Spring is almost here ... I can feel it.
Have a lovely weekend!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Cool Stuff: ISAK Leaf Cups
Be still my heart.
These ISAK Leaf Cups from Swedish graphic designer and illustrator Sandra Isaksson have oak lids to keep your drinks warm, or so they can be used as petite storage jars. And when they're not covering your tea or coffee, the lids become handy coasters.
They're £9.90 (about $14) each from UK retailer Cloudberry Living.
The coordinating Bread Board (which I also have to have) is £24 ($34).
(Via Design is Mine.)
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Cool Stuff: Photo Frame Clock
The Passe Partout Photo Frame Clock includes 12 small frames that you can fill with photos, tiny objects, pressed leaves or flowers, diminutive art, or interesting papers to create an intriguing assemblage
It's $65 from Dutch by Design.
Mark Your Calendar: Southern Exposure's 9th Annual Monster Drawing Rally
Friday night, February 27: More than 130 of the Bay Area's rising artists making art on the spot. Original pieces for $60 a pop. Music from Bo Derelict, tacos from El Tonayense, and beer from Trumer Brauerei, Bridgeport, and Nectar Ales. What more could you ask for?
Southern Exposure's 9th Annual Monster Drawing Rally is a can't-miss event for local art lovers looking to build a collection on a budget, and those who want an up-close look at the creative process. All proceeds benefit the San Francisco nonprofit arts organization's Exhibitions and Artists in Education Programs.
The participant list is a veritable Who's Who of the Bay Area art scene: Brett Amory, Lauren Anderson, Kathy Aoki, Chris Applegren, Seth Armstrong, Johnna Arnold, Mara Baldwin, David Becker, Pete Belkin, Bert Bergen, Elisheva Biernoff, Evan Bissel, Michelle Blade, Val Britton, Charlie Callahan, Michele Carlson, Deric Carner, John Casey, Constance Castillo, Alexander Cheves, Youmna Chlala, Serena Cole, Randy Colosky, Lisa Congdon, Jaime Cortez, Lauren Davies, Christian Davies, Veronica De Jesus, Tina Dillman, Nina Elder, Marcela Florez, Amy Franceschini, Adam Friedman, Matt Furie, Narangkar Glover, Pete Glover, Ariel Goldberg, Michael Hall, Liz Harvey, Chelsea Heikes, Eric Heiman, Queena Hernandez, Terry Hoff, Misa Inaoka, Ian Johnson, Kelly Lynn Jones, Kara Joslyn, Josh Keyes, David King, Tashana Kjelland, Sarah Klein, Mary Anne Kluth, Chris Leib, Justin Limoges, Kenneth Lo, Ivan Lopez, Marina Luz, Nathan Lynch, Paul Madonna, Minette Mangahas, Michelle Mansour, Kari Marboe, Vanessa Marsh, Corinne Matesich, Christina Mazza, Mike McConnell, Gaelan McKeown, Jeff Meadows, Jody Medich, David Muller, Carson Murdach, Claire Nereim, Jessica Niello, Andy Nizinskyj, Sandra Ono, Jennie Ottinger, Matthew Palladino, Lana Parcello, Erik Parra, Kamau Patton, Hilary Pecis, Stephanie Peek, Chris Pew, George Pfau, Ferris Plock, Mel Prest, Kyle Ranson, Lisa Ricci, Ricardo Richie, Favianna Rodriguez, Lordy Rodriguez, John Rogers, Veronica Rojas, Thorina Rose, Nat Russell, Zachary Rossman, Sham Saenz, Colleen Sanders, Zachary Royer Scholz, Andrew Schoultz, Emily Sevier, Ryan Shaffer, Jennie Smith, Deth P. Sun, Jiharri Terry, Tracy Timmins, Trevor Tubelle, Jessica Tully, Kelly Tunstall, Gina Tuzzi, Aiyana Udesen, Paul Urich, Adrian Van Allen, Jamie Vasta, Ben Venom, Marci Washington, Virginia White, Amanda Williams, Jenifer Wofford, and Michael Louis Young.
The Monster Drawing Rally runs from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday at San Francisco's Verdi Club, 2424 Mariposa St. at Potrero. A $5 (or more) donation at the door is suggested. More info here.
