+ Jennifer Mercede

Hello!

This year, one of my goals is to find a 'permanent creative outlet'...to me that means sticking at something, really delving in to it, really exploring it's (and mine) possibilities. I spend so much time and energy dabbling here and there, that I really am ready to 'settle' into something - do you know what I mean?

Of course I am hindered by a whole heap of insecurities; like "what if someone sees it?"(!), and "what if no-one likes it?", and I really must get my head around the fact that it isn't about 'everyone else', it really is just about me.

Jennifer Mercede

I recently read an interview over at the Portal Zine Blog from the super creative and super talented Jennifer Mercede. I has very much inspired me to continue on my quest for my own creative outlet. The words that really stuck to me are:

Q. What do you dream?
A. Of being so confident I love everyone and am free from any one's opinion of me!

Yes! Me too!

I've selected a few fun pieces out of Jennifer's store to share with you here, jump on over to her website for more... enjoy!

(images from Jennifer Mercede, quote from Portal Zine)

NOTES:
visit Jennifer's website
visit Jennifer's store

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Do you have any dreams for this year?? I hope you are nudging them along and you are on your way to making them come true : )

Have a great day!

xxoo

Jorine Oosterhoff

Hi!

It looks like the sun is going to have a wee break today. Even though it is a bit disappointing, it does give us an excuse to hang out at home and do some bits and bobs around the place - ooh and it's Friday! - again!

I've got some lovelies to share with you here... take a peek:

Jorine Oosterhoff

This Tea Time Set (pictured first below) from Jorine Oosterhoff is just divine! Based on characters and built to be a family, each and every one of these lovelies would be welcome to join me for tea anytime! - look at those legs!

"Each piece has it's own identity. With their character-like look they seem to come alive living their lives on the table like soldiers in a little nation. Creating surrealistic moments like in Alice in Wonderland."

Jorine produces a variety of work for a wide range of clients, these and her own projects are full of ceramic characters, all with function and personality - you should have a look...

... oh and for those of you in NZ, the cute coat hooks pictured 4th and 5th below are available from IkoIko through Essential at Home. - yay!

(images and quote from Jorine Oosterhoff)

NOTES:
visit Jorine's website

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Another weekend! This is the last weekend before school starts back... the end of the holidays is looming : ( I'm a bit sad about that! We have had such a lovely time. But I know my oldest boy is keen to get back into the swing of things and is looking forward to hanging out with his buddies every day...

What are you up to this weekend? What ever you do - have a wonderful time!

I'll see you Monday for P!
xxoo

Julia Bereciartu

Hello!

This morning has been lovely, it has started very slowly... I lay in bed for a little bit longer, lingered over my cup of tea, sat with the boys pulling Lego pieces apart and even repositioned the flower vases...but I have to say, all this slowness has come to an end.

Boys never stay slow for long, and now they are running around full of boisterous energy! Standing over my shoulder as I write this, asking a million questions and wanting to know about the clever person I'm going to share with you today. All those - how did they do that? Do you think they practise lots? Is that a photo or did they draw that? questions questions!... questions that don't help mama's to concentrate on writing!! That is the downfall of a slow morning : )

So, we better get started don't you think?

Julia Bereciartu

I first came across Julia Bereciartu's work in her etsy store, and have enjoyed it immensely. The fact that her work is featured in the latest issue of "200 Best Illustrators worldwide 09/10" by Lürzer's Archive, pretty much says it all!

Living and working in Madrid (Spain), Julia produces a collection of works that are beautiful and diverse. I have chosen some samples of her watercolour drawings and Polaroids to share with you here, but if you skip over to her website you can check out a portfolio full of original works, illustrations and collage - take a peek:

(images from Julia Bereciartu)

NOTES:
visit Julia's website
visit Julia's store
read Julia's blog

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You won't believe the noise that is going on behind me right now. My boys are on the floor behind my seat racing cars around in a plastic bucket! I haven't the heart to tell them to move their playing to another room, instead, I think I'll join them : )

Oh, and it's the weekend! That sneaked up pretty quickly! Have a wonderful weekend!

See you Monday xxoo

Julene Harrison + Jen Maestre + Studio Jessi

Happy Friday!

It's a beautiful day here today, I hope you are finding a warm spot where ever you are : )
Let's jump in...

Julene Harrison

You know how much I love paper cutting right? I have posted a few of my faves in the past. I now (yay!) have a new one to add to my favourites list - Julene Harrison.

Julene's store holds a beautiful collection of laser cut artworks each intricately cut with a sentimental or thought provoking quote. If you delve into Julene's website you will find a series of custom artworks, painstakingly cut by hand... each one is so, so beautiful - Look!

(images from Julene Harrison)

NOTES:
visit Julene's website
visit Julene's store

Jen Maestre

I thought it would be fun to end the week with some pencil love. - Have you seen the work of Jen Maestre before?

Not only does Jen create an incredible collection of sculpture made out of pencils or nails (see her portfolio here), she has scaled down her work to create these individually crafted jewellery pieces.

"I am a sculptor with a particular fascination for pencils. I find them extremely inspiring, probably because I have a million of them in my studio. The big joke in my studio- I can never find anything to write with. "

(image and quote from Jen Maestre)

NOTES:
visit Jen's website
visit Jen's store

I heart Studio Jessi...

