Conference = Awesome

I am so tired that I can't even muster uploading a photo...but tired in a good way. The textile conference is AMAZING and I CAN'T WAIT to share with you all the crazy, great ideas being discussed. Cutting edge, inspiring, leave you wanting more kind of ideas. I finally set-up my Twitter account to be mobile, which means on Friday I'll be live blogging at the conference via Twitter. All day tomorrow you can check out, follow or pop in at my Twitter account here for real time updates. I'll be back on Monday with more in depth details and photos to share from the conference.

I know this isn't normal Please Sir content, so please bare with me...but I really think you are going to love some of the amazing ideas and artists coming out of the conference.

Oh, and yes FRIDAY - have a wonderful weekend!! To learning...

Please Sir goes to a Conference

This is how I felt earlier at work, although I was excitedly running through gray cubicles and not pretty yellow walls with paper lanterns. Why so happy? Because I get to miss work for two days and attend the Inspired Design: Jacquard and Entrepreneurial Textiles conference in Hendersonville, North Carolina. Yahhh! What can I say...textile conferences make me excited...I'm a nerd. There are several amazing speakers attending like Joan Morris, a textile designer for The Lion King, and Andrew Wagner, editor-in-chief of American Craft magazine. I can't wait to share with you some conference goodness. But, that also means my posts will be sporadic for the next couple of days...so hopefully see you soon!

Are you attending? Please let me know so we can meet-up. I'll be the crazy girl jumping around with textile excitement! They don't let us out much at work - can you tell?!

{image via Debi Treloar}

The Rest of the Forest

Imagine walking through the forest and discovering a set of random chairs. Would they look and feel like the forest furniture by Tom Loeser?

Taking on the notions of nativeness and invasiveness, Loeser collaborated with his wife, fellow artist Bird Ross, on The Rest of the Forest, a piece consisting of groups of ready-made chairs placed in different configurations to introduce hikers to social conditions unfamiliar to the forest. It invited individuals to become a part of the ecosystem of the area—they were each given their own place in nature to cohabit with other hikers. (cited from American Craft Magazine)

I'm intrigued by Loeser's work and it reminds me of an incident that happened at my former university. A student created a temporary art installation in a nearby hiking park, which involved wrapping cotton fabric around tree trunks. The local hikers were totally against it even to the point of cursing at him while he set-up the installation. This incident makes me question whether art should interfere with nature.

Your thoughts - should art mix with nature? If so, are there only certain materials that should be used?

Perception

Check out this sculpture series by James Gulliver Hancock that explores altered perception and extension. I love his use of glasses and a hand, or what I interpret as sight and touch. For me, sight and touch are the catalyst to my creation process. Like when you see something inspring and then it becomes part of something you create.

Do you ever feel like these sculptures?

Displaying Your Product

Desire to Inspire posted amazing photography work by Trevor Dixon, which got me thinking about product display. Do you feel more compelled to buy a product because of how it is presented to you? Personally I like it when a company or person puts in the extra effort to uniquely display their products. The photos keep me looking longer and may even lead to a sale. The display and props must enhance the product, not over-power it. Of course the product has to be nice too, but an additional story or idea is always refreshing.

Let's talk more about these photographs...the props are amazing! Antiques and textiles...both my weaknesses. Some may be harder to find, but others could easily be found at a yard sale or dollar store. Like the wall of scissors...bunch of scissors and a wall - done. My point is you can still be creative on a budget. Think about mixing items that wouldn't normally go together and experiment with color and texture. Even consider clearing out a drawer or part of your closet to start your own prop storage.

Trevor Dixon's work has inspired me to think about the details of display as I start the journey of opening an etsy shop (still in progress). Hopefully his work can also provide ideas for readers with etsy shops or art websites.

Now all we need is free, nice cameras! I'll have to admit - the camera will probably be the biggest expense, but I would consider it as an investment.

Is display important to you as a seller and buyer? Got any tips?

More Vintage Finds

Oh yeah the vintage finds don't stop...if you thought these were good...then you'll love these items! A visit to Father & Sons Antiques isn't complete without all the quirky, weird and downright fun finds. Modern lamps are always great especially when paired with a black and white photo or mannequin head. And how about a fun horsey ride? Or a bucket filled with army men or name patches? I also loved (and was amused) by a selection of Indian charts filled with home cooking and science lessons. I'd say a pretty good start to the new year and week.

How is your start going?!

Vintage Finds

This weekend I visited one of my favorite antique spots - Father & Sons Antiques in Raleigh, North Carolina. They have the best selection of modern, vintage and quirky items in the area. At Father & Sons you are sure to get a blast from the past and find something good and affordable. I've purchased some amazing finds there and love the unpredictable thrill of the hunt. Here's some goodies to get your week started - textural white lamp, retro bar cart, funky patterned sofa, and vintage tall mugs. My favorite item was a metal cart...wheels, functionality, and teal...I'm sold.

Not in the area? Then check out their eBay items.