SeeSeeBe

Grass roof, facets and glass walls

2012-01-12T15:00:00.000-08:00

Grass roof, facets, glass walls, a rocky beach, lots of light- what an amazing mix of my favourite things! Another house on the 'I'd like to live here' list.
And I'm dying to know what beyond that door into the hill in the second photo. via archdaily.com

Architects: Salto AB
Location: Aseri, Estonia
Project team: Maarja Kask, Karli Luik, Ralf Lõoke
Client: Private
Project area: 300 sqm
Project year: 2006
Photographs: Salto AB

Now Casting for "Project Accessory"

2011-06-11T06:01:00.000-07:00

Now Casting for "Project Accessory"- and by "Project Accessory" they mean Project Runway- for accessories. Wow right?

From the site-

If you design jewelry, handbags, shoes or other fashion accessories, we will be holding open calls in June 2011 in the following cities: New York, Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles.

CASTING UPDATE:

New York City
June 18 & 19

Miami
June 21

Chicago
June 23

Los Angeles
June 25 & 26

For the open call, please bring the following:

- Close-up picture and full body picture (These will NOT be returned!)
- Three to five examples of CURRENT work. Work should have been done in the last six months to a year. Your pieces should not be work designed under someone else’s umbrella but your OWN work. Your work should showcase your individual point of view, your aesthetic! (We will not keep your pieces.)
- Bring portfolios. They should highlight the breadth and scope of your work! Press kits and magazine spreads are OK, but actual portfolios showcasing your current work and work done in the past will help our judges determine your range as a designer.

Visit goodbyepictures.com/casting.html or follow @ProjAccessory on Twitter for the latest casting updates.

Visit the Project Runway Blog for more info & updates.

Last weekend to see Yield in Toronto

2011-06-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

Catherine Allen, Propagate, 2010. Sterling silver, cotton thread, 5mm X 80mm ea. Image courtesy of the Artist.

YIELD
Catherine Allen / Sylvie Altschuler / Colleen Baran / Anneke van Bommel / Bridget Catchpole / Emily Gill / Shannon Kennedy / Paul McClure

Curated by Melanie Egan

ENDS June 12th, 2011.

It is the last weekend to see Yield at the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto. I wish I could be there to see it before it comes down- for those, like me, that will not be in Toronto here are a few photos of the exhibition from Harbourfront Centre on Flickr .

Ring a Day- a walk through the gallery

2011-06-01T04:45:00.000-07:00

The Ring a Day exhibition- a walk through the gallery. From the sign outside, to the photos, to the layout. I love the sounds of people talking about the rings in the background.

More in depth videos of each case on Flickr- Videos 1-7 are up on Flickr. Cases 8-10 soon to come!

Ring Day Exhibition

2011-05-25T05:03:00.000-07:00

A few photos I took of the Ring a Day exhibition at the Punch Gallery.

Case 7, 'Color & Alternative Materials'

Case 2

Case 4

Curators:
Colleen Baran
Kathryn Cole
Shannon Conrad
Nina Gibson
Sara Westermark

Artists:
Ashley Akers
Sabine Amtsberg
Loren Angulo
Maria Apostolou
Erin Austin
Meg Auth
Angela Baduel-Crispin
Colleen Baran
Inbar Barbaket
Laurie Brown
Kathleen Brughelli
Maureen Brusa-Zappellini
Catherine Chandler
Kathryn Cole
Kerry Alice Collins
Shannon Conrad
Jennifer Culp
Beth Cyr
Casey Daurio
Trudie Davies
Lisa Dienst-Thomas
Nina Dinoff
Thomasin Durgin
Laura Flavin
Renee Ford
Nina Gibson
Lynne Glazzard
Natalia Gomensoro
Heather Goodwin
Lora Hart
Sarah Hood
Chris Irick
Alice Istanbul
Norsola Johnson
Sarah Loertscher
Marthe Le Van
Kate Jones
Maggie Joynt
Evelyn Markasky
Bill Martin
Marta Miguel Martínez-Soria
Denise McCoy
Alisa Miller
Danielle Miller
Carrie Nunes
Margaret O'Brien
Marta Sanchez Oms
Paul Phillips
Calan Ree
Kathryn Rierchert
Andrea Ring
Lígia Rocha
Kathi Roussel
Kest Schwartzman
Ponsawan Silas
Mike Stromberg
Rachelle Stromberg
Victoria Takahashi
Leslie Tinnaro
Su Trindle
Mary Lu Wason
Emily Watson
Sara Westermark
Dee Wilder
Jaqki Withycombe

Photos of the Ring a Day Exhibition

2011-05-11T05:10:00.000-07:00

Lovely photos of the Ring A Day exhibition at the Punch Gallery. Courtesy Andrea Ring, one of the artist featured in the show. Andrea is an art jeweler with a focus on found objects. She has fourteen rings included in the exhibition, playful rings made from paper, plastic animals, street signs, a toothbrush and more.

Ring a Day at the Punch Gallery in Seattle- an exhibition I curated

2011-05-05T15:28:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I've written in my blog, too long perhaps. But while my blog may have languished I've been quite busy. One of my bigger projects was co-curating a massive 365 ring (and 18 photograph) exhibition from the Ring a day project. The opening is tonight. If you're in Seattle please do check it out.

Ring a Day
65 artists. 1 year. 365 rings.
May 5 - 29, 2011

Opening Reception: 5 - 8pm
First Thursday, May 5, 2011

As a tie-in to the annual SNAG (Society of North American Goldsmith's) conference, PUNCH presents this totally RAD (Ring a Day) exhibition showcasing 365 rings, accompanied by select photographs to illustrate the diverse, creative and inspiring rings artists have made from Day 1 to Day 365.

Colleen Baran, Kathryn Cole, Shannon Conrad, Nina Gibson and Sara Westermark juried RAD from over 17,000 rings submitted to the Ring a Day group on Flickr. The exhibition features 65 international artists with work ranging from ephemeral and conceptual art rings to functional jewelry in both alternative and classic materials.

This project was an open challenge to metalsmiths and other artists across the globe to make one ring a day out of any material for the entire year of 2010. Over the course of the year artists continually added rings, new artists joined the group, ideas morphed into new ideas, artists played off the ideas of other artists, and materials were used in new and unexpected ways. On a daily basis, rings were created, photographed, and posted to the Ring a Day Flickr group. The majority of the artists represented discovered the project through social media networks like Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, blogs and word of mouth. This project reflects a population of metalsmiths and jewelry makers who are facile with current online technology.

Ring a Day is part of the Society of North American Goldsmith's yearly conference; an event that brings together 800+ visitors from around the world for exhibitions, artist's talks, trunk shows and more. SNAG is an international educational non-profit organization that supports and advances the professional practice of artists, designers, jewelers and metalsmiths.

Ring a Day would like to thank Artist Trust, Crafthaus, EtsyMetal, Etsy, PUNCH and SNAG for their generous and indispensable sponsorship.

