Pixies & Sprites

Pixies & Sprites Unusual Gifts made from usual things

Wasn’t going to buy any more maps, but this pair were just too interesting to pass.The seller thought they were 1960’s/7...
12/06/2026

Wasn’t going to buy any more maps, but this pair were just too interesting to pass.

The seller thought they were 1960’s/70’s but I think they’re actually earlier given some of the details/references.

From a viewpoint of turning them into something artistic, the typography and colour palette are gorgeous. So that made them worth the punt!

But then with over a thousand maps squirrelled away to create artistic pieces, it takes a something different to grab out attention, nowadays.

So the challenge to date the maps……

The reference to His Majesty’s Stationary Office together with Tanzania as Tanganyika and the degree of road network around Lake Victoria date the maps to possibly 1948-1950.

We’re currently working through some of the other details to confirm if it’s a 1950’s map with revisions. So to be continued…….

The map has a water stain and there’s some creative cartography putting the tip of Mombasa in Lake Victoria, but this pair has just overtaken the 1950’s map of France to make it to the top of the ‘fun pile’ to fold 🥰

Where you can find us this weekend 🥰A hybrid weekend of outdoor/indoor farm/city locations.Sounds good to us 😊
12/06/2026

Where you can find us this weekend 🥰

A hybrid weekend of outdoor/indoor farm/city locations.

Sounds good to us 😊

New one for us!Been asked a fair few times if we could do a Bond piece. Always tricky if that should be from the books, ...
11/06/2026

New one for us!

Been asked a fair few times if we could do a Bond piece. Always tricky if that should be from the books, film images or something else.

So we’ve sourced a vintage Movie poster book of all the classic films, which includes lots of International posters; so lots of foreign language text and different details.

This is our first attempt, in our 10” frame/3D Tricorne hexagon.

Made from a 1963 poster for From Russia with Love.

Hopefully enough detail and interest for a 007 fan.

Didn’t get a chance to share this one fully framed.Funny to think that these two pieces are both made from a 1936 OS Eas...
11/06/2026

Didn’t get a chance to share this one fully framed.

Funny to think that these two pieces are both made from a 1936 OS East Anglia map on canvas. Both maps were showing their age and in need of some attention to stop further damage.

But two different folds creates two very different pieces. Think this contrast will make me keep experimenting, rather than stick to a successful formula.

I’m still getting used to the new version. On its own I love it and it works. But when I see it against the folded Froebel squares I’m torn as to which I prefer.

The black framed piece has sold and I hope to replace it with a similar piece from a 1946 map. The tricorne piece will be on our stand this weekend.

Both 6x7 module tiles.

Given the awful weather this week, the new copper distressed roses will have to wait till next week.But my fingers have ...
10/06/2026

Given the awful weather this week, the new copper distressed roses will have to wait till next week.

But my fingers have not been idle, as if 🤣

First up is this 1986 Norfolk Broads map by Blakes Holidays.

This one came to us as part of a map bundle, rather than a direct purchase. It’s inset details and layout doesn’t make it the simplest one to pull together, but think I’ve found a solution.

The main folded 3D Tricorne tile is a very irregular shape but does work as a stand alone piece.

The remaining folded modules will be joined to form one of our double hexagon A4 sized pieces.

So restock of distressed copper small rose 👎
Upcycle of tricky 40 yr old tourist map 👍

Thought I could do something clever but not quite!It’s been 10 weeks since we were at the Norwich Halls for Craft & Flea...
09/06/2026

Thought I could do something clever but not quite!

It’s been 10 weeks since we were at the Norwich Halls for Craft & Flea.

So I was trying to see how our stock had changed as we sell & make new pieces.

Unfortunately I haven’t got a stall photo from inside the event 🤬. Next time!

But I’ve sneakily taken the two events either side since that would have been roughly what was on our stand.

On market days when you don’t feel like you wrap and put many items in a bag, it’s surprisingly to look at the events in this way. All these pieces have found new homes in the last two months. 🥰

So we most definitely have a lot of new pieces for Craft & Flea. It may seem familiar if you saw us last time, but it will be different.

This one is now finished the folding stage, but not yet framed.The 1930’s East Anglia map has made a stunning piece. So ...
09/06/2026

This one is now finished the folding stage, but not yet framed.

The 1930’s East Anglia map has made a stunning piece. So pleased I took a chance and did the fold variation.

From a distance just as a mix of colours, the piece looks interesting. Close up, the detail can still be seen.

But frame colour? A ultra-flat matte black? Or a more softer medium oak waxed frame. White even with an open grain may change the sepia hues.

So sitting with a cuppa working out which colour brick looks best against the frame, which means I think I’m looking for something with a mahogany hue.

We always take time with these pieces. It would be so easy to pop it straight into a normal frame, which would be fine in itself, but we know we can always do better. So spending those few extra hours looking at the shapes & colour tones, noticing how you start to focus more on a particular aspect, helps with the choices.

To say I’m pleased with how this one has turned out, is a definite understatement. So am feeling very content & quite joyful, that this piece of paper can once again be viewed & enjoyed for years to come. 🥰

A morning of errands, including picking up some reserved publications from a local antiques centre & popping into one of...
08/06/2026

A morning of errands, including picking up some reserved publications from a local antiques centre & popping into one of our favourite second hand book shops.

Did we need more maps, probably not. But for us, we get them whilst we can or risk waiting for months for them to pop up again.

To-do list for the week.Progress orders - 2 orders to dispatch3 orders I’ve now got the materials to create3 orders we n...
08/06/2026

To-do list for the week.

Progress orders -
2 orders to dispatch
3 orders I’ve now got the materials to create
3 orders we now know what we need, so can run and source
5 orders at concept discussion stage

There’s something very satisfying in working through a bespoke piece. Sometimes there’s a clear path, other times it feels like it’s impossible, then becomes very simple.

Then I need to restock our distressed copper roses.

Last year we sold 2 shiny for every distressed. This year it’s 3 distressed for every shiny rose.

It’s going to be a soggy week so can’t rely on sunshine to help process,but may have a play at firing the copper with blowtorch first. Might get some interesting pieces.

Nothing like coming back to a map delivery after a double header market weekend.We’ve had a lot of interest recently in ...
07/06/2026

Nothing like coming back to a map delivery after a double header market weekend.

We’ve had a lot of interest recently in a possible South Africa map piece.

It’s a tricky one to do given the scale and availability of maps.

- it’s big
- with humongous coastline
- limited availability of old maps
- what’s out there is either small, expensive or both.

So have sourced a modern version of a Michelin map, to work through the problem.

My head is already whirling with different possibilities for tackling the piece. What shape, size, scale and how to deal with that pesky distance box on the bottom right.

How much easier it would be if they’d included just a couple inches more sea 🤭

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