Sweet Supplies

I rarely do food related posts because quite frankly I don't really cook. I think living alone has something to do with it...I have no desire to cook just for myself. For me, the dinner bowl of cereal, strawberry jam Uncrustable or takeout does just fine. I keep thinking it is something I will eventually grow out of...maybe?

But, I do get the occasional urge to bake and it's pretty hard to resist after seeing all the sweet supplies at Bake It Pretty. They carry a range of baking supplies perfect for dressing up cupcakes and adding a special touch for any holiday occasion. And candy buttons?! Ok...that is too darn cute.

Check out more sweet supplies at Bake It Pretty and visit Amanda's blog for baking tips and ideas.

Happy Friday!

Words from Andrew Wagner

I sent the Future of Print post to Andrew Wagner, editor-in-chief at American Craft Magazine, who initially encouraged me to discuss the future of print media on Please Sir. I enjoyed his response so much that I thought I would post his observations. This also gives others the opportunity to respond to his statements and explore this topic further.

Here's Andrew Wagner:

First I just wanted to say thanks to Diana for taking the time to stop and talk with me at the Inspired Design conference in North Carolina and for taking the time to post her thoughts here. Secondly, I just want to send out another thanks to everyone who has commented here. It is great to see all the energy and enthusiasm and care that's gone into them - especially for a magazine guy like me!

There is so much to say about this topic but I'll try to keep it short (though I'll admit brevity is not what I'm known for so forgive me) and before I delve into anything I wanted to encourage you all to check this out when you can:
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200901u/fate-of-newspaper-journalism

It is the best piece of writing I've seen thus far on the whole print vs. blog thing. And though the piece is much more geared toward newspapers everything the writer points out could just as easily be applied to art/craft/design printed publications. Again, it is well worth reading if you are at all interested in this topic.

I wrote Diana much of what I think about this in an email this morning but I'm going to go ahead and restate it here. The simple fact is that most blogs will never be able to afford the in-depth kind of work that so many newspapers and magazines do (i.e. first person research, fact checking, interviewing, photo-shoots, copy-editing, editing at all, designing in a way that is literally out of the box – that is not just formatted to fit everyone’s screen, etc. etc.). The question is, do readers care about any of that? I know I do but it is a serious question.
I think however, there is a fundamental problem in the current business model. That is, being ad-driven. Readers have a real loyalty (as witnessed by all the passionate comments here) where-as advertisers just want (and need) to sell their product and turn a profit and they will go with whatever advertising format suits that need and allows them to fulfill that goal most efficiently (and cheaply). I think it was a huge mistake to switch to the ad model as opposed to the reader model as the major revenue stream for magazines. Admittedly that model is nothing new but we are just now seeing repercussions.

All this talk reminds me so much of when Napster first came out and many musicians (and record companies) were in an uproar. What happened was Apple stepped in and found a solution that satisfied the consumer, the content producer and the distributor - I-Tunes. The model is much simpler for music than print but the future of magazines – and I actually think of all content producing anything – is that people will have to pay for what they consume in one form or another. The consumers need to understand that they are getting something of value (and they actually need to be given something of value). I think there is ripe opportunity for someone like Apple or Google or some other as of now unknown force to find a solution to the distribution of content in much the same way that Apple did with I-Tunes.

Now I am not an anti-free content person a la Metallica but I certainly see their point. Newspapers and magazines have devalued themselves so much that the majority of content consumers don't think they should have to pay for anything - at least when it comes to editorial content (writing and images etc.). Therefore we find ourselves in the position we are currently in, where even publications with thousand and thousands (and sometimes millions and millions) of loyal and devoted fans can't support themselves without mass amounts of revenue from advertising. That is not to say that advertising is bad (and in fact is quite often the best part of many magazines) but to merely point out the balance was all out of whack and in fact had been for sometime.

There is so much more to say about all of this and I really do find it fascinating but I won't hog all the space here. However, if I happen to cross paths with any of you I'd love to continue the conversation. And I'd also love to hear anymore thoughts if you'd like to share them. You can contact me at awagner@craftcouncil.org.

