Archive for November, 2007
- 11.30.07Happy Thoughts!
- 11.30.07decor8 Discount: Modern Dose -20%
- 11.29.07Chez-Sucre-Chez
- 11.29.07December Arts + Crafts Markets {Boston + Providence}
- 11.29.07Ground Work
- 11.28.07Inspiration Boards {on flickr}
- 11.28.07Jonathan Adler Sale
- 11.28.07D*S Gift Guides!
I came across this wonderful image in the flickr pages of Matirose and had to share this message with you. It’s a simple one that we can all to often forget as creative professionals trying to navigate the wild, wild west of freelance, the web, new careers, reinventing ourselves, launching a business, or anything else that was once “the greener grass” until you got on the other side and realized that you were on the grass alone with your big idea and now it’s 100% up to you to do something with it. And there you sit, sometimes frozen. And your idea may not be taking off as quickly as you’d like. Or you feel like you made a really big mistake. Or maybe you aren’t that talented. Let me remind you of this…
I’m not a shrink. But I am a human being sitting here writing these posts each day. And sometimes I think something is wrong with me. For every 10 supporting you, there’s a few that want you to disappear. Let’s face it, bad motives do exist. It’s part of life. So often we feel like Ugly Betty on some level. It’s our hips, if only they were more boyish. It’s our career, we’re not where we expected to be at this age. Maybe our family life sucks right now. When will he propose? Should we have kids, all our friends are having them? Or maybe it’s time, we need more hours in a day. Our hair is falling out in clumps, we can’t keep the plants alive, the dog likes our spouse more, the weather is depressing, oh the list can go on and on. We can be high on Friday and at the lowest point in our life on Saturday morning. But I assure you that you are not alone. We are all in this together. Nothing is wrong with you. Accept this simple truth with me today.
There is nothing wrong with you.
Keep putting one foot in front of the other because, what’s that quote, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Yes that’s it. So keep steppin’. You’re fierce. You can do anything you have passion for as long as you take steps and make progress on some level. Remember that.
So if you’re about to go into the month of December with any doubt in yourself or your dreams at all, remember There is Nothing Wrong With You. Back straight, chin up, eyes ahead, keep your dreams in front of you and don’t stop until you can hold them in your hands.
Now it’s Friday, go have some fun! See you on Monday. :)
(image from matirose)
The grocery store has become a real challenge lately. Stores are completely mobbed. The gas station is a zoo. Starbucks? Forget it. Lines wrap outside and around the block and by the time I’m up to bat, I want to order like 10 to ease my nerves. I think I’ll stay home from now and January 1st!
Fortunately for those of us that need to shop but prefer to avoid the insanity out there, we can tap away on our keyboards to find some of the best merchandise online. That’s why I’d like to once again direct you to the web today for a great discount, this time over at Modern Dose. Starting now until December 7th, take 20% off of your order total by entering code: decor8 upon checkout (plus free shipping).
From wave pendants to snow owls, Modern Dose has you covered. Love this mod rocker for $299? Take 20% off and it’s even a better bargain for a Eames-repro piece. And for when you are exhausted from shopping, go take a cat nap on this Quba daybed – the design and color are both timeless.
(images from modern dose)
When Kimberly from Chez-Sucre-Chez wrote to me last night confessing her fear of self-promotion, I knew I had to rid her of these fears by posting about her work here on decor8.
The #1 mistake we can make as creative types is to kick our own butt by not talking about our work and passions with others. Always carry business cards, a small photo book showing off your wares (a little Kate Spade or Hable Construction brag book is both fashionable and durable while giving a professional appearance. Plus, you aren’t a walking url, you can’t show them your website while in line at Starbucks, but you can pull out a mini non-intimidating book showing recent photos of your collection inside). And most importantly, keep a positive feeling in your heart about who you are and what you are working so hard to do because that passion inside will beam through on your face. If you don’t love your work, no one else will. I walked around Renegade last year and though I really enjoyed it and plan to return next summer, I couldn’t believe some of the non-communicative, fear loaded vendors sitting around talking to their partners and ignoring their customers. I know they weren’t being mean, they were most likely scared to be approached. Don’t be. Then I noticed Emily from the Black Apple who took a very different approach – chatty, welcoming, warm. As a result, her booth was hopping, not 5 minutes passed where that booth sat still. So let’s put an end to I’m not good enough. You are good enough. You rock. Get it? Self promote with style (don’t annoy, just share) and you’ll go far.
