Born Centre Cultural

(c) Pep Herrero

It's one of the latest to join the huge number of sights in Barcelona, Born Centre Cultural (Born Culture Center; another one being the new old fleamarket Els Encants Vells). During the first weeks since its opening on September 9, a few hundred thousand locals accepted long waits to be able to visit it.
It's official website is here, the English version has got only one page. The Catalan and Spanish versions give a lot more information on the archeological findings, exhibitions, events, restaurant, bookstore, etc. It's Twitter account (pictures) is here.
The Catalan news agency ACN had this article. Some critics believe it to be a propanda project related to the festivities in memory of the third centenary of the fall of Barcelona in 1714, at the end of the War of the Spanish Succession (1700-1714, Wikipedia article).
The international press has not covered it yet (at least to this blogger's research on google news...). For the (hipster) Born neighborhood consult TimeOut Barcelona here...

(c) Marçal Font

Barcelona: local craftsmanship from the Born district

The Born district in Barcelona has become a home for those appreciating quality and individual designs, made locally - in contrast to the globalized and cheap fashion offered by the likes of H&M, Zara, ... a few hundred metres away around Plaza Catalunya and Portal d'Àngel.
Three examples for women's accessories were recently presented in La Vanguardia newspaper in an article by Ariadna Alcañiz ("Vivir", Jan. 16, 2013, p. 10):
"About Arianne" are shoes with sober lines, vintage aesthetics, London inspired, with attention to detail, made since 2010 in Spain (Elda, Alicante) from quality leather and other materials. The latest collection is called "Northern Star" and includes platforms. They do small productions; in case they do not have one's size, one can order them individually made within about 25 days. Their website with online shopping is here.
Next to the shoestore one finds "Iriarte Iriarte" that since 2009 has sold leather bags, briefcases, etc. As it is a two-people business, production runs are small, but they also offer custom productions within four or five weeks. Their website with online shopping is here.
The third store presented in this small article was "Après Ski" jewellry. The pieces are described as simple, singular, and hand-made from "poor" materials, such as wood, ceramics, brass, and resin. Their website with online shopping is here.