Mere hours after I posted my "ran out of ideas" post (here), the lovely Laila of Looky-Loo Letterpress (that's quite a mouthful!) sent me an email about her awesome Rumi screenprinted poster (above), available on Looky-Loo's Etsy shop!
What a nice boost this would be for the OB studio!... a little friendly reminder of what all the hard work is really about!
thanks, Laila!
image c/o Looky-Loo.
Don't worry. I've certainly not "run out" of ideas... it's more that the beginning of a new year is fast-approaching (in just a few days), and the ideas that I had for 2008 are having to be drastically re-evaluated.
"Now What?" is a question that I've been asking myself a lot for the last few days (even weeks), as I'm sure a lot of you out there have. The last half of '08 has been filled with ups and downs for all of us, along with a lot of uncertainty & tentative hope for what '09 will bring...
With whatever you're re-evaluating for the new year, know that the SCOOP will do our best to give you a little something lovely to check out each day... a tidbit of inspiration, a few helpful tips here and there, a peek into our lives, and the lives of other designers, business owners, etc... all year long.
So, as L and I head toward our 2-year anniversary (!), know that we love having you be a part of our blog and keep those submissions, post ideas & comments coming!
image :: PAPERgraphic by illustrator/designer, Yulia Brodskaya; via Oh Joy!.
Growing up, my mom always gave us little presents in our stockings in addition to candy and - a family tradition - oranges! Guess what - she still does, and I look forward to the stockings because, isn't it true, the best things sometimes do come in small packages. Here are some mini gifts I think would make perfect stocking stuffers.
HOME & OFFICE
1. A pretty mug, like this $4 chinoiserie version from Anthropologie (sold out online, may still be available in stores) provides something to look forward to on cold winter mornings. Fill with a bag of favorite beans!
2. Also from Anthropologie, this $16 cockle shell tumbler (actually a bath accessory) makes a sweet diminutive vase. Include a card with a bit of cash to buy some fresh blooms.
3. This $3 bowl from Target's Holiday 08 tableware collection (in stores) looks expensive and pretty sitting on a coffee table, or could function well as storage for watches and bangles on top of a dresser.
And speaking of jewelry...
ADORNMENT
1. This $6 metal cuff from Forever 21 has a rich-looking woodgrain detail and pretty loop shape.
2. Vintage fabric-covered $10 studs from Anthropologie (no longer available online, may still be available in stores) are the kind of slightly-dressy-but-wearable-everyday earrings I tend to love.
3. A vintage accessory, like this $12 faux pearl bauble ring from Etsy seller Whimsy House, makes a glam statement. (Another alternative: clip-on oversize bauble earrings, plentiful in vintage shops, will also be big next year, according to Lucky magazine's 2009 trends forecast!)
GET CRAFTY
1. Get out your double-sided tape and cover a matchbox with some pretty paper, like this adorable $4.50 Drawing Room set from Etsy seller Literati.
2. Again, take out some double-sided tape (or a Xyron machine, which works best) and recover a set of Moleskine pocket cahiers, available at many book and art supply shops. (See my previous post for instructions on how to make the paper cover versions.) Alternatively, create some cover art with a single adornment, like this fabulous $7.50 golden girl silhouette notebook from Etsy seller Cutie Pie Company.
3. Whip up a one-of-a-kind set of stationery like this lovely $15 Chocolate Patty version from Greer, using scraps of paper, blank notecards and envelopes (available at most craft stores). Use pretty ribbon or a paper band to hold together.
Looking forward to the new year (and the inevitable list of New Year's Resolutions), I've been keeping an eye out for different things that will hopefully help me to truly get in the serious habit of being together & organized. Here's just a few to get me started ::
1. Sew Chic Emergency Sewing Kits, $10/each - available at See Jane Work.
2. Leather Business Card Holders, $50/each - also available at See Jane Work.
3. WhoMi Notebooks (blank, graph & lined), $9/each - at See Jane Work!
4. Fabric Magazine Holders, $16.95/each - available at tiny living.
5. Get Your Sh*t Together 8x10" print, $12/each - OrangeBeautiful's Etsy shop.
6. 64 Compartment Storage Box (currently sold out) at Organized Living.
7. Greeting Card Organizer, $21.00 - available at Knock Knock.
Get it together, everybody!
