Spark Twinkle And Fade

Why Yes, I Have Been MIA...

Poor blog.  You have been long neglected.  This is the problem with blogging (for me) life gets busy and blogging is the first thing to go. Alas.  But let's not dwell too much on the past.  Here I am now and I will attempt to blog at least once a week during these crazy weeks of school, work and craft show prep.  I make no promises though.  Sometimes we all need a little break.  But moving on....

In a month and a half I will be moving out of my too tiny apartment into a new space...um, not yet determined.  But the lease will be up in October and we are desperate to get into a bigger, nicer, more family friendly place.  So I have already been planning on how I want to decorate said new place, despite the fact that I am not yet sure of the layout, size or anything else.  One thing I do know is that I want loads of art on the walls in an array of new and vintage frames.  And near the top of my list is the weird and wonderful art of Jason Sho Green.   Bears, armies of pandas, rabbits and robots give commentary on life, love and the human animal. Be warned that some of his art is not meant for younger eyes despite the oddly endearing characters that populate Mr. Green's world.  I encourage you to take a look as he offers not only prints but t-shirts and postcard sets.  Love.

Well, I hate to post and run but homework awaits.  I'm off to The Windy City this weekend so I need to get ahead of schedule.  Enjoy the long weekend ahead!

 

'You Will Never Be A Man' Print by Jason Sho Green

**All work is the artist's own as well as all photographs unless otherwise noted**

On A Mental Holiday

Even though it's only Wednesday, as far as work goes, it's my Friday.  I will be on a mental holiday for the next five days to prep for school which starts in a week and a half.  It will be so nice to have some time to sleep, watch movies and craft.  I am really looking forward to the rummage sale my other half and I will be going to on Friday as well as yummy muffins at my new favorite breakfast spot.  Expect photos of my rummage sale finds (if I indeed find anything worth photographing) as well as some new items for the shop. I can't wait. 

Speaking of school, I am sure many of you have been searching for that elusive object: the very functional yet not boring bag to carry your books.  Well search no more.  I present to you Moop.    Wendy Downs is the creator and maker of Moop bags.  Each bag is handmade from original patterns so don't worry that you+everyone else will be carrying the same bag.  Plus, the bags are made from high quality (and very durable) canvas so no fear of those heavy text books causing your bag to fall apart.  Genius.  I am rather partial to the Blue Grey Duffel Bag . 

Have a great week all may your days be filled with pretty things and nice people!

 

Blue Gray Duffel

The Fraulein Tote

***All photos and items are the artists/sellers own and used with permission***

Flapper Girls and Carnivals

Besides loving the fashion and style of women and girls in the early part of the 20th century, I find myself more and more interested in the films of that time.  I was always one of those people who thought early film was boring.  But since my other half and I have been watching a lot of amazing old movies, I thought it made sense to start actually learning about film.  So I picked up this book because I wanted to start pretty close to the beginning of the whole "moving picture" story.  And I liked the cover.  So far (I am only about a chapter and a 1/2 in) it is pretty good, if not insanely detailed and dry.  But as someone who likes reading textbooks the dry part isn't phasing me.  I hope to read at least a few film books in the coming months to add some context to some of what I am watching.  And since I think there must be a hundred hours in a day instead of 24, I am also taking up French.  Wish me luck. 

As you know, my day is never complete without a dose of fashion, so let me introduce Desira Pesta.  Ms. Pesta is a true original and for that I tip my hat.  Every item she dreams up is made by her from pattern to seam. Using top quality materials she weaves little dramas with her fabric making the pieces as much art as they are wearables.  At the moment I am swooning over her 'Carnival Dress' and already have visions of me wearing it dancing in my head...

 

'Carnival Dress'

'Bastion Top'

**All photos and items used are the artists own work used with permission**

Everything In Red And Grey

Nothing seems more fresh or modern then wearables in red and Grey.  Together they look so cool and since they are neutrals (at least in my world) they can go with just about everything in my wardrobe.  Here are some pretty things that are on my list for Fall.  Enjoy.

