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Friday Favorite: Art & Photos by Marc Loret
I can’t remember how I came across Marc Loret, but I was immediately attracted to his photography. Let’s take a peek.
Marco lives and works in France where he pursues his two passions: photography and nature. Many of his photos are of the natural world. He sells his work at his Etsy shop. Standard size prints are 6″ x 6″ and sell for $9.00. You can order larger prints as well.
I suggest buying several and grouping them. Buy three – one in a larger size and two in the same. Mat and frame them and you’ve got a lovely wall.
When Marc isn’t taking photos, he’s creating his own illustrations on vintage books.
You can find these at his other Etsy shop. Most prints sell for about $10.50.
Creative Gifts Using Moo Cards
Have you discovered Moo Cards? I use them as business cards – everyone asks where I got them. They’re inexpensive and, best of all, you can upload your own images. Order 100 cards and each one can be different, or all the same. There are so many creative uses for them and here’s one I especially admire.
Artist, Luisa Vidal makes bookmarks and magnets which she sells at her Etsy Shop, Fashion Fuschia. Cute!
She also makes note cards and buttons featuring her very appealing illustrations. I thought you’d enjoy this little peek at her work.
A Look at Paul Scott’s Work
Paul Scott is a freelance artist of the supreme sort. He uses vintage ceramic motifs and book illustrations to create ceramics artwork that I drool over. Did I mention that I love his work?
He recently updated his blog with more images, like this plate, from a recent show at Rörstrand, entitled Cumbrian Blues.
I love those cut-outs. I need that platter! And I’m tapping my toes with impatience. When will someone sign him up to create an entire set of china? Christmas is just around the corner, after all.
I love the way that Paul puts a modern twist with these traditional forms. And I like the way he’s moved beyond the expected china to create his cut-outs. Having said that, I still think he needs his own line of china. Don’t you?
Perhaps Paul is more interested in tempting us with single designs. I’ll have to ask him and let you know. In the meantime, scoot on over to his blog and enjoy the eye candy. Sigh.
This just in! Paul says Rörstrand has expressed interest in a line of limited edition pieces. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this moves froward. Aren’t you?
Poppytalk Handmade Marketplace opens
Each Tuesday I try my best to focus on handmade goods for the home. So it was perfect timing that today Poppytalk Handmade opened their Marketplace. 
This is the place to go for everything handmade, with a few vintage things thrown in. Affordable art, accessories, furniture, and photography are just a few of the categories to choose from.
As an interior designer, this shop is a very welcome and much-needed addition to my resource list. My clients who want me to style their home are typically looking for that one-of-a-kind item, that something no one else has. If I can find it at a good price it’s even more valuable.
Collecting: Folkart and Vintage Toys
The Hollands have spent many a year collecting their ecclectic mix of folkart, fine art as well as vintage and not so vintage toys. They were kind enough to send me some photos of just a few rooms of their Baltimore apartment where the collection resides. Let’s take a peek.
An antique medicine cabinet has become the home of a wide variety of Star Wars figurines, and other toys from decades gone by.
Here’s a close-up looks at just some of the residents. I like Pebbles and Felix.
Here’s a view (without the window) of one wall in a little study. Not such a great photo, but you get the idea of how well a mix of folkart can be displayed. It looks higgeldy piggeldy, but somehow it works.
I love this rather artistic shot. The mirror reflects the art on the opposite wall. Not an inch to spare.
Should I say it again? Somehow it works. I would rearrange a bit, but once you get started, you just can’t stop. That Hot Tamale Train is passing through.
Finally, the Hollands (Annie is the big collector of the two) say “thank you” with a little star below yet another shelf of miniature collectibles.
Do you have a collection to show the world? Send your photos my way via the “contact” link. What do you think of this collection? I don’t want to think about dusting it. But it’s a lot of fun to look at.
