{Design} studio visitors & some cool jewelry...

It's really no secret that I adore design & love learning about designers & their process. Which is really why I enjoy visiting Ideal: Carefully Curated Goods whenever I can (plus, the ladies that own it are awesome & I like to visit them too). This last Friday night, the three of us went up to visit Ideal (Bellingham) & to take in the "First Friday" art walk. One of our stops was the Path- WWU IDSA fundraiser (Western Washington University Industrial Design Students). I met one of the WWU ID students a while back- he works at Ideal- & wanted to see what he was up to. Incidentally, Ideal has had a really supportive relationship with the ID department ever since they opened- which is also another reason I think they are so wonderful. 

The ID students were showing & selling "Path - Kinetic Jewelry" for their fundraiser. They used a process to make rings & a necklace, called 3D printing. The jewelry was designed & constructed by the ID students on the WWU campus, with materials sourced from US manufacturers. 

The Path Series of jewelry benefits the students in their pursuit of design education. Each peice represents the concept of an impossible object. They are constructed layer by layer to permit the presence of the ball within the track. ~WWU IDS

The energy & enthusiasm of the students showing & explaining their jewelry line was infectious & the fundraiser was buzzing. The really cool thing is that even though the fundraiser is over, you can still purchase all of the jewelry at Ideal & 100% proceeds of the jewelry go to the WWW IDsa! So when you are thinking about gifts this holiday season, don't forget about your local design & art departments. Most likely they are making some innovative things that could make a special gift. 

As I have mentioned before, I've taught in the art dept. at a local college for about 12 years. I think teaching is sort of something that is in your blood. I haven't taught since Sayer was born & I miss it sometimes. I particularly like being a creative sounding board & support when creative minds are spinning. The ID student that I previously mentioned, Samuel asked me if I had time to answer some sewing questions that had come up during his most recent design project. Of course I made time... although I wasn't sure if I could help much. Samuel & his friend Spencer, lugged all of their materials & sewing machines to my studio on Sunday. It was great to get some different energy in there. They were constructing life jackets- a little different then the plush & mobiles that I normally make. I absolutely enjoyed the creative hum & buzz bursting out of the walls of my tiny studio. They are terrific, hardworking guys (with busily beeping iphones- which means they are very popular too) & I look forward to seeing what designs they come up with in the future. I can't help but wish they would come to work in my studio all of the time...helping me. 

If you are interested in purchasing any of the Path- Kinetic Jewelry you can contact Ideal - I'm sure they would be happy to help you out.  

My studio seems so quiet now. Although I do have my little Christmas elf working next to me in his "office" now & then- so it isn't too quiet. Hope you are having a nice week. What are you up to?

{Cool Things} Grain Design...

I had a chance to visit one of my favorite design shops this last weekend (IDEAL) & discovered Grain Design. I was intrigued with Grain's eco-friendly designs & wanted to learn more. 

Grain was founded in 2007 at the Rhode Island School of Design & is a collaborative of design thinkers with the shared vision of a more sustainable future. 

I was happy to read that they were founded at RISD- I have a soft spot for RISD designers because that is where my husband went to school & later taught (his mom & dad both went there as well). When cruisin' Grain's online shop, I stumbled on Spool - a build it yourself modular system . The possibilities are endless as to what you could create with it & I have been dreaming ever since. 

I love their "electric love" jewelry made out of reclaimed electrical wire too. I bought myself a green bangle at IDEAL & may just have to go back to get myself a ring (or another bangle) because I'm hooked. It's always so great to discover such innovative & eco-friendly designers- even more fun to learn that they are local (they now live in WA). So, Grain is my {cool things} pick of the week! Thanks for the introduction awesome IDEAL ladies! 

{all images via here}

{Fun} Modern Love...

One of my all time favorite images is Mother & Child by a designer on my top 5 list, Alexander Girard. I love the shapes, the palette, the style, & era in which it was created. I'm also a big fan of Valentines day- and the two fit together for me. So, I made an Etsy Treasury last night that was inspired by both. It's all about my love of modern design- past & present. I like looking at it so I  thought I would post it here...

You can view this Etsy Treasury live here. Hope you are having a nice weekend! 

{Everyday Inspiration} four fun finds

I see so many fun & cool things each week. I think I may need to start documenting them regularly as to not forget them. Here are 4 things that I have been thinking about. Each one has been bookmarked  on my computer for some reason or another so I thought I would share them with you. 

1. I saw this amazing Paperback Wall System by Studio Parade on sodapopgirl and was totally smitten. I've had dreams of something like this on all of our walls...

2. These great Moveable Paper Dolls by Hollandsworth caught my attention a long time ago and it's one of my "favorite" Etsy shops. I had it bookmarked because I saw that she did custom, family paper dolls and I wanted to have some made of our family for Christmas (including our kitty).

