cute

Camera Camera Case - Degicame No.12 by hiné @ Etsy.

Like most really great craft objects it seems so obvious that once you see it you wonder how it could even be otherwise. It is both amazingly simple and perfect. Meet the “Camera Camera Case” by Hine [hee-neh] Mizushima a Japanese illustrator/puppet stop-motion video artist/crafter living in Vancouver, Canada.

She has 4 different designs (all originals) but my favorite one is this 3D one. Her choice of color is fantastic and each Camera Case is handmade, unique and OOAK. Just love this one in this color though !

You can see more of Hine Mizushima’s work on her Flickr.

Doddi Bear #4 by One Red Robin.

Jhoanna Monte Aranez is one of those women with so many talents that you could spend hours browsing through her blog, her flickr in awe and admiration at her skills and seemingly endless inspiration. But then, of course, this is what inspiration should always be about, an endless round of springing ideas and creations.

I had wanted to blog about that Doddi Bear for quite some time now - every time I came across it in my favorites it really stood out, it has everything I love - and when I settled to write about it yesterday I realized it was no longer available, and couldn’t find it in the sold items either. It turns out that Jhoanna “recently sent her off to someone as a thank-you for a wonderful thing they did for her”!

She has made 5 Doddi Bears and only one is still available in her shop :

Doddi Bear #3.

But - among other things - she also makes the most amazing doll-girls such as this one (sold too) :

Woodland Girl Ayumi.

I could go on and on and post many of her creations and really had to stop myself from posting more photos for I tell you she is such a creative woman, so I beg you, check her blog, check her flickr and of course her Etsy shop for there are wonders ahead…

Plane and Cloud Necklace by tearoseworkshop @ Etsy.

I love the poetic feel of that necklace. It sold today, but I am posting it nevertheless because I had planned to and it is simply beautiful.

Blythe Bunny Bunny Love Dress by Le Petit Boutique @ Etsy.

I bought my very first Blythe outfits from Claudia @ Le Petit Boutique and I must say that although her creations are not all to my taste, she always has the most wonderful fabrics.

I am not very much into “kawaii” fabrics (which is one of the reasons I have not bought anything from her since, that and the fact that I just don’t have the money right now to be buying doll clothes) but she consistently manages to find some that are really amazing and very sweet like this one with bunnies.

I have been wanting to blog about that dress for a few weeks now - and simply did not find the time to do it - and now it is on SALE along with a few other dresses by Claudia.

My Sweet Dog by Yoshitomo Nara.

It seems artoyz has recently widened their range of products to wooden toys - not just any wooden toys mind you but a small selection from the Artists’ catalogue of Vilac.

I’m not so fond of the Keith Haring’s chairs or the “Raymond” pencil holder/pot by Hervé Di Rosa, but I discovered “My Sweet Dog” recently when writing my article on Nara and it is simply perfect.

Furthermore, Vilac is located in the Jura (France) where my family comes from (both my parents were born there) and the toys are manufactured with great care there, which are all good reasons to buy those toys…

TreeSpot (limited edition print) by Junkyard Sam @ Etsy.

While “searching for mushrooms” the other day, I discovered this great artist Junkyard Sam @ Etsy.

Even though I am very much attacted to Lowbrow Art, his work at first sight might not exactly be what I am more drawn to for it has a kind of “cleanliness” about it - probably due to the use of computer in the process as well as to the fact that Junkyard Sam used to work in the game industry - which might have deterred me a bit.

However, examining more carefully the works presented @ Etsy, I could not help but feel something compelling in his art. There is indeed definitely a universe here, a brand new world created and opening before us, for us to walk in and encounter strange creatures… And if you read Junkyard Sam’s introductory words which go :

Welcome to the land of “Tong Picnic”, a world where strange people befriend animals to travel across bizarre lands full of good citizens and scary monsters!

plus the titles of his works as well as the descriptions, you realize that although this universe might be unknown to you, it does exist to some and is indeed very real, since the land and the creatures that inhabit it all have names.

Meet T’nip Whirl :

A Portrait of T’nip Whirl (limited edition print).

Read the rest of this entry »

The Country Life - Original Painting by blueberry bandit @ Etsy.

I realized recently that age - and probably experience - has brought me a broader perspective on Art. When I was younger, I had this very ‘elitist’ view upon all things artistic, there was basically ‘ART’ and the rest of it - which could then be dismissed as not really worth looking or considering.

Of course I am an educated woman, I did go to university but my studies were not related to Arts and my artistic culture and background I had to build for myself so I think it was really important for me to have strong positions upon things and forge my own personal opinions from everything I was reading or seeing. Hence the somewhat harsh view upon most things that did not come up to my (very) high standards as to what Art is or should be.

With time, I have acquired a more flexible and I truly believe a more interesting approach to things. So while I love Rothko, Sam Francis, Joan Mitchell, Dubuffet, Chaissac and so many others, I also love that rabbit.