Etsy Find of the Day: Mr.PS Tea Screenprints
Why, yes. That sounds lovely.
Two, thank you.
The 17.5-by-25-inch, recycled-paper screenprints are $34 each from Etsy seller Mr.PS (aka Norfolk, England designer Megan Price).
See all of Mr.PS's Etsy offerings right here.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Cool Stuff: Monaluna Fabrics for Robert Kaufman
Score one for the home team! A big congrats to Oakland designer Jennifer Moore, who recently come out with a fun new line of cotton fabrics called Monaluna for textile company Robert Kaufman.
These pretty, colorful patterns are making me itch to get going on some simple spring sewing projects: Whipping up a few cheerful cushion covers and stitching fabric cosies to hide the sewing machine and the TV when they're not in use. I might even attempt to add some contrasting bands of fabric to the bottom of a plain set of curtains.
One thing that's especially nice about the new Monaluna site is that Moore has put together trios of fabrics that work well together, so mixing and matching isn't such a guessing game. She's also provided step-by-step instructions for a few of the sewing projects pictured on the site, such as the quilted pillow above.
Some of my favorite combos:
Mingle
Metro Market
About Town
Check out the entire Monaluna collection right here -- and see a list of online merchants who stock the fabrics here.
Mark Your Calendar: Sights of Sounds at Park Life
Opening at San Francisco's Park Life this Wednesday, February 25, as part of the citywide Noise Pop Festival: The third annual Sights of Sounds, a group show featuring original work from musicians who also make art.
The double-threats exhibiting their fine art at the store/gallery include Bomb Squad and Public Enemy's Hank Shocklee, as well as:
The Mission's own low-fi icon John Vanderslice
Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh
Operation Ivy's Jesse Michaels
Alissa Anderson
Joseph Arthur
CocoRosie's Bianca Casady
Les Savy Fav's Harrison Haynes
Murder City Devils' Nate Manny
The New Trust's Sara Sanger
Paul Miller (aka DJ Spooky)
The opening reception for Sights of Sounds runs from 7 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, and the show will be up through March 9. Park Life is located at 220 Clement St. at Third. Click here for more info.
Etsy Find of the Day: Junquegrrl Abandoned Houses
I can't stop thinking about these wee, dilapidated houses from Etsy seller junquegrrl (aka Providence, Rhode Island "maker of stuff" Mandy Jordan). Each 3-inch miniature -- eerily beautiful in its ruin -- is crafted from cardboard, paper, paint, and mica with obsessive detail to evoke the forgotten domiciles that Jordan says she's captivated by.
"Have you ever found a forgotten house in the woods, leaning on its foundations, being practically swallowed up by the overgrowth?" she asks. "Underneath the spreading boughs of oak and maple, the house is in shadow. Ivy curls along the façade and moss grows in spreading carpets across the crumbling shingles, lichen and peeling paint combine to create new textures on the walls. With each layer of color and texture I lovingly apply, these little houses remind me more and more of those places: sad, sometimes spooky, always beguiling."
Seaweed and Celadon Abandoned House, $15
Abandoned House G, $15
Overgrown Abandoned House, $15
Ruined Abandoned House, $15
See all of junquegrrl's Etsy offerings right here.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Mark Your Calendar: Sketch Tuesday at 111 Minna
Photo from FlavorpillInspired by Southern Exposure's annual Monster Drawing Rally, San Francisco's 111 Minna Gallery began hosting monthly Sketch Tuesdays, during which a bevvy of hand-selected local artists gather for an evening of impromptu art-making and then sell the resulting work for a mere $5 to $30. What a great way for us cash-strapped art lovers to start building a collection!
Painting by Laura Ball
Papercut mural by Stephanie Leung
This month's event takes place on Tuesday, February 24, from 6 to 10 p.m. Guest artists include Laura Ball (whose recent Swarm Gallery show I blogged here), Annie Galvin, Becca Vershbow, Stephanie Leung, Sam Flores, Seth Armstrong, and more than a dozen others.
Painting by Annie Galvin
Illustration by Becca Vershbow
The gallery is located at 111 Minna St. at Second. There will be a DJ spinning and a full bar, so the event is 21 and over only. Click here for more info.
Design Dilemma: What Should I Do With My Boring Powder Room?
