launch INDEPENDENT DESIGN GUIDE

Spring is here...and not just because it's sunny outside and birds are chirping! Spring is officially here because I've just launched the INDEPENDENT DESIGN GUIDE // spring 09.

The poster child of the guide is the gum popping girl in the Bubble Lights "organic" silk scarf by Yosifa Silk. There is something so incredibly spring-like about the style of the scarf and photography. Carefree in a sophisticated sort of way.

This guide started off a little differently - very slow. Even the designers who are usually the first to sign up, put all spending on hold while sales slowed down. I considered not doing a guide - however instead I decided to support to very designers who had supported the guide over the past year and offer several free spots. The response was overwhelming - and so I am especially proud to launch this guide.

As a result, I have decided that I will continue to offer 3 free juried spots to designers in every guide. I will also continue to suprise the odd designer by including their work at the very last minute, these designers are usually new designers who I haven't featured before.

Juried spots will be awarded to the 3 top designers from the previous guide. This will be determined by a combination of the following:
+ saves on StyleHive
+ saves on ThisNext
+ or leave a comment on this post

Thank you and enjoy!

color HELLO YELLOW

The sky is grey - rain, rain go away - but spotted here and there in the garden are daffodils. And, this seems as good a time as any to feature some spring like yellow products from some fabulous independent designers.

All of these products are super sunny looking, but my favorite has got to be the jolly looking "egg pants". So get in touch with your inner "spring" and check out these delicious things!

FEATURING:
+ hello cards, $6 for $13, in vita
+ hand batiked linen fabric, $25, margot bianca
+ mirabel anorak, $180, suzabelle
+ egg pants, $20, design glut
+ yellow yarrow ring, $53, bario-neal
+ "lovely taka the ninja" leather keychain, 13 EUR, leather prince

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

oooh, another calendar

Oh, I don't know how I came across decolab. Getting lost online is one of my favorite things to do. It is also what makes getting anything done virtually impossible. It started with a search for melamine plates with robots on so....who knows.

Anyway, I came across this fabulous little calendar to add to the list of "must have" things to start 2008. It's a limited edition of 75 and is $28 from the decolab shop.

what + lexie sullivan

Let me welcome Lexie Sullivan to the WHAT designers website.

I love Lexie's work, so was thrilled when she contacted me about participating in WHAT designers. The style is a fabulously modern, but fun and organic too.

See more at WHATdesigners.com and LexieSullivan.com

modern printed matter

I love what I do (surely the money will follow right??). Yes, I love what I do and it's because I get to spend time looking at some of the most amazing designs from the most amazing independent designers.

What started as a creative outlet for an engineering grad has turned into quite a nice little business. Now a full-time venture, designer Anna Cote has her collection in over 150 stores.

Now that's an independent designer success story!

Available online at modern printed matter

thanks old chum

There are so many ways to say thank you. In these days of email, it's so delightful to receive a card in the mail.

Here are some splendid cards from the best and brightest independent designers.

CLOCKWISE (starting top left):
: bella thanks, $3.50, pepperina press
: hey thanks, $4.50 for 2, the paper princess
: gracias, $4.50, binth available from greer chicago
: wooden thanks, $10/set of 6, 12fifteen
: bird mini card, $10 for 6, pink bathtub
: thank you kindly, $3.75, pearl marmalade