Chambray Dress by Tulle, Tory Burch Dress available at Nordstrom, Grey Boots available at Mod Cloth, Short Wool Jacket by Tulle, Grey Hoodie available at Anthropologie, Chie Mihara Red Heels available at Tobi

   

***To Whom It May Concern: Because someone thought it clever to post a scathing and untrue comment about me on this blog, all comments now are subject to approval before being posted.  I welcome constructive criticism, but I will not tolerate random rants that have no basis in fact.  Thank you for understanding.***

A Conversation With Oh My Cavalier

Julianna Swaney of Oh My Cavalier was nice enough to humor yours truly and do a little Q & A about art, inspirations and liking Blade Runner.  I hope you enjoy it.  And stay tuned for more interviews with other artists and crafters I love. 

                              

                     

                      

                    OH MY CAVALIER

Q: Have you always been interested in art?

A: Yes, as long as I can remember. I didn’t always want to be an artist though, I only decided I wanted to actually persue that in my senior year of high school.

Q: When did you decide that you wanted to start selling your work?

A: I think I realized that that was really possible thanks to some of my professors in college. They gave me ideas for non-traditional art selling and other ways to make money from my work.

Q: What influences or inspires you?

A: Victorian fashion engravings, fairly tales, vintage ephemera, birding and natural history books, murder ballades and other old songs, all kinds of things!.

Q: Do you ever get artists block where you feel like you don't have any good or new ideas? If so how do you overcome it?

A: All the time! I feel like that is the state I am usually in with occasional flashes of inspiration. When I feel like that I TRY not to stress about it because that only makes it worse. I try looking though books, looking at my collection of vintage postcards, getting out the house and going to art or natural history museums, or going to the antique store! I get all kinds of inspiration from looking at antiques.

Q: Besides selling on Etsy, is your work sold elsewhere?

A: Yes, I also sell on The Shiny Squirrel  and on Little Paper Planes. In September I’m in a show with other Little Paper Planes sellers at the Tinlark Gallery in LA and I'm in a show at Lab101 Gallery in Culver City opening August 16th

Q: How critical are you when it comes to your art? Do you always see room for improvement or are you usually content with what you produce?

A: I’m very critical. I can’t stand to look at work I did a few years ago!

Q: What are some of the first drawings you did when you were younger?

A: Hm, I think I think I drew a lot of birds and princesses when I was little.

Q: Is making and selling art your full time job? If so, how did you get to that point? If not, what is your "real" job that pays the bills?

A: It’s my full time job. I realized that’s what I wanted to do after college, even if it was hard, I knew I wouldn’t be happy doing anything else. Selling on Etsy has made it much easier.

And just for fun....

Q: Favorite record to listen to while working?

A: Usually I listen to books on tape while I’m working

Q: Favorite film?

A: Changes all the time. Right now, I guess it’s sort of out of character, but I really like Blade Runner. It’s so dark and moody and has strange beautiful music.

Q: Favorite color or color combo?

A:Totally depends on my mood. Usually in my work I stick to sepia tones, but for other things right now I really like light blue and brown.

Q: Favorite activity to do on a rainy day?

A: Either reading or baking!

A big thank you to Miss Swaney for taking the time to answer all my questions!  And check out her shop to see more of her wonderful work. 

** 'Ghost Bird' print and 'Girl and Fox' print used with permission.  All photos and art are the sellers own**

 

Man On Wire

 

Last night my other half and I saw an amazing documentary called 'Man on Wire.'  It is about a man named Philippe Petit , a Frenchman and self taught wire walker, who in 1974 wire walks across the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center.  As someone who is terrified by heights I was both a nervous wreck and awestruck, watching as Mr. Petit gracefully moved across the wire as if he was on solid ground.  The story leading up to the great performance is just as entertaining, with interviews with Petit and his "accomplices" who helped him sneak into the Towers and rig his line.  I highly recommend this film and urge you to see it when it is officially released 8 August.