Yield at the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto

2011-04-15T04:10:00.000-07:00

Paul McClure, GATC – Pile of Genetic Tags, 2011. Printed steel, 3 x 2 cm (each). Photo: Paul Ambtman.

I'm delighted and honoured to have work included in the exhibition "Yield" at the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto. An exhibition of eight Canadian jewellers from across the country, each of us showing recent work.

YIELD
Opens Friday April 15th at 6PM
Runs until Sunday June 12
Harbourfront Centre
235 Queens Quay W
Toronto, ON

ARTISTS
Catherine Allen
Sylvie Altschuler
Colleen Baran
Anneke van Bommel
Bridget Catchpole
Emily Gill
Shannon Kennedy
Paul McClure

CURATOR
Melanie Egan

Curatorial Statement

The idea for this exhibition came from a rather disparaging question, “Is anything going on in Canadian jewellery?”

Haruummph, yes there are 'goings-on' in Canadian jewellery!

The beauty of contemporary Canadian jewellery is that it's in flux (no pun intended). We are a large, expansive country with a tiny population and our collective jewellery activity cannot be easily classified. Too often we have looked to other places to define ourselves, yet only now realize our strengths are varied and that's what needs to be cultivated. Jewellers, like other designers and artists, are in an evolving field. Sublime skill and rigorous thought are influenced by developing technologies, global marketing, and burgeoning means of production. New work and new paradigms are being created! The diversity contained within the Canadian psyche is reflected in this exhibition.

These eight jewellers yield up the goods and provide insight into the 'goings-on' in Canada.

— Melanie Egan
Head, Craft

Ring a Day 365/365

2010-12-31T04:58:00.000-08:00

Ring a Day 365/365
Material- cardboard, silk thread, sapphires
cut, sewn

My final ring for the year! I’m so happy to have reached 365. It felt a fitting end to my year full of recycled/repurposed and alternative materials to use a pulled apart bit of cardboard mixed with facetted blue sapphires and silk thread.

December was all about exploration of 'precious-ness', a subconscious/stream of consciousness led direction. With faux gold, faux metal, words as metals, a raw emerald, rubber gloves, and now a bit of facetted sapphires mixed with recycled cardboard.

While I stopped posting them on my blog you can find the many, many, many rings/ideas from the year on Flickr in my
Ring a Day folder.

Featured on Design For Mankind

2010-04-21T10:50:00.001-07:00

Extra lovely as Design For Mankind is one of my favourite blogs/sites.

"Colleen Baran is crafting a ring a day from everyday objects. A few of my favorites? Rubber bands, false eyelashes, chocolate and elastic."

Project Runway Now Casting Season 8- april 22nd!

2010-04-19T07:22:00.000-07:00

For submission details click here (or email prcasting@bunim-murray.com).

Deadline for applicants is April 22! Yes, just 3 days away!

Ring a Day- 29/365, cranberries- like shiny edible clustered garnets

2010-04-10T06:56:00.000-07:00

Ring a Day 29/365
Plastic bag from bulk food section and cranberries. Two finger ring. The cranberries have a bit of a garnet-like look to them.

Edible and rather practical. With a hole poked in top I can eat the cranberries while I wear it.

Ring a Day 27, 28 more flesh tones and Beauty products

2010-03-22T05:38:00.001-07:00

Ring a Day 27/365.
Catching up with my blogging of Ring a Day rings!
Yes, this one is a bit creepy/painful looking.
Wet cucumber facemask holds peach moonstones. They look a little like boils from burns. Or body modification of some sort. Made of jewels.

Ring a Day 28/365.
Stella McCartney 'Care' moisturiser. Gift with purchase when I bought some cleanser.

Worn below as a finger tip ring. Next to my bandage- usually I hide these with camera angles but today it felt like it 'worked' for the photo.

Multiple finger rings for a sunny dispposition.

2010-03-22T05:18:00.000-07:00

New photos of favourite rings from the Summer Series, started in 2002. Work from this series has sold in galleries and even been exhibited in the Canadian Design Museum.

Inspired by a visit to the Canadian prairies where the land is flat and the sky is never ending. A sky full of summer rainbows and vast dreamy blue.

Multiple finger rings for a sunny dispposition.

EtsyMetal Blog Carnival- Ring A Day favourites

2010-02-01T07:10:00.000-08:00

This month's EtsyMetal Blog Carnival question asks about our ring a day project - "What is your favorite Ring A Day so far?" Of my own rings I've picked three.

Favourites from my own work
Day 3, Ring #3. Made of a peel-off facemask (cucumber) and ink.

6/365 peel-off-facemask and 18 garnets
Another ring made of peel-off-facemask, this one encrusted with garnets. Like growths or barnacles.

Another favourite of my own was made of sterling silver and chocolate ice cream. I've been (half)joking about making an ice cream ring from my Floating saucer series for years.

Most of my daily rings were a little experiments, made from recycled materials, beauty products and bits of found objects from around the house. The month of January was about impractical fun things, ideas I've had in the back of my mind.

Favourites from EtsyMetal
Below are a few of my favourites made by others in the group. Though I could quite easily post a dozen or so more. Visit the Ring a Day group on Flickr to see more.

metalriot.

Another lovely ring from daniellemillerjewelry, Sterling silver, plastic balloon value, balloon

daniellemillerjewelry, Ice on vine.

mikeandmaryjewelry. Love a ring on fire.

Laurie Brown
peanut box ring. Took 9 hours to make and 9 casting tries. Well worth the effort I think! I would gladly eat peanuts from this on a daily basis.

Visit the blogs below to read more favourites from EstyMetal members.
Alisa Miller alisamiller.blogspot.com
Colleen Baran SeeSeeBe.blogspot.com (me)
Danielle Miller daniellemillerjewelry.blogspot.com
Stacey Hansen wildflowerdesigns.blogspot.com
Chris Parry chris-parry.blogspot.com
kerin rose kerinrose.blogspot.com
Sara Westermark sarawestermark.blogspot.com
Victoria Takahashi vtakahashi.blogspot.com
Su Trindle quercussilver.blogspot.com
Nina Dinoff ninadinoff.blogspot.com
Maureen "Cosmo's Moon" cosmosmoonjewelry.blogspot.com
Thomasin Durgin metalriot.blogspot.com
Beth Cyr bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com
Caitlyn Davey/discomedusa discomedusa.typepad.com
Catherine Chandler catherinechandler.blogspot.com

Ring A Day- 24, 25, 26, skin toned rings

2010-02-01T05:10:00.000-08:00

Ring a Day- 24/365. Cut and woven band aid. Simple but while it was being made the bandaid strips kept sticking to each and needing to be pried apart.

For days 24, 25 & 26 I continued the theme of skin-toned temporary rings using elastics, a band-aid and lace. A mix of various found and recycled materials.

Ring a Day- 25/365, sweet vintage lace.

Ring a Day- 26/365, elastic band and thread. As flesh toned as I could find about the house. I do, somewhere, have a stash of even fleshier ones. Mysteriously nowhere to be found but I'll be making more if they show up.

