camilla engman at junc gallery

camilla's show at the junc gallery in l.a. opened this weekend. love this one.

kalon studios

One can't go wrong with design for a sustainable culture, and Kalon Studios is not only sustainable, their product is also beautiful and functional. Researching further, Kalon is an ancient greek concept, meaning "the highest form of beauty". An appropriate name then.

Their Isometric chair represents a union of two distinct elements. Using the structural integrity of bamboo, made with 100% all natural, non toxic and sustainable materials and the precision of CNC manufacturing locally. Available with or without their delicately carved motifs.

The Ioline changing trunk, a personal favorite, is an answer to functionality without leaving the aesthetics behind. A unique changing table designed to fit anywhere in a home. Storage space below large enough to hold diapers, wipes and creams, p.j.'s and onesies. And can be used as a reading bench and toy chest for toddlers.

kalonstudios.com

helle jorgensen

i came across australia's helle jorgensen's blog, gooseflesh today, and was immediately taken by her lovely pictures of her stunning crochet work. when presented this way, you totally get the whole picture of what she is trying to portray and this i love. i love the thought of these wooly gems being inspired by the sea. makes me want it more. beautiful styling and her work is so unique and inspiring. and a bonus she has an etsy shop too!

gooseflesh blog
gooseflesh etsy shop

also if you get a chance take a look at her embroidery, crochet sea creatures, illustrations and beach detritus. lots of talent to explore!

more gocco

gocco treasury on etsy (while it lasts) by ohdear




zine covers by obsessive consumption (update: these zines were made for coudal.com's swap meet).


poppies by nebopeklo


goldfinch print by sarahparrott825

little paper planes - affordable art

tree print with buttons by marci washington, $8


i'll go print by rachel salomon, $65


circling and tendering by sarah sohn, $30



sparrow by cindy jaswal, $40

canadian crafts online

canadian crafts online is a site dedicated to showcasing canadian craft artists. it was started by irina and raz rapaport, craft artists themselves as a labour of love and out of passion for the handmade. the site is intended to be a directory of craft artists and provide online exposure. it is free to join, just send them an email.

canadian crafts online

wonderland retreat

remember the wonderland retreat crew? they started a little etsy shop in early april 2007 to help alleviate the medical bills of a fellow crafter, alison gordon. well, great news! she's back in action, working full time and feels pretty good about getting back to normalcy.

now there is another creative who needs help. elijah wyman is an artist, crafts person and musician who recently underwent a kidney transplant. post operation, elijah will be on intensive medicines for quite some time, some even for the rest of his life.

so the wonderland crew are at it again, with all of the proceeds from their shop benefiting elijah and his recovery expenses, expenses that can reach upwards of $210,000.

they say they have lots of great items, donated from lots of incredible crafters!

wonderlandetsy.com

new feature - cool blog of the week

i've decided to add a new feature here, "cool blog of the week". it seems like i just can't keep up with all the blogs coming at me and to keep track and to do a post or to update my template is just about becoming nearly impossible or so it seems. so as a way to plug all those great blogs out there and to recognize and support them, i've dedicated a page to these weekly picks which will be chosen every thursday and posted on my sidebar as well. the blog chosen will be welcome to post this little banner (below) to let their readers know they've been picked.





so the first one i'd like to introduce the jotter blog, and as their tag explains what they are all about, "write here, write now" (always loved that jesus jones song), there is no other explanation needed.

so check back here every thursday for a new cool blog of the week!

rosa pomar ribbons

i have been a fan of rosa pomar's dolls ever since i first started this blog. her blog was one of the first one's i visited on a regular basis. she recently has started to make these beautiful ribbons made from her original illustrations. they are produced in portugal by a confidence in textiles certified company.

new alyssa ettinger

its fun to see high profile artists with their work on etsy as you get to see things you haven't seen before quicker than one usually would and i'm loving this knitware bowl by alyssa ettinger. the bowl is an unglazed matte on the outside (feels like pearls according to her etsy site) and is glazed on the inside.

alyssa ettinger etsy shop

pillows for the people

pillows for the people is a fun site for searching out a unique pillow. lots of choices and themes to choose from, hence the name i suspect. pillows for all occasions.

new queenthings

always a favorite and though i normally don't post about jewelry, i can never help myself when it comes to jenny vorwaller's pieces. and she has a new one out she just sent out a notice about. called the coronation necklace, it's make of sterling silver antlers and wire wrapped aqua chalcedony hung on draped gunmetal chains.