   

A Feature For Foxes

I am not sure what it is exactly that makes me suddenly start fawning over all things fox related.  It could be the knowledge that fall is around the corner and  woodland creature fare always seems just right when the weather starts to change. Or it could be the joy I feel every time I hear the opening bars of 'Fox In The Snow' by Belle and Sebastian. Who can know.  What I do know is that Etsy is overflowing with some of the sweetest fox things.  I am feeling so inspired I may have to create some of my own little fox friends for the shop. 

**Please note: all items used are the sellers own, including photos used unless otherwise noted. Thank you!**

'Fox in the Snow' print by Fox in the Woods

Red Fox Labels by Oh My Cavalier

Peachy Fox Wallet by The Illuminated Owl

'Fox In Cage' brooch by Pony Parade

'Little Vixen' necklace by Joanna Rutter

Rummage Sale Weekend

Well I was  busy this weekend watching movies, going to a great church rummage sale and lounging about. All in all is was a great weekend and I found some wonderful things at the above mentioned rummage sale.  I have decided to open an Etsy shop to sell some of my vast collection of found vintage items in order to spread the wealth as well as to un-clutter my apartment.  I am sure my other half would be more then supportive of this.  As we count down the months until we can get into a house, I have become more and more conscious of all the "extras" we have in the apartment.  I am desperate to get rid of some of it-including some clothing and shoes which I got rid of yesterday.  Now I can actually fit the clothes I do wear into my closet and dresser and all my shoes (almost) fit in my shoe rack.  Success.

Let me send you of with some of my rummage sale finds. And keep an eye out for my new Etsy shop, Young Ghost and the Attic, coming soon!

    

Old Wooden Spools

Vintage Fabric

Vintage Bow (one of a set)

***UPDATE***  New Items in the shop for your pleasure.

It's Friday. Let's See Some Art!

Really good art, in my opinion, is hard to find.  Let me rephrase that.  Really good art that I can afford is hard to find.  I am frequently searching for unique art to hang in the house-especially since in a live in an apartment and have stark white walls.  I find thrift stores and garage sales to be a good source for unusual and interesting decor, but there are also lots of great shops on Etsy that have top notch stuff and more then reasonable prices.  So if your like me (ie poor yet needing to feather your nest) let me present to you my guide to super cool and totally affordable art.  You're welcome.

• Wondercabinet A great Etsy store filled to the brim with curiosities.  Prints of strange animal hybrids silk screened onto old book pages, ink drawings and found object collages all co-habitat in this unique shop. 
• Hide N Seek  The sweetest collection of prints, buttons, cards and tags depicting young children and woodland creatures. 
• Rosie Music  This has long been a favorite shop of mine.  Along with prints and originals of swooning couples, cheery umbrellas, fawns and tea pots there are also adorable totes and pouches. 
• The Black Apple If you're not familiar with this much loved Etsy shop stop missing out!  Original art and prints of Emily Martin's madcap girls and boys are some of my favorites.   She also sells handmade dolls, pins and other surprises-but order quickly-these items sell out fast.
• Dkim-Art One of the first Etsy shops I ever marked as a favorite.  The 'Lady Hitchcock' print is one of the coolest prints ever.  Bold colors. High quality materials.  Love.
• Other artists I adore: Yellow Monday, Little Ghost, Restless Things, Seasprayblue, Still Room Studio, Marmee Craft

Of course this list is only a very small portion of the talented folks churning out inspiring, amazing works of art.  See for yourself all the other wonders there. 

*Just another tiny reminder: unless otherwise noted, all photos are the artist's own.  All work is the artist own. Please see copyright info or contact seller for any questions regarding use. Thank you.

'Lady Hitchcock' print by Dkim-Art

'This is the Friend I Told You About' print

By Hide n' Seek

'Tea Time' print by Marmee Craft