Yesterday, I was visiting Jason over at his shop, Zola Jones (visiting and checking out the fur & leatherette bag that I've been coveting)... we were talking about business & the economy (you know, fun stuff) and he pointed out that I just need to take the next few weeks to forget all of that and "get into the holiday spirit already". And he's totally right.
So, today - my last day in the studio before the long break, I'm listening to the Holiday Challenge Album, which is FREE FOR DOWNLOAD RIGHT HERE - This album was created via the RPM Challenge Forum, where artists write & record an entire album within the month of February every year...
The holiday album is pretty great, especially if you're someone like me who
1) needs a little holiday spirit to perk them up right now, and
2) normally hates Christmas music...
I'm happy to say that I'm really enjoying listening to these versions of classic holiday songs. (I think my favorites are Greensleeves by Room 34, O Come Emmanuel by Jw (!) and Carol of the Bells by Michelangelo)...
Follow THIS LINK & click on the pink present to download the entire album.
Enjoy!
So, in pulling items together for this Wish List, I realized that I may have a bit of a "tool" obsession. I'm that crazy person who definitely gets excited about a new, clever gadget - especially when it's something that will help me make a book, print a design or cut a perfect circle out of paper ;)
Some of these items could certainly fall into the "new-fangled gadget" category, while others are as old as the printed page itself. Those of you who are also into paper the way I am will probably have an extra appreciation for this list - but if anyone has any questions about any of these items, don't hesitate to leave a comment or shoot me a message!
Happy Crafting! ::
1. Letterpress Rollers, Trucks & Cores for OB's Kelsey 6x10 tabletop letterpress, available at NA Graphics.
2. Fiskars DuraSharp Recycled Steel Scissors, $4.99 at Dick Blick.
3. Scotch Paper Cutter, $4.99 at Walgreens... (perfect for cutting gift wrap!)
4. Weights for Bookbinding & Boxmaking, Brass 2x2x1 ($31) and Cast Iron 2x8" ($16.95}. Both available at Talas in NYC.
5. Circle Cutter by Martha Stewart Crafts, $14.97 at Wal-Mart.
6. Italian Cotton Ribbons, $9/5yd. in 20 different colors, from Angela Liguori - great for bookbinding projects (used as sewing tapes - see an example of that here) or these ribbons are beautiful for wrapping presents!
7. Sewing Frame, $110.00 from Hollanders - this is the tool you'd use to help you sew up a textblock using Angela's ribbons from #7! (See a sewing frame in action here: in arfried's Flickr photostream!) -
*If I had to pick one item on this list, it would be that MS Circle Cutter... you hold the outside edge down to your cutting mat & use the separate razored stylis (set into a variety of spaced holes) to cut out your circle. The inner plastic spins separately from the outer frame, which (I'm hoping) minimizing the possibility of slipping, so you can really cut a perfect circle every time!
Some years I manage to pull myself together enough to create a cohesive wrapping scheme for all my gifts. This year, in an effort to be less wasteful, I decided to mostly forego wrapping paper and instead decorate plain white (reusable) boxes with festive, not strictly "Christmas-y" colored ribbons that can also be reused. I love the color and texture palette: satiny fuschia and velvety peacock blue, gold chevron and greek key metallics, and rich mocha and latte neutrals, topped with a midnight blue nameplate calligraphed in white.
Compulsive maybe (okay definitely), but it's actually a fun and meditative creative exercise that keeps me occupied while watching Christmas specials and movies.
Here's a Wish List of things that, well... are just right up my alley ::
1. Count-The-Stars Jacket in red/orange, $178.00 at Anthropologie.
2. Scratch Pad Memo Pads by Pop Ink! / Charles S. Anderson Design, $5/2pk at French Paper.
3. Operettas in Giulia (Brown), $305 by John Fluevog.
4. Zinia Skirt (screen-printed in lt. blue), $30.00 by Ahpeele.
5. Classy Necklace by Trashy Deluxe, $50 at Supermarket.
6. Assorted Craft Books: The Handy Book of Artistic Printing, Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts Pack and Subversive Cross Stitch, all available at Chronicle Books!
Okay, everyone. We've gotten the very last batch of 2009 Calendars together & there are only about 50 left. If you'd like one, grab it up here.
