Modern Pop

September 9, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Modern Pop comes to us from Ryan Beshara, an LA-based advertising gal who needed an artistic outlet outside her field. She came to children’s illustrations by way of stationary and calendars initially intended for adults. Though she doesn’t have children of her own, she says she finds a freedom in designing for kids. Her prints are indeed modern, but with a bit of a classic, vintage childhood feel. The colors are vivid, the images pleasing, and the messages educational. I could easily imagine decorating a baby’s room with a series of alphabet prints.

Modern Pop

the etsy shop :: the website :: the blog :: the tweets

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Modern Art Giraffe Print, $50 – buy here

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Animal Alphabet Print, $30 – buy here

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Zz is for Zoo, $15 – buy here

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The Birds, $30 – buy here

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Retro Art Print – American Racing Drivers Club, $30 – buy here

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Number Print, $30 – buy here

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Funny Girl Alphabet Print, $50 – buy here

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Come Fly With Me, $30 – buy here

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Kk is for kite, $15 – buy here

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[all images by Ryan Beshara for Modern Pop - please visit her website for more!]

Filed Under: art, design, etsy, the babes Tagged With: , , ,

red on paper

September 2, 2010 By Leave a Comment

I was browsing Etsy again yesterday, this time checking out a slew of illustrator websites. I starting flagging ones that I particularly liked and realized that the color red seemed to be the common theme. Grounds for a new post? I think so:). Take a peek at these fab artists, all with shops on my favorite indie artist site, Etsy.

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The Things We Share (original illustration) by prettylittlethieves, $54 – buy here

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Watercolor Fashion Illustration by Catherine Parr for Silver Ridge Studio, $200 – buy here

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Healing by Shira Sela, $30 – buy here

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Life of Things by Treasure Frey, $18 – buy here

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T3 by Christina Romeo, $28  – buy here

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Trio by labokoff, $30 – buy here

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Believe by Cori Dantini, $20 – buy here

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Embers by Betsy Walton, $28 – buy here

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Cricket by jkldesign, $28 – buy here

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Filed Under: art, etsy, eye candy Tagged With: , , ,

Why I love… Oh Joy!

September 1, 2010 By 2 Comments

Joy Deangdeelert Cho may just be my new hero. I’ve been a devoted blog-reader for quite some time now and have been watching her creative empire grow. A graphic designer, dedicated blogger, food enthusiast, entrepreneurial consultant, and published author, Joy seems to have it all covered. I adore her stationary and have long lusted after her darling little notebooks. I was tickled pink when I learned that she’d launched a line of wallpaper, sold exclusively at fab home design destination, Hygge & West. I’ve been following news of her co-authored book (with fellow design enthusiast, Meg Mateo Ilasco), Creative, Inc., and can’t wait to pick up my own copy! [Scroll down for a eye-catching book launch stop-motion video.]

I’m a bit envious of what appears to be a charmed creative life, though I fully understand the pure talent and hard work that it’s likely taken her to get to where she is. It’s admirable and inspiring, really, and I encourage you to take a closer look at all of Joy’s work! Maybe even snatch up a roll or two of that gorgeous wallpaper;)

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Oh Joy!

the blog :: the studio :: the shop :: the wallpaper :: the food blog :: the tweets

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Petal Pusher, Champagne & Cream by Oh Joy! for Hygge & West – buy here

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Things to Note, Red Floral Notebook, $13.50 – Available at Oh Joy!, buy here

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A Stone’s Throw Away, White & Gray by Oh Joy! for Hygge & West – buy here

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Nature Exploration Agate Notebook by Oh Joy! – check it out here (SOLD OUT)

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Lovely Leaves, Gray, Blue & White by Oh Joy! for Hygge & West – buy here

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Things to Note Dot Notebook , $13.50 – Available at Oh Joy!, buy here

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Petal Pusher, White & Gold by Oh Joy! for Hygge & West – buy here

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Creative Inc. stop motion film:

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[Images from Oh Joy! and Hygge & West, Video via Youtube and Oh Joy!]

Filed Under: art, design, eye candy, great design, inspiration, just plain love, why i love... Tagged With: , , ,

Lonny Magazine

August 31, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Welcome to your new home design inspiration. Founded just last year, Lonny Magazine is an online ‘zine dedicated to interiors, design projects, textile trends, DIY ideas, and much more. Think everything you miss about Domino with a new twist and a super easy to access online platform. It’s hip, it’s free, and it’s easy to browse and fun to discover. I got lost in some of their feature design spaces today and couldn’t help but share a few of my favorites. Check out Lonny right here… and check out more off these fantastically constructed spaces here. And just because I’m curious, what are some of your favorites design destinations (online or off)?

