2010 February | papernstitch

Archive for February, 2010

02/18/10

2 comments Room by Room – Wright’s American Modern by Modern Simplicity

This week, Room by Room with FormFire Glassworks re-enters the kitchen to look at a classic of modern tableware, Russell Wright’s American Modern.

As we have been going through modern classics, it is important to remember that furniture is not the only type of iconic item that can bring immediate style to the modern home. Designed in 1939, Russel Wright’s American Modern line, currently in reproduction by Bauer Pottery, is a great example of timeless style. In a fun range of colors and with an amazing sense of form, these pieces are just as often displayed as part of home decor as they are used for the table. I have collected quite a few pieces in chartreuse and brown myself, and have just pulled them out of the cabinets to make use of them in our kitchen. Wright’s motto was that “good design is for everyone,” and the re-release of this gorgeous line has made that more possible.

To complement the strong style and colors of Wright’s pottery, simple lines and strong design are best for your other kitchen accessories. A hand-shaped oak cutting board echoes the sinuous lines of the pottery. A magnetic knife block is spare, yet practical, while a wooden salt and pepper set feel wonderful in the hand. Coasters made from vintage fabrics add and extra kick of color, while a cutout felt runner adds a touch of geometric pattern with a subtle look.

Next week I will choose a new iconic piece and give you my picks for accessorizing your modern home.

Thanks to backhomeagainvintage for the American Modern collection photo.

02/18/10

0 comments Daily Favorites by papernstitch

It’s a tea party Thursday with today’s favorites. I love this piece from Mae…

Mini Teatime Reusable Fabric Stickers $23.50

02/17/10

0 comments More Product Photos Help by papernstitch

If you have been keeping up this last month with Brenda’s craft venture posts here on the blog, you know that the focus has been on how to take better product photographs.

And as luck would have it, I just learned of a fabulous collaboration between Tara Lutman Agacayak and Diana Brennan for a basic product photography course that would be helpful for anyone needing some extra help. The two met in Holly Becker’s (Decor8) Blogging Your Way e-course last year and have been planning this project for almost a year.

Diana, of D.S. Brennan Photography is a skilled photographer (some product photos above). And Tara is hosting the course via her site, Intarsia Concept.

I am certain this course is going to be a valuable resource. The class is eight weeks and is designed to teach people basic photo skills that they can use to take professional-looking photographs to bring more attention to their products and help in their online or print sales.

The course will begin on Monday, February 22nd and registration has already begun. For more info on course fees and a more detailed description, click here.

02/17/10

5 comments Sweet Bestiary Interview by papernstitch

I recently caught up with Flor from Sweet Bestiary for an interview. I love her work and she was kind enough to share her technique, thoughts on pursuing life as an artist, and even shares some ideas for promoting work online. Enjoy the interview…

-In three sentences or less, how would you describe your work?

I imagine characters, build armatures, sculpt bodies, paint faces, sew clothes and write stories. Or, I make dolls and puppets.

-I imagine the process to be time consuming. Can you take us through the steps involved in making one of your wall art or puppet pieces?

I start by building a structure. I use card, wire, polystyrene balls, cardboard… anything that can create a solid base. Then I apply paper maché and let it dry. Once it is dry, I hand-sculpt the face with air-drying clay, and let it dry once again. Then I sand, paint and varnish it. Sometimes I give my Singer a whirl and sew them a dress.

-How long have you been pursuing work as an artist?

To be honest, it would be easier to answer how long I have not been pursuing that: 20 years (I’m 32 now). I gave up being an artist when I was 12. It was for two reasons: I saw a lot of people more talented than I was -and- I knew my intellectual skills were better than my artistic ones. Both arguments are true even today. But: instead of comparing myself with those enormously virtuous artists, I admire, learn and am inspired by them. And I feel happier making puppets than teaching Semiotics at University.

-What advice do you have for other artists who may be just starting out, or are struggling to be seen?

The best advice I can give is what works best for me: come up with something original. For me that means: something you’ve put yourself into. That’s all I’ve been concentrating on for now. I still have the marketing issue on my “to do” list.

-In what ways do you promote yourself and your work online?

For now, I have three “tools”: my blog, my flickr and my etsy shop. I think a facebook page would work great because all the information about updates in your blog, flickr or etsy shop can be found in one place. I would add a facebook page in the future. I don’t want to start anything I can’t keep up to date and for the moment I have enough online stuff to deal with.

I use flickr to make my images public, follow my contacts’ latest work, meet people, and have the sense of community that’s sometimes missing in the virtual word. I blog to share all the things that happen behind the scenes, to open this solitary path to other people and get feedback from them, which is always much appreciated.

Lastly, I have an etsy shop to allow all those charitable souls to get some of my work (some of them are authentic patrons of the arts). And it’s another way to get in touch with people interested in what I’m doing and encouragement is always welcome.

…Visit Flor’s online shop, Sweet Bestiary…

…Visit Flor’s blog…

02/17/10

1 comment Shannon Rankin by papernstitch

Selflesh is the shop of interdisciplinary artist Shannon Rankin, whose work I love and have in my own home. If you are fan of maps, you will adore her shop, where you can find affordable fine art, archival prints, quarterly subscriptions, and custom originals.

Visit Shannon’s shop, Selflesh, to view the entire collection.

And click here to enter a giveaway for Shannon’s collaborative shop (with Justin Richel) called Intersect.

02/17/10

5 comments Style Swap: The Cowl Neck Tank by Lillyella

There’s no denying, I’m a tank kinda girl, and a versatile one like today’s Staple by Thimble and Acorn just screams to be a part of my wardrobe. With much more interest than a simple cami, you can dress it up for work and dress it down for play. It’s perfect for layering with a sweater or jacket but is stylish, classy and not too revealing when worn alone. (p.s. It comes in other colors, too!)