Also, if you'd like more than are listed, or having any other questions... don't hesitate to contact me directly :: emily (at) orangebeautiful (dot) com. Thanks!
In honor of my undying love of all things font-related, here's my list of type-inspired items that I'd love to see under the tree this year ::
1. Colorful Luggage Tags by Pamela Barksy, $12.50/6pk at Flight 001.
2. Lorem Ipsum Cuff, $55 at Veer.
3. Bamboo Type Coasters by acd, $45/4pk at Supermarket.
4. 2009 Calendars by OrangeBeautiful (!), $28 at Etsy.
(note :: we'll be posting up the last batch of available calendars today! Check back this afternoon!)*
5. Classy Necklace by Trashy Deluxe, $50 at Supermarket.
6. Assorted Monogram Items: Cuffs, Sticky Notes & Mugs at Anthropologie.
*I guess the OB Calendar shouldn't be on my "Wish" List, but maybe on my "Glad-I-Get-To-Take-One-Of-These-Home-From-Work" List ;)
My daughter, Catherine, seems to love her first Christmas. The trees, lights, and books have all been a huge hit. Though she really needs nothing more than lots of hugs, kisses, and attention, her grandparents and great-grandparents did ask for Catherine's "wish list" for Christmas and her upcoming first birthday in January...so I had a blast putting together her "picks" (probably one of the last times I'll have control over such things!).
1. A wooden sorting box to learn her shapes...but isn't it a beautiful object?
2. A couple of modernist, translucent Kid's Chairs for the playroom I'll set up in a few months.
3. Violet Beetle car and EMT ambulance - because her uncle is a paramedic!
4. My husband and I are getting her this large jingle ball from Etsy shop Blossom Toys.
5. She can practice her toddling with this pull along zebra companion.
6. I love the character Madeline, and this story, Madeline and the Cats of Rome, depicts her adventures in a city very dear to our family.
To follow up E's wish list...here are some items I'm hoping might show up under our Christmas tree.
1. Handmade leather flower necklace from Etsy shop Babette (this particular necklace sold out!)
2. Loops gold necklace with ivory lace from Cursive Design (original post)
3. Satin Converse flats from Target (I spotted these on clearance and snagged them as a Christmas present to myself!)
4. Celerie Kemble: To Your Taste, a detailed look at a favorite designer's rooms.
5. Anthropologie's shell pink cords (original post)
6. Handcrafted lacquer wood boxes from Lille (original post)
7. Timeless Tiaras (original post)
Since the holidays are just around the corner, L and I thought it would be fun to spend next week putting up some of our very own Wish Lists - to include that things we really want for ourselves ;) (aren't we selfish!)... and hopefully, there'll be some things in our lists that you, or your friends or family, will want, too!
Here's my first Wish List, made up of things that I've recently posted about here on the SCOOP. Enjoy!
1. Damask Screen-Printed Wood Panel Paintings - in Cream Corn on Beehive and White on Glowing Firelight, both 16" sq., $45/each at Dolan Geiman's Etsy shop. (original post)
2. Tear Stamp Earrings - in orange, $26 at Foxglove Accessories' Etsy shop. (original post.)
3. Open Sesame Password Log, $12 at See Jane Work. (original post.)
4. Secret boots by JUMP, $132 at Zappos!. (original post.)
5. Um Shoulder Bag from Josh Jakus, w/ orange zipper trimming, $135 at ELSEWARES. (original post.)
Happy Wishing, Everyone!
It's not news that I'm a die-hard fan of Minneapolis-based design company, russell+hazel - everything they make is just incredible :: well-designed, just "cute" enough & extremely practical.
And that description covers one of their newest products to a "T" - r+h's new Gift List Book (which is letterpress printed, by the way!) is just perfect for keeping track of gift ideas as they come to you (or are hinted at you) by your friends, family & co-workers.
The idea is to jot down your ideas on this numbered list, then, if necessary, take the corresponding number tab (OMG) and mark the catalog or magazine page (or even a page in your very own r+h mini binder!) to order, or find more details on the gift idea! Genius... and it looks good!
You can either pick up just the Gift List Book here or you can get a Birthday Book set, which includes the Gift List Book, a Signature 3-ring binder (your choice of color) & a set of 12-month tabs where you can also keep track of birthdays (get that set here)!
