good design : jesse danger

Yes, it's "good design" Thursday - the day that I get to feature in all their glory a designer who's work is environmentally friendly, sustainable or socially conscious - hopefully all 3. Now is does seem to me - and I have mentioned this before - that a great number of independent designers seem to follow some "good design" maxim. Which is even more reason to stock up on independent design.

Anyway, this week I came across designer Jesse Danger. His work is bold and modern - just the way I like it. But this is what makes him a "good designer" (1) he works with fair trade, recycled Argentium silver which is refined using environmentally friendly procedures, (2) his packaging is recycled and sustainable, (3) 5% of his profits go to Earthworks.

So, pop on over to his shop, buy some fabulous jewelry - and feel good about doing it!

hoop dreams

The 80's buzz these days has inspired me to find some super-fabulous hoop earrings. So backcomb your hair and put on a pair of these modern beauties!

FEATURING:
+ circular mahogany earrings, $38, orno
+ double disc earrings, $30 AUD, kitty fisher
+ half looped earrings, $105, lisa levine
+ silver + steel earrings, $100, megan auman
+ multi layer hoops, $28, mary + jane

Want to see a few more hoops? Check out my "hoop dreams" list in StyleHive.

the valentines gift guide has launched!

After a lot of work, and a lot of distractions (I was really hard to stop looking at all the cupcakes!) - the guide has launched.

A big thanks to all the talented designers who made this possible....now go check it out!

in the spotlight : snowdon flood

I occasionally flirt with delicate and pretty, but my heart belongs to bold and graphic. This is why I love, love, love the work of Snowdon Flood. Her work has that "oh so British" wit and whimsy - topiary race horses, Liberty-type prints form the Union jack and a graphic rendering of the Battersea power plant.

Being British myself, and spending some time on and around the Thames growing up, I have a soft spot for the river series. Ah, Blighty!

Available online through the Snowdon Flood website

rock out

I'm not too sure what the difference between a rock and a stone is, but regardless - these pieces ROCK!

Bold and earthy; this is statement jewelry at is best. It's not subtle, not girly - but isn't there something sexy about the confidence this jewelry evokes? But maybe that's just me.

FEATURING:
+ hand carved amethyst and gold ring, $175, zula surfing (love, love, love)
+ stone choker, $50, stepping stones
+ black crystal agate, $65, carina rose
+ lava and copper ring, $18, ruby vegas
+ stone and gold necklace, grażyna zalewska (fabulous jewelry, but the site is in Polish - I think)

good design : mio

When eco-friendly products first came onto the market, the products were limited to unbleached and wholesome. Nowadays independent designers experiment with sustainable materials, textures and colors producing innovative high style design.

A good example of this is the design company MIO, whose work has a fun, futuristic vibe. Molded wool is formed into brightly colored containers and softly glowing lights. Recycled kraft paper is used for their Nomad system and can be configured in a variety of ways from room dividers to office-like cubicle. All of their products give the impression of some happy, avant-garde cartoon world.

And, although, sustainable products can still be quite pricey, the MIO line is very reasonable. The lights are $75, the containers start at $35 and the Nomad system is $56 for a pack of 24.

Available online through the MIO website – www.mioculture.com

giveaway : ink & wit [finished]

+ + and the winner is: SignFoo + +

Tara Hogan's work strikes that delicate balance between modern and whimsical. Letterpressed, cool bright colors on warm white paper are her trademark. This print is so delicious, and although I could see it on any wall, my mind jumps to a nursery of first time parents.

The giveaway is for this limited edition print - very limited - apart from the 2008 calender, only 11 prints were made. The giveaway doesn't include matting or frame - but pop in to Ikea or Target and I'm sure you'll find something delightful.

This, and other limited edition prints, is available online for $15 - $40 at Ink + Wit.com

To enter the giveaway:
1. Leave a comment here with your email (or other way of contacting you).
2. Join the mailing list


+ Congratulations to KerOwyn the winner of the Miss Ficklemedia giveaway!

take note : 5 fabulous notebooks

If you are like me, you're never further than 23" from a notebook - I think that's arms reach for me. Each one - and there are many on the go at any time - has a combination of work things, shopping lists and pictures of monsters/transformers/dinosaurs for the kids.

Now my writing it too scrawling for the teeny notebook, but just how adorable is that little guy! All of these are just so fabulous that I don't have a favorite this time - although I am a huge fan of moleskine products which is what shoofly prints on so.......oh, I just don't know....why don't you tell me your favorite!