More Ways to Waste Time reader Harriet writes, "I'm hoping you can help me with my boring powder room. I'm looking for ways to add spunk, character, and style without spending much money.
The room lacks architectural details: There is no window. It's a five-by-five-foot square. And it's painted a pale green. There is a nice new sink and toilet, but I'm not attached to anything else in the room.
I'd definitely like to paint. Two people recommended pumpkin or terracotta, which I like, but I'm wondering if they would clash with the orange-y wood of the bathroom door. I love deep peacock blue-green, but have been warned against a cold color in a windowless room. I'd also like to change the light fixture, hopefully without moving the light box. Finally, I'm on the lookout for a small table or cabinet with more character than the white cabinet that's in there now. To me, a table wants a plant on it, but with no natural light, I haven't figured out what to put there instead. Any ideas?"
Photo from Point Click HomeI have one word for you, Harriet: Wallpaper. It's a great way to add color, dimension, and interest to a lackluster space. And it doesn't have to be prohibitively expensive, especially when you're papering a small room. You could even paper just the sink wall, and paint the other three walls a complimentary hue. Cole & Son's Woods wallpaper, shown above and below, is one of my favorites.
Photo from House to Home
Photo from House to HomeIf it's in your budget, installing a wood or tile wainscot will add instant architecture to a space with none. For the look of wainscoting without the expense, you could even install a simple chair rail, then wallpaper above it and paint below.
Photo from Walnut WallpaperIf matching the wood of the door is a stumbling point, be sure to test paint or wallpaper swatches against it to make sure they don't clash. Or consider simply painting the door. I don't have a strong opinion about warm vs. cool colors for your space. I think that as long as the lighting isn't cold (i.e., glaring fluorescents), it doesn't really matter.
Besides, it's just a powder room -- a space to go to the bathroom and wash your hands. Nobody's going to be spending a ton of time in there or doing anything other than maybe reapplying lipstick, so I don't think it's a big deal if the color palette is on the cool side. (But readers, feel free to say so if you think I'm wrong on this.)
Photo from House to Home
Design by Benjamin Dhong, photo by moiNow about your mirror. It's OK, but you could add a huge dose of style and drama by upgrading. Again, you don't have to spend a lot of money. Keep an eye out on craigslist, in thrift stores, and at flea markets for a vintage mirror with an interesting shape or intricate frame. If you don't like the frame's color or wood finish, you can simply spray paint it.
Photo from Domino
Photo from Walnut Wallpaper
Photo via Desire to InspireFor lighting, you could go vintage (or vintage-inspired), classic, or modern, depending on your preferences and the other elements in the room. Circa Lighting and Rejuvenation are great places to find a vintage or reproduction over-mirror fixture that will add a lot a character to the room. For more budget finds, don't overlook eBay or your local architectural salvage yard. A great old piece can often be rewired for very little expense.
A vintage side table or cabinet topped with fresh flowers, a shade-tolerating plant like a peace lily, a collection of small treasures, a basket full of rolled hand towels, or an interesting objet will complete the look.
The most important thing, I think, is to have some fun. Because a powder room is a space that's only experienced for a few minutes at a time, there's no better excuse to just go for it.
Readers: Any other ideas for jazzing up Harriet's lackluster powder room? If so, please leave a comment and share them!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Over and Out
Sorry about the lack of posts today, everyone. I'm just all out of words right now. Taking the weekend to refuel ...
Hope you have a good one!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Etsy Find of the Day: Shakespeare Sonnet Print
Completely enamored with this print from Etsy seller Lizzy House, depicting Shakespeare's Sonnet 12.
It's $75 right here.
Object of Lust: Rowpinto Antique Lace Cushion
Flannel Grey Antique Lace Cushion, £95 (about $135) from London knitwear designer Rowena Pinto. Le sigh ...
(If you sew, replicating this pillow actually seems like a fairly do-able DIY project: Old wool sweater, grandma's lace, vintage buttons, pillow insert -- done.)
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Cool Stuff: Egg Collective Tables
I'm digging the cleverness and ingenuity coming out of the all-female Egg Collective. The virtual design studio is the brainchild of Stephanie Beamer, Crystal Ellis, Hillary Petrie, and Julie Scheu, four friends who met at architecture school and who are now based out of St. Louis, Brooklyn, New Orleans, and Portland, respectively.
