Artist Crush: Kako Ueda.

Anyone who can turn a skull into something so beautiful has my vote. It doesn't even matter what Kako Ueda is running for.

Little Fury.

Esther Mun and Tina Chang are Little Fury. I love the name of this shop and all that it implies about both the design and these two women. I literally tracked them down after seeing the new Rembrandt packaging on shelves. That packaging almost turned me into a Rembrandt-user and that's the kind of design that makes me sweat. After checking out their site I realized the Rembrandt Moment was, in fact, not a one-time deal. All of their work is brilliant. My other favorites are their work for Morimoto and Sterling.

Twig Jewelry Stands.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - I'm an admitted jewelry whore. That combined with my need for organization leaves me looking for a way to store my collection. I don't really like keeping it all in a jewelry box where I can't see everything - especially my necklaces because then I end up wearing the same three all the time.

Jewelry stands used to be really popular, but now it seems the only places to find them are flea markets and Claire's. Besides that, they're usually gold or pink and fuzzy - neither of which is my style. That's what made coming across these twig jewelry stands that much more exciting. I love the different tiered levels, giving you a place for clasp bracelets as well as necklaces.

Perfectly Prepped Bath Caddy.

A. Why was there no such thing as PB Teen when I was a teenager?

B. The Perfectly Prepped Bath Caddy is too cool. I'd love to own one.

Sugarcube Design.

I'm thrilled to finally be able to post these graphic number tags and industrial envelopes by Sugarcube Design. I lost the link the first time I bookmarked this Etsy shop only to come across it not once, but twice today! I've been really into numbered graphics lately and think these tags and envelopes are awesome.

Liquid Sky Arts.

I came across Liquid Sky Arts by way of Kathleen Rossi-Howell's blog - Senseless Acts of Beauty. And just the other day in my post about PaPaYa I unknowingly posted a Christmas card that she had designed for them. Kathleen has just released her own Christmas card collection and is a very talented jeweler as well, her pendants are amazing. Visit her site to see even more of her talent.

Chocolat Moderne.

Buying chocolates from Chocolat Moderne might be the secret to dieting. I'm almost positive that if I had these little beauties around versus Hershey's I'd be more likely to pass on eating them and vie for looking at them instead. Let's not forget the packaging either. The colors and simplicity of design are perfect for something so decadent.

You&Me.

I drink inordinate amounts of coffee on a daily basis. I haven't made the Big Switch to espresso yet (and I stress the word yet), but when I do the You&Me espresso machine would be perfect. It's the smallest in the world, as well as quiet and beautiful. The perfect combination, wouldn't you agree?

MSLK.

MSLK is a Long Island-based design shop that strives to move beyond pretty-picture layouts and achieve accomplishments through strategy. In other words, their design has a goal of functionality as well as visual appeal.

I love these bookmarks, which are a great example of all that MSLK seems to stand for in the Design World.

The Art of the Business Card.

Business cards intrigue me for a number of reasons. I love that each and every one (no matter how well designed - or not) is a little keepsake. Something that gives someone or something an identity. I love that of all the graphic pieces out there - and there are so many - business cards have become something that society chooses to express and communicate themselves through. And there is so much more. I've kept a collection of cards that stand out to me visually or functionally for as long as I can remember.

Now behold this Flickr gallery, where someone has managed to photograph and post their entire business card collection for the world to see.

The Poster List.

The Poster List. One page. One in-house production team. One place to buy. Tons of amazing posters on the cheap.

Molasses-Spice Cake.

With my favorite time of the year finally upon us, I can't think of a more perfect fall-like dessert than this Molasses-Spice Cake. Yum.

Brocade Home.

I recently discovered Brocade Home and all they have to offer. These are just a few of the pieces I fell in love with. Be sure and visit them to find loads more.

Clockwise from top left: Glass Lamp, Turned metal pedestal table, Hourglass bath cabinet, Silhouette bedframe

Apple Wireless Keyboard.

How sexy is the new Apple Wireless Keyboard? It's been completely redesigned, inside and out and is ultra-thin. It also has new function keys for play/pause, fast-forward and rewind, Expose, and Dashboard. Bluetooth lets you use it anywhere within 30 feet of your Mac. The keyboard automatically powers down when you're not using it and turns on as soon as you start typing. It also has an on/off switch for when you're away from your computer for a long time.

Tell me more!

molo float.

molo, a Vancouver-based design studio, is dedicated to exploring materials and space making. Their float line of products is a great representative of that idea. float is a line of thermal-resistant glassware designed with simple forms and clean lines to emphasize anything served within. The suspended bowl design also performs the function of insulating your hand from the beverage. Pictured above are the float tea cups and float champagne flutes.

Avian Carafes.

