#makegood

You’re right, I never post on Saturday. But today is special, because I’m shining a light on five of the incredible makers whose creations are available at Design Crush: The Marketplace. (In fact, lots of GREAT.LY‘s tastemakers are doing the same July 21st through August 4th through the #makegood campaign.) Read on for a snapshot of some of my favorites!

 

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A Sensible Habit creates hand painted linens, rubber stamps, and stationery. The Atlanta-based shop leans towards domesticity and entertaining in a playful way by creating pieces that will give your home and your get togethers that extra special touch.

Favorite Item: Set of 4 H ot Pink Brushstroke Cocktail Coasters

 

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Nashville’s Fanny & June purveys fancy fascinators that are perfect for wedding season and patterned clutches that are perfect for every other day.

Favorite Item: Pink and Red Ikat Clutch

 

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In the market for some pottery? Jill Rosenwald‘s hand-makes the shiny chic variety in her Boston studio. Choose from vases, bowls, and more that will add a dose of pattern or color to your space.

Favorite Piece: Erin Gates Collection #6 Vase

 

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Japanese techniques are alive and well at papergluebamboo. The Carmel, California-based shop uses ikkanbari (papering) and chigiri-e (pictures torn from paper) to create a collection of updated traditional pieces.

Favorite Item: Pebbled Bed Side Trays

 

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Yucu Ninu‘s stunning otomi pieces are made through collaborations with Mexican artists and cooperatives. The emphasis on fair trade prices, ancient traditions, and promotion of social trade make each beautiful piece that much more special.

Favorite Item: Otomi Pillow Cover

 

Shop these and many other talented makers at Design Crush: The Marketplace and check out the #makegood hashtag for more featured makers. It’s so rewarding to support independent artists and makers!

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Grain

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Aside from creating beautifully designed wares, Grain has another purpose – a dedication to social and environmental responsibility. (You know how I love a company that gives back.)  As committed members of 1% For The Planet, one percent of Grain’s annual revenue goes back to environmental non-profits. Their work unites current manufacturing technologies and age-old craft techniques, and goods are produced in small batch runs in their Bainbridge Island studio. Good design plus conscientiousness equals all the more reason to buy! Check out my favorite pieces: Hung Mirror, Circlet Triple Sconce, Bound Hand V1, Grail Cassoulet, and Strung Sconce.

 

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JOYN

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JOYN produces beautiful block-printed textiles, handbags, and accessories by hand in the foothills of the Himalayas. But Mel and Dave Murray’s company stands for much more than that. They’ve partnered with nonprofit JoyCorp to provide employees in Rajpur, India with not only a steady job and healthy work environment, but a daily meal plan, education for their children, English and vocational training, and medical care. That huge difference makes JOYN‘s pieces a hundred times more beautiful than they already are.

 

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Loom Decor Optrix Pouf + a Giveaway

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I’d had my eye out for a pouf that I loved for over a year when Loom Decor reached out about their impressive collection of customizable silhouettes and 400+ fabric options. (And it doesn’t stop there, you can also customize a variety of pillow styles, poufs, bedding, table top or even create your own custom window treatments.) After scanning through all of the fabrics I knew immediately that the Optrix pattern was the one for me. It provides a perfect graphic punch that adds some interest to the otherwise solid pieces in my living room.

 

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The pouf showed up on my doorstep in about two weeks, which is super fast for anything customized. Like lightning! It measures 24 x 24 x 13″ and has already served multiple purposed around my space. My favorite is above, where I sit to work when I’m in the living room. I love propping my legs up on it, basically converting part of my sofa into a chaise. I’ve also used it as extra seating and even a stand-in coffee table (mine is being repaired) by simply placing a large tray on top. And I love that Loom Decor offers a range of price points with their fabric offerings — basic, prime, and luxe — which allow customers to find pieces that fit within their budgets.

 

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Now’s your chance to tap into Loom Decor‘s high-end, luxurious home textiles – they even offer personalized decorating assistance! Two lucky Design Crush readers will win $100 towards the custom piece of your choice. Hop over to the official giveaway page to enter, you have until July 20th!

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Happy Weekend

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01/ A minimalist depiction of mental disorders.
02/ This zen rock garden is actually full of Japanese candy!
03/ Hilariously true animated gifs of basic tips and etiquette for surviving in NYC.
04/ Painstakingly crafting portraits of musicians made from cornflakes.
05/ Ringly lights up and buzzes when your phone needs you!
06/ This retired Boeing 727 was converted into a home in the woods. Would you dare?
07/ Picnic Lounge is an oversized blanket that resembles an antique rug. Clever.
08/ Smart ads for Keloptic turn impressionist art into realism.
09/ Social Planes take you offline – download, write, fold, and fly!
10/ When baristas and bartenders joins forces we are blessed with coffee cocktails.

