Stained glass can be such a powerful medium, whether traditional or abstract. I came across Zaytseva’s Stained Glass shop a few months ago, and find myself checking back often to see what the Kemerovo, Russia-based artist has been up to.
Philadelphia-based artist Amber Cowan uses a process which involves flameworking, blowing, and hot-sculpting recycled, up-cycled, and second-life glass (usually American pressed glass from the 1940s to 1980s) to create incredibly detailed sculptures that are brimming with intrigue. She sometimes removes individual details from pieces to use on their own and other times create her own details by melting old pieces down. Talk about time-consuming, but man is the outcome worth it!
Janel Foo is an L.A.-based stained-glass artist with a real knack for mixing colors and shapes. She also incorporates different textures into her stained-glass pieces that effects the way sunlight dances across the surface. The *snap* of creating each piece must be so satisfying!
The conceptual Bottoms Up glassware range by Ingrid Aspen is comprised of a set of stackable drinking glasses and a carafe. So versatile that you’d probably find me using the vessels as vases and votive holders as well!
Bringing Scandinavian simplicity to the Italian lifestyle, the glasses are intended to introduce a playful note of celebration into everyday life. The range eliminates the traditional wineglass stem and, upside down, the base becomes the ideal vessel for a nightcap. The accompanying carafe is a riff on the shape of a wine bottle. Made without the use of adhesives, the range pushes the possibilities of modern glassblowing techniques.
Transience Mirrors, designed by Lex Pott and David Derksen, reveal different states of oxidation through an accelerated process. The roughness of the oxidation and the clean geometric lines make each mirror truly unique and beautiful.
Over time dark spots start to appear on mirrors. The silver layer is slowly oxidizing under the influence of oxygen and water, thereby showing some of its history. This process can be regarded as degradation, however this project shows the beauty of this material transition of silver.
A few months ago I had the chance to hold one of Margaret Spacapan’s perfectly shaped half-dome bowls, she had to talk me into it because I can be a klutz and they looked so delicate. I marveled at how it felt in my hands and kept thinking about how a human had created this thing. All of Spacapan‘s sculptures and forms with function are completely without flaw and attract me like a crow to something shiny. But for the time being I’ll just have to settle for the hope of someday owning one of her bowls.
Chris Wood describes her profession as light artist, which is pretty badass. Using both high and low tech optical materials to create her simple kinetic sculptures, Wood is able to harness light. She often uses a material invented by NASA, dichroic is a colorless material that filters and reflects wavelengths of light, creating a huge variety of rainbow shadows and projections in the process.
The stained glass work of David Scheid makes my stomach drop out, plain and simple. Any time you combine an ages old art form (stained glass) with an aspect that feels fresh (colorblocked geometry) I’m sold. Scheid splits his time between creating custom pieces and one of a kind triangles sold online. I’m so into it. All of it. Sign me up.
This week on Design Crush:
Fifteen fresh pieces of art for your walls in this month’s Print Edition: November.
A shop full of fantastic handmade and vintage goods over at Lostine.
Maggie Chiang‘s art is inspired by real and imaginative places.
Loving these Takenaka Bento Boxes.
Mirador has created the most beautiful collection of scarves.
I’d happily fill my kitchen cupboards with Hasami Porcelain.
Annie O’Dorisio takes mixed media pen and embroidery art to another level.
A Design Crush x fashionABLE table linens collection was released yesterday – enter for a chance to win a set of your own!
Design Crush elsewhere:
My latest post pairing rugs and rooms is up over on Rugs Direct.
Check out how to be a tailgating superstar.
This week on Design Crush:
Lotte Maja Bjerre‘s illustrations remind me of a perfectly coiffed geisha’s hairdo.
So many good things waiting to be bought for my home over in Fine Little Day‘s shop!
Iñaki Bergera’s Twentysix Gasoline Stations photo series showcases the beauty of the abandoned.
Such beautiful home goods for keeping and giving from The Vintage Vogue.
I love Anna Hepler‘s rudimentary 3D sculptures so much.
Be sure and try out a few of these 12 October DIYs.
Xuan Chen’s Light Threads is full of bold colors and shapes.
The latest jewelry collection from Faris is perfect to pair with just about every outfit.
Don’t you love these icing-like paintings from Calvin Ross Carl?