Wednesday, April 27, 2011

For the love of Lighting!

Today I am showcasing beautiful pendant lights created by Allison of Zipper8Lighting on Etsy.  Have you ever wanted to give a room a facelift or change over...well, Allisons creations will do it for you and then some. She has managed to create the most amazing pendant lights out of ordinary items such as book pages or plastic bags, all echo friendly and sure to be conversation pieces. I just had to chat with her and find out more about her creative process.  But first lets take a look at her amazing work...
Spikey White Paper Pendant Light




Ruffled Table Lamp - Domed Soft White Light
Ruffled Table Lamp
Round Flat Mixed Book Page Pendant Light - Paper Lantern Shade Only
Mixed Book Page Pendant Light

Here's my interview with Allison:

1. Please tell me about yourself and what inspires you to start making these wonderful creations.
A: I have always been a crafty person. I was lucky enough to have the most amazing babysitter growing up, and she is one of the most crafty people I know, so we were constantly creating things together. She gave me my first glue gun when I was 8 or so, and we used to make decorative wreaths, and flour dough and all sorts of different art projects. I look back and truly wonder where I would be today if it wasn't for her, and I'm lucky enough to still see her regularly and sometimes we even sit down and craft together!

In terms of my lighting design specifically, I've always been fascinated by lights. There is just something so awesome about a big craft project that lights up! I started playing around with lights as part of my main design business Zipper8Design, but then I decided that they really deserved their own shop on Etsy and their own forum, so that's when I split them off into Zipper8Lighting. 

2. Your lamps are so unique did you have any formal training?
A: I don't have any specific training to create lights, but I did graduate last May with a Master of Architecture from Columbia University here in NYC, and their program is about so much more than just architecture, and I learned so much about design in general as well as honing my technical expertise. 

3. Where do you get your inspirations from?
A: I take inspiration from anything and everything, both in my daily life and online. If I walk into a hardware store or a 99 cent store, my mind just starts whirling, wondering what I can make next. I actually spotted some really colorful fly swatters last summer in my local hardware store, and recently I was thinking about how I could make a cool light out of them. I love rethinking a material and seeing how I can transform it from a more standard function into something new and wonderful. Beyond that I just feel like I keep a digital catalog in my head of all the inspirational ideas I've seen, and I'm always thinking about rethinking projects other people have done, and taking my own spin on them. I keep lists of awesome projects I want to try, and sometimes a couple different projects come together in my mind to make something new and unique.

4, You're creations are so beautiful I know you must have a special way of creating them, can you tell us about that?
A: I wouldn't say I have any special way of creating my lights, more than anyone else. Mostly my process involves a paper lantern or some other base form work, my trusty glue gun and lots of glue sticks, and then plenty of materials such as coffee filters, straws or paper circles. Then I just get to work and start gluing things together. There's often a lot of experimentation that goes along with the process, I've learned the easy way and the hard way to make some projects and I usually have to search around until I find the best source of supplies. I try to chronicle some of my experiments on my blog, the 3 R's: Reduce, Reuse, Redecorate (the3Rsblog.wordpress.com) and I'm always looking for the next fun project to try.

5. What's your typical day like?
A: My typical day is about to drastically change. Since graduating from school I have been taking a bit of time off, first for a vacation and then because I couldn't find a full time job. My days are very low key, I don't have any set schedule so I'll spend time with my puppy, Basel, and then I'll usually spend some time online browsing around my favorite blogs and places to find inspiration. Then I might work on a project or two, sometimes I am really motivated and sometimes I just don't feel like creating. However, starting on Monday I am going to be working full time so my days are going to drastically change. I'm not sure how this is going to effect my business, but I do know that even if its just for my own mental health, I would like to be able to spend at least an hour and hopefully 2 or 3 hours a night being crafty. I'm lucky in that it is just me and Basel, so I have the time to devote to being crafty and following my hearts desire. If my business really takes off I'm sure I'll need to create a more specific schedule, in terms of when I sit down to work online, when I sit down to create new lights, when I mail boxes etc. For now I can only wait and hope that one day I will be wishing I had fewer sales. For now, I'm just happy for every sale I get and I just can't wait to fill my shop with more exciting lighting!

6. Anything else you'd want my readers to know about you and or your business?
A: I love my lighting, and when I see an idea or a material that I want to make into a project, inevitably my first thought is, 'could that be a light?' But, the first products I ever developed and created are my beer bottle cap coasters from my main design shop, and they will always have a special place in my heart. You can find them here: Zipper8Design.etsy.com

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Spring Outfits

I saw this green outfit from Kate Spade and thought ...oh what fun to put it all together, handbag, shoes etc.

fawna
cherry valley adeline

striped jeanette dress
Kate Spade

Then this denim Sundress is just fab, I saw some wedges and handbag that would go well with it too.