queenthings mintd shop
jennyvorwaller.com

mining mintd

some highlights from mintd today. starting off with this follow your bliss print by irene suchocki




vector set digital designs by julian2



notepaper pouch by caylie


treasure box - japanese foliage by sixthandelm


two bikes gocco card set by supastarr




fortune cookie soaps by twin dreams



photo matchbox botanical collection by sparksfly


felt owl notebooks by moxie madness

somethings hiding in here etsy shop!

cool to see somethings hiding in here has opened up an etsy shop! now we don't have to be at one of those craft fairs back east to get one of those amazing wood rings or fun typographical shopping bags. yahooey!

pretty darn swell + susan schwake

only a few more days left in june and your chance to purchase this wired print at pretty darn swell, by susan schwake-larochelle. pretty darn swell's site allows for $5 of the $20 of each print sold goes to a worthy charity. susan's wired print profits goes to a new hampshire boys program. each print is printed on german etching paper which is 300 gm.

pretty darn swell

cindy jaswal

Cindy Jaswal is a Vancouver-based mixed media artist who concentrates on environmental issues both in theme and practice. She works with pen and ink drawings, paintings, printmaking, handmade books and photography. She takes inspiration from the natural world around her and pays particular attention to the place where the land and sea meet, spending much of her time observing the areas in and around Vancouver and Vancouver Island. The colours and textures of the coast help to inform her work literally and abstractly.

Born in Victoria, B.C., Cindy studied at Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design receiving a BFA in 2000. After the birth of her first child in 2004, she has focused on a series of drawings that evoke the theme of the vessel.

Her newly released works, a three-print set, The Trickster Triptych is a limited edition of pen and ink prints set in a handmade linen case. Also a beautiful and amazingly affordable raven linen pouch is another favorite with her original drawing of a baby raven on the front.

Jaswal's new personal website, cedarseven.com and her Cedar Seven Etsy Shop showcase her beautiful work which is made on tree free paper or 100% post consumer recycled paper. Her textile goods and baby textiles are most often 100% organic cotton, organic flannel, linen, wool felt and vintage fabrics.

solar powered beach bag

with a high tech solar panel, the juice bag tote keeps the ipod, phone and camera totally charged. (via sweetspot and available at reware).

trish grantham

i thought i was through with deer, however i just couldn't resist this piece i just saw from trish grantham. i think it's the pinks and the yellows that just did it for me. so sweet.

summer pillows

new pretty summer pillows from canadian sabrina linn.

summer cottage for the scrapbook

i truly enjoyed this article in canadian house and home this month. i mean, i don't know if i could live with so much white and wicker, but as a summer cottage, i love the tropical atmosphere and unique approach to decorating, using things that you wouldn't think would go together, such as baroque frames and 70's style fireplaces. but surprisingly it really works. and the idea of putting beach mats on the wall in the bath is making me want to go down to the dollar store right now and pick up 20. click on the images for close-ups.




(home owned by toronto designer michelle lloyd bermann of lloyd ralphs design and decorating contractor, david bermann).

fresh affordable art

planetary mixed media collage by swallowfield, $40


brown flowers wall art by jennacary, $15


alone print by germaine, $15



bird stack by talkingpaintings, $15


letterpressed seahorse print by megancreates, $11.00



letterpressed print by megancreates, $11



original one-of-a-kind acrylic painting by jmjstudio, $69

french notebooks

i saw these over the weekend and the pictures on the website don't really give these french notebooks the credit they deserve. just the right size for a little art project or something. and i am loving the typography on them too. available online at laughing elephant. $3.95

cool speakers

a throw back from the eighties, handmade hi-fi bookshelf speakers for your home stereo. looking like a guitar amp, the champ by fender. built with high-quality audax coaxials, 5 1/4" plus 1" dome tweeter. if you don't know what that means (like me), it means you'll be very pleased with how much better these sound than your aiwa system speakers (according to it's maker). available on etsy by exeluxe out of oakland, ca.

and they're off!

