sirena con jersey accessories

cuter than cute totes and necklaces from ali and eli, the creative minds that make up the barcelona-based team sirena con jersey, which translates to mermaid with sweater in spanish.

purchase these goods at the supermarket and see more from the dynamic duo on their website.

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luxury accessories, giveaways at ideeli

(ed. note: lots of fun shopping posts today.)

beloved readers, i speak from experience. shopping is a power sport. and i am a bag bitch. there is nothing like the high i get feeling of victory one gets from finding a majorly hot purse at a majorly low price. now we all have a great opportunity to fulfill our handbag fantasies through a cool new york-based website called ideeli. it’s an invitation-only shopping site that offers the latest handbags and accessories from designers like fendi, prada and dior at prices much lower than retail. they are able to offer these special prices thanks to the generosity of their sponsors.

in addition to the deep discounts offered on their goods, ideeli also offers unique giveaways of deluxe merchandise and experiences, like a prada tote, or VIP tickets to the metropolitan home/showtime house party in manhattan. personally i think it would be pretty cool to stroll through the gorgeous rooms of fabulous interior/television show designers in a new york townhouse while sipping champagne - maybe not everyday, but once!

well, i’m sold. how about you? it’s free to join, and it’s easy, so why not?

roadside scholar readers can head over to ideeli and use code rs11 to sign up for this unique shopping community and skip the lament of missing out! get your ducks in a row, though; the special code expires on september 15th, 2008.

see you on the field!

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eleanor salazar pool ball jewelry

i find this repurposed pool ball jewelry collection from maine artist eleanor salazar awfully intriguing.

see more from eleanor at her supermarket shop.

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stephanie simek wearables: let’s chat!

i almost thought these delicate jewelry pieces by stephanie simek were trompe l’oeil when i first saw them. i mean, is that really an eggshell? lined with 23k gold foil? really? and there’s no way someone could possibly piece single eyelashes together so precisely, right? and what about that delicate, glowing sea cookie that looks as if it were found and plucked right from the ocean floor and pinned on a blouse? viewing these surreal pieces truly suspends my disbelief. my mind hurtles toward fantastic places and into stephanie’s world, filled with deft skill, technique and élan. could she be a refined, modern-day willy wonka? let’s have a chat and find out more!

q: where do you live, and where do you create your art?
a: i live in portland, oregon in a former hare krishna temple that my partner adam keller and i turned into an art and music space. we host events about once or twice a week. my favorite part of the room is the stage area that has a beautiful scalloped cutout and peaks at the top. it is painted gold, which was like that when we moved in. actually every room in the house is painted a different, bright color. i work on my own projects in the main room when it isn’t being used for shows.

q: what is your background? did you study art formally?
a: i studied at mason gross school of the arts at rutgers university in new jersey. i got my bfa in visual arts with a concentration in photography.

q: on your website i see you have projects in several other disciplines. did you start out making jewelry? is it your favorite way to express yourself creatively?
a: the jewelry line is actually pretty new. i started it about a year ago and am really enjoying exploring the possibilities. but i am just as excited about some of the other things i am currently working on. right now i’m also working on some videos and sound pieces.

q: what compelled you to use these extremely delicate, organic materials in your collection?
a: i think it makes the person wearing it more aware, to the extent where hopefully they feel like they are the guardian of something precious.

q: what has been your biggest challenge in designing jewelry? and how about your biggest reward in being a gallery owner?
a: i like to use materials that aren’t customarily worn on the body, so it’s often a challenge figuring out how to get them to be accommodating. i have to find ways to prevent problems like breakage and decay while still visually maintaining the delicate nature of the object.

as far as owning a gallery, i think experiencing and exposing other people to all kinds of work is the most rewarding aspect of running a place like ours. also, it’s very gratifying to be able to give artists a place to share what they’ve created with other people.

q: what’s the best piece of advice you have ever received regarding your work?
a: keep at it!

q: what is your inspiration to create these pieces?
a: recently it’s been my dreams and the feelings i’m left with when i wake up.

q: can we go anywhere to see your work in person?
a: currently, i don’t have any work on exhibit, but you can purchase my complete wearable collection through my website, and select pieces around the world at the following shops: in chicago at habit, at catbird in brooklyn and pixie market in new york, in sydney at incu, at umi and co. in london, in san francisco at offbeat on haight and at the square room and foxmaid in seattle.

see more at stephanie’s website, and if you are local be sure to stop by rererato to see the latest and greatest art in all media.

thank you stephanie!

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new jewelry from otto von quast

two new fun collections from the german design team of otto von quast: 24 karat pets, made from discarded toys on silk cording, and the skinny icon collection, double-sided perforated leather with silver or 24k gold plated “embroidery” chain.

clever!

see more pieces in their playful line and purchase them all on their website.

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flower art & design (round up)

flower power is on its way, but hasn’t arrived quite yet. here are a few selections to whet your whistle before the genuine articles arrive…

sweet little ceramic dishes from leesa brinkley

poppies on blue painting by rachel austin

sterling and vintage glass pendant from anne holman

the hint of light and mystic river by blue citrus art

enamel flower rings from sarah hood

calla chair from william sawaya

sunflowers pendant lamp from paper cloud

these are for you and white love birds prints from yumi yumi

flowered chair painting by mercers daughter

cherry blossoms crochet cuff from irregular expressions

flower blend oval rug by emma gardner

red mum and in the orange blossoms 2 prints by hadley hutton

letterpress correspondence cards by pressure

felted messenger bag from daisynyc

bloom one and two encaustic paintings from angie burr for her effie girly finery

butterfly garden and hummingbird garden goccos from treetop studio

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ema takahashi jewelry

love this elegantly feminine and graphic necklace collection from japanese born, new york-based ema takahashi. it’s made of hand hammered 10k rose gold.

i like that if you look at these slightly off center some of the designs just look like loopy abstract script, and the words are revealed upon closer inspection.

purchase these pieces here, and see ema’s full collection on her website.

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stamp jewelry design by clare stoker-ring

beautiful understated contemporary jewelry in sterling, gemstone and brass here by uk born, new york-based artist clare stoker-ring, aka etsy seller stamp. many of the pieces in her textural collection are named after things we find in astronomy, e.g., the constellation cuff, the shooting star earrings and the rising moon necklace.

the more i stare at the pieces the more i see the connection. there is something tranquil, light and dark, and slightly mysterious about it. just like the night sky.

see clare’s collection at her etsy shop or trunkt portfolio, cruise through her flickr stream and stop by her blog or website to say hello too!

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