Monday, December 18, 2006

Curbly Rocks Christmas!


As far as online communities go, I have seen the good, the bad and the just plain confusing!!! I have, however, found the pretty and the sleek too! If you are not a friend of Curbly, then you should get on over and check it out! Curbly is a site dedicate to the pursuit of design and problem solving. You can find all kinds of answers to your interior dilemnas, or ask someone who can help! These are the friendliest folks in cyberspace!!! You have nothing to fear! Carpet in the bathroom??? They have seen it all and can help you make your home beautiful, and stink free!

To help celebrate the Holidays, the guys at Curbly have kicked off their first Holiday Contest! You get to create your very own Christmas wishlist, and they will buy it all for you! Can't get better than that!!! Hurry, you have to have your list in by 12/25!!

Thursday, December 07, 2006

decor8 discounts!!!


Have you been over to decor8 lately??? The fabulous Miss. Holly has teamed up with oodles of our favorite online design shops to bring you amazing holiday discounts to help you with all of your holiday shopping!! You are sure to find fab gifts for everyone on your list from great stores including MirrorMirror, Trunkt, and Rock, Scissor, Paper!!!! You need to click through to decor8 and get each shops individual discount code. Holly will be posting these amazing deals through December 13th! What are you waiting for??

Saturday, November 04, 2006

Holiday Buying Ideas-1

I think that this has been a most amazing year for the online craft community! We all discovered Etsy, which led to the discovery of some of the most talented people I know! I plan on featuring a bunch of them throughout the holiday season to encourage everyone to buy handmade this year. There is nothing quite as special as one of a kind art, jewels, clothes, accessories, etc. These are very talented people, and this is our opportunity to really support them!!!


My first shop choice is my friend Hannah of HannahMade. You have never seen craftsmanship or color selection like this girl can do! All of her pieces are one of a kind and made using antique beads and semi-precious stones. I am a HannahMade addict! I wear her earrings every sinlge day, and I have my eye on just about everything she makes! I want it all! And so will you!

Hannah also does custom designs. She loves to create pieces specifically for the recipient using them as her muse. You would never believe that your portrait could be conveyed in a piece of jewlery, until you meet this girl!



Hannahs jewels would be a fantastic gift for anyone one your list! Be sure to click on over and check out her brand new shop.

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Renegade Craft Fair Holiday Event!


Did you know that the fabulous Renegade Craft Fair is holding its first ever holiday event in Chicago??!??? I was just clicking around, and voila! They are still accepting applications through November 1st! If your a crafty crafter you have to check it out!
It's easy! Just click here, and then click on Chicago, Ill!

Monday, October 23, 2006

CRAFT: Magazine Launch Party


If you are in the LA area, or will be this weekend, then you are in for a treat! Craft: magazine, in conjuction with our friends at Felt Club, is hosting a launch party in honor of the new magazine this Saturday!! I cant wait to check it out! If you would like to learn more, click here.

Saturday, October 14, 2006

Cheeky goodness!

Now you never have to wish you had thought of something wity to say in the moment! Paper Stories is there to say it for you in a cheeky, yet elegnat way! I love the beautiful and unexpected designs of these letterpress cards!! Upon first glance you see the colors and the embellishments . . . and then the message slaps you upside the head! These cards are so cool, they kind of make you want to misbehave!

(All images courtesy of Paper Stories)

Friday, October 13, 2006

Purl Soho
All of the web searching I did for the post about the SuperNatural scarf and hat drive reminded me about a fabulous knitting shop! I would like to share Purl Soho with you. This is a shop that I made it a point to visit on my last trip to NYC. I was super excited to see Purl featured on decor8 in August, announcing that they had launched an online store! The Brick and Morter shop in the West Village is entrancing! I was there for hours while my husband roamed the neighborhood. Luckily he was a good sport! In addition to tons of jaw-dropping yarns, they offer knitting patterns, accessories, notions, and magazines. I dare you to resist! Make that a triple dog dare!
(Images from the decor8 post! Thanks Holly!)