Ring A Day- 21, 22, 23

2010-01-31T08:51:00.000-08:00

Ring A Day- 21/365, green three finger elastic band. Yes, a simple one this day.

Ring A Day- 22/365 , Two twist ties.

Ring A Day- 22/365 , One well used twist tie and ink. Twist tie from the bulk foods section at Save-on-foods.

Writing says, "I love you madly darling", as well as other sweet nothings.

Ring A Day- 19

2010-01-31T08:45:00.000-08:00

Ring A Day- 19/365 ,

Two finger ring- recycled silver and 6-7 repurposed elastic bands. Elastics from around my morning paper. This ring nearly depleted my small stash of lovely red ones.

Votes would make my day!

2010-01-25T09:33:00.000-08:00

I'd love your votes in the Poppies! It would make my day!

One vote will be allowed per computer/IP address. The voting starts today and runs until to January 30th at 11:59 pm.

'The Poppies' were started not so much as a competition as to raise awareness of handmade, independent design. While there is an competitive element (voting) it has been great to peruse the categories and discover new work and new designers. While there are many friends nominated I'm amazed by how many new interesting people I've discovered as well.

Birds made of buttons by Ran Kwang

2010-01-25T05:59:00.000-08:00

Korean/New York artist Ran Hwang creates these enchanting bird installations made of hundreds of buttons and pins. Detailed pieces, laboriously made button by button, Ran describes the process as a kind of meditation and a way of finding herself. (via theartroomplant)

More images at the Kashya Hildebrand Gallery in Zurich.

Hand drawn geometric font!

2010-01-22T10:27:00.000-08:00

Finally, a proper header for SeeSeeBe! Or the start of a proper header. I'll be drawing a few versions to see which ones I like.

I love a good hand drawn font and this one has been kicking around in the back of my mind for awhile. A bit of a cross between the facets of a stone and the patterns in my circular jewelry. Made of many, many triangles.

Ring a Day- 17/365 and 18/365

2010-01-22T07:00:00.000-08:00

Ring A Day- 17/365 , False eyelash. A silver fringe, continuing the 'beauty product' theme.

18/365 - lipstick. Estee Lauder 'sangria' from a gift bag. Love making these, it's similar to the fonts I just drew.

Kirtsy Takes a Bow

2010-01-21T06:07:00.000-08:00

I was in three books last year! But wonderfully, three beautiful books. Books I've sillily neglected to feature properly on my blog. So I'm going to rectify that starting with this (first) retrospective update for 2010.

One of my rings is published in Kirtsy Takes a Bow edited by Laura Mayes. Available "everywhere"- Amazon.com, Barnes & Nobles, Chapters (here in Canada), through the publisher Bright Sky Press (they have signed copies) and more.

trailer created by trailer by Katherine Center. Love that they have a trailer. And if you watch closely you might notice my ring shown twice.

Share Your Love- favourites

2010-01-21T06:04:00.000-08:00

holyghost by fudbal

Share Your Love on flickr is so full of lovely images I could quite possibly pick dozens. Full of beautiful light. Here are some of my favourites right now.

kami in k minor

watercolorbones above and below

Untitled by Emir Ozsahin

love by cobaya!!

... by candicelizbeth

Untitled by shtroxy

258 by emiliebjork

Ring A Day- 16/365

2010-01-21T06:03:00.000-08:00

Ring A Day- 16/365 , Sterlng silver and chocolate ice cream More edible jewelry. I've meant to do an ice cream ring for ages.

Posted late because my internet was been down for 3 whole days! I'm rather thrilled to be back online.

Ring A Day- 14/365 and 15/365

2010-01-16T20:26:00.000-08:00

Ring A Day- 14/365 , cover-up

Ring A Day- 15/365 , cover-up

A couple conceptual pieces- continuing the beauty care theme of temporary rings.

Almost caught up with photos!

Ring A Day- 11/365, 12/365 and 13/365

2010-01-16T07:03:00.000-08:00

Ring A Day- 11/365, Felt- woven and braided like a spring bud.

Ring A Day- 12/365, Felt and thread. Made of three strips of felt, looped, layered and sewn together.

Ring A Day- 13/365, Felt and thread. Also three strips of felt, looped, layered and sewn together. This ring was 11/365- reworked and sewn together for durability. It reminds me of spring with grass green, electric green and a rather fleshy shade of tan.

All rings are soft and comfy to wear. I'm not sure about long term use as the bands would likely stretch over the years, but for shorter term use they're great.

Ring A Day- 10/365

2010-01-15T06:11:00.000-08:00

Ring A Day- Jan 10th, 2010 10/365
carob chips and tinfoil

Ring with edible bits inside. I like portable food and love edible jewelry. I ate the carob when I was done photographing it.

Ring A Day- 8/365 and 9/365

2010-01-15T06:01:00.000-08:00

Ring A Day- Jan 8th, 2010 8/365
Felt and thread. Made of one long strip of felt, looped, layered and sewn together. Soft and comfy to wear. With winter here I'm thinking of fluffy and warm pieces.

Ring A Day- Jan 9th, 2010 9/365
Felt- held together temporarily by air.

I'm making my rings on time but not always photographing them on 'the day of'. But other then the photography it's interesting how doable a daily ring is.

Hair jewelry

2010-01-15T05:56:00.000-08:00

A few photos of classic Victorian mourning jewelry made of hair. I'm fascinated by the lovely intricate patterns.

Diamonds made from the ashes & hair of loved ones

2010-01-15T05:55:00.000-08:00

After my quick 60 second Hair Ring for the ring a day project I remembered this post saved in my drafts. Saved a shockingly long time ago- 9/13/08. I'm posting it as is but come back to edit it.

Diamonds made of the ashes of loved ones are similar to Victorian mourning jewelry but both far, far more literal and more subtle then the hair used in classic mourning jewelry.

Memorial Diamonds are available from Life Gem in the US, Phoenix Diamonds in Britain, and Algordanza in Switzerland.

According to an article on Yahoo, Algordanza's success is growing. In its first year, 2004, the company sold one diamond. In 2008 it was creating about 60 a month, largely due to word-of-mouth recommendations and media coverage, as they don't advertise. Each one takes between three weeks and three months to create.

While I'm quite familiar with man made diamonds I hadn't heard of 'remembrance diamonds' until recently. I've grown to really appreciate hair jewelry but I do have mixed feeling about mourning diamonds- fascinating, disturbing, morbid, comforting perhaps...

As well as cremated ashes the diamonds can be made of hair. An idea I'm far more comfortable with. New Age Diamonds, a company based in Russia, offers to make a diamonds from hair. And far less hair then you's think. Using only a handful of hair (roughly 1 gram), they will combine it with carbon to create a diamond.

