Modish

Holiday Gift Guide 2008 - Part Two

This year, I decided to let some of the artists and crafters that I admire most choose their favorite handmade picks for the Modish gift guide. I asked them each to choose three gifts that they'd like to give, and one that they'd like to receive for themselves.

You can see the first round of gift picks here, and following is the 2nd round of wonderful picks from more lovely lady crafters and artists:  Katie from Constant Gatherer, Julianna from Oh My Cavalier, Heather Smith Jones, Ruth from Contagious Jewelry, Michelle from Cicada Studio, Caroline from Paloma's Nest and Alicia Bock!

1: I think this adorable confetti necklace from Blue Moss would be so pretty on my sister, Meredith!
2: My nieces Maggie and Lily would adore this Lovely Mimmie doll from Mummy Sam-maybe as much as I do!
3: Each year my mother gives each of her kids and grandkids an ornament of their own. I'd love to give her a set of these Vintage Wallpaper Ornaments from Ladies and Gentlemen for her tree this Christmas.
4: If i were able to choose one fantasy gift for myself this holiday...it would have to be these incredible Sweet Underwater Garden Earrings by Jennifer Morris. I am blown away by this woman's talent!

1: For my roomate, this astronomy notebook from celestefrittata.
2: For my nephew, a recycled sweater bear from pogoshop.
3: For my  best friend, an owl mask from monpetitfantome.
4: And for me, a framed original paperdoll from woolandwater.

To give {all made by kind and wonderful friends of mine} :)
1: These Mum Personalized Bookplates by Christy Schneider of The Petite Press are 'hot off the press' and having seen them in person, I can testify they are stunning!  All of her letterpress items are amazing, truly the best I've seen.
2: This ceramic plate with birds & flowers in frost by Kristen Kieffer, a super talented ceramic artist.
3: Aimee Dolich of Artsyville just opened her etsy shop a couple days ago!  I enjoy her blog so much and the creative and colorful wording of her "doodleprints", like this "Escaping on paper".  Her personality sparkles!
And to receive:
4: This MARKETA tote by Pravina Studio

1: For my dad, I would buy one of Jennifer Maestre's sculptures made from colored pencils.  I would get Seethe or Silkie. My father is an artist, a color theory expert and art textbook author, and these appeal to me on several levels. I think they are exciting technically, formally, and emotionally.  If those sculptures are already in someone's collection, I would buy something from her etsy shop.
2: For my husband, I would buy Betsy Walton's "Outside in the Ice Ocean" print. My husband is a sculptor.  Several years back, when I was under a lot of stress, I had a nightmare about the end of the world and as I was explaining my visions of seeing icebergs off the Connecticut shore and what this implied, he didn't see the horror of it, just the beauty. Since then he has been exploring using icebergs in his work, so I think he would really like this painting.
3: How can I even narrow down what I would like to have by all of the amazing artists out there? Since I have to, I pick this print of a papercut by elsita.  I think if you could see the things inside me, this is what it would look like. And I think Elsita's work is amazing.
4: For my sister, I would get the whole series of Storetry prints from Yee-Haw. My sister owns a graphic design and communications firm (and I have worked for her for 11 years), so anything about design and typography is appreciated. Sassy-pants copy writing is always a plus.

1: For my guy - messenger bag by Moop
2: For my friend - Noki pocket jotter by Dozi
3: For my kids - spinning tops by Sleeping Forest
4: And for me - origami elephant purse by Mingus

1: For the Hostess - Set of 10 Origami Box ornaments by paper red shoes
2: For Mailing to Friends near and far - holiday quotes by a.favorite
3: For me - porcelain earrings by Yasha Butler
4: For the little one - Nicolas doll by Simpli Jessi

Here are my picks for my favorite girls.

1: Sweet Mrs. French of Bliss and every other girl who has a fondness for cupcakes needs this cupcake stand by Whitney Smith.
2: For my oldest, childhood friend...this tree print scarf by Pretty Raccoon.  It reminds me of us growing up in the woods.

3: For my mom, this tote by Jaturon- it's happy and bright like she is...
And for me...
4: I'd love to receive these littlest wings earrings, or anything from Local Library. I adore everything in her shop! (please let my husband read this...)

Thank you ladies for your beautiful selections, and for introducing me to some new artists! 

And happy holidays to everyone out there!  Hope you're having fun making and choosing gifts, decorating for the season and planning time with family and friends! :)

<3 jena

Holiday Gift Guide 2008 - Part One

This year, I decided to let some of the artists and crafters that I admire most choose their favorite handmade picks for the Modish gift guide.  I asked them each to choose three gifts that they'd like to give, and one that they'd like to receive for themselves. 

