Cool Stuff: jefdesigns Melamine Plates

Some fabulous new additions to that summer picnic basket, courtesy of Portland, Oregon's Joe Futschik of jefdesigns and New York City's brother-and-sister team of freddy&ma: Melamine plates made with Futschik's gorgeously vibrant nature-inspired designs. The plates are $80 for a set of four at DesignPublic. Above: Marine

Abstract

Botanical

A selection of jefdesigns patterns has also just been introduced for freddy&ma's customizable bags (genius idea!). Simply choose your bag style, pick a pattern, and specify your strap and hardware options. A bag will be made to your exact specifications and arrive at your door in about four weeks. Prices range from $65 to $295. Give it a whirl right here.

And check out more jefdesigns goodies here.

Etsy Find of the Day: Jefdesigns Silkscreens

I just got an email from Portland, Oregon artist and designer Joe Futschik of Jefdesigns announcing his new collection of sealife-inspired silkscreens (including "Seaweed," above). The 12-by-16-inch panels feature colorful images hand-printed directly onto wood, giving them a beautiful organic quality.

Take a look:
Gorgonia

Octopus

Fritillaria. (This image was created in honor of Futschik's mother, an avid gardener, who died earlier this year from ovarian cancer. Half of all sales of the print will be donated to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.)

Each image is part of a limited edition of 60 and is signed by the artist. All but the Etsy-only Fritillaria are also being sold through (Jaime of Design Milk's) Vitamin D(esign) Shop, as well as Design Public, 2Modern, and Velocity, and are priced at $150 each.

And be sure to check out the rest of the items (including samples, remainders, and other reduced-priced products) in Jefdesigns brand-new Etsy shop.

The Artful Home: New Walnut Panels from JefDesigns

Arresting new handpainted walnut panels from JefDesigns (aka Portland, Oregon artist and designer Joe Futschik). Above: Bubble 1, $650

Anemone 1, $700

Seaweed 2, $700

Seaweed 1, $550

Anemone 2, $700

Coral 1, $550

Coral 2, $700

Legna Wall Graphic 1.3, $200

Note: Save 15 percent and get free shipping through the end of April when you enter 15% Off in the message box during checkout.

See all of Futschik's new painted panels right here -- and check out more of his work here.

Mark Your Calendar: Modern Economy Sale

If I can manage to sneak away from my coughing, sniffling, feverish, germ-ridden family (no, it's not Swine Flu -- at least I don't think it is) for a couple of hours on Saturday, I am so hitting the Modern Economy Sale in San Francisco.

Meg Mateo Ilasco's annual event features first- and (almost imperceptibly) second-quality bargains from dozens of cool independent artisans and housewares designers. So if you're in the area, stop by and snap up some lovely ceramics, textiles, potted plants and terrariums, and other modern home accents at up to 80 percent off retail.

Participants include:

Cursive Design

Emma Gardner Design

Ferm Living

Henry Road

Jean Pelle

Jefdesigns

Paige Russell

Papaver Vert

Perch!

Rae Dunn

Soft Goods

Tikoli

Xenia Taler

... and many more.

The sale takes place this Saturday, May 2, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fort Mason Building A Conference Center. (In my experience, the place gets picked clean fast, so plan to arrive early for the best selection.)

More info here. My blog buddy Anh-Minh Le also had a great article about Modern Economy -- as well as how the modern economy itself is affecting local artisans -- in yesterday's San Francisco Chronicle; read it here.

Objects of Lust: jefdesigns' Lightbox Paintings

I just spotted these gorgeous lightbox paintings on Design Public and started salivating immediately.

Produced by Portland, Oregon artist Joe Futschik, these limited-edition digital paintings (there are only 15 of each) are mounted on 20-by-30-inch aluminum lightboxes. Each duratrans image is illuminated by three fluorescent tubes, and the lightboxes can be ordered with a hardwire or plug-in option.


Aren't they just breath-taking? I can't stop looking at them. (At $1,500 each, though, I'll have to tuck these away in the "If I Win the Lottery" file ... )

Wanderlust: Wonderful Walla Walla

As part of a recent work project (when I'm not blogging, I moonlight as a magazine writer and editor), I polled friends, acquaintances, and a few total strangers in the Pacific Northwest about their favorite weekend getaways. It's a tough job, I know, but someone has to do it.

Joe Futschik, a designer of wonderful things in Portland, Oregon, responded immediately and raved about Walla Walla, Washington. (Go ahead -- say that five times fast.) Joe even sent me a bunch of snapshots from his summer visit to this charming burg, along with comments on each of them. I swooned just looking at the pictures, and couldn't resist sharing a few of them here. Thankfully, Joe agreed to narrate his vacation slideshow.

Take it away, Joe!

"After design, travel and food are my two great loves. Walla Walla, a four-hour drive from both Portland and Seattle, is an amazing weekend getaway. It's in the middle of beautiful farm country and has great food, wine, and culture.

My friend GianCarlo Solimano owns a spa retreat in Walla Walla called Areus. The photos at top are of Areus' 'backyard.' And above are the pool with its Turkish daybed (I slept there under the stars!) and the spa's outdoor dining room.

A guest room and bath at Areus. The Icarus light is by Tord Boontje, and the owl lamp and carved wooden stag head are from Roost.

In the morning, breakfast was waiting for us on the beautiful community table.

GianCarlo also owns a crazy-cool clothing store in town called Cheval.

Willow is a great shop and art gallery that another good friend, Kary Beckner, just opened in June. The store's willow tree is by metal artist Douglas Gisi.

The focus at Willow is on handmade American design and regional artists.

Petit Noirs is a fantastic artisan chocolate shop housed in an old bungalow in the town of Milton Freewater, Oregon, ten minutes outside Walla Walla.

The shop has a French-boudoir look and sells things like these incredible molded chocolate shoes.

This is the view during the ride out to the tiny town of Waitsburg, about 15 miles from Walla Walla. We were off to Jimgermanbar there for incredible food.

I was an amazing trip, and I was so impressed with Walla Walla. It's a great spot for a quick weekend away!"

Thanks so much, Joe. I may just have to swing through Walla Walla on our next Northwest roadtrip. (And did I mention that Joe makes the most amazing lights, lightbox paintings, and other beautiful objects under the name jefdesigns? Check them out right here.)

P.S. Any other wannabe Wanderlust contributors out there? Feel free to share your vacation snaps and tell me about your favorite places to visit -- just so long as they don't involve, like, camping or hiking, both of which I'm (cough!) allergic to.