Take these Stumped Side Tables, created from fallen trees and wired to hold an integrated light. Beautiful and useful.
Another one for the "why didn't I think of that?" file: Egg's (wait for it now ... ) File Table
The Pill Table, which functions as both coffee table and bookends
Set Table, constructed from solid walnut and embellished with cheeky, 24-karat gold leaf place settings
Contact Egg Collective directly for pricing and availability, and check out the studio's other clever creations right here.
The Artful Home: Anthony Georgis Photography
Absolutely arresting images from photographer Anthony Georgis, who's currently showing at Portland, Oregon's Life + Limb. Above: Untitled 05
Untitled 11
Untitled 01
Untitled 04
Untitled 08
Each 8-by-8-inch, maple-mounted print is $100 through the Life + Limb e-shop.
See more of Georgis's work right here. And if you're in the Portland area, be sure to check out Life + Limb's beautiful home and garden wares in person.
Cool Stuff: Skylar's Lace Pattern Stencil
Seven-year-old Skylar Montague is one very lucky little girl.
Not only does she have a beautiful, talented, and big-hearted mother (My Marrakesh's Maryam Montague), but she lives in a breathtaking home in exotic, faraway Morocco, where her bedroom floor just got this absolutely dreamy custom lace stencil treatment.
Now Royal Design Studio's Melanie Royals, the California artisan who helped transform Skylar's floor, is selling the stencil pattern she used to create it. The 27-by-39.5-inch, two-part stencil can be applied to floors, walls, ceilings, or even furniture.
It's $199 right here.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Objects of Lust: Missoni Throws
It's cold, wet, and dreary here today, so I'm craving color and coziness. These delicious wool throws from iconic Italian design house Missoni fit the bill perfectly. (Even in flush times, I can't see spending quite so much on a blanket, no matter how lovely -- buy hey, it doesn't cost a cent to feast the eyes, right? And if you're in the position to cough up some cash, one of these would make for a bold, colorful accent draped over the back of a chair or folded at the foot of a bed, even in warmer weather.) Above: Jamiro Throw, $410 from Bedding, Etc.
Humbert Cushions and Throws, $102 and $315 each from Bedding, Etc. (For those of us on a tight budget, IKEA's $20 Jorun Throw is a comparable -- though far less luxurious -- option.)
Kiruna Throw, $670 from Bedding, Etc.
Karlos Throw, $295 at Bedding, Etc.
Harpo Throw, $275 at Pillows and Throws
Cool Stuff: Forest Silhouette Lamps
Crafted from unglazed porcelain and illuminated by low-wattage bulbs, these Forest Silhouette Lamps cast a soft, almost ghostly glow that highlights the subtle tree designs etched inside.
They're $118 each at RianRae.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Over and Out
Hope your weekend is filled with love, in all of its incarnations.
(Nick and I are super-excited for this. Do you have any special plans?)
That's Random: What Are You Listening To?
I've been on a music jag lately, dusting off old favorites and giving a few new things a spin. Back in our record store days, Nick and I probably brought home ten new discs a week, listening to them rather obsessively and debating the merits of one album or act over another for hours with our equally music-obsessed friends.
But then, well, life sort of intervened -- as it has a way of doing -- and our voracious appetite for new music trailed off a bit. It didn't die, not by a long shot. It was just side-channeled into things like raising kids, renovating houses, and earning livings.
But I'm feeling the love again, and am hungry for some fresh new music and to soak in. So I wanted to ask: What are you listening to these days? What's been your favorite disc this past year? What band or songwriter is rocking your world right now? Above is what's on constant rotation at our house at the moment, just to give you all a sense of our taste. What else should we check out?
Please let me know about your current faves, or share your own playlist in the comments. Thanks!
Cool Stuff: Justin Rothshank Decal Ceramics
Beautiful, provocative decalware from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ceramic artist Justin Rothshank.
Rothshank designs custom decals on his computer, laser-prints them with ceramic ink onto special decal paper, and applies them to his handmade pottery before firing in a kiln. The results are as startling as they are lovely.
Contact Rothshank directly for pricing and ordering information. (Update: Just discovered that he has pieces for sale on Etsy as well.)
See a video of Rothshank's decal application process here, and check out more of his work here.
Cool Tool: Free Valentine's e-Cards From Kate Spade
Step away from the Hallmark aisle.
