Eclectic Detective

Double Take

2011-11-27T09:51:00.001-05:00

I featured Sarah Chilton rings and other jewelry in this post from January, 2007. Though I'm not able to find any current information on Chilton, at the time she was living in London and making this sort of whimsical jewelry, featured in many blogs and websites including designboom.I was therefore surprised to see designboom feature such similar work in a recent post of works by shannnam, without any reference to past work by Sarah Chilton.

Now, please don't misunderstand me. I think that designboom is a truly wonderful site. However, I was surprised and disappointed that they presented such referential design without a nod to the original designer.

And this whole thing has left me wondering, what ever happened to Sarah Chilton?

tags:Sarah Chilton shannnam designboom

Skel-E-Gnomes

2011-11-26T10:17:00.004-05:00

These skeleton gnomes kind of speak for themselves. Hilarious! Available at Catalog Classics.

tags:
Skel-E-Gnomes
Skeleton Gnomes
Catalog Classics

Huichol VW Beetle

2011-11-24T09:33:00.008-05:00

Each of these trippy-looking miniature Beetles are covered with intricate designs made with BEADS.

At a scale of 1:32 these miniature VW Beetles are delicately covered in traditional Huichol bead art. Sponsored by the Museum of Popular Art and local governments, this limited series promotes the indigenous craft. Hundreds of tiny beads are placed by hand to create the intricate and trippy designs. Sales benefit a fund for 8,000,000 Mexican artists. Each measures 12.5cm x 5 x 4.2.

In Huichol bead art, beads are not threaded on a string but are put on their sides and glued to the surface of something--like painting with beads.

Buy them from the Cool Hunting Gift Guide.

via Cool Hunting.

tags:
beadwork
Huichol
Cool Hunting

Skull A Day

2011-11-23T12:23:00.027-05:00

I know, I know. Skulls are so passe. But this skull news, though not actually new, is too good to pass up.

Artist, blogger and author Noah Scalin began making a skull a day for a year in 2007, and thus the project Skull-A-Day was born. Skulls from that year are featured in his book, SKULLS, published by Lark Books in 2008 and available through IndieBound and other fine booksellers. Also, one of Scalin's skull drawings (above) is featured on a Kenneth Cole t-shirt.

In the years to come, Scalin began publishing skulls by other artists on his Skull-A-Day blog. My favorites include this illustration by Robert Steven Connett ,

and this sculpted sand skull.

In addition to the art skulls, several skull items are available from site sponsors. These include skull cookies from Whimzskulls:

and etched skull glasses from Tatman's Glass.

Finally, the Skull-A-Day website has merchandise for sale, such as these cute skull buttons:

But one of the coolest things available on the Skull-A-Day site is free fonts, such as the Skullphabet 1 font pictured below:

Check out the SKULL-A-DAY website yourself, and I'm sure you'll find your own favorites. Let's face it: they're skulls. They're not going to go away.

via NOTCOT.

tags:
SKULL-A-DAY
Noah_Scalin
Skull Art

Spragwerks on Project Accessory

2011-11-21T19:11:00.006-05:00

So I was tooling around the internet like I do, and I hit a link to Spragwerks on my own blogroll. I loved and featured a Spragwerks ring in this post from the past. Imagine my surprise when a picture of Project Accessory fav Rich Sandomeno sprung onto my screen.

Yes, Rich is one of the designers for this season's Project Accessory, a Project Runway spin-off that I've been enjoying these past few weeks.

Congratulations, Rich, on the exposure, and best of luck on the challenges!

tags:
Spragwerks
Project Accessory
Rich Sandomeno

Objet du Jour

2011-11-20T09:33:00.005-05:00

Vampire Repelling Garlic Mints by Accoutrements.

Product Features:
--Protect yourself from vampire attacks with these potent Garlic Mints.
--Each 2" (5.7 cm) round tin contains about one hundred mints guaranteed to give you the kind of garlic breath that will send vampires scurrying back to their coffins.
--Warning: consistent use of Garlic Mints may have a negative impact on your social life.

Listed on Amazon.Com under Grocery and Gourmet Food.

via Book of Joe

tags:
Accoutrements
Garlic Mints
Book of Joe

2011-11-19T16:07:00.003-05:00

Remember, you heard it here first: zippers are the new skulls.

From Cynics, by Amanda Clegg.

Cynics is the edgy androgynous accessories label launched in 2007 by Amanda Clegg. Inspired by cynicism, celebrities and creative impulses, Amanda creates limited edition, cheeky accessories for everyone. Based in Sydney Australia.

Via Crookedbrains.

tags:
Amanda Clegg
Crookedbrains
zippers

Anatomically Correct?

2011-11-19T09:25:00.010-05:00

This artist's work is just too good not to post! (And I'm not fixated on skull/brain imagery--these three posts just randomly formed a theme.) The model is by Jason Freeny, an artist who . . . well, his website probably says it best:

Jason created his first fictional anatomy in 2000 with his depiction of the mythological "Incubus".

Armed with a youthful, overactive imagination, Jason creates smart, intricate illustrations that tickle the deviant intellect through a mix of hard graphics, pop iconography and wit.

During the day, Jason works in Manhattan as a mild mannered interface designer. At night, after the kids go to sleep, he can be found hunched over his computer developing works of candy colored madness.

via Geekology

tags:
Jason Freeny
Lego
Hello Kitty

Skull Chair

2011-11-02T08:54:00.005-04:00

How could I not post this wonderful skull chair? Especially right after Halloween! I got it from www.likecool.com, (my links aren't working, I have no idea why) where the comment was as follows:

'Cool Skull chair from 'Nouvelle Vague'
'Nouvelle Vague' exhibition will be held from 12 to 17 April 2011 at the French Cultural Centre - Palazzo delle Stelline - Corso Magenta 63 20123 Milan.

And I'm afraid that's all I know about it.

tags:
skull chair
likecool.com

Insight Lamp

2011-03-27T10:17:00.005-04:00

A re-take on the classic "light bulb" idea icon. Created by Solovyov Design.

via Beautiful Life

tags:
Solovyov
Insight Lamp
Beautiful Life

Flower Girl

2011-03-27T10:05:00.006-04:00

Provocative image from Sublime magazine. via Book of Joe.

tags:
Sublime Magazine
bookofjoe
flower face

2011-01-15T17:17:00.004-05:00

Sometimes you just gotta go over to lolcats and let it crack you up.

tags:
lolcats
i can has cheezburger

thomas wold-rock candy

2011-01-12T11:36:00.003-05:00

thomas wold-rock candy
Originally uploaded by thomas_e_wold

Those who know me best know that my favorite piece of furniture is the shelf unit. (Actually, those who know me best would probably guess that my favorite piece of furniture is the couch.)

I find this assemblage-style shelf unit playful and almost Dr. Seus-like and delightful. Can't you just imagine what it would look like with the appropriate knick-knacks on it?

By Thomas Wold via flickr and the DESIGN
PUBLIC blog.

tags
Thomas Wold
DESIGN PUBLIC

2011-01-08T12:23:00.005-05:00

They say that the Kindle was the hot gift this Christmas, and it must be true: I got one, and I gave one to my brother and one to my niece.

I was apprehensive. As my niece pointed out, we like the feel of books, the texture of books, the very smell of books. But sometimes it's time to move on--not to replace the old, but to add the new.

So here is my review of the Kindle, after owning it for about two weeks:

It's wonderful. I was surprised by how quickly I adapted to reading from it, and soon wanted to read only books on Kindle. Part of this is simply my gadgety-ness. I LOVE a new gadget, and this is no exception. But unlike some gadgets I've had, this one is simple to use. Enter the code of my wireless router and it was pretty much ready to go.

Downloading books is as simple as finding them on Amazon and clicking the "Buy" button--they've made it almost TOO easy to buy a book! The download happens quickly, and then there the book is, on the Kindle's home page.

The display looks just like paper, and it acts just like paper. When it's dark, the Kindle is not back-lit and you need to find a light source--in other words, turn on a lamp. Mine came with a reading light, and using it to read the Kindle is just like using one to read a book.

They say that it is easy to read in sunlight because the display is glare-free. Since it's the dead of winter, I haven't had a chance to try this, but I can say that the display doesn't get an annoying reflection from indoor light sources.

I fought against this revolution in reading for a couple of years, but it turns out that there was no need. Books and a Kindle--it doesn't have to be either or. It can easily be both. Though right now the Kindle is in the lead on my bookshelf.

