November 7, 2008

Y and Z


Well folks, here we are at the end of another alphabet! - Can you believe we have now been through three whole sets?? Thanks so much for stopping by : )


Let's get started..


YooLa


Here is some more coated copper wire goodness... This time from etsy store YooLa. Yael Falk is the creative and very talented designer behind the YooLa collection.. I was pretty excited to see her include some lampshades in her work - beautiful! Yael also makes jewellery and other decorative pieces that are clean and structural - a result of being an industrial designer in her professional life...have a look:
(images from YooLa)

NOTES:

visit the YooLa shop

check out Yael's Industrial Design website


Ezme Designs


The ceramic work of Chandra S. Beck of Ezme Designs is stunning... on a more in depth tour of Chandra's website I discovered that ceramic isn't the only medium she works in, and her portfolio contains an impressive array of photography and mixed media as well.

Chandra's store has a great collection of ceramic pieces for the home and is well worth a visit - I LOVE her mugs!!

take a peek:

(images from Ezme Designs)

NOTES:
visit the Ezme Designs website
visit Chandra's shop
see Chandra's portfolio

ErinZam

There is something about miniature books that I just love : ) When we were clearing out my Grandparents house I was asked to choose something that I really wanted - I picked a teeny tiny bible that belonged to my Grandfather, I had always been fascinated with it, ever since I can remember -the super small print that we used to try and read with a magnifying glass, the soft little leather cover, and the inscription in the front...I'm not sure what it is about that little book, but the book making work of Erin Zamrzla takes me back there...

Erin is a master book maker, her website is chock-full of book making resources, and you can even find a Japanese Bookbinding tutorial and kit in her Etsy store 'ErinZam'. I think Erin's Pillowcase Books (pictured 1st below) are genius -


"I was inspired by nighttime journaling and the way that so many ideas flow the instant your head hits the pillow. Their design also relates to the concept of hiding secrets inside or underneath a pillowcase."

As well as being a clever book maker, Erin also produces a range of prints, mixed media and original works - Check out more below...

(images from ErinZam)

NOTES:
visit Erin's shop
read Erin's blog

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Feature!

Denyse Schmidt Annual Studio Sale!

Mark Saturday November 15th in your calendars!!

The Denyse Schmidt Annual Sample Sale will take place at the Bridgeport CT studio, from 10am to 4pm.

There are some super bargains to be had - Up to 70% off select Couture, Works, and DS for Sarita Handa quilts. Loads of quilt blocks, fabric, scraps and more for the DIY-crafter. Building-wide open studios, and refreshments! Don't miss it! Visit Denyse's Workshops page to download directions and more.

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As I said earlier in the week, I have decided to take an earlier-than-planned break from writing The Design Alphabet. I am planning on returning in January '09 and I would LOVE to have you join me then. This has been a wonderful journey so far, and I am looking forward to getting back into it in the new year.
In the meantime, if you have anything you think would be great to include in our first '09 alphabet, please don't hesitate to get in touch! I love hearing from you!
Until then, be safe and happy : ) Best wishes and many, many, many thanks - Jo xx

November 6, 2008

X

Not long to go now, and this alphabet will be finished! What I love about doing this, is the fact that I get to discover things that I wouldn't normally be looking for... I love that I can't rely on press releases and 'the latest' and 'newest' blog land discoveries... I love that I have to delve deeper than that, and find things that not only suit the letter we are up to, but excite me and inspire me - I hope they do that for you too : )

Here we go....

Xenia Taler

I am not sure where I was introduced to the work of Xenia Taler (maybe Design*Sponge?), I LOVE her bold and fun designs.

From their Toronto studio Xenia and partner Steven Koblinsky design and make a gorgeous collection of tiles and boxes... have a look!


(images from Xenia Taler)

NOTES:
visit Xenia and Steven's website


Xanadu2you

I am very much attracted to these beautiful enamel covered, copper wire baskets.. either woven or crocheted, the beautiful colours of the Xanadu2you collection just draw me in...

Have you seen them??





(images from Xanadu2you)

NOTES:
visit the Xanadu2you shop


Little Red Fox

Catherine Garrison is the designer behind the Little Red Fox collection. Her range brings together a mix of prints, original works, collage and softies. I LOVE her "Peg leg Evie" doll! (pictured 1st below) Evie makes me smile : ) Catherine's "Born with Dancing Feet" series is also fantastic! (pictured 4th below) - have a look:




(images from Little Red Fox)

NOTES:
visit the Little Red Fox shop
read the Little Red Fox blog

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Feature!

The lovely Heather from Skinny LaMinx has a super shipping deal going on at her store...here's the low-down...

The Shipping News

Good news, shoppers! For the month of November, Heather has radically reduced shipping costs in her Etsy shop. This is all in the name of passing on savings that the crashing global economy has, oddly enough, sent her way. And there's still time to get Skinny laMinx Christmas presents, as Heather's postal service takes 10 - 14 days to get to the US, and to Europe it's even quicker. Go check it out!

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And that is X!

See you tomorrow for Y and Z!! - have a lovely day!!

November 5, 2008

V and W

These last few letters seem to want to come out in pairs... so here we have V and W!

So many gorgeous things to share with you today : )

First up:

Studio Violet

I first discovered Studio Violet over at Poppytalk (thanks Jan!). After a journey around their website, shop and blog I knew that the work of Camilla Engman and Elisabeth Dunker would be something I'd like to share with you - I know you are going to enjoy it!

Both Camilla and Elisabeth started their design based training at HDK, School for Design and Crafts in Gothenburg (Sweden). They now combine their talents in this gorgeous range of paper products... have a look!


(images from Studio Violet)

NOTES:
visit the Studio Violet website
visit the Studio Violet shop
read the Studio Violet blog

Sarah Wilkins

I first wrote about Sarah Wilkins HERE. Sarah is a super clever and very talented illustrator... (and a lovely person too : ). She's the kind of person who inspires you to chuck in your day job and pursue your artistic dreams...

Sarah makes her living from her illustrative work and lucky for all of us we can now peruse her portfolios via her sparkly new website! With an impressive list of international clients her work can be found in (and on) favourites like Real Simple, Barnes and Noble, Gallison, Mudpuppy and Roger Le Borde... lets hope she starts her own range of products soon!!

Take a peek:

(images from Sarah Wilkins)

NOTES:
visit Sarah's new website

KWilson544

I LOVE these prints by Kate Wilson. Kate's Etsy store, KWilson544, is chokka with these gorgeous bird prints.. with the cutest details (like blushing cheeks!), this collection makes me smile, smile, smile!

Smile with me:

(images from KWilson544)

NOTES:
visit the KWilson544 shop
read Kate's blog

and there is V and W...

X is next!!! see you then