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Shops We Love: Cake With Giants

handmade watercolor prints

I couldn’t think of a better way to start this post than with this melancholy print from Amy Borrell. It’s been a few months since I checked in on one of my favorite blogs, All The Mountains, only to discover that Amy has decided to stop updating it. Amy used this lovely work of art to say farewell. Knowing how much work it takes to run an active blog or two, I can totally understand. As you will see, Amy has her hands full, creating her beautiful illustrations and running her other exceptional blog of visual delights Cake With Giants.

Still, I can’t help but feel a little sad. All The Mountains was a must-read for quite some time and Amy’s minimal approach has served as a gauge for me when designing blogs. All The Mountains was minimal before it became pratique courante d’aujourd’hui in the blogging universe. A big thanks to Amy for such a wonderful and peaceful space. But, I need not despair. There is still so much to love from this talented artist. Before we get to the prints, I would love to suggest that you add the Cake With Giants blog to your reading list. It’s a treat for the soul.

Cake With Giants

Now, onto the art. Amy has a tremendous talent and her watercolor and pencil illustrations are amazing. Little wonder that she’s worked with some pretty well-known companies from around the globe. The great news is that her art is available for everyone and at a really great price. These are just a few of the items that I am so enamored with, all currently in her shop. Click on any of the images to see the entire selection.

I would love to interview Amy for my Handmade Profiles series. Are there any questions that you would like me to ask her? Let me know in the comments below.

amyborrell_parlezvousfrancais1



Connect with CAKE WITH GIANTS:
SHOP | BLOG | PORTFOLIO

Project #ICANDOIT365: Blogging isn’t as hard as you think

Project-365

Are you a handmaker who still hasn’t jumped into blogging? I’ve talked to some very talented artists recently who still believe that regular blogging is too huge of a challenge for them to regularly undertake. Truthfully, it need not be. It can be as simple as:

Project-365-Symbols

We all have smartphones these days and, since the ascension of services likerPinterest, photography has really taken center stage on the web. This is just as true when it comes to blogging. All you really need to do is take pictures of the things you see in the world around you, whether outdoors or in. Then, take a moment or two to write a brief caption. Next, make a post out of it. That’s it! Perhaps you can take a few shots of a piece of your handmade work in progress. Readers love seeing the ‘before’ images. Talk about great blog fodder!

Does regular blogging work? Just ask Rori Harrington of Made By Rori. Just by regularly blogging, she increased traffic to her blog by 1,124%. This naturally translated into increase traffic to her Etsy shop. You could have the same results.

Have any questions? Ideas to share with other handmakers? Need some help with content for your blog? Leave a comment below and let’s see if we can help & share.

The LABSHOP is Under Construction…

Put this on your ‘Stay Tuned’ list: the LABSHOP will be temporarily closing today as I make a few major adjustments. One big one is this: the LABSHOP is moving to its own home as part of the LAB family. A new and more user-friendly layout and better search features are soon to come. The LABSHOP is a curated handmade experience and it’s waiting for you to jump in. Here’s some reasons why:

  1. Every entry in the new shop features, not only up to 5 images, but also complete list of all your links. This includes your social media and online shop(s). Customers are directed to purchase your featured item directly from your shop of choice.
  2. You get to change your product three times during your stay in the LABSHOP.
  3. The cost to be in the LABSHOP is only $40 for 8 months. That works out to be $5 a month, which is a really great deal. 

The categories of items that will be in the LABSHOP cover a wide array of handmade goods:

  • Stationery
  • Purses and bags
  • Art, prints & posters
  • Ceramics
  • Jewelry
  • Fonts & Themes
  • Edibles
  • For Kids
  • Handmade Tech
  • Textiles
  • MORE TO COME!

Would you like to be a part of the next LABSHOP? If you’ve been featured already on the LAB, then you are guaranteed a spot in the LABSHOP.  If you haven’t been featured, please read my Submission Guidelines and then click below to get started. As soon as your transaction is completed, I will email you with further instructions. I am so looking forward to creating a great curated handmade experience. Can’t do it without you and wouldn’t want to if I could!

LABSHOP // 8 Months // $40
 

 

Leilei Aloha

Get Inspired with Food Quote Posters from Whimsy & Spice

handmade print art

Seeing that it’s summer, it’s the perfect time to try to seek inspiration away from the computer. Few things brings people together like food. Making it and sharing it together is a source of joy for many. What better way to celebrate the power of the plate than with these fun posters from the Whimsey & Spice maven herself, Jenna Park? Not only are these great for conversation, but they are designed supremely.

handmade print art

handmade print art

handmade print art

handmade print art

handmade print art

It only seems appropriate to add this kitchen conversions chart to this post. It comes in a number of great colors and may be the most useful work of art you’ll ever hang in your kitchen.