Waft  ...  Dark Blue Cocktail Dress 2 Sizes Available
Dennim Sundress from AfterShowersShop
Michael Kors MICHAEL KORS Skorpios Ring Tote, Soft Beige
Michael Kors Scorpios Ring Tote

Self Esteem Betty Wedge Sandal
Self Esteem Betty Wedge Sandal from DSW









Peaches and Cream

Hi everyone! Sorry I have been MIA for a while, been busy with a whole bunch of other things. But anyhow I am back today and since I don' t have have a guest interview for my weekly "Artist in Focus" post, I thought I would share with you some fabulous finds from a Peaches and Cream Treasury I created yesterday.
Flying Over Coral Desert - bead embroidered necklace. Fossil coral, MOP, crystal, pearls
bead embroidered necklace from Helmitarah
Light Peach,Cream Pearl Bracelets With Silk Thread
Peach pearl bracelet from HeartDesign88
Petals
Peach Beads from RoxeMarie
Reserved for minal117  -  Petal Set ...  Diaper Cover AND Headband in PINK
Petal Diaper set from StacyBayLess
Ivory Bridal Clutch or Ivory Bridesmaid Clutch Set - Kisslock Snap Petite Bouquet Clutch -  Custom Colors - Ivory Pale Pink
Ivory and Peach Bridal Clutches from FallenSparrow
Candied Tangerine Gourmet Soap
Candied Tangerine Gourmet Soap from Abbey James

Peaches and Cream Heart with Roses Soap
Peaches and Cream heart soap from The Charming Frog


Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Paper Love

Good morning everyone.  Today is Wednesday and I recently had a chat with Fiona of  Fiona Designs, todays Artist in Focus. Fiona creates the most gorgeous cards, with a simplicity that just grabs your attention and says exactly what you feel. Take a look:

This Spring Joy card say's it all!

and then of course there is the Easter Card....just gorgeous!
Happy Birthday Greeting Card
And this Birthday card will put a smile on anyone!
Feel Better Soon Greeting Card
and lets not forget someone who's sick, this would certainly cheer them up.
Hi Greeting Card
or if you just want to say hi...make it simple and to the point!
Boxed Set of 10 Light Green Merci Notes
or if you want to be sophisticated, say thank you in french!

Oh I just love them all, you can see more of her designs here.
I was so captivated by her cards I needed to find out more about the creative force behind them. Here's my interview with the talented Fiona.

1. What inspired you to start your business?
I started designing greeting cards about eight years ago. I was spurred on by the fact that I never found exactly what I was looking for when card shopping. I wanted to create cards that were unique, elegant, simple and reflected my sense of design. This year I have added to my collection personalized stationery which is a nice compliment to my offerings. I enjoy working with my clients to create custom stationery and cards just for them.

2. Do you have any formal training?
Yes I do. The majority of my graphic design training was acquired on the job working as a Graphic Designer, Senior Graphic Designer and Art Director for a wide variety of corporations and non profit organizations. I continued to hone my creative skills by studying at Parsons School of Design in New York City where I earned a MFA.


3. What's your typical day like?
That is a really good question. I don't think I have a typical day as everyday brings new creative challenges. I try and balance my time between designing custom orders for my clients and creating new designs to include in my etsy shop. The majority of my time lately has been spent coming up with ideas for my personalized stationery collection which I mentioned earlier.


4. Where do you get your inspirations from?
So many things inspire me - the loved ones in my life especially - many of the sentiments on the greeting cards were created with them in mind. From a visual perspective I am constantly inspired and in awe of nature, flowers, birds, landscapes, you name it.


5. How do you come up with the color schemes?

For the color schemes I consider each piece individually. For the greeting cards I create one design in a variety of color schemes using pantone swatches as a guide. I then print out the many options and decide which I like the best. Often times, even after they have been sent as final to the printer, changes in color still occur at the last minute during the print proofing stage. With the personalized stationery in my etsy shop I have selected colors that I feel work with the design but also encourage clients to customize the stationery with colors that are important or appeal to them. 


You want to know more about Fiona, check out the links below:
www.etsy.com/shop/fionadesigns
www.fionadesigns.com/
www.fionadesigns.blogspot.com/
www.facebook.com/FionaDesigns
twitter.com/fionasdesign




Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Unique trinkets!

Hi my dears. I have been away for a few days and now that I am back I have a few trinkets to share with you. There are so many talented artists on Etsy and they make such beautiful piece its hard to resist them.
Take a look at these Steampunk creations below from YouniquelyChic. To tell the truth I had never heard of the term Steampunk as it applied to jewelry until I discovered Youniquely Chic's store....I know, you must be thinking where have I been living...under a rock or something? The term is sometimes used to describe the intersection of Romance and Technology and in this case its superbly captured. These pieces are so unique and ingeniously made, I found them intriguing...sure to be conversation pieces!



You can see more here.

Now the romantic side of me fell in love with the following pieces from Waterwaif:

Aqua Quartz Necklace Sterling Silver Disco Ball Globe FacetedWintergreen Earrings Sterling Silver Frosted Aqua Quartz Wire Wrapped Briolettes
Earrings Wire Wrapped Pink Opalite Glowing Briolettes Antiqued Copper Hoops Rustic OrganicHoney Drops Earrings Citrine Quartz Wire Wrapped Briolettes Geometric Circles 14k gf
Aren't they gorgeous? You can see more here.
Now if you're into bracelets...I found some unique ones from simplyyourjewelry:
silk'n silver wrap with handstamped heart
silk'n silver wrap with hand stamped hearts

Leather 3 X wrap with heart shaped button, custom colors, made to order
a braided leather with sterling beads
Braided leather wrap with sterling silver clasp and engravable tag
and a braided leather wrap in spring colors to boot!
Have a lovely day, hope you have enjoyed these selections.
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...