book THUMB WAR BY JOHN HERSEY

If only all wars could be solved so easily, and colorfully. Designed and illustrated by John Hersey, this book is available online through the Center For The Book store.

designer ANTHONY BURRILL

There are some universal truths, there are also some universal words of advice "Keep Calm and Carry On" being on of them. But if you are tired of "Keep Calm...and fill in the blank" there's a new slogan in town. "I like it. What is it?".

It's simple, and for me it's how I see a lot of design. I can't help it, I am just shallow and a bit of a design spectator. I love fashion that I don't have the guts - or place - to wear. I love jewelry that's either too lethal or too delicate to wear around children who will (a) eat it (b) bury it or (c) add it to their spaceship/fort/strange creature.

Most of all - and I don't know why - I love a good old trip to the hardware store. There are bins upon bins of strange looking things that are metal, the weight of a small car and only cost 32c - to that I can only think "I like it. What is it?"

The "I like it. What is it?" poster by British designer, Anthony Burrill is a printed on 100% recycled paper using the traditional woodblock printing method. Each open edition print is hand signed in pencil by the artist.

"I like it. What is it?" and other work is available online through the Anthony Burrill website.

event MAKERS FAIR

Let me say this, I 100% admire the makers at the Makers Fair. I mean making a live webstreaming instrument out of a quarter, 2 egg cartons and 29" old modem cable - that's amazing! I didn't see it, but I know it's possible because the makers/inventors at the Makers Fair do that kind of thing for breakfast....probably.

But I didn't just go to the Makers Fair so my husband and I could wrestle our children and stop them from making their very own science project out of the Slurpee that I just bought them. I went because of my commitment to seeing new and interesting design. Of course, the emphasis was hard-core craft, but this work would stand on it own in any design store.

If I had to choose a favorite, it would have to be the cardboard surfboard. Built by a surfer when his old board was no longer seaworthy and he didn't have the cash to buy a new one. Not only does this designer capture the DIY spirit, but the resulting board is stunning to look at.

FEATURING:
+ xtra large hook earrings, $52, sasha bell jewelry
+ sonia platter, $28, ezme designs
+ carnival gone mad t-shirt, $25, fat rabbit farm
+ cardboard surfboard, from $196 for a kit, sheldrake
+ t-shirt graphic illustrations, $26, martin hsu

designer SUB STUDIO

Here is the latest print from Sub Studio. Doesn't it just make you want to go on a hike. Although, that does sound terribly like exercise. Hmmm, I wonder if they have hiking on the Wii Fit?

Check out more from this designer at the sub-studio website

sale MAKESHIFT MODERN

I just got word from Julie at Makeshift Modern that she's having a sale on her 8x10 prints. These prints are printed on metallic paper which gives the artwork a subtle glow - really lovely.

Prints are $7 and include FREE shipping!

For more information visit the makeshift modern website

makeshift modern

Ahh...it's been a while since my last post. I've been working on the INDEPENDENT DESIGN GUIDE // SPRING 2008 - which I have just launched, but more about that later!

Recently, designer/illustrator Julie of Makeshift Modern contacted me about her work - and what a lovely suprise! My favorite, noodle bowl, was even more fabulous in person. Her work is printed on Kodak Endura metallic paper, which sounded a little odd, but in actual fact gives the prints a subtle luminosity. The effect is somewhat reminiscent of gelatin-silver prints in early photography, but this time in color.

These prints are not only beautiful, but very affordable at $8 - $13 a print and available online through the Makeshift Modern store.

feeling restless

Printed on vintage love letters, envelopes, and book pages - artist Olivia Jeffries works are sweet and surreal. The illustrations are just lovely in the best possible way and wryly retro. But when printed or drawn over old correspondence, the works become infused with a bittersweet soul.

Available through the artist's etsy store.