Mixtape #37: In the Blackness of Magic
Photo : Jo Bradford
Listen to In the Blackness of Magic on Spotify.
Posted In mixtape, musicPhoto : Jo Bradford
Listen to In the Blackness of Magic on Spotify.
Posted In mixtape, music01/ 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.
So it turns out I’m a bad blogger and missed Design Crush’s 7th birthday last Thursday – whomp whomp. But it also turns out that seven years of blogging means you’re kind of legit, and what better way to proclaim it that with an entire identity suite of paper goods from MOO.
I went all out designing letterhead, postcards that double as notecards when slipped into an envelope, business cards and mini cards, and mailing labels. I pulled in elements from Design Crush’s site design like the diagonal stripes, dotted line, arrow, and signature green to keep the branding consistent. But if you’re not a designer, no biggie. MOO has plenty of templates you can use instead for an equally custom look.
I opted for MOO‘s Luxe line, paper and card stock that go above and beyond to leave a stellar first impression. Each piece of our identity suite was packaged in a box with magnetic closure for maximum protection against crushed corners and the dangers of messenger bag interiors and office drawers and shelves.
One of my favorite things to design – aside from logos – are business cards. For awhile now I’ve been wanting a super pared down version in black and white, so I decided to go for it and may never go back to anything more complicated. I love the simplicity and stark contrast!
For the mini cards I changed things up slightly by adding a touch of our signature green and reversing out the logo on black. I imagine I’ll be using these for more casual contacts, so didn’t include my name or phone number.
These sticker labels are super simple and can be used to organize things in my office or for the more obvious purpose of addressing packages going in the mail. Sufficed it to say I now feel prepared to handle any sort of communication emergency with all of my crisp and clean identity suite goods!
I received product from MOO for use in this post.
Posted In office, paper goods
Katharine Morling‘s ceramic pieces feel like a combination of childhood dreams come to life and sketchbook drawings. In other words, perfectly lovely and quirky. The UK-based artist has been at it since 2003, creating pieces that are open to interpretation and invite curiosity and questions.
(via The Jealous Curator)
Posted In create, sculpture
Conrad Jon Godly‘s paintings are the work of my dreams. Seriously, I have daydreams about being able to heavily layer paint on a canvas in such beautiful ways. And I can think of few subjects more perfect suited for Godly’s technique than the craggy mountain ranges and peaks that he tackles with such aplomb.
Posted In create, painting
I’ve featured plenty of embroidered art, over the past year especially, but the work of Melissa Zexter just feels different. For starters, she’s a photographer by trade using her hand-sewn embroidery technique to enhance not distract. Digging deeper, Zexter combines the slow, meditative sewing process with the more immediate development of film to explore identity and femininity. And then it comes together in one fell swoop and we’re left staring in amazement.
Posted In create, mixed media, photography
Affichette Lune by Zü // Akvarelprint by Stilleben // Ash Grey by Watercolor by Muren //
its monday and thats okay by The Motivated Type
Owl by Stephanie Cole Design // Star Cards by Present&Correct //
The Crown of the Chrysler Building by The Lab // Crystals by Andrea Lauren
If you’re like me you prefer to wake up to one of your favorite mellow tunes rather than the jarring blare of an alarm clock. Those first few minutes of the day can determine your mood for hours (especially on a Monday), and Soundfreaq created the alarm clock/bluetooth speaker hybrid Sound Rise with just that in mind.
The stacked design looks right at home on your bedside table in either black or wood tones, and the sound quality is seriously impressive. You can also enjoy solid sound while you get ready or soft music to relax to while falling asleep. Control the tone of your music with neutral, warm, and bright options for a customized experience. One of my favorite Sound Rise functions is the ability to set different alarm times for weekdays and weekends – who hasn’t accidentally set their Saturday wakeup for 6am? The worst. And you can even blackout the digital display, perfect for someone light sensitive like myself. Sound Rise features a USB power port you can use to keep your phone charging while you sleep, without having to fuss with a dock of any kind. Just one last thing: a nap timer. Soundfreaq has seriously thought of everything!
And now the part you’ve been waiting for – a chance to win your own Sound Rise! Get every day off to a better start by entering any number of ways below, but do it before Sunday, June 15th at 11:59 pm.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
01/ Love this complicated photoshoot done underwater on a shipwreck in Bali!
02/ This piece on Dogs of War is incredible.
03/ I’m all about Emily Henderson’s cat rescue makeover that she shared this week.
04/ Jim Bachor took the problem of potholes into his own hands.
05/ I like that this DIY modern pet bowl stand can be height customizable.
06/ A room made out of chocolate where you can, YES, lick the walls!
07/ Beautiful product upcycling from Kurasuhito Kurasutokoro and Yusuke Komatsu.
08/ Coca-Cola has created a modular system to reuse their plastic bottles. (It’s about time.)
09/ This is fascinating, people from around the world posing with their daily food intake.
10/ The Pastello Draw Act looks like a dream with its crazy crayons!
This week on Design Crush:
Beautiful experiments with dye and the sea by Arnaud Lajeunie.
I finally upgraded to a chair fit for a boss lady!
Andy Boot gives rhythmic gymnastic ribbons a second chance at life.
Area has flat out nailed simple but quality textiles for the home.
This cut paper alphabet from Tony Ziebetzki is so good.
A traditional game is reimagined with Pieces N Play Domino.
Big Happy Family is helping me stay organized as I dash out the door.
Whimsy Milieu is creating pieces that make every day a happy one.
Show you’re passionate about the creamy treat with pudding 10 ways.
The best things are coming out of Australia, this time it’s via Malaysian-born maker Jacqueline Chan and her shop Whimsy Milieu. Aptly named because whimsy is definitely the key ingredient in Chan’s formula to create happy objects used in everyday life. I’m especially taken with this hand wall hook that can be used to organize jewelry, but the pretzel necklace and animal ears wall hooks also caught my eye!
Posted In create, jewelry, wear it