Australian artist Fee Harding has a new Etsy shop called Burntfeather featuring her portraits, many of which are inspired by pop culture. I am particularly into the Bjork and Ghost World pieces (mostly because I am a huge huge fan-girl of both Bjork and Ghost World) but of course I had to include the Michael Jackson and Bubbles drawing too! She does a really good job of conveying the personality of her subjects in her drawings. Fee also does custom couple portraits which would make the perfect wedding present. Oh and one more thing: he makes these amazing kanzashi hair accessories in her other shop Peachypan.
Shadb Simon-Alexander is a Brooklyn based artist and designer. In addition to making some truly beautiful textile-based art (my favorite kind of course) she designs clothing and accessories. I am in love with the mix of color and pattern and will definitely be buying some of her hand-dyed leggings.
I have been a Philly resident or one week. Oh my gosh, I love this city! Although I am beginning to understand why Philly is rated one of the plumper cities: the food is incredible! I live across the street from a half-dozen Vietnamese and Mexican restaurants and down the street from the Italian Market.
two of my favorite neighborhood murals
Over the weekend, we took a nice long walk around the neighborhood. First we went to the Magic Gardens, a giant mosaic installation by the artist Isaiah Zagar. He also does mosaics on the facades of houses, shops and restaurants in the area. I loved looking at the little details in the mosaics: broken teapots, glass bottles and tiles made by imprinting doilies in ceramic. It also reminded me of the laundry room that the great-aunt makes in How to Make an American Quilt. Does anyone remember that movie?
A few shots of the Magic Gardens
Lena just blogged about the beautiful textile designs of Renilde-Deputer and mentioned called Mieke Williams that carries the designs. I am adding this shop to my places-I-must-visit-someday list (which mostly exists in my head)! I particularly love these photos of their product lines.
I love the quirky hand-stitched accessories in Mairuru's Etsy shop, ++Siesta++. For someone who doesn't use machines in any of her work, she's incredibly prolific!
Graphic designer Mary Kate McDevitt makes these delightful illustrations and mini-chalkboards that remind me of vintage signs and advertisements. I love hand-lettering and Mary Kate McDevitt is great at it. These chalkboards would be a nice addition to a dull cubicle, don't you think? They are inspiring without crossing the line into cheesy, not such an easy feat! You can see more of her work on her Flickr site and on Etsy.
Carleton Varney: In the Pink: Dorothy Draper--America's Most Fabulous Decorator
Laurie Britton-Newell: Out of the Ordinary: Spectacular Craft
Sian Bonnell: everyday dada: The absurd reality of the everyday
Joshua Glenn: Taking Things Seriously: 75 Objects with Unexpected Significance
Denyse Schmidt: Denyse Schmidt Quilts: 30 Colorful Quilt and Patchwork Projects
Therese Laskey: Zakka Sewing: 25 Japanese Projects for the Household (Stc Craft)