I stumbled upon this painting while researching “mushrooms + art” on Etsy for an article I am writing, and if you think that dots + red and white mushrooms would suffice to make anything cute, think again. This is not ‘cute’, or at least not just.

In her profile blueberry bandit writes :

My name is Sara, and I am a lover/creator of all things cute. Not too cute, mind you. I try to add just the right amount of humor and attitude into the mix when I can.

Attitude, right ! Love that rabbit’s ‘attitude’ !

Check out the description under the painting :

Ah, the country… Fresh air and polka dots all around! This surly bunny enjoys the country life so much that he just might crack a smile. If you watch carefully, you might catch him in the act!

Attitude, right ?

I can already imagine that rabbit over my desk, me waiting for him to “crack a smile”…

This is an original painting.

P.S. : Oh, and it does not show in the shop for there are none available at the moment, but Sara also makes great plushes.

blueberry bandit :: blog
blueberry bandit :: etsy

Turquoise Hat + Plum Dress by Pinkmint Dolly @ Etsy.

I wanted to include some of her hats in my “Funny hats & Bonnets” article but I had too many great items already so I couldn’t fit them in. This one is even more beautiful I think, I love that turquoise color, and the beads sewn onto the plum felt fruits really add to the beauty of the thing. It is OOAK.

The plum dress is a separate listing and it is reversible so when you don’t see the embroidery, you have a nice turquoise button as a contrasting color touch.

Blythe Shearling Amelia Earhart Hat & Vest by bonspielcreation @ Etsy.

This is just so beautiful ! I have already posted one of her creations in my article “Funny Hats & Bonnets” but this is getting undoubtedly better. Only the vest is sold there but more - including hats - is to come near March 10. Apparently there is already quite a demand for them so you can write bonspielcreation to make a reservation. [edit 07 March : the previous listing has been removed, I now give you a link for a set including Hat + Vest.]

And since I noticed there were quite a few other gorgeous purple articles for Blythe, here is a small selection :

Deep Purple Fluffy Beret by Tibiloo.

Hat and Scarf Set in Pink and Purple by Pinkmint Dolly.

Day to Evening Purple Shift Dress for Blythe OOAK by Blythe’s ocd Closet.

+ a bonus - not Blythe related :

Purple Starfish Felt Magnet by Felt In Love.

Golden Yellow Gnome Hat by neuart @ Etsy.

Blythe dolls seem to have been made for hats & bonnets. They simply look great in them, obviously it has to do with that big face of them, and they might look funny or gorgeous but one thing is certain, Blythe fans will never be out of inspiration when it comes to creating something, anything, to put on those heads.

I know some great creators have their own shop, but on Etsy alone there are plenty of great shops so this is only a tiny selection of what’s to be found there. Starting with one of my very favorites, neuart (see photo above) who has always the most beautiful knitted stuff, be they hats or sets, ponchos… She also has a Flickr by the name of miss modular and you can see more of her creations in various files there.

And some more wonderful stuff :

Shimmery Sparkly Sequined Helmet for Blythe by flissy666 + Green Pointy Bonnet for Blythe by loou.

Crochet Hat for Blythe by Sassylassie + Knitted Ear Bonnet for Blythe by xoxo,Blythe.

Blythe Hat - Lime Green and Red Pompom by CannonBelle.

“Sarah Jessica Parker” Blythe Hat by lado.

Blue and White Fleece Helmet Hat for Blythe by nectarine.

Blythe Rectangle Pom Pom Hat, earthy tones by CannonBelle.

Decadent Mohair Hat for Blythe by Ttttemma.

Cream Beret by PinkPetal.

And I only saw this one this afternoon while finishing this article, I just couldn’t resist :

Luxurious Fuzzy Hat Hood for Blythe OOAK by bonspielcreation.

To Be Continued…

Phony Pie - “Gerry Glitter” + Phony Pie - “Tom Pussy” by Applepiepussy on DaWanda.

I’m a sucker for colors. I just seem to never get enough of them. They’re one of the reasons I started buying toys and as a photographer I don’t think I will ever want to use black & white much more. So of course when browsing sites like Etsy, DaWanda or Flickr colors are mostly what I am looking for and my lists of favorites are bursting with them.

This is why I’m starting this series called “The World in Technicolor”.

#1 Applepiepussy on DaWanda

They’ve got names such as “Crazy Cupcake”, “Phony Pie”, “Female Chauvinist Pig”, “Lucky Bastard” etc and for the most part they are meant to get attached to your phone (or whatever you like). They’re wonderfully cute, beautiful and full of colors. They’re not expensive. They are made by Mariko who has started Applepiepussy to be able to create “cute accessories” while she is mainly working with her boyfriend in their design agency Loaded ink in The Netherlands.