The Poppies on Poppytalk

2010-01-12T20:17:00.000-08:00

Vote for your favourite independent designer in the Poppies! You can nominate yourself AND nominate more than one person. (I would shamelessly appreciate votes:)
Categories include:
1. Favourite Handmade Accessories
2. Favourite Handmade Affordable Art
3. Favourite Handmade Ceramics
4. Favourite Handmade Crafter
5. Favourite Handmade Eco
6. Favourite Handmade Housewares
7. Favourite Handmade Jewelry
8. Favourite Handmade Paper goods
9. Favourite Photographer
10. Favourite Handmade Textiles
11. Favourite Vintage Shop
12. Favourite Handmade Artist Blog

Ring A Day- 7/365

2010-01-10T06:07:00.000-08:00

Ring A Day- Jan 7th, 2010 7/365 for Ring A Day. Also made on time but photographed later
Human hair (mine)

I love hair/mourning jewellery so will likely be making more then just this one 60 second ring. It is extraordinary how much time a proper hair ring takes. I found that with 'smooth' hair it takes upwards of 50 strands before the braid has a good weight & thickness to it.

Ring A Day- 6/365

2010-01-10T06:06:00.000-08:00

Ring A Day- Jan 6th, 2010 6/365 for Ring A Day. (made on time but photographed later)

Made of peel-off-facemask and encrusted with garnets. Like growths or barnacles.

Ring a Day storage solutions

2010-01-06T23:00:00.000-08:00

Possible Ring a Day storage solutions. Because even if I only do half a year I'm going to need a good filing system.

So far I'm using the cases I use to store stones, lovely watchmaker metal & glass ones from Lee Valley tools.

Ring a Day 4/365 and 5/365

2010-01-06T21:59:00.000-08:00

Jan 4th, 2010 4/365

Ring A Day- Jan 5th, 2010 5/365

Rings 4 and 5 for Ring A Day. Day 6 is made with photos to come.

Ring 5 worn stacked with ring 2

share your love, 300+ members & 1300+ photos

2010-01-06T20:08:00.000-08:00

I'm in love with all the lovely, dreamy, clever, mysteriuos images in share your love on Flickr. It now has 300++ members & 1300+ photos. But, better yet, many, many, many of them are rather brilliant. In my enthusiasm for them I will be posting many in the next little while.

Win a $60 gift certificate!

2010-01-06T06:05:00.000-08:00

Win $60 gift certificate on the Brightsideproject!

I'm giving away a $60 gift certificate for my Etsy shop to one lucky winner. But wait, there's more! Two other people are also giving prizes away. One answer, three chances to win!

Just answer the following question (on the Brightsideproject) by Wednesday, January 6, 2010.
What resolution would you make for the coming year if you knew you would accomplish it?

Submit your self portraits

2010-01-04T22:06:00.000-08:00

The Power of Self Submit your self porttraits.

The panel of judges includes actor Steve Buscemi, director/producer Chris Weitz, Guggenheim Curator Helen Hsu and Flavorpill Founder Sascha Lewis will select one portfolio of self-portraits for the Grand Prize.

The public will also cast their vote and the highest rated portfolio will receive the People's Choice Award.

Grand Prize is an Art-Star reception in New York City, international publicity, a feature in 3rd Ward Magazine AND your choice of either six months of free living in New York City OR $7007 cash.

Deadline for submissions is January 14, 2010
More info The Power of Self.

Ring a Day- 2/365 and 3/365

2010-01-04T21:35:00.000-08:00

3/365

Rings 2 and 3 for Ring A Day.

3/365 Made of a peel-off facemask (cucumber) and ink. A thick layer of facemask around my finger. Too thick, took ages dry. Pattern drawn once ring was dry. Like the other it's much more comfortable then you'd think. As long as you stay away from water.

2/365
Red rubber band, repurposed/recycled. A simpler variation on my last ring. Really quite wearable. Fitted but not so tight it cuts off circulation.

Sale this week!

2010-01-03T06:32:00.000-08:00

I very rarely have sales but this week I am. 20% to 50% off a few select pieces in my Etsy shop: framework ring 1- size 8 1/2, floating saucer earrings and two finger ring. Sale runs until Jan 7th! Check back as more may be added!

Ring a Day- day 1

2010-01-01T20:26:00.001-08:00

My first ring for Ring A Day. Made of two red rubber bands from my morning newspaper.

A new group & project. Started by EtsyMetal but open to all.
The rules are simple:
- make a ring a day
- from anything (snow, silver, silk, stones, etc)
- can be a 60 second ring or a 6 hour one, as long as it's made that day

Mind Trip in Hint

2010-01-01T19:55:00.000-08:00

Mind Trip
from Hint Mag.

Love the surreal
paper cut out patterns,
layered feathers,
rain/tears,
colours,
etc.
Love everything.

A clever video of shifting images.

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-25T06:01:00.000-08:00

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a fabulous New Year!

top photo Madchen & bottom Verhext

inspiring art studio

2009-12-03T09:31:00.000-08:00

Melnikov House by Igor Palmin This literally made me gasp a little. Can you believe this is somebodies studio? I want to live here. Bad.

found via happiness is who found it in Art Studio on flickr.

tea bags made of origami birds

2009-12-03T09:30:00.000-08:00

I'm in love with these origami bird tea bags by Russian designer Nathalia Ponomareva . Even the packaging is dreamy. While the tea infuses the bird the shape gradually expands. Like the spreading of wings! Found via Antler mag.

'Flickn Awesome' Tonight (Dec 2nd) in Vancouver

2009-11-25T05:15:00.000-08:00

Flickn Awesome
Fortune Sound Club
Dec 2nd, 9pm - 1am
$10 cover
Facebook event page here

A potentially a very fun photo show/ fundraising party tonight at the Fortune Sound Club. A celebration of photography curated by Vancouver Is Awesome.

I have a photo in the show- so me plus 98 other local photographers will be part of an evening long slideshow. But there's more! Even if you’re not too into photography it’s sponsored by Schramm Vodka, there will be DJ's, a free photo booth and some other great stuff courtesy of V.I.A.

Tangents- tonight in Vancouver

2009-11-13T08:34:00.000-08:00

Booooooom and the Lifetime Collective are bringing together six amazing artists for a group show here in Vancouver.

November 13th
8-12
Lifetime Space
68 5th Ave West
Vancouver, BC

The artists are: Erika Somogyi, Garry Trinh, Kenichi Hoshine, Ben Tour, Luke Ramsey, and Jennilee Marigomen. Definitely worth seeing if you're in Vancouver. Read more on Booooooom. Much more- they have interviews with all six artists.

EtsyMetal's Blog Carnival Question

2009-10-05T05:18:00.000-07:00

Sterling Silver and thread. Exhibited in the 'Northern Lights' at the Design Exchange.

EtsyMetal's Blog Carnival Question
Several Of the EtsyMetal folks choose to participate in a once-a-month blog carnival. We converge on the first Monday of each month, writing about the same topic, from our own experience and ideas. This is my first one.

In October the question is:
"What would you love, more than anything to make, right now, if you could?"