In parting, I'll just echo what several other people have already stated. I think both content streams (print and the web) are extremely important and the future will lay in them working in tandem. Just to give my magazine, American Craft a little plug, I think we are starting to do some really interesting things for instance. Please take a look at this when you can:

http://americancraftmag.org/article.php?id=6573

It is a story from our February/March issue written by one of my favorite writers of all time, Robert Sullivan, about the amazing artist, Judith Schaechter. We've posted many more images from the photo shoot than we could have possibly put in the magazine but the coolest part - and something that I'm extremely excited about and haven't seen anyone else do as of yet - is that we also posted the audio from Robert's interview with Judith. Therefore you can read the piece, look at the images and hear Judith and Robert like you were there. It gives insight into how the whole piece came together and adds another amazing element to the story - giving the readers not just a visual experience but an aural one as well. I hope that we'll be seeing more things like that moving forward!

Thanks Andrew for your inspiring thoughts!

{image of Judith Schaechter via American Craft}

Surfaces

Domestic Construction is a design studio specializing in interiors, environments and one of a kind fashion and home products. Besides being famously known for their recycled-teacup pendant lamps, they also explore surface and space coverings. Thinking beyond one color paint jobs and wallpaper, this design duo has created amazing surfaces with fabrics, paper, tea packaging, and even shopping bags. Really makes me wonder what else could I be doing with my walls?

On a side note, thank you for your feedback on The Future of Print post. Your comments and discussions were greatly appreciated. I got the overall impression that most of us are still die-hard print fans and we are looking for great, relevant material in our magazines. The future of print will be interesting to watch. We can only hope it grows, evolves, and prospers as we do the same.

If you haven't already I encourage you to take the time and read over the comments on The Future of Print post. Thanks again - I knew you guys would have great insight!

The Future of Print?

I'm not a writer, I'm not a publisher and I'm not a magazine editor, but you don't have to be to see that the future of print is changing. As we mourn the loss of another wonderful design magazine, Domino, questions are raised concerning all magazines and newspapers.

During the Inspired Design conference I had the pleasure to talk with Andrew Wagner, editor-in-chief of American Craft magazine. I mentioned my interest in pursuing a career in magazines and his response was to look to the publishers because it's an interesting time for print. As we discussed further I said that readers still enjoy the feel of a magazine. The sense of flipping a page, the sound of tearing out inspiration and the endless stack of magazines beside your bed. These are sensations we don't get online. But, now I even question my optimistic love for print.

Wagner encouraged me to post and ask questions about the future of print. I don't want to open fresh wounds, but with the closing of Domino I felt like now was the time to bring this topic to discussion.

So here I am asking you...what do you see for the future of print? Do you still enjoy reading magazines or have you switched to reading online material only? What makes you love a magazine and are there ways to improve print?

I would love your feedback on this important topic - look forward to it!

Inspiring Interiors

A lofty bed, warm colors, and a cozy tub look and sound wonderful. Stylist Twig Hutchinson has been around the blog block, but I love these photos and have a hard time resisting beautiful interiors. I appreciate her detail for fashion elements, faded walls, and vintage items. Doesn't that tub also look amazing?

On a side note, I apologize for the lack in posts. It's been hectic in my gray cubicle and I've been mentally sorting through new year resolutions and ideas. I might continue doing one post a day so I have time to concentrate on other areas of my life. Believe me...I would love to be a full time blogger and do lots of posts a day! We'll see how things work out. I fully enjoy blogging and appreciate your readership...thank you for hanging in there with me (cyber hugs and kisses!).

Tara Donovan

Tara Donovan uses everyday manufactured materials such as Styrofoam cups, drinking straws, and Scotch tape to create large scale sculptures that often have a biomorphic quality. I'm completely mesmerized by her work.