Now back to Chez-Sucre-Chez. This is a confident business lady, she takes pride in her work which is exactly why she wrote to me despite her fears to self-promote. I’m so glad she did. Her little crochet letters are Domino or Blueprint magazine worthy for sure. Best part, she’ll create any letter you’d like, or if you’d like several to spell a word, just let her know. Wrap a few up and give to your friends. I appreciate how she showcases her work arranged here in a studio space. Fantastic!
(image from chez-sucre-chez)
Shop Indie Boston! I really look forward to all the fun summer and winter craft events that spring up each year. Last season I selected the best of the best events happening in Boston + Providence and this year is no different, another round-up! And yes baby, I know it’s cold outside – but neither snow nor sleet prevents Boston locals from a few good sales. Here’s a quick view of events going on (starting tomorrow!) around town. Please feel free to print this handy guide so you’ll have it on you during the month. Have fun!
Not in New England? See the last paragraph of this post for a GREAT link just for you.
Crafts at the Castle
11/30, 10-8
12/1, 10-6
12/2, 10-5
Hynes Convention Center, Exhibit Hall B, 900 Boylston St. (1st floor), Boston.
Rain or shine. $18.00 for adults. $15.00 for seniors. Children under 12 are free.
Holiday Artisian Fair at The Eliot School
12/1, 11-5
The Eliot School, 24 Eliot Street, Jamaica Plain.
Free Admission.
NEW! Paper & Chocolate Event with Albertine Press & Taza Chocolate
12/2, 1-6
561 Windsor Street, Somerville.
Tastings, factory tours, letterpress demonstrations, artisan chocolates,
handmade books, holiday cards and more.
Celebrate Newton! Arts + Crafts Festival
12/2, 10-4
Newton South H.S., 140 Brandeis Rd, Newton Center.
Free Admission.
MassArt Annual Sale
12/3-8, 10-7
MassArt, Tower Building (lobby), 621 Huntington Ave. (corner of Huntington Ave. and Evans Way), Boston.
Rain or shine. Free admission.
The Arsenal on the Charles Vendor Fair
12/4, 10-2
3 Kingsbury Avenue, Watertown.
Free Admission.
School of the Museum of Fine Arts December Sale
12/5-6, 12?8
12/7-9, 12?6
SMFA, 230 The Fenway, Boston.
Free Admission.
NEW! Design Nearby at the pinkcomma Gallery
12/7, 5-10
Pinkcomma, 81b Wareham Street (South End), Boston.
MIT Sloan Craft Fair (sorry no link)
12/7, 9-6
Lobby of the Tang Center, 50 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA (entrance on Wadsworth Street).
Fort Point Holiday Sale
12/7, 4-7
12/8-9, 11-5
Midway Studios, 15 Channel Center Street, Boston with additional studios open throughout the neighborhood.
Rain or shine. Free admission. Free Parking.
{NEW! They also have a brick and mortar holiday store open for the season on weekdays until 1/4/08.}
RISD Alumni Art Sale
12/8, 10-5
RI Convention Center, One Sabin Street, Providence.
Rain or shine. Admission is $7; children under 14 or current RISD students (with ID) get in free.
Sowa Holiday Market
12/8, 10-8
12/9, 10-6
Cathedral High School Gym, 74 Union Park Street (South End), Boston.
Rain or shine. $5 admission. Free Parking at 500 & 540 Harrison Ave.
Bazaar Bizarre
12/9, 12-5
Cyclorama (Boston Center for the Arts) at 539 Tremont Street (South End), Boston.
Rain or shine. $1.00 Admission.
{Tip: Arrive early for the best selection. The line wraps around the block and booths are known to sell out fast.}
UPDATE: This event will not take place this year. Sorry for any confusion! Wears + Wares Final Market of the Year
12/16, 11-5
Downtown Crossing on Summer Street in the lobby of 101 Arch, Boston.
Rain or shine. Free admission.