FEATURING (clockwise):
+ miniature book, $4, dingo
+ "things to note", $12.75, nantaka joy
+ silver leaves, $10, shoofly
+ eames chair, $9, modern printed matter
+ washed lilies, $8.50, jengs shop

warm hands

Whether it's tea, hot chocolate or some toasty treat there are few things nice than putting 2 hands on a toasty cup when it cold outside.

I love all these cups....but I'd especially like to "get my hands on" the dented can cup.

FEATURING (clockwise):
+ snap cups, $200 / set of 6, inv/alt design
+ tin can cup, $20, contraband studios
+ lovelies cup, jeanette zeis
+ pebble cup, $32, kim westad
+ blue striped cup, $18, circa ceramics
+ wooden cups, $40 / set of 4, tampopo (available through rare device)

good design : fuze organics

I must admit I rather like the new Tobi site - I love their lookbook and their eco-tobi sections - and how they tie in nicely to the store. Anyway, this is not about Tobi, but about Fuze design who was just featured on the Tobi site.

The fuze line is organic, philanthropic and cooly fashionable - now that is the sweet spot! I especially like the wind powered hoodie. I have always been socially conscious and green, but I do like to buy nice things - now I can reduce the guilt of spending by putting my dollars where my mouth is. Yes, I know that I could just give that money to charity, but what would I wear to Starbucks? I mean, really!!

FEATURING:
+ Fuze organics - www.fuzelab.com
+ Tobi - www.tobi.com

5 modern mobiles

Whether Calderesque, eco-chic or modern minimal - these fabulous mobiles add fun and drama to the modern home.

FEATURING:
+ mobius mobile, $150, mobiles by julie frith
+ bird in flight mobile, $180, alena hennessey
+ 2-tone orbit mobile, miranda watkins
+ blossom mobile, $65, puka puka
+ recycled magazine mobile, $150, frazier & wing

giveaway : miss ficklemedia [finished]

It's time for another giveaway - this time from miss ficklemedia.

I have been an admirer of miss ficklemedia's work for a long time, and have featured her work before. The giveaway is for this hand-picked collection of 3 interchangeable pendant and 1 silver chain. The modern botanicals and pretty colors are the perfect late winter pick-me-up.

To enter:
1. Join the mailing list
2. Leave a comment here with your email.

Congratulations to Molly, the winner of the last giveaway!

night and the city

The city at night is a beautiful thing. Lights look like jewels, although there is always that element of menace even in the safest of cities.

These photos are wonderfully noirish. They really make me want to watch some quintessential movie noir like Night in the City. Or if you need more grit and color watch cult classic The Warriors. Either way, you'll see the city in a new light.

Featuring (clockwise):
+ LA at nightby tom wailes
+ deep shadow by streetsilence
+ city lights by manganite

rain, rain

I’m pretty lucky, weather wise - I live in California. No snow, except where you want it; no twisters or tornados. Yes, there’s the occasional earthquake and devastating forest fires, but apart from that…..

The point is that it’s a little stormy here at the moment and, if you paid close attention to the news, you would think the world was about to end. So this is my ‘homage’ to the inclement weather.

FEATURING (clockwise):
+ white vinyl rain coat, $39.99, modcloth
+ umbrellas, from $55, tray6
+ Coltrane cloud tee, $10, wooden shoes press
+ umbrella skateboard deck, $85, sprout studio
+ little rain cloud pendant, $8.50, imogen

experi / metal

I just love the abstract, but mostly organic looking pieces from these metalsmiths. I stumbled upon their work through etsy metal. Etsy metal is a juried group, and it shows, each designers work is impeccable and the photography is perfection.

Many of the designers have been long time favorites of mine, so expect some more etsy metal designers to grace this blog in the future.

FEATURING:
+ sagittarius constellation, $68, beth cyr
+ perelandian ring, $250, nanopod
+ hollow ball necklace, $52, discomedusa designs
+ floating rock cuff, $275, ashley akers jewelry

hello 2008

This should be an exciting year. I am looking forward to featuring new designers in the blog and working with new designers on the WHAT designers website and independent design guide.

Like 2007, I expect one of my main sources of inspiration will be etsy.com. Often you don't have to look further than the first page to find a design gem. Today the home page featured a selection picked by modesign from this came the idea for this post.

So, hello 2008, it’s nice to meet you!

FEATURING (clockwise):
+ New York skyline, $60, kolya
+ curly copper ring, $23, india y la luna
+ enchanted girl keychain, $10, bonspeil
+ apple belt, $420, tracy belt designs