This week on Design Crush:
Have you entered our Soundfreaq Sound Rise giveaway?! Wake up with this alarm/bluetooth speaker hybrid, it’s sure to get your day off to a good start.
Eight art prints I wish I had room for on my walls this month.
Melissa Zexter hand-embroiders her own photography in the most beautiful way.
Industrialist meets rugged glam in the design of Maslo Jewelry.
Crazy incredible paintings/sculptures from Conrad Jon Godly.
I’m slowing going minimalist with my style and this modern lamp is my latest addition.
Childhood dreams and sketchbook drawings come to life thanks to Katharine Morling.
If you’re looking for a super easy project this DIY Matchstick Holder is where it’s at!
After seven years of blogging we finally have a Design Crush identity suite like pros.

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Make It: DIY Matchstick Holder

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Yup, I know. It looks like I just plopped some matchsticks in a glass bottle and called it a day. While DIY matchstick holder is definitely one of the simplest projects I’ve ever done, there are a few more steps to it… but not many.

 

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Supplies
• small glass bottle (I picked mine up at Michael’s for $1)
• strike on box wooden matchsticks
• pen
• scissors
• tape
• glue

 

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First thing first, dismantle the box sleeve that has the striker. Be as gentle as possible and flatten that bad boy out, and then grab your scissors.

 

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Trim off the striker panel, then cut it in half. Match the two sides up together (trimming them up to match if you were a little off), then flip over and tape on the back side. Place your glass bottle on top of the joined together pieces, center and trace. Trim around the circle (or whatever shape you end up with) and stay to the inside while cutting so that the end result is slightly smaller than your tracing.

 

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Flip the bottle over and apply a few thin concentric circles of glue, align the striker shape you just created and press firmly. And, well, that’s basically it. You could add some craft paint or wash tape to the exterior for a little something extra, but I’m a simple kind of girl who prefers the look of wood and glass alone. (And though this isn’t really a Father’s Day DIY, I know my Dad would agree if it were for him!)

 

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Add as many matches as you can while leaving enough breathing room for them to move around a bit. You want to be able to actually remove them for use after all! Like I told you, easiest DIY ever. I think this guy would make a great little hostess gift when paired with a candle or grilling accessories for get togethers this summer, don’t you? Or, like I said, maybe even Father’s Day this Sunday. (wink, wink)

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Trending: Hanging Planters

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Set of 3 Small Hanging Planters for Air Plants by Cor Pottery // Copper and Brass Hanging Planter by IN.SEK // Ballast Air Plant Holders by The MiA Project

I’ve been wanting to add some small, staggered hanging planters to a corner of my living room for months now. Everywhere I turn there’s another fantastic hanging planter that I want to add to my home – copper, clay, geometric, you name it. And it would seem I’m not the only one with my eye on these space-saving flora accessories.

 

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Hanging Planter by l&m studio // Wren Miniature Plant Pot by Jo Lucksted // Black and Pink Marbled Planter by Leah Ball

 

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Small Plant Hanger by KKDW // Large Line Planter Ceramic Hanging Planter by Half Light Honey Studio // Hang Vaasje by AFNOLET

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Design Crush The Marketplace

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I’m three shades of excited to share something that’s been in the works for months – Design Crush The Marketplace has opened! I’ve teamed up with the newly launched GREAT.LY to bring you some of my favorite handmade goods from all sorts of talented makers. The shop is set up much like Design Crush the site, full of fantastic art and design that you can decorate your home and yourself with. I’ll be keeping it stocked with fresh and exciting things that get updated frequently, so I hope you’ll pop over and take a look for yourself. In the meantime, here are a few of my favorites from each category!

 

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Pink Block Cushion by Ellie Bradley // Extreme Handknitted Woolen Cabled Throw by Jacqui Fink

 

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Madison Rocks Cup by Keith Kreeger // Hand-Painted Hot Pink Linen Table Runner by Sensible Habit

 

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Folded Paper Furoshiki Japanese Eco Wrapping Scarf by Kyoko Bowskill // Geometric Lucite + Brass Bead Necklace 02 by Adelia Mae

 

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Coral Kokeshi Doll by Sketch Inc // Gold Star Cloud by Jahje Ives

 

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Fading Lake Day by Lisa Golightly // Desire Fine Art Giclée by Kristi Kohut

 

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Beet Root + Hibiscus Lip Stain by Erin Hammond // Hand-Painted Zipper Bag by Kelly Zellers

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