Available for $139 at Amazon.com.

tags:
Kindle

2010-12-30T11:59:00.002-05:00

Apparently I have managed to figure out how to upload images to my blog again!!
The fix was to disable Adblock Plus, which I believe must have a pop-up blocker.

I haven't blogged in MONTHS due to this problem! Will I begin blogging again? I hope so!! Please be patient with me as I check for links that don't work, etc.

I'm glad to see you all again.

--LisaJay

Technical Difficulties

2010-05-28T10:19:00.002-04:00

This would be a perfect time in my life to be blogging. I'm in love with creativity again, and have just the right amount of time on my hands. However. . . for some reason I'm unable to add photographs to my posts. It started with my new computer, and I haven't been able to find a solution, despite trying all of the obvious things.

If anyone knows a solution, feel free to post a response. I'd love to be blogging again.

Amy Taylor Jewelry

2010-01-09T12:35:00.005-05:00

A brand new year, and no better time to show you my favorite Christmas present. This was from my husband and by request: I knew exactly what I wanted, and pointed him in the right direction. The piece above is called "Caged Amethyst," and the metalwork artist is Amy Taylor.

Amy is a friend I met through other friends on Facebook. Her posts were warm and witty, and she was someone I wanted to get to know better. Since we "friended" each other, I have had the chance to meet Amy in person several times. Once was at her display at one of the summer art shows in the Chicago area (Glenview, to be specific). There, I had the opportunity to enjoy Amy's company, and also to see the wide array of her work, which is splendid.

Many of Amy's pieces feature tiny hinges that make them dynamic and moveable. The piece below is one of Amy's hinged pieces.

Amy has been interviewed by The Daily Muse, an interview where her sense of humor and quirky personality really come through--well worth giving it a read. To see more of her jewelry, visit Amy's Etsy shop, Hinged Jewelry.

tags:
Amy Taylor
hinged jewelry
metalsmith

Incredible Recycled Houses

2009-09-06T09:04:00.008-04:00

A self-taught builder, plumber and electrician, artist Dan Phillips makes low-income housing out of recycled materials. Here, the corners of picture frames adorn the ceiling. "A frame shop was getting rid of old samples and I was there waiting," said Phillips.

Above, a cork floor is made from actual wine corks. According to Phillips, the corks are easy to come by: "We have some heavy drinkers in town."

via TimesPeople, an offering of NYTimes.com. Courtesy of Elizabeth Van Jacob.

tags:
recycled
low income housing
building materials

From the Category "People are Weird"

2009-07-16T10:53:00.006-04:00

Bullet-shaped ice cubes from a bullet-shaped tray. Raises once again the epistemological question, "Where do ideas come from?

From Find Me A Gift, via StoreCrowd.

tags:
bullet ice cube tray
ice cubes

Artist Sarah Spitler

2009-05-06T09:07:00.006-04:00

It is not often that an ad on a website will entice me to click through to see what more there might be. But an image of a painting by Sarah Spitler--well, entice me it did, and disappoint me it did not.

The artist talks about her work on Gawker:

Chaos manifests itself alongside form in my work. Chaos is powerful in that it is beyond human control; specifically, it interests me in depiction as catastrophe - as the uncontrollable and random force of natural cataclysms. I enjoy the emergence of fragments of imagery in relation to a destructive force - they become reduced and ephemeral, they are representative of the momentary and transient. However, according to the scientific study of chaos, it is the minute and transient that manifest as larger factors, further down in the equation, in the study of matter.

I've always been intrigued by visual chaos, and Spitler's representation of it delights my mind and my eyes. For more of Spitler's work, go to her page on Gawker.

tags:
Sarah Spitler
art
chaos
Gawker

My stuff: Linen Cabinet

2009-05-05T09:00:00.000-04:00

We seem to have embarked upon a change of scale. The last "my stuff" post depicted a bookmark. Here we find me covering over the doors of the linen cabinet with collage.

I'm pleased with my efforts, but not sure I like the two of them together. No matter. There are four more panels to do, affording plenty of opportunity to mix and match.

tags:
Lisa Jewell Michael
collage
decoupage

Objet du Jour: Mathias Koehler Rocking Wheel Chair

2009-04-22T09:32:00.003-04:00

In addition to having sleek lines and an elegant simplicity, this chair just looks like a blast to me. Not just a chair, but a total sitting experience. Did I mention the light at the top? So you can read? It just gets better and better, doesn't it.

Rocking Wheel Chair by Mathias Koehler.
via Gizmodo.

tags:
Mathias Koehler
Rocking Wheel Chair
Gizmodo

Trend Alert? Puh-leeeease

2009-04-21T10:53:00.006-04:00

This coral fabric pillow ("Trieste," by Manuel Canovas for Cowtan & Tout) is one of the examples used in a recent spread in Elle Decor magazine, labeled "Trend Alert: Coral!"

Trend alert? Coral? REALLY? Hasn't coral been a trend for at least the last five years? I know that I posted my "Coral Corral" list on ThisNext in February, 2007, and let's face it, I'm not exactly the first person to know things in the design world.

Please don't get me wrong. I like coral. I love it as a color, and I like its use in design. The Manuel Canovas fabric is woven and wonderful.

But I think it might be time to graduate coral from a trend to a classic design motif. Induct it into the Fashion Hall of Fame, as it were. Coral is just not current enough to be a trend, in my humble opinion, but it does have demonstrable staying power. Coral is one of nature's fractals and, as such, is bound to be pleasing to the eye in a way that does not get stale.

Elle Decor, nice spread. Silly title. Love your mag.

tags:
Coral
Manuel Canovas
Cowtan & Tout

Beadwork: Teri Greeves

2009-02-17T08:47:00.003-05:00

OMG, are these sneakers not amazing? They are the handiwork of Teri Greeves, a Native American bead artist who combines traditional beadwork techniques with modern objects and images. What caught my eye at first was the vibrant red together with the iconic Converse All-Stars image. According to an article in Cowboys and Indians Magazine by Amanda Montgomery,

Greeves always intends for her sneakers to be worn, not to collect dust on a shelf. "Beadwork is a way of decorating objects we use every day. The art form I chose is functional, and the wearer becomes part of the work."

I love beadwork. Beading is the craft I do best in the sense that the finished product is of the highest quality of all the things I make. I can't say I bead well because the process of getting to the finished product is fraught with peril. I drop beads, I drop trays full of beads, my thread gets hopelessly tangled, and if I'm following a pattern I have to rip out two stitches for every one I put in. It is a process that I suffer through, and ever more so with each passing year.

But I love beaded work of all kinds. I relate to it. I feel a kinship with other beaders, even bead artists who are so far out of my league that we're barely doing the same craft.

For more on Terri Greeves, see Jane Sauer Gallery.

tags:
Terri Greeves
Cowboys and Indians Magazine
Jane Sauer Gallery

My stuff: Bookmark

2008-12-13T12:48:00.000-05:00

Let's start with an easy one. Here is a scan of both sides of a bookmark I made using paper collage. I'm very pleased with it. I have a bunch more in the works, and I will most likely post them as I finish them.

tags:
bookmark
collage
decoupage

Objet du Jour: Oak Heritage Rocking Chair

2008-11-13T13:08:00.008-05:00

One of the fun things I did over the summer was visiting Art on the Rocks, a yearly art fair held in the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan (in Marquette, more specifically). If time allowed, I would make a yearly pilgrimage to this beautiful art fair nestled into the woods and rocks of Presque Isle Park. In any case, we made it this year, my husband and I.

One of the things we liked best (and almost bought on the spot but had no way to get it home) was a rocking chair made by Oak Heritage. What makes these chairs special is the the way the wood is hand-bent to conform to the human body. This is the most comfortable rocker I've ever tried!

Here is how the chairs are described on the Oak Heritage website:

We are probably best known for our rocking chairs. Inspired by Amish design, our chairs have been crafted using a more radical steam-bending technique. This signatory curve in the seat and back design gives each chair superior lumbar support which makes each rocker extremely comfortable while adding beautiful curving lines to its design.

Since we didn't buy one on the spot, we are going to make a special trip to Yellow Springs, Ohio, to pick one up. This will be our Christmas gift to each other.

tags:
rocking chair
Oak Heritage
Furniture

I'm Back. Am I Back?

