Thursday, December 16, 2010

Desktop Wallpaper from Valerydesignwrks



Valéry Goulet is a Quebec born 
designer and illustrator.
Through her company
she has created clothing,
ceramic and wall application designs.

The doggies below
are illustrations which she
contributed to an
Alberta-based animal rescue organization -
(Second Chance Animal Rescue Society)
For the record,
anyone who loves animals, 
and strives to make their lives better,
is great in my books !


Each month,
Valerydesignwrks 
adds a new downloadable wallpaper
to its website.

The images below
are available for non-commercial desktop wallpaper use only.
They cannot be altered in any way,
without the artist's permission,
or sold.




Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Hetty Rose Shoes

Picture from Company Magazine


Henrietta Rose Samuels 
loves shoes - 
and has been making stunningly beautiful footwear
under her brand
Hetty Rose
in the UK since 2007.

She hand selects vintage fabrics -
often using beautiful antique kimonos,
to create the upper
portion of her footwear.




The shoes are bespoke creations -
made to order
for each individual
client.

is a company with a clear 
brand philosophy-
"to make an environmental statement -
in an aesthetically pleasing way".

We think she is doing 
a lovely job achieving both !

What's next for this talented designer ?
A ready-to-wear collection -
also made in England - 
in the not too distant future,
we hope !

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

www.Snooshy.com

What on Earth - is a Snooshy ?
It's a quirky little creature
knit from 100% YAK hair (yes, really !)
 with a little 100% organic cotton thrown in.

Snooshies are eco-friendly and fashionable -
 they wear the latest beanies and leggings -made from 100% recycled clothing.
Snooshy was designed by Francis Horters,  
and created with the help of a wonderful company called Shokay.

There are approximately 13 million yaks in Western China. 
  Shokay sources yak fibers directly from Tibetan herders - enabling them to earn
 a sustainable long-term living - and to preserve their traditional lifestyle.
Snooshies are handknit
 by a group of ladies in ChongMing Island near Shanghai.
  The goal is "to build their skill-set in a safe and healthy work environment,
 rewarding them fairly for their beautiful knitting talents".
A great product
on so many levels.
I think Snooshy will find a place 
under more than a few trees
this holiday season.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Today's story is brought to you by the letter "Z"

is a German firm which specializes in product design
 and furniture sales/distribution.
  Pieces are made in Germany, Austria, Italy and Spain from solid hardwood.
   Their wood is harvested from renewable forests, 
 with no chemicals other than beeswax (and elbow grease !)
 added to bring out the beauty in their products.



Swedish firm Zweed
was founded in early 2010 by  Håkan Johansson.
 Their intent is to produce quality hand-crafted pieces of furniture 
which are progressive in design, and timeless in style.
  Pieces are customizable to fit your decor.
 (via Hypebeast.com)

Friday, December 10, 2010

Claus Bellers



It's been a lovely week !
We'd like to leave you with some
beautiful pictures
from 
Copenhagen-based photographer
Enjoy !






Thursday, December 9, 2010

DIY - Downloadable Calendar


Are you are looking for a very cute
downloadable calendar ?
Well, this may be just what you are looking for !

P.S.
You may also 
be spending a LOT of time ( in the 
office supply store
buying ink cartridges )
and folding lots
of paper - if castles are your thing !




Downloads and instructions can be downloaded at the Canon Creative Site.

Images and other DIY projects available at Canon Creative Park.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Jessica Jones

What would you do if you were a very talented graphic designer,
and, if you loved Etsy, and the handmade movement in general....
Why you would probably open your very own Etsy shop -
and then, you would start your own BLOG to promote the Etsy shop.
You would probably even name that blog after your favourite colour - 
I'm thinking maybe ORANGE !

And, what if your blog became wildly popular - say 10,000 plus viewers per day ?
And if one of your followers asked you to design a line of fabrics for her collection  ?
Why, I guess you would say that your name was Jessica Jones.
Yes, that Jessica Jones - graphic designer extraordinaire from Evanston, Illinois.
So how does one balance life as a graphic designer - creating brand identities, logos, and marketing collateral,  with daily posts on a hugely successful blog?

I have no idea.

I do however have some ideas about why she has been so successful in establishing
 her own corporate identity - her brand -
Jessica Jones.
Talent is a given.
As is determination, and probably
 a good measure of luck.

According to Google,
Howaboutorange  is a blog
'brimming with craft tutorials, DIY projects, free downloads, decorating tips
and design inspiration'.

It is also a blog brimming with
personality.
Where else would you find a category dedicated to
'timewasters'
on a blog - or anywhere ?
It's fun and it's quirky.
It's also incredibly sincere - which I think probably
would be an apt description
of Jessica herself.

Jessica's fans already know this -
but she has a new
line of fabrics just waiting to burst onto
the scene
in early 2011.

Until then,
we'll have to occupy our time making
dollar bill origami, and
Mr. Picasso Head pictures.
Cool !
Pictures from www.simplyjessie.com

 I made this pillow using a fabric designed by Jessica.