I've never served wine out of anything other than a bottle. Well, except for the occassional box. None the less I adore these Avian Carafes at Wisteria. One is extremely duck-like while the other remains a bit more classical in shape and design.

PaPaYa.

PaPaYa specializes in world-influenced artwork - sort of a fusion of global culture and modern times if you will. Run by mother-daughter team Anahata and Gina Katkin, PaPaYa is a melting pot of "creative abandon" with the end goal of creating arts and goods. The visual collage techniques used by Gina are incredibly beautiful. I'm in love with the mongram letters.

Gloji.

I think I'm coming down with a cold (sore throat, achy ears, all that good stuff). Perhaps something that claims it has the "power of the most potent antioxidant known to man" could help me out a little bit.

Gloji harvests the "power" of the goji berry to create one powerful drink available in two different mixes - Glogi Mix which is a combo of goji berries and pomagranate and Gloji Gold which seems to be liquid health or something thisclose to it.

It's actually all about the packaging. Any brand brazen enough to package their product in a lightbulb-shaped bottle has my vote.

Artist Crush: Betsy Dunlap Calligraphy.

I've always had a thing for handwriting. Sadly, I take pride when someone tells me my all-caps printing looks like a typewriter. That's where it ends though. I'm definitely no Betsy Dunlap. She has a variety of intricate, detailed caligraphic styles which I could never even hope to imitate. You, however, can purchase her services for invitations, menus, etc.




(Thanks design*sponge!)

Sushi-Rolling Machine.

Sushi is a big time weakness of mine. I could eat it once a day, every day. I've been in the process of learning how to make the little rolls of goodness myself and getting the roll to be tight enough is where the biggest problem lies. Well, that and getting the right stickiness of the rice.

Last week my prayers were answered - in the form of a toy no less. Check out this sushi-rolling machine by toy manufacturer Bandai Namco. It's so simple - just put in seaweed, rice and the ingredients of your choice, turn the lever and you have sushi. It's that easy.

Now I think I need to go and have a sushi party.

(Tokyo Mango)

Red Maloo Laptop Sleeves.

I adore these stylish and functional industrial grade wool felt Red Maloo laptop sleeves. Stylish because, well, just look at them. And functional because they not only act as Protector of Your Baby, but also as a mousepad when you unfold the sleeve. We can all thank designers Katja Hettler and Jula Tüllmann for their genius handmade idea. Currently they're available in blue, grey, khaki, lime, magenta, orange, red and pink.

Monday Goodness: Dorothy Parker.

EmmaRose Papery.

It's always reassuring to come across ex-advertisers and graphic designers who are only exes because they've found their true calling career-wise. These are people who I am in awe of. And I'd be lying if I said I weren't the tiniest bit envious.

The latest case I've found is EmmaRose Papery, started by Eszter Rabin in 2005. Originally an ad girl, Eszter now spends her days creating custom-designed wedding invitations, stationery and cards. Seems like the thought of having a complete and comprehensive "campaign" followed with her collections of invitations, menus, table cards, etc.

Dollhouse Madness.

When I was a kid I wasn't that into dolls - art and books were more for me. But these I would have loved. They're both so clean and fun and a great way to bring out the inner architect in your child. Don't laugh! I've managed to hang on to a sketchbook of house designs I drew up when I was 10.
Modular Contemporary Dollhouse.
Anna Pfeiffer, an architect, and Ulrike Rumpenhors, an artist, managed to create and entirely modular dollhouse. There are even choices involved: three different room sizes, 4 wall colors and a set of stairs. They also offer a Suitcase Kit - wooden box that comes with two small rooms, a medium size room, a salon and stairs. They also offer modern furniture for decorating as well as dolls to live there. You can pick up your own at Hase Weiss, a Berlin-based kids toy and furniture company. (Thanks, Nesting!)

Constantine Dollhouse.
Designer Jeanette Domeisen went a different route with her Constantine Dollhouse design. Slightly more simplistic, but equally imaginative. The houses are handmade with plywood and Unica wallpaper. You can even make special color requests. They're up for grabs at Kidsmodern.

Eco-Friendly Wooden Cards.

Well, technically postcards. These eco-friendly wooden cards from Night Owl Paper Goods are beautiful and such a novel idea. The postcards are a product of sustainable-yield forest management. The wood is cut thin and very little power and no water are used in the process. According to Night Owl, the wood grain varies from card to card, creating something that's one of kind for every print. The earthy colors used add to the eco-friendly feel very nicely. I'd love to come home to one of these waiting for me in the mailbox.

Besides their awesome wooden cards, they've got a nicely-designed site working for them. Love the little owls in the logo!

Chiasso Fruit Stack.

Fall = Apples.
It's as simple as that.