2008-11-13T12:46:00.003-05:00

Ok, I've been suffering from what I can only call "blogger's block" for many months now. I'm going to make a concerted effert to begin posting again. I may fall flat on my face (again). Thanks for those of you who have hung in there with me.

Objet du Jour: Maury Island Farms Preserves

2008-09-06T01:46:00.000-04:00

This is the best stuff I've ever put on toast. A delight to the tongue. And my jar, generously left for us by my aunt and uncle, is at that "scraping the sides with a spoon, hopelessly" stage.

I'm not a foodie. Toast is, in fact, one of the few meals I prepare. I would never have bought a gourmet foodstuff in a store--I'm more a "grab the store brand, it's cheapest" gal (unless, of course, we're talking chocolate). But I just ordered three jars for $6.00 apiece from The Country Store and Gardens.

I'm hooked.

If you don't believe me, here is a review by consumer Kathy Behrens from The Country Store and Gardens website:

This is the most excellent Jam you will ever taste, like freshly homemade! You'll never be able to go back to the grocerystore jam again. Annnnd, a major plus is that is spreads so easy, making a PBJ in a snap!

Rating: 5 of 5 Stars!

tags:
Maury Island Farms
gourmet preserves
toast

Objet du Jour: Girl in Swing Necklace

2008-07-05T22:07:00.004-04:00

What have you seen lately that's cooler than this necklace from Tatty Devine? Me, not much.

I found it at Soma Gallery for £33, along with a delightful array of other Tatty Devine items, also available from the Tatty Devine boutique. This one looks familiar:

I've seen these antlers in magazines and around famous necks, I think. It's made of walnut wood, not actual antlers. I'd love to be all trendy and wear this! (Wearing the girl in swing necklace, though I love it, is something I wish I could pull off--but, alas, cannot).

Antlers found at Soma Gallery for £23-- currently out of stock at the Tatty Devine boutique.

tags:
Tatty Devine
Soma Gallery
Fun Jewelry

If you meet the Buddha on the road . . . buy him!

2008-03-12T05:56:00.006-04:00

We could all use a little more calmness, mindfulness, awareness and loving detachment in our lives, now, couldn't we? What could be a better way to remind ourselves of this than a wonderful Buddha head, such as this one from CB2?

Or perhaps a porcelain "Buddha Bath" sculpture is more to your liking, like this one by Estúdio Manus (available at the TOUCH Design shop).

via [bb-blog].

But here is my personal favorite:

If this Buddha Cat from Mud and Metal doesn't make you smile, you may have forgotten how!

tags:
Buddha
Estúdio Manus
TOUCH Design
CB2
Mud and Metal

Objets du Jour: Stephen Jones Millinery

2008-02-27T20:09:00.010-05:00

Upon viewing these spectacular designs from Stephen Jones Millinery, I couldn't help trying to imagine a lifestyle in which they would adorn my head.

Fits of giggles ensued.

On the other hand, aside from the starvation factor, wouldn't it be fun to be a model for a day, and to walk down the runway in an outfit for which such a creation would be just exactly the right finishing touch?

Yes, in fact, I am killing time until Project Runway is on. Who wants to know?

tags:
Stephen Jones Millinery
haute couture
hats
Project Runway

Eclectic Detective--On The Move?

2008-02-27T10:40:00.004-05:00

I am once again considering a move to type TypePad for my blog, and it is once again driving me nuts. As you can see, it's a year since I've played around with this idea, which means a year of paying $8.95 a month for something I don't use at all.

If I can figure the damn thing out, I think I'll have more control over how my content looks, and that's the motivation. I don't know if it feels so complicated to other people, or if I'm just an old dog trying to learn a new trick. In the past I've always gotten frustrated and fled back to the easy usability of Blogger--which may be easy just because I've learned it.

Also, moving all my links and other stuff on my sidebar seems an enormous amount of work.

I'd welcome any comments from other bloggers about making this move--whether they advise for or against it, based on their own experience.

tags:
TypePad
Blogger
blogging

Art and Artistry: Joanne Russo

2008-02-21T12:15:00.005-05:00

I love baskets. I collect them, decorate with them, and use them to organize at home and at work. When I could, I bought high-quality, handmade baskets at craft shows--but those days are part of my financial past. More recently, I bought useful, attractive baskets at retail stores like Target and Pamida--but sadly those days are also part of my financial past. Today, my baskets come from Goodwill and St. Vincent DePaul. On occasion I'll find one that meets my (fairly high) standards for $2.00 or less. Such a deal!

But the baskets I long for are art baskets. These are the ones where a basketry artist has taken the craft and pushed it in a totally new direction, stretching the definition of "basket" to a whole new limit. These are the baskets of artists such as Joanne Russo.

On her website, Russo talks about her work:

With a basket career spanning three decades, I’m looking back at what I've accomplished and forward to what I’ll achieve.

My previous baskets were exciting, fun and creative within a disciplined tradition. It’s time to let go of that safe and comfortable work and delve into larger, less controlled shapes and incorporate more of the textile skills I’ve learned throughout my life. It’s an exciting time and my new creations are as bold and spirited as ever.

As an avid observer of nature and incessant collector of diverse material - from acorns to zippers - I continually gather interesting items to use on my baskets. In this new series, each one-of-a-kind piece is woven tightly and precisely, with added elements thoughtfully chosen to display order and harmony. For one, I may use rows of hooks and eyes to imply that the basket’s construction is carefully held together, while on another, a zipper adds an illusion of function. For the finishing touch, spiraled, thread-wrapped rows define the basket’s top. On some baskets I’ve left the last few rows twisting out into space, reaching, as a tendril, for a safehold.

My new sculptural work suggests a narrative; a view of human nature expressed through a plaited form. The story is the same - we have a tentative hold on life, wanting to appear all together but always aware there’s a thread ready to unravel.

Some day my financial situation may change. The economy may improve. One of my "multiple income streams" may become more than a trickle. Who knows, I might even get a job! (Not.) In any case, these are the baskets I aspire to. Meanwhile, the knowledge that they simply exist--well, it makes my heart sing.

tags:
basketry
art baskets
Joanne Russo

Objet du Jour: ShapeScapes

2008-02-17T11:46:00.003-05:00

Hurrah! A set of ShapeScapes finally came up on eBay, and I won it! Most of the places I've seen it advertised, the price was like $32.00, and I got it for $12.50!

ShapeScapes has been on my "coveted objects" list for, oh, over a year now, but my budget for non-essential items is about $0.00. (Magazines, of course, are considered "essential items"--in my budget. After all, how can you do collage without them?) But given the price, I had to splurge! I'll just have to tighten the belt this month on something else. Food, perhaps.

tags:
eBay
ShapeScapes
budgeting

Such A Deal

2008-02-13T19:15:00.009-05:00

What's even better than wonderfully quirky items from UncommonGoods? When they're on sale. For example, these darling string doll keychains are down from $12.00 to $6.95

As for this "could it be more over-the-top" candle holder, its price is less over-the-top when it's $69.95 instead of $100.

A treat for Rover or Fluffy, like these pet mats, is easier to swallow at $9.95 than $25.00.

Sale items from UncommonGoods are 62 in number, and well worth checking out.

Eclectic Detective is proud to be sponsored by UncommonGoods. A percentage of any purchases resulting from this post will help in my ardent fight against the need to find a real job.

tags:
household
bargain
sale
UncommonGoods

Lifeshop Collection Outdoor Furniture

2008-02-08T08:12:00.000-05:00

The Lifeshop Collection has a line of outdoor furniture with a wonderfully pod-like feel to it. I have spoken before about my love of--or, perhaps, need for--this sense of being in an enclosed space on certain types of days or in certain types of moods.

I'm no psychologist, but I suppose it's a womb thing. Oh, wait. I am a psychologist. . . .

(Somehow I never tire of that joke. Ask anyone who knows me. They'll be happy to vent to you about the extent to which I never tire of that joke.)

Aren't these poddies snuggly? Although I found this past summer that what one really wants, on a lovely summer's day, is a hammock with a mosquito net draped over it.

via stylehive.

tags:
Lifeshop Collection
outdoor furniture
podlike
stylehive

Objet du Jour: DwellStudio Blossom Pig

2008-02-04T17:48:00.001-05:00

I can offer no explanation for my love of this object. It is from the DwellStudio Baby line, and I neither have, nor am, a baby. But it's a lovely cowgirl piggy cushion, and I want one! (Ok, maybe I'm a little bit of a baby. . . .)