i finally finished my postcards for hulaseventy's summer postcard swap this weekend and dropped them into the mailbox last night. as i covered both sides with designs, i ended up having no room left to write on them, so had to include a note with them. my postcards represent summer showing weather charts (note the "H" - high pressure system), "21" for the first day of summer and the wood represents the logs we sit on at our beaches here on the west coast that roll off the logging barges and drift to shore. yay summer and thanks andrea for hosting this fabulous swap! i can hardly wait to see mine!

hulaseventy's summer postcard swap
hulaseventy summer postcard swap flickr group

(i took inspiration from amy stocklein's element print from the periodic table project)

recyclelope notes

recyclelope notes are little notebooks with aprox. 25 pages each and are a 11 x 10 cm size. made from used envelopes that are cut to shape and bound together using suede off-cuts. the badge is a bonus! they are all handmade and different from each other. from wotadot.com (a collaboration project between visual artists ivan richards and ana vicente) out of the u.k.

mymy

my my, a longtime favorite on the web for handmade items is now also a small boutique in pennsylvania ! owner taryn hipp decided to celebrate my my's 3rd birthday by setting up shop at 15 byberry road in hatboro , pa ! the small shop features handmade clothing, jewelry, fanzines, purses & more by over 100 indie crafters, artists & zinesters! with plans for my my mini fair featuring local crafters, weekend craft skillshares for adults and children & art shows featuring some of the up & comers in the underground art scene, my my is bringing new life to a small town once known as a supplier of hats during the revolutionary war. this is a handmade revolution & my my is on the front line! can’t make it to the shop? don’t worry, taryn says she intends to continue offering mail orders through the website, mymy.us. for more information about my my or to get directions or order online visit http://mymy.us.


taryn hipp at mymy@girlswirl.net or 215-385-2234
MY MY Art + Craft, 15 Byberry Road, Hatboro Pennsylvania .
june hours are tuesday through saturday 10-8pm
for info about vending the MY MY Mini Fairs please email mymy@girlswirl.net

still life with chair and kelp

i had to add this image to my scrapbook, from fake nature's photostream on flickr, still life with chair and kelp. it's images and creativity like this that keeps me going back to flickr.

also check out her set named, the sea that crystallized these. beautiful pieces.

pile of craft

amy emailed to remind me about charm city craft mafia presenting pile of craft this upcoming weekend in baltimore, md at st. john's church (2640 st. paul street), from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. a few of the vendors expected:

bake sale designs



polly scoots




undisign



goshdarnknit



norfolk craft mafia



tilting swiftly

time zone

such a great clock. (especially in our small world). from shopmodi.com via tinisima.

summer postcard swap - sneak peek

i joined the fabulous summer postcard swap that hulaseventy is hosting. we're supposed to mail them out today and i'm very late. it's a summer theme and i'm going with things associated with warm weather. my first layer of gocco is still drying. good thing andrea is such a lenient swap host! hopefully they'll be out the door before the weeks end! see more creativity at the pool!

new music, new art

nice color combo and artwork for this cover of a new release (in camera) by sub pop's arthur & yu. and a nice little mp3 to with it. they'll be playing at the crocodile cafe in seattle tonight.

pennants and more at cottagepast.com

if you're as crazy as i am over pennants and their retro typography and graphics, you'll love these from eastern canada's cottagepast.com. also some other collectibles like maps, fans and vintage games.

toronto pennant - native canadian design


regina pennant - beaver design


kingston pennant - beaver design



aggravation board game


vintage table hockey game

liquid space {live online fashion show} tonight

tonight, diesel.com is hosting a live fashion show from florence, italy (streamed live on their site). program starts 9:30 pm CET, june 21st, 2007. click here to see a preview.

Book Review: Mingering Mike by Dori Hadar

Book Review: Mingering Mike, The Amazing Career of an Imaginary Soul Superstar by Dori Hadar
Published by Princeton Architectural Press

Digging through crates of old records at a Washington, D.C. flea market back in December of 2003, Dori Hadar (DJ by night, criminal investigator by day) came across a box of old vinyl records, or what looked like records. But what he found was over fifty albums and even more singles of handmade "faux" albums of a career of imaginary soul superstar, Mingering Mike.

Putting his detective skills to work, Hadar hunted down Mingering Mike thirty years or so after his last album. As a boy, Mike lost himself in a world of his own imaginary susperstardom. Basing songs and albums on life experiences, from teenage love songs to political upheaval during the Vietnam war.



