Posted by
Alison – July 7, 2010
Maybe it’s because I’m in a nesting phase right now, but stumbling upon green housewares company Canvas made me excited. Pumped, even — like it’s snowing buckets and my school was just mentioned on the cable access scroll and I get to stay home from school. (YES! Now to make pancakes!) I’m kind of obsessed with the fact that they have earthenware dishes and tons of plain, timeless things in one place. (Seriously, why can’t I find contemporary plain earthenware dishes anywhere? Stymies me.) Canvas is totally my speed.
Posted by
Alison – June 11, 2010
Ever since my bike was stolen (a very weird story for another time) I’ve been pining for a new (to me), functional bike to explore Brooklyn with. I’ve seen quite a bit of buzz about this Princess Sovereign bike by Pashley and I’m downright charmed. (Doesn’t that sound like an English female rapper name, by the way? What was her name? I forget. Anyway.) Maybe it’s just the basket, but I need a new bike, stat. While this particular beauty is a little rich for my blood, I’d like to find something used that approximates it.
I wonder if I can put Dagmar and Bug in the basket…on a leash, maybe? (Kittens! They’re here! More on that later.)
Posted by
Alison – June 11, 2010
I am officially obsessed with Polly Van der Glas’s hair and tooth jewelry. Seriously, that cast braid ring? I’ve put it in my Etsy cart about ten times already. Must.have.immediately. Adding to my want list!
Posted by
Alison – June 10, 2010
If you’d asked me in my gap-toothed younger years about my career aspirations, you’d receive one shrill reply: “Egyptologist!” (And maybe anthropologist. Writing was not yet a twinkle in my eye.) I occupied myself with musings on canopic jars, naming my dolls after mythological gods of the dead, and mummifying a deceased mouse I found in my basement.
Read about all my morbid habits and Egyptian obsessions on the Etsy Blog. (Lots of great Egyptian-inspired goodies, too!)
P.S. It’s so good to be back blogging again. That hiatus was killing me.
Posted by
Alison – April 15, 2010
I think I’ve fallen in love with this Mociun ring. The turquoise, the diamonds: it looks ancient, but it’s new. Love!
[Photo by the lovely Lena Corwin.]
Posted by
Alison – March 9, 2010
I am so pumped to check out Maia Adams new book, Fashion Jewelry, which profiles the work of thirty-three talented jewelers. All of the photos I’ve seen are incredible, and Maia’s blog, The Bibelotphile, is mighty easy on the eyes (in fact, that’s where the images in this post came from). When it comes to jewelry, I’m always a fan of the unorthodox, chunky, out there stuff, and this book does not look like demure little pinky rings — I’ll say that much.
I’m also fascinated by the process of how these pieces come to be, so these photo mood boards provided a window into Goth jewelers David and Martin’s inspirations — specifically the images and styles that influenced their (incredible!) skull necklace, part of their FAUNA FUTURA collection. According to Maia, “Whether it’s the left over bits of a fried chicken meal, a pretty Japanese girl reading Vogue and chowing down on the tube, or the macabre tooth scene from Roman Polanski’s movie, The Tenant, these Swedish jewelers have a darkly humorous approach to design.” Indeed!
Photos via The Bibelotphile
Posted by
Alison – February 19, 2010
Finally! Anatomy and jewelry no longer need be separate obsessions. Tithi Kutchamuch’s “Companion Parrot” can serve as a life-size sculpture and gold plated animal friend — until you ceremonially remove its entrails to wear as a necklace.
Somehow this is all very Aztec sacrifice (but that just makes me want one more).
[Via Dezeen]
Posted by
Alison – February 16, 2010
Ellen Harding Baker set the standard for nebulous quilting way back in 1876. Check out all of the tiny stars and what appears to be the Milky Way! This magnificent embroidered wool and silk quilt, currently housed at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, was used as a teaching aid in Baker’s astronomy lectures and based on textbook illustrations available at the time. According to the museum, “astronomy was an acceptable interest for women in the 19th century and was sometimes even fostered in their eduction.” (I have to say that I’m pleasantly surprised by this revelation.)
