Amor Amor - Monster Love!

I have been shopping.

First up, two new babies have arrived (yay!) and secondly A seems to be suddenly growing out of all her clothes.

 

Luckily I found a shop that solved both these issues (sorta - A will need more clothes but we have a a start).  Amor Amor is the brain child of three talented Colombians who now call Australia home.   Here they create quirky, unique monster themed clothes, cushions and paper goods.  The limited edition range of clothing uses soft cottons, water based inks and features amazing hand drawn artwork. 

The skirt I ordered for A is beautifully finished, and so sweet.
I was so pleased with it, and the speed that it arrived, that I brought more stuff. I got her a onesie and another boys onesie for one of the new bubba's.

Its awesome to find a range of funky boys clothes that's not dominated with insipid baby blues, but is cute while retaining a bit of attitude.

I'm totally eying up these colour yourself cushions for my next purchase.  Brilliant idea! Its such a shame A is no where near to being able to colour.

Perhaps you too will find something fabulous at Amor Amor for your little monster!

*K*

All images from Amor Amor, please ask permission before using.  Thanks.

Wine and Art

Wine labels have come in leaps and bounds - pretty, sophisticated, quirky and cute - you can find wine to suite any mood - and I must confess I often buy wine based souly on the label...
But today I'm talking about wine labels that are close to my heart - not only do they combine art and wine (two of my favorite things) but they also have a family connection - my Uncle is one of the wine makers- the T in the TW of the brand, and the CV in particular is special as that was the white served at my wedding...

I love that they are pushing the boundaries of white labels can be and what they can do.  I love that they are cheeky and sophisticated - take a look at the fine print on the innocent label - Innocent - untouched by oak.
And I'm not the only one seeing the value of good design and point of difference in labelling - check out Fancy - New Zealand Design Blog for more product packaging beauty!!

Push me Pull You

Savannah Print

Push me pull you Designs are the wonderful creations of the talented Elenore Grouch.

Boxer Print

Elenore's clean lines, clear patterns and whimsical animal themes will delight adults and kids alike, and whats more she also has art with a conscience.

Polar Bear Charity Print

All proceeds from Polar Bear Print sales go towards the World Wildlife Foundation - and as this little guy is my one of my favorite's it even more reason to buy!

Avery Print

Elenore sells prints, tee shirts, cards and other gorgeous paraphernalia on her site and talks about it on her blog. Defiantly worth a peak!!

Have a fabulous Weekend

*K*

P.S. I stumbled across Push Me Pull You Design via Apartment therapy, they used featured this awesome ABC poster! Too cute!

Danielle Kathleen {Friday Finds}

Black on Black Acrylic Mini Wall Art Collection

I have always loved Cameo's, even before they became cool (again) - having always been into history I guess they always sung to me about a time gone by. Like art, cameos and silhouettes can evoke feelings and memories, a fact recognised by  Danielle Kathleen.

White Princess Wall Art - Acrylic

The student designer creates 'mini art pieces' that can also used as striking, over the top (in the best possible way) jewelry.  And the collection pictured today is titled "Handful of Memories". which is inspired by childhood, loves, obsessions and memories. "Often there are stories attached to each one, and together they map out all the quirky odds and ends that shape the imagination" she says... I say fabulous! I love them all!

Miss Muffet Portrait Acrylic

Little Black Sparrow Brooch - Acrylic

I hope you think they're fabulous too... and if you do check out her Etsy shop!

*K*

Felt! {Friday Finds}

Felt is New Zealands Art and Craft Online Market.
I've mentioned it in one of my first posts but I've never properly talked about it! So here we go...
Felt was created by the talented Lucy Arnold who co-owns a graphic design company called Board of Design.  I have nothing but admiration for those who take opportunities to help artists and crafts people shine -  and sites like Felt, Etsy and Australia's Made It do this while allowing others to do it too!! So we can all feel a little warmer and fuzzier about our shopping habits!

 Blue Swan Retro by Swanwear.  Birdie Tags - Red Tui by Songbird.    New York Neck-piece by the-funk. Two Cheeky Fantails, by Lastik

Take a look some time, and maybe, just maybe, you'll find something that you'll want to keep, and you too can support some of our very amazing local talent!

Have a great Weekend

*K* 

Workroom

Angle Lamp, and Bespoke Cabinet, from Sustainably Farmed Oak

Have you come across Workroom yet.  This kiwi father and daughter team focus on creating furniture from sustainable sources.  They offer a beautiful original range as well as bespoke creations.

DS Stool - made of sustainable timber offcuts 

They have there own store but also stock at various haunts across NZ and in Sydney - YAY I'm off to Sydney next month - wonder if I can get a DS stool on the plane... hmmm...

Sawhorse Table

But what I really really would love is one of the amazing sawhorse tables - we don't have the space but they fold and their gorgeous - that wood - ohhh I dunno why but there is such a beauty in real, solid wood - and its all ecological and sustainable and everything! 'Sigh'... if I really really wine to hubby I might just persuade him!