What resulted was a wide range of gift ideas ranging from the practical to dreamland "if I had all the money in the world and could give any gift" territory, but it's fun to dream this time of year, to think of what gifts the people in your life might treasure the most... and it's fun to see how the individual styles and tastes of each artist I asked to participate shine through in their selections. 

Now, on with the first round of the wonderful picks!  These were selected by Erin Tyner, Wendy from Moop, Irena Sophia, Esther from Essimar, Ivey from Enso Jewelry, Jennifer from Swallowfield and Marianne S. 

1: For my furry friends, I would select modern collars from Classic Hound like this mod red martingale collar.
2: For my friends who love painting, design, photography, architecture or all of the above I would choose prints from the very talented Leah Giberson including this Pool Side Divided diptych.
3: For the young at heart, my first stop would be the whimsical creations of Abby Glassenberg.  Her penguin and egg soft sculpture is one of my favorites.
4: And for myself, I already have one of Freshie & Zero's beautiful lariat necklaces, but I wouldn't mind owning another!

1: For someone who likes an organized and interesting desk- Rvee by Paige Russell
2: For my friend who wishes he had a different job this jar of optimism buttons by Reed Seifer to keep things in perspective
3: For my husband, a Yokoo warmer.  We live in New England, where it is mighty cold.  I have a Yokoo warmer, it keeps me warm.  If my boy also had one, then we would be twinz (and also nerds).
4: What I would like to receive- this wool felt military jacket by Stewart Randolph.  Maybe, if I ask really nice...they will make me one.

1: For my special boy who is an Anime buff, I am picking three prints; they are dirt cheap and I think they will look perfect as set - print 1, 2  & 3 by Monster Gallery
2: For my found sister in Barcelona, to find a way in her heart - Walking Home by A Rabbit Girl
3: For two little girls to become wise and beautiful - Horned Owl Pillow by Lolley Land
4: and for me, I would love to receive this completely romantic print from my sweetheart - Wounded in Love by One Tin Drum

1: This is a gift I would love to receive- Letterpress color study piece by Alex Fuller.
2: I would give this one out to my friends from the east and west coast, my fave poster from delicious design league.
3: This is a cool gift idea/concept by seed of servo, my fave shirt.
4: i also appreciate the good machinery's work- she is my friend from Italy.

1: This Ruffle Rump Dog Sweater by Hoverfly would be super for my sister in law's doggie. Yes, we give pet presents, we're kind of crazy like that.
2: My Mom's fairly nice but big-box cognac leather bag is probably giving out, and this Betty Bag by Pursecution would be so awesome. I'd be borrowing it all the time if I still lived at home, so it would keep giving.
3: My husband and I have a thing about crows. We love watching them march around the neighborhood lawns, the intelligent and mechanical way they move. This Raven tie by Cyberoptix would do nicely.
4: I have hardwood floors, and we live in MN. Bottom line - no amount of slippers/socks/footwarmer things are too many.  I'm embracing my slide toward middle age in wanting these Tabi slippersocks for Chanukah.

1: I love all of Amanda Blake's work, but I am especially tickled that she is offering wee custom portraits from your photograph.  What a special gift.
2: I'm a huge fan of Maria Vettese's many talents, and especially like this small edition photograph and print collaboration she did with Camilla Engman . The city bear is my favorite. (I think my mom would love a membership to her Card Society, too.)
3: I was tripping around Etsy the other night and made a nice discovery - Lulubug Jewelry.  I'm smitten in a big way with Sue Urquhart's designs, especially the work made of concrete, like this or this.  I can think of several people who would adore one of her necklaces.
4: What would I like to get?  I think Abigail Percy's sweet chestnut earrings are pretty perfect. 

1: Handsewn and embroidered hedgehog from Apple and Eve for a little girl or boy or just a lovely person with big heart
2: A small artwork from Krisblues for a friend.  I so love the little reminder this one has - "follow your heart" - we all need this in our daily life.
3: These earrings from Tani Nova Crochet for a female who appreciates uniqueness and has got soft spot for fiber
4: And if I get some hand spun yarn like this from Terra Bella Spun from santa, I'll be in 7th heaven :)

Thank you ladies for sharing all your incredible selections with us!  And readers, stay tuned for round two of picks from 7 more lovely artists and crafters tomorrow!

Handmade Holiday (from around the web)

Here are some more awesome ideas for you crafty folk to make this holiday a handmade one!  It's inexpensive, fun, and such an incredible feeling being able to present a gift that you made with your own two hands, to enliven your home with handmade decor, to put a little more "you" into your holiday festivities...

