Newsround

We are cock-a-hoop this week due to some great press - after the hard work of designing the site early this year and finding all of the wonderful shops that constitute The Secret Arcade we are really delighted at the recognition that people are giving it. Firstly we are thrilled to be featured in Vogue Portugal's September Issue - what an honour! They included a great picture of the front of The Secret Arcade which has already tempted quite a few people through the gates. A big thanks to the Vogue Portugal team! (See the piece in 'What's in the Press' on the left side column of this blog.) Secondly we were given a right royal audience with Queen Marie from The Kingdom of Style - one of our absolute favourite blogs. She has said some great things about The Secret Arcade and has chosen one of Leju's statement necklaces as one of her favourite pieces. Another big thanks to her! (You can view the Leju necklace by visiting their shop in The Secret Arcade's jewellery passage.)

Close Up and Personal with Books and Prints

We love the fact that you can buy artist made books and original limited edition art prints from The Secret Arcade. We have also learned this week that two of our shops are taking part in some great events that for anyone interested in getting close up and personal with these brilliant artforms can go along and do just that!

THIS WEEKEND ONLY ! A Little Bit Of Art at The Palace Art Fair

The team at our favourite print shop is showing some of their artists at The Palace Art Fair this weekend (8th - 10th October) and if you can make it you will be in for a treat. There will be masses of wonderful original prints for sale - a great way of owning your own piece of art!
Visit A Little Bit of Art blog to find out more details. If you cant make the art fair you can always visit their shop which is located in The Book, Prints & Art passageway at The Secret Arcade where you can browse dozens of fabulous artist's work- all for sale at very reasonable prices.

Get creative and make your own beautiful artist book

Ciara Healy is a book artist and has a wonderful shop in the Secret Arcade where you can view and buy her handmade books. If you would like to be more hands -on she will be running a book making weekend workshop in November and December - places are limited so it is a good idea to book a place soon if you want to learn to make some beautiful handmade books for Christmas presents! The workshops will be taking place in Guildford at the lovely Ochre Print studio. Learn a range of simple book making skills. Apply these skills to your creative style and develop your own artists books! This course is for anyone who is willing to experiment and explore visual arts materials, images and expression. No direct previous experience is required, this is not a traditional bookbinders course; it is a more creative version suitable for printmakers, writers, photographers, textiles and artists of all kinds. Starts Wednesday evenings 3rd November, 2010 for 6 consecutive weeks.£138 members, £152 non members - Basic materials included. To find out more about Ciara's workshop here

To see more of the books and prints by A Little Bit of Art and Ciara Healy visit the Book, Print & Art passage at The Secret Arcade.

Children's Classics From Olive Loves Alfie

The iconic 'Miffy 'Lamp

We love the 'Miffy' lamps that have newly arrived in the style hive that is Olive Loves Alfie. Based on the iconic rabbit design created in the 1950's by Dick Bruna it sits at 80cms with a little sister arriving in time for Christmas! Miffy can be used as a night light in a child's room or as ambient light in a more grown up environment.

Stylish Nostalgia - a new autumn/winter collection from Little Duckling

Due to arrive hot of the press at Olive Loves Alfie this week is the new collection of brilliantly cut children's clothes by Little Duckling. We love the sense of nostalgia that they create with their fresh colour palette and quite brilliant pattern cutting. Going from strength to strength with another outstanding collection we love the new AW10 collection even more than the last. It is due to arrive in store any day so will be available on line next week.

Miffy lights and the new Little Duckling collection are available from the Olive Loves Alfie Shop in the Children's passage of The Secret Arcade.