Available at Design Public.

tags:
DwellStudio
Blossom Pig
Design Public

Jewelry Designer Mana Bernandes

2008-02-02T23:20:00.001-05:00

Those who've been on the Eclectic Detective ride for a more than a little while know that what really gets me going is cooooooool jewelry. And have I ever found some for you! The designer is Mana Bernardes, and her work can be found on the TOUCH design site. Here is her bio from that site:

Mana Bernardes is a young jewelry designer, poet, and visual artist from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Her interests and aptitudes in art and design formed at an early age and continue to develop and transform. She participated as “Design + Social,” organized by the Institute of PVC in Rio de Janeiro, curated and produced the exhibition “Estampa de cada Rosto” at Lurix Gallery in Rio and also exhibited “Fashion without Frontiers” at Sao Paulo Fashion Week SPFW. In 2005, the Campana brothers invited her to participate in the exhibition “J’en Rêve” at the Cartier Foundation in France where she displayed an 8-meter mobile and her video art piece, “Connecting through the Cord.” which was also included in the commemorative exhibition of I.D. magazine.

The necklace above is titled "Clasp," and I love the elegance Mana has achieved with everyday objects. Here is another example: the cuff bracelet called "Night," below, is made of wine mesh and Swarovski crystal. How totally cool is that? (Let me hear you say it loud: WISH LIST!)

Finally, an completely magical necklace that caught my eye is "Spatial," below, made of iridescent sequins and nylon thread.

In short, I love Mana Bernandes, and will be keeping an eye out for her work. Let's hope for future posts!

tags:
Mana Bernandes
TOUCH design
art jewelry

Blog of the Week: decorate.i-blog

2008-01-22T08:07:00.000-05:00

What's cooler than finding out that you're on the blog roll of a Greek blog? The Greek blog itself, with post after post of the most amazing finds! For example, here is an adorable children's foot-cushion, called "Barnslig," which is available at Ikea in the UK. (I'm not sure about the USA; I haven't taken the time to look.)

I discovered the Greek blog via sitemeter, which I use to track traffic to my blog: where people are coming from, what they look at, where they go next, etc. (I try not to obsessively use it as an "approval meter upon which to base my self-esteem," with varying degrees of success).

In any case, I found someone had visited me by clicking a link from a page at the address http://decorate.i-blog.gr/, which turned out to be a wonderful design-y blog entirely in Greek! And there on the blog roll, a link to my own humble Eclectic Detective. I'd like to thank the blogger, Vicky, for including me. (The whole international aspect of blogging--getting to know bloggers from South Africa and Marrakesh, being visited by readers from Australia, Indonesia and the Ukraine--blows my mind.)

In any case, here a couple of the other waaaaay cool finds on what I only know to call decorate.i-blog:

The coloured thorn beakers above are an example of the curious, delightful, and intricately textural ceramics by Ikuko Iwamoto. (I also like her authentic but ultimately impractical pint cup (below).

Another of Vicky's brilliant finds is the Splash Bottle Drying Rack, designed by Scott Henderson and available at Skip*Hop.

For more wonderful finds, I refer you with great pleasure to the decorate.i-blog. I only envy you to pieces if it happens that you can read Greek!

tags:
decorate.i-blog
Ikea
Barnslig Cushion
Ikuko Iwamoto
Splash Drying Rack
Scott Henderson
Skip*Hop

Ecojot: Environmentally Friendly Notebooks

2008-01-17T05:54:00.000-05:00

Just discovered EcoJot, via Delight.Com. This is a line of notebooks and sketch pads that are manufactured to meet strict environmentally friendly standards. According to Delight.Com, here's what makes them greatly green:

100% recycled + recycleable; 100% post-consumer waste; no new trees were cut to make these notebooks; paper is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council; glues & inks are vegetable based + biodegradable; the mill used to make the paper uses clean, affordable biogas (recovered landfill gases) as their alternative power source . . .

Green is great, especially when the design is as delightful as it is on Ecojot products. The designer is Carolyn Gavin, who has one of the skills I most admire in design: a sense of whimsy.

The products are reasonably priced, and many can be found online at JournalsAndBooks.Com.

tags:
ecojot
delight.com
Carolyn Gavin
notebooks
sustainable

Alfonso Ossorio

2008-01-16T01:14:00.000-05:00

I have a new favorite artist. His name is Alfonso Ossorio. I ran across him in the October, 2007 edition of Art in America. These images of his work are from the Michael Rosenfeld Gallery, in an exhibit titled "Alfonso Ossorio: Masterworks from the Collection of the Robert U. Ossorio Foundation"

If I had any educational background in art, I could tell you what I like about this stuff. I feel quite lame making the critical statement, "It's really cool." I could also say, "It makes my heart sing." I find it exhilarating. Visually stimulating. I want see it up close.

I suppose I could quote Marge Simpson and say "I don't know much about art, but I know what I hate, and I don't hate this." Or I could say what's in my heart, which is "If I were an artist, I'd love to make stuff like his."

Below is a pic of the closest I've ever come. All it shares in common is they are both in the medium called "assemblage," I believe. This was my first attempt. I hope to keep at it and come up with with stuff that is better. Cooler.

I don't expect to wind up in a gallery, but I do hope to make something that makes my heart sing. Something that exhilarates me. From looking at Ossorio's art, I am inspired.

tags:
Alfonso Ossorio
Michael Rosenfeld Gallery
assemblage

Objet du Jour: "Messy" Tablecloth

2008-01-10T01:23:00.001-05:00

I love this tablecloth on so many levels. The graphic is wonderfully irreverent, and the simple needlepoint treatment projects a lovely indie/handmade aesthetic.

Also, it colors outside the lines! I love it when art breaks through its frame; there's probably an arty word for that, but as I have no background whatever in art or design of course I don't know it. If there isn't a word for it, there should be. I played around with the concept a bit in this piece from my Flickr photostream. (Yes, I'm aware I'm rambling. It's been a long day.)

In any case, the tablecloth is by AZEdesign, and I spotted it on a blog called roadside scholar, which is well worth a look.

tags:
AZEdesign
tablecloth
needlepoint
roadside scholar

Objet du Jour: HateMail

2008-01-06T03:25:00.000-05:00

Sometimes the sentiment you want to express is hard to find in the greeting card section of your local drugstore. For example, "Thanks for trying, but you blew it. I appreciate the effort but here's how and why it was a disaster." Nothing could be more perfect than this "Good Intentions" notecard, from the HateMail collection by CarolLeeDesigns on Etsy.

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, this may be just the time to look for the perfect sentiment.

tags:
greeting cards
Etsy
CarolLeeDesigns

Objets du Jour: Clio Tableware

2008-01-04T17:11:00.000-05:00

Handmade ceramic cheese platter. Waaaaay cool.

"Improved Crockery" dinnerware. Tres chic.

"Seconds" teapots. Ah, the irony. No, not irony. What do I mean? Literalcy. Literality. Literalness. Yes, my spellchecker tells me the latter is correct. (However, I prefer "literality.")

This type of literality is part of a design trend. I'll track down some other examples for you one of these days.

All available at Clio.

tags:
tableware
Clio
design trends

Handmade Christmas

2008-01-04T02:12:00.001-05:00

I made this for my niece, Laura, for Christmas. She loved it. (Oh, look at it big, please do! You just have to click on the picture. This took me hours and hours over weeks and weeks--truly a labor of love!)

This Christmas all of my gifts were handmade or thrift store items. I had a blast, spent no more than $5.00 on any one gift, and really scored some bargains: my sister-in-law got a genuine Coach handbag that I'd found at Goodwill for $3.00!

My niece is sixteen, and she was simply mesmerized by all of the images on the box, which included lots of subtle references to her life going back to childhood ("oh my gosh, a TROLL!") I also made her a nice necklace with Swarovski crystals. My niece is pretty special to me.

tags:
decoupage
crafts
handmade gifts

Objet du Jour: Yada Yada Yoga Frogs

2008-01-04T01:45:00.000-05:00

It's been so long, do I even remember how to do this?

Hell, it's not rocket science. . . .

I was filled with joy by these yoga frog figurines. Enough so that I had to break my over-long silence and post them for you. Some of you out there might have some very tense frogs on your hands, so it's the least I could do.

