My love of matchbox labels started with Eastern Europe, blocks of colour, propaganda and public service announcements. I was then offered a collection of Japanese labels, a different aesthetic and slice of history illustrated through advertising. A recent addition to the Japanese collection is this set of ladies. I’m not sure if they advertise anything or are simply collectable items. They are brilliantly bright, colourful, fun and just a little bit saucy!

I’m having a clear-out at the moment. Something that takes up a little too much room is this collection of vintage light bulb packaging. I’m not quite sure how it started, I’ve always had an interest in found design that is unwanted or discarded by others. But it’s time to pass it on to someone else. This photo did make me question my decision, they look so good!

Christmas card time and there is nothing like a good kick up the arse to get creative. While designing the gocco print I managed to keep it simple (I have to remind myself simple works best). A two colour print using florescent pink and gold.. slightly overlapping colours with little registration to worry about. I’m hoping the moleskine notebook ‘card’ will be a nice mini christmas gift that will be kept post christmas and prove useful in 2011.

Prints and notebooks available for sale in the Maraid Etsy shop

Atlas Continental Candle Lamps

Part of Colour Week

Philips audio tape

Part of Colour Week

My interest in matchbox labels lies primarily in the design but also the concept that these small images can communicate to a large number of people.

1950s and 60s Eastern European labels captivate me most. Why did this area of the world embrace modern design and imagery when many countries, including Britain, still preferred the Victorian aesthetic?

Subject matter is also fascinating. As with advertisers, governments were quick to realise the potential of these far reaching messages. Propaganda was popular but so too was public service announcements including fire safety, hygiene, money saving, alcohol abuse and road safety.

This combination of subject and design has left behind an invaluable archive of its time.

• My Matchbox Label Flickr set

I’m a fan of Hula Seventy‘s Photobooth Friday. This is the first time I have found a photobooth picture in a second hand shop and in true Hula Seventy style I’m calling her Joan. Taken by Jerome Studios, Newcastle-upon-Tyne on 24 March 1964.

• Photobooth Friday Flickr group

It makes me happy that this came from a charity shop. Granted that the woman behind the counter didn’t know how an empty curtain box got into the shop, perhaps it had some shoes in it at some point, but it was potentially throw away packaging that I was willing to spend money on.