2013? It’s a Date!

Tags

accessories, decor, design, indie designers, product design, stationery, wall art

Sure, you use your phone / pad / computer as a calendar in this, the twenty-first century – I get that. I too would be totally lost if my technology didn’t bleep at me relentlessly to tell me where I need to be when. So, fine. Still, I’m a believer in a proper, old-school, piece of actual paper – especially if its aesthetics serve to enhance the environment in which it’s placed. A few of my favorites from the batch of 2013 calendars…

Girl Gear Studio – Jet Age Calendar

Girl Gear Studio (detail)

Loria McKee – Bird Desk Calendar, $14

May Day Studio – Letterpress Calendar, $30

May Day Studio (detail)

May Day Studio (detail)

Rock Paper Pigeon – Playing Card Silkscreened Calendar, $40

Rock Paper Pigeon (detail)

Rock Paper Pigeon (detail)

Silhouette Blue – Wall Calendar, $18

Silhouette Blue (detail)

Silhouette Blue (detail)

Edubarba – Extra Large Calendar One Sheet, €9.00

Modern Printed Matter Wall Calendar, $24

Modern Printed Matter (detail)

Hang Tight Studio 88 – Tea Towel Calendar, $18

Hang Tight Studio 88 (detail)

Typodarium – 2013 Daily Dose of Typoography, €16,80

Typodarium (detail)

Snow and Graham – Grid Calendar, $27.95

Snow and Graham (detail)

Jolly Good Fellow – Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo and Helsinki Photo Calendar, $32

Rifle Paper – Cities Calendar, $27.95

Rifle Paper – Cities (detail)

Rifle Paper – Small Garden Calendar, $16.95

Rifle Paper – Garden (detail)

Dozi – 2013 Wall Calendar

Dozi (detail)

Dozi (detail)

Brown Parcel Press Made From Scratch Letterpress Calendar, $35

Brown Parcel Press (detail)

Brown Parcel Press (detail)

Brown Parcel Press (detail)

Special Little Somethings Under $15

Tags

design, gifts, holiday, indie designers, product design, stationery, textiles, typography, wall art

Need one more item to complete the perfect gift assortment? Just a little something? A stuffer for a stocking? Then one of these affordable – but still pretty darn awesome – jewels may be exactly what you’re looking for to top things off! (As always, click to shop!)

Crate & Barrel – Antiqued Ornament, $2.48 (sale)

L’Atelier no.95 – Screenprinted French Tea Towel, $9

Purple Cactus Design – Notebook, $7.50

Love & Toast – Prickly Pear Lip Balm, $9

Anthropologie – Potholder, $12

Dean & Deluca Chocolate Nut Mix, $6.50

Deanne Watson Jewelry – Copper Jellyfish Earrings, $14.95

Quail Lane Press – Count Your Blessings Letterpress Poster, $12.50

Storie Brooke – Dipped Bamboo Spoon and Spatula Set, $13.80

Anabliss – Earwarmer headband, $14

Lollia – Mini Hand Cream, $8

Deanne Watson Jewelry – Set of 3 stacking rings, $13.95

Sara’s Daisy Love – Tissue holder, $5

West Elm – Mercury Glass Votive Holders, $5

Sugarpova – Chic Candy, $2.50 (sale)

Quiet Tiger – Letterpress Print, $8

That’s a Wrap!

Tags

design, gift wrap, holiday, lovely, patterns, product design, stationery

In a perfect world, you’ve already got all your holiday shopping complete, and everything is all packaged up with a bow on top. However, if you’re like me, it’s just dawned on you that if you’re interested in concealing gifts in something other than last weekend’s newspaper, it’s time to procure some sweet wrapping paper! Here are a few of my favorites this year. (As always, click to shop!)