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Knit with love!
For the last 4 years SuperNaturale has taken scarf & hat donations for their annual drive that benefits Sanctuary For Families, an organization that provides many services for battered women and their children. (To learn more about the drive, click here.) To help you get started, here are some great resources, places that in my current learning phase of knitting (beginner!) I look to for inspiration.

Jen Stafford, The domiKNITrix, has a naughty approach to her knitting! Her patterns are fun and fresh! Check out this Devil Hat, just in time for Halloween! There is also a modified version, the Snow Devil, with long straps for the cheeky snowboarder in us all! If, like me, you aren't a seasoned knitter, then check out the 6 free easy scarf patterns that are great for learning simple techniques while knitting something for a good cause!

Yarn-A-Go-Go has a great description of taking patterns you like, and combining them. I love this idea because it allows you to be creative and design your own look without having to know how to do the figuring of an all new pattern!

Of course Knitty is always a fantabulous resource for fun, free patterns. I am always ooohhhing and aaahhhing over the images, and then I realize that my day job would never alow for me to make all of the fabulous knitted things that I am tempted to embark on! I must remember, one at a time!!!

In addition to the temptation of amazing patterns, amazing yarn is also a trigger for me. I covet yarn! It is so soft and cuddly, who wouldn't want it all to themselves!!! There are tons of places to find new, cool combinations. Here are some I enjoy!

Luxe Fibre is a great resource for hand spun and hand dyed yarns. Natasha Fialkov is passionate about spinning very colorful and luxurious combinations of yarns which she also knits into fantastic items she sells in her Etsy shop.

Fearless Fibers has tons of colorful sock weight yarns! Every skein is hand dyed or hand painted. Your dilemma will be how to resist every luscious color!

JuJu Knits offers affordable Merino Wools that are each dyed in a rainbow of hues. Each skein is 440 yards, plenty to knit any 1 skein project!

If you decide that knitting a scarf to donate to SuperNatural is something you would like to do, I would love to see what you are working on! Email me a pic of your project with the correct credit, and I'll post it up!
(All images courtesy of each individual site)

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Halloween Treats!

Halloween is a time for the unexpected! An opportuinty for EVERYONE to be creative and express a part of themselves that is really only supposed to come out and say Hi! once a year! It is awesome to peruse the Etsy pages and see what the crafty kids are up to! This is a huge sampling of stuff available on the site, but I love it all and simply could not pick and choose! Enjoy!

Reckon.etsy.com is offering an awesome Vincent Price
silkscreened t-shirt! How very Edward Scissorhands!

Mikel Robinson is one of my greatest inspirations.
His works are so unique and haunting! You have to see it to believe it!

PBCB Studios celebrates Dio de Los Muertos with this traditionally
Mexican inspired watercolor original painting!
There are so many details in the piece, everytime you look at it you see something new! It is gorgeous!

I think I might NEED one of these fab shirts from Crystal J.!
I love the hearts for eyes! A tender twist to this scary Halloween staple!

These felted Eyeball earrings from Knit Knit are so creepy!
I cant imagine how fun they will be dangling from an earlobe!!

This knife weidling bunny necklace is so Fatal Attraction!
Created by Unpopular Belief, it is disturbing on so many levels!
Well done!

Rachael Sudlow never fails to impress! Her "Tricks For Treats" tag gets
the family pet in on the fun! Or hang it from your
keychain and see who in your day challenges you to perform a trick!
You had better be prepared with something fun!

And finally, I am throwing one of my pieces into the mix. This print of the spooky Belles is totally creepy! They are just about to beckon you to come and play with them in the attic! Do you dare???