Edit : On March 2nd 2008, Applepiepussy no longer has a shop on DaWanda, you will now find all her creations on applepiepussy.com + she also has a great gallery on Flickr.

ice flower tank for girls + camilla, crazy dot, half-apron for girls + playtime sugar cookies in a lil bakery box + playtime sugar cookies in a mini-valise style lunchbox, limited edition by nanaCompany on Etsy.

Those are only a few of the exquisite items you will find in Amy Sinibaldi’s shop!

I first noticed the cookies because I am only just discovering “felt food” so every time I come across one of these things, I feel like a child and look with amazement. But very often having said “how cute” well, there’s not much more left. I mean these things are “cool” and “nice” indeed but, so what? You see them and like them, and then usually forget about them.

I think Amy’s cookies go beyond the “cuteness thing”. They have this special quality, a kind of perfection achieved no doubt with carefully chosen materials and great care and love making them. Look at the full sized image on her Flickr here. Aren’t they just the nicest cookies you ever saw? Don’t you feel like touching them? I myself am not into pinky things and yet they appeal to me in a way I cannot totally explain.

Somehow I think there is something magical in Amy’s creations. She writes :

My husband likens me to a magic elf who only works when everyone’s asleep — pretty little things “magically” appear on the kitchen table in the morning!

I like the Fairy Tale imagery, because I think it acounts a lot for the beautiful world nanaCompany proposes. Those creations seem to me to be more related to a fantastic and ideal world than to the “real” world.

They are meant to be gifts :

a unique and special gift… perfect as a birthday present, end of school surprise, or merry happy un-birthday treat!

And this is exactly what they are, “unique and special”, thus clearly stating to the child you are offering them “you are unique and special and deserve to have beautiful things because I care about you”.

Amy Sinibaldi is making them for little girls, and the modern woman in me - noticed how I managed not to say the word “feminist” here, oops now i’ve said it - the modern woman in me is wondering why it is still only girls who should get offered cooking ustensils (the miniature “just-her-size” wooden spoon) and aprons. Some might argue that the fabrics nanaCompany uses have definitely “girly” patterns and colors. I am not so sure. And anyway, cookies are not just for girls, are they ? And the kitchen is no longer the realm of women exclusively, at least not in my world…

This being said, Amy Sinibaldi’s creations are more modern and less “conservative” or “nostalgic” than they might appear at first sight. The fabrics she uses are elegant and I particularly like the from tokyo with love apron, and pink lemonade is fresh and nice too. There is also another tank with a bit more color and less classical feel to it : pretty posy tank.

Note that she can customize your order. For instance you can ask for your favorite color for the buttons on the ice flower tank. You can also order an adult size apron for 28$… (Anyway she pretty much makes everything upon order, so that you have to allow 2 weeks for your order to be ready to ship.)

Enjoy !

nanaCompany on Flickr

Designers of Tomorrow : Ragnheidur Osp Sigurdardottir

I stumbled upon Ragnheidur’s work on This is Blythe Forum and even though she showed only a few pictures of her work - she is still young and is currently studying product design at Cranbrook Academy of Art, Michigan - those few pictures clearly pointed to some strong personality and a great talent. Ragnheidur was born in 1981 and comes from Reykjavik, Iceland which accounts for her Northern sounding name : Ragnheidur Osp Sigurdardottir.

Her work is both elegant and familiar. The objects she makes are beautiful without being intimidating. They have something of the obvious in them - a quality not easily attained and which requires work and talent. They have not yet been produced but you wish you could already find them in shops.

Amongst those projects she would like to see produced, the Pick Me chocolates look very promising. She has thought of making them herself and selling them, but what she really wants is to work with a chocolatier that makes premium chocolate. There is also her Aromalarm, an alarm clock that wakes up and puts people to sleep with aroma. Here is what she wrote to me when I asked her how it was really working :

The Aromalarm is still a concept but I thought of it working in a way where you buy little capsules containing different aromas and inserting them inside the clock (on bottom). They would then get attached to tubes that would release the aroma depending on if you are falling asleep or waking up. If it ever gets made and could really function, I would like there to be all kinds of different aromas to buy.

And although it is not exactly the kind of things I like, I must admit that the way she worked on the BENJAMIN stool designed by Lisa Norinder and produced by IKEA by drilling holes in it and decorating it with brodery - she calls it Bentey - is very interesting. I came to think about it afterwards which is always a good sign with objects. I think it works better with some color and the brodery on top so that you don’t get to see the reverse side of it, but on the other end, this version has a more modern touch and is really inspiring.

And I love her digital patterns for ceramic tiles! I think it goes way beyond what you usually see that has been made with a computer. (Edit : The tile patterns are not available any more on her new website. You can only see this one on her Portfolio at coroflot.com. 27 August 2007)

Ragnheidur Osp Sigurdardottir’s links :
Umemi : her website.
Her Portfolio.
And Everything Nice, part of her research for her thesis on cuteness.
And would you believe it, she has a pug too! Hers is called Panda, you can see pictures of her on Ragnheidur Osp Sigurdardottir’s Flickr.