from weddings to fashion to art, another trend to highlight... watercolor!
so if you have any talent, grab a journal and some paints and get going!
Here's what we're loving: this gift wrap from Dear Hancock:
or these "desk" cards (which one are you? gardener? writer? chef? artist?):
or just for fun:
and local artist Maria Pace:
maybe it's time you find YOUR inner artist!
Oscar Wilde quotes are popping up everywhere... above in greeting card format from J. Falkner. below in birthday card format from a. favorite design:
mara mi has just launched a whole men's & women's product line called oscar wilde wisdoms... here's the men's, a very masculine stationery set of 10 cards with 2 each of 5 assorted Oscar Wilde quotes with pinstripe liners; soy candle in "Old Fashioned" - a swooning mix of Bergamot, Jasmine and Oak Moss. plus awesomely designed matches. of course!
and their women's collection (stationery, notebook, and notepad set):
now if we can all just put this wisdom to good use! maybe some of the new grads have some advice to share?
that's about 2 weeks away... are you ready? come check out our selection of cards... but don't wait til the last minute and then ask for one of the cards you see here... mom deserves better than that....
we're excited to share with you the work of Pie Bird Press... letterpressed cards in color so vivid it almost seems real... (and yes, we said LETTERPRESS - honestly, they're so bright, they seem screen printed, it's an amazing feat! and some of them are 4 and 5 colors!) here's a little sampling:
and here's what Hannah Berman, creator, who studied printmaking at RISD (!), has to say about her company:
Pie Bird Press is a little company with a lot of heart. We do all our printing by hand on antique letterpresses, and take pride in bold, saturated designs that draw from years of flea market hunting and collecting. Our inspiration comes from a love of all things vintage and colorful, and of the good things in life that put a smile on your face: fireworks, glazed donuts, puppies, lunchboxes, and pumpkins on the vine. Our mission is to spread a feeling of nostalgia and cheer to everyone who receives our cards.
isn't that a great name? we think so! meet sara selepouchin, master behind the brand, girls can tell (remember, we told you were going to start doing some vendor spotlights?). she's also happens to be a uva grad from the architectural school... which makes sense with her structural drawings that take apart and dissect the pieces!
girls can tell is a new brand for us, so if you haven't seen her work, here are a few of her pieces (be sure to take note of the Rotunda card... this girl want to UVa, remember!!):
how did you get into what you are doing?
Growing up, I wanted to be an architect, so I took mechanical drawing classes all through school, eventually attending architecture school at the University of Virginia. After working in the field for a few years for several firms, I realized that I needed to use more of my creative brain than I was drawing structural roof details and things, so I began drawing + screenprinting as a hobby, and selling this work online. After a brief stint working for Etsy.com, I finally became one of the self-supporting artists I'd long admired, and took the plunge to be a full time artist in early 2009.
what is the story behind your brand's name?
It's just the name of the album I was listening to most when I began printing as a hobby. (I still think it's a great album, from the band Spoon.)
what is your favorite item from your line?
I love tea towels, and my favorite design really varies from season to season. The beer glassware design is always a favorite, though.
where do you get your inspiration?
Everywhere. I'm always thinking about what could be a good illustration for the line, and I'm constantly on the lookout for new items that would be a great addition and make super gifts.
who is your favorite artist?
Oh, gosh, this is hard. I'm friends with so many talented people, I could never pick just one or two!
tell us something about yourself we wouldn't otherwise know?
We love local craft beer so much that my fiance + I are getting married at a brewery outside of our home city of Philadelphia this November!
what is the best piece of advice you've ever received?
Take all business advice with a grain of salt.
if you weren't making cards, what would you be doing?
Maybe in another life I'd be a cake decorator?
thanks for chatting with us, sara!! she's got a little shop in South Philly, so if you're in the area, stop by (currently by appointment only):
ROY G. BIV is making a comeback in a big, NEON kind of way! color is everywhere this season, the brighter the better! so we decided to craft our latest storefront window around that idea... we started with some colorful fabric from les fabriques:
sewed them in long, single color strips, like a curtain, and threaded them on to some wood dowels to hang at different heights and depths. then we kept thinking about "spring" and how does it relate... so instead of trends, we decided the "forecast" was the right word:
add to each strip of fabric with color-coordinating product...
and voila (ok, admittedly not the best photo.... all the more reason to come see it in person!):
our window is broken out by color, but many of products are just better in the full rainbow:
the new window just makes us happy... from the inside, it casts tons of colorful light:
happy spring, may it include lots of color!
these great cards from Sapling Press make the perfect graduation card (quick! while they're still in stock!):
good luck grads!
'tis the wedding season... here are few of the sweet things we've found of late!
printed ribbon:
missed a birthday or anniversary? make up for it (or just plain get ahead) with these little "IOU" gifts:
stamp it with love:
just married flags:
these wood bunting signs from our friends at figs & ginger are avaible in "LOVE", "SAVE THE DATE", "BRIDE & GROOM" and "JUST MARRIED"!
but in the end, all you need is love!
we can't speak highly enough of our latest find... 1canoe2 letterpress! check out these 5x7 art prints by state, perfect for framing and gifting! think newlyweds, housewarming... or just because! here are a few of our faves:
more states are available, so let us know if you have a particular request!! what's your state?
there's so much more we want to show you from these creative ladies, but we want to take it one step at a time!
at rock paper scissors, we have lots of small items that can easily get lost in the sea of bigger (not necessarily better) things... so we wanted to showcase them for you... little teeny tiny clips and push pins and note pads and balls of string, you could decorate a doll's house with them (or, say, a desk!).
how fun is this "evolution" eraser - man on 1 side, caveman on the other:
to hang items (ok, SMALL items!):
push pins for the office:
you know what they say about good things coming in small packages!