Answer
I would love, love, love to spend more time on 40 to 60 to 100 hour projects. Very, very time consuming, detailed projects worked on until they are flawless. Projects with 20+ hours of research/experiments first. A 100 hour project sounds like heaven to me. Think of the fine, impeccable detail! Sigh... And 100 hours working with gold sounds even better.

Of course, like everyone else I have to pay bills (etc) so the truly laborious personal projects are a rare treat.

Below and above are pictures of a few of my favourite pieces that I did indeed spend ridiculous amounts of time making. Click on all pictures to view larger.

Cloud Bracelet, sterling silver and white moonstones.

Cloud Ring- sterling silver and white moonstone. Ring shown in "The Ring" shows at the Georgia Museum of Art (blogged part 1 and part 2)

Love and Lust. Made way back when in 2003. (So long ago!)
Resin, recycled plastic paper, acrylic medium, pen, ink. The words 'love' and 'lust' translated into 26 global languages. I think this one is best if you speak a few languages. Some of the phrases are a tad cheeky.

Please be sure to stop in and read the posts from all these lovely members:
Andes Cruz Designs - andescruz.wordpress.com
B.Cyr Jewelry bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com
& To jump on Beth's bandwagon here- I'd love to make work for movies as well!

I won a copy of Isabella Rossellini’s 'Green Porno' book!

2009-10-02T09:15:00.000-07:00

I won a signed copy of Isabella Rossellini’s 'Green Porno' book!

Marvelous! I've been a fan of Isabella Rossellini’s for as long as I can remember and I love her tongue in cheek view of the animal kingdom's mating habits.

To Win a copy for yourself Answer the question- Which species can communicate by luminescent effect and shape-change? More goodness on the the Sundance Channel.

Submit to 500 Silver Jewelry Designs

2009-09-10T05:58:00.000-07:00

500 Silver Jewelry Designs
Juror: Talya Baharal
Senior Editor: Marthe Le Van
Entry Deadline: December 4, 2009

Lark Books, the creators of the very popular and lovely 500 Series, are adding another book to the series. 500 Silver! Yes, a pretty all encompassing and broad theme. I wonder, could it lead to a second '1000' book once all the submissions are in?

To read the call in full visit LarkBooks.com.

Lark Books seeks images to publish in a juried collection of international studio jewelry. Each piece must prominently feature silver. Materials other than silver, such as stones, other metals, or alternative materials, may be included, but silver must be the focus and should occupy roughly 80% of the piece. We wish to showcase a wide range of techniques, textures, and finishes. All jewelry forms, such as rings, earrings, bracelets, brooches, necklaces, and pendants, will be considered, and all design styles are welcome. There is no entry fee.

* Image credit: Allyson Bone

Find Make Wear with the Victoria and Albert Museum

2009-07-15T09:36:00.000-07:00

I was thrilled to be selected for the online showcase of "Find, Make, Wear' on the Victoria and Albert Museum's website.

Curated by an undeniably brilliant jeweller Dorothy Hogg
as an annex to her designer residency at the V&A. It is extra lovely as I've been a fan of hers for years. And am, needless to say, a fan of the Musuem.

Fluffy Cloud Ring Set
Colleen Baran
Canada
2006
Sterling silver, polyester pillow fill

The 'Fluffy Cloud Ring Set' was inspired by enthusiasm for a found material, a smallish amount of polyester pillow fill found in a recycling place. I was delighted with its surprising softness and airiness. The rings use a framework of sterling silver to create a shape that is, appropriately enough, soft, light and airy as a cloud to wear.

Etsy Visits Vancouver- Tuesday, July 14th

2009-07-13T21:07:00.000-07:00

As part of the West Coast Tour Etsy will be in Vancouver Tomorrow!

Tuesday, July 14 — Vancouver meet up with Maria, Matt and Anda, 7pm at the Cambrian Hall, more info on Etsy here!

Handmade Nation here in Vancouver Thurs, July 9th!

2009-07-07T08:16:00.000-07:00

Handmade Nation
Thurs, July 9th, 2009
Rio Theatre, 1660 East Broadway (at Commercial Drive) in Vancouver
Craft Showcase at 7:00pm
Screening at 8:00pm
Buy your tickets here!

I was super pleased when I heard that Vancouver will be hosting a screening of Handmade Nation- so of course I'm thrilled to participate in the Craft Showcase portion!

It’s quite the event, this Thursday you can not only see the film but also; a talk by director Faythe Levine, a book signing, more of the craft showcase and even fun extras like a photo booth for pictures of marvellous handmade things you’ve bought or made.

I’ll be there with a table in the Craft Showcase, as will 14 lovely locals:

Colleen Baran As well as new work I'll have a small 'sample & seconds sale'- 40%-80% off!
Dahlhaus
Flaming Angels
Laura Bucci Handmade
Little bird designs
Olive
Bliss in a teacup
and more

Romance by Chis Craymer

2009-07-07T08:14:00.000-07:00

Love these sweet spontaneous images from London photographer Chis Craymer's new book 'Romance'. Craymer captures special, raw moments by enlisting the help of real life couples chosen for their strong sense of personal style and individuality. (via cityofskies)

Lovely feature- Brass Knuckles Made For Looking Good, Not Evil

2009-07-07T08:13:00.000-07:00

Brass Knuckles Made For Looking Good, Not Evil on
thefrisky.com. As a lover of multiple finger rings, from waaaay back when, I love everything on this list.

Knuckle Duster Patent Leather Clutch by Alexander Mcqueen, $1,595, Saks Fifth Avenue Soap Knuckles,(below) $15, Spye. Soap brass knuckles!

14k Yellow Gold Two Finger Ring (above) and Two Finger Floating Saucer Ring (below)- both by me.

PeaceKeeper 300, $75, James Piatt

Call for Submissions: The Good Design Book

2009-07-06T05:19:00.000-07:00

Submit to The Good Design Book
Designer and writer Christopher Simmons (of MINE) is working on a new book about designing for the greater good.

There's an open call for submissions that engage and addresses critical causes. This can include paid or pro bono work for non-profits, political causes, social justice, the arts, education as well as self-initiated projects that support the greater good.

Work can be in any medium - posters, logos, brochures, campaigns, naming/branding, experience design, industrial design, etc.

There's no cost to submit work (which is pretty good of them), and you can submit as many pieces as you want.

Deadline for consideration is August 1, 2009. www.gooddesignbook.com
Read the submission Guidelines here

Happy Canada Day!

2009-07-01T19:44:00.001-07:00

Happy Canada Day!

* Photo of postcard bought recently at the dollar store. I came home with a great haul of woodsy Canadian postcards with lovely lush colours & forest-y bits.

5000 hearts on Etsy!

2009-07-01T19:40:00.001-07:00

It was a smidge ago, but I passed 5000 hearts on Etsy! Thanks to everyone who Hearted my shop!

"Method of Drinking Fairy Tale"

2009-06-05T10:02:00.000-07:00

We're in the midst of a little heat wave here in Vancouver (Canada) and all the water I'm drinking is making me covet these sweet glasses a little bit extra.