Turned Table Lamp                              and Zed Table Lamp

Now for the finer details -
Rebecca's blog with all the pretty things they stock and a bit of inspiration thrown in too...
And the website, complete with list of stockists and map to their shop in Clevedon (40 min from Auckland)

David Trubridge

Body Raft, David Trubridge Designs

I have been captivated by David Trubridge since I first discovered his work in a 'theory of design' course I did as part of my BA, oh 8 or so years ago, (gosh I feel old!). And his aesthetic sings to me still - the flow of line, the honesty of the wood - it is beautiful in its simplicity.

Nananu (side and front view) David Trubridge Designs

I cant quite place what it is that draws me in - there is a rhythm, a grace, an almost spiritual element - the body raft and the sling with their bowed form are hammock like, boat like - a shape that speaks of quiet moments, of rest and relaxation. I love that curved line, in sculpture, paintings and design it appeals to me, perhaps because we are all descendants of sea travellers and that shape with its association to the waka, ship or raft is apart of our cultural psyche, or maybe it is more that that - perhaps for some reason it speaks to humanity itself - the moon, the turning of the world, the flow of distant hills, nature and the elements...

                  Sling, David Trubridge Designs

His work is informed by his strong belief that design owes it to itself to be sustainable while still retaining a cultural and social aesthetic. 

Taniko Lights narrow, and wide

To see more of this powerful and beautiful work, to read about the beliefs that inform his creative drive, and to find out where you can see the work for yourself  (he has stockists in Australasia, Europe and America) visit his website. 

Have an inspired week!

*K*

All images from David Trubridge Designs

Illustration... {Book Worm}

I thought this post from etsy's blog, was fascinating.  The job of an illustrator must be a tough one. They must take the vision of the author, the sales focus of the publisher and the meaning of the book and create something that is both eye catching, and representative of the above parties. 

Coralie Bickford Smith

I have a list of favorite authors but would be hard pressed to create a list of illustrators.  Its a shame because the cover is the first thing you think of when someone mentions a book you've read.  I would even go as far to say that if I don't know the author I will choose books based on the cover illustration and the title first, and the blurb second.  The blurb is the defining factor in the choice but I wouldn't even pick up a book if the cover doesn't look to be 'my taste'.  It got me thinking of the under appreciated role of illustrators.  And in my  research I discovered that Quentin Blake (the one illustrator I can name, due to his quintessential partnership with Roald Dahl) is working to change all this with the founding of the House of Illustration in the UK.

Roberto De Vicq de Cumptich

So today in celebration of that we pay homage to the book illustrator!!
Have an Illustrous week!!!

David Drummond

 
Please let me know if you think of any more talented illustrators (especially those from the Southern Hemisphere) you think I should check out! Thanks

Images 1, 2, 3, 4 , 5, 6,

These blog's:  'The Book Cover Archive' & 'Book Covers Anonymous', are both about fabulous cover illustrations if you fancy seeing more!

Ash Hilton

I got engaged one morning while curled up in bed, in the tiny flat we lived in, in Putney, London, while we were on our OE... It wasn't romantic (we'd been to Paris, Venice and Rome only months before) but hay sometimes that's just how it works out... We had had the moment but we had no ring - which was brilliant really because it meant I got to choose my own! Yay! I really, really wanted, and nearly, nearly got, one of theses by New Zealand jewelry designer Ash Hilton:

Image from Gallery 33, (The top one is my favorite) 

 But the logistics of getting it sorted from the UK seemed a bit much... in the end I found a beautiful antique gypsy ring - this exact one here:

Sapphires are hubby's birthstone and well diamonds are for forever.  We got it from this shop in Hatton Gardens in London - which is the craziest place to visit - jewelry shop after jewelry shop with many specialising in diamonds! Madness! I love it, and would not change it for the world, it speaks of that particular time in our lives so comes with many, many memories....

But that still doesn't stop me coveting an Ash Hilton piece... an eternity ring substitute perhaps, or just something because...  Here's a few of my favorites!

 

Etched ring with Cabbage Trees, Image from Gallery 33

Art Deco Rose Ring from Ash Hilton's etsy shop

Perfect Pear, Image from Ash Hilton's Etsy Shop

And the double Koru one at the top of course! Check out his website here, his etsy shop here, and you can also find him here at Gallery 33 in Wanaka (which incidentally stocks an impressive range of other very talented local artists and jewelers, and is worth a look on its own merits!!)

*K*

Stuart McLachlan

May and April are the two worst months for me in terms of having to remember birthdays, and because the majority of my friends and family are in NZ it can mean a lot of trips to the post office at this time of year... which brings me to stamps! Yup stamps.  Have you ever thought about the amount of thought and design that goes into a single stamp.  When I saw these:

I was instantly reminded of the Thelwell books we read as kids, and wondered about the designer behind them. Well his name is Stuart McLachlan and if you check out his portfolio he is one talented guy.  Born in Adelaide, he studied graphic design and illustration and has worked in Canada and Holland as well Australia.  And not only is he triumphing in illustration, but he also creates beautiful sculptural paper art, paper millinery, and paper fashion that has been featured in magazines such as Vogue:

His ability to stretch the boundaries of what an illustrator can do got me thinking about this post from decor8 (read through the comments there is lots of food for thought in there). 

Wishing you a inspirational Monday to fuel you for the rest of the week!

*K*