What I like about this book is that one could totally relate and see oneself doing something like this in childhood. Perhaps not to this degree, but I'm sure we've all imagined, and if we were artistically inclined, drew ourselves in some imaginary book, song album or film.



Being a folk art fan and having the appreciation for hand lettering, I'm really drawn to the creative and imagination that went into drawing all those cardboard records. And because the albums were made during a particular time in history, they support its status as both folk and contemporary art according to the Folk Art Magazine.

A book for someone who appreciates hand-lettering, folk art and in particular urban black american popular culture.

mingeringmike.com
Princeton Architectural Press

home design shopping guides

canadian house and home "home design shopping guides are out for toronto, calgary and vancouver. lots of great resources online. click here to see.

obey in ny

new works by shepard fairey opening tonight at the jonathan levine gallery in ny. new works on canvas, wood metal and paper.

the shatner show

the shatner show, put on by uppercase gallery in calgary opened friday night and all the art work is now online at theshatnershow.com.

the show, at uppercase gallery in calgary is running june 15 to august 31, 2007 showcasing artwork depicting william shatner by artists and illustrators from canada and the u.s. there is also a book to accompany the show. click here for more info and to view or purchase the pieces.

rock and shop market

michelle emailed me to tell me of a fun little market happening this weekend in raleigh, nc called rock and shop market. an urban showcase of designers and live music. so i thought i'd highlight a few vendors here:

photoglass works by tracy antonik


michelle smith, housewares, stationery, fashion accessories, apparel


travel blankeys by tailored tadpole


rock paper scissors


pillow book designs



mint workshop



gig posters by plastic flame press

handmade & crocheted accessories and goodies

sharleen morco is a senior photography major at csus and a crochet queen (and knitter too) who makes these adorable little crochet sushi magnets, amigurumi bunnies and birds which are featured in the upcoming book, kooky crochet). and she's offering 10% off the total order (expires end of 2007 - wow!) to poppy readers! use coupon code POPPY2120772.

mmm-fruit.com

affordable art

at school original collage by curbsidetreasure, $38


vintage gas station numbers from bluebellebazaar, $24


ACEO - mixed media collage by buttonkitty, $8


ACEO - mixed media collage by sushipot, $6



vintage set of two miniature fashion prints from bluebellebazaar, $59



plum blossoms by hadley hutton, $13.50



pandora by susan schwake, $40

big words for little kids

adorable onesies and baby t-shirts from SATees. describing kids in a ridiculously sophisticated manner with the use of some nice typography.

new shop - blossom creations

erin emailed me about her new website/etsy shop/blog she's recently started. filled with papergoods, homewares and accessories! definitely worth a look!

Website: blossomcreations.com.au
Blog: blossomcreations.blogspot.com
Etsy: blossomcreations.etsy.com

amazing unnamed summer sale

a sale of 8-9 local vancouver designers is happening thursday june 21st from 4:30 to 8:30. a summer sale located in the new erin templeton shoppe, 511 carrall street (at pender), which opened june 1st.

handmade jewellery, clothing, purses, belts and shoes! (you know it's good when there are handmade shoes.) designers include allison wonderland, see:be by colleen baran, erin templeton (of course), lustre, dust, refresh vintage, mono, imaginary friend and (possibly) more.

ertintempleton.com
colleenbaran.com and colleenbaranetsy.com
allisonwonderland.ca
dustclothing.com
monoclothing.ca
refreshvintage.com

design a display font

a nice little free downloadable tutorial on designing a display font from computer arts out of the u.k.

welcome to group art

wet paint please touch. a virtual wall to grab some tools from the curb and begin your street art masterpiece. (via lost at e minor). try it and add your piece to the gallery.

yumi yumi - pretty affordable art

pretty watercolor prints from yumiyumi out of columbus, ohio.

renegade craft fair - (mini guide) - part three

part three of the mini-guide for the renegade craft fair ny.

woolies


sub-studio design



stencil 1


strawberry luna (gig posters and other prints)




squidfire




somethings hiding in here



sérigraphie cinqunquatre (canadian)



rock paper scissors



pixie genie

renegade craft fair - (mini guide) - part two

here's part two from my renegade craft fair picks. (part three on it's way this afternoon.)

pen felt rings




lorena barrezueta ceramics


imogene




ifn books



perch design

renegade craft fair - (mini guide) - part one

one of the biggest craft fairs to hit the east coast, the renegade craft fair is happening this weekend in brooklyn this saturday and sunday, june 16th and 17th for a weekend of indie inspiration and shopping! since i can't be there (ho-hum), i made up a mini guide for anyone that's interested: (stay tuned for part two).

