Skip to main content

London artisans keep globe-making alive


When I was in elementary school, about 25 years ago, a huge globe was one of the most coveted and costly graduation gifts. But in this age of GPS, Google Maps and Google Earth, few clamor over traditional globes anymore, and the art of globe making has fallen by the wayside. In fact only two workshops in the world still make handcrafted globes; one of them is Bellerby & Co. Globemakers, a studio based in London.

Founded by Peter Bellerby seven years ago, the idea came about when the former bowling alley boss struggled to find a well crafted globe for his father's 80th birthday present. Faced with a choice between a crappy made globe or a pricey vintage type, he decided to spend some time and money making his own. It turned out to be quite a bit more challenging, time consuming and more expensive than he thought. Eventually, it led to the creation of his own globe-making studio.




Now, the 49-year-old and his team of passionate artisans create bespoke globes which are popular with celebrities. Embedded below is a six-minute clip that documents the intricate processes that go into making these wonderful objects, as well as a brief interview with the Globemaker himself.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Hand-Painted Bags That Tell Your Story

  Most bags today look like they were produced by bored machines in a dimly lit factory. You can walk into any mall and find rows of identical leather (or “leather-like”) things, all claiming to express individuality. Ironically, though, they all look exactly the same. Then there’s Abby Verano . Her bags are not mere accessories; they’re declarations. Each one is hand-painted, touched by an actual human being with an imagination. Abby doesn’t just sell you something to put your wallet and smartphone in; she sells you a story, a vision, a little revolt against the tyranny of sameness.  Her tools are simple — brushes, acrylic paint, bags made from pandan leaves, and creativity. No duplicates. No clones. Just one-of-a-kind art pieces you can carry.

Eagle Blue

Set to Julia Holter's This is a True Heart, Eagle Blue follows the story of a mother eagle looking to feed her young, but is lured into the town with the temptation of an easy meal.

'Star Wars' cutaway illustrations by Hans Jenssen and Richard Chasemore

These illustrations by Hans Jenssen and Richard Chasemore explore the inner workings of some of the most famous Star Wars vehicles, from the AT-AT walker to the Millennium Falcon. The interesting part about these images is that they're completely hand drawn, with no help from a computer whatsoever. Prepare to marvel at these wonderful examples of sci-fi art!  [h/t: Galactic Academy ]