Zachary Smith and Sevenly

Although I don't get to wander around the internet as much as I used to, I still manage to come across some cool, shareable stuff every now and then.  Today's share is via designworklife.com, and features the art of Zachary Smith.  Zachary does hand lettering and typographic art.  I do love the swoops and swirls of hand lettering, and that it makes the words as beautiful as the thoughts they express. Zachary builds one more layer on this by merging his lettering and inspiring phrases with his photographs to make some beautiful images, many of which he features on his Instagram account.

Zachary also contributes to Sevenly, an online store that sells t-shirts and prints of artist-made designs and gives $7 of each purchase to charity.  The designs are more than pretty; they seek to help raise awareness for the different organizations that Sevenly supports.  Each week Sevenly introduces a new charity partner and a new design. To date they have raised over $4 Million for various charities.

I love this business model!  Support artists - check.  Create beautiful, quality merchandise - check. Make a meaningful contribution to change - check.  Raise awareness of deserving charities - check. Make money and build a successful business - check!

Why not build a business around making a difference?  Why not shop and give to charity at the same time? I bristle at the idea that somehow these things should be kept separate, that giving to charity is simply a marketing gimmick to sell more merchandise.  I instead see a business with a soul, but that's not to say the former isn't out there as well.

How do you feel about "capitalist philanthropy"?

Etsy treasuries

I have just discovered the joy of creating treasuries on Etsy - a wonderful way to waste even more time online. Really, it is a healthy way to search Etsy without buying every beautiful item I see, don't you think?

'Angular' by sweetrinda 

Porcelain geometry triangles... NiuTaller $35	SALE 30% OFF Minimalistic Go... TheFORMA $99	Large Wristlet Clutch with R... Mashausha $30
iphone case - triangle geome... IsolateCase $22	Wood & Brass Triangle neckla... RebeccaGladsto... $22	Modern Industrial Style -- A... jbFARM $96
Modern Quilt, Multicolored B... TwiggyandOpal $325	Chevron Lines Grey Peel & St... AccentuWall $35	Square Wide Bangle,Bracelet-... yukabyguliz $70
Womens Tshirt / Gray Moon T... makemaketees $26	Black and White Triangles Pl... MelissaMayaPot... $34	Daytripper - Driftwood Grey YieldDesignCo $195
handmade brass ceiling mount... studioPGRB $695	Bars Adjustable Sterling Sil... flaviabennettd... $32	Geometric Sterling Silver Ea... RawObjekt $49

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So many iPhone Cases!

I am starting to worry that iPhone cases might be my new purse.  You know, I have a few but then I see one that I really love, and it doesn't seem that much of an investment, for something I use every day...  I had been crushing on these now-ubiquitous-but-still-so-purdy Rifle Paper Co cases above.  The top left one is my absolute favourite pattern - I have about 6 notes books with that design on the cover that I bought for gifts, but... well, you know. So I thought I would save my pennies for that one (my usual go-to-store is Winners so anything more than $7.99 seems expensive) but then I saw these lovelies from Leif Shop. Gah, I really adore that bottom left one again (scribbled landscape) and the blue tile is so nice...

Of course Society 6 always has amazing cases to choose from with so much unique artwork to choose from - how awesome is that folded paper number above?  I was also stoked to find Afterimages shop on Etsy which not only has some great choices (love that water one) but will do CUSTOM cases for you too - and all of them are under $20!  I would love to have one with a photo of the boys made, what about you?

Of course, if I were thinking purely practically, I would go for a neon number, like these above from Zazzie (only I wouldn't 'cause they are impossibly expensive - $50!?! WHAT??!).  I need something I can easily see in my big pit of a purse.  I don't know how many times I have looked for my phone in my purse, then torn the house apart trying to find it, only to realize that, in its boring black case, it was in the bottom of the purse the whole time.

So what do you have on your phone?  Do you own more than one case?  Are you an addict like myself?  Or do you have one of those ugly indestructible Otter thingers?  Sorry Otter-owners.

Craig's List Roundup

Lovely simple lines on this iron bed - $100

It's been a while since I trolled around Craigslist looking for things I don't need - I have had no need, what with The Listings List bringing me all the good stuff with a fantastic dose of snarky humour.  But tonight the hubby is out and I am too tired to do any work but too wired to go to bed early, so treasure trolling it is.  Here are a few things that caught my eye amongst the insanely overpriced junk and car parts:

Art deco-shaped brass and glass shelves - $175

Oh-so-chic brass pendants with filament bulbs, two for $210 (so you know they want $200) isn't a crazy price...

