C

NOTE: I have been having some layout problems once my post has been published. (like double line breaks when there should be single etc..) Please excuse them, I am trying to rectify them for future posts...xxxx










mmmmm! C is lookin' GOOD!!

So, let's start with...

Castle and Things

Founded in 2008 Castle and Things became a fully fledged business venture after the small linen range Rachel Castle made for family and friends received significant interest.

A modern blend of handcrafted and hand-printed pieces ensures the Castle range sits comfortably amongst it's peers in the bed and house-ware industry.

Ever since I saw Rachel's "why are there so many songs about rainbows" embroidery (shown directly below), I haven't been able to get the song out of my head! - I love it, and by the looks of it, other people do too, with an extra 5 versions added to her store recently.

I do suggest you jump over and browse through the complete 'Castle and Things' collection - and for those of you in this southern part of the world, you'll be pleased to know that Castle and Things is located in New South Wales (Australia) and delivery on all artwork is Free!!

(images from Castle and Things)

NOTES:
visit the Castle and Things shop

Claire Mojher

Claire Mojher is one clever gal. She is a commercial illustrator by day, who, thankfully for us, takes the time to draw, paint and write in the evenings and on weekends.
Her work is vast, and varied, but I particularly love this collection of drawn, painted and stitched pieces that she has in her store.

Take a peek:

(images from Claire Mojher)

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

Rachael Cole

I think it was the colours of this set of grey and yellow cushions (pictured below) that originally captured me. Grey and yellow is one of my favourite colour combos after all : )

After delving just a little bit further I discovered that Rachael Cole cleverly creates this collection of cushions that "fit together to form the landscape of a little town—somewhere far away from the city."

These cushions are all hand screen-printed in very limited editions, and are definitely worth a look-see...

(images from Rachael Cole)

NOTES:
visit Rachael's Village Pillows website
see Rachael's other work

and that is C! Half way through the week already! - see you tomorrow for D!

b.b.b beautiful!

A lovely selection of things to things to share with you today : ) - enjoy!


Hannah Bureau, Rebecca Bureau, and Sarah Bazos

Hannah, Rebecca and Sarah are the masterminds behind their "small company of beautiful things" - Three Sisters Ink. This sisterly collaboration that is obviously working well for them as the work they produce is fantastic! - check it out...



(images from Three Sisters Ink)


NOTES:
visit the Three Sisters Ink website
visit the Three Sisters Ink shop
read the Three Sisters Ink blog


Blue Thimble

I am loving this work by Allison Rose of Blue Thimble. As a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design, Allison's work involves layers of meticulous hand silk-screened textiles - sometimes up to 50 layers. It is obvious that Allison isn't afraid of colour, and in fact embraces it whole-heartily! "I could not choose which color is my favorite- that would be discriminating to me" - love it!

Take a peek:

(images from Blue Thimble)

NOTES:

visit Allison's store

Blocks by Petit Flâneur

OK I'm cheating a bit here, but I couldn't wait for P or F to tell you about Petit Flâneur! You really do need to skip over to their site and check out all the fabulous goodness that they produce - "crafting wonder into the lives of young and old." delicious!!

So, not only do they produce this divine range of blocks (seen below) the Petit Flâneur collection includes other toys, artworks, cards and clothing, and... they provide custom design services in the areas of product, graphic, and packaging design - check it out... (images from Petit Flâneur)

NOTES:

visit the Petit Flâneur website

visit the Petit Flâneur shop

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

* * *Special Feature* * *

Boon Chocolates

I couldn't go past Boon Chocolates when I discovered them in my favourite Australian magazine Inside Out - too beautiful to eat? - maybe not!!

If you are in the market for some truly gorgeous choccies, then I suggest you go on over to Boon and have a look : )

(images from Boon Chocolates)

NOTES:
visit the Boon Chocolates website
read the Inside Out blog

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

and there we have B! Have a great day everyone! - see you tomorrow for C!