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[all images courtesy of and © Lonny Magazine - please click here for more]

Filed Under: art, design, eye candy, great design, inspiration Tagged With: , , , ,

covetable textiles

August 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment


That gorgeous necklace above is my mom’s. I suppose you’d call it a bib necklace… maybe even a quilted bib necklace. My step-dad got it for her in DC and I’ve been on the hunt to find one like it. The designer (ahem… artist) is named Theodora Elston and she’s been creating these wearable masterpieces since the 70s. My efforts to find more out about her have come up short and I’ve only managed to find 2 other pieces of hers online. It seems that she signs and numbers each piece, making it all the more special and unique.

I’ve been trolling Etsy and various fashion sites to find something in a similar style and haven’t had much luck. Thankfully, my search led me to a whole range of other necklaces that are just as lovely in their own special ways. There is something particularly sweet about the vibrant colors and unique construction of a knit, embroidered, or just plain cloth necklace. It’s not necessarily the accessory you’d use to spruce up a cocktail dress, but it will do wonders for your jersey dress or plain white tee. Best of all, the pieces I found are all on Etsy, which means they are all handmade with love by actual artisans. You really just can’t argue with that! I’ve yet to decide which piece will be jazzing up my Fall wardrobe… I may need to buy a few!;)

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Peacock fan no. 2 by sprintthread/Marañón, $55 – buy here

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rope knot necklace by silentmint, $23 – buy here

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1 row spiral braid necklace by mabelandjules, $22 – buy here

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Flower Swirl Necklace by NoPlainT, $22 – buy here

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Summer Meadow by squid21r, $18 – buy here

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sunglow circles necklace by ganbayo, $17 – buy here

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Crocheted Necklace by acupofgreenginger, $30 – buy here

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rover necklace by silentmint, $22 – buy here

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stripes white summer necklace by ganbayo, $19 – buy here

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Crochet Necklace by LavenderField, $28 – buy here

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Handmade Textile Necklace by alasdelsur, $30 – buy here

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Plunge in Green and Gray by WraptAround, $58 – buy here

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Grey and Yellow Crocheted Necklace by acupofgreenginger, $35 – buy here

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mauve roll necklace by ganbayo, $27 – buy here

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eastern arch by sprintthread/Marañón, $55 – buy here

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Filed Under: accessories, art, eye candy, fashion, shopping list Tagged With: , , ,

missed connections

July 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

You: were eating a gigantic chocolate chip cookie while wearing skinny jeans on the L train.

Me: sitting across from you twirling my hair in a mini skirt.

A piece of the cookie crumbled to the ground and I giggled. You caught my eye, winked and offered me a bite. Let’s get together and eat some cake.

If you’ve ever happened upon the missed connections section on Craigslist, this little scenario won’t sound all that strange. The site allows people to write notes to someone with whom they felt a connection was made, but didn’t have the guts in the moment to ask for a number, or maybe did, but got turned down. I’m sure the situations are varied, but they are generally all pretty entertaining to read. I especially love the NY version which always seems to have a good stories about hipsters, girls with tattoos in Williamsburg, or people in pink tutus outside clubs on the Lower East Side.  Maine’s is a little less quirky, but still worth a read every now and then.

I don’t frequent missed connections, rather I’ll wait for someone to send me the good ones, or I’ll roll on over to Sophie Blackall’s genius blog, Missed Connections. She’s this amazing illustrator who has given a new image to these lost stories online. Her renderings are captivating, beautiful and will often give me a little chuckle. After first finding  her site, I started poking around a little more. I learned that she’s got a fabulous website for her non-missed connections illustrations, she creates children’s books, populates a second blog with her work, and seems like the kind of gal who I’d like to invite to tea topped off with a snifter of brandy or something;). I love her style and hope that someday I’ll have a reason to hire her for something lovely!

