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.

slideshow NOVEMBER PICKS

November 2009

Powered by ThisNext. Get Widget!

designer SUE SZABO

Jewelry designer, Sue Szabo's work is just fabulous - if not a little hard to categorize. All of it is good, but for entirely different reasons. The handmade silver stilletto shoe is so absolutely adorable and girly. Her bold resin work is fun, colorful and modern - and her enamel work has a modern wabi-sabi feel.

One of my favorite pieces is the Bauble ring (top left), which looks like a candy filled toy, but is actually 14 k and 18k gold, filled with faceted rubies and colored sapphires. Delicious, but not edible!

Check out more of jewelry designer, Sue Szabo's work at her website and Etsy store.

fashion LITTLE BLACK DRESS

I've spent the last few days searching high and low - online - for dresses for the feature The New Little Black Dress in the upcoming INDEPENDENT DESIGN GUIDE // holiday 09. All the designs are from independent designers, and so far the choice has been amazing.

This morning I came across the work of designer, Mahta Bazimi - and just love it. The 4 little LBD's from the line cover all bases - cocktail, casual, maxi and classic. Here's the best thing - the glam little numbers all retail for...wait for it....under $100. So you can understand why I had to stop what I was doing and share it with you.

For more information visit the Mahta Bazimi website

jewelry BATSU, I LOVE YOU

He came all the way from Australia and is still as perky as ever. A huge thanks to Corky Saint Clair, who saw my previous post and assumed I was begging for free stuff. Well, I wasn't, but that didn't stop me from accepting his super generous gift. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

theme CHIMPS AHOY

You don't get to say it often, but when the opportunity arises you should try these words ~ "Sure, it's behind the chimp!". I first said it to the workman who came in to fix the fridge - and it felt great. Yes, at long last, I have the OneUp chimp on my bathroom door (see #1).

And what better way to celebrate than to show a selection of chimps and monkeys from independent designers. In fact, go ahead....vote for your favorite!

1. Chimp wall graphic, $30, OneUp Designs
2. Chimp kids tee, $14, Funky Fresh
3. Monkey cufflinks, $99, Corky
4. Women's monkey t-shirt, $28, Formoda
5. LaLa Pix key fob, 7.50 €, FunkyPix

designer NORWEGIAN WOOD

Don't try this at home folks. I mean wearing these 3 pieces together might be a little too much, but individually these pieces add an avant guard flavor to the wardrobe. The designer herself warns against going head to toe pattern.

That being said, it is refreshing to see work that is individual without being pretentious. My favorite piece has got to be the "Maximum" feathery necklace - something that can infuse fun and fashion into. A jeans and t-shirt wardrobe.

For more from this designer, visit the designers Norwegian Wood

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

designer FILZ FELT

Filz is German for felt. Und felt ist Englisch fur filz. So there you have it, my full understanding of German per some Internet translator.

I have featured felt before on the blog, so it was hardly a suprise to find out that Filz Felt is co-owned by Etcetera Media's Kelly Smith. The other half of the partnership is Traci Roloff of the blog Girl In The Green Dress

Modern and simple basics in brightly colored industrial german felt. The line includes felt yardage, so if your ready to develop you own felt line, filz felt will make a good first stop.

Check out the filz felt line at: www.filzfelt.com

tshirts WOVEN FLESH

The name is a little macabre; the t-shirts are darkly fabulous. Both can be chalked up to the designers being Danish.

I first came across Woven Flesh's work through the Rumplo site. There's a sampling of their work on Rumplo, but for more designs go to their website where you get to pay in Krona. How cool is that!

www.wovenflesh.com

designer A LA MODE

I came across a la mode's work through fellow designer, sea finds designs. Clean lines and thoughtful fabric -the seatbelt bag utilizes industrial overcuts - makes this line modern with a twist.
In addition to bags, a la modes etsy store is full of other delightful items such at switchplates and jewelry - including some funny "no whining" cufflinks

Check out more from this designer at:
alamodestuff.etsy.com

t-shirts SHARPSHIRTER

Stephen Colbert would be proud! And although I don't condone violence against animals - if you get this close to a bear, I say go for it.

Anyway, I recently got an email from sharpshirters announcing their new site so I thought I would share it.

Check out more from Sharpshirter at:
www.sharpshirter.com

designer URBAN HEIRLOOMS

Urban Heirlooms is a perfectly named collection. Each piece has a nostalgic inspiration made with vintage skeleton keys - but the aesthetic is simply modern.

Check out more from the Urban Heirlooms website