Modish

Prismera Design

Oooh, Prismera Design, who makes some of my faaaavorite jewelry, um, ever, has expanded their line to include "everyday design."  As to be expected, it's lovely and just like their jewelry, it's eco-friendly too! 

I especially like these gorgeous recycled paper postcards in simple black and silver designs, perfect for the new year.  And this little handmade birch box with a wood-grain design on top- too cute!  With the felt insert included, it makes for just about the best jewelry gift box I think I've ever seen. 

Eco-Friendly Find: humble

I'm almost done getting the reader survey ready, but in the meantime I wanted to share these oh so pretty handmade pillows with you, by humble!  Not only are they beautifully designed and sure to be the perfect touch to any chair in the house, but they're kind to earth as well!  Score!

Made from 100% organic cotton twill, each contemporary design is hand-printed with non-toxic water based inks.  The pillows are then filled with inserts made from either bamboo or kapok, another sustainable alternative derived from the seed of a kapok tree.  Pretty, functional and better for the planet- now that's something you can rest your head easy on.

{psst: the humble shop is offering a special discount to Modish readers for the new year- enter MODISH at checkout for 30% off your order, good through the month of January!  Thanks Kristie!}

layer by layer

Constructed nature.  Outside inside.  Organic geometry.  There are many seemingly opposed elements in layer by layer's designs, but I think that's exactly what makes the work so interesting, so original. 

These geometric forms are made by hand from recycled cardboard coated in beeswax, and empty spaces filled with moss, beeswax and even soil.  All the elements are from the earth, yet they're held together in such confined and structured spaces...is it a comment on the state of our "wild" land being so limited, so contained?  An artistic rendition of suburbia's encroachment upon our open spaces?  Well, from the mouth of their creator, they're meant simply as "a stress reliever, something nice to look at and touch, or a little bit of the outside when you are stuck inside."  Well, that sounds like a good explanation to me.  Find these designs, and more like them, at layer by layer and bring some of the outside in.

New shop: Yokomono Studio

Brittni over at Paper n' Stitch let me know about this wonderful new shop that's participating in this month's exhibition, Yokomono Studio!  Yoko is the creator and "mono" roughly means "things" in Japanese, so put 'em together and Yokomono means a wealth of lovely Yoko-made wonders! 

There's handbags, totes, pillow covers and coasters each featuring stunning fabric in rich colors.  I just love the contemporary styling paired with the bold graphics, pretty pretty.  Head over to Yokomono Studio to see what else she's cooking up, and add some "handcrafted 'mono' to your life"!

Eco-Friendly Find: and furthermore,

Portland has more than its fair share of eco-friendly crafters, just one more reason to love it here.  New to the scene but already selling like hotcakes is and furthermore, a collection of home goods made from reclaimed materials.  Panes of glass from old light fixtures have become original artworks and beautiful vintage plastic doilies can now keep time.  What a good idea...

Picture Perfect: Little Sparrow Nest

Pretty things indeed

I really need something to lift my spirits this morning and the packed full prettiness over at new shop, Nest Pretty Things may be just the trick!

Filled with bits of pink and red everywhere you look, the range of goodies, from jewelry and hair accessories to dream-catchers and fairy crowns, is colorful, vibrant and whimsical.  Take a peek for yourself!  Owner Tamar would like to extend a special 10% discount to Modish readers- use code NEST at checkout!

New Modamuse!

Modamuse is celebrating their 2 year anniversary (congrats Jessica!!) and with it comes a brand new site re-vamp that looks great!  It hosts all the same incredible handmade goods made by Australian and New Zealander designers, but in a new and improved shop interface that looks cleaner, is well organized and super easy to navigate.  Now it's even easier to explore the wealth of design goodness!  Take a peek for yourself at Modamuse.

Picture Perfect: Suus Keramiek

Picture Perfect: Paloma's Nest

So Succulent

Just found these wonderful creations from Greenware Design, via Holly's spotlight on the Storque -> stunning arrangements of plant life to dress up your nest, come complete with gorgeous, handmade ceramic planters in varying shapes and sizes.  Oh how succulent they are!

Picture Perfect: Cori Kindred

Soft finds for fall

Fall feels so quiet and cuddly to me, and it has definitely arrived here in Portland.  It cheers me up to see leaves yellowing against grey skies, to see how the angle of the sun changes with shorter days, to feel the chill in the air hit my cheeks and the tip of my nose.  So, I put together some soft, felted and knit goods for fall that remind me of the wonderful richness of this, my favorite season:

1:: Squirrel Rex by Strawberries and Cream
2} decoration maple leaves by Fleur Fatale
3:: Presence- red sea shawl/scarf by Irregular Expressions
4} Sprout Edith Tote by Queen Bee Creations
5:: felted wool acorns in blue by lil fish studios
6} fall story necklace by Pirilampo Riscado

A new shop from across the pond!

Yay!  I have an exciting new boutique to introduce to you: Radici!  Based in the UK, Radici features wonderfully unique items that are handcrafted with care.  They're really dedicated to exposing emerging and up-and-coming talent and they have a great collection available already:

There's beautiful homewares, accessories, goods for kids, bags, stationery and much more.  Take a peek at the whole collection for yourself.  And thanks Radici, for giving us a new place to shop for great handmade goods!

For a comfy home

In my wildest I have all the money in the world to spend on things that are cute dreams, I think of how I'd decorate our new home adding little touches of warmth, whimsy and nature here and there.  A fantastic way to add a bit of all three is with felt, a natural material made from 100% wool that always reminds me of fall.  It's soft and fuzzy and warm, perfect to add a little comfort to any corner of your home.  And for fabulous felt home goodies, look no further than Papaver Vert:

With beautiful nesting bowls in a range of colors, vases, trivets, trays, plant cozies, pillows, pin-cushions and more, Papaver Vert explores the art of felting in a myriad of unique ways, creating little colorful pieces of art for your everyday.  Take a peek at all the felted goodness in their etsy shop, and add some wooly warmth to your own home this fall!