Calligraphy: A Forgotten Art

by evie s. on April 7th, 2008

I’ve always appreciated the art of beautiful calligraphy. I’ve tried my hand at it many times, but I’m no expert by any means.

From left to right:

Postcard [ Via Typophile ] // 1800s Lettering Sketchbook:Journal 14 [ Via Smashing Magazine ]

For some modern calligraphers, check out B Creative and Anne Robin.

Starbucks and Beautiful Art Go Together

by evie s. on April 3rd, 2008

Whether you like them or not, Starbucks is an empire, and they have some of the best graphics and artwork representing their brand. I came across their new website, Starbucks Coffee at Home and was struck by the beautiful chalk-like illustrations of each product.

The main purpose of the site is to introduce Starbuck’s trademark flavors to coffee drinkers at home and to explore all their coffee blends. It is a fun site to wander through and you can even take a 5 question quiz to determine your perfect coffee (mine was the Costa Rica Tarrazu).

Handmade Books and Bindings

by evie s. on April 1st, 2008

Handmade books are some of my favorite things. While my husband (yes, he is creative too) was attending school at the University here in town, one of his fine arts classes required him to make a handmade book. The result was this miniature creation, entitled The Moon, complete with story and photos. The book is perfectly bound in a cardboard cover and the pages are folded in accordion style.

Inspired by this little book that I rediscovered yesterday, I did a search to find my favorite ideas in the area of handmade books and bindings.

From left to right:

Italian Recipe Book by angelaliguori - Each book is an accordion book structure, with round corner and baker twine closure. [ Via coolhunting ] // Woodgrain and Wool Journal by NightjarBooks - hand bound using reclaimed book board, covered with an off-white, woodgrain-textured paper.

The Owner of the Bow by angelaliguori - Hard cover accordion book // Map Notebook [ Via AliceCho.net ]

Pocket Journals by yellowcraftychick - All the books have been sewn through the middle with black linen bookbinding thread and tied off with a small bead in the center. // Mini Accordion Book by mame*

Textured String Bracelets

by evie s. on March 31st, 2008

I recently made these textured string bracelets from April’s issue of Martha Stewart Living as a birthday gift for my sister. While a little time consuming, the final product is really great. I like that each time you can create a new color scheme and design. One thing I noticed however, is that the instructions said that when you’re done with a color, “Cut the string, leaving a 3-inch tail; thread through a needle. Thread the tail under strings on inner side of bangle to secure.” I found that this was not a very solid finishing step (or simple), because the tail end could easily get loose or unravel. So instead, each time I was finished with a color, I would glue both the end and the beginning of the string to the bangle and start wrapping the new color around the two strands. This made me feel a lot better about how it would hold up in every day wear. It also provides a more seamless look if you are using multiple colors.

I’m sure it’s not the only time someone’s improved on a beautiful Martha idea! It just goes to show you that Martha isn’t perfect after all. I’m a big fan, so she’s still wonderful to me.

To see a larger version of the photo, please go here.

Inside the Artists’ Moleskines

by evie s. on March 27th, 2008

I thought it would be interesting to post a variety of beautiful art found in Moleskine notebooks around the world. It’s amazing the quality of art that can be found in these small sketch books. Enjoy!

From left to right:

Voa! by sebográficos // Moonlight over Oxford by JodyDigger // Exercise in drawing fonts by Ann-D // Pan’s Labyrinth by Ann-D

Carpe Moleskine by Nathanael.Archer // Various Sketch by Sarah King // Pen, Marker, and Pencil by I can’t live without a Poni

To see inside more artists’ sketchbooks, visit this link.

Floral Inspired Jewelry by Ceeb Wassermann

by evie s. on March 26th, 2008

Australian jewelry designer, Ceeb Wassermann has some beautiful handmade pieces for sale in her etsy store. Inspired by flowers, plants, and the ocean, she is also a great fan of Japanese Design.

From left to right:

Moeko Pendant // Japanese Style Chrysanthemum Pendant // Sterling Silver Fern Armbelt

[ Via Stylehive ]

New Vintage Products in the Store

by evie s. on March 25th, 2008

Check out the Vintage Beauty section of the evie s. online store to see a few new items that have been added.

From left to right:

Matchbox Card Games // Metal Bird Mixer // Linen Tea Towels

To see them full-size, please visit the flickr photos.

Easter Egg Inspiration and a Contest

by evie s. on March 21st, 2008

I thought I’d post this Good Friday on the subject of Easter eggs! I hope you will be inspired by these lovely images of different ways you can decorate and design some fierce looking eggs.

Every year, my family challenges each other to an Easter egg coloring contest. There are many creative people in my family, so it’s always a big deal, and many great entries. Even though Easter means more to me than coloring eggs, it’s still a festive activity I look forward to, even as an adult.

If you are an avid egg decorator, you may want to take part in a contest of your own. Hatch Design has put together their 1st Annual Egg Coloring Contest. You can submit your entry, and even judge current entries. [ Via Creative and Live ]

From left to right:

Pysanky, Ukrainian Easter Eggs (Traditional dyed Polish Easter eggs. Designs produced with a stylus and beeswax.) // Naturally Dyed Eggs (Wet your egg, put flowers, grass, anything on your egg and cover it with a stocking/tight, make sure it’s stretched over the egg. Tie and cut off remainder of the stocking. Soak in dye.) // Lace Eggs from Martha Stewart // 1st Annual Egg Coloring Contest

Have a great Easter weekend!

A Little Collection of Notebooks

by evie s. on March 20th, 2008

Does anyone collect journals and/or notebooks? I seem to have piles of them laying around and I’m doing my best to try and fill them with thoughts, notes, scripture, etc., but I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to fill them all. Maybe by the time I’m 100 years old! Oh well, it doesn’t stop me from still wanting a few more…you know, to add to the collection.

Here are some of my favs from left to right:

Butterfly Drift from Elum Designs // Travel Journal from Paper+Cup // Tall Grass Notebook from Snow & Graham // Amelie Journal from Delphine

Stunning Watercolors and Papercuts from Stina Persson

by evie s. on March 17th, 2008

Stina Persson is a Stockholm-based illustrator popular for her vibrant and ethereal watercolors. She has done work for brand giants like Coca Cola, Sony Music, and Godiva, just to name a few.

Want a Stina of your own? To purchase Giclee archival prints please visit the high-end, British online gallery Cosh. For unique framed originals go to Gallery Hanahou.