Available over at Art & Artifact: $59.95

tags:
yoga
frogs
figurines
Art & Artifact

Stocking Stuffers

2007-11-30T18:08:00.000-05:00

I've put together a gift list on ThisNext of great stocking stuffers for under $10.00. I thought you might enjoy it, so here it is. Click on an image and it will take you to the ThisNext post. If you click on "Buy This Item," it will take you to where the item is available online, which will show you the price. I hope you enjoy the list!

Lights On, Nobody Home

2007-08-10T12:37:00.000-04:00

Hi, friends. Thanks for stopping by. I have been absent from posting for a number of weeks due to technical difficulties.

During this time I have decided to intentionally continue the hiatus in order to focus on. . . my focus. I will be gone at least through the end of August. In early September I will post an update about my plans for the blog.

Thank you for your patience, and God bless you.

--LisaJay

Sarah Hood Art Jewelry

2007-07-19T13:17:00.000-04:00

I'm just totally loving Sarah Hood's "Spice" series of necklaces. This work is truly innovative and artistic, and at the same time, completely wearable. (A problem I have with some art jewelry is that it is pretty to look at, but totally ridiculous in terms of wearability.)

Above, the necklace "Five Spices." Below, "Nutmeg." (Nutmeg!)

via cuteable.

tags:
Sarah Hood
art jewelry
spices

Objets du Jour - Graham & Green Mugs

2007-07-16T21:55:00.000-04:00

Cool mugs at Graham and Greene. Above, Urban Alphabet Mugs.

Below, By The Lake porcelain tea cups and saucers.

tags:
Graham and Green
urban mugs
tea cups

Collage: Sojourner

2007-07-16T13:30:00.000-04:00

Here's a bit of collage I put together. It is called "Sojourner."

My husband wants to know, "Now what are you going to do with it?"

I have no idea. I was only shooting to make it. Do something with it? No idea at all.

tags:
collage
Sojourner
Crafts

Objet du Jour - ISAK UK Counting Poster

2007-07-13T23:22:00.000-04:00

I fell in love with these little birdies from ISAK UK when they were featured on Delight.Com last week. The platters and plates are nice, but this children's counting poster is IT.

I know it's not nice to play favorites, but I particularly like number 17.

tags:
ISAK UK
Delight.Com
child decor

A River Blue: Art By Children of Northern Uganda

2007-07-13T22:28:00.000-04:00

A River Blue describes itself as an "art empowerment project for the children of Northern Uganda." These children are living in IDP (internally displaced persons) camps in Alepdong, Aloi and Amoro. A River Blue is a project of Barefoot Workshops,

a non-profit, media-based educational and development organization. Barefoot has attained a building in Alepdong to be developed as a rehabilitation and vocational center for young people, giving them the opportunity to express themselves through the arts so that they may begin to heal themselves and one another, as well as educate the international community about their situation, and acquire occupational skills for their futures.

The artworks above are by Ongora Innocent (left) and Okwir Nickson (right), while those below are by an unidentified youth artist (left) and by Ojuka Maxwell (right).

The artwork speaks for itself, and speaks volumes about the project's power and value. I thank my flickr buddy "Gadjo Dilo" for bringing it to my attention.

tags:
Northern Uganda
A River Blue
Barefoot Workshops

Madeleine Stamer Prints

2007-07-12T22:26:00.000-04:00

Very cool prints from Madeline Stamer of Little Circus Design.

tags:
art prints
Madeleine Stamer
Little Circus Design

Objet du Jour: Bird Print Cups

2007-07-07T10:51:00.000-04:00

Aren't these great? I love the graphics and the chic way the cups are stored/displayed. Just one thing: I would get obssessive/compulsive about making sure they were stacked correctly, and I really don't have time for that. Like, the cats wouldn't get fed because I'm messing with the cups.

Still, they're great. At Dutch By Design for $35.00

tags:
cappucino cups
Dutch by Design
tabletop

Objet du Early the Next Jour: Ryan McGinnes Soccer Ball

2007-07-06T00:37:00.000-04:00

See, now this is cool. You don't have to be a soccer player for this to be cool. You don't even have to be the Arbiter of Cool to know that this is cool.

As described on the Vivre website:

Perfect for the athlete-aesthete, this stylish hand-stitched soccer ball is patterned with surrealist icons by artist Ryan McGinness. The ball is FIFA tournament quality. Black/gold. Size 5.

At Vivre, for $185.

tags:
soccer ball
Ryan McGinnes
Vivre

Objet du Jour - Twinkle Living "Midnight" Rug

2007-07-05T22:53:00.000-04:00

I'm loving this rug from Twinkle Living, called "Midnight." Only $1016, at Design Public.

tags:
Twinkle Living
Design Public
area rug

Objet du Way Too Long: Warm Biscuit Fairy Diary

2007-07-05T00:43:00.001-04:00

OK, so I went on vacation with the completely incorrect assumption that internet access would be so easy you'd never know I was away. Picture me walking the halls of my aunt's apartment building with my laptop open, trying to increase the signal of some unknown neighbor's wireless connection from one to two bars so I can post. Picture my frustration. Picture the posts I would have posted. *sigh* OK. Onward.

To make up for it all, I've found you this delicious fairy diary from Warm Biscuit, a newly discovered online store that has me charmed completely.

Would you not have loved this as a child? Are you not tempted to buy it, on the pretense that it's for your niece, while knowing full well you'll keep it for yourself?

And here's something you should know: fairies are the new skulls. Remember, you heard it here first. (But you have to spell it "faeries." Not sure why, but know it as fact. Trust me.)

tags:
Warm Biscuit
diary
faerie

Objet du Jour - Tea Talk Teacups

2007-06-22T22:28:00.000-04:00

I'm loving these word-play tea mugs. The list could be endless, couldn't it? Humili - tea. Adversi - tea. Indigni - tea.

I should probably leave it to the professionals.

At Wrapables for $11.95 apiece.

via Design Milk.

tags:
tea cups
wordplay
Wrapables
Design Milk

The Mane Lion Dinnerware

2007-06-20T21:52:00.000-04:00

Lovely dinnerware from a site called The Mane Lion. Above, the Paradise Collection (my personal favorite). Below, the lovely Elspeth Collection.

Finally, the Pastoral Pink Toile Collection, which I myself would find necessary to pair with these adorable bunnies (salt and pepper set) from the Easter Collection of specialty items.

tags:
The Mane Lion
dinnerware
dishes

Objet du . . . uh, week?

2007-06-19T16:22:00.000-04:00

OK OK OK. I was so impressed with myself for posting three times in one day that I got all full of myself and haven't posted for a week. BAD me! Bad, bad me!

Anyway.

Let's talk Acme Studios.

Acme Studios probably isn't new to anyone, but it's a great fav of mine and deserves a re-visit every now and then. Now is an especially good time for a visit because of these new leather business card cases, available in early July. (There are more, but I like these two the best.) On top we have "Scarlet King," and below, "Butterflies." Both are designed by Adrian Olabuenaga, and are available for $27.00.

I think the snakeskin patterned one is especially awesome.

Here are some of my other favorite Acme business card cases (I love business card cases). These are all the traditional metal cases, available for $31.00 a pop.

Up top, "Spring," by Eva Zeisel. Love the colors. Down below, "Prospect Garden," but Michael Graves. Love the pattern. (Sucker for florals.)

Here we've got the wonderfully grungy "Crops," by Marcel Wanders, on top. And down below, the lovely black and white "Petal," by Gabrielle Lewin. (Again, sucker for florals.)

And finally, the cool architectural style of "Collins Avenue," by Alberto Berga-Perales. And I like this one why? Let's all say it together: "BLACK AND YELLOW!"

tags:
Acme Studios
business card cases
Adrian Olabuenaga
Eva Zeisel
Michael Graves
Marcel Wanders
Gabrielle Lewin
Alberto Berga-Perales

Speaking of Buyolympia.com . . .

2007-06-13T21:19:00.000-04:00

. . . and also of Father's Day, this incredibly AWESOME wallet would make a perfect gift. From buyolympia.com artist Tiny Meat, (or do you say tinymeat?), this "How To Make A Motorcycle" wallet is just $14.00.

And no, we weren't actually ever speaking of Father's Day. See, you are paying attention!

tags:
tinymeat
wallet
motorcycle

Speaking of Cards. . .

2007-06-13T21:04:00.001-04:00

. . . this reminiscent-of-seventh-grade one is hysterical! Hand-printed by buyolympia.com artist Tennis Anyone, currently (unfortunately) out of stock.