If, like someone (cough!) we know, you've lagged on hunting down a cool Valentine's Day card for your sweetheart, bestest friend, or other special someone, all is not lost.
Thanks to designer Kate Spade, who commissioned 26 artists to create a selection of hip, sweet Valentine's e-cards, you can still send your SO or BFF a V-Day greeting that doesn't reek of fromage.
Even better? They're 100% free.
Check 'em out right here.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Mark Your Calendar: Lisa Congdon at BellJar
Opening tonight -- Thursday, February 12 -- at San Francisco's BellJar: Lisa Congdon's Love Me Not, a modern reinterpretation in painting, illustration, collage, and shadowbox of the lush, effusive, and slightly bizarre Valentine's notes of the Victorian era.
Here, Congdon explains her inspiration for the show: "Valentine's Day reached its height of celebration in the Victorian Era. Valentines cards were produced in tens of thousands, from whimsical to slightly vulgar. Their designs included lace paper, embossed envelopes, glass or metal mirrors, ribbons, real feathers, and flowers or dried ferns. Chubby, adult-looking children called cherubs adorned them. Just as important as the decoration are the unabashed pleading for affection and pledging of undying devotion that accompany traditional Valentines.
In Love Me Not, I explore both the traditional decor and subject matter of Valentines from the Victorian Era along with common Valentines sentiments and proclamations. In some cases I have taken the gaudy decoration and purposefully toned it down to be more austere to play with the viewer's sensibilities."
There will be an opening reception for Love Me Not this evening from 6 to 9 p.m., and the show will be up through March 11. BellJar is located at 3187 16th St. at Guerrero in the Mission.
Check out more of Congdon's work right here.
Etsy Find of the Day: Mudpuppy Bud Vases
I stopped in yesterday at Berkeley's Lola (which, by the way, is an absolutely beautiful shop and definitely worth a visit if you're local) and was immediately drawn to these delicate bud vases with woven waxed linen "knotless nets" from Mudpuppy (aka Denver ceramist Michael McDowell). I don't know what it is, but the combination of needlework and other, non-textile mediums gets me every single time.
In the end, I couldn't resist. I need more white pottery like I need a hole in the head, and we really shouldn't be spending on non-essentials right now. But the heart wants what it wants, y'know?
Lola has a few more of these, so pop on by to take a look if you're in the area. If not, you can find them for $26 apiece on good old Etsy, where Mudpuppy has a shop filled with lots of little handcrafted ceramic lovelies that you probably don't need, but that your heart will undoubtedly desire.
(P.S. Check out my Etsy widget at left for a few more Mudpuppy creations. I update the widget with five new Etsy finds every day, so if you view the blog via an RSS feed, it's worth clicking through to check out the bonus goodies.)
(P.P.S. Click through to the comments on this post to see a great discount offer on Mudpuppy wares, just for More Ways to Waste Time readers. Thanks, Michael!)
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Cool Stuff: New from India Rose
Brand-new goodies from India Rose (the Bay Area-based company that brought us the oh-so-covetable White Devil Shower Curtain):
Fabric Lanterns, $35 to $43 each
Large Pillar Candles, $89 each
Simple Pillar Candles, $69 each
Canggu Duvet, $260, and Lucy Pillowcases, $27 and $55 each
See all of India Rose's pretty, feminine products right here.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
The Artful Home: Evan B. Harris and Amy Ruppel Print
Stop the presses! A new collaborative print, Noble Growth ($24), from Portland art darlings and studio mates Evan B. Harris and Amy Ruppel just hit Tiny Showcase, where it's sure to sell out in 3, 2, 1 ...
Grab yours while you can.
(P.S. Also be sure to check out the haunting original paintings -- such as Winter Growth, above, $975 -- from Harris and Ruppel's current Land, Air, and Sea show at Portland's Mark Woolley Gallery.)
Object of Lust: Dandelion Clocks Wallpaper
I am sick with lust (sick, I tell you!) for this Dandelion Clocks Wallpaper from the venerable British company Sanderson.
Psst -- the cheerful pattern is also available in fabric. (And by "available," I mean available for purchase in England, Wales, and Scotland.)
Any U.K. readers out there willing to swing by John Lewis to pick up a roll or two for me? ;-)
(Via Design Undercover.)
