I concur.

Wait! What if your objective is groping? Guess you've got it covered then...

Bands I like - Shovels & Rope

When life get me down - or I'm stuck in doing everything BUT what I'd actually LIKE to be doing I try to make my life a little better with music. My latest find is the band Shovels & Rope -  a duo who not only make some outstanding music - but who also seem very relate-able.

 In an age of pop superstars and pictures that have been Photoshopped to hell and back relatability often gets overlooked. Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent comprise the band Shovels & Rope. They are a married couple who go on the road travelling and playing together. While they both are musically talented solo - I think they really shine as a duo! 

Support these guys so they can make us more music!

I promptly added them to my collection and think you should do them same!

Buy a shirt or CD, won't ya?

Library land. Books + Stuff folks do with 'em.

So, during the day (and occasionally nights) I work as a librarian. While you might think this may be dull you would be incorrect - as my library patrons are always up to something! I've created a few little book sculptures for around our library but these would be really cool to put out for a display - full time!

This book igloo is awesome - it would be a really neat thing for kid's to discover in our children's room. (We'd have to glue it together with some seriously strong adhesive to prevent injuries + law suits of course!)

Sculpture by Colombian artist Miler Lagos. The piece was constructed at MagnanMetz Gallery late last year using carefully stacked books to create a compact dome that is entirely self-supporting.

The two pieces above are by artist Brian Dettmer.

He painstakingly crafts these intricate sculptures from pages and pages of books. I particularly enjoy the wall plaques - I think they'd be great if they were made a library signs directing patrons to different areas of the library. Though  it does seem a little cannibalistic to have a sign made of books directing you to them.... 

Statement

Artist Martin Frost paints elaborate scenes on the edges of books. He even creates miniature versions.

Librarians would be all about this because you can still use the books he paints on - though I'm not sure Mr. Frost would be thrilled about that. Reminds me a little of illuminated manuscripts due to the reuse of an already existing item.

The English artist Su Blackwell creates elaborate and intricate worlds by constructing and building sculptures out of the pages of books.  I think these would be a great tabletop display on a high counter top at eye level. We'd probably have to protect them by encasing it in a glass cloche or box. Libraries are basically dust factories and produce great breeding grounds for dust mites and spiders. I am sure they are looking to relocate to a nicer dwelling as industrial bookshelves just aren't that cozy.

Thanks for reading!

Have a great Labor Day Weekend!

Check back next week for jewelry updates!



Kickstarter Favorites

I've been visiting the site Kickstarter - both as research for an upcoming project and because there are some really awesome items you can't find anywhere else!

I've already backed a much needed textbook project by a philosophy professor and am always on the lookout for cool projects that need help getting off the ground.

Kickstarter is a great way to provide funding for makers and get a cool product you'd want anyways!

You never know what products a business will offer up in the future - especially if they have the capital and an audience provided by loyal funders + customers.

Here are my favorite Kickstarter items this week!

Check back for the lowdown on my own project in a few weeks.

The Keylet is a super option for folks who don't have many keys to carry.

They also offer a key holder for people who have lots of keys.

 I think this would be awesome as a key holder for running (or as I call it gasping for air and flailing around).

Kenji Prince is a barber who came up with the Old Familiar Comb.

Available in several models this seems like a sustainable alternative to the cheap plastic combs I keep replacing after I break them. (Yes, I am a woman who uses a COMB people - it takes up way less room than a brush in my purse!)

As a former preschool teacher I know kids would all over these Children's ABC Wallet Cards by Marie Claire Camp. Heaven knows we need more toys/learning tools that aren't aesthetically horrendous.

I think these fit the bill and are like nothing I've seen on the market.

I need some new flat art - and I like these paintings/collages by Megan Stroech.

She's promoting a project called Misremembering New Works on Kickstarter with some pretty cool incentives.

Thanks for reading + have a good weekend!

Oooh Metallicky...

I love kinetic and mechanical objects and these stars are no exception!

Here's a Neat Video with John Kostick about his fold able stars based on mathematical principals.

These suckers are available in 3 sizes over at Design Within Reach - check 'em out!

These have been in production since 1965 and are made in the USA!

Kate over at  Matchbook roams the Internet matching books covers (art in it's own right) with bathing suits!

