Sarajo Friedan + Free Stuff

Happy Monday!

I hope you had a lovely weekend : ) We had pretty lousy weather here, we tried to venture out yesterday to do some fishing, but the southerly gale and the icy cold drizzle wasn't very encouraging! We did get to play some boardgames though, and the Lego frenzy is still going strong!

This morning is looking all good, the sun is shining and the wind has died right down, so we are all looking forward to getting out and about.

Shall we get this alphabet week underway??

Here we go...

Sarajo Friedan

As soon as I saw this first print from Sarajo Friedan I knew it would be a prefect way to start a new week. Adds a bit of sunshine pop don't you think?

I tried to find my own words to describe Sarajo and her work, but really her own info just sums it up perfectly...

"I work from a studio in Los Angeles that borders Thai Town, Little Armenia and Koreatown, with Guatemalan and Salvadoran bakeries nearby. The cacophony of hand-painted signs in a variety of languages serves as both inspiration and daily reminder that the ordinary is often extraordinary and nothing is what it seems.

A host of disparate vocabularies from the worlds of fine, folk and decorative art, including Persian miniatures, Shaker trance drawings, Japanese ukiyo-e, and my Hungarian great aunt’s embroidery, can be found wandering through my images. Using open ended narratives, folk tales, abstraction and the juxtaposition of discordant images, I try to give form to the human experience as I see it. "

(images and quote from Sarajo Friedan)

NOTES:
visit Sarajo's website

Free Stuff

On Friday I told you about a Eat Drink Chic - have you been yet?? I've just come back from another long peruse - talk about being sidetracked!

Based in Melbourne, Amy Moss is the stylist, graphic designer and writer behind Eat Drink Chic.

"Fusing my design background with do-it-yourself craft projects, I’m seeking to inject style into day to day life."

Not only is Amy's blog full of all sorts of eye candy and inspiration, it has a ton of free DIY goodness as well - have a look!

(images from Eat Drink Chic)

NOTES:
visit Amy's website

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Thanks so much for dropping by. Have a wonderful day!

See you tomorrow. xxoo

B!

Hello, and welcome to Tuesday!

let's start the day with...

Binth

The word Binth was invented by Suzanna Bierwirth, Peter Dunham and Linnea Gits. I did read in an old Decor8 post that Binth stands for "Beautiful, Intriguing, New, Timeless and Haunting".

The trio create a collection of products under the Binth name that includes a gorgeous kids collection, plus, pillows, greeting cards and art prints. The 'Binth' style is clean, original and modern. All their colours are hand mixed, producing a striking colour palette of soft contemporary hues. It is this colour mixing, teamed with their collaborative design process that gives the range that distinctive 'Binth' look.

I adore their Baby Book which offers parents an alternative to the traditional books regularly available. It has been given rave reviews...

"It's so absolutely beautiful you could practically hang it on the wall. Each page features equally wonderful plant and animal silhouettes, screen printed on archival paper. There are 52 of them (pages) to enjoy, taking you from birth to age 3. You also get a pretty keepsake box. Binth makes fabulous birth announcements and shower invitations too, but this book takes the cake. And it's part of a limited edition, making it almost as unique as your little one. So if you want to get back to baby book basics, look no further." - From the Baby Gadget Blog October 2006

Take a peek:

(images from Binth)

NOTES:
visit the Binth website
see Binth for stockists

Jill Bliss

"The underlying hope in everything that I do is to inspire others, and to encourage a more thoughtful art and design industry that focuses on local economies, fair practices and reusable or sustainable materials, and less consumption tied to ever-changing trends."

Wow! This quote is from the website of Jill Bliss. Doesn't it sound amazing!!?? Jill is an accomplished artist, illustrator, designer and crafter who is achieving these goals through her own Blissen Range of Paper Goods, Art Prints, Mirrors, Buttons and Note Cards - All made in small batches in her Portland (Oregon) studio.

Jill grew up on a farm in northern California and her academic and professional backgrounds have seen her working and studying in New York and San Fransisco. It is this background that shows so strongly through in her work - her attention to natural details mixed with her sparse-yet-dense sense of colour and design.

Have a look:

(images from Jill Bliss)

NOTES:
visit the Jill Bliss website
visit the Blissen store
read Jill's blog

Birdy Mobile from Spool

I thought it would be fun to end this B post with a little DIY project from Spool..

This mobile is stunning! It would definitely be a fabulous addition to a baby's room - but hey! who needs a baby?? I want on for myself!

Click here for Spool's FREE birdy mobile pattern - and get creative!

(images from Spool)

NOTES:
visit Spools website
check out more of Spools free patterns
read Spool's blog

HAVE FUN!

and tomorrow is C! c you then! x

to B or not to B

Book Storage

Let's start the B's with a bit of D.I.Y.. nothing like keeping your hands warm with a fun winter project!

Isn't this bookshelf great? I found it over at Martha Stewart.. there is nothing like organisation that looks good! This is a ready made plate rack attached to the wall. It would be fab on the back of a door too if you were limited on space... for instructions on how to make one, click HERE.

(image from Martha Stewart)

Bird vs. Bird

Bird vs. Bird is created by super talented designer Bess Petty. Bess lives in Oakland, California and works in a commercial sign shop by day...she creates a wonderful selection of merchandise printed on the margins and roll-ends of the industrial vinyl and banner material that would otherwise end up at the trash at her work.

Most products feature common birds and weeds, and her range includes these wonderful wallets...

(images from Bess Petty)

NOTES:

Warning! Bess DOES ship internationally!!

Visit Bess's Etsy Shop HERE

Bodo Sperlein

I first spotted this chandelier in a magazine at the library - sorry I can't remember the name of the mag... but I did remember the name of the chandelier - Niagara Chandelier.

The Niagara Chandelier was produced by an amazing ceramic artist - Bodo Sperlein. Bodo is a London based consultant and manufacturer who produces an inspiring range of lighting and tableware.

The Niagara Chandelier (pictured above) was produced for Llardò as part of their Re-cyclos Collection. Also included in this collection are these incredible Light Sculptures:

I LOVE the 'Freeze Frame Birds Hanging Lamp' (at top) - especially the shadows it creates on the wall. I can only imagine that the Butterfly Lamp pictured at the bottom, has the same magical effect.

(images from Bodo Sperlein and Re-cyclos Collection)

NOTES:

For a list of stockists visit Bodo Sperlein and Lladrò online.

Little Wish Boats

Something a bit whimsical...It is so rewarding, that after a bit of online-shop trawling, you can come across something as sweet and gorgeous as these... the sentiment behind them is just as beautiful.

Jurianne Matter is the creator behind these sweet wee treasures. According to Bijzondermooi (where I discovered them) Jurianne made her first paper-folding boat as a farewell present for a dear friend, who was going on a long extended trip. After realising these little boats would fit many celebrations, Jurianne made them available so they can sail out to celebrate weddings, new babies, birthdays, new jobs and anniversaries.

Sold in packs of 8 paper sheets, with simple folding instructions, the Little Wish Boats are the perfect whimsical gift of love!

NOTES:

All though shipping to NZ is quite expensive, it is worth having a look at Bijzonrtmooi.nl

Book of the week:

I thought it only fitting to start our regular 'Book of the Week' slot on 'B' day. Every Tuesday we will highlight one of the books we have listed in the Design Alphabet Book Shop.

This week we would like to introduce Amy Butler's newest book - Midwest Modern. Click through to the Book Shop for the latest reviews and to add it to your collection - enjoy!

'C' you tomorrow!!