Trend alert! Letter Writing from Linda & Harriet
Remember the good old days when we used to get actual letters in the mail? I remember so well the hand-written letters on personal stationary that were packed with news. Linda & Harriet may bring the art of letter writing back into style. Their note cards certainly have lots of it – style that is.
Their note cards are sold in sets of 6 and sell for $14.00 each.
Either one of the above styles would be perfect to send a farewell letter to Sarah Palin.
You can have the gals print your name on some of their styles. Initials are le must here in Grosse Pointe (speaking as Tucky)
If you’re from Maine, like many of my relatives, a lobster is always welcome. By the way, did you know that lobsters were so abundant back in the dark ages, that only poor people ate them? Go figure.
So scoot over to Linda and Harriet and check out their beautiful designs. They make the flowers I wrote about yesterday.
On a slightly more serious note, I do miss getting letters. Why don’t we all start a new trend and send our best friends a letter? Include a little photo, or a pressed flower from the garden. Don’t know what to say? Leave me the recipient’s name and the general topic in the comments and I’ll reply wtih a Jennifer-generated note. (No one will ever know).
Final note: If you’re not a letter writer, these notes would make great artwork.
Friday Favorite: Caleb Siemon
I just bought this bowl, handmade by Caleb Siemon, for a front hall table. It will share the space with some Jonathan Adler couture ceramics.
I adore Caleb Siemon’s work. The way the light plays with the bands of color. This is his closed bowl style. It comes in 2 sizes and retails for around $650.
Caleb makes lots of different styles and colors. You know me, I love saturated color.
These are a couple of examples of his lighting products. Aren’t they cool? I adore the pendant on the right. It’s Lighting Love as far as I’m concerned.
If you’d like to learn more about Caleb’s work, visit his site here. To buy his products, check his site for store locations.
Which do you like better, the chunky pendant or the striped?
Chair of the day: Jimmie Martin
I could kick myself when I see things like this. I’m reminded of the time I refused a grimy, old Victorian settee. I couldn’t see past its Victorianess. Fortunately, my creative mind was opened after a trip to Tibet.
I’m lying about the trip to Tibet – never been there. Let’s just say good things come along if you hang around long enough.
Anyway, this chair is the work of UK designer, Jimmie Martin. You can read all about himand see more styles at Urban Lifestyle Decor. Hop on over!
How to make Batik fabrics
Yesterday I wrote a post featuring the beautiful batik designs availalbe at Etsy’s Brilliant Batik shop. Zyhan, the artist who creates these fabrics has generously given me step-by-step instructions so we can all try it ourselves.
Making your own Batiks
Here are my most simple steps for hand painted batik using wax.
1. Choose the most suitable fabric for dyeing. I always use a colorful, high weighted silk and cotton for better penetration of the wax. It can be a bit pricey but the results are brilliant.
2. We need to prepare the fabric for drawing. Pre-wash and ironed it. Then, stretch it onto a frame. You can use a cookie sheet and paper clips or anything else – so long as the fabric is stretched.
3. Draw your design on the fabric using a pencil. Then, use a ‘chanting tool’, filled with hot wax to trace over your drawing. Remember, you are applying wax to cover the area that you want to remain the original color.
4. Chanting’ takes some skill for the beginner. Always keep the wax hot. The ideal mixture for beginners is 30% beeswax to 70% paraffin. The wax line should be as thin as possible for the best result.
5. Next is the dyeing process. First, leave the traced wax to cool completely. Ordinary cold-water dyes are the best for beginners. Start with the lightest color, then darker tones. You may also use fiber reactive dye colors in the process.
6. Removing the wax can be tricky. Patience is the key. Remove it with a mixture of cold water and liquid soap, or use Synthrapol. Take care not to harm the cloth.
7. Wash the finished fabric with cold water and allow it to dry in the air. You now have your batik creation ready to suit your purpose!
Resources
Thanks, ZyHan! There are a number of shops that sell Batik waxes and the drawing pen.