Connect with Sometimes Whimsey & Spice:
STORE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | BLOG

Get Inspired: Handmade Bikes from Budnitz Bicycles

handmade bicycles

Discovering Budnitz and their amazing handmade bikes did two things for me. One, it’s made me really want a bike. We have a lot of casual and professional riders here on the Big Island, and I can so see myself riding down Ali’i Drive on either of these models. The second thing was that this video really makes me want to visit new York City. It’s been a few years since I’ve been there, and I am so due. For now, enjoy this great video and then check out these beautiful bikes in the Budnitz shop.

Budnitz: Le Grand Tour from Budnitz Bicycles on Vimeo.

budnitz-bicycles_bike_no5_steel_list_page_xaaqshfg

Budnitz Bicycles are handmade from titanium and cro-moly steel, which means they are tough and ready for daily use. They’re also easy on the eyes. I love that mint green frame! The company was started by Paul Budnitz, the founder of Kidrobot, with sustainability in mind. Interesting bit of info from the company bio page:

“Paul is a proponent of simple, quality living. Owning few things that are built to last and that make us happy is a big step towards environmental and social sustainability. When you own a bicycle that makes you look good, and that you have fun riding, you’re going to spend a lot more time on that bicycle.”

Sounds like a great reason to invest in one of these stellar rides. Click on any image to see the entire selection.

budnitz-bicycles_Budnitz_Bicycles_N5_Black_large_riqfvjzg

budnitz-bicycles_Budnitz_No5_Honey_Badge_large_rrapfhfr

800_Black_Badge_Shirt_1024x1024

budnitz-bicycles_Budnitz_Steel_Honey_No5_Bicycle_bike_large_xpzronjo

Connect with Budnitz:
STORE | TWITTERFACEBOOK | BLOG

FRESH FONT FINDS: TENRE & NEORETRO

fonts typography

You can always count on the Ten Dollar Font store to have some of the most innovative fonts in their arsenal. Today’s featured font is called Tenre. It’s by Jacopo Severitano and is described as “a multi-purpose bold display font that comes in 4 styles. It has a vintage taste that tends to the future.” With it’s mix of styles (there’s 4 of them) and symbols, this is a multi-purpose font for your creative endeavors. Be sure to use discount code BETYPE2013 to get 10% off your purchase.

fonts typography

fonts typography

Looking for a fresh and functional free font to add to your collection? Here’s a must-have from Font Boutique called NeoRetro. It comes in 3 styles and is a great font for multilayered font design. I love this font. You can really create some memorable typographic art and it can be used for personal and commercial work.

NeoRetroDraw
Connect with Ten Dollar Fonts:
SHOP | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

Monday Morning Motivation: Go Outside

poster art

Aloha and welcome to another Monday. I don’t know about you, but I have SO much to do this week. However, I live in a place where the sky is open and the sea is just a breath away. So, let’s make a promise this week to get up from the computer, put the shiny devices down for a few minutes and head out into the great outdoors. To help you remember, here’s a free desktop wallpaper. Or, if you think you need a constant reminder, grab my newest poster today. Have a great and creative week!

free desktop wallpaper

Connect with IAMTHELAB:
TWITTER | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | INSTAGRAM

Modern Marvels: The Amazing Art of Kristina Krogh

handmade posters

Kristina Krogh is a Copenhagen-based graphic designer with a love for texture. What you’re looking at here are posters based on her original artwork. Each piece showcases her unique collages, composed from relatively inexpensive materials like paper, cork and marble.

Kristina is inspired by objects around her: a beautiful old parquet, a perfect color combination on a building or a bike ride through Copenhagen. I’m really amazed at her uncanny ability to transform textures into mosaics. This really elevates her posters into high art. I should also mention that her online shop is absolutely gorgeous. I love the layout and the massive images.

handmade posters

handmade posters

handmade posters

handmade posters

handmade posters

handmade posters

handmade posters

handmade posters

handmade posters

handmade posters

handmade posters

Connect with Kristina Krogh:
STORE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST

Get a Airplantframe from Airplantman & CUTmodern

handmade garden

A little birdie told me about a special deal happening over at CUTmodern. Airplantman aka Josh Rosen, one of the artists featured on CUTmodern, made a recent appearance in Sunset Magazine with his AirplantFrame. To celebrate, CUTmodern is overing this really unique planter with a 10% discount until June 30th, 2013. Just use code AP4CUT at checkout.

sunset_airplantman_feature

Screen Shot 2013-06-14 at 6.19.27 PM

This is from the CUTmodern description of the AirplantFrame:

Create a living painting with this fresh and original look at the vertical garden.  The AirplantFrame combines the elegance of soiless airplants with modern design.  Rosen draws inspiration from his background as a landscape architect and passionate horticulturalist.  His locally produced products combine functionality and a refined aesthetic, changing the way plants inhabit your world.  