Pikku – Baubles, $8 / 2 sheets

Pikku – Pods in Poppy, $8 / 2 sheets

Bombina Studios – Handprinted Snowflakes, €14 / 5 sheets

Smock Paper – Fete, $8 / 2 sheets

Smock Paper – Festoon, $8 / 2 sheets

Sullivan Paper Co – Blue & Silver, $5.57 / roll (sale)

Sullivan Paper Co – Red & White, $5.57 / roll (sale)

Star Shaped Press – Letterpress Type in Silver & Gold, $10 / 3 sheets

Star Shaped Press – Letterpress Type in Red & Gold, $10 / 3 sheets

Paperjacks – Chevron in green, $7.99 / roll

Paper Source – Holiday Animals, $2.50 / sheet

Paper Source – Pine Branch on Slate, $2.50 / sheet

Paper Source – Faux Bois, $2.50 / sheet

Bobalong Press – Handprinted, £6.00 / 4 sheets

Norman’s Printery – Red Pink Op Art, $9 / 10 sheets

The Container Store – Bright Stripe, $7.95 / roll

The Container Store – Red Berry Branch, $7.95 / roll

Whimsy Press – Modern Wonderland

Whimsy Press – Bulbs

Oscar and Ollie – Block Printed Trees, $8 / sheet

Season’s Greetings (Cards)!

Tags

christmas, design, graphic design, handmade, holiday, indie designers, letterpress, note cards, silkscreen, stationery, typography

Jury still out on which holiday card to send this year? Here’s a bevy of this season’s besties for you to choose from! Every one of these lovely letterpress & silkscreened greetings is available through Etsy; so you can feel good about supporting indie artisans as well! (As always, click to shop!)

Albertine Press – Hats, $15/6

Anemonie Letterpress – Bon Noel, $16/6

Anemonie Letterpress – Happy Holidays. $16/6

Card to Art – Typography Songs mixed set. $15/6

Green Bird Press – Let it Snow, $19/6

Green Bird Press – Ornament, $16/4

HYC Creative Letterpress – Warm Wishes, $4.50 each

Imogen Owen – Let it Snow, £3.00

Jessie G Designs – Mistletoe Silkscreen, £3.00

Kinaloon – Santa Silkscreen, $16/6

Kinaloon – Silver Bells, $16/6

Moon Tree Press – Fox in Snow, $16/8

Painted Tongue Studio – Partridge in a Pear Tree, $15/4

Paisley Dog Press – Cardinal in the Trees, $4 each

Paisley Dog Press – Partridge and Pears, $4 each

Paper Dragonfly – Wish, $4.50

Pike Street Press – Deer, $24/10

Red Bird Ink – Love & Joy, $18/6

Ruby Press – Jolly, $85/50

Ruby Press – Noel, $15/5

Twin Raven Press – Cardinal, $20/6

Typoretum – Seasons Greetings Woodblock Type, £3.50

Typoretum – Snowflake, £3

Wild Ink Press – Peace, $55/30

Need more inspiration? Check out last year’s picks HERE & HERE

Working Class Acts

Tags

accessories, creativity, decor, design, graphic design, inspiring, SCAD, stationery, tabletop, textiles, Working Class Studios

One of my favorite things about attending the New York Gift fair these days is seeing what’s new from Working Class Studios. A division of SCAD (the Savannah College of Art and Design), It’s the coolest thing ever: design students, alumni and faculty create the products that are then sold at boutique retailers throughout the US (so sorry – you can’t order on-line: links will take you to a local store finder instead). What a fab way to get real-work experience in the wild world of product design! (Are you listening, MCAD? Think about it, won’t you?) Here are a few of my top picks…

Irene Collection Vases

Irene Collection Vases – love the little pop of color!

Sarah Mandernacht Aegean Pillow

Cassie Hart Bloom Night Pillow

The Tommie Collection Coat Racks by Thomas Fullmer

Arches Sketchbook

Nest Sketchbook

Jesse Walker Coaster Set

Nani Cabada Trio Wall Bud Vase

Leah Jewer Paper Dinner Plate

John Hiemenz Vine Gekko Kitchen towels

Branch Slate Gift Bag

Wrought Irony Melamine Salad Plate

Autumnal Notes

Tags

design, graphic design, indie designers, letterpress, product design, stationery

Have a hankering to send Thanksgiving greetings – via the actual mail? Well, in support of the fine art of letter writing and the thrill generated when one receives a bonified letter (as opposed to a bill, catalog, or offer for 20% off your next plumbing crisis), I’m featuring an assortment of lovely autumnal stationery. Put a stamp on it! (as always, click to shop!)