This Fruit Stack by Chiasso would be perfect to store my favorite Pink Lady apples. The vertical design allows the fruit to ripen without bruising and - my favorite part - doesn't take up as much space as your average fruit bowl. i generally just put all of my fruit in the fridge, but this would be a great excuse to put it out on display.

The London Design Festival.

This would make for an incredible Thursday. Or any other day for that matter.

The London Design Festival is in its fifth year and fast becoming a solid fixture on the creative calendar. The Festival boasts over 200 projects and audiences of 300,000. It's serves as an umbrella by working in partnership with a network of organizations and individuals - from museums and retailers, to educational institutes, creative businesses, trade shows, magazines, designers and cities. The Festival aims to mirror the unique eclecticism that the city of London eminates.

Pentagram is responsible for the identity of the Festival and did an incredible job with the branding and design.

Artist Crush: Yellena.

Etsy would not be what it is were it not for shops like Yellena. Run by an artist/graphic designer who lives on the Central Oregon Coast, Yellena purveys beautiful, vibrant, almost other-worldly illustrations of flowers and plant life. I love the way the artist makes something so bright and original feel so organic and fluid.

Clay-Pot.

I'm such a jewlery junkie.

Clay-Pot is a neighborhood staple in Park Slope, but it's also a nationally recognized source for America's premier jewelry designers. Seventy-five different artists represent a incredible range of styles. Along with incredible every day pieces, Clap-Pot also offers engagement rings and wedding bands (no worries, there are two certified diamond specialists to help you out).

Clockwise from top Left: Melissa Joy Manning - White Gold Wishbone Earrings $115, HINU - Large Disc Pendant $100, Jane Hollinger - Coco Necklace $100, Dana Kellin - Small Wrap Blue Topaz Earrings $150, Becky Kelso - Rosecut Aquamarine Sterling SIlver Ring $252

The Treats Truck.

The Treats Truck (aka 'Sugar') is like the Good Humor man for adults. It's all thanks to Kim Ima who spends her days baking and serving treats on the streets of NYC. Oh, how I would love to catch her driving down the street this afternoon. Yet another reason to be jealous of New Yorkers!

The Treats Truck is packed full with boxes of freshly baked cookies, brownies and goodies. The TT offers a variety of baked goods that aren't too fancy, but always fresh. There are even daily Specials!

One word. Yum.

Artist Crush: David Pearson.

David Pearson creates some amazing book covers for Penguin. As if that's not enough, the man actually designed the book cover for Penguin By Design - a book all about the history of the company's books.


I'm loving the consistancy of the Great Loves series he designed. Check out the spines! All of his work is like that - extreme attention to details that make the whole that much more interesting.

Moscardino Sporks.

The spork is highly underated as a utensil. I love that these Moscardino sporks by Giulio Iacchetti and Matteo Ragni are sans handle. Seems like they'd make eating lunch a little like having tapas, but without the "Gross, now I have to go wash my hands" factor. You can pick up a set of twenty-five for $20 from the MoMA store.

Droog Design.

Straight outta Amsterdam Droog's mentality is "creating innovative concepts that change perspective." Their products connect with the user more than most, insisting upon interaction. Quite possibly one of the coolest aspects of Droog is that the core of their design work - Droog Lab - consists of designers the world over.

I'm digging these things at at their Shop right now: Do Frame, Sugar Cage and Twofold Napkins.

Deeply Divine Recline Sofa.

I first came across Ochre's Deeply Divine Recline Sofa about a year ago and didn't even know it. I saw the above photo on someone's blog and pulled it to go into my little inspiration file. Then yesterday while perusing Ochre's site I discovered - SHAZAM! - that they were in fact the makers of the much-coveted sofa. I love how in the photo it just looks so used. If I owned one I'm pretty sure there would be a permanent indent from my butt in one of the cushions.

Meet the Newest Member of the Family.

This past Sunday I braved the mall and about fifty people in the Apple Store to buy one of the new iPod Classsics. My other iPod (which is about to be sold on eBay - any takers??) is about four years old and only 10GB. I think I paid the same price for it as I did for my new 80GB. Damn technological advancements and their econimical repurcussions. Anyway, the Classic has a beautiful wide screen and the same technology as the iPhone that allows you to flip through your music library by album cover. The one strange thing - the "white" is actually silver.

Monday Goodness: Back Tomorrow.

How to Be an Explorer of the World.

I love this article/art by illustrator Keri Smith. Just thought it was a good last post for a hectic/insane week.

Benoit Broisat's Paper Sculptures.

I'm a graphic artist which does require a high degree of attention to detail. But I cannot begin to imagine having enough patience to create these beautiful paper sculptures by Benoit Broisat. Most are around 54" wide and 16" tall. That's a lot of detail and lot of room for error. Check out CosmicGalerie to see more of Benoit's work.