When were we speaking of cards? You really aren't paying attention, are you?

tags:
greeting cards
Tennis Anyone
buyolympia.com

Speaking of Frogs . . .

2007-06-13T20:41:00.000-04:00

. . . this one conducting the birthday orchestra makes me giggle! One of a number of cool and sometimes kitschy letterpress cards from B Designs. Here's another:

From Diane's Collection, this is one they call "Red Shoes." (I would call it "The Angels Wanna Wear My Red Shoes." That's just me.)

What do you mean, "When were we speaking of frogs?" Have you been paying attention? Jeeeez. It was just, like, two days ago. Right here.

tags:
B Designs
letterpress cards
frogs
red shoes

Objets du Jour: Ibride Plates and Platters

2007-06-12T09:42:00.000-04:00

I'm loving these melamine plates designed by Ibride for Habitat.

**Warning: both sites are designed, most annoyingly, in the beloathed, innavigable flash (boooo, hisssss).**

This line of plates is called "Sorbet," and is described as follows:

With unique and dreamlike patterns created by combining photographic imagery, turn of the century line drawings, and high tech computer effects, Sorbet is perfect for outdoor dining or the most stylish midnight beach party.

Way cool, any way you serve them.

Ibride trays, also way cool, are available at Velocity Art and Design. These are made of high pressure laminate over pressed wood and paper board.

If you don't like the squirrel tray below, well. . . there are plenty of blogs out there, so you might as well just move on.

Eclectic Detective: arbiter of taste in laminate squirrelware.

tags:
Ibride
melamine tableware
serving platters

Objets du Jour - Scalamandre Fabric

2007-06-12T00:33:00.000-04:00

Scalamandre "Calabassas County" Leaping Frog Cotton Print

Scalamandre "Ewe Too" Checked Woven Chenille

Scalamandre "Animoux" Lampas

Aren't these adorable? I spotted the froggy print in the current "Traditional Home" magazine and had to share it. Love the ewes and other critters too. How 'bout you?

All can be found at Design Diva Fabrics. The Scalamandre website is here.

tags:
Scalamandre
animal fabric

Inspired By . . . Because We Can

2007-06-08T13:51:00.000-04:00

After months of design ennui, today I found myself looking at an interior that stirred my soul and made it cry, "Oh, yes!!!" An interior that re-lit the fire of design lust--that "I must have this" feeling we know so well.

The authors of this artistic brilliance bill themselves as a "design-build firm," but as we see in the pictures they are in fact magicians. The "they" in question is Because We Can, a "mash-up of designers and builders" led by Jeffrey McGrew and Jillian Northrup.

The photos in this post are from one of their recent projects, a "full office environment with custom one-of-a-kind desks," one of which is pictured above. Below are two views of the "engine room," where employees keep their bikes while at work.

I could have posted literally every one of the photos from this project as an example of what I fell in love with, but instead have given you just enough to whet your appetite. This is to encourage you to go on over to the Because You Can site and have a look for yourselves.

Be sure to visit their blog, where a post about renovation of their own workspace is equally inspiring. I wish you could leave comments--I want them to make some sort of cast or mold of their Shopbot table the next time they're ready to smooth it down. They would be works of art in their own right! I'll have to send them an e-mail.

This is the best kind of good stuff. Go on over and have a look, and if you're in the San Francisco area, let them re-do your office!

OK, I've been trying for the past hour to find where I found this so I could give a via link. I have to let it go. If I got this via your blog, drop me a comment, OK?

UPDATE: My thanks to Sara for her comment. I did, indeed, find these folks on her blog, Rasco-a-go-go.

tags:
Because We Can
Design Build
Interior Design

Objet du Jour: "Romantic Flowers," from Swatch

2007-06-07T00:33:00.000-04:00

We must have this watch. Am I wrong? Must we not?

"Romantic Flowers," $35.00, from Swatch.

Yum.

tags:
watch
Swatch
Romantic Flowers

Objet du Jour: My China! Emperor Rim

2007-06-03T19:37:00.000-04:00

I've got to say how much I looooove this china pattern, My China! Emperor Rim, which I came upon via Cutable.

tags:
tableware
china pattern
Emperor Rim

Objet du Jour: Endless Necklace

2007-06-02T21:56:00.000-04:00

The "Endless Necklace" is made entirely of clasps. Clever!

At greenergrassdesign for $88.00.

tags:
jewelry
INSERTgreenergrassdesign
necklace

Black and Yellow Week Roundup

2007-06-01T22:02:00.000-04:00

Aw heck, "week" is an arbitrary period of time to do something, right?

Here are some great black and yellow finds. Above we have a way cool print titled "Avenge Me, Blockhead!" It's from The Little Friends of Printmaking, available for $20.00, and is currently on backorder.

If you're in the mood for gift giving, I love the giftwrap at Sprout Home, especially this "Roll of Knots" paper.

The pendant below is from one of my favorite Etsy shops, Madison Craft Studio. It's as classy an item as you could hope to find, and a steal at $3.00. (Check out their other pendants--they have such lovely designs!)

On the other end of the spectrum (the one that ranges from small, hand-made goods to large, mass-produced goods) is this lovely piece of rolling luggage from Samsonite's Black Label line. (This one is via Spray Glue.)

I know there's more black and yellow goodness out there. I'll show 'em as I find 'em. Meanwhile, please still shoot me any finds you come across!

tags:
black and yellow
Etsy
design

More Black and Yellow

2007-05-27T11:41:00.000-04:00

When it comes to black and yellow, sometimes one has to take matters into one's own hands. Hence the creation of this little mirror for my Etsy shop. I need to find a way to make the background different.

tags:
mirror
Etsy
black and yellow

eQuilter.com Memorial Day Sale

2007-05-27T10:12:00.000-04:00

I'm a big fan of eQuilter.com because of their amazingly broad selection of fabric, ranging from beautiful and pretty to frivolous and silly. This week they're having a Memorial Day sale (they have great sales!), with select fabrics 35% to 45% off. Fabrics that typically sell for $8 to $9 per yard are now $5 to $6 per yard.

Here's a link to their sale page. Enjoy!

tags:
fabric
sale
eQuilter.com

Rooftops in Prague: Artquirk at Etsy

2007-05-25T21:20:00.000-04:00

"Rooftops in Prague" is not only a great item for Black and Yellow Week, but also a wonderful Etsy find: a print from an original painting offered by Artquirk for $20.00.

via Another Shade of Grey.

tags:
Artquirk
Etsy
Rooftops in Prague

Black and Yellow Week Continues

2007-05-24T23:47:00.001-04:00

All right, this is harder than it looks, and I'm getting NO help at all from you people. It seems that the consummate coolness of black and yellow is only known by those in the know. That is to say, we're on the cutting edge here. And that's not such a bad place to be.

What we have here are two items from the Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen Lavish Mugs collection. Frankly, the whole collection is cool. You can have a look (and order them, if you wish) at China Etc.

tags:
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen
Lavish Mugs
China Etc
black and yellow

Yellow and Black: The Hesher

2007-05-23T01:28:00.000-04:00

Here's a cool yellow and black find, so my "Black and Yellow Week" will have more than one post. This is the detail of a polo shirt by attus apparel called "The Hesher." Good stuff. Kinda pricey at $54.00. Still, cool.

It's late and I'm brain dead. G'nite.

tags:
The Hesher
Attus Apparel
Black and Yellow Week

Objets du Jour - Barbapapa Plastic Toys

2007-05-22T11:23:00.000-04:00

Aren't these adorable?

(Aside - Please read "adorable" in your best Craig Ferguson voice. I love how he says that word! Now, back to our post.)

It doesn't take much to get me off on a toy tangent. When link surfing landed me on the Swedish site of Green Jelly Toys, I had to look at, well, pretty much everything. These little guys really grabbed me. They are 4 to 8 cm tall and sell for 49 kronor, or about seven bucks apiece.

Of course, I knew nothing about them, but that's what Wikipedia is for.

Barbapapa is both the title character, and name of the "species" of said character, of a series of children's books written in the 1970s by Annette Tison and Talus Taylor, who resided in Paris, France. The books were originally written in French, and were later translated into many languages. As short cartoons of a length of only five minutes, they reached a broader audience via TV.

