Young House Love

Six months later.... I haven't been crafting much in the past 6 months, but as the weather cools, I'm feeling inspired to stay indoors and make stuff. So maybe I'll start posting here again. After all, this blog serves as a sort of idea scrapbook for me (and hopefully, some entertainment for you).

One great new find is the Young House Love blog, which is written by a great couple who have done DIY to their whole beautiful house (below).


They give tips on home decor, have a fantastic page of their house before and afters, and share how they managed to put on a backyard wedding for under $4,000! A fantastic site!

Design*Sponge Sneak Peeks

As I mentioned on Friday, I spent the weekend moving into a new place. I'll provide some pics once I get everything out of chaos. But moving means decorating, and I love using the web for inspiration.


Design*Sponge's "Sneak Peeks" are perfect for those who A) need some new decor ideas, B) like snooping in other people's lives, or C) like me, fit options A and B. Basically, they just show behind the scenes pictures of creative people's homes. Have fun with the voyeurism!

Zipper Jewelry

I love these zipper jewelry items from Kate Cusack found via Make. With suggested retail prices starting around $85, though, I'm wondering if I could make something similar myself.

World of Wearable Art

You guys know how much I love art involving textiles. These awesome pieces are just some of the winners of the World of Wearable Art competition. Please go look at the rest. So happy. (via Craftzine)

So Cute! Album Pillows

Etsy seller Toggle makes these absolutely adorable crocheted pillows. 

Maybe I'm feeling some kind of childhood nostalgia for LPs right now (see previous post), or maybe these are just the cutest things ever. Judge for yourself.  You can get one yourself, for $50-68, with albums by the Rolling Stones, the Ramones, Bob Dylan, and others.   (via Craftzine)

I'm Loving...Barbara Fleck's Plastic Bag Art

Okay, guys, you are welcome in advance for sharing with you these amazing mandalas from artist Barbara Fleck, which I found via craftzine.  You will love me for this.  And I love these so much I'm ready to make one myself.

It's just so cool how she uses familiar logos to remind us of the prevalence of consumerism while she reuses everyday objects to make art. 

  

Baking with Cardboard

This post is written especially for those who like to look at food but not eat it.

Art on the Menu on Etsy sells handmade art that is inspired by food. All of the works are made with cardboard, acrylics, or watercolor. I would imagine that a creative person could figure out how to make fake food like this too. Mmm, crunchy.

Fashion from Paper

You must check out this amazing collection of paper dresses put together by painter/textile designer Isabelle de Borchgrave and costumer Rita Brown. Papiers a la Mode is a traveling exhibit of these gorgeous paper craft takes on 300 years of fashion. Prepare to be amazed what some folks can do with a little paper. (via Folding Trees)

I'm Loving...Bokja {haute bohemian}

Although I do sort of object to the phrase "haute bohemian," I love the beautiful furniture designs from the Lebanese company, Bokja {haute bohemian}, which I found via decor8.  The colorful patchwork style is just so amazing.  Exactly the sort of thing for which my blah walls and beige carpets are calling. 

Unfortunately, this stuff is filed under "not cheap," since at least some of their chairs sell for around  2900 euro.  There is apparently an American distributor, ABC Carpet & Home.  I think I'll probably stick with feeling inspired by the beauty of this amazing handcrafted work.

Transit Sign Chairs

Earlier this week, I mentioned eco-artware.com. I also saw these hilarious (if impractical) chairs on the site:At $800-$1,000 each, these chairs are more than a little pricey. Besides that, they don't look like the most comfortable options ever. But I have to applaud the creative re-use! They also make me think of a transit-loving friend of mine. If you have some extra cash on hand, you can get them here. Have a great weekend!

Jose Klein: Law on Plates

A couple days ago, the San Francisco Chronicle ran a story about a guy I know (and like), Jose Klein, who draws pictures with marker that illustrate famous legal cases. He also has a whole series that depicts the Supreme Court Justices. He then has them made into plates. Mainly I find this exciting because he's a great guy getting media attention, but I also think his plates are pretty cool. This one is a rendering relating to Kemezy v. Peters, a case about a bowling alley altercation. It makes me think of that tv show Ed, about a bowling alley lawyer.

Jose's depiction of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg.