3. If I had a little girl, this would be a frequently purchased from shop. I love these modern dresses by Mette! I just spotted them on papernstitch.

4. This wood sign from, What Wood You Say, was immediately bookmarked when I saw it on Smarts & Crafts a few days ago. This particular saying has been number one on my New Year resolution list almost every year for the last 15 years. It's a phrase that is used often when people give me advice. 

So there are four fun finds . Hope you are having a wonderful weekend. Boy did I enjoy that extra hour we gained! What are you using the extra hour for?

Play! Design for kids....

It's here- it's here! My copy of "PLAY! Design for Kids" just arrived  from Hamburg and I'm just over the moon. It's so cool! 

"Play! reveals an inspiring cross-section of current projects and trends. Design for kids- worked out in play or inviting you to play along. 53 designers whose work combines concept and design with a playful sense of joy." Elly Plass & Henning Otto, EIGA Design

I wish I could show you every page! But here is diverse peek... 

Ingela P Arrhenius/ Sweden

Jonathan Calugi/ Italy

Manuela Olten/ Germany

ninetonine/ Spain

Thomas Lupo/ Germany

Maren Bottcher/ Germany 

Farina Kuklinski/ Germany

Kristin Loffer Theiss/ USA

Yippee! Did you notice why I'm so excited? I'm just thrilled to be among this group of 53 designers chosen for "Play!". Not to mention, I have learned about so many interesting designers in the directory at the end of the calendar. For more information about how to purchase this calendar check here & here. I'm now going to go look through this again. I think 2011 is going to be an exciting year..... 

{Store Feature} Ideal

Ideal- carefully curated goods, is a very special store to me. It encompasses all that I love- great design, smart & wonderful owners (who are moms to children & one to a dog), & cool books. This store is about 30 minutes away from my house & I have been lucky enough to have them carry my work for the last two years. Most of the stores that I work with are either online stores or out of the state/country. So I don't often get the opportunity to visit in person and see how my work looks in the their shops

. 

I usually deliver my goodies in person because I love the chance to browse & visit with the owners of ideal. They know design and how to be great moms so I could chat with these ladies for hours. Not to mention, I never walk out of that store empty handed. There is always something unique & cool to discover. They have a very keen sense of what they like and it all flows together seamlessly. We share a love of Marimekko, books, letterpress, and clean lines. They also have a gorgeous selection of jewelry too. There is always a lot to look at for Sayer and Chris as well. 

Last night they hosted a klt:trunk show that coincided with the local art walk. It was so much fun to stand back and watch the hustle & bustle in their store. I have to say, I love to observe little kids. But when they are wearing something that I made & playing with klt:plush, my heart melts. Lisa (one of the ideal owners) brought her two children to the event, Hank & Lulu.  They are the sweetest kids and Lisa is all smiles in their presence.

Both Lisa & Kathleen were calm, cool, and collected all night, sporting their gorgeous Marimekko attire, while talking passionately about design. I loved how Kathleen was so nurturing to Lisa's kid's too. You can tell these ladies are really good friends which just makes the store feel great to be in and visit. Every time Sayer has come with me to ideal, Lisa & Kathleen have been so sweet with him, showing him the newest toys that they have found. Safe to say, he loves visiting too. 

This is not a stuffy design store by any stretch of the imagination. It is friendly, smart, & beautifully curated. I had a wonderful evening last night and am really proud to be one of the designers who's goods they carry. So if you are local, stop by - you will be really glad you did! 

{objects} of my affection...

Sometimes I respond strongly to certain pictures or objects and I continue thinking about them for days... even weeks. Here are a few objects of my affection that have been kicking around in my thoughts for the last month. 

"Les Modules" {linen, ballet style room shoe inspired by Le Corubsier's architecture} LaLa Shoes  - I have dreamed about wearing these wonderful shoes as studio shoes. Just think of what I could create when wearing them. Wouldn't mind these little cozy LaLa shoes either...


Eames House Blocks {The portable Eames Case Study #8 house} House Industries - Ray and Charles Eames are my favorite designers so I would love to fiddle and play with the case study #8 house.


Alexander Girard Alphabet Blocks- {Mid-century designer} House Industries  -These are beautiful, bright & could inspire all sorts of things, I am sure. 

Ties by Something's Hiding in Here, found on the Curiousity Shop Blog ~ Smarts & Crafts -These ties and the way that they are displayed, had me asking my husband if he wanted to start wearing ties. But I think they would also look dashing with the "Le Modules" shoes. 

I have to admit that I think I could entertain myself for quite a long time with this awesome  MoMA modern play house. I wonder if Sayer would like it ? (wink wink)


Just wanted to share some of my cool June discoveries with you. Can't wait to see what July has in store visually... Happy July 1st (particularly to my Canadian friends)!