I'm going to pick up one of these for next year, then, maybe come the holidays, I won't have such a hard time getting my shopping done!
images c/o r+h
I don't know about you, but I'm getting pretty tired of all the catalogs & horribly ugly mail that has been showing up at our house lately... and whenever there's a little gem of a holiday card in the pile, it really does brighten my day!
Maybe a few boxes of OB's holiday cards will give you something lovely to add to your friends' and families' mailboxes this holiday season. All styles are 3.5 x 5" folded notes with colored envelopes... blank on the inside for you to write in a personal message, include a photo & simply sign your name. Trust me, the recipients will ask you where you got 'em ;)
All of our limited edition screen-printed holiday cards are currently on SALE - ($10 for 6/pk & flat shipping) for this week ONLY - so, get 'em while you can. Browse the designs available right here!
+plus, get a better look at all the cards in the
OrangeBeautiful Holiday Card 2008 LookBook!
Thanks for looking & Happy Holidays!!!'
I don't know about you, but I find that beautiful, usually small, well-crafted objects really cheer me up. These Pecanpals by Aussie creatives, noferin are no exception.
from top to bottom :: Pecan, Pandacake, Jac Jac, Fanelli & Claudius
Jw and I have quite the toy collection, which we're constantly adding to... one of these beauties would be quite the amazing addition. And after (a pretty quick) deliberation, we chose Jac Jac (third row). He's 5.5" tall, made from wood & hand-painted, with movable joints ::
Jac Jac enjoys reading, but he has no time for stories. He reads from complicated books larger than his head and prides himself with his ability to recite the periodic table backwards.
I cannot wait for him to arrive, so that we can display him proudly in our home. (I just love that little chainsaw!) -
Pre-order yours now (except for Pecan, who is already sold out!), right here!
images c/o noferin'
Chic little flat, no? I especially admire how it has a "1/2 inch hidden mini wedge".
Image from Abaete for Payless.
Every year for the past 3 years, I've spent anywhere from 36-48 hours, over a hectic 5 days at the Merchandise Mart here in Chicago. This year was no exception, however, I will say that our 4th year exhibiting at One of a Kind Show Chicago went very smoothly...
These shots are pics that Jw took of the front of the Merchandise Mart. If you've not seen this building in person, it's really quite a sight... it's so large the entire building has its own ZIP code!
So, as promised, here are some shots of OrangeBeautiful's booth!... we're really happy with how it all came together this year, and our customers seemed to like it, too! ::
Here's B and I on Saturday morning... trust me, we're way more tired than we look ;)
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Here's the booth of friend (and fellow Chicagoan), Zola Jones & Jason's clutches and Lobster Claw mittens. I have a pair of these and they're awesome (see more on ZJ's shop here)...
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And here's the booth of another friend (and fellow Chicagoan!), Girl Metro & one of my favorite products: Richelle's screen-printed mini-journals...
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ADDENDUM ::
I wanted to be sure to share these great earrings that I picked up from another exhibitor at 1oaK this year, Adam Smith. His assemblage pieces are really beautiful, and I'm looking forward to having one of them in my home at some point in the near future!
* Thanks so much to everyone at the Mart for their work with the show. The management team, the construction crew, the workers who made both load-in and load-out so easy... Thank You!
images c/o Jw
Kristen and I were floored by the response to her version of the cascading flowers jacket. She has graciously agreed to share the steps to create a gorgeous piece of your own. For this project, Kristen used this jacket from Old Navy but any boxy cardigan or jacket should do the trick.
1. Buy about 4 yards of silk charmeause fabric (different weights and tones) - I used tones of cream.
2. Cut petals out of the different types of fabric about 3.5 - 4" H x 2.5" W.
3. Try to kind of vary the sizes so they look more "real"-irregular, as they would naturally appear.
4. Start to fold about 5-7 petals in half and bunch them together in your fingers. Sew the bunch together by hand.
5. You will have something after that that resembles a flower.
6. For this jaceket I made about 30 - 40 flowers. After they were all made I just hand-sewed them along the perimeter of the jacket.
