Posts from WMMG? (54)

Along with the delicious design goods offered at shop, the OrangeBeautiful Studio+Shop also carries the work of local and independent musicians...
(Check out the shop blog's post on our new listening station, here!)

As our resident owner-of-a-record-label, Jw acts as buyer for all of the shop's music. He also continues to produce his own music, the music of others and collaborative projects, like his latest project Look Back/Look Forward.

Look Back/Look Forward is a collaborative multi-media project, with the end result being a 7-inch vinyl record with a letterpress-printed cover!
In the words of the project's creator:

"The goal of (the project) is to produce something that has ties to the past and the future to create music that is anchored in our personal histories yet hints at what we aspire to be."

The project will be funded by awesome people like you over at Kickstarter, a site where people join together to fund and follow creative projects. Each project is given a goal amount (designated by the project leader). You, as a potential "backer," can give as little as $1.00, but, as your pledge amounts increase, so do the rewards that you'll receive in return!

With Jw's project, a $10 pledge gets you project updates, high-quality mp3 downloads of the record's tracks, a LB/LF button, +plus the actual record, including that letterpress album cover (to be printed at OB's Studio!)...

and for SCOOP readers ONLY ::

*Pledge $25 or more and you will receive all of the items listed above PLUS an OrangeBeautiful ENTIRE COLLECTION Boxed Set! - one of each of our (23) letterpress card designs from our Debut Line!

To get your Entire Collection set bonus gift, be sure to leave a comment on the LB/LF project page after making your pledge... oh, and don't forget to mention the SCOOP!

CLICK HERE to make your pledge before next Monday, June 7th.

Whenever I'm on the hunt for something specific (like the perfect skinny belt or an adorable shrug), it seems like I always find exactly what I'm looking for on someone's Etsy shop.

Above and beyond there existing inventory of product, many Etsy sellers (including OrangeBeautiful) are both willing + extremely happy to do custom work, or even customize an existing product.

Just last week, I found the perfect little zipper pencil case in the bhive's Etsy shop :: a Skinny Mini Roll. I was thrilled.

But then, when I found out that Korina will make one just for you with your choices of fabrics + zippers, I was ecstatic!

I chose grey & silver cordura for the outside... with a wine zipper + orange pulls. Then the liner inside is teal - colorful, while still dark enough that it won't show pen marks!

It's so great to have a place for my Sharpie pen, my mechanical pencils, a couple erasers, my Princess Leia flash drive and my teflon bonefolder!

Check out all of the goods in the bhive's shop
+plus your customization options towards the bottom of this page.

To say that I can't wait for the newest issue of UPPERCASE is a huge understatement.

After just the first three issues, I'm completely hooked... and this next issue looks like it's chock full of awesome articles, interviews + eye candy. Just like every issue!

If you don't have a subscription yet, I encourage you to get one now!

Check out the full preview of Issue No. 4 here.

I'm a little slouchy in this picture, huh?... but at least I look super-stylish wearing my new necklace and earrings from kara | daniel jewelry (found @ One of a Kind Chicago) and new skinny belt by Studio Amiel (found on Etsy)!

Lucky for me, jewelry designers, Kara Aubin and Daniel Juzwiak were just down the aisle from the OrangeBeautiful booth at One of a Kind this year. (I don't get much of a chance to walk the show, so most of my finds are from nearby booths!)

I love how bold kara | daniel pieces are (like my lovely asymmetrical chain, shown above) without being clunky or overbearing. I haven't been much of a necklace-wearer (since I'm such a fan of scarves), but lately I've been searching for just the right necklace. This one fit the bill perfectly.

And I had to get some earrings to go with it, right?...
I just love the little jolt of chartreuse with this pair!

My other recent find - this time while searching tireless for a new handmade belt on Etsy - is Chen Amiel, of Studio Amiel. Not only does Chen make gorgeous, well-crafted leather belts & wallets, she'll work with you on a made-to-order belt (or in my case, belts)! I ordered three skinny belts in orange, grey & yellow... and they are PERFECT.

I honestly don't think I'm gonna set foot in a department store ever again...

Check out more from kara | daniel jewelry HERE & Studio Amiel HERE.

photos taken by Jw

So, it's been a while since I've done a WMMG? post (Where'd My Money Go?) - probably because I've been saving up my money for this little beauty, pictured above. It's my brand-spanking-new PowerShot G11 by Canon.