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Sophie Blackall

the missed connections :: the blog :: the etsy shop :: the website

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Red Book, Blue Book, $40 – by Sophie Blackall, buy here

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Color Changing Dress at BBQ, $40 – by Sophie Blackall, buy here

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You Left Your Coat Here Last Winter, $40 – by Sophie Blackall, buy here

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Ice Skating in Central Park, We Collided, $40 – by Sophie Blackall, buy here

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Unbelievable Moustache on the C, $40 – by Sophie Blackall, buy here

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We Shared a Bear Suit, $40 – by Sophie Blackall, buy here

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[all images by Sophie Blackall]

Filed Under: art, inspiration, just plain love

Swallowfield

June 9, 2010 By 6 Comments

I love Etsy exploration. True, it can sometimes be overwhelming. There is such an excess of amazing, it’s hard to know where to start. As you know, I’ve been targeting my searches of late… focusing on this great state of Maine. I’ve been pretty impressed with what I’ve found and downright giddy about a few incredibly talented creators.

I stumbled across swallowfield and was instantly drawn to the colors and the composition of the featured prints. Portland based artist Jennifer Judd-Mcgee is the genius behind the illustrations. Her style is unique and undeniably intriguing. I’m fascinated with the detail she incorporates into each piece and find myself wondering what the original would look like up close. Here’s hoping I one day get to find out!! I reached out to Jennifer, in hopes of learning more and was lucky enough have a quick chat.

Stop, read, and learn about the lovely Jennifer!!

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the etsy shop :: the blog

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the interview

Just Plain Lovely: Where does the name swallowfield come from?

Jennifer Judd-McGee: It was the name of my mother’s childhood home + farm in Pennsylvania. I love the way it sounds.

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Munjoy Hill, $18 – buy here

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JPL: Do you recall a moment in your life when you first defined yourself as an artist?

JJM: I think it was when I realized the doodling I was doing during long work meetings was making me a whole lot happier than the job I had been doing for years.

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Good Morning Sunshine, $18 – buy here

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JPL: Tell us a bit about your background as an artist…

JJM: I took a lot of art classes in college, but have only been seriously making art since 1997, long past my college days.

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By The Sea, $10 – buy here

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JPL: From where do you draw your inspiration?

JJM: Well, I am so lucky to live in Maine! There are gorgeous patterns in nature all around me. I am also inspired by ramshackle houses and a sense of community. A lot of my art is heavily patterned with little neighborhood scenes.

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House on a Hill, $18 – buy here

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JPL: Where do you create your art?

JJM: Anywhere and everywhere. But mostly at my dining room table or basement studio, in lieu of a real studio space. Can’t wait for the day that I have a space outside of the house.

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Bloom and Grow no. one, $18 – buy here

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JPL: Where are you from?

JJM: Bar Harbor, Maine

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Tapestry, $26 – buy here

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JPL: Where do you live now?

JJM: Deering center, in Portland

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From Seeds to Blossoms, $18 – buy here

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JPL: Do you have any favorite Portland spots?

JJM: I love everything about Portland and the surrounding area. Kettle Cove is a favorite place to draw while the kids splash around in the tide pools. I love walking around back cove, too. I love SPACE gallery and everything they do. And lately we’ve been loving the green elephant & el rayo for dinner, especially the latter’s corn on the cob!

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Our Town, $18 – buy here

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JPL: Who are your favorite artists?

JJM: There are too many to name! but a few current faves are Anna Hepler, Lisa Solomon, Cassie Jones, and Laura Berger.

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Red Ace, $18 – buy here

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JPL: How would you define your personal style? Do you think that has an effect on your artwork?

JJM: My personal style is pretty eclectic. Mostly a combo of patterns and a fondness for mid-century design, I guess. I think it definitely plays into my art in a lot of ways.

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The Distance from Earth, $18 – buy here

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JPL: Do you have any favorite color combinations?

JJM: Turquoise-gray and red is a favorite, and I also love mustard and gray together.

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Sow, $18 – buy here

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JPL: What are your current favorites in your Etsy shop?

JJM: I have a bunch of new work in my shop right now that I’m liking, like summer flowers and a long and winding road to name a few. Sow is one of my all time favorite pieces, too.

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A Long and Winding Road, $18 – buy here

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JPL: Do you collaborate with other artists?

JJM: Yes, I love to collaborate! Lately I’ve been working a lot with Sarah Parrott on custom wedding invitations, and it’s been super rewarding to see how stuff turns out.

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Summer Flowers, $18 – buy here

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JPL: Where do you sell your work?