Best of all: Baker constructed this beautiful quilt while living in Cedar County, Iowa (and later moved to Johnson County — my old stomping grounds). I’m so proud of my fellow countrywoman!
And to think that I considered interstellar quilts as strictly a token of the modern age…
[Via even cleveland]
Posted by
Alison – February 1, 2010
As far as peas in a pod are concerned, Liane of enhabiten is a vegetable I can get down with. (Prepare for me to get a little mushy, y’all!) Our friendship started with casual Etsy Favorites perusal (and lots of pillow lust on my part). The overlap in our interests and aesthetic quickly grew too obvious to ignore and we realized that we were pirating one another’s favorite items on a regular basis (and what good faves they are!). After expressing our mutual admiration and praise we no longer felt weird about being Etsy voyeurs and a new wave Internet friendship bloomed.
Liane’s taste is best expressed as finding beauty and purpose in objects’ age and simplicity. (See also: utilitarian country cottage, primitive zakka, etc. Who can say exactly what it is? Definitions are limiting. I just know I like it.) Quilts and antique handiwork are one of our shared passions, and I fell in love with Liane’s reworked crazy quilt pillows the moment I first saw them. I collect antique quilts and coccoon myself in their experienced embrace on a nightly basis, so I immediately had to own one of her pieces. (I own the pillow in the second photo, in fact. It’s my favorite.) And I don’t think I’m the only one who admires Liane: the “context shot” of one of Liane’s crazy quilt pillows in action comes from Amy of Emerson Merrick’s office — another blogger-I-love who shares our love of quilts and coziness.
Check out Liane’s blog for more of her acumen and distinct taste. She’s a sassy lady and I can’t wait to meet her.
Posted by
Alison – January 27, 2010
Check out the inspiring interview with embroidery goddess Jenny Hart over on My Love for You.
Posted by
Alison – January 27, 2010
I’m both terrified and attracted to the idea of ghosts. I’m the first to admit that I love abandoned houses — mostly just to watch how something decays — but the possibility of haunting is also pretty intriguing. I recently watched The Shining for the first time (I know, I can’t believe I waited this long) and was totally freaked, especially by the final scenes. (Not going to spoil it for you, but if you haven’t seen it, you must watch it, if only for the elevator blood scenes.)
However, there’s a more approachable way to keep some friendly poltergeists in your apartment (that don’t slam doors or break dishes). Dutch studio Design Drift created these plexiglass “ghost” chairs using (what else) lasers. The best part is that you can customize the shape inside. I love the ethereal smoke appearance. Now I just need an all-black apartment to show the ghosts off to best effect. Black light parties will also be a heck of a lot easier!
[Via Le Blog]
Posted by
Alison – January 24, 2010
Funny story: I was watching Designing Women the other day (don’t pretend you don’t love some Sugerbakers!) and there was a storyline about a crazy inventor the ladies met on a dating cruise ship. This dude subsequently fell in love with Mary Jo and asked her to be his date to a high school reunion — and if she didn’t, he’d kill himself. (Draaama!) After several sentimental sax interludes about being a nerd and just needing some reinforcement in his life, all of the ladies accompany him, harem style, to his reunion. As thanks he sends a music box that, when opened, showers you with affirmation and applause. It was kind of awesome, but strictly a figment of a sappy Southern sitcom — until now.
And just like that (give or take twenty years), it exists in real life. This applause machine by moss is so simple in concept, but altogether kinda necessary for self-affirmation — honestly, how many times have you been given a standing ovation? Now we can all be stars (without the terrifying “being on stage” part).
Check out Moss for more well-conceived design and beautiful things to drool over.
Posted by
Alison – January 23, 2010
Living in a log cabin seems like a dream come true. Though the cabin in my mind’s eye is primitive and cozy with an ancient hearth and roaring fire, this miniature modernized version, designed by Piet Hein Eek, seems pretty dandy as well. It was even built on wheels for easy transport. Can I roll it over to my backyard? [Via Erie Basin]