The Artful Home: Plywerk Art at Olio United
Portland's eco-chic boutique, Olio United, just added pieces the the website from its great new art show, Plywerk. The collection consists of affordable, ready-to-hang work from artists Betsy Walton, Yellena James, Kim Oanh Nguyen, and Joanna Bean. The pieces were created by mounting images from each artist to half-inch, FSC-certified Plywerk panels and sealing them with a protective laminate finish.
A few of my faves:
Set Free by Betsy Walton, $70
Rainbow Quilt Mountain by Betsy Walton, $70
Burst by Yellena James, $65
Vintage Ballet Dress by Kim Oanh Nguyen, $45
Geometrics 6 by Joanna Bean, $65
See all of the Plywerk art at Olio right here -- and peruse the shop's other great art selections here.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Cool Stuff: Publique Living
Maybe I'm longing for the winter we're not really having here in California, but I'd like nothing better than to wrap myself up in one of these yummy Boucle Alpaca Throws, $205 each from San Francisco design firm Publique Living. The company fuses simple, restrained design and high-quality, often sustainable materials to create quietly elegant accessories for the home.
More goodies from Publique's e-shop:
Boucle Alpaca Pillows, $135 each
Barley Wool Blankets, $195 each
Paper Votive Cuffs, $15 for four
Tree Cups and Saucers, $18 per set
Grafik180: City Art limited-edition prints inspired by the distinctive architecture of cities around the world, $200 each unframed or $390 framed
WoodArt: Rocks made from hand-cut and -stitched wood veneer, $420 each
See more Publique Living designs right here.
Etsy Find of the Day: Peacock Envy
Tons of awesome vintage from Etsy seller Peacock Envy. Above: Orange and Red Mini Creamers, $16
Clockwise from top left: Norwegian Saga Norsk Tureen, $31; Mushroom Pencil Holder, $9; Wooden Apple Dish, $14
Clockwise: Pair of Brass Deer, $24; Red Shoe Form, $16; Six Blue Floral Trays, $27; Red Play Register, $24
Clockwise: Figgjo Flint Flower Teacup and Saucer, $21; Swedish Leaf Dish Set, $21; Pair of Pedestal Flower Cups, $17; Owl Cutting Board, $27; Patchwork Mugs, $24 for four; Vera Napkins, $22
Check out all of the items in Peacock Envy's Etsy shop right here.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
Deal of the Day: 15% Off Place Settings at Heath Ceramics
How drool-worthy are these new place settings from Heath Ceramics? I'll take service for twelve ...
To celebrate the launch of this new dinnerware collection, Heath is offering 15 percent off the regular price ($78 to $164 per set) until the end of February. Simply type in SETS at checkout to take advantage of the discount.
And if you're in the Bay Area, stop by the Heath Factory Store in Sausalito this weekend (Friday, February 6 through Sunday, February 8) for tours, open studios, giveaways, and 10 percent off everything.
Etsy Finds of the Day: Feeling Foxy
Mark my words, you guys: Foxes are the new owls.
I'm seeing the vulpine vixens all over Etsy (and elsewhere) these days -- and, since my beloved pooch looks not unlike a fox herself, I'm especially partial to them. (Still, I hope they don't reach the same level of saturation we've seen with birds, deer, and the aforementioned owls, thus dooming them to cliché and then passé status.)
Here, a collection of my favorite foxy finds. Top: Fox Print, $25 from e.soule
Fox in Trees Canvas, $110, and Red Foxen, $78, from Abigail Brown
Masquerade Print, $20 from Ashley G
The Duke of Ny Print, $35 from Matte Stephens
Fox Chubbikin, $18 each from Erin Ellis
Skinny Dipping, $20 from Kristiana Parn
Sydney in Blue Flowers Napkins, $20 for two from Cakehouse
Red Fox Print, $15 from Berkley Illustration
Foxy Wisdom Print, $20 from Zetta
Fox Print, $25 from Andrew Neyer
Moxy Print $17 from Amber Alexander
Mr Fox Moleskine, $12 from Melody Seal
Cake With Mr. Fox Print, $13 from Emma Klingbeil
Fox Amigurimi, $72 from Penguin & Fish
Mr. Fox, Esquire Print, $17 from Marmee Craft
Fox Valentine's Day Card, $3 from Amy Blackwell
Pink Fox Doll, $13 from Run Amok
Quietly Print, $30 from Groundwork
There are literally thousands more examples, but I gotta stop now ...