Untitled, Styrofoam Cups, Hot Glue

Haze, Stacked Clear Plastic Drinking Straws

Nebulous, Scotch Tape

Untitled, Paper Plates, Glue

Aren't these pieces amazing?! Everyday, simple even discarded items are re-used and transformed into beautiful art forms. This kind of work make me see materials in a whole new way. I fell in love with art all over again.

{images via Ace Gallery}

Vintage Find

Hello, hello! How was your weekend? Mine was good...lots of organizing and trying to get my sh%t together. I completely re-organized my "throw stuff in" closet. Whew...I'm exhausted but relieved. It had to be done!

Since it's winter here the yard sales and fleamarkets have been sparse, which makes for infrequent vintage find posts. But, my Mom did manage to find an estate sale (as she somehow always does) and picked up these lovely, kitsch bird plates. They are made in Japan and we think they were produced in the late 1950's. They have elements that remind me of these framed birds and doily clocks. I think they would be perfect above a nightstand or in a small hallway.

Weekend Love

I love these photographs by Ta. The photo of the boots is wonderful, and you know my love for scales. Don't they seem like a lovely send off for the weekend?

Do you have big plans this weekend? Mine are all still up in the air, but nothing major. Hopefully doing some much needed organization mixed with fun activities. I'm just glad the weekend is here!

Happy weekend...relax and treat yourself.

Organic Beauty

While visiting Asheville, North Carolina during the Inspired Design conference I got the opportunity to visit the Blue Spiral 1 art gallery. If you are ever in Asheville I highly recommend you check out the enorumous gallery. One of the pieces I enjoyed was by Celia Gray. Her pieces are constructed using various materials and methods like encaustic, paper, and fabric on wood. Don't you love the hazy colors and organic shapes?

Still thinking about Summer

Yep...I'm still thinking about summer...and photography. They just go so well together. Wall Blank featured a great photograph by Aaron Feaver, and after a visit to his site I was instantly hooked. Wall Blank is neat too - they put a new limited edition print up every weekday and they're only available for one week. On Fridays, the artist donates their work and 100% of the proceeds from their print go to a non-profit cause of their choice. Great prints, great prices and for a good cause.

Check out Wall Blank's site and follow them on Twitter for updates. I think Aaron Feaver's print already sold out, but you can find out more on his site and Etsy shop.

Interview on Darling Dexter

I did a fun interview about Please Sir with cutie blogger Whitney over at Darling Dexter! Coincidentally Whitney and I went to design school together, but never had a chance to meet. Hopefully one day we will because I love her amazing design blog. Her Daily Wear photos are great and this recent video she posted will make you smile.

I am truly flattered and honored to be featured on Darling Dexter. Check out the interview and if you feel inclined, please leave a little comment love! I put a good amount of thought into the answers, so I hope you read and enjoy. Thanks again Whitney!

Hello Summer?

I can't wait till summer...I'll even take spring. Sunny evenings, warm nights, and no need to wear a jacket.

The Mind Games photograph series by Julie Blackmon reminds me of summer days. Her work is so intriguing. If you have kids or ever had an interesting babysitting experience you must check out her Domestic Vacations series. The photographs are oddly distributing and amusing.

Green Textiles

I can't get enough of Loop.Ph, a London based design and research studio directed by designers Rachel Wingfield and Mathias Gmachl. If you liked their silent alarm clock, then you'll love their current designs.

The BioWall is a hand woven three-dimensional structure that can hold living plants. With plants crawling around the structure, BioWall can become an indoor, living hedge that divides space. Another innovative project is the Metabolic Media. The woven and modular architectural structure provide a lightweight solution for growing food plants in small spaces without soil. The urban ecosystem consists of geotextile structures and solar cells designed to feed and monitor a network of plants by misting the roots with nutrient rich solution. WHAT?! Yes, textiles can do that! Guys, we are witnessing future technology at it's best.

On their site it says, "Loop.pH belongs to an emerging generation of designers redefining conventions of how, why and with what things are made. Emphasis is placed on learning from both traditional craft based practices alongside the cutting edge of scientific and technological discovery." AMAZING...can you imagine if more design was conceived in such a thoughtful manner?