ESPEROS

ESPEROS-1-Design Crush

 

I’m forever on the lookout for products that are not only well made and look great, but that give something back. ESPEROS does just that. When you purchase one of their amazingly well-designed bags they give 10% to to fund education initiatives – in fact, every single ESPEROS bag sold helps fund one year of education for a child in the developing world.

But they go even further with total transparency concerning their factory and workers in Shenzhen, China, where the bags are manufactured after being designed in Austin, TX. Average age? 33. Average work week? 45 hours. ESPEROS provides these workers with three meals a day as well as free housing and full benefits.

Oh, and the bags are waterproof, stain resistant, machine washable, and made with durable, fine-aging canvas. Now that’s a purchase you can feel solid about making.

 

ESPEROS-2-Design Crush

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The Stitch

The Stitch-1-Design Crush

 

The Stitch is part of Speak Your Silence, a nonprofit on a mission to conquer the stigma of child sexual abuse. Founder Matt Pipkin was abused by a family friend as a kid and is now doing his best to transform lives and protect future generations. The Stitch is a zigzag symbolizing your unique voice frequency. By wearing it, you become a voice that can help move the issue of child sexual abuse from a taboo to a cause people love and support. When you wear it each conversation you spark carries the power to transform the life of someone you love and break the stigma of child sexual abuse. You can purchase a sewing kit to add The Stitch to your clothing or purchase a t-shirt with it already embroidered and support Speak Your Silence‘s mission in the process.

 

The Stitch-2-Design Crush

The Stitch-3-Design Crush

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Boots & Arrow

Boots & Arrow-1-Design Crush

 

There is so much to love about Boots & Arrow, a brand new line of high quality leather accessories for the socially conscious design lover. They hand make dog collars, with more pieces to come, using the leather of reclaimed cowboy boots. Lots of additional design detail has been added to each piece with hardware, laser cutting and etching, branding, painting, and stitching.

Boots & Arrow was started by the ever-talented Kristin Moses. An animal lover at heart, she got the idea to design a line of one-of-a-kind handmade leather goods that help abused animals after adopting a pup who’d had a rough start. Her dog Arrow was severely injured, had a disfigured face, and required a good deal of reconstructive surgery before she rescued her. Five dollars from every collar purchase will go to assist in providing a injured rescue dog in need of a surgery or treatment, Boots & Arrow‘s first partnership is with the Austin, TX rescue Arrow came from.

 

Boots & Arrow-2-Design Crush

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Boots & Arrow-6-Design Crush

Boots & Arrow-7-Design Crush

Boots & Arrow-8-Design Crush

Boots & Arrow-9-Design Crush

Boots & Arrow-10-Design Crush

Photos by Nick Simonite

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Happy Weekend

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This week on Design Crush:
Raw, honest illustrations from the hand of Kero.
Dying (heh) to try out one of these Shabd Magic Jar Dye Kits!
I absolutely love the collage-like paintings of Paul Wackers.
Thinking of stocking up on Leccare Lollipops to hand out this Halloween.
Check out the bold,  unapologetic art of Sara Andreasson.
If you don’t already play the guitar the Sol Guitar Stand will make you want to.
Marco Rea‘s mixed media magazine and spray paint portraits are stunning.
Try out the traditional lassi twelve new ways.
Stoked to share this month’s PGH Maker Profile: TROIKA Skateboards!

Design Crush elsewhere:
It’s the weekend, perfect timing to try these 5 hangover remedies.
Prep your bar for entertaining with these pieces.
Tips and tricks for pulling together a successful dinner party.
I’m on the hunt for the perfect pair of fall boots – here are 20 options.
I’ve been researching stress relief lately, here are my top 5 tips for easing it.

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Happy Weekend

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This week on Design Crush:
Check out these ten fresh art prints for your dose of Print Edition: August.
I took a trip to Kennywood for the first time since 1999!
Tessa Horrocks‘ pebble-centric art has me looking for the nearest stream.
Canopy beds done right.
I’m ready for fall, thanks to Lieke van der Vorst.
I’m getting so much use out of my DIY modern shower memo board!
If Drew Tyndell styled up the outside of my home like his art I wouldn’t mind.
These slivered marble hooks are so pretty and handy.
Loving the summery paintings of Seth Smith.

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Sybille Paulsen

Sybille Paulsen-1-Design Crush

 

Art that gives back is like the pile of cherries on top of one of those ridiculously huge sundaes. The best. Sybille Paulsen‘s Tangible Truths focuses on the thread of change and transformation that runs through our lives, in this case women going through chemotherapy. By creating wearable artifacts from their hair, Sybille marks each transformation by creating something tangible that’s of value. Read about her first piece for Mary Beth, then consider donating to this meaningful project.

 

ybille Paulsen-2-Design Crush

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Happy Weekend

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01/ See how women’s ideal body types have changed over 3,000 years.
02/ Artists + designers have added happiness to the walls of the Royal London Children’s Hospital.
03/ Keith Anderson has been having his son’s drawings tattooed on himself for 7 years.
04/ Andrew Fladeboe captures the hardest working dogs in the world on film in The Shephard’s Realm.
05/ Mini Cities pare down famous locales to their most iconic settings.
06/ Could the Popcorn Monsoon make even me like popcorn?
07/ Wish I’d thought of this one – famous artworks recreated with Pantone swatches by Nick Smith.
08/ Love these coffee stain motorcycle drawings by Carter Asmann.
09/ Can a drone ambulance save lives faster?
10/ I’ve finally found where I’ll be retiring – Zao Fox Village!