I've been "borrowing" Jw's camera for years (i.e. having him take pictures for me), but I realized that there's a lot of in-progress and studio shots that I miss during the day...

So, you'll have to give me a little time to get used to my new toy, but once I do - well, I'm hoping you'll be seeing a lot more of what goes on here at OB every day.

Not only do I need to start learning all the functions on my G11, I've also been looking for a camera case to protect my investment. Now, I'm not one to have a traditional case, so I've been trying to find a handmade case/pouch/bag that will work. Here are my finds so far ::

1. Angie XL in Terra Cotta, $25.00 from aster + sage.

2. Um Hold, $39.00 by Josh Jakus, at ELSEWARES.

3. Slice of Cake Pouch, $14.00 from fred flare.

4. Orange Leafy Pouch, $10.00 by Cut Out and Collect.

5. Camera Camera Case SOLD OUT, by hin?.

6. Zipper Pouch, $25.00 by JLife.

The aster + sage pouch (#1) is definitely the front-runner at the moment... but I really DO love those Josh Jakus bags, so I'll take any excuse to buy one. I am worried that my camera might not fit in a few of these, just because they're not exactly rectangular (i.e. the Slice of Cake! ;) -

For now, I think I'll just keep searching...

Needless to say, the answer to the question Where'd My Money Go? is answered with one word: "Renegade". There were so many booths that I wanted to visit, but only could make to a few. Ugh... basically, the only drawback to an overall awesome show :: not enough time to shop!

One booth that I made a special point to visit was that of Brooklyn-based paper-delicious-ness, enormouschampion - ever since seeing them at NSS in '08, I've been a great admirer of their brilliant illustrations, excellent type design, and well, lots and lots of letterpress!

I got to meet Jordan (above), one half of the 2-person team behind ec, and I walked away with some great cards, an amazing bunny/houndstooth notebook (my favorite), and this amazing 3-color letterpress print. The one thing I didn't pick up, but am still thinking about, is a Squirrely Love set. Love it.

Again, if you couldn't make it to the ec booth at Renegade, you can check out their goods any time, on their Etsy shop!

I'd like to introduce you to Lenny. I just bought him from Etsy seller, Lauren Alane after a mad dash to the finish line against other buyers scrambling to have a little needle-felted bird of their very own.

Lauren's tiny winged creations are in such demand that, if you want one, you really need to sign up for shop updates just to know the exact moment that new birds are available.

I can't wait for my little Lenny to arrive!

images c/o Lauren Alane

Or at least that's how I feel wearing my new Black White Shrug from Los Angeles-based designer, PINaR ERIS. I'm definitely a big fan of stripes - especially the bold contrast of B&W stripes - and I had been searching for a lighterweight, "jacket-ish" piece that I would be versatile enough that I could wear it with a t-shirt and shorts, but stylish and unique enough that I could dress it up as well...

and I found it!

Be sure to browse Pinar's entire site (here) and you can purchase a piece of your own, like I did, on her Etsy shop, here!

And check out more Indie Clothing Pledge 2009 posts here.

Uh-oh... now I'm drooling over this!

This beautiful necklace was created by Jennifer of A Merry Mishap, and soon I will have one just like it - I asked her to do a custom order for me! Lately she has created some fantastic pieces for her Etsy shop, and I particularly liked the subdued colors of this version. The composition is beautiful and the contrasting thread that "frames" the whole piece is my favorite little detail.

Lucky AMM readers may soon have a chance to win this beauty - watch her blog for more info!

Image from A Merry Mishap.

It's not too often that I write about music here on the SCOOP, but yesterday, I picked up the new Metric album (from Laurie's Planet of Sound in Lincoln Square) and it's awesome.

Now I should preface this post by saying that Metric is one of my all-time favorite bands and their sophomore album, Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? is one of my all-time favorite albums...

I've only been listening to Fantasies since I got into the studio this morning (btw, Metric is great music to work to), but I'm already pretty hooked. I think I might just put the album on repeat for the whole day.

Visit www.ilovemetric.com to hear a few tracks, then head over to your local record shop to pick up (or order) a copy!

image by Norman Wong c/o FASHION