my paper crane.

I really can't believe it has taken me this long to update about one of my favorite independent artists/crafters, the fantastic Heidi Kenney. Most of you have probably seen her work through the internet or featured in magazines (Print, Urbanite, Craft, Adorn, etc.). She's definitely a "Jane of all trades", managing to spin her own yarn, make hundreds of adorable plushies, collage, bake amazing food, and do embroidery art, all while being an amazing mother of two. She's extremely inspiring and I just adore her.

Check out:
-her blog
-her flickr photos
-a fabulous interview with her

diana fayt.

Via Sew Green:



I'm really loving the ceramic work of Diana Fayt. It is all so lovely and pleasing to the eyes.

Read her marvelous biography here and check out frequent updates on her weblog.

aline yamada.

Today's illustration spotlight: Aline "Yumi" Yamada. Aline is another artist I found through Etsy (isn't that where I find just about everything these days?). Though originally from Brazil, she now creates her adorable artwork in the midwest, using the natural world, modern design, and childhood monsters as her inspiration. Prints of her work can be purchased from her shop, thoughtfully printed on Legion and Hahnemuehle paper (museum-quality).

You can also view her blog here for frequent updates.

flickr favorites : design inspiration.

1. eames plywood elephant, 2. Astra Restaurant, 3. Charles Harper bird, 4. Untitled, 5. restaurant in mall, 6. NS-PinkHouse, 7. My Living Room, 8. Todd Oldham™ Garden Spiral Topiary, 9. habitat plate, 10. Floor of Mod Art, 11. fashion design by sarah vidosh, 12. ceramic lace cups

courtney skott.

I truly love discovering new talented designers through the internet. One such designer I recently came across is Courney Skott, a lovely artist from San Francisco. She believes in her work giving off the "hand-made feel" and draws her inspiration from industrial processes, antique forms, traditional textiles and new technology. I find everything she creates to be so very aesthetically pleasing.

handmade bazaar.

Today in Portland...



If you're in the area, please come and support local independent artists/designers/crafters. I will be tabling, so come say hello!

"The focus of our efforts is on building community around creativity, and we provide a space to show and share ideas, hang out, shop and listen to music. The way the event happens is fully dependent on what people bring to it."

supermaggie.

Oh, Supermaggie, how do you manage to make the most beautiful scarves I've ever seen? They look like they're made of cotton candy - so dreamy.

stray dog : iron bed.

These days, it always seems like I am peering at unique furniture online. I just found this wrought iron bed by Stray Dog Designs. I think it's just wonderful.

orange 22 : flora bench.

How pretty is this powdercoated flora bench by Orange 22? I just want to put it under a window and curl up on it with a good book.

elsa mora.

Today's illustrator spotlight: Elsa Mora. I just found her through Etsy, and find her work to be absolutely beautiful. Gorgeous colors, patterns, and portraits.

You can view some more of her artwork through Los Angeles's Couturier Gallery.

shops ins general store : the bacon scarf.

Behold, the bacon scarf in all its glory, from Shopsin's General Store (thanks Greg for the link).



What do you think? Fabulous? Horrible? For novelty purposes only?

you say tomayto : fruit bowl.

I think this realistic fruit bowl designed by Harry Allen from You Say Tomayto is fantastic. It was cast from real fruit and looks great with or without items in it (also check out: the banana bowl).

favorite things.

I recently received an email asking me what my favorite things are, so I decided to do a post in reply to it containing ten different categories. Enjoy!

favorite scents:



("Falling in Love" by Philosophy & "Chocolate Covered Cherries" by Demeter)

favorite accessories:



(vintage scarf from Posh Vintage & plastic heart earrings by Naughty Secretary Club)

favorite colors:



(pink vinyl tablecloth from 2jane & red heater from Stadler Form)

favorite designers:



(Jonathan Adler & Todd Oldham)

favorite fabrics:



(satin dress by Roberto Cavalli & lace ruffled dress by Betsey Johnson)

favorite fashion icons:



(Twiggy Lawson & Audrey Hepburn)

favorite illustrators:



(Kirsten Ulve & S. Britt)

favorite ways to spend my time:



(copper mixing bowl from Williams Sonoma & bed headboard by Brocade Home)

favorite sweets:



(cupcakes from Saint Cupcake & the "Shazaam" from Pix)

favorite weaknesses:



(fabulous shoes from Irregular Choice & pretty stationery from Hello Lucky)

chez fred flare.

Another photograph from the Manhattan home of fredflare.com owners Chris and Keith (click here for more images from their stylish home).

claire robertson.

Today's illustrator spotlight: Claire Robertson. I have been a huge fan of Claire's work for many years, ever since I discovered her old wonderful website Loobylu and then began following her other creation, Kiddley. Everything she creates seems to have a great light-hearted and warm feeling to it, focusing on all the good things in life.

Her clients have included ABC Online, The New York Public Library and Scholastic, and she has been featured in a number of magazines and websites.

aoi's art.

I think that if I owned any of Aoi's Art products, I would be terribly tempted to bite right into them. Just take a look at these delicious looking magnets and jewelry.

high fashion.

I apologize for the lack of posts - I just returned from a trip to fabulous New York City. Sadly, I didn't get a chance to do product searching like I wanted to... just not enough time. But anyways, with fashionable NYC on my mind, here are some oh-so fashionable designer items.



from left to right: ruffled blouse by Valentino, glam sunglasses by Versace, ruffled coat by Dolce & Gabbana, gold ballet flats by Prada, baby doll dress by Anna Sui, pink mary jane pumps by Manolo Blahnik, dress by Chloe, heels by Marc Jacobs, strapless dress by BCBG: Max Azria, and classic ballet flats by Chanel

trixie delicious : harlot!

This vintage-inspired "bad girl" teapot by Trixie Delicious makes me smile. It makes me want to throw a tea party with my female friends.

egg mercantile : silverware.

I checked for new updates on Egg Mercantile this evening and found these beautiful utensils from France. I am constantly inspired by all the nature-inspired houseware I have been seeing lately.

etsy : good finds.

I browse through Etsy basically every single night in search of great independent designers and always seem to find a ton. Here are tonight's finds.


Ceramic pieces by Alyssa Ettinger


Art prints by Simply Modern


Hobo bags by Ao3 Designs


Studio jewelry by Colleen Baran


Chair pads by Suchenhui


Design artwork by Jill Dryer


Canvas wall art by St. Joshua


Monster kid's towels by NissaLissa