Can you believe that these pieces are just made from paper and pins? So amazingly intricate and unusual. Lyndi Sales is an artist from Cape Town, South Africa, and the pieces shown above are all in reaction to a horrible plane crash. From destruction comes beauty, I suppose.
I am totally enamored with these paper sculptures created by one of the genius designers of the mid century.
They’ve really got that amazing 60′s sensibility about them. A book that celebrates Irving Harper’s paper sculptures is in the works – I can’t wait to get my hands on it.
Also, if you’d like to read an interesting story about the man (and see where I got most of these pictures from) click here.
A friend of mine lent me a book a month or two ago, and I felt bad about being so late in returning it. So, as a way of saying thanks (and helping out in future book-lending endeavors) I created a set of custom bookplates that I sent along for the ride.
And then of course, I had to make some for myself as well. I have this pretty textured antique paper that I printed them on, and I’m really enjoying the way that they turned out. Time for a shameless promotion – I’ll have them available in my shop, if you’re interested in personalizing some for yourself or a fellow reader.
I just finished these bridal shower invites for a friend – fun to put them all together, as she wanted a variety of colors and patterns.
I’ll be offering similar custom invites in my shop, if you’re interested.
How is everyone’s weekends going?
Made some blueberry scones for people to take home the other night, but I found myself totally out of pretty bags to wrap them in. I decided to improvise, and I think that they turned out pretty well!
I had sheets of 12×12 thin glassine scrapbook paper that I cut in half and then folded, leaving a little tab at the top, and secured the sides using double-stick tape. Wrapped the scones in a little plastic wrap, tucked them in, affixed a label, and voila! Instant treat bags.
In my massive collection of old paper-related bits, I have a stash of Valentine’s Day Cards from probably the 20′s and the 30′s (I’m guessing here). Since Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, I thought I would share the wealth!
If you click here, you’ll find a bunch of high-res downloads of the inside and outside of all of my cards. I apologize that they’re not more orderly, but I don’t think it matters too much! Have fun using these in artwork, scrapbooking, or just printing them out to make your own V-Day cards!
Reading these always gets me inspired and puts that warm feeling in my heart. How can so many people be so talented?
1. Concrete and Honey celebrates all things beautiful, and her blog shows it. I am an especially big fan of her interesting and organic floral designs.
2. I’m obviously having a weird day today, so there is in fact no #2. My apologies.
3. If you’re looking for something paper-related, look no further than A Little Hut. If it can be made out of paper, she can do it. I’m always astounded by her projects.
4. An all-around design wrap-up can be found at Visual Notes. She doesn’t discriminate between flowers, interiors, wallpaper, or just about anything gorgeous.
5. For lots of beautiful home and color inspiration, don’t miss Under a Paper Moon. She’s on a mustard kick right now that I just can’t get enough of!
6. I always enjoy reading about artists who are living and working and selling their art. I especially like it when it’s art that I’m into! Camilla Engman shares her works and a little bit of her life as well.
7. The concept of The Jealous Curator is cool enough, but so are the artists that are profiled. It’s a really great glimpse into the contemporary art world, and hey, I wish I would have thought of that!
8. The food styling and the recipes over at the Messy Cook are really wonderful to read. You know if it invovles food, I’m in!
This one isn’t from me, but it’s fantastic nonetheless.
Zen Textures has TONS of great full-res images of all sorts of things you want and those you never knew you needed. Tree bark, burnt paper, bubbles, you name it, it’s there. And best of all, it’s free! Great for digital scrapbooking, twitter backgrounds, photoshop projects, and the like. Check out the full collection here. These are just a few of my favorites:
Another thing I’ve collected over the years is old paperwork. I like all of the stamps and old handwriting and typefaces. I’ve scanned all sorts of interesting tidbits, which you are free to use in any of your projects. You can find all of the full-resolution images here.
I hope that you make something really fun with them! All of these images date from the 30′s to the 60′s so you’ll find varying degrees of antiquity.
Have you ever looked at the patterns inside security envelopes you get in the mail? They come in such a gorgeous variety of colors and patterns. I know, weird to find something good about junk mail. I thought I’d make a little art project out of all the junk mail I finally dug through.
It’s a little imperfect, but so be it.
Any paper hoarders out there have ideas for security envelope creations? I’d love to hear them.
1. Cast from a real seahorse, this lovely little pendant is a reminder of the sea. Find this and more sterling silver elegance (including adorable peapod necklaces) over at Sudlow.
2. Collage art never fails to impress me, and this piece from Linda Solovic shows why. Intricately detailed and an obviously steady hand. Her work is incredibly fun and colorful – definitely worth checking out!
3. I’m a sucker for all gemstones cut in a way that leaves them super sparkly, and these earrings are no exception. There’s so much beauty in the world, so why wear plastic? Choose Archaic Design instead.
4. When I go to the beach, I’m more excited about wandering around and picking up all of the little bits that I find than anything else. I’ve got a little collection of sea glass going on, but I don’t live near a beach, otherwise it would be huge. This little vial reminds me of happy times spent collecting, and you get a piece of cobalt glass, which is very hard to find!m Real Scottish beach glass jewelry can be found at Artisanne.
5. I found a sea urchin once on one of my beach wanders, and I got it back in one piece, just to have it break in a tragic moving accident. Star of the East makes sure that never happens by curing their sea urchin jewelry carefully. Earrings, rings, necklaces and more, all featuring sea urchins.
Thanks to this week’s great sellers!
Greenheart is a Chicago-based shop that sells fair trade goods that are as chic as they are socially responsible. You can get stylish duds without having to buy something made by a sweatshop in China. I think that it’s important to vote with your dollar, as it’s the most effective impact you can have on the world.
They’ve got clothing, accessories, paper goods, kid’s toys, and more. And their prices are very reasonable. What’s not to love?
I wish I could take credit for this idea too, but no such luck!
I think it’s a great way to use bits of scrap paper you have lying around, as well as finding a way to recycle all of that bubble wrap. Plus, who doesn’t love anything that is a tiny bit interesting? No more plain jane manilla mailers for you! And they’re super easy, so that’s also a bonus.
Find the tutorial here.
1. I’ve always been sort of entranced with the technique of Mokume Gane. Taking several different metals and combining them over and over until they create a sort of wood burl looking pattern combines two of the materials I love most in the world: metals and wood. This ring from Jordanesque is a really great example of the technique.
2. I always thought that this was the most clever idea. A real-life pigeon feather as a souvenir of New York City, nicely packaged so you don’t have to touch it. There are a lot more clever ideas in the shop of Brooklyn Rehab. Lots of vintage, interesting jewelry, and other oddities.
3. Who among us hasn’t secretly yearned for an old-school aviator’s cap? Now you can find new reproductions over at Leatherhead Originals, and can spare yourself the hassle (and ickiness) of finding a vintage one. Black, brown, distressed and shiny new, there’s something for every head at this great little shop.
4. I’m always a sucker for soaps, especially of the handmade variety. I especially like ones that incorporate natural clay for a great lather. Riffraff has some great little soaps and they’re wrapped in the nicest, hand-screened papers. These would make a great gift as part of a shaving kit for that guy in your life.
Thanks to this week’s fab sellers!
I’d love to have them design an invitation someday. In the meantime, they’ve got a great 