'K, don't even really read this one... this kilim is mine (for $175).  Sorry honey, it has to be done.

LOVE the straight square lines on this brass headhttp://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/atq/3847527990.htmlboard.  LOVE.  WANT. $300

Looking beat-to-hell, but isn't that the point with these lamps?  All that character, in working order... for only $35!  You know this would be at least double that at SMASH.

A lovely walnut dresser with completely the wrong knobs (imho) - $225

Are these ugly?  I kind of love them - brass and rosewood flatware for $80

"Retro" light from Union Lighting means you won't need to rewire it! - $75

Sometimes a half-moon console table is just the right size for awkward spaces.  This guys has a nice shape, but it is looking a little rough, so I would talk them down... from $30.

Oh spool beds, how I love you. I really do. Even for $300.

 Anything tempt you?  Do you think I might have a thing for wood and brass?  Maybe?

Gap Khaki Hack

I have been pining for a pair of the Gap's "broken-in" rolled-up khahis - they look so comfortable with the higher waist and relaxed fit (sigh, there was a time when I would never have uttered 'comfortable', 'high-waisted' or 'relaxed fit' without shuddering...).  My comfortable wardrobe these days seems to be teetering on full-blown slob, so I am hoping these walk the less-slobby side of the line for cooler days at the park.

BUT, I am trying to get through the summer without investing in too many new things - fighting the urge to have whatever the trend is and be more responsible with my cash and my need for new clothes.  The horror of the tragedy in Bangladesh has not left me - especially since 90% of my wardrobe is Joe Fresh.  I have no idea what the answer to that can of worms is, but I can tell you that this beast of a need to shop is tougher to ignore than I would like.

In an effort to feed the shopping monster without waking the guilt monster, I bought a pair of ca. 2005 (or is it 1995? I forget) Gap trousers at Value Village.  They fit nicely around the hips and butt but were quite wide in the leg for my 2013 sensibilities.  So I brought out the sewing machine and in-expertly brought them closer to the leg by turning them inside out, pinning about where I thought they should go, and running a straight-ish line down the inside seam.  I did one leg first, and sewed it a few times before I was happy with the shape.  Then I just folded them over and copied the line to the other leg.  Turned them back out, rolled up the bottom, and taddah, my own broken-in khakis.

New clothes, a trip to Value Village, a little DIY, the style I was after and my hazy, ill-defined values intact - who knew one pair of trousers could satisfy in so many ways?

My Christmas Wish List, er, ideas

Dear Husband, you know how you keep saying that I am so hard to shop for and you never know what to get me (even though I have an entire BLOG about things I admire and would love to acquire)?  I have made a list for you.  Some of these are a little spendy, it's true, especially since we made that deal about no gifts this year...  And considering you tell me pretty much daily that we have too many rugs (and chairs), I have too much jewellery (some nonsense about not enough fingers to wear all those rings), that we have too many pillows (never!) and too much art (since we seem to have run out of walls), and of COURSE that I have too many clothes (pffft), I have a hard time imagining you getting any of this.  Which is actually fine, because, (keep this to yourself), I actually agree with all of the above.  So consider the above simply a pretty picture of pretty things that kind of appeal to me.

Starting with that goooooorgeous ring (sorry, I am drooling like Homer all over my computer) from Toronto artist Kate Zabone.  And yeah, yeah, too many rugs, but...wouldn't this look amazing in our basement??  Lucky for you I don't know where it comes from, but I saw it on Beci Orpin's blog.  The t-shirt and twisted gold bangle are from the Invisible Children shop I blogged about the other day.  That second druzy ring is from a lovely Etsy shop called Illumanence (I highly recommend a visit for the rest of you), and the bracelets are the MoonRox ones I used pure steel will power not get at the OOAK show.  And, sweet hubster, you will be happy to know that those pillows are FAUX fur and ON SALE at Restoration Hardware.  I mean, for the others out there who may purchase them... And the lovely round painting is actually only 2 inches in diameter and is a magnet!  Cool, right?

