roadside scholar

stuff i found on the highway of life

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Posts about 'textiles'

one of a kind chicago: 2008 highlights, pt. 1

polymer clay and wool creations from debra de wolff

i made my way through the seriously substantial one of a kind show yesterday, which was not easy, because the thing is HUGE. there was quite a lot of inspiration to be found, and there were quite a lot of high end craft and assorted seasonal things that were tasteful but didn’t necessarily fit into my aesthetic or budget. this helped to quicken my pace. the other thing that pushed me along in a more speedy fashion was the fact that we were jammed in like sardines in the aisles here, which i was happy to see but which also made it a challenge to take photos. i had to ditch my camera after a while.

i also have to add this: many more people at the renegade and bucktown shows knew what a blog was and what you can do with it. i was met with a few suspicious gazes in telling people i was blogging the show at ooak. not unkind, but a tad weird, because i am usually yeehawing and high fiving the air when i hear that someone wants to write about me. like my camera, i actually quit mentioning it after a while. i prefer to be more stealthy when it comes to blogging shows anyway.

back to the point though: there were some wonderful finds there, both in the one of a kind/handmade area (which encompassed an entire enormous floor in the merchandise mart) and the artist’s project, featuring compelling artworks one floor down. it’s going on all weekend, so if you like what you see here and are local you should definitely have a look in person!

serene maritime and still life photography by dale m. reid

susan hinckley’s whimsical works in wool

beautifully presented feminine jewelry by julie and koeun for poesi

gorgeous blown glass from thomas and rebecca maras

skillful aquatint etchings by george raab

i’ve got another post coming later today with more highlights, so stay tuned!

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felix populi dishtowels

i am liking these happy colors in these linen dishtowels from ben sander aka brini maxwell aka felix populi (latin for happy people). so peppy and well, happy.

$16 each right here. she’s got some fabulous pillows too!

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maramiki textiles

I mentioned Maramiki recently but I so enjoy Mara Snipes’ designs that I must write about them again. She’s just launched her new website for her beautiful textile designs for the home. I especially love the 2009 calendars with teal and purple inks printed on her crisp high quality linen that she’s added to her collection.

I wish I didn’t have tumbling tumbleweeds of dog hair flying around this place, I would be up to my ears in these gorgeous linens.

See more at the Maramiki website.

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dexter chairs and collection by amy lau

I think I have Halloween spirit right now. It is rather unnerving because I am afraid of ghouls and hobgoblins most of the time. This year, though, I seem to be unafraid of the macabre. I watch my spooky television shows with relish and feel bad when they are over, because I want more. Weird but true. Speaking of macabre, have a look at these great chairs from Amy Lau for the special Dexter collection she put together for the Met Home Showtime House event. Select pieces are now available at Spring in Brooklyn. They are made of ultraleather, with hand-embroidered blood stain detailing. A few have even been signed by the television serial killer himself.

 

Awesome.

I am also wild (wild) about these hand-thrown porcelain fingerprint plates that are from KleinReid for the same collection. Beautifully designed, they definitely do not give off a creepy feel like those chairs do. Even if you don’t watch the show, you still get the point.

Purchase these pieces and much more at Spring, and discover more about Amy Lau on her website.

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boogie man rug by jellio

When I was a kid I was totally terrified of boogeyman monsters in my closet and under the bed, and now as an adult if I watch Dexter or True Blood too late in the day I have a hard time getting to sleep that night. Too bad I didn’t have this wildly colorful Boogie Man rug from our friends at Jellio back when I was young. Maybe I would have been emboldened with more pluck to face any ogres that came my way, instead of hiding under the covers. Or maybe it would have scared the monsters away on its own, also a positive thing.

Purchase the 8′ x 10′ hand tufted wool rug and see more nostalgic designs at the Jellio website.

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erica sanders fabric collage

I am enjoying these fabric collages by Australian artist Erica Sanders for her line, little birdie. She uses vintage fabrics to tell personal childhood narratives by combining them on canvas. The bright colors and little stitching details remind me of my own childhood sewing projects, though they never were as nice as these.

 

Purchase these pieces and more at the kindergallery where you can see more fun artwork from high quality artists.

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spooky shopping, halloween fun (round up)

I have seen a ton of awesome Halloweeny things in my travels in the computer ranging from funny and clever to slightly off-putting to downright creepy. I think you’re going to like some of them too.

Bone Chillers ice cube tray from Fred and Friends

chocolate bats and peanut butter cats from Dancing Deer Bakery

designy horror over at the Supermarket:

1. sohan the scaredy ghost necklace from Corky Saint Clair
2. Hood Swamp Owl at Night print by ahpeele
3. cleaver pendant from Species by the Thousands

Skullions, Deviled Eggs and Scarrots dishtowels from the Spoon Sisters

limited edition flavors of Jones Soda

 

porcelain skull by Franz Ignaz Günther for the Porzellan Manufaktur Nymphenburg

freaky art from the boundless talent at Thumbtack Press:

1. The Light in the Abandoned Gas Station by Jeremy Enecio
2. Spooky Creeps by Jason Limon
3. Edgar Allen Poe by Tony Bailey
4. 3 Horrids by Gus Fink

 

sassy greetings from someecards

glittery skull votive holders from the Pottery Barn

and finally, some handmade scariness from our friends at Etsy:

1. Spooky Boo Lantern from from MariposaAvenue
2. Happy Jack-O-Lantern soupcan nightlight, also from MariposaAvenue
3. Alone by DistressingDelilah
4. Frankenbot the Mega Scary Robot from Jordan Alexander
5. Knitted Ghost Plush Toy and Grave playset from sayraphim

Must…Stop…Eating… by Shutterbug Cel

Geez, that was more spooktacular than I thought… muhahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a great weekend everybody!

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josh jakus eggflat containers

These egg crate shaped felt accessories from San Francisco designer Josh Jakus are fun, aren’t they? Called Eggflats, the sculptural containers come in small and large sizes, can interconnect, fold flat for storage and can be used to hold all sorts of things.

Purchase these pieces at Elsewares and see more from Josh right here.

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