Gathering Inspiration

An Upbeat Friday with Maia Hirasawa: South Again & Gothenburg

Recently have discovered the talented Maia Hirasawa,
a Swedish-Japanese singer-songwriter who has an
indie/pop/jazzy fusion with such an expressive voice!

iTunes doesn't offer the whole CD, such as these two songs,
hopefully soon!

happy friday/weekend!

etsy discoveries: 02.27.09

1. Hogwarts Woodburned Box - Provincial Stain: SixthandElm

2. FACTORY GIRLS Vintage Mixed Media Digital Art Collage: galeriedeilluminata

3. Caoba Top: zelaya

4. SKELETON KEY No. 12 Necklace: katinkapinka

5. Porcelain Wishbone: aligibbons

6. Cherry Blossom Pendant: LaurenRamirez

7. Long Tray of Pots: JMNPOTTERY

8. Flower Petal Vase Green and Teal: CampanaCeramics

9. Wooden Skeleton Keys Porkchops Stubbies Set: porkchopshow

10. Tree Of Dreams 9 - ACEO - Original Illustration: theblackbirdsings

Crayons as pixels

Christian Faur's crayon art.

Simply amazing!

(via boingboing)

lizzie thomas

lizzie thomas' incredible paper cutting and woodwork
is inspired by the use of wood and paper in japanese spiritual life.

She so eloquently states on her site:
“My work is an exploration of narrative, myth and metaphor.
I am particularly interested in the use of symbol in fairytale and
folklore and also write my own stories. I take inspiration from the
use of wood and paper in Japanese spiritual life.”

Completely inspiring!!!!

(thanks design sponge)

A Simple Pledge

thank you Jeff Matz (Lure Design)
(only a designer could understand this humor)

(via notcot)

a dreamy friday

It's Friday, and my mind wants to start wandering away . . .

Listening to this new melody by Mraz
completely jump starts this aspiration.

Now, let me close my eyes and imagine the
Eiffel tower near my left.

Introducing Mio Poco!

Viola! Finally have the newest addition to my studio,
a Poco Proof Press No. 0. (and ain't she a beauty!)

Now, if only the rest of my office could look so organized!

(Still need to come up with a name.
Lulilloo's will be tough to beat!)

Our Town St. Helena - new logo

Crossing my fingers for smooth unveiling,
as I just finished putting together the presentation for
Our Town St. Helena's new logo.

The mission for Our Town St. Helena is to be a
catalyst for action to provide low & moderate priced housing
essential to retain & enhance the structure of St. Helena.
Through initiatives such as providing rental units,
home ownership and non-traditional housing opportunities
for unskilled, skilled and professional work forces that are
vital to the community who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford it.

Crossing my fingers!.....

heirloom nostalgia + an apothecarian eye = valentine's delight

A birthday gift to my husband, a shadow-box collage of imagery of our family and little expressive quotes with historical significance grace the latest piece I've created. Being the creative one in the family, I like to come up with a new crafted gift that symbolizes our affection. This year's was spurred by a craft-inspired event that my "mama-mia" friends do every year on the heels of Valentine's Day. I've killed 2 birds with one stone (though I really don't  like that expression, being a bird person)...it's a Valentine's & a birthday gift for Oliver (with Liam of course the center of attention, as usual). Materials used: a recycled 3-D frame from Ross for $5.99  (that originally had a really cheesy design of a faux tile with the words "elegance" in the font "Papyrus", torn out of course by me), japanese paper, teeny tiny origami cranes, lace paper, antique Korean coins, vintage certificate and artwork and photos of the family that I "antiqued" for an aged look. A dimensional look is acheived with these little adhesive sponges to give each part of the butterfly wings and Liam a layered look which I love. Result: A big hit, Oliver loved it! (Though Liam snitched and told him yeterday about it - he can't keep a secret to save his soul!)

A quote that is grommeted into the design (seen better if you click on the image), says, "As I dig for wild orchids in the autumn fields, it is the deeply-bedded root that I desire, not the flower." - Izumi Shikibu

Printed on our wedding invites, this meaning still holds true today! I love it for the fact that the poet was a woman born around 976 A.D. in Japan, and was one of the greatest poets of her time. Pretty progressive which I love!

etsy discoveries: 02.13.09

1. THINK recycled wooden sign: WilliamDohman

2. PATIENCE tiny text bowl: palomasnest

3. Steampunk Jewelry Cufflinks: LondonParticulars

4. THE CARNIVALIST Vintage Mixed Media Digital Art Collage 15x19: galeriedeilluminata

5. butterfly kanzashi mask: ccaspia

6. Tree book II: lacunawork

7. Vintage Brass Bird / Quail Set: thegratulatest

8. Handmade Wrought Iron Rooster Dishes: thegratulatest

9. Tiny Bird on Branch Necklace: lisahopkins

10. Branch pendant with gold buds: thalassajewelry