“Method of Drinking Fairy Tale”, a dreamy set of 2 glasses by Japanese designer D-BROS. (Via todayandtomorrow

May 9th- THREE Etsy Front Pages in one day!

2009-06-05T00:37:00.000-07:00

A bit belated but worth the mention. Thanks to Etsy for choosing my work in THREE Front Pages in one day! Floating Saucer Ring 1 curated by peylu

Small Felt Series Earrings in a Grass Green curated by morewarped

The Love Inside No.5 curated by sweptfromthesea

4990 hearts!

2009-06-02T20:23:00.001-07:00

4990 hearts in my Etsy shop! And hey, that's pretty close to 5000! Just 10 away!

And the winner of the draw is...

2009-05-04T08:03:00.000-07:00

For my 400th sale on Etsy I had a draw for a free gift. To celebrate and say thank you!

And the winner of the draw is... Darrah Vona! Congratulations Darrah! She will be receiving a 'complimentary' pair of Simple Line studs!

Project Runway is casting- Extended deadline until April 30th!

2009-04-28T20:01:00.000-07:00

Project Runway's casting deadline has been extended to April 30th! Two days left to submit!

Submit portfolio packages before the deadline for the chance to audition. Invite only calls in: Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City and Seattle.

More info at Bunim-Murray Productions.

Happy Earth Day!

2009-04-22T23:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Earth Day!

Bird and moth wallpaper by Trove

2009-04-22T05:58:00.000-07:00

Flawless wallpaper by Trove, a New York based design company led by Jee Levin and Randall Buck. I love that their designs are 12 feet high and 3 to 6 feet across- rather then tiny repeating elements they give span and scale that allows for a full dramatic image.

These go on my wish list. Wonderful in any room in the house, I'm partial to the birds for my workroom.

Not sure which ones will work? They offer 6" square samples for $2 & 18" square ones for $12. How helpful!

Project Runway is casting- April 24th deadline!

2009-04-22T05:44:00.000-07:00

Project Runway will be holding invite only calls in: Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City and Seattle. To get an invite submit your application for review to Bunim-Murray Productions. The deadline for them to receive applications is April 24th, so there is no time to waste! More info- Bunim-Murray Productions. (via Danielle Miller )

Win something fun and extra!

2009-04-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

WIN something! I'm 8 sales away from 400 on Etsy! Be one of those 8 people and you'll automatically be entered to win something fun and extra! Like earrings! Or a ring!

Sweet blue roof tops in the Netherlands

2009-04-12T18:17:00.000-07:00

Didden Village in Rotterdam, Netherlands- by architects MVRDV.

How amazing is this house? I know, it's ridiculous what percentage of posts are architecture related (or about to be, my drafts folder is full to the brim with them) but there are just so many wonderful buildings out there. And I'm addicted to www.archdaily.com.

This house is yet another house that makes me dream a little. Designed so that the roof is part of the sky and filled with angles, curves and great modern spaces it goes on my ever growing list of houses I'd love to live in. And it's even in the Netherlands, a place I've been dreaming of visiting recently.

Oven baked Tarantulas, coffee reguritated by Weasels, Thai Curry Crickets, vodka with Scorpians...

2009-04-11T13:21:00.000-07:00

I came across this awhile ago and am still rather impressed with the assortment of odd bugs, spiders and coffee that's been regurgitated. Delicacies available all in one place at edible.com out of the UK.

One of my favourites is sadly without a picture. I'd love to know what an Oven baked Tarantula looks like.

coffee regurgitated by Weasels, tea picked by monkeys, Thai Curry Crickets, vodka with Scorpians, and of course, the coffee that has been "partially fermented by passing through the system of the Civet"- Civet Coffee.

There are also the chocolate covered giant ants and the
Magic mint lollipop (they say you may find your animal spirit if you eat it). These are ones I'd like to try. But irregardless of an urge to snack on chocolate covered bugs- it's a fascinating site.

Submit to 'Time to Design- New Talent Award'- deadline June 24th

2009-04-11T13:03:00.000-07:00

TIME TO DESIGN / NEW TALENT AWARD 2009
A new talent gets a chance…
Time to design – new talent award is a design award with focus on the needs of young talents. The price includes three months residency at the National Workshops for Arts and Crafts, 50.000 DKK donated by The Danish Ministry of Culture and two weeks exhibition at the Normann Copenhagen Flagship Store. This year the winner is also granted career coaching as part of the award.
Deadline for submission is June 24, 2009 at www.timetodesign.eu.

I wish they had jewellery facilities! But for those who work with fabric, (large scale) metal, etc this is an extraordinary oppurtunity. And 3 months is long enough to work on a large or involved project. How great!

"Saturated Porosity" by Anne Romme, winner of Time to design 2008/ photo © Morten Nilsson

Sarah Wilmer photography

2009-03-30T08:30:00.000-07:00

Dreamy atmospheric, witchy photos by New York photographer Sarah Wilmer.

A few nice March blog features

2009-03-29T20:52:00.000-07:00

Actually more then nice features, they're rather great! Thanks! Some notes on napkins (above) has great graphic design and Megan from Planning to Elope (& Not Martha) took great photos of my ring sizers for her feature. Way better photos of them I took. (Yes, mine do need a retaking.)

Also thanks to a few others I've seen- Trend De La Creme's Currently Obsessed With: Two Finger Rings, Avie Designs and last but not least Dahl Haus Art's my vancouver etsy wishlist.

Oslo International School in Norway

2009-03-25T09:25:00.000-07:00

Reading one of my new favourite blogs Arch Daily, I came across the cheery and modern Oslo International School in Norway by Jarmund/Vigsnæs AS Architects.

It's a small private school with roughly 500 children from more than 50 different nations, divided into kindergarten, reception, primary and secondary school and includes special facilities for advanced studies. What lucky kids!

Past, Present, Future

2009-03-10T23:51:00.000-07:00

I see many things that I like and admire but very few that I need when I see it. This is one of those. This is just marvelous, modern, zen and cheeky all in one.

And of course practical.

'Past, Present, Future'
$99
Designed by Daniel Will-Harris
He's acted, won awards, writes and edits, designs clothing and watches, and graphics programs.

Found on the charming site watchismo. They have an amazing selection of vintage and new watches, a couple dozen of which I'd be delighted to own. I've wanted a nice vintage jump watch for ages.

Have you ever wanted to live in a cave?

2009-03-10T23:41:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wanted to live in a cave? I have, I spent ridicuolous numbers of hours as a kid whiling away waits at bus stops by designing an ideal home inside a mountain. (Amoung others.)

Curt & Deborah Sleeper did more then dream! They bought a cave, built a house inside, lived in it, almost lost it and now may get to keep it. They set up an auction on eBay that became a huge news story that has possibly solved their problem and led to financing. So by Mar 11 (tomorrow) at 21:19:49 EDT they may have sold it or they or may have managed to keep it. The story of so, so many people now (but with press and inside a cave). See the listing on EBay!

