recycled train ticket art masterpieces

look at this marvelous piece of art. this pixelated rendition of the mona lisa is one of four classic paintings that are currently on exhibit through october 16 at takashimaya in osaka. the reproductions are made from 320,000 used tickets from the local nankai namba train station. nearly 300 employees worked for three months on their breaks and free time to create these amazing works.

if you are not familiar with takashimaya, it is a serenely fabulous (the tea room!) japanese department store, found internationally and on 5th avenue between 54th and 55th in manhattan.

via pink tentacle

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renegade craft shop chicago: now open!

i was minding my own business driving down division last week and nearly crashed when i saw a papered up storefront and the words “renegade craft” on it. after further nancy drew investigation, i found out that sue and kathleen have a new, permanent shop which features some of their favorite craft artists. hurrah!

the shop is done in very soothing colors of cream and silvery sagey blue, and it has a heavy textile emphasis. at the moment, they’re showcasing vintage clothing, silkscreened tees, stationery, prints, journals, jewelry, plush items, and other wearable art.

it’s great that we have another fine locale that highlights indie craft. viva renegade!

the shop is located at 1924 w. division. read all about the fair and jump on their mailing list on their website.

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lovely products at chicago’s lovely bake shop

lovely, a fresh-faced bakery at 1130 n. milwaukee avenue, just opened their doors a few days ago. it’s the most civilized bakery to open since bittersweet, and the food is delicious too!

this stretch of milwaukee, between division and the highway, is half industrial, half residential - and not too pleasing from an aesthetic standpoint. you won’t remember what’s outside though, once you step into the warmly lit space, with painted tin ceiling, oversized vintage bakery photographs and plenty of comfortable antique tables and chairs.

brooke and gina, the owners, studied at the french pastry school downtown. they’ve created sweet vignettes within the shop featuring antique commercial baking essentials, so if you get tired of sitting and eating, there’s something to walk over and admire.

you won’t be bored eating, though. these girls have got pastry game. the antique pastry cases are reflective of the shop’s classic inventory: flaky croissants, cakey madeleines, not-too-sweet blueberry muffins. chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin and peanut butter cookies. raspberry tea cakes and coconut skivvies (you’ll have to ask them). h & h bagels from new york are the only things not made on the premises. a separate case holds delectable cakes.

until today, i thought sweet thang had a stranglehold on authentic croissant baking in the city. now, i’m not so sure.

lovely’s store design sets itself apart from other bakeries with it’s gorgeous shop area. most of the handmade items, like tea towels, aprons and soaps, are made by local artists. everything is charming, and reasonably priced. i have a strong feeling that the folks from design*sponge would like this place.

if you whiz down milwaukee avenue on your way to work like me, or if you don’t, you need to stop and visit. right away.

check out their blog until their website goes live.

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