(All images courtesy of each individual artist)

Monday, September 18, 2006

R. Chunn


I really admire painters who use oils as their medium. I wish I had the ability to be so realistic when rendering a jar, or an apple. R. Chunn has a way of making his quick draw paintings gorgeous. He paints each one in a single sitting. His collection of fun tins, bottles, jars and objet d'art make for great studies in his pieces! My favorite part of the paintings is the use of familiar objects, without all of the typography and labeling. Who doesn't know that the bottle in the top piece, the one on the left, is some kind of flavoring, like vanilla. And that the jar on the far right below . . . Grey Poupon!

You can see images of his painting process on his great blog Alla Prima Painting, And fun drawings and watercolor sketches at his other blog Freehand. Check 'em out! I find both very interesting and inspiring!

(All images courtesy of Alla Prima Painting)

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

decor8 contest!!!!!

Not too long ago I posted about being inspired by
Alicia Paulson's awesome studio space, and today I see that decor8, in conjunction with Fabulous Stationery, is holding a workspace contest!!!!! They want to see where you do all the things you do! Get ready!! There are fantastic prizes and I am sure all of the entries are going to be fun too see!


So get to tidying! Your entries have to be in by Sept. 29th. Click over to decor8 for more details!

(All images courtesy of decor8)

Monday, September 04, 2006

Artist, Emerging

As artists and creative thinkers, we tend to mostly want to concentrate on our crafts, rather than all of the technical and bureaucratic issues that can arise when we have to perform non-expressive tasks. Deanna Wood has created Artist, Emerging. This fairly new blog is designed to help give step-by-step guidance, moral support, and informative tidbits to all of us overwhelmed by the business aspects that we creative thinkers encounter while away from our respective easels, sewing machines, glue guns, etc.

Stumped on how to tackle writing your Artist Statement?

Need help writing your resume?

It is never easy to put yourself out into the competitive world, by this guide will help you to see the value in rejection.

And of course, at some point we will all need to write a resume.

There is even a stress free guide to hanging your artwork! For me, this in invaluable!

Occasionally there will be artist interviews, and I am more than excited to be the current artist featured.

Now go, read the wonderful guides, and reap the benfits of all Deannas hard work!

Sunday, September 03, 2006

Pointy Kitty Pattern


I have had an itch lately to learn how to sew and this ADORABLE kitty isnt helping! Wee Wonderfuls has posted a free pattern to help you create your very own Pointy Kitty!! There is also a Flickr group showing a lot of the fun versions people have created. They make me want to purrrrrr!
(All images courtesy of Craftzine, via Melissa at Fehr Trade)

Saturday, September 02, 2006

Chris Brindley

Also

Chris Brindley is an Illustrator and Fine Artist living in Maryland. His works are quirky and inventive. All of his subjects are just a little off. They are quick views into an upside down world.

Snowday

He began his shop on etsy because he "decided it was time to share my weird side with the world." Aren't you glad he did??
(Images courtesy of Chris Brindley )

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Bags of Gold!!

I am a certified bag nut! I love them, and covet them, but I rarely ever use them! I love bright patterns, fresh designs, good construction and lots of pockets! Here are a few bag options that will ensure the bag doesn't end up on a hook on the back of the door!

These Plastic Baggie Sleeves clip directly onto your dogs leash! And although it wont pick up your pup's business for you, you'll never find yourself in a sticky situation.


I have been eyeing one of these Car Litter Bags from Allyson Hill for a certain someone who just traded in her car for a shiny new one. (If you are reading this-look away!) And you know I would need one too. Although Allyson's shop is all sold out of these lovelies right now, she does custom orders, so contact her through Etsy and pick your favorite fabric from her huge offering! **This just in: Allyson just wrote to let me know that she will be re-stocking here Car Litter Bags very shortly, so keep your eyes peeled before they are all snatched up!**


Bet you never thought you would covet something that even came close to resembling a fanny pack, but I can see how useful this Vanetti Hip Bag from Rubyzaar would be! I love the funkyness of it, and the green suede is certainly swoon worthy.


I love the idea of a knitting needle organizer specifically for the larger circular needles! This one from Granny's Chamber really does look like something that could have been passed down from your Grandmother!