Their what, when and why below
What: An five year adventure of a lifetime. Our home in a cave.

When: Our story begins in December of 2003, St. Louis Missouri. Curt found a cave while searching for commercial property in our area on Ebay. That’s right, we found our cave on Ebay! A couple of weeks later we visited, and fell in love with the place. It took us nearly five months to complete the purchase, and just over four years to build our offices and home here. We managed to sell our home in Sunset Hills and use that money as 50% down payment and the balance created a five year Balloon note. That note expires on May 1st, 2009.

Why: We never considered an economic bomb to hit the country at the same time as our balloon note.

The 'Yellow Treehouse Cafe' in New Zealand

2009-03-05T07:37:00.000-08:00

I was rather amazed when I saw the Yellow Treehouse cafe by Pacific Environments Architects. One of those wonderful designs that are immediately exciting. It opened recently North of Auckland and is built 10m up a redwood tree.

I always wanted a tree house as a child (well, really, who didn't) and this answers both my love of tree houses and 'environments' for eating/ drinking things in. And indeed, reading the designers vision this idea of childhood dreams and fantasy was part of their (quite successful) plan.

It's conceived of as many things, a cocoon, an onion/garlic clove, a sea shell or a glowing lantern at night time. the Yellow Treehouse concept is also inspired by the ‘enchanted’ site which is raised above an open meadow and a stream on the edge of the woods. Via busyboo

“Reflection of Mineral” in Japan

2009-02-28T08:50:00.000-08:00

“Reflection of Mineral”, an amazing and adorable gem-like house in Tokyo Japan. Made of angled facets, inside and out, it has such wonderfl light and utilises an ingenious idea for a car park. Designed by Japanese architect Yasuhiro Yamashita from Atelier Tekuto. (via peppermags via busyboo)

A Photographic Alphabet

2009-02-28T08:49:00.000-08:00

Amazing use of negative space, I admire the time it must have taken to source all these needed shapes. A photographic Alphabet by Lisa Rienermann (found via freckle farm)

Fifty People / One Question- in Brooklyn

2009-02-22T09:41:00.000-08:00

They ask, "Where would you wish to wake up tomorrow?"

Fifty People, One Question: Brooklyn from Crush + Lovely on Vimeo. (via swissmiss)

'Weekend Deals' in the Storque! Sale Feb 21st & 22nd

2009-02-21T06:35:00.000-08:00

While I very rarely (almost never) have sales but I'm having one this weekend on Etsy! Sale on 'everything' Sat Feb 21st and Sun 22nd. And, wonderfully enough, it's been featured in the Storque article 'Weekend Deals' with my Floating Saucer Ring 1!

Yarnbombed bus, tree and street signs

2009-02-21T06:21:00.000-08:00

I was immediately wowed when I saw the photo of this knitted bus by Magda Sayeg (Photo: BNPS). I quite love the mix of granny squares, classic patterns and 3-d knitted elements shaped to fit the bus.

In the UK's Telegraph Magda Sayeg said, 'Luckily I had a small team to help me with the bus but it took a week to do'. Magda is credited as starting the idea of yarnbombing but you can see photos from all over the world on her website Knitta Please.

I appreciate the friendliness of yarn based 'graffiti'. Rather then use toxic chemicals to permanently alter a building, bench, etc it's a bit of fluffy, soft unexpected colour.

Also mentioned were a of couple local Vancouverites; knitting aficionados Mandy Moore and Leanne Prain are about to publish a book called 'Yarnbombing: The Art of Knit Graffiti'.

Perusing their site I came across some great examples of yarnbombing, including Lauren Marsden's series of 'Territorial knittings' wherein she knits signs for each of the six streets that she's lived on in Victoria, British Columbia.

I was also quite taken with this amazing red tree Diane Yee and Aaron Robertson found on a trip to Beijing, China. This yarn-wrapped tree was in Factory 798 which Yee describes as ‘a very large and thriving art district.’ Photos by Aaron Robertson

Winona Barton Ballentine Photography

2009-02-20T17:43:00.000-08:00

Lovely images by Brooklyn based photographer and singer Winona Barton Ballentine.

Happy Valentines Day!

2009-02-14T17:16:00.001-08:00

Photo by Salva López, full of blinding sun love and and sweet kisses. Photos from Share Your Love on Flickr.

Happy Valentines Day!
I've meant to post many weeks of love related photos, stories, art, etc this month but have been largely away from the computer until now. So instead this will be the start of months of love. Not only love, of course, but lots of it.

Shoot my heart by yamming

Kirsten Hassenfeld- Dans la Lune Jan 17-Feb 22 in Brooklyn

2009-02-13T13:09:00.000-08:00

Kirsten Hassenfeld
Dans la Lune
January 17- February 22, 2009
Smack Mellon Gallery in the DUMBO section of Brooklyn

I've long loved (and coveted) Kirsten Hassenfeld's delicate and detailed paper installations. Indeed, when I started SeeSeeBe (over a year ago now!) she was the first artist feature with her show at the Rice Gallery.

While I was rather decadently imagining them in a living room (my own) these would be fabulous in a shop or restaurant. Or some such place with a higher design budget then most individuals.

I can picture them through a high ceiling, open faced window, an installation like a glowing cluster of translucent jewels in the evenings.

What could be more inviting?

More Felieke van der Leest, NeefNicht Design Lighting

2009-01-23T20:02:00.000-08:00

As a follow-up to yesterdays post I thought I'd show some of the artful lighting by NeefNicht Design, a Dutch company founded by cousins Felieke van der Leest and Martin Niemijjer.

Waterflea Chandelier (2004)

Waterfleas glow different colours. See also earlier Waterflea Brooches by Felieke van der Leest.

Codepod Lamp

Felieke van der Leest in Toronto, Jan 24th to March 8th

2009-01-22T13:19:00.000-08:00

Gusz Goosz(2008) and Sir Beauty B. Dandy (2008) object

The Zoo of Life
Felieke van der Leest
at the Harbourfront Centre, Toronto Canada
January 24 - March 8 2009

Dutch jeweller Felieke van der Leest's first North American solo exhibition opens this weekend, Saturday January 24th. Van der Leest's work is a uniquely creative blend of knitting, crocheting and traditional goldsmithing that often incorporates plastic toys. It's work that is innovative, thoughtful, witty and even fun. I can say without a doubt that it's a must see!

Sven Svanson the First (2008) and Second Peleton (2008)

If you can't make it to the show there's also a lovely book, 'Sieradenfables / Jewellery Fables' you can purchase through these gallleries or online from klimt02.net.

Coral Necklace (2000) Palm Ring (2000) and Underwater Ring (2000).

Chimp Champ, 2001 (above) and Spermheart brooch, 1996 (below)

Design Exchange Awards Exhibition- Ongoing in Toronto

2009-01-22T07:09:00.000-08:00

Another ongoing exhibition in Toronto is the annual
Design Exchange Awards
Until March 1st 2009
The Design Exchange

Love the mobile 'As the Crow Flies' by Vancouver locals Contexture that won best in 'Industrial Design'. See the full list of winners here.

