Fotostrap

FOTOSTRAP-1-Design Crush

 

For the past few months I’ve been reviving my love of analogue film, so when Mako Haus contacted me about reviewing their line of FOTOSTRAP camera straps it was perfect timing. FOTOSTRAPS are available in three lines – canvas, leather, and seersucker – and a whole rainbow of colors.

 

FOTOSTRAP-2-Design Crush

 

I went with the most neutral canvas option (because of course I did) called Stone and the first thing I noticed was the quality made in the USA construction. This thing is sturdy and I love how well it balances the weight of my camera on my shoulder. In the past I’ve had others than felt like they were digging into my skin, but the FOTOSTRAP actually makes my classic Rebel 2000 feel light.

 

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One of the best parts is that with every FOTOSTRAP purchase 10% is donated to Fotolanthropy, a non-profit that gives portraits and short films to inspiring people who have faced adversity. When great products team up with great causes everybody wins!

 

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Disclosure: I received a FOTOSTRAP to review for this post. As always all words and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep Design Crush going!

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Representations

Representations-1-Design Crush

 

A simple line drawn series of everyday objects? Guess again. Each photograph in Representations is of a whitewashed and outlined object. I call it life-imitating-art-imitating-life, while artist Cynthia Greig simply refers to it as photographic documents of three-dimensional drawings.

 

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Fallen

Fallen, Nº 182, 29.5  x 38", 2011

 

There is a distinct beauty that lies in decay. Old buildings. Decrepit, overgrown parking lots. And in the case of Fallen, the fruit of trees. Photographer Tanya Marcuse has managed to capture the unruly and wild that is lush with rot and overabundance. Her process is not at all willy nilly, read about it in her own words below.

I try to create tension between decay and new life, randomness and order, flatness and depth, the natural and the fantastical. I collect the fruit from beneath trees in nearby orchards, freezing them to preserve the spectacle of their decay. I frequently work on a single photograph for days, or weeks, building up collected plant material, weaving together dead leaves and spring blossoms, adding insects and small creatures to create a tapestry-like density, presenting symbolic patterns of growth and decay in a natural (or perhaps unnatural) landscape.

 

Fallen Nº 152 by Tanya Marcuse

 

Fallen Nº 181, 37.75 x 48", 2011

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Print It: Watercolor Valentines

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One of my 2014 resolutions for Design Crush is to bring more of my own DIY projects to light, so we’re starting what will hopefully be a monthly series with these printable watercolor valentines! I had the best time pulling out my watercolors and gold paint and creating these – write your words on the back or string them up to make a fast and festive garland. Choose from the valentines above or a blank set to add your own touches. Download below!

 

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Happy Weekend

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01/ Cityscapes created from what else – DOTS.
02/ Golden Hour shots from around the world.
03/ ToastyMUG keeps your hands warm while you enjoy a hot beverage.
04/ Beautifully cut sea stacks in Ireland.
05/ Olaf Breuning’s colorful snow looks so happy!
06/ Intersections is an ornately carved wooden cube that projects beautiful shadows.
07/ Because even Cupid needs brand guidelines.
08/ Would you wear type-inspired eyeglasses? (I would.)
09/ Incredible stained glass murals enhance a botanical garden, check out out Cosmovitral.
10/ Rob Ford valentines. Not just for Torontonians.

This week on Design Crush:
Crushing on the one-of-a-kind home accessories of We Make Things.
Twenty-seven Happy Hearts Day Gifts and Treats for you and your loved ones.
Matthew Picton‘s paper cities are something to behold.
These Giant Cloud Cushions have me dreaming of spring.
Flora and fauna team up again in Faunascape.
Last chance to order a rad Valentine! Check out our Valentines – Part 3.
If creativity and community are your thing I hope you’ll join me at Craftcation 2014!
Tattooed beauties and dapper gents courtesy of Emily Winfield Martin.
Ten delicious tacos to spice up your February (and every other month of the year).
Eight art prints making my heart go pitter-patter.

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Faunascape

Faunascape-1-Design Crush

 

Landscape and the animal kingdom combine seamlessly in Faunascape. Each animal portrait is UV printed on Finnish plywood in the prettiest of subdued color palettes, resulting in a serene moment to hang on the wall of your home. Or maybe inspiring words are more your jam, in which case you should check out Faunascape Statement Wall Art to scratch the itch.

 

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Matthew Picton

Matthew Picton-1-Design Crush

 

These intricate paper sculptures, created by Matthew Picton, are built from old old literature, phonebooks, etc. Through his work Picton explores the historic and fictional narratives associated with different cities, creating representations from different periods in history using texts and materials from each time period.

 

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