Workers, Not Players!!

This past Saturday began the start of a new adventure with a good group of friends & fellow artists/ designers. Together we have joined creative forces, as a collective, and turned nearly 2,000sq.ft. of rented warehouse space into our own shared studio space!! Thanks to foreman, Brad Smith of Bradford Woodworking (also father to Adam Smith, one of the artists), we were able to complete nearly all of the dirty work in one day! Thank you Mr. Brad (pictured above)for all the hard work & help.

pictured above (below text): the beginning (notice that's me on the chop saw way in the background!!), the strong woman, the progress, and the end. Then, boys celebrating Earth Day by cleaning up the filthy perimeter of the Viking Mill!

a special thanks to Ryan Jahn for the photography!

Speaking to My Soul!

These are the works of talented Georgia artist, Cedric Smith. When I used to live in my beloved Savannah, Ga. I knew Cedric as a customer of @home, but I didn't know of his talents until very recently, thanks to my friend Kirsten who shared her own discovery of his artwork in South Magazine last month. There is so much about Cedric's creations that speak to me. Since about the age of five I have been what is best referred to as an "afrophile", much like an anglophile is captivated by the English culture, I have always been so fond of the African American culture & history. In fact I am convinced that in a past life I was an old southern African American woman, like a Janie Crawford of Their Eyes Were Watching God, I can see it now. So, I suppose this is why Cedric's work makes my heart leap so! Originally I was really taken with his photographs of antique photos in idyllic southern settings, and now I am even more in love with his paintings. Their is such a clear juxtaposition with the sweet southern charm and then the grit of the actual truth to these wishful advertisements from the past. What if these ads actually existed back in the day, I certainly do think that the world would have been a more beautiful place if so.

*images above were found on CedricSmith.com, except for the Back in the Day Cupcake sign which was created for my all time favorite bakery and dear baker friends, Cheryl & Griff Day. Find Cheryl's own story on Cedric here.

I Find This So Very Interesting:

Above: Original artwork by Lauri Faggioni
Below: images from recent Anthropologie catalog




I know I am a bit late on this topic, but have you seen the latest Anthropologie catalog?
Well, in the past few weeks I have read over and over again how impressed the world is with the creative direction of this infamous catalog, with its fabric walls, windows, paintings and all. I have to admit, I too would be impressed if I hadn't already seen almost the exact same production almost one year ago created by one of my very favorite fiber artists and production designer, Lauri Faggioni. Faggioni is most well known for her works in Michel Gondry's popular film, The Science of Sleep & the music video she created for Devendra Banhart. I just hate to think that somebody out there is getting so much credit for something that obviously wasn't their own idea, that is unless Lauri Fagionni herself is now working for Anthropologie, which I highly doubt she is! It makes me so happy that I tore out this article about Lauri, and if you don't already know about her- please delve into her work, she is incredible & I love to watch her short extra on the Science of Sleep DVD- it makes me so happy & it reinvigorates my creative soul when it begins to get a little bogged down by this sometimes unjust world ( I think I may need a dose of it after this post!!).

*be sure to click away on all of the highlighted links above and for even more info on Lauri Faggioni, click here.

**Also be sure to read the comments below- for there is updated info. hidden there!!