helge new york



allyssa ettinger



bang, tees, totes and jewelry



the black apple






girl popcorn



fisk & fern



the foundling

New Site - ECIAD Studio Shop

vancouver's own, emily carr institute of art and design has taken the leap and is opening up a studio shop for that will feature the work of talented artists, designers and artisans within the ECI community. as studioshop is always looking for original and innovative work in all mediums, all artists, craftspeople and designers from within the ECI community (students, alumni, faculty and staff) are encouraged to submit their work. the shop will be opening this fall.

what they would like are a few of us readers to take a look over at the preview site and take the survey, as they need input to make studioshop as effective as possible. so it's less than two minutes and you can be entered in a draw to win a $25 studioshop gift certificate. (just remember it's just a preview site at the moment).

studioshop.eciad.ca

papered together - new collection

i love this new collection of cards from papered together, inspired by the shady edges surrounding these bright summer days...

shade:: a set of five folded cards, printed in nearly-transparent shades of grey, blue, green, pink, and yellow, & wrapped in letterpress-printed linen. a bit more information can be found here.

papered together

the work of metalsmith, michael aram

unique bathroom hardware from ny metalsmith artist, michael aram. having recently opened up his first retail space in manhattan this spring, he combines various metals into his organically themed collections and each piece is made using age old traditional techniques so that no two samples are exactly alike. his work can also be viewed online featuring hardware, tabletop and furniture collections.

michaelaram.com

poppy submissions

here is a list of the submissions i received this past week, and since i'm falling behind a bit, i thought i'd get a post in on them before they all sell out. (and because i don't usually post about jewelry or clothes - i've included some of those too that deserve a mention).

toddler tee by mutha crafter. also check out new mutha crafter shop and ibreakplates.com.



wings t shirt from bonbi forest out of the uk.


a sponge dressed up as cheese from atypy's new shopk


playful peel and stick art from butch and harold (a canadian living in ny).



stationery and jewelry by maustudio.com and maustudio.etsy.com.

periodic table printmaking project

i just got a heads up from kate at nydam press about an exciting project she's participating in called "the periodic table printmaking project. it is organized by jennifer schmitt, a woodblock artist (azuregrackle.etsy.com). the project consists of over eighty-five different printmakers from the us., canada, the uk, italy, germany, norway and australia, with the goal to create a finished table of elements (118 prints in all), represented in the printmaking mediums only (woodcut, linocut, monotype, etching, lithograph, silkscreen or any combination).

there is something about this project that is really exciting to me as it combines printmaking with the focus on "science images" (as art) and promoting both art and science, which is really coming to the consciousness right now and it's still so fresh! thanks kate for letting us know about this. (gallery owners: this needs to be in a gallery or something, and i would love to be able to buy prints!)

here's a few links to read more. periodic table printmaking project website; period table project flickr pool; more info. a few favorites (above and highlighted below):

Cr (chromium) by nydam press




La (lanthanum) by azure grackle



He (helium) by azure grackle

somethings hiding in here

this is what handmade is all about. i am swooning over these wooden carved-like-diamond rings by somethings hiding in here in addition to their business cards and cute gocco'd drawstring bags (see next post), they make those amazing cast plastic wishbones (comes in it's own bag that says "best wishes), ceramic faux wooden sticks. the list goes on and on.

and it looks like they'll be at the renegade craft fair in ny this weekend!

more amazing things being done with gocco

gocco tester strips/business cards by somethings hiding in here (somethingshidinginhere.typepad.com) at the renegade craft fair, ny this weekend!




draw string bags from somethings hiding in here (somethingshidinginhere.typepad.com).





chairs by courtkneeyo (the cupcake girl's etsy shop)




campfire song from icklebird (prettyville etsy shop).



sunflower notecard by things are bette rwith a parrott (thingsarebetterwithaparrott.typepad.com).



cup by circa ceramics (circa ceramics etsy shop).



shroomie by bees knees industries (bees knees etsy shop)

guy michael davis porcelain

i keep running into some great ceramics. and these ones from guy michael davis are so unique with the translucent porcelain with microscope graphics. guy michael davis etsy shop. (via somethings hiding in here).