* * * UPDATE from Kristen * * *
Several commenters asked for a template for the petals. Kristen didn't use one - in fact to try to make the flowers look more natural, she varied the shapes and sizes of the individual petals (see steps 2-3). However, I asked her to elaborate on the petals themselves, and how to make a template if necessary:
The petals are a teardrop or egg shape, wider on one end and skinnier on the other end, with rounded edges. To make a template, sketch out a rectangle to the approximate dimensions specified (about 3.5 - 4" H x 2.5" W) and then freehand the teardrop/egg shape within the rectangle.
To create the flowers, fold each petal in half lengthwise to create dimension, then bunch the petals together on the shinny end and hand-sew them together through the bunch.
So, the past few weeks (not to mention months!) have been filled with preparing product & booth display for the One of a Kind Show. We're pretty comfortable with doing the show at this point (this is our 4th year exhibiting!), but it's still always a ton of work!
I'll be posting up images of our finished booth, and new product displayed at the show, at the beginning of next week, but in the meantime, I thought I'd share an image of a stunning brooch, made by one of our neighbors at the show, Holly Rittenhouse - a jewelry designer from Los Angeles, CA. There's a pair of earrings in her booth that I drooled over all day yesterday, and will probably continue to drool over through the weekend!
And here's an image of our booth from last year's show (just to give you a taste) - but B and I both agree that our booth is even better this year!
CLICK HERE FOR A FREE TICKET and come by and see for yourself - Booth 7055!
One of a Kind Show & Sale
Merchandise Mart - 8th Floor
Chicago, IL
:: HOURS ::
Friday....11am - 9pm
Saturday..10am - 7pm
Sunday....10am - 5pm
See you there! ...(more images on Monday!)
Last year I blogged about designer Caitlin Moran and the creative space she designed for the San Francisco Designer Showcase (read the post here). Caitlin recently let me know about Found, a "rediscovered objects" shop she co-owns with partner Tyler Dawson (pictured above). The two designers, who met back in school, opened shop together to house their growing collections of vintage finds.
The duo present pieces they love - sometimes refurbished, and other times lovingly kept in an "experienced" state - arranged into fabulous vignettes that result in visitors saying they want to move in! (According to Caitlin, this is the ultimate compliment.)
Modeled after an old-fashioned decorating shop, Caitlin says she and Tyler envision Found as "a Northern California version of 'Sugarbakers'...still looking for our Anthony." I love that!
As much as I would love to hop on a plane cross-country to meet the ladies and shop Found in person, for now I can peruse items on their blog. Above are my picks (clockwise from top right): faux malachite mirror, powdered sugar birds, marble top filigree table, Rosenthal plate set, and regency dresser.
I also had to share these images (above and below) from one of Caitlin's recent design projects: her own residence. It looks like such a personal space, with bold pairings of pattern and color. Be sure to check out the entire space here.
Images from San Francisco magazine (top), Found, and Caitlin Moran Interiors.
While trying to get my act together with our Christmas decorations, I spotted this lovely wreath, made from scraps of gift wrap, miscellaneous paper, and pages from the 1946 edition of Evelyn Voss Wise's The Light of Stars. Gorgeous.
Image from / available from Haru.
I spotted WHORANGE on a blogroll over the weekend, and the name alone made me very hopeful of what I might find there...
and I was not disappointed! The lovely Tula Jeng is the "curator" of this delightful blog full of everything from independent artists/designers to interior design; from flea market finds to interior design... and everything in between. Oh, and in Tula's words, even stuff your eccentric gay uncle would love. Awesome ;)
I especially love her lists of, well, stuff I want... the images here are just two of my favorites :: Let's Get Felt Up (in the Office) and Shades of Black & Whorange...
For more Whorange-ness, check out the blog for yourself, right here (or, to the right, in my Favorites list!)
images c/o WHORANGE
...but aren't they amazing?
This type of shoes (read: heels) really isn't my style at all. I actually only own a couple pairs of non-flat shoes, and I don't wear them that often. But there's something about these over-the-top ankle boots (appropriately called Spat Attack) from UK shoe company, Irregular Choice that just keeps me drooling. (The worst part is that they're available on Zappos, so technically, I could buy them and just send 'em back if I come to my senses ;)
Here's a couple more IC shoes that I'm in love with, but really can't imagine actually wearing, esp. those white lace-ups :: Graphic Geek (above) and Abigails Party (below) -
Even the box the shoes come in is cool! I'm going to have to think long & hard about this...
images c/o Zappos and Irregular Choice UK.
