Modish

Happy Weekend!

Happy Weekend from Minnesota! I hope you have a lovely one with some warm, quiet evenings. Meet you back here soon.

<3 jena

Ruche

There is some major summery goodness going on over at Ruche, and the fact that everything is so inexpensive only makes it all more difficult to resist.

 That Aztec dress will be mine, oh yes...

Dirt Diggin' Devices

Now that your plants are growing up big and strong, let's take a breather and talk about dirt diggin' devices and other plant paraphernalia. Everyone has their own thing-they-can't-do-without in the garden, but a trip to the hardware store can sometimes make the whole endeavor scarily cost prohibitive.

I went out yesterday before {another} big rain, collected all the things I had hanging around the garden, and snapped a few pictures to share with you. Some were more expensive than others, but some are pretty much free--so you can find a balance to fit any budget. 

Tools Which Required The Exchange of Money: Sometimes {fancy pants gardeners may scowl at this advice} I use some cheap $1 scissors in place of my pruners. These won't do well on tough woody stems, but are perfectly fine for my tea rose bush, snipping herbs and other small tasks. Don't get me wrong, I looooove my pruners (I got a 5 pack of Fiskars tools at Big Lots for $15), but for starting out, before anything has matured and toughened up, scissors would work just as well as their tougher, buffer cousins.

When I need a little extra oomph pounding a stake into the ground, I have a handy dandy rubber mallet that I found at Target on the dollar rack a couple years ago. Still, it's not necessary, just convenient.

Yeah, I know, I've got 2 trowels pictured. That's because I'm lazy. One stays in the bucket {read: empty plastic cat litter container} of dirt and one travels around with me, making holes for planting in my raised mulch beds. They don't do too much my bare hands can't do, though they save me from scrubbing a fair amount of dirt from under my nails.

Tools for Next to Nothing, Possibly Free: Did you ever get around to starting that compost bin? If so, by now you probably have a good mound of rich, healthy soil. The plants you're tending couldn't care less about the tools you use, but will show you lots of love if you give them the plant equivalent of a 7 layer chocolate cake: good, quality, nutrient rich, well draining, loamy soil... and that's your compost, my friend. Give them a hefty amount of compost, where their roots can freely grow and spread, soak up the nutrients and make BFFs with all the worms and critters happily calling your plot their own private Idaho.  

Oh yeah, then mulch: give it a nice layer of insulating, moisture retaining mulch on top and your plants will flourish. My mulch of choice this year? Grass clippings. Again, some gardeners may disagree with grass clippings as a good quality mulch, but word on the street is that Ruth Stout was a fan of them, and I'm not one to challenge the wily, dirt smart ways of Ms Stout. 

And easiest to come by in our partially wooded lot, are sticks. Sticks are great for making into trellises and cages {we use tall ones to keep the chickens out of some plants}, marking where you've planted bulbs, poking holes for planting seeds. . . a rudimentary tool limited only by your imagination.

What are your most essential tools for gardening? Any good, free tips or advice? Share them in the comments, we'd all love to know what you use!

Renee Garner has a passion to make things grow, although her brownish thumb wants her to believe otherwise. When mud pies aren't on the menu, you can find her doodling the days away at Wolfie and the Sneak.

Clare Bowers Sale!

I love Clare Bowers' work, and love even more that it's on sale for a whole month! Even her original artwork, it's all for grabs at screamin' deals, and she'll even accept haggling! ;)

Plus shhh.... just for Modish readers, she's offering an extra surprise gift with purchase! Mention "modish gift" in the notes at checkout and you'll get 3 free gocco postcards or cards. Neato!

Head to the cake shop to see more pyramidal goodness and take advantage of the deals!

Sartoria Vico

Check out these adorable tees, funky accessories and way too cute bathing suits from indie Italian brand, Sartoria Vico.

I love the whale print, which comes in a few color combos and is available on many different items. And how can you resist a beach scene made using bikini parts? Very inventive! 

I also really like these illustrations by the designer behind Sartoria Vico, Cristina del Buono. She's one talented Italian, she is.

Shop Live with Heart Handmade, part 2

In case you missed it the first time, Marichelle is back with another Etsy shop live event, tonight at 7pm:

You watch her live on webcam introducing 30 specially priced items in 30 minutes by 30 of her favorite Etsy sellers. I attended the first one she did and it was fantastic! and fast! and fun! Since I'm not around this time, one of you will have to be sure to take my place. Get all the deets over at Heart Handmade!

Gone, but not far...

I'm headed to Minneapolis as we speak. I'll be visiting my best friend for a few days, and I'm so excited! I have a few posts that will pop up in my absence over the next few days, but I won't be around to comment or answer emails. I'll be back in full force on Tuesday- see you then!

Collabo: Umbrella Prints + Ceeb Wassermann

Today we have another installment of the Collabo series between Scoutie Girl and Modish, yay! This time we took at look at the beautiful collaboration between Australian fabric designers, Umbrella Prints, and Australian jewelry designer, Ceeb Wassermann. Read Ceeb's interview below and then head to Scoutie Girl to see Umbrella Prints' side of the story!

Which came first: the idea or the partnership? Who approached whom?

The partnership came first. Amy Prior of Umbrella Prints approached me. She asked if I would make jewelry pieces from the prints they do for their fabric.

What is the nature of your collaboration? (did one of you purchase the rights to use the other’s artwork, do you both receive revenue from sales, is the artwork on-loan for a limited time or # of pieces….)

Amy orders whatever amount of which ever design and 'buys' them at a wholesale price. I make them and then ship them to her.

How did you coordinate the project work and determine who will do what?

It was a pretty straightforward collaboration. They decided which of their designs to use and I made them into wearables in my style of work.

Is the collabo ongoing or was it a one-and-done deal?

At the moment it is ongoing. We haven't discussed a time factor at all.

What made you want to partner your art with someone else’s? 

I love their prints and could really see them as 'on the body' pieces.

Do you work with other artists to create collaborative pieces?

I have in the past. Collaboration is different every time (with every artist.)

Do you have any suggestions for other artists who are considering a collaborative project?

It's very basic really, once you decide who is doing what, then you must stick with it. If you're worried about copyright or such things, then you have to have a clear contract.

If you could work with any other artist to create a piece together (famous and/or deceased included), who would it be and what would you make?

I would like to make the handles to cupboards & drawers & doors with Philip Stark or to work with the Italian company Alessi.

Thanks for sharing Ceeb! Be sure to take a peek at Ceeb's other gorgeous jewelry designs in her Howlin' Doggie shop and find more stunning fabrics in the Umbrella Prints shop.

PDX Local: Paper Treasure + A Giveaway!

Even before I moved to Portland, I was a fan of local artist Jess McCloskey's line of revamped vintage jewelry, Paper Treasure.

Inspired by "shipwrecks and the prospect of sunken treasure", the entire line is created with vintage and antique pieces, broken and cast-off jewelry bits that she transforms into intriguing and unique new items.

And you lucky readers have a chance to win one of her loveliest lovelies, this one-of-a-kind Linden necklace!
Named after an actual shipwreck, it features a wealth of little treasures: a vintage brass oval locket with vintage beaded leaf charm, golden bead and antique purple glass bead.  It also has a little ship charm at the clasp and retails for $65.

Enter to win! Just leave a comment on this post noting your favorite item from the Paper Treasure shop. One winner will be chosen randomly and notified on June 3rd via email. One entry per person.

Plum Pretty Sugar

I love the easy, breezy loveliness of the robes, dresses, pants and more at Plum Pretty Sugar. She calls it, "loungerie." I call it lightweight floral perfection that I wish I could live in everyday... ahhh....