heysusy

LADYLIKE {myra callan}

Seeing these beautiful headbands, corsages, and adornments by the talented geologist/designer Myra Callan (neé Kim) of Twigs + Honey makes me want to quit paper goods and head straight for the wedding industry.

This was a seriously difficult post to put together because everything in Myra's etsy shop is exquisite. I liked going through her reserved orders and sold items and imagining what she is like to work with. Her pieces are so lovingly built and color-conscious that I can imagine it would be a great experience for the bride-to-be. Personally-- I am completely smitten by the Guinea hen feather accents. Such a great, woodsy and earthy touch...

At any rate, all of her work is excellent and inspiring. Although I am not a bride, and probably will never have a wedding, just looking at these makes me *almost* rethink that... Anyone need a bridesmaid?

Myra's blog
Twigs + Honey Shop (custom items)
Pebbles + Paisley (ready-to-wear collection)
Twigs+ Honey Website

PAIRS {mike and chris, subversive jewelry}

Something about these 2 images together just spoke to me. Color. Shape. Style. Mmmmm.

Jacket > Mike and Chris (at Netaporter)
Necklace > Subversive Jewelry (at Auto)

STUDIO DAY {inspirations}

Just spending today in the studio...filling orders, making pencil cups and in general, playing around with my collection of Obscure Office Supplies. So, I thought I might put this sketch from this morning up-- I'm not completely happy with it, but I do think it's kind of a fun idea. I'm thinking I'd like to go even further with it...illustration-wise-- and maybe where the negative space that makes the hole in the pen nib is, put some sort of decoaration...or, play a bit more with the type to make it feel more signature. But, I thought this was fun.

FREE TO BE {giveaway at green your decor}

Good morning! There is not much to say today other than the good news that Jennae over at GREEN YOUR DECOR and I have collaborated to do a giveaway of 2 of my 10" Iris wall panels!

Jennae's blog offers lots of great ways to liven up your space with eco-friendly products. She's a thoughtful writer, with lots of ideas and strong convictions. She does her homework, incorporating a 'why it's green' bullet list for each product that she features.

It's fun to feature trends and products on this blog...but, lately, more and more I am asking myself 'where does this stuff come from???' and if it's not handmade, recycled or from a source who is candid about their materials, frankly, I'm having trouble finding a reason to post it, other than just for the eye candy factor.

Yes...there's lots of cute stuff out there. And it would be nice to have it all. But, what's the other side-- where is this stuff made? By whom? What quality of life does making/owning this stuff yield? And is there an alternative? What am I putting back into the world by purchasing it...supporting it...owning it?

A business thought-- earlier this year as I planned for NSS, I was weighing the budget. After seeing the pricing for Eco Friendly / Recycled materials versus The Usual, I nearly choked. But, I'm so glad I stayed with my convictions. Now, not only can I present product with utmost confidence, I can give my retailers a better story, and a product with heart to pass along to their customers. It was worth it. Anyway--- doing that in my OWN business has made me seek out products made the same way, and actually, be resistant to buying ones that are thoughtlessly made.

Frankly, if thought is put into it, it IS possible to create things that are reasonably priced, and relatively harmless-- but that's the thing....you have to take the time.

FOP ON POP {victorian detail with mod edge}

I know... I know... a few weeks ago I was totally anti-ruffle. But, this weekend, we bought a new TV and to test it out, we watched The Kids Are Alright Rockumentary, which I found to be alternately inspiring (Keith Moon's fab fashion sense...using the Union Jack as my new duvet cover) and terrifying (Roger Daltrey in a Cap-Sleeve Babydoll Tee).

I adore 1960's post-mod pre-psychadelic pop flavor. And I'm a big classic rock dork. Hopefully some of the items I've put up here seem to make that not just okay, but maybe... actually... a good thing. I'm really liking the masculine/feminine mishmosh of ruffled necks with severe jackets, high, buttoned boots and soft colors with abrupt and stark blacks.

It's an imperfect, wild, rakish beauty that it requires more confidence and character than model-ish good looks to pull off. Hooray for that.

One thing I have been thinking is that if I adopt any of this to suit my fall wardrobe, I certainly won't be overdoing it. Proportion on the jewelry (love the statement of this minimalist wood and shell cocktail ring) makes up for the extravagance of the cloth.

Ok here goes:
Top Photo and Scrapbook Vignette by the talented Anahata Kitkin
Boots (ohhh god): Sigerson Morrison
Felted Collars: (these are just incredible!) on etsy at Rudman
Ring (mentioned above): Isharya
Black Coat by Jil Sander ( I Like this big collar's silhouette)
Velvet Jacket by Balmain (great, upright style)
Crepe Blouse (great color) by Stella McCartney

Sigh. Salvation Army, here I come. Again. With hope in my heart as usual.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN {love letters}

Good Lord.

