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

 

A poem I liked

Here is a poem my mom gave me over the weekend that I thought you might enjoy. It is about something very simple, and simply expressed, but It made me think.

When I was a kid, my mom would come and wake me up at about 3 in the morning to go look at the stars. I would wake up and think she was nuts. But out I would go. Now, I am so glad she made me look. The sky has changed because of us, and it is not as dark at night, and you can't see as many, anymore. But I remember how it used to look, and I'm happy to be one of the people who was able to see that.

More about Robert Francis - and links to more poems and books  - here

Working to get calendars out to the printer today... and press releases sent for the winter. More news on new designs to come. I'm very happy to see that the little snippet I posted on facebook got some nice comments and likes. I've been working really hard, so that feels good.

 

QUOTATION MARK

Charles Bukowski

Head On

The other day, as is our holiday tradition, Kurt and I went over to check out the holilday windows at Bergdorf's. Recently, Assouline published a book of all of the Bergdorf's windows...and I can honestly say, it's one of the things in this world that I WANT. I love the style and sense of humor of good window design, and I can just see being so inspired by the Bergdorf windows of bygone days.

Anyway, the reason I'm writing this is because, looking at the cover of the book, displayed in a vignette window, that evening, prompted me to issue a plea, nay, an ARGUEMENT, that top hats for women should experience a renaissence. Actually, let me modifiy that.

EVERYONE NEEDS A TOP HAT.

Ok, ok.
Hats here.
Ridiculous Tease...what? NO "look inside this book"??? Too good for you, Assouline? C'mon....here
This Year's Windows here

My favorite books for creative entrepreneurs (so far.)

Won't you come with me to the magical and slightly embarrassing land of self help? C'mon. Don't be afraid.

As a break from the usual holiday fare of gift guides and wish-lists, I'm going to offer up a little list I've been meaning to post for a while. I was spurred into action by this post which I found really thought provoking on so many levels. I started thinking about my own inspirations, and how hard it is to get started (or keep going) as a creative.

Anyway, these are my favorite books from over the past 35 years-- the ones I think of most often, and sometimes even refer back to. Many of them have changed my mindset, helped me protect my sense of self, and helped me as a creative entrepreneur.

The rest of this post continues after the break. Some of these books have cheesy covers. But they all have great ideas. Promise.

Great Nice Weird Ugly

When I got my first junior junior design job, the principal of the studio gave me the book Make It Bigger  by Paula Scher.

I think the phrase "Make it Bigger" is probably one of my favorites. I saw Paula Scher speak in Boston, and her talk centered on that idea. For designers, it's a phrase that often comes across from the client's side of the table...as in, make our logo bigger, so there is a double entendre since much of Scher's work is about scale and changing what we're capable of visually accepting...always a thought I liked a lot.

I came across the book again about a week ago and looked through it. At the end, I found the excerpt up here. I have paraphrased so that it's a bit more generalized but this is the essence. Push it! Then push it again!

PRETTY PLEASING { LULA MAGAZINE }

I just had to stop and admire such pretty, simple layouts in Lula magazine... I really love the stripey series of covers, and the models standing out on the pale gray background... Such a lithe and fun mood... perfect for spring.

Find out more from Lula magazine here

Gems { Charismatic Women }

Good morning!

This is paraphrased from a New Yorker article I read last night. The idea and the way it's expressed stood out for me. I thought you might enjoy it too.

Anyway, the article is about the artist Marina Abramovic, and was written by Judith Thurman.

I find this idea very interesting, not to mention a lot of fun. My Mom and I always had a saying "A pretty woman is an accident, a beautiful woman is a creation all her own." So, this reminded me. It's nice to see someone else making this observation.

Slideshow of Abramovic's Work Here-

Judith Thurman's Writing and Bio- there are many articles on topics from Cleopatra to Earhardt to Scrabble.

also, a MoMA show, entitled The Artist is Present
is on the way, beginning March 10th.

BON WEEKEND! { escapes }

Hi My Loves...Things have been getting hectic around here, lately, and it's easy to let my own inner anxieties get the best of me. These vintage scarf buttons by Pamela Barsky (available at Greer Chicago) remind me that looking up from one's work can be a good thing that leads to even better things.

And, I hope you like the little collage I made up here... Each one of these pins reminds me of a little world. And I never think about little worlds without thinking of Little Princes.

Vintage Scarf Buttons Here + Here + Here
A wonderful escape Here

Enjoy! xx S

TEAMS { john & yoko, wary meyers }

Hi All.

An early, early post today (it's only 8:30 AM yaaaaawn). But some important news. Wary Meyers has a blog! And, it seems, a Tossed and Found book! So, there's no need to read my blog anymore, because you can just go there, instead. Ha, only kidding. I would love it if you came here on your way there. Thanks for reading and see you on the flip side.

So. I've been a fan of Wary Meyers since I first saw their scripty remade dresser in Time Out NY (which I blogged about way back here in 2007 or so) and it's great to be able to read more about what theY're up to. As someone who grew up in New England in the 70s and 80s, I have an affinity for types of items and melange of decor influences that they celebrate. They seem like things my parents would have had in our chilly old New England house. Right down to the retro posters, yarny rugs, old backpacks, weatherworn anoraks and sailing gear. So, I'm not going to say too much more about it, because you can go and check it out for yourselves. Oh, there's also a book-related interview with them on Design Sponge this week right here.

Anyway, onto the Wedding Album cover and why that is up there too. One of my favorite fashion periods are the years of John and Yoko's partnership. I have always enjoyed their white suits, frazzy hair, and separatist style. The white on white bookshelf at Wary Meyers brought their Wedding Album to mind...and lots of their other early marriage and family photos. So I added that to the mix. More of those iconic years can be seen at this great site. Same decade. Similar energy.

Enjoy the weekend, everyone! Thanks for stopping by. I really hope this made sense. xx s