Now if only YOU had a blog I could peruse for ideas... on the other hand... it would be all about ridiculously expensive bikes you don't need, and I don't need a blog for that. :)

xo, your loving wifey

Foxy Stuff

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My Pinterest feed is overflowing with foxes!  They are the latest woodland animal to capture everyone's imagination, and will look great beside all the owl stuff you bought over the last couple of years...and the bird things before that.  Any bets on the next trendy animal?  I want hedgehog, but I don't think it is hipster enough - too obviously cute.  Wolf is too close to fox, maybe opossum? :)  Woodpecker?  Honey Badger? :p

It's time to get personal(ized)

I recently got an email from notonthehighstreet.com, a British online marketplace for beautiful, one-of-a-kind personalized gifts.  I quickly looked over the site... and 5 hours later... I had a basket full of gift idea for everyone I knew (sorry guys, I did the responsible thing and decided to blog about it instead of buying it all!)  They kindly offered me a gift from the market - or should I say shrewdly, since of course I love way too much on there, can't decide what to get, and am going to blog about it!

Started by two women, Sophie Cornish and Holly Tucker, notonthehighstreet.com is a place where over 3,000 independent artists and craftspeople can sell their products.  It is kind of like Etsy, only the products and artists are carefully selected and vetted for quality and dependability, and for the most part they maintain a certain vibe.  I am not sure when it was started in relation to Etsy (I suppose I could do some research, huh?), but these ladies have been racking up awards like crazy as the site has grown.  It is definitely as addictive as Etsy, that's for sure!  But on to the good stuff; here are some of my favourites from the site.  I was going to do one board, but there is just so much good stuff on there, it kind of got out of hand!

One of a Kind (late) roundup

Wow, this has been one busy week.  Between contractors and insurance people, clients (I love saying that word) and blog events, I haven't had a chance to post anything for a while.  So here is a belated round-up of the One of a Kind winter show, which runs until the end of the weekend, with late night shopping hours tonight!

The media breakfast was lovely, as always.  This year we got to enjoy my favourite kind of breakfast - sinful sweets!  The doughnuts from Glory Hole doughnuts were so decadent and delicious that I went a little overboard and had two...I like to think I burned them off as I raced through the Direct Energy Centre for the next couple of hours (could'a happened, right?).  My favourite artisan picks from last year were mostly all there again, and their stuff was still amazing.  I also found a couple of booths that I hadn't noticed last year (I seem to miss some every time I go). 

Becca Wallace has the most awesome photos of vintage cars and trucks against these bright and cheerful backgrounds.  The epoxy finish is perfect, they really pop out at you as you go by.  I was worried that my boys would see these photos and demand to know why I didn't get a bunch for their rooms, so I got a few little lapel buttons for their stockings.  Sadly, the works were a little out of my budget for this year, so I had to make due with admiring them (and her adorable little 8-month old).

Sarah Tacoma's encaustic photographs drew me in like a bird to a berry, perhaps in part because of my new-found love of all thing encaustic.  She takes the most gorgeous photos, then over paints them with a touch of colour and a film of beeswax.  The resulting artworks are so dreamy and soft, and you can tell I really had an affinity with those berries.  I also love the doors - they reminded me so much of a New Brunswick artist named Lynn Wiggington who does incredibly detailed paintings of the doors of Saint John (I have a signed poster of her doors in the upstairs hall).  Sarah's display of works was beautifully done, I could have stayed at her booth all day.

The same could be said of Atelier des cent-ans, which I posted about last time as well.  I just LOVE their booth and their works. Their display is lesson in presentation - quiet, careful, and considered.  It reminds me of the Japanese/Scandanavian store Mjolk on Dundas.  The wave motif they presented this year is so beautiful - I have been practicing a very similar style of drawing for an upcoming project (should I ever get time to do it!).

As always, Moon Rox tested my will power with their glittering line-up of baubles and bracelets.  I love the way they use gold and brass, and their pieces always feel like top notch quality.  Someday they will break me for sure.  I am already eyeing one of the bracelets in my photo as I type this, thinking about that awesome re-entry policy that the One of A Kind has...

If you went or are going to the show, I would love to know which artists caught your eye - I am always curious to see other people's picks.  Although many of my friends admire the same booths I do, there is always one or two I miss that I wish I had seen!  Speaking of which, Jen from Rambling Renovators will be presenting her picks tonight on stage at the show, and from touring a bit with her last Thursday as she selected them, I know it is an awesome list.  Don't forget the show is open late tonight - Happy Shopping! :)