Vessel Series
I admit it, I’m a romantic at heart. And when I read that Samuel Wilkinson’s Vessel Series was inspired by a ship in a bottle it made me love it all the more. The blown glass fixtures were created specifically to show off the Plumen 001 bulb, a beauty in its own right. When lit the glass illuminates, showing off the bulb rather than concealing it. The Vessel Series consists of three pieces, each of which features a cut that allows it either to be suspended or set on a surface.
HP Designer Matchup Challenge
Any chance you remember the HP/Project Runway Challenge I was a part of last summer? I hope so, because this year’s HP Designer Matchup Challenge is going to blow it out of the water. Why? (I’m glad you asked.) Because not only do I get to partner with one of my very favorite jewelry designers – Sarah Fox of Cursive Design – but I also get to involve YOU. That’s right, Sarah and I will be involving you in decisions from the direction of the jewelry piece she’ll be creating to reveal at New York Fashion Week (NYFW) right down to its name. Fun, right?
So, have you met Sarah? She began Cursive Design back in 2007 in her Chicago studio. All of her pieces are inspired by color, juxtaposition of materials, and moments found in nature. (Her North Dakota upbringing has a bit to do with that last part, I’d be willing to venture.) Sarah’s work is always unpredictable and balanced, and always growing by leaps and bounds. Earlier in the year Cursive even had a line at Anthropologie, each piece of which was made by hand just like everything Cursive sells. Quality is obviously key. Secret Bonus: It’s always been one of Sarah’s dreams to have her work at Fashion Week.
Over the next few weeks the two of us will be collaborating on the creation of a necklace that will be revealed during NYFW in September! We’ll be using the latest HP Touchsmart PC and Adobe Photoshop CS6 to sketch our options and move through the process, and of course you’ll get peeks here and there of where we’re at in the mix of things. The end result will be a necklace that Sarah creates from the drawings, and which will *hopefully* be available to you for purchase sometime in the near future.
Your involvement starts right here, right now. Sarah and I have compiled a list of adjectives as a jumping off point for our necklace-creating adventure, we just need some help narrowing it down. What sort of piece do you want it to be? Edgy, patterned, monochromatic? It’s all up to you! The survey will close Friday, August 17, 2012 at midnight CST.
Sea Salt Lime Soda
Earlier this year I cut out soda (aka pop) from my diet. I’d read all of the awful articles about the things it does to your body (and car engines, deer blood, etc.), but that’s not what prompted me to do it. After having a cold and not drinking any Diet Coke for a few days, I made it a personal challenge to see how long I could go without. And yeah, the first few weeks were hellish. But soon enough I noticed my cravings wane and my energy shoot up. Success!
That said, I was excited to checkout The Artisan Soda Workshop by Andrea Lynn. All of the yumminess without the chemicals? Sign me up! There are 70 recipes to choose from, everything from fountain classics to flavors like Plum Vanilla. I went with Sea Salt Lime as my first syrup. The verdict: really easy, natural tasting, and refreshing. (Pssst… you can also make margaritas with it!)
Sea Salt Lime Syrup
• 1/2 C boiling water
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1 1/2 Tbsp agave syrup
• grated zest and juice of 2 limes
In a heatproof container (I used a Ball jar), stir together boiling water and salt. Add the agave syrup, lime zest, and juice. Stir to combine. Allow mixture to cool, then cover container and refrigerate 12-24 hours. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve and refrigerate for up to 7 days.
To make Sea Salt Lime Soda: Stir 1 Tbsp Sea Salt Lime Syrup, or to taste (I used 2 Tbsp) into 10 oz seltzer.
Posted In recipesRusty
Hey. Like the picture says, I’m Rusty. Part Irish Setter, part King Charles Spaniel. I’m about a year old and weigh around 20 pounds. I’m pretty awesome. You know, housebroken and stuff. I like to play, rawhide is my drug of choice, and I get along really well with other dogs. Kelly (er, Design Crush) has been fostering me for about a month now through a great organization called Safe Haven. They saved my life, literally. I go to adoption events every. single. weekend. But no one’s taken me home yet because I like to bark when all of the other dogs do, something about me not making a good showing there. Yadda, yadda, yadda. At Kelly’s I barely bark at all, only if Piper starts it first. I like to get up close and personal with her two cats, but only sniff ’em real good. At night I like to chill out on Kelly’s feet or snuggle with her, sometimes I even help her blog. When it’s time to go to bed I walk right into my crate, arrange my blankets, and am out like a light for a good 8-10 hours. So yeah, pretty awesome right? I love living here, but I’d really like to find my family. So maybe if you live in the Oklahoma City area (or close by) you might want to meet me and love me. You can email Kelly at designcrushing (at) gmail (dot) com if you’re interested! Peace out.
UPDATE! Rusty was adopted on 8-26-12 by a college couple from Wichita, KS. He’s finally found his forever home, and I’m going to miss this guy so much.
Posted In my life, petsBack At It
I am in a constant state of missing school. I wasn’t a straight A student (more like an A-B 50/50 split), it’s the learning I miss. The bottomless well to draw from, especially in college where there were so many options from which to choose. I’m also a school and office supply junky, I doubt there’s ever been a kid (or adult) quite as enthusiastic when the big box stores roll out their masses of back-to-school inventory. Most years I limit myself to buying a fresh notebook or set of highlighters, just to satisfy the itch. But if I were to be a little more adult about it, I’d take this opportunity to freshen up my office space. Maybe with a few of these.
Clockwise from top left:
An illustrated Lined Paper Notepad for important notes and messages.
From the Desk Of cards to jot out quick thank yous.
Monthly Sticky Notes to keep my schedule in order.
Yellow highlighter ink because it’s more fun than a regular pen!
This backpack from Herschel Supply Company for Madewell because, well, I want one.
What are your favorite must-have supplies?
Posted In cards, notebooks + journals, office, paper goods, round upKeep Calm and Tear It Down
Now here’s a Monday morning appropriate post, check out KEEP CALM AND TEAR IT DOWN by Rajeev Basu. Signage for the modern workplace that’s not exactly workplace appropriate (unless you work for yourself, then beyond hilarious). You can even print each one out full-size if your heart desires. (via Josh Spear)
Posted In collaboration/project, downloads, officeHappy Weekend
01/ Hoping my next house is constructed out of concrete LEGO bricks!
02/ I want to buy my eggs in this packaging.
03/ Your dream is a reality, print postcards that smell like FOOD.
04/ The photography alone makes me want to get my hands on this magazine.
05/ Rose-colored glasses!
06/ Daring enough to try a Hairchitecture ‘do?
07/ WaterDog!
08/ Wonder if this Woven Desk would make me more productive?
09/ Weird + beautiful ceramic teeth mug.
10/ 100 phone booths, 100 artists
Faux Bois Versus Faux Bois
TOP: Stump Stool/Accent Table, Stray Dog Designs (via The City Sage)
BOTTOM: Stump Side Table, George Sacaris Studio (via Plastolux)