Archive for August, 2010
August 11, 2010
One of the newest items that Sarah has added to her shop recently is totally solid. Solid gold, in fact…
I think these would make great little gifts for someone who likes to jot down ideas throughout the day or for the person who loves leaving notes around for others. Each pack includes an engraved golden pencil, gold pen, and 10 black letterpress cards. All are packed up nicely in a stamped and hand embossed glassine bag. Get yours now because they are only available for a limited time at The Small Object.
August 10, 2010
That would be Jon Contino‘s official title. Only someone as talented a designer, illustrator, and typographer could be called such, right? Here are just a few of my favorite works of this New York artist…
visit his site for more.
August 10, 2010
How sweet is this proposal captured by photos in a photobooth…
I love it! In the first two frames she had no idea that anything was about to happen. In the third frame she was confused and then totally surprised in the last.
via Oh Happy Day by Angela + Ithyle.
August 9, 2010
Happy Monday! Today’s little dose of adorable to start your week off right…
today’s cute is brought to you by the amazing sharon montrose. see more from these shoots here, here, here, here, and here.
ps – wouldn’t you like to spend the day with her on a photo shoot?
pps – yes, I realize a lot of my little “start the week off right with cuteness” posts involve sharon‘s work. can you blame me?
August 6, 2010
Friday Favorites! Gotta keep this more consistent, I know. Recently my mom was here visiting me {hooray!}, I saw The Dead Weather again {hell yeah!}, I hit up Renegade, and then there was life happening. So, I hope you’ll enjoy the return of this weekly feature. Have a great weekend, whatever your plans may be. And have a Happy, Happy Aloha Friday!
1. 1000 Lanterns – Fine Art Photograph by Irene Suchocki: $30.00
2. Tea Time Locket by New Fashioned Whispers: $24.50
3. 2-Tone Tote by infusion: $70.00
4. Eco-Retro Desk Clock by VectorCloud: $58.00
5. Earl Grey Tea Shea Butter Soap by Sweet Petula: $5.00
6. Milk Bottle at Teaspoon Vintage: $9.90
7. Post-a-Plate – From Paris with Love by JustNoey: $28.00
8. Magic Number by Spinthread: $55.00
August 6, 2010
What a pretty start for your Aloha Friday…
Helmut Smits is a Dutch artist based in The Netherlands. His site is full of inspiration like his Rainbow work above using acrylic paints. Simple and pretty, right?
have a happy day!
via designlovefest
August 5, 2010
Mint green is such a lovely color, don’t you think? It is fresh, cool, soothing, happy and sweet all at once. It’s one of my best friend’s favorite colors so this post is dedicated to her. Enjoy…
via Krista Palmu
via yarnzombie
via chicbee04
via alice b. gardens
via weheartit
via classic bride
via michele maule
via {manda}
via farouche
via chrominance
via gabbahey
August 5, 2010
The Organik team let me know that they have recently partnered with etown studios in Chinatown {1164 Smith Street} on Oahu. This means that you can now find their line of clothing and accessories for guys and gals at their space full-time in addition to their online shop and other retailers.
Tomorrow, August 6, is First Friday in Chinatown, so head on over there to celebrate their new partnership.
August 4, 2010
Raise your hand if you attended Renegade over the weekend. I came across some friends while wandering around the fair on Saturday. The next day I learned that others I knew had gone as well. Everyone had a story of what they scored there, as do I. I often tell people {as I mention here} how I’m not your “typical girl” who loves shopping. I guess it really depends on the type of shopping, though. Clothes shopping is something I don’t do unless I need to. It tends to stress me out. Then you see me at Renegade and my tune completely changes. Partially because I am in love with handmade artists {obviously} and because I want to show my support while I’m there. If you were at Renegade this weekend, what did you score?
Like the year before, I searched for and then made a beeline straight for Emily‘s booth…
Her current works included items from her new show, “Lost on the Midway”. She was as sweet as I remembered her being the last time I met her. It was great because this is the second time I’ve seen her here at Renegade and she is a total craft celeb. People in front of and behind me were telling her how they are such fans of her work and how they read her blog. A couple of them really knew a lot about her life. She really is wonderful! I, of course, wanted to buy everything. I ended up purchasing a set of notebooks and one of her wearable art necklaces {similar to the heart one – which I almost got – with her bear drawing on it}.
I stopped over and met the awesome Margaret. She’s the gal behind Paper Pastries. My friend and I chatted with her and her boyfriend a little bit and they were great…
Another booth where I just kind of wanted every single item. My friend, by the way, cleared them out of one of their card designs {see the empty space on the pink stand?}. Hooray!
