Max Mausen - International Clarinettist

Born in Luxembourg - Max Mausen has always loved music, I have it on good authority he could whistle Benjamin Britten at age 6, he wanted to be a professional musician by the age of 15.... and so he began his journey to make that happen!  He started his musical training at the city's Conservatoire.  He then came to London to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2009, (and it was during his time there that Max worked with us briefly). 

Acclaimed as a 'sensitive' and 'imaginative' performer, clarinettist Max Mausen excels as both a soloist and an orchestral player. He was appointed Principal Clarinet of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra in September 2014.  

Photograph © Ian Dingle

Max began a crowdfunding campaign back in April 2014 to fund his debut solo album - luckily Ian spotted it via facebook and made a contribution  - he reached his target in record time and his plan became a reality with the release of 'New Waves'  in December 2014.

He has performed with orchestras and ensembles including the Orchestre Philharmonique de Luxembourg, Philharmonia Orchestra, United Instruments of Lucilin, Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and the Orchestre de Chambre de Luxembourg.

Oh and he also played at both MAP weddings! 


His repertoire is wide and varied -  as well as his orchestra & solo performances Max finds time to play in a band called Sudden Junction a "musical allsorts extravaganza", who's recent take on Fat Boy Slim's 'Right Here Right Now' won them an award from the London Song Company! Have a listen here

It's always great to hear stories of creative fulfilment from talented friends who have helped us out along the way!  Hoping Max has a long and successful career ahead of him - we look forward to following his news!

Featured Artists - Lula Tobitt & Angel Ashcroft AKA 'A Common Thread'

A Common Thread - @CraftyCoalition came onto my radar as soon as they hit the Archway scene!  Lula and Angel moved into Bickerton House Archway Studios in January, they run regular workshops at their studio covering knitting, crochet and sewing skills  - It just looks like great fun! 

Their manifesto:  

"we are a common thread: coalition of craft and we are taking our love for craft to the masses. we are a craft school for adults answering to a growing interest and enthusiasm for learning domestic crafts, helping people to uncover and develop their creative potential whilst learning new skills and having fun in the process. 

we have an online shop providing ethically sourced, sustainable and artisan craft supplies whilst also showcasing work from independant makers. we believe that craft can change the world through craftivism and yarn bombing and at the same time make it a more beautiful place to be in.

we believe in looking after the world we inhabit - we only using biodegradable or recyclable packaging, recycled yarns, cooperatives and animal welfare are high priorities for us.  Craft is both personal and political and we believe that with creating and making comes, not only an opportunity to learn about yourself but also an opportunity to engage with others and the world around you, 

but most of all we just want you to enjoy it as much as we do."

who could resist.....tea & strawberry tart anyone?

We were delighted that 'A common thread' accepted our invitation to collaborate on a window display,,,,our spring 'allotment' window hopes to inspire creativity and the joy of textile art.......why not book up for one of A common Thread's workshops ? - learn new skills, meet lovely people, experiment, create & most importantly have fun!......

Lula & Angel are also taking a stand at the upcoming Selvedge Spring Fair in London 2015, Chelsea Old Town Hall, London  25 APRIL 2015.

No Sugar Easter Egg Hunt!

We're jumping on the latest fad - no sugar diets......but Easter Egg Hunts are such fun right? So we are having our own no sugar version......hidden around our window display (but not so hard that they can't be seen from outside) are a number of eggs.......How many can you see?  

Pop down with the kid's this week and get them to look really carefully - pop into the shop and complete an entry form with your answer......or tweet it to @mapgiftshop #EasterEggHunt (you are allowed to enter without a child to help!)

All the winning entries will be entered into a draw and the winner picked at random on Saturday 4th April!  What do you win?  No not chocolate!  The winner will receive a £30 map gift shop voucher to spend on whatever you like!  

ASOS move over! Exclusive map gift shop jewellery features on The Ladykillers!