Yay it's A!

So here is how it's been working while I've been 'away'... I've been reading, reading, reading, and searching, searching, searching, (and finding, finding, finding!) that, and all the lovely emails I have been getting, has amounted to a huge, never-ending catalogue of goodness to share with you - and here we begin...

I figured we might as well begin right here at home in not-as-cold-as-it-should-be New Zealand...

Introducing

Amy Li

Amy's range of 'wearable artworks' are just divine! I love the lively quirkiness of this 'Playful 2008' collection and her use of non-precious, everyday materials.

As a graduate of Bachelor of Visual Arts course at the University of Auckland, Amy "engages wearers and viewers in a visual dialogue on issues of value surrounding body adornment, the throwaway; as well as the wide consequences of our relationship with our environment."

Enjoy!

If you are in NZ in July and August make sure you visit Amy's showcase of new work:

Jewellery Box Showcase
Thu, 23 Jul 09 - Wed, 12 Aug 09
Masterworks Gallery
77 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby.
Auckland.

(images from Toggle and Objectspace)
(quote from Toggle)

NOTES:
Visit Amy's store

Art Mind

There has been quite a bit written lately about the work of Mitsy from 'Art Mind'. Bloggers all around the place have been loving her '99 feelings' series - and I'm one of them! Sorry if you've read it all before, but here you go again : ) ...

The '99 Feelings' series is a collection of 99 ceramic 'feelings' - the same simple shape expressing different emotions.

Can you pick which emotion is which?

These beautiful little figures are so much more than just works of art, and Mitsy's blog explains;

"When people buy a mini art feeling, they sometimes write why or for who they are buying it. My curious nature loves that but mostly I'm very touched by the story behind it.One of my feelings courage (pictured directly above) went as a gift to a person who just recovered from a coma. Another one went as a gift to someone who's battling with cancer at the moment.I hope that both these people will find the courage to conquer the hard times that they are going through. I feel touched to know that my work has reached their hearts and that my little feeling 'courage' will be part of their journey...Both these sales are in my heart more then any other and I quite often look back and hope that 'courage' will help them remember to go on in hard times and that they are surrounded by people who care about them..."

How wonderful is that??

(images and quote from Art Mind)

NOTES:
visit Mitsy's store
read Mitsy's blog
see more of Mitsy's work on flickr

Alexandra Ashby

I am loving these hand drawn images by Alexandra Ashby. It has been quite tricky finding any information about Alexandra, but I think her work speaks for itself - simple beauty.

The Fuchsia image (second down) reminds me of my childhood - popping the fuchsia buds in my grandmothers garden (!), and watching their 'ballerina skirts' bob and dance about. I was always so taken by their amazing contract of colours...

Take a peek:

(images from Alexandra Ashby)

NOTES:
visit Alexandra's shop

Oooh, and there we have it! - we are officially back! I hope you enjoyed dipping your toes into this 4th alphabet - see you tomorrow for B!

The Design Alphabet is BACK!

I am so excited! The Design Alphabet will be officially BACK on Monday - yay!! It has been a long time coming I know - much longer than anticipated, but I'm ready - and inspired, and very keen to introduce you to some more loveliness...

You will see we have some new friends and favourites listed (on the right of your screen). Included is the lovely Sarah Wilkins, plus some other favourite online finds that I think are a must see, so skip on over and check them out...

Here we go! Fasten your seatbelts,

we begin with 'A' on Monday!!

(image "reflections" by Sarah Wilkins)

T is for Tick Tock

Hi there,

I can't believe how fast time has flown by. It is already March!! I'm still not in a position to write daily, but I might just start posting 'letters' as I compile them..

In the meantime, time might as well tick and look super pretty too.. check out these gorgeous clocks from Decoylab -



There are more too - so check them out!

(images from Decoylab)

NOTES:
visit the Decoylab shop