Those Chef’s pencils are going to be a gift to my friend’s husband because he loves to cook! Perhaps for his birthday in a month or so. I meant to go back and pick up an amazing rubber stamp that Margaret makes {I love that they are on wood with a handle!}. I’ll have to order it online since I flaked out. Oh, and you know why else I love Paper Pastries? They had a card with the Hawaiian Islands on it!
I also checked out Ingrid of Wooly Bison.
Look at these fabulous bags she creates in Seattle out of recycled wool. You can tell they are extremely well-made…
During my time there I went to Lisa Congdon‘s booth {I forgot to return to chat with her and take photos}. I also met the very sweet Jamie of Jamie Lau Designs. Her tote bags and fabric-covered notebooks were adorable, as was her logo {check her banner}…
Of course, I wanted to visit my pal, Leslie of Feisty Elle. I always rave about her earrings and how it racks up compliments because of how unique they are. Well, I wore a pair of her earrings that I already own {represent!} to the fair and got stopped by people. I happily pointed them in her direction.
I had missed Leslie who arrived a little later in the afternoon to the show. I did get to meet her friendly assistant, Rebecca.
Last year at Renegade was the first time I met Shana of Cookoorikoo. I love her! She greeted me with a smile and a hug. She and her hubby {pixelparty} shared a booth full of their handmade goodies…
cute, right?
I left with my second Cookoorikoo yo-yo barrette and adore it!
I ran in to a friend while roaming the aisles of Renegade oohing and aahing over things. He told me he was friends with this guy…
I couldn’t believe it! I have been a fan of Gregg’s {GIGART} for a while now and was happy to visit his booth. As you can tell, he was pretty popular and as nice as can be. Yup, one of those Tough Chick stickers made its way home with me.
Next up, Fuzzy Ink. Yes, the all-things-mustache-clad guys. I had been spying their shirts for some time now and featuring some of my faves from their shop. I took the plunge and chatted with John who helped me with my purchase.
pssst – that’s the shirt I got {the v-neck hanging}.
I found mi SPA!
I visited with Mimie and her husband for a little bit and picked up a yummy Coconut Lemongrass Soy Candle. In fact, I’m burning it right now!
Michelle Brusegaard was also at the fair. I had trouble deciding what I was going to get and it’s mainly because I wanted almost everything.
Between her beautiful illustrated sticky notes {you know how I feel about paper/sticky notes!}, shirts and tote bags that said “Crafty” and “Make Things” on them to scarves and much, much more, I decided on a set of Peacock Feather screenprinted dishtowels.
Meryl Munches Macaroni had these great Alphabet Abacus educational learning toys on display along with shoes with hand drawn designs on them…
Then there were the Red Velvet Art gals. I was so very excited to finally meet Elsie and her lovely sister Emma. They were as sweet as I imagined…
I scored a hair bow! What’s cute is that Elsie told me she taught her little brother how to sew and these were his creations!
ps – that’s Twinkie Chan in the background sharing a booth with them. I forgot to take photos of her and her goods.
Someone I didn’t get to chat with last year is Robert of Mahar Drygoods. I adore Robert! He was kind and told me about the wonderful products he brought with him.
While I wanted to buy everything at his booth, I controlled myself and left with a turquoise blue small party bird. It holds a candle and can sit on a cupcake/birthday cake/pie/your desk or wherever else you can think of. Robert mentioned that he was very proud of this…
It’s a sash fashioned after boy/girl scout ones and is reversible. The buttons represent your years. You know, it’s for celebrating your birthday! I told him that I kind of wish I could get one. He replied that he has gotten a number of requests for an adult version, perhaps with bigger numbers? Too cute!
One of the last folks I was set on finally meeting in person was David of SEIBEI…
I also met his girlfriend, Kate, and his friend Yvonne. They were all so fun. Yes, he is as cool and awesome as you would expect. Yes, he is wearing an In-N-Out Burger hat. Yes, I did walk away with a shirt, a tank top, and a tote bag.
There were so many others I wanted to visit with and take photos of, but I just ran out of time. Next time. Oh, next time…
Whew! That was a crazy-long post. Hope you enjoyed it. If you attended, I want to hear about your experience and scores.
ps – one more thing. here’s my stuff. i’m not ashamed…
August 4, 2010
It’s sponsor time once again! Let me introduce you to Jacquelyn Roberts of 3 Piece…
Meet Jacquelyn Roberts of 3 Piece
Name: Jacquelyn Roberts
Business Name: 3 Piece
Where are you located?
Atlanta, Georgia
What is it that you design and create?
Artisan soy and beeswax candles where I create the scents from essential oils, vintage fabric throw pillows and mixed media tumbled marble coasters for a start. I am working on 3 new products that will be added under the Mi Sala Furnishings line.
How did you come up with your business name?
