Monkey Puzzle Press + Frank Gonzales + Blaze Danielle Bratcher

The end is near : ) Here we are at 'z' for the 5th time. What an Alphabet this has been! I really do hope you have enjoyed it. We have some fab treats to finish on...let's get going...


Monkey Puzzle Press

If you are in the market for a sketch book I would encourage you to seriously consider one of these handmade books by Elan Gombart of Monkey Puzzle Press. Elan transforms vintage book covers into beautiful, re fillable sketchbooks.

I love that this series of Childcraft Encyclopedia sketchbooks (the ones with the red covers below) have the original illustrated endpapers on the inside cover - making them even more fabulous! - check them out...

(images from Monkey Puzzle Press)

NOTES:

visit Elan's store

read Elan's blog

Frank Gonzales

I have to give credit to Elan from Monkey Puzzle Press for the introduction to the work of Frank Gonzales. When I was over at Elan's blog, I was completely captivated by a post she did on Frank's paintings - i just had to find out more!

A trip to Frank's website proved to be just as captivating. His collection of Bird Paintings are beautiful, and a deeper dip into his archives reveals more birds, landscapes and figure paintings.

Take a peek:

(images from Frank Gonzales)

NOTES:
visit Frank's website
read Frank's blog

Blaze Danielle Bratcher

I am really pleased to be ending this Alphabet with the Prints from original works by Blaze Danielle Bratcher. Have you seen them? Intricate fabric collages crafted into whimsical pieces of art - I have written the name of each piece under the images - their names are fantastic!

I think Blaze's work is not only a lovely way to end this alphabet but a soothing way to begin the weekend...I could float away in this first image below...

above: riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise

above: no gifts, no power, no wisdom

above: thou mine inheritance now and always

above: peace like a river attendeth my way

above: sorrows like sea billows roll

(images from Blaze Danielle Bratcher)

NOTES:

visit Blaze's store

read Blaze's blog

Well my friends, here we are at the end of Alphabet5. Thank you so much for being part of this alphabetical journey, it really is an honor to share it with you.

The end of this Alphabet also means the beginning of the weekend... Do you have anything fun planned? Good friends of ours have just had a baby girl *Welcome to the world Georgia!*, so we are really excited to meet her and congratulate her parents in person.

Oh, I nearly forgot - We have our traditional 'between alphabets' week next week, so there are lots of interesting things to share with you - you will join me wont you?

In the meantime, have a wonderful weekend!

See you Monday xxoo

Esther Derkx + Yvette Inufio + Yokoo

X and Y.. we are nearly at the end...

Have fun!


Esther Derkx

I recently wrote about Nina Invorm whose 'improved crockery' work I love. Like Nina, Esther Derkx also produces a collection of improved crockery, all though Esther's work is completely different.

Esther layers prints of contorting gymnasts and sporty gents (to name two) onto traditional floral crockery giving it a new life and an interesting twist.

Esther began working as a product designer in 2000, her inspiration comes from "her working experience, travelling and experiences using the screen print technique in any possible way and on any possible material"

(images and quote from Esther Derkx)

NOTES:
visit Esther's website
visit Esther's store

Yvette Inufio

I have spent a bit of time over at flickr lately. Just immersing myself into some photography and familiarising myself with different photographers.

It was there that I came across the work of Yvette Inufio. Yvette's portfolio is extensive - nearly 1500 beautiful photographs in a variety of subjects - how was I to choose?! I ended up jumping over to her store and choosing from the smaller (and still very beautiful) collection there.

Take some time, and check out Yvette's work - links are in the Notes. Enjoy!

(images from Yvette Inufio)

NOTES:
visit Yvette's flickr site
visit Yvette's store

Yokoo

No doubt you have heard all about the amazing over sized scarves, cowls and accessories from Yokoo, but just in case you haven't, here's a glimpse at Yokoo's collection...The soopascarf that is pictured last measures 8ft long and 8inches wide - that big baby has got to be the snuggliest, warmest scarf on the planet! I love it!

(images from Yokoo)

NOTES:
visit Yokoo's store
read Yokoo's blog

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

♥ S p e c i a l F e a t u r e ♥

The lovely Hollie from Dr Kennedy Jones asked me to let you know that
she is having super sale over at her store...

you should check it out

Here's the scoop: FREE SHIPPING ON PRINTS to the U.S. and CANADA and discounted shipping everywhere else. there are originals in the sale section up to 50% OFF. the original pricing will be listed in the description. ALSO receive a FREE MINI PRINT with every purchase of an -original- piece!! list your mini print choice in the comment section of your order.

Be in quick! SALE lasts until saturday aug 1st.

Grab a bargain at Dr Kennedy Jones

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

And that's all folks : ) Have a wonderful day!

See you tomorrow for zzzzzzz!!! xxoo

Scott Waterman + Kim Westad + Bride and Wolfe

W is for Wow it's Wednesday! Already the middle of the week! I am in the process of finalising next weeks content as we will be in our 'between alphabets' week. - and then it will be head long into Alphabet6 - can you believe it? I know, I know, I say "can you believe it" at the beginning and end of every Alphabet, but I do still find it super (actually super-duper!) exciting that the Alphabets keep rolling through : )

Enough excited rambling! Let's get this 'W' underway!

Scott Waterman

Scott Waterman emailed me a couple of weeks ago to introduce me to his portfolio of work. I tell you, I spent a very, very long time over at his flickr site, and immediately added him to our 'W' catalogue. - thanks Scott!

It took me quite a long time to choose which images to show you. I always think it is fun (and inspiring) to see where artists create their work - and the opportunity to see works in progress. Scott has an extensive collection of studio photographs, and I have chosen to share a snippet of these with you today. I do suggest you jump over and take a look at the whole collection.

(NB: these images below are from a collection dated 2006. See the Notes below for links to these and more recent works.)

(images from Scott Waterman)

NOTES:
visit Scott's website here and here
visit Scott's flickr site

Kim Westad

Starting her creative career as a Graphic Designer, Kim Westad found herself longing for a different creative outlet. After a friend suggested taking a pottery workshop, Kim realised that working with clay filled the creative void she had been feeling in her life. She threw in her day job, and devoted all her time and attention to ceramics.

Kim's, strong beautiful and textural pieces are testament to her formal art training -

"the human body, nature and modern industrial design and architecture all have an impact on my work...

Form is the most important aspect of my pieces which I augment by manipulating fluid lines and curves to enhance the beauty and function of each piece.
It is important to me that people enjoy handling and using my vessels as much as viewing them, so each pieces is built to be aesthetically and tactically pleasing."

(images and quote from Kim Westad)

NOTES:
visit Kim's website
visit Kim's store here and here

Bride and Wolfe

Bride and Wolfe designer and founder Miranda Moreira creates these gorgeous hand crafted silhouettes in her garden studio. Miranda returned to Australia from a six year stint in France inspired by a tiny timber Hansel and Gretel silhouette she spotted behind a shop counter in Paris.

That fairy tale imagery had stayed with her and became the cornerstone of what has become Miranda's Melbourne based business Bride and Wolfe.

"Bride&Wolfe pieces are inspired by Chinese paper cutting, fossicked embroidery and fabrics, European folklore, and vintage Disney films. These influences are the touchstones for modern, resonant designs that evoke fairytales, forests and the magic of childhood."

(images and quote from Bride and Wolfe)

NOTES:
visit Miranda's website
visit Miranda's store

Thanks so much for joining me today. I hope your day is wonderful!

See you tomorrow! xxoo