So what do you think -- are foxes the new Etsy animals du jour? And if so, is it just an offshoot of the whole "woodland creatures" thing? If not, what species gets your vote for the next big trend? (I know, I know. It's a question of earth-shattering importance.)
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Mark Your Calendar: Your Weekend of Art, Shopping, and Valentine's Day Preparations
Bay Area locals: Get your arting pants on and don your best shopping shoes for a weekend of fun art- and design-related happenings.
Friday night, February 6, is, of course, the Oakland Art Murmur. Among the highlights this month:
Emily Wick (whose popular State Mottos prints were featured here recently) and her boyfriend, artist Brian Brooks, are opening a new gallery in the Temescal District called Smokey's Tangle (named after the couple's imaginary cat). Stop by Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. for the grand-opening reception and show featuring work from Wick, Brooks, and others. Smokey's Tangle is located at 4709 Telegraph Ave.
Lena Reynoso brings her Forty Four Presidents portraits to Blankspace Gallery. The show explores "the visual impact of our corpus of Presidents ... and the presentation and representation of our Nation’s past and our future." Blankspace is located at 6608 San Pablo Ave.
Creative Growth Gallery, which supports artists with disabilities, hosts a group show from longtime program artists Kerri Damianakes, John Martin, Ron Veasey, and George Wilson. Creative Growth is located at 355 24th St.
Fort Gallery, which has taken over the cavernous space recently vacated by Esteban Sabar, will hold an opening reception from 6 to 10 p.m. for Future Winter, a group show from Christopher Murdoch, Emily Goldstein, Miko Isla, and others. Fort is located at 480 23rd St.
Front Gallery hosts a reception from 7 to 10 p.m. for the group show Aftersight, featuring artitsts Francesca Pera, Rocky Angel, and Carolyn Haydu. Aftersight "examines the effect of extraordinary personal events and how they ... are never fully put aside but but always linger just under the surface of our everyday lives." Front Gallery is located at 35 Grand Ave.
At Old Oakland's FiveTen Studio, mother-and-daughter artists Rosa De Anda and Lila Maes De Anda unveil their joint show, The Challenge. The cross-generational collaboration features Ollin, "large-scale wings reborn from recycled lath discarded from San Francisco Victorian homes," and Shattered Not Broken, "small-scale hearts made from recycled glass found in dark alleys and bus shelters, on the side of church steeples, and under worn-out stools in bars. The selected pieces are about the spiritual journey and individual responsibility in healing one's heart." FiveTen Studio is located at 831 Broadway.
If you're across the Bay on Saturday, February 7, check out GetLocalSF's We Heart the Mission Midwinter Stroll from noon until night. Hip shops such as BellJar (where everything will be 10 percent off), the Curiosity Shoppe (also offering 10 percent off almost everything), Candystore, Paxton Gate, and Rare Device (which will be offering 20 percent off) will host special sales and other in-store events during the Stroll. Find a map of participating merchants here.
One special event not to miss in the Mission Saturday afternoon: Lea Redmond's World's Smallest Postal Service. Redmond will set up her lilliputian mobile office at the Curiosity Shoppe from 2 to 5 p.m. and turn out the sweetest, smallest Valentine's love letters imaginable for $8 apiece. (Not in the area? Never fear -- you can order a tiny letter or card online.)
Also on hand at the Shoppe will be PodPost's Jennie Hinchcliff and Carolee Gilligan, who will have an array of Valentine's Day and mail-friendly goodies for sale. The Curiosity Shoppe is located at 855 Valencia St.
Have fun out there, kids.
Cool Stuff: Wall Mounted Pet Bed
Introducing: Akemi Tanaka's Curve Wall Mounted Pet Bed.
It holds up to 45 pounds (meaning it works for small dogs, too), comes in a variety of wood finishes and fabric options, and is $199 at Supermarket.
Seriously, I don't know how our cats have survived without this.
And speaking of pets, have you all seen this video? Apologies if it's old news, but I just discovered it yesterday and think it's absolutely amazing. I mean, really -- who needs kids when you can train your dog to do this?
