heysusy

Moving Day!

Well, the day has finally come when I can show you what I've been working on over the summer, and into the fall. My new Susy Jack* website is now live, and starting with my next post, I will have a new home for my blogging, also.

Starting on Monday, I'll be posting over here at my new blog, exclusively. I'm thrilled to finally have my blog, shop, and studio in one venue. I hope you'll come and visit me often... I'll be posting more of my own work in style, pattern design, product design, and lifestyle, and of course, waxing poetic on paper clips and top hats, now and then.

See you on the flip side...

Can't wait.  xo! S

 

Lucky You Lucky Me! { Hello!Lucky Holiday Giveaway }

I know, I know. "What??? Two giveaways in a month?" But, I tell you, it's true.

This summer, I was lucky (pardon pun) enough to be one of several great artists to create a collection of customizable holiday photo cards with Hello!Lucky. The designs launched a short while ago, on their newly redesigned website.

There are seven styles to pick from - each one is fully customizable with photos, message, font and font color, and there are four panel accordion and two-sided flat formats.

So, to celebrate the launch of the H!L Holiday Shop, we're offering a giveaway of a $100 gift certificate to spend at Hello!Lucky - to enter just leave a comment below!

ps. If you like the Confetti card, stop in at  How About Orange to download matching printable gift tags!
pps. to read more about the inspiration behind the designs, visit the Hello!Lucky Blog!

ppps. we'll close the contest on Saturday M
 

A winner will be selected on Saturday morning!

To Heaven in a Handbasket

A line I've always liked for it's color choices has expanded. Serena and Lilly started with baby bedding and now...well...I think the garage may be the only area of the home they aren't extending into. Unless you need a Moroccan pouf or two as decor for your garage. And hey, who doesn't, really.

My personal favorite product of theirs are their Senegalese baskets. These are lovely for so many reasons -- fair trade, made of recycled plastic -- and sold in sets OR singles for storage. But, I think my favorite thing about them is the way they use color in a new and innovative way. The classic shape and construction of the basket is brought to a new place with colors that *almost* fight with one another...and contrast in a really interesting way. These have an edgier feel than the rest of their line, and I also like them for that reason.

See all the varieties here

Showbound! { National Stationery Show 2011 }

 

 

Well, it's that time again...

I have participated in the National Stationery Show for three years now, and this will be my fourth. I am so excited to debut my newest collection, Near and Far, and my trio of 2012 calendars. It's been amazing to see things really come together over the past couple of weeks, as the finishing touches are added, one by one.

Up above, images of the catalogs (Ignore the puffy hand. It's hot in here today and my knuckles are livin' large!)

Lastly, a picture of a special packaging design touch on the reverse of my new boxed notes - inspired by a conversation thread on Twitter about the changing relevance of the handwritten note in today's busy world. It was my opinion that the handwritten note is actually more relevant than ever because it is exceedingly rare, and that makes it more meaningful, and more of a style statement. Your thoughts?

I hope to share more images as the show progresses. I am heading over today to begin preparation on our booth.

Photo Styling Inspiration

I fell in love with these images yesterday... They are by Roost, which is a lifestyle/home decor line with a large product span - I am pretty sure the foray into jewelry and accessories is new for them.

I always enjoy seeing thier products and the chance to pop into their showrooms. I really love the way that these simple shots use tone on tone textures and contrast to create such an eyecatching, yet simple product montage.

Image via Orange and Pear
Roost website here

Bucket List

First of all, a big thank you for making yesterday's Help for Japan event a big success - details to come!

Now, I don't often do a direct product plug here on my blog, because, frankly, I just don't buy that much stuff. I am very, very picky. But, today, I'm going to shamelessly plug these bins up here. Yesterday, I stopped in at The Container Store and bought the smaller one of these to hold my ever-accumulating stacks of magazines.

What I love about this item? 

• industrial meets handmade/sculptural look - perfect for my decor style
• durable enough to hold lots of stuff without losing shape
• indoor/outdoor use
• made of recycled tires,
• ridges in the tires actually make a subtle contour texture on the surface
• look more expensive than they are

One quick bit of advice - I would head to the store to pick one up, because the designs are all unique. I chose one where the texture of the tire was kind of curving around the outside, to make a cool design.

Round bins: here
Oblong  basket: here

Good Shape

I think these guitars and these boots would have a really good time together.
And that this post needs to be centered.

Here and Here

GENTLE ILLUSIONS

 

Impuslive me: I WANT ALL OF THESE

Logical me: The thing I love about this work by Studio Fludd is that it's so considered. The color-blocked style that is so hip right now usually looks either flat, or like Candyland. I really like the way they are using the colors to create gentle illusions.

Above, Magnets, pins, and pendants. I also love their lines of paper garlands. Lovely.

And if you are feeling either implusive or rational, I recommend the following:

Take a look at their shop
And stop by their blog, for tons of excellent shots of the process and designs.

DAILY CRAVE { sharp pencils }

Etsy makes what Kate Spade takes! These are so cool!

Snatch up the NYC set (my fave) and check out the rest... Right HERE!

{Daily Crave } Creative Blocks

They often say a small child is happier pushing a chair across a room than playing with a complicated, computerized toy. Do you think that rings true?

I was reading a book over the weekend called "Hamlet's Blackberry" about how over-connected we all are becoming, in terms of technology. While our technologies are indeed useful and help us in many ways, they are at times overwhelming...something I have been pondering more and more lately.

The book mentioned that because we all go from task to task so quickly, and are interrupted so often, our experiences can begin to lack "depth"... which I thought was interesting. What is depth?

Well, it's more of a sensual thing, for me... feeling, smelling, touching, hearing, noticing... tasting... looking. But also learning. Help me to be more present in the moment. I spent the holiday up at the lake, disconnected --- but REconnected.

These are handmade blocks made of everyday woods...and I liked the idea that a child can learn so much, on so many levels, through this simple toy.

Found HERE