And who doesn't have some clutter in their bag that needs catching?? This Clutter Catcher from Chic Boutique is so cute and retro! How can you resist??


Finally, these two totally different passport covers will make sure that you CANT forget to take it with you!! Pictured above is Tiny Meat's more traditional take is fun and colorful. The padded vinyl case has 2 additional pockets for extras like ID and cash. The inside is made from paint chips! How's that for recycling????


This Vintage Jersey Passport Pocket from InCraft We Trust is made from fabrics passed down from the designers 88 year old Grandmother, and serves many a purpose. I bought one and use it as a home for my iPod!

(Images from each individual seller)

Friday, August 25, 2006

Alicia Paulson Studio


I know that most of the crafty/design blog community is very familiar with Alicia Paulson and her blog, Posie Gets Cozy, but for some reason I have not caught on. I must have been in a coma! What a treausre trove of wonderful anecdotes, imagery and cooking pictures that will make your mouth water!


Alicia also has an online boutique called Rosy Little Things where she sells a wide variety of sweet handmade goods all created in her home studio, which brings me to my point! Is this NOT the most gorgeous studio you have every seen!!!?

I am so in awe of how perfectly lovely the environment is! So soothing and calm. I would never think to use such a bold color in my studio space, but this has changed my perspective! I think that the creative touches, like having the slippers on the wall for extra storage, really help to inspire. All of the beautiful papers, notions, bobbins and fabrics are such eye candy. It sure makes for a beautiful space! Well done!


I wanted to share the discovery of this space with you becasue I think that having an environment to work in that stimulates your creative juices is so important. Sometimes it is hard with all of the stuff we collect to create with, but Alicia proves that it can be done BEAUTIFULLY! (I am so jealous!)

To see more photos of the details of the space, click here!
(All images courtesy of Alicia Paulson)

Saturday, August 19, 2006

Daniel Bejar

I just discovered an amazing Illustrator by the name of Daniel Bejar. His work is all very thought provoking and well executed. There aren't many designers who can make such important statements in such innovative and smart ways. The works are just all beautiful! The piece above, Identity Theft was awarded the silver medal from the Society of Publication Designers in June 2006. Well deserved nod if you ask me!

"The Summer of '04"

I really like seeing the fingerprints and smudges along the outside edges of each piece. It reminds me of how Rodin's fingerprints and nail marks can be seen in his sculptures because he liked to mold with his hands. There is something humanzing and beautiful about works that are created by artists who like to get dirty and use their hands as tools, instead of to hold tools, while they are creating.

"Are you responsible for your own weight?"

There is a link for a future shop on Daniel's website. I hope it comes soon!
found via Marbargarbo
(All images courtesy of Daniel Behar)

Friday, August 11, 2006

AUGUST FELT CLUB



Scary that my last post on CS was over a month ago! The Swoon will be back in action soon! I promise! In the meantime, Felt Club is this weekend bringing you LOTS of crafty surprises as only FC can! Be there or be square! Be sure to say hi if you make it there!

I will be posting lots of pictures, so be sure to check back!

Friday, July 07, 2006

Felt Club, Sat. July 8th



Felt Club is this weekend!!! For anyone who isn't in LA, or has been in a cave for the last few months, Felt Club is a mini craft fair held on the second Saturday of every month in the parking lot behind Meltdown Comics. There are just about 2 dozen crafters and every one of them had the coolest wares! I snapped a few photos of a handful of the vendors from last months event. Click on the links to their shops to check 'em out, and if you are in the area be sure to make it out tomorrow. Some of the vendors will be the same, and there will be a few new faces too!! I cant wait!

Love, Christine
Sweet and whimsical jewelry, art and hand drawn comics.


Twospace
Original designs handmade by 2 gals.


In Craft We Trust
Super cool t-shirts, accessories, pins, buttons . . . I could go on for days!


The Singing Librarian


For fun Felt Club news and updates, check out the new Felt Club Blog!