JJM: Etsy, Supermarket, Rare Device, Nahcotta, Lisa Hall Jewelry, Spruce and Gussy, and Eyebuzz Fine Art all have some of my work right now. I’ve licensed work to several companies that have put my stuff on products, too, like ipop magnets and modern twist placemats and coasters. it’s really fun to see those in stores now. I’ve also been really happy lately to be doing some regular illustrations for maine magazine.

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280, $18 – buy here

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JPL: Do you have any ‘daily reads’ websites that you would recommend to my readers?

JJM: I have a lot of favorite blogs, but perennial art-related faves are design sponge, but does it float, poppytalk, hula70, 3191, and dear ada. I’ve also been loving lisa congdon’s collection a day blog this year.

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the favorites

Author: oh, that’s too hard. I have so many!

Musician: The National of Brandi Carlisle

Drink: Kombucha, or on a hot night, a rum + tonic with lime. :)

Flower: Ranunculus

** Thanks so much to Jennifer for taking the time to answer a curious gal’s questions. All photos are courtesy of the artist herself and should not be re-printed without permission.


Filed Under: art, just plain love, spotlight on...

etsy :: the house of bouton

May 26, 2010 By 1 Comment

Introducing the first in a new series that I hope will go on and on and on. If you’re a crafter, a designer, an artist, or maybe just someone who enjoys beautiful, handmade things, you’re probably familiar with etsy. Though it’s not my only destination for hand-crafted  pieces, it’s one of my favorites. There are shops from creators all over the world! To kick off my journey through the many ‘clicks’ of etsy, I chose to focus on Portland, ME. In fact, my first few etsy spotlights focus on Portland-based artists. Fitting, as I live here and consider it to be a mecca for creativity.

Meet Cassie Bouton of The House of Bouton. She was formally trained as a printmaker and holds a BFA from the University of Southern Maine. Her shop features hand printed home decor and hand pulled fine art prints. I’m particularly fond of her Enamel Kettle print, but I’m pretty sure that any one of her prints would make a fabulous addition to my new kitchen. I also adore this quote that she lovingly posts on her site:

“If you want a golden rule that will fit everything, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” -William Morris

I haven’t heard that one before, but I couldn’t agree more! So, thank you Cassie!

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the etsy shop :: the fan page :: the blog

Hand-printed flour sack towel, $14 – buy here

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Spatula and Whisk (original hand-pulled block prints), $30 – buy here

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Enamel Kettle (original hand-pulled block print), $35 – buy here

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Owl (original hand-pulled block print), $35 – buy here

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Gray Daybreak (original hand-pulled block print), $35 – buy here

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[all images courtesy of Cassie Bouton]

Filed Under: ah...maine., art, design, etsy, great design, spotlight on...

the wild unknown

May 20, 2010 By 1 Comment

It’s no secret that I’m a huge design*sponge follower. I’ve found so many amazing designers, DIY projects, and just general inspiration from the fab Grace Bonney, it’s hard to keep track. Last week’s weekly roundup featured the wild unknown, called out for the unique custom sketches and wedding prisms, hand-crafted by artist Kim Krans and certain to be the hit of any collection of summer wedding gifts.

The main page of the site quotes the following:

So I cut off my hair and rode straight away, to the wile unknown country where I could not go wrong. – Bob Dylan

Can’t really argue with a site that starts off on such a good note;).

I’m pining away for one of these, but will likely settle for gifting one to friends, soon to be married!

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[all images from Kim Krans and the wild unknown]

Filed Under: art, just plain love, Uncategorized

pretty screens

April 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

If you’re like me, you spend a large portion of your day seated at a computer. Yes, you are in control of what you do and the sites you browse. Did you also know you’re in full control of the background image on your computer? I’m a big fan of changing mine regularly to fit my moods. Lately, I’ve been all about the desktop calendars offered up by the lovely Grace Bonney at Designsponge. This month’s is by Karen Combs of Nama Rococo Wallpaper and looks a little like this:

Click here to head on over to Designsponge’s page to download the high res image for your computer screen.

I never thought I’d find something that I would substitute for the gorgeous image above until I discovered Ruche. I’ve got a bit of a crush on this site, so rest assured this will not be the last you hear of it. Anyway, they’ve recently put together and released a series of desktop wallpapers with a vintage vibe. The best part? They actually have how-tos for the DIY inspired on how to recreate the images in your own home! All I need now is a room in which to create one of these two amazing beauties!

What’s on your screen??

Filed Under: art, eye candy, great design
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