - the bits that are left behind when holes have been punched into card packaging. And I begin to understand why, when I see them displayed like this.

And this collection was the first to catch my eye. Lovely aren't they?

And do you know what they are? They're bread tags. Collected by Ralf Steegs, who's a web administrator (oh yes, now I'm beginning to understand).

Get your copy now - it will cost you a mere 10 Euros (only 8 if you're in the Netherlands, although quite a bit more, I'm afraid, if you're ordering from outside Europe). Just go here.

By the way, William's asked me if I can recommend any London bookshops who might like to stock O.K. Collections: I've already suggested Koenig Books in the Charing Cross Road, and Artwords Bookshop in Shoreditch. Anybody else got any ideas? Email me davidthedesigner (at) celsius.eu.com if you have.

Comments

[Andrew Kingham]

You really do zig when others are zagging don't you, David?
I try not to collect. Perhaps because it feels like designers are supposed to. I'm not knocking it though, as it certainly informs the work of some. The inimitable George Hardie – (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Hardie_(artist) – for one. And the imitable (but never bettered) Graham Rawle. Spend your book tokens on 'Woman's World'. (You can hear the scissors snipping), and pore over/pour coffee over 'Speck' in your local lifestyle bookshop/cafe.

[davidthedesigner]

Funny you should say that Andrew, because I did notice that I was the oldest blogger in the room at Interesting 2008 (and by a country mile, don't you know). And it got me thinking that I must be zigging when all of my contemporaries are zagging. I wonder where they do it?

[Richard]

That does look lovely David and now I'm kicking myself for being a lazy arse and not contributing. Damn me!

[davidthedesigner]

It's OK, we understand Richard: your head's been turned by a trio of chickens.