pounce #3 : appalachian craftsmen
End Grain Cutting Board Purpleheart by Appalachian Craftsmen @ Etsy.
I have what can hardly be called a “kitchen” – it is a very small place not made nor organized to cook, but then I do not cook, so – but the cutting boards designed and made by Appalachian Craftsmen are so beautiful you could almost build your dream kitchen around them…
They use different varieties of woods, so the boards do not all have the same colors and they also have simpler designs. But this one is really my favorite, I think you could just use it to display fruits or anything you like.
a pair of blue cups by kristin pavelka pottery
Pair of cups – light blue and white by Kristin Pavelka Pottery @ Etsy.
I absolutely love those two cups by Kristin Pavelka. Here’s the description in her own words :
Darling pair of earthenware teabowls with blue and white arc pattern and reddish orange dots. Inside is glazed pale lime green. Trimmed footring with personal stamp.
yoshitomo nara’s my sweet dog by vilac
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…
the country life by blueberry bandit @ etsy
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
girls reversible pinafore by lassie girl @ etsy
Sophia :: Girls Reversible Pinafore by lassie girl @ Etsy.
I absolutely love the patterns and colors of that one. These are the 2 sides of the same pinafore, and lassie girl has a lot more but this one is really my favorite. It is from her new Spring/Summer Collection and more will be added to the shop in the weeks to come…
the aliens are coming by dreamalittle7 @ etsy
UFO The Aliens Are Coming by Dream A Little @ Etsy.
Once in a while you stumble into something that simply sweeps you off your feet and it might just as well be because I love SF so much but those little aliens are the cutest ever ! But the real thing though is the flying saucer or UFO, for they would not be as interesting without it. This whole set totally rocks !
It is OOAK and an original creation by Dana Dunn and had I a little bit of money I would have bought it right now.
vinyl rarities @ artoyz
LauLau by Tak available @ Artoyz.
Michael Rouah from Artoyz has recently returned from a trip in Hong kong with a few vinyl rarities in his suitcase. Among them some hard-to-find be@rbrick sets, a rare early Michael Lau figure dating back from 2001 called “Lamdog Prototype Kiss”, “Spookiez” (Comix Box, 2006) a strange set including a girl and a dog, the Kaws x Bounty Hunter Kun Red Christmas version, etc.
A lot more followed by plane, including quite a lot of Blythe dolls – unfortunately they are mostly “Petites” – but thay have the Neo Blythe Mod Molly (December 2007, SBL) + Welcome Winter (January 2008, RBL). They are a bit expensive comparing to eBay, but since it is definitely hard to get Blythe in France – or in Europe for that matter although CWC and Takara are working on this – it’s great to have them here.
You will find all of this listed in the News or the Asian Designers sections of the shop.
I must say I particularly like this funny Monkey figure called LauLau designed by Tak and released by How2Work in June 2007.
blythe fashion : funny hats & bonnets @ etsy
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…
tina rice @ etsy
Red Light Male Bowler (Limited Edition, signed print) by Tina Rice @ Etsy.
I kind of fell in love with this illustration by Tina Rice. It happens she also makes nice enamel jewelry too.
Tina Rice Jewelry @ Etsy
Tina Rice’s blog + her flickr.
yellow toys
Michael Lau x Prodip “After Dark Project” – Pascagoula Alien in Yellow
I am not sure yellow toys are even sought after by collectors – some people collect black or GID toys for instance – but they are favorites of mine. This Pascagoula by Michael Lau has been on my wishlist ever since it was released about a year ago and since it still is a winter of financial discontent for me, this will be just for the fun of it…
400% & 100% Be@rbrick set Genevieve Gauckler
Shikito in Yellow by Superdeux
Rolitoboy – Gloomy Pity Boy by Mori Chack x Rolito
Onion Love Invader by Jaime Hayon
Astronaut Jesus by Doma
+ Ecstasy of Gold by krysto_O on Flickr.