This Week in Toronto- Design for the Other 90%

2009-01-22T06:30:00.000-08:00

Design for the Other 90%
In it's last week
Until January 25, 2009
OCAD Professional Gallery

Originally curated by the Cooper Hewitt, it is thought provoking and fascinating.

From the website-
"Design for the Other 90% is show of design solutions addressing the basic needs of poor and marginalized populations. The exhibition explores a growing movement among designers to design low-cost solutions for the “other 90%” — that is, the 5.8 billion people (out of the world’s total population of 6.5 billion people) who have little or no access to most of the products and services many of us take for granted (...) for example, nearly half of the other 90% do not have regular access to food, clean water, or shelter."

You can also have a guided tour Thursday, January 22, 6:30 p.m. (I always think guided tours are fun) or buy the book. Below are a few designs I found rather ingenious.

Solar Dish Kitchen was designed for two informal poor urban settlements (squatter communities) in Mexico.

Built from bicycle parts, and small vanity mirrors create the parabolic mirror surface which concentrates the energy of the sun on a pot or stove in the kitchen.

Sugarcane charcoal was developed as an alternative to wood charcoal developed in Haiti.
In Haiti, the production of wood charcoal, the primary source of cooking fuel, contributes to severe deforestation and environmental degradation. More than 90% of Haiti is now deforested.

About half of the world’s poor suffer from waterborne diseases, and more than 6,000 people, mainly children, die each day by consuming unsafe drinking water. LifeStraw, a personal mobile water-purification tool is designed to turn any surface water into drinking water. It has proven to be effective against waterborne diseases such as typhoid, cholera, dysentery and diarrhea.

Bookshelf Spectrum

2009-01-21T06:53:00.000-08:00

After posting the Amazing Bookcase Staircase on the other day I thought I'd also post one of the original spectrum bookcases by Chotda on Flickr. I remember first seeing this years ago and being rather wowed. Above is her original version and below is her second.

Raffle for Jewellers- Win $7,000- $1,000 in prizes!

2009-01-21T06:51:00.000-08:00

The Orchid 2009 Raffle is here!

The total prize package is $18,468 with a 1st prize worth $7,000. Tickets are $35 but as well as the chance to win amazing prizes you're supporting Ganoksin. Or you can just peruse the list dreaming of all the tools & books you'd like. I'd love books by Brain Press & Brynmorgen Press, the Durston rolling mill, Foredom flex shaft and a host of others things.

Angela Adams' Rugs

2009-01-20T23:41:00.000-08:00

'Forest Floor Rug' from The Birds and the Bees Collection by Angela Adams. And truly, it is like a forest floor. Very lush and inviting with layers that make me think of pine needles and moss. I'd love to spend the day in this room.

Underground Tapestry from The Birds and the Bees Collection

Birch Rug in 'morning'. (found via Oh Joy)

Amazing bookcase/staircase.

2009-01-19T22:48:00.000-08:00

I'm happy to find yet another multi-functional bookshelf. This one's a staircase that is also a bookshelf.

An amazing design by London-based Levitate Architects that's charming, a great use of space, and (of course) wonderful for anybody who loves to be thoroughly surrounded by books.
Here's what Levitate's Tim Sloan said about the project:
"We created a 'secret' staircase, hidden from the main reception room, to access a new loft bedroom lit by roof lights. Limited by space, we melded the idea of a staircase with our client's desire for a library to form a 'library staircase' in which English oak stair treads and shelves are both completely lined with books. With a skylight above lighting the staircase, it becomes the perfect place to stop and browse a tome."

Read more on Apartment Therapy.

Lucky Me! Secret Santas

2009-01-08T06:26:00.000-08:00

Photos of the utter loveliness that one of my Secret Santas Tosca Teran of Nanopod! Participating in a Secret Santa satisfies my love for surprise And my love of clever gifts!

*EDIT*

And now that it's arrived, here's a ring similar to the gift I sent to my recipient- a Two Finger Floating Saucer Ring for Corey Acklemire.

Make Valentines cards for charity

2009-01-05T22:15:00.000-08:00

Create a handmade valentine card for charity. Fred Flare's invites * everyone* (yes, everyone) to make valentines to benefit the NYC-based crafts organization for senior citizens called Elder Craftsmen. They need all valentines to be postmarked by January 15th, Click here for info!

Cards will be posted online, shown in their new shop and then auctioned off for charity. You can also send a second Valentine to be given to one of the Elder Craftsman, a little love sent out to a stranger. What could be nicer then random niceness?

A bit of spring amid all this snow

2009-01-05T10:56:00.000-08:00

It's still snowing here (very, very rare for this part of Canada) and I'm feeling the need of a bit of spring amid all this snow.

So here are Carnelian and Pink Tourmaline Star Flowers! Fun, cheery silver flower experiments from a few years ago.

And here's bit of spring/summer goodness from amoung my favourites on flickr: 140 balloons later , 'And me' by girlhula, a different kind of wedding band by swiss miss and this this by Betsy Walton.

Human Calendar!

2009-01-02T22:22:00.000-08:00

I just discovered one of the first calendars that has made me laugh in awhile. Good design And fun! Get you own 'Human Calendar' here. (Found via Creativadoration)

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-28T00:52:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays from the shockingly snowy West Coast of Canada. It was amazing to see the huge piles of white on everything and everywhere. White sky, ground, trees, etc.

I was quite impressed when my postal person delivered packages to my house as though it was any other day.
* Edit- And that was the last I saw of my postal person for about a week. Still impressive in the beginning though.

Win Some Books!

2008-12-15T05:31:00.000-08:00

No, not from me. My love for you is a stampede of horses has a wonderful new giveaway this week.

It's for all three Listography books published by Chronicle Books; Listography, Love Listography and My Listography (for kids).

Comment here for a chance to win!
I'm hoping to win myself because:
1) I love lists
2) I love lists of love
3) I love love stories
4) I love Chronicle Books
5) I love books
6) I love notebooks
7) I love winning things (of course)

Love Listography, Your Love Life in Lists, sounds like a dream to me. And exactly what I'm looking for in love story submissions so if anybody out there has a copy of the book, full of their own marvelous stories, I'd truly love some stories sent my way!

Revisiting Multiple Finger Rings

2008-12-11T10:06:00.000-08:00

A ring I made that was exhibited at the DX in Toronto (the Canadian Design Museum). 'Mayne Island Beach Ring', of ocean tumbled pebble and layers of rings like waves lapping on the beach. A reminder of sweet summers spent on the rocky tide pool filled beaches of Mayne Island as a child. Surprisingly comfortable on as it's curved to fit the hand.

Old photo of a favourite ring. I made one it a few years ago and I'm redeveloping it! I love multiple finger, three finger and two finger rings and this a great reminder of why.

This ring is a simpler version but has the mystery of the Floating Saucer Series with the a floating stone.