1. Dick Blick
3. Maiwa Supply
Are you ready to give this a try? I’ve made a scarf and can report that it’s not hard to do. It’s fun to do with a group of friends and would make a great project for a party.
Friday Favorite: Handblown glass doorknobs, lighting & vases by Tracy Glover
Providence-based Tracy Glover, is a designer of handblown glass lighting and decorative accessories. Her studio, founded in 1992, produces a variety of lighting, door- and drawer knobs, and vases. I found her collection at ICFF.
Glover studied glass making techniques in Venice and trained formally at RISD. She blows all her own glass in her studio, where a crucible burns 24 hours a day with molten glass for shaping.
Let’s take a peek at her new designs.
Tracy Glover’s Prospect Hill door knobs come in a wide variety of colors and finishes. They take their cue from classic glass Victorian glass knobs. They sell in pairs for $260.00.
Her new wall sconces are new as well. I especially like the blue Susan, which retails for $550.
Tracy also makes handblown vases in a variety of sizes and shapes. Vases are my favorite gift to give.
Finally, here are a few of Tracy’s table lamps. Which one do you like best?
Tracy’s work is available via her online shop. She discounts to the trade and her things are sold in a variety of shops. To find out more, visit her site by following this link.
Friday Favorite: Gretchen Langner’s fabrics & bags
Fine artist, Gretchen Langner’s life is a “tapestry of art and movement.” Her paintings hang in both public and private collections. She has recently been inspired to delve into the world of fabrics for interior design. Her online shop sells fabrics as well as cute tote bags and note cards featuring images of her artwork.
All of Gretchen’s patterns, like Bud, are large in scale. I love this trend. Make it big!
Double Dot is intended to coordinate with Gretchen’s other designs. She makes a single dot, too.
Gretchen’s Spiral comes in eight colorways. Each design is shown on furniture, so you can determine the scale.
I like this one best. Flower, like all her prints, is hand-screened.
Her bags come in two sizes. Medium bags are $80. Large are $90.
You can buy Gretchen Langner’s designs printed on four different fabrics including cotton/linen and sailcloth. The fabrics sell for $89 per yard and there is a ten yard minimum. That’s a rather large minimum order, in my opinion. She needs to add a swatch option, too.
As I said, I love the large-scale prints I’m seeing. How about you? Do you like the big stuff?
How to hang art in a grouping
Abstract, rambling art groupings are all the rage. Everyone who’s anyone has one! Except me, so I’d better get started. How do you create one of your own? Here is some inspiration followed by some tips to get you started.
Large in the middle, getting smaller at the ends. This is a nice mix of frame colors, art and photos.
A more formal grouping, yet still a-ramble is created by using the same color frame with white mats. Love that wall color. The grouping starts with one large piece in the center.
I like how the white mats play off the white wall across from the hall. The wide, rectangular shape accentuates the length of the hall.
This is a very well done mash-up. The two white rectangles balance the grouping.
Here I’ve created my own grouping. It’s one that’s easy to create if you’re feeling a bit intimidated. I have to admit that I was not born with this skill and I envy those who know just how to throw things on the wall and make it look great.
How to create an art grouping the easy Design Hole way
1. Start with your largest piece and place it at the center of the wall.
2. Work around the first piece in a circular fashion with smaller elements to create a rectangle or square.
3. It’s okay to work outside the lines of the rectangle. This makes it easier to add to your grouping as you find new things.
4. Consider mixing objects with art. Suggestions: letters, mirrors, a corbel with an interesting object resting on top.
5. Don’t get obsessed with frame color. You can mix it all up. Try to aim for some balance so that one frame color isn’t all lumped together.
6. Test your grouping on the floor and take photos as you move things around. This way you can return to a previous arrangement without having to rely on your memory.
7. If you’re like me and feel skittish when it comes to this sort of thing, you can cut out newspaper the size of your art and hang those on the wall first.