Barbapapa himself is a generally pear-shaped, pink shapeshifting blob-like creature who stumbles upon the human world and tries to fit in. The shapeshifting is usually accompanied by the saying "Clickety Click Barba Trick". After various amusing adventures, he comes across a female of his species (more shapely, and black-coloured), named Barbamama. They produce seven children, known as the Barbababies, each a different colour.

Well, the books are cute, but they don't hold a candle to the toys. If I had money, I'd be inclined to see if I could search some out on Ebay.

It's amazing how much you save by not having any money!

tags:
Barbapapa
toys

Etsy Shop: Rockin' Bones

2007-05-21T21:23:00.001-04:00

We haven't had any skulls in a while and, well, that's just wrong, isn't it? Fortunately I've stumbled onto an Etsy shop with skulls galore. (That should be the name of something. A band, perhaps. Skulls Galore. Hmmm.) The shop is Rockin' Bones, and you can get there from here.

Above we have the front view of the Yellow Skulls Tunic. Here's the back:

Aside from the skulls, I totally dig the black and yellow color combination. Last month I was all about black and pink, but now I've seen the error of my ways. Black and yellow is clearly what it's all about.

Someone--who the heck was it? Help me out. Someone, a fellow blogger within our amorphous community, recently did a "pink and yellow" week. I hereby declare this "Black and Yellow Week" on Eclectic Detective.

Realistically, given my recent slump, "Black and Yellow Week" may be limited to the current post. But you can help! E-mail me your favorite black and yellow design-y stuff to lisaj32@yahoo.com. Or don't, either way. But really, it's sooooo easy to make me happy. . . .

tags:
Etsy
skulls
Rockin' Bones

Objet du Jour - Ethics Girl Tee

2007-05-11T09:23:00.000-04:00

In an age where many girl products ask us to decide if we're a "Princess," a "Brat" or a "Drama Queen," this t-shirt from Howies is a breath of fresh air. "Ethics girl: Higher Quality, Lower Impact."

via NOTCOT.

tags:
t-shirt
Howies
girl wear
ethics

Objet du Jour - Python Tape

2007-05-09T00:08:00.000-04:00

I must own this. But why?

Available at Atypyk.

via Better Living Through Design

tags:
Atypyk
python
tape

Clarification, and . . . ETSY!

2007-05-03T17:55:00.000-04:00

My apologies for not making this more clear: the drawing in the previous post is not by me, but by Hugh McLeod of gapingvoid. (He's one of my blogging heroes.) If you're not familiar with his "cartoons drawn on the back of business cards," then you're in for a treat--they're great! I have one of my favorites on a t-shirt--with the following caption:

"I can't take this shit any more!" he said, mistakenly.

(Because we can't, can we? And yet we do, don't we?)

In any case, I apologize to my readers, and to Hugh, for not making it clear that the work was his and not mine.

So what creative stuff have I been doing? Well, mostly this: I've opened an Etsy shop! Right now it's just an itty bitty baby Etsy shop, not because I don't have things to sell, but because I'm such a crappy photographer that it takes me forever to get something posted.

I have some jewelry posted (beadwork is my first love), and then some of my mixed-media magnets. But what really got me going was this idea that everyone should have a pocket mirror that says "Child of God" on it.

The idea came to me in work with my therapy clients, especially work on self-esteem. Where spirituality is concerned, I follow the client's lead, and with some the topic of God doesn't even come up. But lately I've been blessed with several clients who have very strong faith, and when they begin to get down on themselves, reminding them that they are a child of God is a powerful tool. It works pretty well when I remind myself, as well!

So I bought a machine that makes these little mirrors. And have I been busy! One of the best things about it: I can do it using just my left hand, so the tendonitis doesn't hold me back! (I'm also enlisting a niece to help make them, so I don't develop a new thing with my left arm.)

Blogging has been more on the back burner than I'd like lately, first because I was in a funk, and more recently because of how busy I've been. I'm hoping to get back on schedule soon.

tags:
Hugh MacLeod
Etsy
spirituality

How It Is

2007-04-25T17:58:00.000-04:00

So says Hugh, and so say I.

Objet du Jour. . . With Gratitude

2007-04-20T13:16:00.000-04:00

Ok, this is an odd one, I'll admit, but one from the heart. This is an Object of the Day that also serves as a Gratitude of the Day for me. Yes, that's right: a scissors. More specifically, the Softouch Micro-Tip Scissors, from Fiskars.

Most crafters know that Fiskars tools are of good quality: reliable, sturdy, user-friendly, and so on. But this little scissors above goes beyond that. It's a lifesaver. At least, it has been in my case, of late.

You see, for the past six or eight weeks I have had the worst case of tendonitis in my right arm that I have ever had. I can't just call it "tennis elbow" any more, because it has spread. (I know nothing of anatomy; I can only say that the pain has more locations and is brought on by SO many more types of movements.) If it's getting better, it's doing so at a rate so slow that I can't detect improvement at all. My doctor's advice: wear this arm thingy, take three ibuprofen three times a day, and don't use your right arm for the next two to six weeks.

Great. I am, of course, right-handed.

I do a lot of detailed paper-cutting in my craft work, and it brings me great pleasure. But it's one of the activities that brings the pain on. (Typing, somehow, does not.) I was in despair until I brought home the scissors in question.

I thought it might allow me to cut with my right hand. It didn't accomplish this. But here's what has totally blown me away: I can use it to do detail cutting with my left hand. With my left hand! Have you ever tried this? Try it now. Rip a picture of a person out of a magazine. Now, take a regular pair of small scissors and use your non-dominant hand (left, for us righties, and right, for you lefties) to cut around the person's outline, as though making a paper doll.

Are we having fun yet? Have you lopped off the person's arm? Or your own finger? For most of us, using our "other" hand for anything that requires fine-motor coordination is a disaster. Take a pencil and write this sentence with your left hand.

How's it going? Here's mine:

Mine is probably a little better than most as I've had more practice: I had a broken right wrist in 2001.

Ok, I know this is a goofy post and that I've gone on and on about something kinda trivial. But let me tell you. With the pain and discouragement I've had over this tendonitis thing, today's Objet has made a non-trivial difference in my life.

And for that I am grateful.

tags:
scissors
crafts
tendonitis
Fiskars

Coveted Design Objects (du Jour)

2007-04-19T07:35:00.000-04:00

If you're like me (people who read designy blogs), there are probably some objects from the world of design--not just products from the world of retail--after which you have lusted in your heart. Here are some of mine.

Above is the Bubble Chair, designed by Eero Aarnio in 1968. Like a window seat, but with 360 degree visibility--what a great place to sit and read! Hanging in space, I'd be sitting like the younger girl, only my feet would be higher--I like to be almost upside-down sometimes. (Is that weird?)

On my "LEAVE ME THE %$!# ALONE!" days, (and I seem to be having more than my share of them lately), I long for the earlier version, the Ball Chair.

Sometimes called a "room within a room," this would feel to me like a cave within a room, in a good way. I was the type of kid who would make a "fort" for myself in a closet and love the small, enclosed feeling of it. I guess I'm not claustrophobic!

At our current house, there is a cubby-loft off of the spare bedroom, above the basement stairs. It's mine. That's where I go when I have that "leave me alone" feeling--to hide, to read, to meditate, to pray. I do it even when I'm alone in the house!

Two things about this post. First, I thought I'd have time to do a roundup of my Coveted Design Objects, but I was dreaming. I'll have to return to this theme in later posts. And second, it turned out to be more self-revealing than I'd planned!

I'd love to know your Coveted Design Objects. Please do share by leaving a comment!

tags:
Bubble Chair
Ball Chair
Aarnio Eero

Objet du Jour: Funky Fabric

2007-04-16T23:19:00.000-04:00

This "Heavy Equipment" fabric from equilter.com cracks me up--it rocks! And if beefcake's not your style, here's some cheesecake--"Heels on Wheels":

tags:
fabric
prints

Objet du Jour

2007-04-15T10:36:00.000-04:00

This one is mine. It's probably the most fun I've had making something "crafty," and it's not quite done but I've sort of reached a "now what" stage with it.

You can click the photo to make it bigger, but also here are some detail views.

I have wanted to do some assemblage pieces for quite some time, but have trouble working with a "theme." Ever since I've tried doing it by working within a color scheme it's gone much better for me.

I guess I need to find a way to mount it and frame it. Oh, and first spray it with some sort of fixative. I guess those are the "now whats" that come next.

tags:
assemblage
collage
crafts

Objet du Jour

2007-04-11T10:50:00.000-04:00

Now that's clever!