This week on Design Crush:
Every desk could use the presence of The Tipsy Writer.
I’m taking part in Texas Style Council 2015 next month in Austin – join me?
Patrik Svensson associates the famous with a telling visual element in their name.
Have you downloaded our Much Love to You printable by Colore’ Grace?
Richard Johnson‘s ice hut photographs manage to make the cold look good!
Check out Design Crush’s 2015 Survey results, if you’re a stats nerd like me.
I’m reminded of how much I love the moon thanks to Jim Nickelson.
Anxious to try these pretty products from Vice & Velvet.
If you’ve waited until the last possible minute, here are 16 last minute printable valentines to download.

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Happy Weekend

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01/ Text is given the 3D treatment in Textscapes.
02/ German street artist 1010 creates portal-like art illusions.
03/ An otter house in Japan that has a roundabout!
04/ Luke Jerram placed pianos in outdoor spaces to encourage conversation and interaction.
05/ Justin Poulson hands out his portfolio on thumb drives shaped like actual thumbs.
06/ Thirteen tons of candy were laid on a Chinese street to raise awareness of underprivileged children.
07/ Fascinating photography of New York City’s abandoned and bedraggled spaces.
08/ Beat the winter blues with a room-sized ball pit for adults!
09/ A tiny Grand Budapest Hotel… for birds.
10/ A tunnel that appears like a kaleidoscope when you walk through it from only one direction.

This week on Design Crush:
Take a peek at Print Edition: February to see what art I’d rearrange my walls for.
Alt Winter 2015 was the sixth time I’ve attended and spoken at this blogger conference!
I’m crazy obsessed with the birthstone art of Naomi Ernest.
Here are 14 (more) valentines to get you set up for next Saturday’s lovefest.
I wish the State Plates Project would overhaul every license plate FOR REAL.
You can listen to all of the songs I included last month on the #365lyrics: January playlist!
One dozen ideas for breakfast in bed + after dinner dessert for next weekend (or whenever).
Maybe these Plant Talkers plant labels can put my green ones’ needs into words for me.
Crushing all over the paintings of Yelena Bryksenkova. Sigh.

Design Crush elsewhere:
I’ve added lots of new things to The Marketplace, including lots of things that might make the perfect Valentine’s Day gift.
A beautiful sink is my favorite focal point of any kitchen.

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Happy Weekend

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01/ A mirrored teacup that reflects its patterned saucer perfectly.
02/ This Shanghai speakeasy is only accessible through a vintage Coke machine!
03/ Zsanett Szirmay converts folk embroidery patterns into paper scores for music boxes.
04/ Tattly Does Good by by connecting artists with not-for-profit organizations.
05/ The Runbell helps runners clear a path on the go.
06/ Invisible Boyfriend can help you fake a rebound relationship.
07/ No Vacancy captures abandoned hotels from around the world.
08/ What’s painting with drones like exactly?
09/ A collection of glamorous pin-ups of your favorite television characters.
10/ Uttaporn Nimmalaikaew creates holographic portraits painted on layers of fabric and netting.

This week on Design Crush:
We fell short last week and had to push links to Happy Monday!
High contrast, flash-heavy photography from Benoit Paille.
Well constructed leather goods to corral your technology from This Is Ground.
Beautiful firework-like flower arrangements from Sarah Illenberger.
Flat-out obsessed with the terra cotta cookware from TERRA.COTTO.
Laurel Canyon Dreaming captures the best side of natural specimens for your walls.
Check out these 24 Valentine’s Day gifts, projects + recipes!
The evolution of a snowy, evolving town from the brush of Lars Daniel Rehn.

Design Crush elsewhere:
The most show-stopping lighting types for your bathroom.

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Happy Weekend

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01/ A behind-the-scene’s look at the Crayola factory.
02/ Krispy Kreme’s UK division made a box of 2,400 donuts.
03/ Why not park your keychain in a mini garage?
04/ Help the homeless by buying a font made with their handwriting.
05/ A smart necklace that’s like a locket for the 21st century.
06/ Three cheers for net neutrality! Support it with this enamel pin.
07/ Ten modern tea pots and kettles for fall.
08/ Show off your photos with this affordable smartphone projector.
09/ A colorful, modern chess set that can be used in a multitude of ways.
10/ The Planets is a 12-part animated short film about an alien solar system.

This week on Design Crush:
Modern wooden jewelry from BOUND.
One of my favorite breakfast/dessert hybrids – the Spiced Apple + Granola Parfait.
Risque textile art from Sally Hewett.
Checking in on a personal note for September.
House of Cardboard is exactly what it sounds like.
Fun, modern dog collars from K9 Couture Co.
Creepy India ink forests by Pablo S. Herrero.
Beautifully clean home goods from Ladies & Gentlemen Studio.
Furthering my fall scarf obsession with Dealtry.

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