Glass Curiosities

Steffen Dam creates luminous glass blocks and panels filled with imaginary plants and sea creatures that are suspended like fossils and scientific specimens. I am awe struck by his impressive glasswork which stimulates the imagination and borders on surreal. I'm still trying to put myself together after finding his exciting work...one word comes to mind...a-m-a-z-i-n-g. Plus, you know my love for natural curiosities. Hands down...Steffen Dam is extremely talented and a true craftsman of glass.

On a side note, I hope you all had a nice and long weekend. The beach was wonderful and I'm sad to be back to busy work mode. I keep wondering when it will end so I can get back to blogging!

Beach Getaway

Happy Friday! The week turned out to be more hectic than I anticipated so I'm glad it's finally over. Now I can enjoy the Memorial Day weekend! I'm heading to the beach and I CAN'T WAIT. I'm ready for a little R&R in the sun and sand. These vintage photos from H.A.M.B. remind me just how fun the beach can be. Looks like all you needed back then was a cool car, surfboards, wine and even a little painting. Pretty great right?

Have a great weekend - see you on the surf!

Outi Martikainen

Carpets, crochet with polypropylene cord

Hietana, embroidery on heat formed polyester felt

Laces, crochet with polypropylene string

Finnish textile artist Outi Martikainen creates amazing, sculptural pieces using different materials and scales to illustrate how things take form and shape in space.

One particular phrase in Outi Martikainen's artist statement is similar to my own perspective on art and design - she says, "As an artist I see myself working in the space between art and design and, as a textile artist, I find design work rewarding and that the frame within which I must work often shapes and feeds the thought process. Never-the-less I consider the work process that one does not see in the completed work to be most important, in art as well as in design."

When I was in design school we continuously discussed the importance of the design process. To me, the design process of creating is always exciting, even sometimes more than the final result. Although when I look at Martikainen's work I am equally excited about the process, materials and subtle details in the final results. Actually textile art in general makes me really excited!

How about you - do you feel the design process is important in your work?

Birthday

It's official...I'm 27 today. Can you believe that little baby me in the photo is now 27? Crazy! Birthdays always bring out the life questions in me - what have I done in 27 years? What will happen at 30? Will I be successful? Where will I be? Will my metabolism actually speed up instead of slow down? Will I finally stop breaking out on my chin? All serious questions...really.

My mind is racing with questions today, but maybe it's better to just drink, eat cake and count my blessings. Yep, that sounds like a much better plan! Here's to sharing a new year with you...we have so much to look forward to. Big hugs, thanks and cheers all around!

Wonder Thunder

Nice weather + new space = garden fever. Yep...I've got garden fever. I'm starting small with container gardening to see how things go. So far...so good. I'm like a proud parent watching the seeds grow and waiting with anticipation for veggies to sprout. In the meantime I dream of fresh cut vegetables in cute bags like the reusable vegetable bags from Wonder Thunder. These colorful bags are hand screen printed and handmade with recycled cotton muslin. Wouldn't they be fun to have around the garden?

Wonder Thunder also makes a variety of goods like tea towels, napkins and pillows. Check out all there neat stuff here!

Weekend

Ahh...the weekend is here and I'm still here too! I had a busy, busy week and I'm ready to relax with a cold drink and a good movie. The biggest decision I want to make this weekend is what movie to see. There are a couple of good ones out...do you have any suggestions?

Also, I have fun things planned for the blog next week...so stay tuned! Go ahead and enjoy your weekend...the first round is on me. :)

{photographs by Anna Wolf}

Dewdrop Handmade

The nature inspired, handmade journals by Dewdrop Handmade are stunning. The over-sized journals are perfect for sketches, photographs or as a guest book. Plus, the designer is from my part of the world - North Carolina! I was lucky enough to win one of these beauties from one of my favorite blogs - {this is glamorous}. This week she is also holding another giveaway for nantaka joy stationary - check it out here!

Be sure to also visit Dewdrop Handmade and her great, design packed blog - Ticklish From A Distance.

Jeff Andrews

Hi guys! I hope you had a fun and restful Mother's Day weekend. My Mom and I had a wonderful Sunday filled with shopping and good food. I know she's reading...so post-Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Let's get started with these inspiring interiors by Jeff Andrews. The spaces are full of glamour, luxe details and creative textures. Like the bathroom...I would have never thought to mix a rustic wood counter top with graphic wallpaper and art. Quite an interesting twist!

Here's to a new week ahead which might be sporadic on Please Sir. I woke up to not-so-good knee issues complete with swelling and stiffness. We'll see how the week plays out...is it Friday yet?!

Leftovers

As the week winds down my eyes are attracted to simple compositions in design and photography. The thought provoking photographs by Laura Letinsky fulfill my search for simplicity while still expanding my imagination.

In an interview on mouthtomouth Letinsky says, "I began to think about the idea of leftovers. It became important for me on a number of levels, because it has to do with what you do after the promise, when you realize the promise is not possible. This is fundamental to any utopian notion--the promise and its demise. You can't have utopia without its loss."

Stunning work and words. Now I have leftovers on the mind...are you a eat leftovers kind of person or keep them in the fridge and forget about them? I'm a mix of both depending on the week!

You Are Important

Really you are. A nice reminder for the mid-week rush.

Photograph by the talented Stephanie Elia Cinelli via 20 x 200.

Numbers

Last week I attended the High Point Furniture Market and saw several amazing vendors like Design Legacy. They carry an array of great products including natural print furniture, carnival inspired pieces and drool-worthy metal accessories. Design Legacy's showroom at market was stunning. They had me at FUN - created from carousel lettering of course. The classic number plaques found on canvas bags, decorative boxes and hooks were also nice details and a big hit.

Design Legacy only sells wholesale to designers and retail stores, but their products can be found in many noteworthy stores across the United States. If you are like me and live in the Greensboro/Raleigh area of North Carolina then you can visit these fine stores to find their items - FurnitureLand South, Goldbug Studio, NOFO and Printers Alley.

Fill up your Vintage Wardrobe

Get your fill on vintage fashion and jewelry through sister Etsy stores VintageRevolver and CapriciousTraveler. VintageRevolver is a great source for vintage fashions like pretty skirts, shirts and dresses. The white rope print skirt is a-dor-able. After you're done there head on over to CapriciousTraveler and dive into their unique selection of vintage jewelry pieces. The hardest part will be deciding which item to buy since there are so many wonderful goodies!

Color & Collections at Liberty

Hello, hello! How are ya doing? My days are consumed with work and playing Dr. Quinn for my boyfriend (he had minor surgery and he's doing good). I'm sorry for the disappearing act, but I'm here and bring along the final photos from the Liberty Antique Festival illustrating great color and collections.

The vintage picnic set = amazing. I thought it was one of the most inspiring pieces at the show, and would be perfect for a photo shoot or just to have. There was also colorful bowls, vintage pendant flags, an aluminum pitcher set, an old grocery basket, a large and amazing vanity set, vintage lighting, and a oh-so-neat collection of toy horses. I think horses might be the next must-have animal (think deer and owls from last year). I've seen more and more toy horses hit the vintage scene and become widely popular. We'll see!

Did you find any vintage goodies this weekend? I look forward to catching up!

Did you miss the Liberty posts? Check out Found Font and Furniture.