You may remember me including the work of Jessi Halliday here in alphabet*four. Jessi is a super clever gal who makes the most exquisite range of softies...

I wanted to finish the week with something that you could meander through, something that you could and find some inspiration in.. and Jessi's blog is just that, it's a wee snippet of her day to day life, with a nice dose of music, cooking and craft..."A little look into my hand made world.." enjoy!

(image and quote from Jessi Halliday)

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I do hope you have a wonderful weekend and find some time to relax and reflect, enjoy and indulge. I thought I'd leave you with this piece that I wrote for the post that included Jessi Halliday's softies.. it is still so relevant today, as I am sure it will be tomorrow and for may days and weeks and months to come...

"I am constantly blown away by the seemingly infinite assortment of super talented creative folk out there, and I love the fact that fabulous sites like Etsy, Flickr - and google(!) have brought the work of so many of them in front of admirers all over the world.

I love the fact that I have a job that lets me oohh and ahhh all day long and then share all my best finds with all you lovely readers... and I love the fact that all you lovely readers join me daily on this alphabetical journey : ) "

Thanks so much for joining me,

see you Monday xxoo

Josh Brill + Silence

Hello,

Today we are going to do things a bit differently.

I am sure most of you would of heard about the massive destruction that was caused by an earthquake and tsunami that ripped through the Pacific Islands this week, and the horrific earthquakes that have shaken and destroyed parts of Indonesia.

So many lives have been lost, so many of the living are homeless, their villages flattened, the search for lost family and friends seeming fruitless. The devastation is beyond belief.

I have been particularly struck by the loss in Samoa, I shed tears last night as I watched a report of a man searching for eleven members of his family. Eleven. All eventually found, all killed by the force of the wave. It is unbelievable.

Today I have decided to showcase just one artist. I am leaving off the second artist and our regular blog wonderland as a gesture of a minutes silence.

Please take some time to reflect on your own lives, and the lives of others who are less fortunate than yourself. Even if it is only with your thoughts, please send some love and support to all the people around the Pacific region and Indonesia who now have nothing.

Red Cross or Oxfam will have donation centres set up, so if you can help financially please do. (please contact the Red Cross or Oxfam centres that is closest to you)


On a lighter, brighter and less sombre note, would you like to see who is being showcased today?

Josh Brill

This series of birds from artist Josh Brill is beautiful.

"The Flora Fauna collection is a cataloguing of the design identities of plants and animals from around the world. Examining the visual character differences and similarities of species. A field guide of discovery, beginning with birds."

It was pretty hard to choose a favourite from Josh's limited edition prints but I would have to go with the Scarlett Robin pictured 4th below.

I do suggest a visit to Josh's website, the bird collection contains 22 prints in all, each one as fabulous as these below... enjoy!

(images and quote from Josh Brill)

NOTES:
visit Josh's website
a percentage of profits raised trough the sale of Josh's work are donated to Animal and Environmental charities

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It's the weekend! Have a wonderful weekend whatever you do. I'll see you back here on Monday for K!

xxoo

..silence..

Jane Reiseger + Joanna Medocino + Oh Joy!

We woke up this morning to another stunner of a day - you know the kind where the heating needs to be turned on before anyone gets up, the ground is white with frost, and the sky is blue, blue, blue. One of those days where even though it is a bit nippy out, the sun on your back at the breakfast table is a sure sign of what the day brings - crisp, warming, spring air - mmmmmmmm! nothing beats it!

Jane Reiseger

I am so inspired by what I have to share with you today. First up I wanted to showcase the mural work of illustrator Jane Reiseger.

I discovered the work of Melbourne based Jane, over at the modamuse blog, and immediately fell in love with her mural work. The simplicity of her line drawing, combined with her sense of whimsy, create work that is the perfect compliment to many different spaces.

check them out...

(images from Jane Reiseger)

NOTES:
visit Jane's website

Joanna Medocino

Whenever I think of Okinawa (Japan) all I imagine is the movie Karate Kid (Part 2) - you know the one where Daniel travels with Mr Miyagi to Okinawa because Mr Miyagi's father is dying, and, of course there are baddies to fight and love to be gained!

Thanks to San Fransisco based Joanna Medocino, I now have something completely different to imagine...

Joanna's mother is originally from Okinawa and Joanna and her two sisters were fortunate enough to spend time there when they were children. They have all visited there several times over the years and all three sisters have a deep love for everything Japanese. Luckily for us, this love and heritage definitely shows through in Joanna's work.

"I like to think of my work as 'crafty modern' – I make simple, clean forms, with a very handmade touch to it....The images I work with are often things that I have been drawn to since I was young: like pebbles, cobblestone pathways, and animals."

Check out the cuteness in these pieces!

(images and quote from Joanna Medocino)

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

It is lovely to be ending the week with the fabulous blog Oh Joy! Oh Joy! is the blog of super creative Nantaka Joy. Have you visited?

Nantaka features all the good stuff when it comes to design and style - from food to fashion and everything in between. Her exceptional taste means that her daily writings are chock full of gorgeous photos and tempting treats. I know you'll love it!

(image from Oh Joy!)

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And here we are knocking on the door of the weekend - yay! Do you have anything special planned? I am wanting to get some spring veges in the ground this weekend, and of course wishing that this spring weather will last : )

What ever you do this weekend, I hope it is wonderful. Thanks so much for joining me,

See you Monday! xxoo