Crochet Artist ~ Jung-jung

While browsing Pinterest the other day, I came upon this delicate crochet work created by Japanese artist, Jung-jung. Jung-jung's work is just beautiful ~ intricately crafted in gorgeous subtle hues. I wonder if she hand dyes her threads as the colors are so unusual and muted? Gives one a new appreciation of the root and cruciferous vegetable!



I'm not sure if the graphic above is a pattern, but whether or not it is, it is a beautiful graphic anyway. All images shown are from here.

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Decoylab ~ Maiko Kuzunishi

{image from decoylab}

This past Saturday I braved the 100 degree temperatures and checked out Ric Rac Roundup ~ a local craft show here in Kansas City. As I was looking for a small gift, I happened upon Maiko Kuzunishi's booth of modern, hand crafted goodies & designs, named Decoylab. I am familiar with Decoylab as I have seen the work on countless blogs and on Etsy ~ one of my favorite pieces is the clock above ~ isn't it lovely? Last week, there was an article about Decoylab in the KCStar ~ you can read it here.

Maiko is such a talented designer! In addition to the products she designs for Decoylab, she designs her packaging and displays as well. Check out her portfolio and blog for more of her wonderful work.

Here are two brooches I bought ~ while I set out to buy a gift, of course I couldn't resist and ended up buying one for myself as well! I love the simplicity of the stamped logo on her chipboard cards. Her business card is also quite lovely ~ a letterpressed cream colored round printed with her signature logo on front, more info in metallic silver ink on back.

Below, a new product ~ coasters of several colors of felt, recycled leather and bamboo (I think) ~ beautifully packaged. These would make a great gift as well ~ sounds like she will have these for sale online pretty soon ~ she told me she had just finished them up for this show. Wouldn't you love a set of these?!

{cream and pink felt coasters ~ images from here}

After such a hot shopping experience, I cooled off with my first fresher than fresh snow cone ~ Blueberry Lavender ~ a great way to end my shopping day! I can't wait to try some of their other flavors ~ green tea pear, watermelon basil or lime mint ~ it's a hot summer, so I'm sure to have many more opportunities.

{image from here}

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American Folk Art Museum ~ Part 3

Eugene Von Bruenchenhein: “Freelance Artist—Poet and Sculptor—Innovator—Arrow maker and Plant man—Bone artifacts constructor—Photographer and Architect—Philosopher” is the title of the special exhibit on display at the American Folk Art Museum until October. Quite the mouthful ~ both his name and description of his work!

I wish I had been able to get a photograph of the main display wall of Eugene's photography ~ there were probably about 15-20 photographs, mostly of his wife in various poses and lush backdrops, displayed in a long horizontal line on a wide expanse of vintage wallpaper. The image above shows a similar display only the work is ballpoint pen on scrap paper. I got a few photos before finding out that photography was not allowed in this exhibit - whoops!

These ballpoint drawings were the work I liked best ~ there were many pieces displayed on the walls, but there was also an entire book of drawings adhered to the pages of an old wallpaper book.

Below are a few samples of some of Eugene's photography and ceramic work taken from the American Folk Art Museum's site ~ visit here to read more about the artist and view more of his work. The big leafy patterns and florals seem to work their way into many of his pieces ~ it is interesting to see how it translates across the mediums.

{images above from here}

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Delectable Paintings ~ Shawn Kenney

A couple of weeks ago my RISDxyz arrived ~ that is, my Rhode Island School of Design alumni magazine ~ a new format and design. Food was the theme and one of the artists featured is painter Shawn Kenney ~ an illustration major and 1993 graduate.

Wow! Shawn's paintings are so beautiful, I just had to share. I am especially enamored with his seemingly effortless brushwork and his gorgeous use of color. Whether the subject is a fancy mini cake, a humble box of blueberries or jar of Fluff, the end result is simply delectable! Visit here to see more of his work.

{all images via Shawn Kenney}

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Snail's Pace

How is everyone out there dealing with this heat? As I am in the midwest, I realize it isn't as hot and muggy as it is on the east coast, but even so, it is hot enough to suck most of my energy away ~ I feel like I am moving at a snail's pace! If only there was an ocean nearby! Hot and humid makes me lethargic ~ wouldn't it be nice to just be able to languish in a spiderweb hammock until a cool breeze came along?!

Lovely watercolors shown were painted by Victorian artist, Amelia Jane Murray Lady Oswald (1800-1896) ~ you can read more about her here and see some more of her work here and here.

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Beautiful Beaded Beads

Speaking of treats, a few weeks ago I treated myself to not one, but two pairs of impeccably made beaded bead earrings from tqbdesigns. Lisa Gastelum is the artist/designer who makes these beautiful pieces ~ each bead is woven by hand using a traditional gourd stitch ~ many of the metal components are handcrafted as well. Lisa has a large selection of unique styles and colors to choose from ~ the hard part is making a choice! Visit her website and her blog to see more of her work or treat yourself to something special at her etsy store.

Below are a few more examples of Lisa's work ~ these are even more beautiful in person! All images shown are from tqbdesigns ~ beautiful photography as well!

{pendant necklaces}

{lovely linked bracelet}

{next on my wish list!}

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