Inkadinkadoodle – Acorn letterpress, $4.50

Pepper Press – Leaves letterpress, $5

Squeeze My Hand – Corntopia letterpress, $6.50

Pressed in Brooklyn – Turkey in Gold letterpress, $4.00

Kinaloon – Pomegranate silkscreened, $16/6

Dutch Door – Orange Turkey, $4

Sweet Harvey – Acorn letterpress, $18/10

Jennifer Wick – Give Thanks customized, $1.58 each

Cornflower Press – Happy Fall letterpress, $4.75

Pike Street Press – Autumn Leaf letterpress, $6

Fall Fête

Tags

design, handmade, holiday, indie designers, letterpress, lovely, product design, stationery

I don’t remember exactly when the baton was passed – but I’ve been hosting Thanksgiving now for what seems like several decades. I’ve never once sent out invitations; people just know to come, and to bring who they please, and to invite any strays who may be in the mood for a warm, friendly feast amongst the giggling ruckus that is my family. But in case you prefer the formality of a proper invite to request the presence of your guests, here are a few of my favorites this season. (As always, click to shop!)

Rifle Paper – Merigolds fill-in, $18/10

Steward Design Studios – Printable, $15

Vanilla Print – Typography customized letterpress, $2.29 each

Pearenthetical Press – Gobble customized, $12/6

Tiny Prints / Dwell Studio – Floral customized, $2.19 each

Tiny Prints / Dwell Studio – Tree customized, $2.19 each

Alethea and Ruth – Banner and Branches customized, $2.73 each

Girl in Gear Studio – Postcard set, $13.50/12

Penelope Poppy – Give Thanks customized, $2.93 each

Pearenthetical Press – Celtic Medallion customized, $12/6

Ghoulish Greetings

Tags

design, graphic design, indie designers, product design, stationery, typography

All Hallows’ Eve is on the horizon, and folks are gobbling up Halloween merchandise like a zombie munching brains. Come to think of it, I don’t know that I’ve actually ever sent out a greeting card to wish someone a Happy Halloween… However, this crop of cool cards may just mark the tipping point.

Egg Press – Boo letterpress card, $5

Egg Press – Owl Tree diecut letterpress card, $6

Grant Design Collaborative – Bat card, $6.50

Whit & Whistle – Halloween banner card, $4

Moon Mud – Skull card, $2.50

When it Rains – Bite Me cards, $6 / set of 5

Shop Inviting – Gorey-esque umbrella note, $15 / set of 6

Kik Design – Boo hand-printed typography cards, $15 / set of 5

Pheasant Press – Spider letterpressed cards, $10 / set of 4

Green Bird Press – Trick or Treat letterpress card, $4.50

Great Arrow Graphics – Ghosts, $2.99

Great Arrow Graphics – Crow, $2.99

L2 Design Collective – Fright Night card, $4.25

Foxy and Winston – Scary Bunny card, $4.50

Inviting Halloween Parties

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design, graphic design, handmade, indie designers, invitations, party, stationery

Planning to host a ghoulish gala in honor of All Hallows’ Eve? Then it’s time to post the invite (in the mail – you remember mail, right?)! Here are a few of my favorite Halloween Invitations for your consideration.