fungi poster

love this new fungi poster by wolfie and the sneak that just arrived in my email this morning. goes well with that pod poster i wrote about a couple weeks back.

wolfie and the sneak shop

the campout

saw these fun hand-painted glass plates today aptly named, the campout at etsy's hand-picked front page and instantly loved them! the campout is an homage to many childhood trips spent in the backwoods of luray, virginia for maker, nunostudio (now out of brooklyn, ny).

phrenology card wallet

like this phrenology card wallet designed by stitch & swash from the friendly crafty devils. in mint green leather, just a nice little addition to the purse.

very sweet journals

i'm so excited for oh joy and her new line nantaka joy! and these journals are so sweet. filled with lined paper, textured print, scalloped edges, hand drawn dots at the top of every page. so lovely and available online at rare device!

new five and a half

love the ordinary-ness (word?) of these new journals by five and a half. 80 pages of sugarcane and recycled text weight paper for all your notes and doodles, inside flaps and envelopes for your ticket stubs and receipts. All in a sturdy textured canvas paper cover with a pen loop so you won’t have to go searching for something to write with, and a clasp closure to keep everything safely tucked away. to get you started, they’re adding an old-school pencil and eraser, like the ones used in grade school.

summerize your bath

just looking at this bathroom, says summer. featured in this past spring issue of instyle.com they did four instant bathroom makeovers. this one, titled "polynesian punch" just spoke to me, i think mainly because of the shower curtain and the hanging lotus lamp. o.k. and that large resin clam shell. i had to buy the magazine just so i could dissect it longer than it takes standing in line at the grocery store. (click on image for larger view). now i want to summerize ours.

third drawer down

i received an email from michelle of third drawer down friday telling me of their collectible domestic linen featuring screenprinted modern artworks. and when i went to the site, i totally remembered visiting it (such a fun design) and thought for sure i had featured them at one point or another. but much to my surprise i hadn't, so i'm glad she reminded me. these aprons, napkins and t-towels are nice enough to hang or maybe even stretch over a wooden canvas frame.

makool messenger bag & alphabet top

i can't get enough of the messenger bag. i guess because they hold so much, have that long strap that you can criss-cross over the shoulder to free up the hands and they usually have a nice design. just like this acrobat one from makool loves you. and while you're visiting their site, check out the alphabet top. i don't usually post about clothes, but i just couldn't resist this letter-themed smock.

summer pails & votives

a bucket fan i am, and especially if it's covered in paisley or polka dots.
the macbeth collection

lexie sullivan paper goods

lexie emailed me with a link to her etsy shop filled with fun paper goods. nice patterns and bright colours to choose from. thanks lexie!

lexie's etsy shop

miss avocado

adorable illustration/collages from abigail aka miss avocado from maine. these pieces are original artwork, not prints and really affordable.

anthropologie & my scrapbook

oh joy posted this past week about anthropologie's newly designed site. since the design of their site has always been a source of inspiration for me, i had to take a look. some wonderful designs by jen garrido and i'm also loving the room views of their products. so much so i thought i'd include them into my scrapbook, a few of my favorites:

golf darts

such a fun father's day gift. this golf course dart game. and the darts are magnetic so even the kids can join in. from delight.com.

also check out my other father's day picks a little further down in today's posts.

adventure paper

thought this was worthy of noting. read over the weekend at veer that national geographic was making this adventure paper which turns out to be waterproof. great for printing out maps on your inkjet so if you get caught in that storm while on your map adventure you won't need to worry about the paper turning to mush.

palindrome press

received an email friday from alisha out of portland, oregon who wanted to share her new letterpressed card set. glad she did! love these chain links.

palindromepress etsy shop
alisha henson.com
palindromepress.org

father's day picks

a sigg flask is an eco-friendly idea, great for hot or cold drinks. from delight.com




father's day isn't father's day without a tie as a gift, and this blueprint one from deilight.com is so fun!



cognac glasses from bodie and fou



belgian linen apron (great for b-b-q-ing!) from bodie and fou

affordable art

more finds for the affordable art guide.

a beautiful pink hue of an original acrylic painting on wood from melissa moss etsy shop, $25



gaggle of girls print by ashleyg, $20




fray hand screenprinted gigposter by strawberryluna, $30

egg press daddi-o

love this card from eggpress. everything about is spot on (no pun intended) and it's a die-cut too. they've just let me know about their new page all set up and ready for father's day. hooray!

