Book Hunt 10 & 11

I was having a pretty cruddy Friday two days ago (an oxymoron) after finding out that the short sale house we’ve been trying to buy for over 60 days fell through and we wouldn’t be getting it afterall. It’s the third house we’ve put an offer on (we put an offer on a fourth while waiting for this one which we also didn’t get) and needless to say, it’s been a loooong and difficult process. Six months and 68 houses later, we are still looking.

Ben took pity on me and bought me dinner at Mali Thai that night (the restaurant I love to throw money at). Then as always, we heard the siren-call of Half Price Books and found ourselves sifting through shelves. Low and behold, about fifteen minutes in I see the HARDCOVER of my favorite children’s book of all time – Peach & Blue (you can read about the time I found the paper back copy here).

Well, this changed everything. I was giddy and smiling like an idiot. I couldn’t stop smiling. I wanted the whole store to know what I found and how long I’ve been looking for it. I pranced over to where Ben was standing and paraded the book in front of him. Who cares about not getting the house…I got this book for $3.99! Amongst other things :)

The search for houses continues, but the search for this gem is OVA!

Fairytale Who

You can always trust an artist who likes steam punk, Doctor Who, fairy tales, and Disney. Her bio also mentions that she’s fluent in Harry Potter and Star Wars (so that about covers the whole planet). I’m in awe of Karen Hallion’s illustrative style and had to share.

“Come Away with Me”

“Big Bad Wolf”

“Part of Every World”

“Who’s this”

“Falling”

“You Comin’ Blondie?”

“Can Not Hide Who I Am Inside”

“Escaping the Huntsman”

“Adventure in the Great, Wide Somewhere”

Khan You Handle It?

Is it possible to be motivated two days in a row? Yes, especially after the Oscars. You see, girls do this silly thing where we sift through Oscar dresses and dub the “Best Dressed” while poking fun at the less glamorous (because as much as we’re ashamed to admit it, we take this rare opportunity to make fun of the perfectly sculpted and their stupidly perfect clavicle bones). But did anyone else feel like the female celebrities were playing it safe this year? What happened to American-Express-credit-card-dresses and egg-dropping swans? I don’t know about you, but I’m getting tired of white and shades of nude. You know media’s getting desperate when they start making fun of Jennifer Aniston’s boringness (c’mon, it’s to be expected) and wrinkles in Helen Hunt’s gown. We can do better than this Hollywood. Impress me with WEIRD. Gimme something worthy of mimicking for Halloween.

But another thing I especially like about this event are the new names I learn (which follow directly after the line “Who are you wearing tonight?”) Take Naeem Khan for instance who designed Stacy Keibler’s gown. Khan is all about the SEQUINS and bold prints (often times combined).

His work is like a magic carpet ride and springtime. Exotic prints fit for a sultan. To all the famous ladies out there: Yes, it’s possible to play it safe at the Oscars and NOT be repetitious. You’re going to the Oscars for heavens sake…you’re not dead! Go with someone like Khan. He makes beautiful, classy dresses that stand out in a good way (most of the time).

So I’ve come to the conclusion that normal people like me get frustrated at genetic-miracles like you (referring to famous people) because you guys actually have the money AND the body to pull off mermaid-cuts and strapless, backless fabrics. So do it and do it well (aside from donating to charities and adopting children…those two things should always trump fashion and in that order). Just wow us. You are what we talk about at the office when we’re tired of looking at Grumpy Cat or moping over old episodes of Grey’s Anatomy.  And if you so feel the urge to Bjork yourself, PLEASE put on a ridiculous headdress or animal-themed cape. I know deep down inside that, unlike chivalry, bravery and humor are not dead :)

Motivational Monday: Serious Drawings

You’ve probably seen the work of Marc Johns before (I have but didn’t actually put a name to it until today). It’s every hipster’s fantasy – a collection of bicycles, fish, mustaches, antlers, smoking pipes, running furniture and animals covered in lightning bolts. His watercolor & ink art is silly, funny, simple…he basically takes a moment or fleeting thought and puts it down on paper.

I can only describe this artist as a master of doodles. If you scroll through his blog, you’ll see that a lot of people from all over the world have tattooed his artwork onto their body. If that isn’t a testament to you being a great artist, I don’t know what is. And I have to admit…I’m tempted to get one of his stuff on my epidermis too.

Fold.

One of my favorite things in life – handmade greeting cards. Or just handmade anything. If you like those too, you’ll probably like this online shop called Fold.

Here you’ll find the cutest, simplest cards made out of wire & cut paper on 100% recycled paper stock. Since each card is handmade, each one is slightly different. There’s something about simple shapes crafted out of different materials, layered on top of each other that makes it, in and of itself, a work of art…worthy of a frame. Minimalism at its finest.

I feel like there’s a pun somewhere…how about…wired on crafts or bending back into shape one card at a time? Too much? :)

Bead Up

Some people suit up…some people bead up.

Back track. I’m always amazed at how many talented people there are in my life. Forget inspirational blogs cause my family and friends are the shiiiii (no not shingles). They draw and paint like it’s nobody’s business. They wiggle their fingers and beautiful sounds erupt out of funny looking instruments. Their cooking demands that a new restaurant be opened up. So luckily for you guys, my friend and colleague (Erin who I like to call Ewin) set up shop here on Etsy and is now selling her handmade jewelry! She designs wine accessories by day and delightful trinkets by night – a dabbler of the arts.

These beauties are hand-twisted, hand-flattened and hand-beaded with love and perfection. Yes, some people take the time to lace microscopic beads onto a string one by one until they look like THAT. Cool huh? So for the guys who flopped on last year’s Valentine’s gift – you know what to do. Ladies who deserve a treat…you work too hard and look too pretty not to have one of these hanging off your ears.

Remember what Adam Glassman (Oprah’s old creative director) said about accessorizing: “Try wearing just one big, memorable piece. A wide cuff (or earrings in the semblance of peacock feathers) can easily become your calling card.” ;)

Front Page

I don’t know if you remember my post back in March 2012 which featured the fabulous work of friend and artist Caroline McGah, but today she was featured on the front page of Etsy! Check out her adorable “Heart & Soul” greeting card. I think it stands out the most :)

I don’t know if most people realize this, but being featured on Etsy front and center is a HUGE deal. Why you ask? Elise White explains it well in her article:

“Etsy is the largest online marketplace for handmade and vintage goods. (It) has a robust and thriving community of sellers and buyers who love interacting in the Etsy marketplace. The Etsy admin choose user curated collections of Etsy sellers’ items, called treasuries, and feature them on the front page.

These items then get hundreds of views, which means they gain new fans of their artwork, and maybe even an influx of sales.

Being on the front page can be a big money maker or at least a confidence boost for the seller.”

So there you have it folks. The chosen one amongst thousands and thousands of talent. Congrats Care Bear and thanks for sharing your lovely paper things with the world! Check out more of Caroline’s illustrated cards here…