I like the print of this metallic suit and the printing style of this book cover too!

The Candela Cube Light is minimalist and could be lumped into the whole stained glass/cube/terrarium trend sweeping over the DIY/design sites. But, I think it deserves a chance - I'm sure would look really different in person...but I think I like it!

I'm pretty sure these would be great shoes if you were a pimp.

In fact, should I ever take up that profession I think I'll buy myself a pair...maybe 2 in case one gets dirty or I loose a shoe. But, what color socks would I wear??? Seriously Robert Clergerie Jasc has some cool shoes made in France. Perfect for someone...maybe Ceelo!!!

       That's right - throwin' a little subtle at ya! 

I love the combination of neutrals with a touch of  metallic!!!

 I'm VERY excited about this nice collection of Washi Tape curated by Melanie on over at CraftyJapan on Etsy.... So excited I think it might need to come live with me!!!

Thanks for Reading!



Interview + Giveaway

Sterling Silver and Resin Earrings. All hand fabricated individually by myself!

Krista over at The Bright Side Project asked to do a interview about me and my business. 

It's set to air today with an interview first then the giveaway!

This small interview is accompanied by a giveaway of 2 pairs of Sterling Micro Posts.

One person will receive a pair in a nice Seafoam Green and the other winner will receive a Neon Coral pair!

These earrings are SUPER tiny (think less than 1/4 of the size of a pencil eraser 3mm) and hand fabricated from scratch.

*The only catch is that you must answer a thought provoking question with utter sincerity (and humor too) but only if you'd like to WIN! This question will be posted at the end of the interview. 

Check back HERE later this week for a chance to win some work from me!

Everything I make is totally handmade in my sweltering studio. I design, cut, bend, measure, solder, file and sand every speck of jewelry that comes out of my shop. I hand mix industrial resin (which is made specifically for jewelry), heat treat it inside the piece of silver for hours, and do some MORE sanding and polishing! Only THEN is the work finished and sent to it's new home! 

I'm currently working on putting some new work up over at my Etsy shop, finishing a few custom orders, and dreaming of lost wax casting. My fabrication process is so labor intensive that I am only offering items "AS IS" for the time being. If you see something you LIKE snap it up!

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Etsy Favs - Office Edition

I'm in the middle of reorganizing both my studio and home office at astonishing "snail like" slowness.

Whenever I watch a snail traveling I can't help but think they must be very single minded.

 It looks like it takes all of their concentration just to propel themselves towards their goal.

Perhaps they are actually relaxed about it - they do have a home that travels with them!

Snails are the ultimate RVers - which is pretty cool. I wouldn't mind having a built in stuff quota due to my biology! I don't possess my imagined qualities of a snail as I am constantly pulled in other directions by life events and my family. Hence my studio and office refurb slowness.

Here are a few of my Office Favs from Etsy - in order to encourage a little more imagining about organization. Which will hopefully lead to my actually being organized someday!

Laboratory 424 operates out of Washington State. I've been having a hard time of finding modern yet affordable storage solutions when I can across this shop. I really love this system of organizing they have thought up! You can purchase this minimal and very cool storage solution - I'd probably use it for all my sewing hand tools and drafting rulers. They also offer clever solutions for laptops and Wii controls.  

cOveTable CuriOsitiEs on Etsy offers wide a selection of supplies and vintage smalls.

I think these Vintage Map Tacks would add a little pop of color to the even the drabbest of bulletin boards.

You could also use them to track the places you've been on a retro or vintage map - full wall sized preferred of course!

GoodDay Gentlemen  has a variety of vintage items that fellas may dig.

I happen to be quite taken with this Electric Pencil Sharpener.

The minimalist lines of this white typewriter could be the result of a sordid tryst between R2D2 and something in a Dwell magazine. I like it - a shame they didn't have more!

I'd be happy with it occupying a space on mys typing table!

 

 

 

No office could be complete without a bookshelf, right?

This Custom Modern Bookshelf made by Amit Sturlesi Design is a simple alternative to a pile of books on the floor, or the standard rows of books.

This would be an interesting design to cover an entire floor to ceiling wall.

 

Thanks for reading!

*** In case you can't stand the anticipation the next Etsy Favs will be about vintage 

writing utensils - as it is my newly acquired hobby!