entryways for the scrapbook

with my continued pursuit for an entryway solution, i found these two scenes in a book called, designed to order. i love the idea of a trunk to sit on to put on your shoes.

no name from vtks

this is a great free font from vtks from brazil called no name. sort of a faded western circus type. available at dafont.

wall tubes

new wall tubes by vancouver ceramacist, jasna. another favorite, this piece titled, "it is time for a change", the black flower is silkscreened on the wall. (she's working on a vinyl wall decal for the black flower to go with the tubes).

jasnart.com
jasna's shop
jasna's etsy shop

summer georgia straight living magazine (pdf)

the summer 2007 georgia straight living downloadable pdf magazine is out. (it's a local newpaper magazine that comes out here quarterly). download it here.

pepe moscoso at cheeky b's

new work by portland artist, pepe moscoso showing at cheeky b's "first thursday" in portland, oregon. his work is refreshing and truly different! depending on the crowds, you can expect them to be open until 830.

ferm living in north america

christiana and aimee contacted me the other day to let me know that ferm LIVING's wallpaper and stickers from denmark will now be available in north america at fermlivingshop.us. i was falling over their pieces this past december and posted about them here. great news!

Book Review: By Hand, The Use of Craft in Contemporary Art

By Hand, The Use of Craft in Contemporary Art, Shu Hung and Joseph Magliaro, editors
Princeton Architectural Press, New York

When first opening this book, being a visual person, I couldn't help but flip through the pages and take in the quality of artists featured in this collection showcasing methods of art where hands are used in the production of their work.

With the emphasis on the handmade these days, this book arrives at a timely juncture to inspire other creatives, inform and to emphasize the importance of expression through art via craft. It is not a book that attempts to distinguish between art and design, art and craft or craft and design, but presents a look at a diverse list of creatives who use their hands to make their art, (a type of art that is featured on this blog on a regular basis and a movement that has changed the way we look at art in a traditional sense).




I've chosen a few favorites from the book to show here starting off with these sewn recycled sweater tea and cup cozies named the Muji Mook (above photo) by Tim Denton and Johanna Van Daalen of Belfast, Ireland. Reknitting a new item out of a sweater creating a typical english object (a tea cozy) for a typical Japanese tea set in response to an invitation from the Muji company to alter an existing item bought from their shop.



(Left) Standing Still (wool and acrylic yarn), installed along Canal Street, New York by Robyn Love; (Right) Warm Hands Cushion by Electricwig, Tim Denton and Johanna Van Daalen.



"I was Lying When I Said..." (thread on muslin) by Tucker Schwarz, San Francisco, California who creates drawings that are sewn on to fabric based on photographs she's taken.



(Left) Country Life (embroidery thread on printed fabric) by Kent Henricksen; (Right) Camera (thread and vellum) by Rob Wynne.


It's a beautiful and inspirational book for both the artist and the person who loves the arts. From hand lettering, illustration, to embroidery this book covers artists from a vast array of handmade works and would be a lovely summer read to spark ideas for the winter that follows.

By Hand, The Use of Craft in Contemporary Art, Shu Hung and Joseph Magliaro, editors
Princeton Architectural Press, New York

summer fun at small stump

small stump has some new things happening online, starting with a secret diary (upcoming projects and new ideas), more canadian birch tubes are arriving this week (five pieces with varying heights for $28) and they'll be adding a mini-set mid june available on their website, be firm big stump pillows will be available at their etsy shop this weekend and their ever popular plaster treat, the forever cupcake will show at san francisco design gallery, rose and radish (also available at their etsy shop). phew! thanks for the update jill and lia!

paper trend via three layer cake

kristina from three layer cake emailed me about a new trend she's seeing, designers using paper. and as i read it i realized even just this week i posted two articles on paper designs, cybèle young (japanese paper and copper etchings) and kristiina lahde (bank envelopes turned sculptures).

it's interesting to see things emerge like this. thanks kristina for opening my eyes to this. (image above of daniele papuli who sculpts paper as though it were fabric from three layer cake's article.)

tea time at rose and radish

i heard from rose and radish today about their latest exhibition starting june 6, tea time. a mix of tabletop design, home accessories and modern floral displays. the display sounds amazing including those mixko butterfly pendants (i posted about this spring). and i love their new limited edition print sixty forty print, by illustrator, miki amano, tea time, aptly named's profits will be split 60/40 between an independent artist and a charity.