VANS
TOM'S
F+M

Happy Weekend Everybody! May all your dreams come true.

**ok, a little update to this post. i have made contact with one of these companies. up to you to guess which one, but we will see what happens.**

SMOKE AND MIRRORS {photographer sabine pigalle}

It's always nice to see photos of pretty ladies in beautiful clothing. But, what I like even more about these photos by Paris native Sabine Pigalle is the attention to detail, light, and the quality within the items she's photographing. Her portfolio is full of images which showcase her virtuosity not only in fashion, but also in beauty, still life and concept.

There's a kind of cool, distant edge to even the most soft and sensual fabrics, which I really enjoy. Her use of light is just superb, and each material, color and texture is used for all it's worth.

My personal favorite work of hers is the shots she did for the Royal College of Art in London. I love the historic and artistic feel in the shots-- especially that profile portrait up there. An evocative and perfect mix of model, color, wardrobe.

IT'S ALL RIGHT {illustrator sandra suy}

I really don't have much to add about this post today other than "Oh....Yeah."

Wait! That's not true! I do...of course I do! Anyway--  I stumbled upon this incredible body of work by Barcelona illustratress ((warning, this link goes to a MySpace Page>>)  Sandra Suy, and just had to put it here.

I've actually been looking for an illustrator to feature for about a week or so, and something funny keeps happening...I see illustrations in thumbnail form that look good, and then when I click to go close up, I realize that the person drawing has a great sense of composition, and can do a certain style, but has NO FREAKING IDEA how to draw a good face. It's frustrating to see.

Well, that's obviously not the problem with our Sandra. She hits every detail on the mark. I really want to draw attention to how well she manages to use her media to describe what is going on with the surfaces of the clothing. She's got a really light touch-- but somehow, the definition is really there.

Also, I just adore her sketchlike quality-- and the blocky idea in the second one down (blue dress) looks like it's a little inspired by Ammi Phillips, an American Folk artist whose visionary, eerie, and magical work will be on show at the Americal Folk Art Museum this October (I'm going to look for lots of people getting influenced by that-- because he did do breathtaking work with shape and the figure!)

Oh, and she can do men, too. That is rare indeed!

POEMS {heroines and luxuries}

Birthdays are a reflective time for me, so I think that's what's inspiring this post. I've never been the type to make a big deal that I'm getting another year older, and I really don't like a fuss being made over a day that to me, seems sort of frivolous...so, this birthday weekend was spent with family, enjoying good food, and just reflecting on the past year and hopefully, good things to come in the next one.

Maybe that's why I seem to be veering off my usual track of bright, bold colors and shapes into a sort of fascination for more neutral, soft, delicate and quiet ideas. But, lately, I'm feeling like I want to get out with my sketchpad, notebook and pencil and write, draw...collect images...collage.

Some of these items seemed particularly inspiring to me-- in their simplicity and also in their poetry. I like the old-world feel of each of these items...but they also remind me of an early Patti Smith / Horses vibe. I love her rough poetry, and uncompromising sense of herself. When I get too absorbed in trying to be something I'm not, I often look to artists like her.

Tree Branch Purse at Red Ruby Rose
Cream and Roses Necklace at Raquel Castillo (love her long earrings, too)
Fall 08 Collection by Built By Wendy (full of earthy, romantic looks. Wow.)
Bird Collages by Geninne
Custom Engraved River Rocks (in letters or shapes) by Letterfest make a thoughtful and grounding gift.
The enchanting artwork of Iris Schwartz ... This angel on a bicycle brought inspiration.

Below...More BBW, One of my favorite Patti photos (love the live birds and fierce face) and a couple more Iris Schwartz works from the Paulette Edition for good measure.
Enjoy!

 

HEY JUPITER {agate, cobalt, burgundy swirl}

I was looking around Etsy yesterday and came across Leanimal. As with many great etsy sellers, she remained hidden to me until yesterday-- maybe waiting for the right time to emerge from the staggering amount of sellers... Actually I think I found her while looking through one of my favorite seller's favorites.

Then this morning, I see a little newsflash from Rachel Dooley at Gemma Redux...and immediately went to look at her fall line. The two just seemed to go so well together. I love the untamed looks that each of these designers lets play in their work. The finished product is at once wild...but refined. Fierce!

Naturally, I can't look at dresses and jewelry without adding in a little footwear...and I thought these and these were fun to look at. And, I love the cool fall tones and interesting use of material to make these subtle and minimal textured rings.

Anyway-- that's what's coloring my thoughts today. I'm ready for fall. Ready for cooler air, smoky leaves, wild branches and dark, dramatic sky. To all who visited heysusy* this week, thank you so much! I'm thrilled that people like the blog as much as I enjoy writing it. Actually, it's my birthday on Monday, so I'll be away for the a long weekend, and back next week on Tuesday. Have a wonderful weekend, all. xx sus