Make some calendars and gift tags to match with these inexpensive printables from Little Brown Pen.  Watch this video to see how, it's beyond awesome!

Refashion a silk scarf you don't wear into a beautiful pillow for someone else!  The awesome d*s diy team Derek & Lauren show you how.

Present your gifts with this handmade wrapping paper, made from paper scraps and decorated with a celery stamp.  Yes, a stamp made from celery!  Ez over at Creature Comforts will show you how.  (Ez, you're just too much!  So inventive!)

Decorate with a festive bunting made from scrap fabric, or your children's old clothes- it's a great way to save memories and show them off at the same time!  Head to Joyful Abode for the full instructions.

Add some holiday cheer to any room with these adorable shrinky dink night-lights from Readymade!  You can download these designs at Readymade.com or create your own!

You can make these eco-friendly notebooks reusing office paper, vintage wallpaper or wrapping paper scraps for anyone on your list!  Megan and Jill from Potbelly Sandwich works show you how, over on d*s.

Incrrrrredibly easy, yet super stylish "snowstorm curtains" by Jeffrey Ruddel of Craft Stylish.  All you need is some dental floss and 1" circle labels.  Even I can make these! :)

Snazz up your gift wrap with this pretty Mizuhiki Cord knots- so pretty!  Zakka Life will show you how to tie it right (via craftzine)

Make these beautiful and simple paper evergreens to don your mantle or table this season, from master crafter Martha!

 

Super cute fabric flower hairpins for the super cute ladies on your list- Kayte Terry from Craft Stylish will give you the deets!

Lighten up with these pretty recycled egg carton fairy lights- chic and eco-friendly!  See how-to at esprit cabane (via craftzine)

Use some scrap paper to make a picture perfect paper snowflake, just like in grade-school, but better!  According to this video, the trick is in how you fold it- watch below, from Curbly!

Have fun crafting!  I'm gonna get to it myself! :)

<3 jena

Handmade Holiday with Jessica Jones

I'll have some gift ideas rounded up for you next week, curated by some of my favorite shop owners... but I also thought it a good idea to have some inexpensive and easy diy tuturoials of handmade gifts you can make yourself this year!  And who better to show us how to make something quick, easy and stylish than Jessica Jones of How About Orange?

Here, she'll show you how to make easy fabric covers so you dress up a plain vase or shotglass for maximum cuteness and make a sweet gift for family and friends.  I'm sure you can find some vases/glasses to cover at your local craft store, Goodwill, or hey, even in your own recycling bin!  I'm going to try this with some of the POM tea leftover glasses I've been hoarding away...

Alright then, Jessica, take it away!
 

1. Cut a piece of fabric large enough to wrap around your glass or vase once, plus about an inch of overlap. Make it as tall as your vase is, plus an extra half inch. (Of course, vary this depending on how much glass you want to show at the top.)

2. Fold over and press a half inch at the top and bottom of the fabric; then sew a seam across it to hold it down.

3. Wrap the fabric around your vase, right side to the inside, and pin it exactly where you'd like your seam to go. Slide the vase out and draw a line along the pins to help you sew where you need to.

4. Sew the tube along the line and press the seam open.

5. Flip the tube right side out and put it on your vase.

Et voila, pretty hand-covered vases!  Deliver them with flowers in tow, seasonal berries and twigs or a plant cutting, as seen here, for an extra special gift.

And, if you're not into making things yourself, Jessica can still help you out with the prettily patterned goodies she sells in the How About Orange etsy shop- hand-sewn reversible totes for your favorite loves-to-shopper and cute mousepads and postcards as inexpensive stocking stuffers for anyone on your list!

Thanks Jessica, for sharing your project with us!

little winter

Well, since I'm feeling all Portlandy today, thought I should stop back in and let locals know about a great trunk show coming up this weekend- little winter!  (found via Poppytalk, thanks Jan!)

I'm SO excited about these artists, I'll definitely be stopping by!  I was planning on heading to Sellwood anyway to find some jars and containers to make terrariums with.  Now it'll be a double dose of fun!  Get some sneak peeks of the goods up for grabs at littlewinter.tumblr.com. 

I'm signed up, are you?

For this year's Freshly Blended ornament swap?  I participated last year and it was so much fun, and great excuse (for me) to take some time out just to make stuff!  Join in the fun, will you?  Find all the deets on how to, at Freshly Blended!  TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO SIGN UP!  Hop to it!

Picture Perfect: Wolfie and the Sneak

Picture Perfect: Mudpuppy

Picture Perfect: Paloma's Nest