paul mccobb modular set

a very cool paul mccobb modular set. owner found all three components on different occasions and placed them together to make an entire piece. (image from watersedgechris over at the mid-century pool at flickr).

celebrate banner

brown log lettering celebrate banner by small stump. each are hand cut and silkscreen printed onto assorted colored papers. $16

blinks - links from the big blogs

new york delft tableware by lovegrove & repucci via apartment therapy






fish condo via josh spear



alyson fox in brooklyn via design*sponge

garden party

i see design*sponge posted monday about the works of eireann lorsung. i too received an email in the mail from her this past week with different picks and have to show her pretty little things. she makes clothing for women, accessories and works on paper. she'll be opening her online shop for her early summer collection, garden party from jun 2 - 8/07.

ohbara.com
baradesign blog

susan schwake

susan schwake, an artist living in new hampshire has just launched a new website to host her expansive portfolio of paintings, prints and illustrations. i'm really liking her birds which are available for sale along with many colorful others, through her site.

susan schwake
art esprit blog

cybèle young

arounna is featuring the beautiful work by artist, cybèle young on her blog this week. and i was instantly taken by this piece titled, "i might need that" made from japanese paper and copper etchings.

a sea ranch

i like the idea of a sea ranch. and even more if it looked like this as seen in sunset magazine online. the hanging sculpture was designed by charles and ray eames. and note the alvar aalto rolling cart in the center. see a photo tour of this home here.



(photo's by thomas j. story)

albina mcphail

some more affordable art to add to the guide. this one from albina mcphail and her little bird small art. individually assembled hand painted collage consisting of original elements created and applied by the artist. signed but not numbered as each piece is created individually and by hand. out of hands etsy shop, $15. (she also has some fine art for sale at art stream gallery).

shadylace parasol

shadylace parasol - leaf shaped cutout backyard umbrella designed by chris kabel from propeller modern. (found via sunset magazine).

pics from MADE's kristiina lahde exhibition

thanks to MADE for sending over these photos from their latest exhibition by canadian, kristiina lahde. as i posted earlier last week, her intricate paper cutting and altering of ordinary bank envelopes were built by tearing open the envelopes and then stapling them together to create these spheres, reminiscent of the buckminster fuller building for expo '67.

the exhibition is open now until july 14th/07 at MADE, 867 Dundas Street West, Toronto, Canada.

mini beach garden in a pot

love this idea from sunset magazine. bringing the beach into your backyard or patio. click here for the instructions.

the latest affordable art finds

yes we have no bananas collage by vivienne strauss, $100



little drawing by liz adams, $25


believe print by desyArt, $9



robot print by john w. golden

the amazing things being done with gocco

it's been a while since i visited the gocco group on flickr. so many beautiful creations, and alot of them available at etsy.

hello card by ink designer, (this one, unfortunately sold out), however check out ink designer's etsy shop here for others.



branching series nine by selflesh, gocco prints on color-aid with embroidery. they will be available at the renegade craft fair in brooklyn this summer.



twin trees by mudtears.




notecards by mwinamwina, available at her etsy shop, here.




bird in magnolia tree by sugarloop, available at her etsy shop, here.




cards by yara



star girl by ink designer. (available at her etsy shop here.



pop lobster pillow dolls by jek in the box, available in her etsy shop



owl pouch by stummesdingshop, available at her etsy shop.



greeting card by amyb13.

belle vivir

through my comments section i found a new blog out of ny, called belle vivir. lots of nice finds like these vases and from baked bean out of the uk. and artists like ana vicente out of portugal.

the card society - one year old

congrats to mav and the one year anniversary of her successful card society. reading her blog today, she's celebrating by offering 15% off on all card society memberships ordered between now and june 30th. and all june shipments will receive this super fun bic click pen!

and for her etsy shop, she's added a new series of cards called "useful bits", starting this month with these adorable button cards.

port2port blog
card society
port2port etsy shop

beautiful magenta

stunning pinks in this abyssal print by sub studio. this print is one of my favorites of theirs. $30

substudio etsy shop

folk typography field trip

great folk typography examples from the folk typography pool over at flickr:

bar in nambia by sundayschild 1




henry's beach market



mexican sign by justin.scrappers