I’m been a far of Carson Ellis since first laying eyes upon a cover illustration she did for an album by her husband’s band, The Decemberists. But just over the past week or so a few friends have mentioned her and work to me, and in doing so made me realize that I’d somehow never written about her and her folksy style. Most recently Carson’s released a debut illustrated book focused on the concept of home, all homes. You can pick up your very own copy of the aptly titled Homehere.
Metalepsis is a bi-coastal design collaboration between Victoria Cho and Astrid Chastka. Cho and Chastka create conceptual jewelry by re-imagining the influences of art, architecture, and science as wearables with clean lines, elegance, boldness, and confidence. All of these elements come together in a mad storm of modern beauty.
Sharing the stories behind the most talented creatives in my hometown of Pittsburgh, PA.
Kim Fox, aka Worker Bird, is one amazing lady who has drive and talent oozing out of every pore. We met back in April and I loved her energy and vibe immediately. We got together one afternoon last month and chatted about the inspiration behind her “tin quilts” and the trajectory her business has taken the past few years. Margaritas were involved as was her adorable Boston Terrier, Harriet, who’s never far from Kim’s hammering.
Kim’s ever-growing collection of tins waiting to be cut up.
Tell us a little bit about how you got your start with Worker Bird.
A few years ago my husband and I took a day-long workshop at the Society for Contemporary Craft with Robert Villamagna, a tin artist from West Virginia. I fell in love with the process that day and it has grown to what it is now.
Tin organized by color and shape.
What’s your favorite part of the process? Your least favorite?
I can honestly say I love every part of the process for very different reasons. Going to estate sales to hunt for tins is a favorite pastime; preparing the wood in my little workshop is fun; digging through the tins while designing the piece is challenging; and tacking in the tiny nails is a mindless task that allows my brain to run wild. And then I’m done. So each stage is something I love.
Finished Crazy Quilted Hearts.
What other makers inspire you most?
The crew that set me on my path – Jeff Matz, Paul Mastriani, and Sarah Collins – at Lure Design in Orlando, Florida. The amazing creative community here in PGH – strawberryluna, Redraven, Commonwealth Press, Alternate Histories, Everyday Balloons, Sapling Press, Moop, etc (damn, Pittsburgh is amazing!). I am surrounded by people chasing their dreams and that is rad. And my husband, Steven Foxbury, is the most supportive, believer-in-me that I could ever hope for. And watching him chase his dreams right now – WOW. I’m pretty in love with life these days.
Kim working on a custom order Pennsylvania map.
Harriet’s bed on Kim’s work table.
Where do you see Worker Bird in 5 years?
Same house. More tins. Making art all the time. I’d be the most fulfilled.
A wall of inspiration in Kim’s office.
What makes having a small business in Pittsburgh so great?
See above re: the community. I can’t say enough how amazing it is to know these people. I have always loved Pittsburgh but the last 18 months have been super special for me. I left my job in Florida and dove headlong into Pittsburgh. And these are the people that caught me.
If you appreciate both handcrafted items and pinhole photography then I have just the thing for you. ONDU makes beautiful wooden pinhole cameras that can be enjoyed and passed on for generations to come. Choose from ten different camera formats – from pocket to 8 x 10 giant. They just wrapped up a super successful Kickstarter campaign and you can pre-order your preferred one now!
Intricate collage work is something I have extreme admiration for because I can’t even come close to having the level of patience it requires. Lucy Williams creates her works by emulating everything from Mies van der Rohe to less notable modernist spaces. First she creates a blueprint from a photo, and then working in layers from back to front brings alive in mixed media. Now there’s a book of her work, entitled Lucy Williams, that showcases her large-scale pieces in all their glory.
New York-based fashion label Candamill is the creative collaboration of talented brother and sister Cindy and Christian Candamill. The dynamic line has just released their fall 2015 collection, and it’s full of gorgeously designed architectural pieces with standout details. Great angles, brass touches, and beautiful Italian leather are definitely a formula for success.
Iran-born, Melbourne-living Elnaz Nourizadeh started working with clay and learning pottery when she was 17 years old. In 2008 she began her professional life as a potter in Tehran, then moved up and on to having her own studio upon arriving in Melbourne in 2013. Elnaz’s explorations in clay and candy colors are striking and functional, pulling the best from both the modern and ancient ceramics.
This week on Design Crush: Alex Garant, aka The Queen of Double-Eyes, charmed us with her paintings.
Thinking about going back to school and back to the grind with these rad notebooks.
The studies in shadow and light from Kumi Yamashita are brilliant.
You can just fill up my kitchen with Kähler right this instant. Horyon Lee captures powerful yet fetishized women in paint.
Try burgers 10 ways that are sure to be new.
Tiny portraits in unexpected mediums from Elvira Johanna Duives.
Looks like chambray is making a fashion comeback!
Gorgeous geometric murals from Trek Matthews.
Trek Matthews is a painter, illustrator, and maker from Milwaukee who’s currently based in Atlanta. His interior and exterior murals are full of perspective and geometric goodness, usually in lovely muted tones though he sometimes opts for bright boldness.
Chambray a trend that I flirted with in the 90s in the form of a Canadian tuxedo – sleeveless button-up and cuffed jean shorts (I know you know.) – then never thought twice about again. Now with 90s influences showing up everywhere I turn it’s back on my radar. Last fall I purchased a greyish-blue button-down that I love, but now I’m toying with the idea of summer pieces. The material is just about as perfect as can be for high temps, light and breathable and dare I say it effortlessly chic.