Cartamodello – “Orange Stripes” customized print-at-home invite, $18

Biplane Press – “Spatter” customized letterpress invites, $100

Bright Side Prints – “Boo” customized invites, $25.35 / set of 15

Splendid Party – “Brew Ha Ha” printable invite, $10

Mama Moonlights – “Eat, Drink and be Scary” printable invite, $10

Martha Stewart – Make-it-yourself invite (for the very, very crafty)

ilee – “Crow” letterpress fill-in invitation, $13 / set of 8

Shop Inviting – “Hauntingly Good” letterpress fill-in invite, $20 / set of 8

Girl in Gear Studio – “Fangs” postcard invitation, $13.50 / set of 12

May Details – “Spooktacular” printable invite, $10

Kampai Designs – “Typography” printable invite, $18

Blush Printables – “Wicked” printable invite

Biplane Press – “Broomstick” letterpress fill-in invite, $45 / set of 25

Anemone Letterpress

Tags

color, design, graphic design, handmade, indie designers, letterpress, note cards, patterns, product design, stationery

I’ve come to associate letterpress stationery with beautiful typography. Not so at LA-based Anemone Letterpress, where their newest notes feature bold graphics in punchy color pairs. Sold in sets of 6 for $16. (As always, click to shop!)

Parrott Design Studio

Tags

design, graphic design, indie designers, letterpress, stationery, typography

I ran across this stationery designer on Pinterest, where her “Hooray” card seems to have quite a following! Based in Providence, Rhode Island, Parrott Design Studio is a boutique design and letterpress studio that offers a collection of letterpress note cards in addition to custom printed wedding and special event invitations. All cards shown below are $4 each. (As always, click to shop!)

Bella of the Ball

Tags

design, graphic design, letterpress, stationery, typography

Another favorite from this year’s National Stationery Show: fully customizable letterpress invitations from Bella Figura. This Syracuse NY shop offers an extensive collection of exquisite designs that can be personalized with different fonts and colors to suit the buyer’s tastes. Although, with their tasteful typographic sensibility and eye for pleasing palettes, I wouldn’t recommend straying too far from the original. Bella Figura works with over 20 different talented designers to create the line, so there’s plenty of variety to choose from.

Bella Donna

Tags

awesomesauce, decor, design, london, product design, stationery, textiles

I can’t remember exactly where I was the first time I discovered the whimsical world of Donna Wilson. I suppose I was at Top Drawer in London or some such thing, and stumbled across a most unexpected tea towel. Picturing a high-haired character with the text “use my bee hive to dry your dishes”, this struck me as something altogether unique. Indeed, London’s Donna Wilson has a distinctive point of view; artsy yet modern, peculiar yet sophisticated, edgy yet homey. A graduate of the Royal College of Art, Donna was named 2010′s “Designer of the Year” at Elle Decoration’s British Design Awards. And, if you should be in the market for a little knit cupcake with a cherry on the top (and who isn’t?), she’ll hook you up. (As always, click to shop!)

Bone China Squirrel Beaker, £14

Bone China Owl Plate, £21

Blah Blah Lambswool Throw, £180

Cloud Rain Cushion, £70.00

Rill the Raccoon Fox Soft Creature, £36.00

Rosie the Ladybird Soft Creature, £41.00

Patch Cat Soft Creature, £36.00

Bear Unframed Print, £45.00

Fox Unframed Print, £45.00

Notecards and Sticker Pack, £10.00

Notecards and Sticker Pack (detail)

Knitted Cupcake, £13.50

Moth Lavender Sachet, £11.00

Beehive Tea Towel, £11.20

It’s Something Personal

Tags

design, indie designers, product design, stationery

Having personalized stationery created can be SO tricky. It’s usually quite expensive, and often one needs to commit to a large quantity. When you do find something that’s affordable and printed in small runs, the actual design can leave much to be desired. Not so with Naomi Lynn. This charming Etsy shop offers a variety of customizable designs (the botanicals are my favorites) offered in your choice of colors at a very reasonable price. Cute packaging makes them a thoughtful gift, too.

Pretty Peony Personalized Folded Card Set, $13/8

Poppies Personalized Folded Card Set, $13/8

Leafy Stem Personalized Folded Card Set, $13/8

Botanical Sedum Personalized Folded Card Set, $13/8

Cat Eye Personalized Folded Card Set, $13/8

Dandelion Personalized Flat Card Set, $15/12

Dainty Flowers Personalized Flat Card Set, $15/12

Ornaments Personalized Flat Card Set, $15/12

Poppies Personalized Flat Card Set, $15/12