Obviously not the Alec Guiness classic, filmed down the road in Kings Cross, but the new BBC documentary The Ladykillers Pest Detectives 8pm Thursdays.  

Imogen (one of our favourite customers and long term friend of map gift shop) caused a continuity crisis modelling some of our finest classic necklaces - you'll have to watch it carefully (even if it does make you itch!)  

Come and have a look at our silver and semi-precious stone jewellery, made by map  - sometimes even with my own nimble fingers!  They make the perfect easy to wear gift and what's more - you can't buy them anywhere else!

The Toy Project

You may have seen that for the last 2 weeks we have been collecting used and new toys for The Toy Project.  Once again we have been overwhelmed by your amazing generosity!  Jane from The Toy Project has been equally delighted with the quality of the toys you gave us and has sent some pictures with some insight as to how the toys will be used in their new homes.  

This is quality stuff! Lovely to be able to use this with the grieving kids. Many & huge thanks!

One of the charities that The Toy Project support is Caris Islington

"We are amazed by the generosity of all the supporters of the Toy Project. Our charity works with children who have been bereaved - mostly children who have lost a parent - so we use all sorts of toys in the play therapy we do. We are SO grateful to you all at the toy project. It's been fantastic receiving the toys your supporters have been sending us. Your project is supporting us in a completely practical and useful way and we can't thank you enough. Lucky us that you are up and running in such a powerful way! Lydia, Caris Islington"

Other donations have been re-homed with PramDepot, the Ifor Ward at the Royal Free and Ambler Primary School!

A huge thank you to all those who donated!  

p.s. I was secretly delighted to see that my teenage heart-throb Jason Donovan has been a supportive patron of TheTOYProject since day one.  He regularly donates personal items that they auction to raise funds.  Those of us "of a certain age" will understand my inexplicable excitement at his fan twitter RT's and following the success of our collection!

Great News

We have been selected as a finalist in The Greats Gift Retailer Awards!
We are definitely on a roll - first Time Out Love london award for best shop and now....It's official!  map gift shop is one of the best gift retailers in the UK

All retail finalists were decided as a result of an industry-wide poll of gift suppliers, reps and agents and validation by a panel of experts.

"These dedicated awards for gift retailers have risen immeasurably in status over the years and are now universally acknowledged as being true accolades of excellence," commented Sue Marks, editor of Progressive Gifts & Home. "Being selected as a finalist is a fantastic achievement. There was a huge entry this year, with some outstanding, first class entries."

The winners of this year’s prestigious gift retailing awards  - The Greats 2015 – will be revealed at an Awards lunch at the glamorous Savoy Hotel in London on Thursday May 7 - we'll keep you posted.

Exit through the Gift Shop

Jen Pedlar 'Queen of Archway' and dear friend of map gift shop is leading a series of guided walk titled 'Archway my Way'  over the next few months.

"I’ve lived in Archway for over thirty years. Let me show you my manor!" 

Archway is in the throes of regeneration; its brutalist tower is in the process of being re-clad and turned into flats, the controversial gyratory system is soon to be abolished. But this is just another chapter in Archway's long history.

left.  archway tower in full brutalist glory, centre.  archway tower now shrouded during cladding, right. archway tower of the future.

On this walk you will, see the place where Dick Whittington famously turned again.  Learn why a bridge was built where there should have been a tunnel.  Hear why priests disguised themselves to buy a pub.  Stand on a point that's at the same level as the top of the dome of St Paul's & get fabulous panoramic views from some of the highest points in London.

Left.  map gift shop in 1904 and 2014 right top Whittington's cat right centre. views from Archway Bridge, right bottom Archway Bridge (also known as suicide bridge)

And what's more..... if you fancy a bit of retail therapy, this is possibly the only guided walk that exits through the gift shop! 

This circular walk starts at Archway tube station (meet in the ticket hall) and lasts about two hours - you can book tickets through eventbrite!  We'll post more information about future dates soon!