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.

Cool Stuff: Marco Cibola "Middletons" Plates

I love these melamine plates by Toronto illustrator Marco Cibola.

Each lightweight, 10-inch plate has a subtly varied design, though they're clearly all of a piece. Cibola named the set "The Middletons" and ascribed a different personality to each member of the melamine family: Doug, Janet, Claire, and Perry.

Rather than serving food on them (though I have to admit they would be a pretty great addition to the picnic basket), I'd hang these on the wall, where they'd serve as both art and a tongue-in-cheek tribute to your granny's wall mounted plate collection.

They're $40 for the set of four from Poketo.

(P.S. Click here for more great melamine designs.)

Cool Stuff: Jessica Rust Ceramics

I'm utterly beguiled by these Birch Tree Mugs, $45 for four, from Minneapolis's Jessica Rust Designs. Each mug in the set depicts the tree in a different season.

Both the mugs and the matching Birch Tree Plates, $55 each or four for $165, can be customized with initials carved into the tree trunk.

I'm also swooning over Rust's Cherry Blossom Mugs, $45 for four, and Dinner and Dessert Plates, $30 and $17 each or $110 and $65 for sets of four.

And how awesome would a customized Family Tree Platter, $80, be as a birthday or anniversary gift for a grandparent? (Sadly, it's too late to order custom items for Christmas delivery -- but if you order by December 15, you'll receive Rust's other items in time to slip them under the tree.)

Check out all of Jessica Rust's delicately illustrated tableware right here.

Etsy Find of the Day: Rock Hairdo Plates

I was just reading Anh-Minh's most recent post on vintage plate displays over on AT:SF, and clicked through to Etsy to take a closer look at the hilarious Seven Deadly Sins plates she featured (Anh-Minh always finds the best stuff ... ).

I loved what I saw, and proceeded to peruse the rest of Etsy seller trixie delicious' (aka Vandalized Vintage out of Auckland, New Zealand) offerings. I soon came upon these "rock star hairdo" plates -- which, it goes without saying -- totally rock.

The images include the iconic coifs of Sid & Nancy (top), the White Stripes (above), bluesy bad-girl Amy Winehouse (directly above), and punkette ensemble the Donnas (below). They're created with heat-fused, food-safe ceramic paint on funky vintage plates, and wall hangers are included.

I think I must have them.

The plates are $30 to $40 right here. (And while you're there, don't miss trixie delicious' equally fantastic "Bad MF" plate set and "Wanker" platter; too bad she seems to be out of those awesome "Slut" teapots ... )