I remember making a plate in preschool of the same variety, though less skill (it was a self-portrait), and I actually still have it around. While Jose was doing it for class credit, this seems like a kind of fun, creative way to self-express and acquire new dinnerware at the same time.

Graduation Day!

Today is my graduation from law school...trust me, there were times I believed this day would never come. In honor of the occasion, I thought I'd share two of my favorite accessories (see above).

Since I start my new job on Monday, I'm gonna take a little vacation from blogging for a few days while I get settled. See you soon!

I'm Loving...Maori Designs

If you knew how long it took me to find these few Maori designs online.... Polynesian dance/hula (Hawaiian, Tahitian, and Maori) was a hobby of mine for several years, and I've long admired the patterns that the Maoris use on their textiles, so I thought I'd share. Unfortunately, there's a major dearth of Maori-related stuff online. Most of what is out there is about Maori tattoos (more specifically, most of it is about Americans trying to copy Maori Moka tattoos and failing).

Anyhow, I wish there were more Maori designs available. I'd love to incorporate some into my new apartment decor.

Convertible Lounge Chair

The sustainable style foundation blog includes this chair, which I think is a pretty creative, funny idea. It's the OZ Lowchair by Cate&Nelson Design, and it was on display at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) in New York last week.

The chair never needs re-upholstering because if you're in the mood for a color change, you just flip over a piece of the layered felt. Kinda reminds me of one of those giant paper flip chart pads.....

I'm Loving...the Art of Nate Wragg

As a kid, I loved to draw (still do, actually). Luckily for me, I learned early on that there will always be someone around with more talent, skill, and commitment. I mainly learned this from my friend Nate--who was 3 years younger but always a much better artist than I was (even when he was 5 and I was 8). His artistic talent is no joke: Nate now works at Pixar, and he exhibits art in his free time. Enjoy a few examples of his creativity:

You can see more of Nate's work on his blog, or buy his stuff through Gallery Nucleus. He also does commissions; if you're interested, contact Gallery Nucleus.

Super Cute Salad Servers

These servers from Give Simple might be enough to make me want to eat a salad. They're listed at $15 for a set of 2, and they come in even more colorful designs.

Craftster Chair Re-upholstery Challenge

As I've mentioned, my apartment is currently almost totally empty. So I've spent my free time looking at ways that people have taken thrift store/free chairs and re-upholstered them into fabulousity.

I can't actually do any such tasks right now, since 1) I'm 3,000 miles away, and 2) I still have 2 papers to write so that I can actually graduate law school. But I am watching with interest Craftster's Craft Challenge #28-In the Hot Seat, in which people are encouraged to transform blah chairs into objects of wonder. Entries are due June 1-5. Here are a couple of examples of past Craftster chair fix-ups:

Armchair repainted and upholstered in Amy Butler Before:


And After:



$4.99 Thrifted Chair Remake Before:


And After:

Favorite Things: Koi Fish Designs

Maybe it's cuz I'm a Pisces, or maybe it's just their inherent awesomeness, but I love fish. No, not to eat...I love fish that are swimming around. Someday, I'd like to have a koi pond or at least an aquarium. But until that day arrives, I have to settle for pictures of them.

I'm planning on doing some crafty koi painting, drawing, or something for my new place. So I've been glancing at what others have done. Here are a few:


This koi stencil is from Henny Donovan Motif (a UK designer). The website actually shows a beautiful shower curtain using this stencil.

Koi fish switch plate from LuckyBird on etsy. I actually happen to have some of the same paper used to make this cover...hmm, there may be a project in my future.

Sadly, this adorable wall graphic from oneupdesigns is sold out. But maybe they'll restock?

Happy Weekend!

I'm Loving...Graca Paz

Graca Paz is yet another truly amazing artist. I adore her use of color and floral motifs. Her work ends up both fun and romantic. I particularly love her frames and mirrors, so that's what I've shown you, but she also paints pictures, makes furniture, and creates handmade accessories. For more pictures of her work, visit her website, atelierxt. Or take a look at her flickr page.

Urban Squares Duvet Set

I like this bed set from in-fusions.com a lot. I never would have thought to combine brown and blue on a bed, but it looks fantastic. Hmm, maybe....