Month Long Markets
Craftland Show
12/1-12/22 – daily
Wednesday 11-6, Thursday 11-8, Friday 11-6, Saturday 11-8, and Sunday 11-6.
235 Westminster Street, Providence.
Psst: There’s a meet the artists free event on December 13, 6-8 PM.
Rain or shine. Free admission.
The Harvard Square Holiday Craft Fair
12/9-11, M-F 10-7, S 12-6, Su 11-7
12/16-18
12/20-24
First Parish Unitarian Church, on the corner of Mass Ave and Church in Harvard Square.
Free Admission.
Psst: Not in Boston or Providence and feeling a bit left out? No worries! For a complete list of indie markets taking place all over the world visit the Indie Craft Fair Guide. If you are a market owner, don’t forget to list your event on their website because I see this site as only growing and becoming THE source for indie markets in the future. I’m spreading the word the best that I can – it’s a great site – so tell all of your friends!
If I’ve missed a venue for Boston or Providence, please comment below with the scoop. Please share this with a friend by clicking the envelope icon below this post - spread the word – shop Indie. :)
(image from the SOWA website)
Mature, as in grown up, works of art catch my eye too, I’m not always lured in by playful colors and characters. Take for example the soft and imaginative work of D. Ray. This artist holds a BFA in Illustration and with work featured in CMYK Magazine, it’s exciting to discover her Etsy store Ground Work and to learn that some of her originals are priced under $75 (such thoughtful and beautiful gifts).
Ground Work clearly has talent, her color and composition being both serene and comforting yet striking and mesmerizing. Her focus: the natural world around her. Exploring what’s out there and translating what she sees into soft sensitive forms, combined with a keen eye for color, resulting in delightful works of art. She has a definite style, and though no two paintings are alike, you certainly could group a collection of things on a single wall and create such a diversified focal point as displayed in the image above.
Stunning, mature, fresh, fluid, beautiful.
(images from ground work)
I’ve been following the Inspiration Boards group on flickr lately, and after browsing the group again last night, I thought blogging about it should be on the agenda for today. Who doesn’t love a beautiful mood board? A secret corner to dream? A creative nook to call your very own?
located in Vancouver, Canada. (What gorgeous paint on her walls.)
The Inspiration Boards group was initiated by Castanet, aka Lori Pickert, who now authors a blog under the same name. Here is just a tiny sampling of the inspirational imagery that you’ll find in both the group and the blog. And if you’d like to contribute a board of your own, you can join the group and submit photos of your own.
“The jack rabbit is by dawn. Marled bear is by mingling
of traveling rhinos. Japanese prints thrifted in Japan.“
(images from the individuals linked above)
I like the title of this sale going on now over at Jonathan Adler – Spend More, Save More. For some reason, this really appeals to me since I’m all about justifying the purchase of moderately expensive things. But serious, this sale is a good one if you’ve had your roaming eye on something like say, the giraffe lamp that I just purchased… I’ve wanted it for ages, but even with my trade discount it was still expensive. This sale is nearly double my discount, so I cashed in.
Hey it’s a giraffe and I really do need another lamp. Plus, with all the product knock off poor Jonathan has had to endure, it’s the least I can do to show a little support his way. Have you laid eyes on his new rugs? The yellow one is my fave, great pattern and the colors are sublime. His new Drysdale chair is a beauty too, the sexy shaped legs are such a surprising feature that it’s hard not to keep staring at them.
Spend $150 – save $20
Spend $250 – save $40
Spend $350 – save $60
Spend $450 – save $80
Spend $550 – save $100
By the way, have you checked out his new product line created exclusively for Barnes + Noble? Your thoughts? I have to say it didn’t click for me, but neither does his collection at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. I say go genuine expensive Jonathan or go home. Of course, I can’t afford most of it so I just wait for sales like this Spend More, Save More event to ease my conscience.
Enter code holidaylicious upon checkout, offer expires 12/31/07.
(images from jonathan adler)
Grace over at Design*Sponge pulled together some excellent gift guides, I especially like the Alba clock she found over at Generate. It’s fun to look through all the items in her round up, an endless treasure chest. Nice work, Grace!
Seems she’s on a roll with several guides in various price ranges, so if you haven’t already, click on over.
(image screenshot from design sponge)
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