2014 - 21 years young!

Another crazy Christmas under our belt and a chance to recharge our batteries for the exciting year ahead! 

I've really enjoyed reflecting on our highlights of the past year!

In January we resolved to be good to ourselves with some amazing Toiletry ranges which have continued to be well received, plus we introduced a stylish hip new boy range with Beardsley! 

We reflected on our 20th Birthday year and in February I showcased some of maps secrets and the hidden talents of  Ian Morris, we shared our love for Archway for Valentine's day with our exclusive I love archway range!

March brought Mother's day and a chance to feature the work of a friend from the beginning of my journey - Maxwell Dorsey

Spring - and we introduced another new range from Seedballs - for those who like a little guerilla style gardening!

I really enjoyed featuring the work of 2 more local designers Harriet Wide and Elizabeth Avery in our Wedding window, which also featured the work of our good friend from Mumhadoneofthose vintage ceramics.

Our most popular blog of the year was celebrating our 21st birthday in June with 21 things you probably never knew about us!

New branded bags and a loyalty card initiative over the summer.....

We lived the dream with Nina Dogmetchi in September....

Her amazing book the lazy leopard is available online and instore!

The ongoing Bleeding London project was really interesting.  One of our customers Jen Pedler - local resident and local historian has photographed every street in N19, read more about her and the project here.

One of the biggest highlights of our year came in Septmeber when we were nominated for a Time Out Love London award - we were absolutely overwhelmed by the tidal wave of support and were thrilled to find out in November that we had won best shop in N19!   Thanks again to everyone who voted for us - we really appreciated all your comments and support!

Ian became an Islington Face, we were named as one of londons leading specialist shops and finally in December we were really privileged to be asked to take part in the Metropolitan Police Christmas Tree Campaign.  You probably noticed the tree at Archway station decorated with tags asking for donations.....

Together with other local businesses Absolute Print & Pines & Needles we helped the Islington Met Police collect over 300 gifts to be given to children in care across the borough. 

We've had a fabulous year - thanks so much for your loyalty, support and friendship! 

Featured Artist - Maxwell Dorsey

Those who know map gift shop will no doubt already know we pride ourselves on showcasing local talent.  As textile designers we also love a print!  It is with absolute pleasure that I am introducing the work of local artist Maxwell Dorsey.  I met Maxwell some 30 years ago - and am pleased that over the period our paths have continued to collide - his studio is in Bickerton Road where he works with his partner and collaborator Yvonne Chambers.   He recently has produced some ranges of work which fit very nicely alongside our spring collection.  His drawings of wild flowers displayed in humble jars and glasses are refreshingly simple.  The quality of line together with the clean, muted colours evoke a the cheerful optimism of spring!

 I can't think of a nicer gift this season!

These limited edition giclee* prints are presented in oak coloured wooden frames and are sold individually for £48.

Maxwell has also produced a range of lino cut prints based on British Wildlife.  "Wild about Britain" is a strong theme of the moment at map gift shop with images of hedgehogs, foxes, badgers and hares adorning everything from slippers to espresso cups and saucers.

These limited edition prints are  available individually framed for £48.

*  for those (like me) who hadn't heard the word giclee here's the wikipedia definition - 

The word giclée was appropriated by Jack Duganne, a printmaker working at Nash Editions. He wanted a name for the new type of prints they were producing on the IRIS printer, a large-format, high-resolution industrial prepress proofing inkjet printer they had adapted for fine-art printing. He was specifically looking for a word that would not have the negative connotations of "inkjet" or "computer generated". It is based on the French word gicleur, which means "nozzle" (the verb form gicler means "to squirt, spurt, or spray"). One unintended consequence of Duganne's choice of name was its problematic use in the French language since it is also modern French slang for male ejaculation.