10.00 Euro at Atypyk.

Via someone, bless them, but I can't remember who. Apologies.

Bunnies on Etsy

2007-04-07T18:13:00.000-04:00

Carrot Bunny Bead by margolampwork.

Felt Pirate Bunny by miomio.

Joe's Day by Fourcrows Art.

Bunny Rabbit Hat by glitzconcepts.

Li'l Peepeye Critters by the peepeyes.

tags:
bunnies
Etsy
handmade

Objets du Jour

2007-04-06T00:35:00.000-04:00

Just in time for Easter! (Can you sense my false enthusiasm here? I mean, it's a cute bunny whatnot holder, but my heart's just not in it. I'll just keep going through the motions for now, and we'll all hope my posts get back to normal soon.)

The Robin Hook is certainly not a robin, only a play on words. This fun, functional bunny has a variety of uses. The floppy ear and kicking legs provide great resting places for jewelry everyday or while you're in the shower. Lay pens and pencils across its legs. Available in Gold, Pink, Blue, Green, and Clear.

It would be cute to have a row of them lined up at the bottom of the bathroom mirror, all in different colors, holding toothbrushes and razors and such (*yawn*).

$2.95 at Modern Motive. By Orca. (Wait! Before you click the Orca link, turn your sound down! They have stupid music playing on their site!)

Oh, look--Orca has an actually very cool fly swatter. Who knew?

tags:
Robin Hook
Jing
fly swatter
Orca

Having Orca in my Technorati tags should get me lots of hits from people looking for killer whales. Or a database editor. Or a free online web desktop. Or open source assistive technology for people with visual impairments. Or the Old Reel Collectors Association. Or Triathalon Wetsuits. Or the Texas Office of Rural Community Affairs. (I had a bit of difficulty finding the Orca site I was looking for. Or did you pick up on that?)

Objet du Jour

2007-04-05T13:29:00.000-04:00

Just in time for Easter (except not really, as they're on back order), A Dozen Eggs Vases. I'd fill each with some of that green plastic grass and top it off with jellybeans.

$29.95 at Signals.Com.

via this next.

tags:
Easter
vases

Objet du Jour

2007-04-02T03:02:00.000-04:00

I am amazed and delighted by this mixed media collage by flickr user manvs.nature. You simply must view it in a larger size--just click on the image and, voila! Extraordinaire!

The user manvs.nature is illustrator Colin Johnson, and you can see more of his work not only on flickr but here. Very, very good stuff.

tags:
mixed media
flickr
Colin Johnson

Objets du Jour - What's French for Twofer?

2007-03-30T18:33:00.000-04:00

These shoes from The String Republic are called "Anger," but I think they're, well, pretty. Available at Karmaloop for $60.00.

The Gunfighter, the Bandit and the Saloon Girl. Before you go looking for these great t-shirts, do what I didn't do: read the fine print. They're not available yet. A collaboration between :phunk studio and Levi's Europe, for the Spring/Summer '08 collection.

If I start saving my pennies now . . .

t-shirts via highsnobriety.

tags:
shoes
karmaloop
String Republic
t-shirts
:phunk studio
Levi's Europe

We've Got a Winner!

2007-03-29T10:10:00.000-04:00

The winning logo design, seen above, was submitted by Tawnya of Flutterbot. The delay in posting this had to do with licensing issues regarding the font, but that's all taken care of and it's all good!

Tawnya submitted a total of four logo designs, any one of which would have worked nicely, but this one is my favorite.

I thought it might be fun for you to see the books Tawnya chose:

Frankly, I'm as impressed with her choices as I am with her design skills!

Now all I have to do is figure out how to add the logo as the header of my blog and put a permanent "Logo Design by . . . " note in the template. I don't really do HTML . . . what I really need is a web designer. . . can't afford one. . . maybe a contest?

Many thanks to Tawnya, and to all who submitted logos!

tags:
Logo Contest
Flutterbot
web+design

From the Steals & Deals Files

2007-03-27T15:13:00.000-04:00

Now that I have your attention . . .

Just a quick post to let you know that YOOX.COM is offering an exclusive deal to all of its affiliate sites, of which I am one: free shipping on all items until April 3rd!

Just enter coupon code "shop@yoox" at checkout. Have fun!

Objet du Jour: ShapeSkapeS

2007-03-27T14:24:00.000-04:00

First, an apology: I know I've missed quite a number of jours lately. Busy, busy, busy. In any case. Today we have ShapeSkapeS - Sculpture in a Box.

You may recall my delight upon receiving a Zolo-a-Go-Go for my birthday:

I continue to be delighted by this wonderful toy. But does it curb my object lust? Oh my, no. Not when I find there is something that looks to be just as much fun.

From their website:

Designed by Los Angeles based sculptor Peter Mayor, and influenced by the dynamic sculptures of modern 20th Century artists, ShapeScapeS inspires anyone from 6-96 to create an endless array of fantastic structures.

With over 90 organic shapes in seven different colors, budding artists get to dreamscape and shapescape any which way they want. Thoroughly versatile, easy to pull apart and reassemble, ShapeScapeS allows one to create anew, again and again. The sculptures can be easily recognizable – a person, an animal, for example - or some unique, abstract construction. In any case, all ShapeScapeS sculptures can be proudly displayed on tables, walls, or even hung as mobiles.

This last one looks particularly poetical, don't it?

ShapeSkapeS are available at Zipper for $35.00. With both Christmas and my birthday long since past, together with the "no money in, no money out" rule, together with the "no money in" fact of my current life, this must remain, for now, on my wish list.

tags:
ShapeSkapeS
creative toys

Logo Contest

2007-03-26T19:59:00.000-04:00

Just a quick post to let you know that submissions for the logo contest are now closed. I will post the winner as soon as one is chosen--within the next few days.

Objet du Jour

2007-03-23T23:50:00.000-04:00

"Glamour Girl" hand tufted rug. $167.00 at Twinkle Living.

Adorable.

tags:
Twinkle Living
rug
Glamour Girl

Mark Michaelson: America's Least Wanted

2007-03-23T11:39:00.000-04:00

The mugshot as art. I can see it, can't you? The arresting eyes, the reflection in the mirror--certainly not done at the time for an artistic effect, but accomplishing one nonetheless. The photo is captivating, especially out of context, which is how graphic designer Mark Michaelson found and published the mugshot, and the others in his 2006 book, Least Wanted: A Century of American Mugshots.

Michaelson's book is the subject of a recent article in Smithsonian Magazine. From the article by Katy June-Friesen:

Why, exactly, were the pair of Fresno cross-dressers—clad like modest housewives—arrested on successive Tuesdays in 1963? What sort of upbringing, if that's the word, befell a Pennsylvania boy known as Mouse, who was arrested in the 1940s at ages 13, 14 and 18? We can only wonder. If the pictures are short on detail, they still add up to a vivid, impressionistic archive of American metamorphosis: bowler hats and beehives; Depression-era vagrancy and a 1970s narcotics bust; the arrival of Irish, German and Italian immigrants; the first wave of anti-Communism, in the 1930s, with the accused Communists' mugs mounted on pink cards; and the racism, as in the description of a Missouri man (a "close mouthed Negro who is probably committing burglaries"), who was arrested in 1938 for stealing "several pairs of stockings."

On the whole, the article makes a good case for these photographs as a subject of our interest and attention. Why, then, does June-Friesen describe Michaelson's publication as "a book slicker than an L.A. loan shark"?

The question nags at me. I may have to email her and ask.

tags:
Mark Michaelson
mugshots
Smithsonian Magazine

Fridge Magnets: A Work In Progress

2007-03-23T11:35:00.000-04:00

Remember the "Not Ready For Prime Time Players?" These are my "Not Ready For Etsy Yet" fridge magnets. I need to figure out how to clean up the glue that's still showing without de-taching the objects. Crafters? Help?

Objet du Jour

2007-03-22T21:56:00.000-04:00

Beth Williams is a glass bead maker, metalsmith and jewelry designer. I'd be ecstatic to be any one of those things, each of which can take a lifetime to master. I particularly love this necklace: the shape and iridescence of the glass beads makes them unique and beautiful, and they work nicely with the pearls. The overall composition of the piece is lovely: a simple pattern works best with those extraordinary beads.

tags:
Beth Williams
art jewelry
glass beadwork