Lightweight and built of rust-proof powder coated aluminum and hand strung stainless steel cable, the AirplantFrame is versatile both indoors or out.  Simple to hang, combine multiple AirplantFrames to fit any wall, window or patio.  To maintain, simply submerge both AirplantFrame and airplants in filtered water overnight weekly or spray thoroughly more often.  Airplants are easy to secure or rearrange, providing endless design opportunities.

handmade garden

handmade garden

handmade garden

handmade garden

handmade garden

handmade garden

handmade garden

Connect with CUTmodern:
STORE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | TUMBLR | PINTEREST

Handmade Profiles: Bernard Katz and his amazing glasswork

Monolito tikal and masso shown in tea color by Bernard Katz

There are moments for me, as I travel through the interwebs, where I wonder if the word ‘artist’ has become overused and underrated. Overused in the sense that we often quickly label someone an artist without truly understanding whether or not they actually embody the implications of the word. At the root of the word, an artist is a master of technique. An artist is someone who has excelled in their creative endeavors to such a degree that, when we think of them and their work, we think of someone who may beceome a standard bearer. They become someone intrinsically connected to their medium of choice, as if it came into being just so they can master and manipulate it.

Yet, I also believe that it is an underrated designation. We live in a world where, in some circles, to say you are an artist is to relegate yourself to some sort of esoteric hobbyist, incapable of actually building a means of maintenance from your chosen craft. Fortunately, I’m privileged to showcase artist who contradict both notions.  Daily, I’m thrilled to highlight  those who embody true artistry, of whom the label ‘artist’ is a badge of honor, worm with deserved pride. Such is the case with Bernard Katz and his amazing glass creations. Bernard’s contemporary glass structures are astonishing beautiful. They’re the kind of art that immediately grabs the soul when you encounter them. Frankly, I find myself breathlessly enthralled by his entire collection.

I’m grateful that Bernard was willing to answer a few questions for my continuing Handmade Profiles series. Enjoy the interview and please feel free to visit his online showroom and to leave a comment below.

1. What inspired you to begin your collection?
Inspiration has always been a tricky question for me. Nailing down my inspiration to just one concise thing can be difficult. To explain this more, I wrote an article about the complexity of inspiration. I can say, earlier in my career, my work had strong inspirations from nature. My Tree and Root series of work expresses this connection.

handmade glass art

Later, with connections still found in nature, I began moving away from vessels and began exploring sculptural forms. This departure can be seen in examples from this collection of work. My most recent work has become more about the interaction between forms. There is a “communication” between the forms from the Melange Series and Hozhoni Series.

Avelino in cinnamon

Avelino in cinnamon

Avelino in cinnamon

2. Can you name a favorite source of inspiration?
In recent years, I began further exploring the communication and interaction between forms. I think watching, from a distance, the interaction between my wife and daughter has had a big influence. I sometimes observe their body language with each other as they are doing simple everyday things.

3. What materials do you love to use?
I mostly work with hand blown glass. The unique quality in which it captures and plays with light has always intrigued me. Glass can utilize many other interesting factors… It can be opaque, translucent, or transparent. It can be very smooth and shiny to very rough. It can be any number of these combinations at the same time.

Shima in tea color by Bernard Katz

handmade glass art

4. Do you have a dream collaborator?
If I could go back in time, I would be interested in collaborating with either Henry Moore or Barbara Hepworth. Experiencing their thoughts first-hand about “form” would be fascinating.

5. When you need a musical muse, who do you turn up the volume for?
My musical tastes are very eclectic… But if I am going to turn up the volume while blowing glass, then I can’t go wrong with funk.

6. How do you use social media/blogging to promote your work?
Social media has been very instrumental in allowing us to engage with people. Using blogs, videos, and social media sites has helped us better connect with people. We try to tailor our content differently for each social media outlet. We promote ourselves by building trust and engagement, not by constant overt selling pitches.

Shima in auroa color by Bernard Katz

Melange Series 9 tea color by bernard katz Glass

7. Where do you see your shop/project going?
We enjoy creating one of a kind sculpture… But we also enjoy the challenges of working on bigger installations and custom projects.

Connect with Bernard Katz Glass:
SHOP | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST

Love These: Hanging Mobiles and Planters by Hruskaa

handmade mobiles plant holders

As you can imagine, I keep a running list of shops and artists to feature. There are so many great talents out there, If I didn’t attempt to be organized about posting to the LAB, I’d be even more of a mess than I am. There are times though, when I find a shop and it’s so outstanding that I just have to push it to the top of the list. That’s what happened when I stumbled upon Hruskaa. Man do I love this shop!

I’ve been seeing a renewed interest in planters and mobiles and I love it when an artist can reinterpret and reinvent something so basic. That’s what Melissa does with everything in her shop. Seriously, I think I’ll probably judge all future hanging art with Hruskaa as the measuring stick. And yes, that’s brass you see. Because you know how I love me some brass!

handmade mobiles plant holders

This collection is called Himmell, the Finnish word for sky or heaven and come in brass (!), copper and plastic. These amazing geometric shapes move freely in the air, and as you can tell, they can support small air plants. These works of modern art would look so great in your handmade space. Click on any of the images to see the entire collection over in the Hruskaa shop.

handmade mobiles plant holders

handmade mobiles plant holders

handmade mobiles plant holders

handmade mobiles plant holders

handmade mobiles plant holders

handmade mobiles plant holders

handmade mobiles plant holders

Connect with Hruskaa:
SHOP | FACEBOOK

 

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