I was coming out of another failed relationship and another failed business when I thought how I had done for everyone else but never thought about what I liked to do or what I wanted. So I thought I wanted to honor my truth but then thought how pretentious because just because it’s my truth it isn’t everyone’s so I decided that truth is your truth, my truth and what really happened: 3 Pieces to the truth puzzle.
Where/How did this all begin?
I think I partially answered this question but it started in Atlanta where I had a 5 year old whose skin was constantly dry and nothing would keep him moisturized so I started researching things for my sons skin and making batches to keep me busy after a messy breakup. Well I always made too much and started selling the oils at the Moreland Avenue Flea Market here in Atlanta where the customers would ask if the oils were burning oils which led me to research how could I create burning oils without the chemical additive and this led me to all natural candles. I started with 4 scents originally based on quotes I loved and would write around my home.
Who or what inspires you?
Well I am always inspired by how perfectly in sync the Universe is, how my children grow and blossom, quotes, poems, design blogs, personal narratives that teach a humbling lesson man I’m just always searching for joy.
What is your favorite part of the design process?
The research and development part. Trying out a new scent for the first time you know the feeling you want to evoke however sometimes it is completely different, or sometimes I will take a photograph to use on a coaster and can see what I want to convey but once I am in the process I just have to allow creation to take shape.
Crafty folks know that accumulating new tools and supplies is something that comes along with the territory. What are your favorite tools and supplies?
Valspar spray paint, all herbs and essential oils, my drill, my wet saw, and paint pens rule the world!
What advice would you give other independent artists who are just starting out?
Don’t try to be everything to everyone. Know and own your vision so that others who are drawn to your light won’t be allowed to dilute it with so called good advice.
What is your favorite indie purchase or trade?
Journals from Re-Paper and simple chunky jewelry from Marsha Marsha Marsha jewelry both local artisans here in Atlanta. Also I love the simple forms of jewelry that I own from Freshie and
Zero.
What’s on your iPod/music player right now? What’s on your “Crafting Music Playlist”?
Ummm I have 3 ipods so I will tell you my two favorites right now are Erykah Badu New Amerykah part two Return of the Ankh and B.O.B. The Adventures of Bobby Ray. I call it my “Around the World” playlist and it has songs from Maxwell, Adele, Estelle, Coldplay, The Fray, Kings of Leon, Buena Vista Social Club, Miriam Makeba, Les Nubians, Santana, Bob Marley, Sharon Jones & the
Dap Kings, Esperenza Spalding as well as the entire soundtracks for The Color Purple, frida and Miami Vice
What t.v. shows are you currently hooked on?
I don’t watch T.V.
What was the last movie you watched?
It’s Complicated (lurved it)
What’s your favorite food?
Pho Noodle Soup
What’s your favorite candy?
Cadberry’s Fruit and Nut bars
Coffee or Tea?
both
What store could you wander around in and be happy?
The combination hotel liquidation/thrift store I recently discovered here in Atlanta.
Any pets?
Do two children count?
Favorite place to visit or place you’d like to visit?
I have had on my to do list to visit all of the pyramids starting in Mexico then Thailand and finally Egypt.
Do you have a day job in addition to your crafty business?
Do two children count?
What do you secretly wish you could do/be?
A choreographer/dancer in the Alvin Ailey Dance company.
Do you speak any other languages? If not, would you like to learn one?
No. I would love to learn Spanish and an African dialect.
What are your plans and/or goals (business/personal) for 2010?
To continue to grow organically and something I’ve learned within the past two years is to not rush to bigger than what I am capable of producing in regards to product. So I am learning to honor my dreams while at the same time keeping realistic goals.
Thank you so much, Jacquelyn! I have been meaning to watch that movie! Here are some things you can currently find at her shop…
Circles Recycled Wine Bottle Vase: $35.00; 2 oz Soy Wax Candle Votive: $5.00
Large Galvanized Tin Soy Candle: $30.00; Street Scene No. 1 Slate Coaster: $10.00
Upcycled Wine Bottle Hurricane w/5 Soy Tea Lights: $25.00; Silver Plated Mint Julep Cup Soy Candle: $45.00
August 3, 2010
This card is great! That’s all…
Knock Out Letterpress Birthday Card by Anemone Letterpress: $3.50
August 3, 2010
Today’s visit to Rob Ryan’s site was to check out what was new and to possibly purchase some tape {because one can never have too much tape, right?}. So I saw the section I intended to and noticed the newest one…
This fragile tape {$14.50} is much cuter than the stickers the post office would slap on the side of your parcel.
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aloha! i’m Liana. this is my site. i am not a professional writer. i pretty much just write the way i talk. it’s fun meeting new online friends and introducing these amazing artists. i’ll do my best to keep you entertained.