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Cool Stuff: New from Henry Road
Some brand-new lovelies from Los Angeles-based Henry Road (as with Lotus Bleu, I'm loving this foray into reupholstered vintage furniture):
Slipper Chair, $350
Pair of End Chairs in Patch, $1,400
Black Armchair, $1,400
Olde Sofa, $3,200
English Armchair, $880
Remnant Lampshades, $175 and up
Union Jack Pillow, $85
Fleur Grande Pillow in Purple, $90
Circles Grande Pillow in Purple and Koi Pillow in Indigo, $90 each
Garden Pillow in Ocean, $90
Ceramic Acorns, $12 for three
And with that, my imaginary shopping list grows ever longer ...
Cool Stuff: Coffee and Tea Time at Eden and Eden
What's your poison? Mine is coffee, big time -- but maybe you're more of a tea person.
Whatever bevvy gets you through the day, you'll savor it all the more in one of these lovely handmade porcelain beakers from Swedish ceramist Karin Eriksson. The vessels are subtly printed with the names of various java and tea blends, and made to fit perfectly in your hand. They're $42 to $52 each, depending on size, at San Francisco's Eden and Eden.
Tea time would be even more special with a few extra accouterments hand-selected by the shop's British proprietress, Rachel Eden. Above: Brown Betty Teapot with Handknit Wool Cosy, $70
Lasercut Felt Coasters from Donna Wilson, $38 for four
Donna Wilson Lasercut Felt Doily, $38
Check out the rest of Eden and Eden's British-flavored housewares right here.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Objects of Lust: Revamped Vintage at Lotus Bleu
I'm positively drooling over the latest crop of reinvented vintage chairs from San Francisco boutique Lotus Bleu (earlier versions blogged here). The French/Vietnamese-flavored Hayes Valley shop takes pedigreed midcentury seating and updates it with vibrant and feminine fabrics, to gorgeous effect. Above: Slipper Chair, $1,550
Midcentury Sprung Rocker, $1,350
Reclining Lounge With Ottoman, $1,550
Vintage Armchair, $750
Rocker and Ottoman, $1,650
Wingback Lounge Chair, $2,450
Armchair, $750
Danish Armchair, $750
Danish Modern Armchair, $1,550
Granted, I'll probably never be in a position to drop $1,500 or more on a single chair, but these are inspiring me to take a fresh look at flea market furniture and fun fabrics. (In fact, Lotus Bleu can even reupholster that hand-me-down from Grandma for you in one of these amazing Robert Le Heros fabrics.)
See more of Lotus Bleu's updated vintage seating here -- and peruse the shop's other beautiful offerings here.
Etsy Find of the Day: Julia Pott Illustrations
One look and I fell hard for these endearing prints from London, England-based illustrator and animator Julia Pott -- deadpan animals will get me every time. Above: This is My Boyfriend, $20
All the Boys, $20
Cat and Dog, $20
I Can't Be Dealing With This, $20 (my latest obsession: foxes!)
It's No Big Deal, $20
Brussels, $20
Crush, $20
And speaking of crushes, Pott also has a selection of Valentine's Day cards that are sweet but most definitely not sappy (just be sure to order yours pronto to allow time for international shipping):
He Has a Goldfish With His Girlfriend Card, $3
But I Love You Card, $3
See all of Pott's Etsy offerings right here, watch a short film about her here, and check out more of her work here.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Cool Stuff: Pictures from the Point
For one reason or another, we've missed the Alameda Point Antiques and Collectibles Faire for the last few months. But Nick and I were determined to get there yesterday, and it was wonderful to be back. The weather was gorgeous, the people-watching excellent, and the offerings enticing. I was especially drawn to the wealth of vintage-industrial wares at the Faire this month. Oh, to live in a loft!
(I wasn't the only local blogger snapping shots at the flea market, of course. It's fascinating how different people can experience the same thing in such varied ways, isn't it? Hannah, for one, focused on whimsical vintage ephemera. I have a feeling Victoria was there, too, and will soon be posting her own snaps. I wonder what drew her eye?)
Here's what caught mine:
All that great stuff, and what did we bring home? Four vintage melamine plates for $4. Like most everyone else, we're trying to curtail our spending as much as possible right now. Sigh.
(P.S. My previous trips to the Point are documented here and here.)
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