Francoise Hardy (this is the soundtrack in my head today)

ONTWERPDUO Garden of Eden

Here is a look at a current creation called “Garden of Eden.” I thought it went perfectly well with my last post on “bird lamps.” Garden of Eden is a set of furniture for the garden by the design group Ontwerpduo. The hanging chair can be placed in a tree or veranda, like a big birdcage. 
The chairs and table have a laser cut pattern from different items you find in the garden (pails, wheelbarrows, shovels, etc) the same pattern (pails, wheelbarrows and shovels) is embroidered on the pillows.

I am in love with the hanging chair, full of whimsy and fun. Funny to post this on a rainy day but one of my favorite rooms is the outdoor one, even in the rain.

 

Design by ONTWERPDUO

Project: Garden of Eden

Photos by Lisa Klappe and Patricia Rehe

1stdibs Introspective - Roots of Peace

1stdibs Introspective - Roots of Peace

Recycled Sweater Crafts!

The weather has been crazy this week with Tornado warnings (not alerts, warnings) in California. The devastation in Haiti, friends struggling with adoptions, financial problems, health problems-Ugh, its enough to send anyone reeling off the end. Feels funny to write or blog about anything not related to a personal struggle, but for my anxious self I must. So, I am writing about this sweater project from Country Living! Yes, that’s right Country Living! 

Make over a plain pendant shade by cloaking it in wool. First, cut a large sweater in half along a side seam, removing the sleeves. Pull the resulting rectangle of material tightly around the shade so the fabric meets in the back; cut to fit and hot-glue to the shade. Next, trim the sweater lengthwise, leaving an inch of overhang at the top and bottom. Fold the overhang over the shade's edges and secure on the inside with hot glue. For safety, use a low-wattage bulb. 

Create a hothouse for any blossom: Slip a sweater sleeve over a jar or bottle, lining up the cuff with either the top or bottom edge, and hot-glue in place. Cut the wool long enough to cover the entire vessel, then secure with more glue.

To make this sham, you'll need an 18-inch square pillow insert and a large sweater, cut into two 19-inch squares. Sew the right sides of the wool together along the edges, leaving the bottom open. Turn right side out and insert the pillow form, then stitch the bottom closed. For the flower, cover a two-inch circle of card stock with a piece of a thin sweater; hot-glue to the circle's back. Next, fold a 3- by 20-inch strip of another sweater in half lengthwise. Glue the edges together, then sew a running stitch down the strip lengthwise along the glued seam. Once you've stitched the entire length, pull the thread to gather the fabric and knot. Hot-glue the gathered edge in a circle to the back of the card stock, then hot-glue a pin-back in the center and affix to the pillow.

I think I am going to go scout the thrift stores this week in search of sweaters! If you attempt this project let me know, with photos too!

Shop & Support HAITI

On January 12, a devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti just outside Port Au Prince. Join recovery efforts mobilizing around the world to assist earthquake victims. Your donation will help disaster victims rebuild their lives and their communities.

 will be donating 50% of my profits from all orders placed, until January 31^st. The donations will go directly to HEARTLINE MINISTRIES. If you would like to donate directly to HEARTLINE please go to www.haiti-relief.org

HEARTLINE MINISTRIES is an organization that has spent over 20 years doing humanitarian work, adoptions and education. HEARTLINE has been greatly impacted by the devastating quake. They need your help.

Thank you so much!

Wanna start shopping? Go to http://www.lunareece.etsy.com

Good Morning Monday

Nest Haven Chandelier

Mechanic's Beacon Light Small Cage

It’s raining and beautiful outside. I love the rain. Which has absolutely nothing to do with my post today, but none the less-I LOVE THE RAIN.

Roost Cage Bird Lamps

The Bird has continually been on my mind. From my own art to the items I bring into my home. Bird’s in décor has long been apart of design. Whether it’s through fabric, wallpaper, paintings, furniture, lamps, etc. Today I am focused on lamps. Here are some of my favorite bird lamps and lamps that represent the cage or the bird. I seem to be more attracted the "cage" type lamps, the not so straightforward. 

Cage Lamps by Dare Studio

Songbird Chandelier

Curiouser Lamp 

Cage Lamps for Diesel Home Collection by Foscarini

Do you have a favorite?

The Book of Me Chapter 2

 

Here are more artists who have and or continue to stir me.

Eva Ziesel  (born Eva Amalia Stricker, November 13, 1906) is a Hungarian industrial designer known for her work with ceramics primarily from the period after she immigrated to the United States.

http://www.evazeisel.org/

Tony Marsh (born 1954) is an American contemporary ceramic artist. He lives and works in Long Beach, California. He is (and was when I attended) chair at CSULB art departments ceramics program.

http://www.tonymarshceramicart.com/

Kristen Morgin – Not sure I can even express into words how beautiful I find her work to be. She was part of a “visiting artists” program at my school during my last year at CSULB and I found her as well as her work very intriguing.

 

Sara Paloma- my dear friend since high-school. Amazing artist and mommy! Check her work out at www.sarapaloma.com

  

Jennifer Johnson-my best friend for over 20 years now (wow) she’s an amazing designer, bass player, and friend. Here is her new line called Dainty June!

www.daintyjune.com

There are several best friends I can add into this section. Our friendship and sisterhood are truly an inspiration to me.

The Book of Me

I’ve been struggling with how to manage and operate my blog. I started it because of a curiosity about blogging. It morphed into being an outlet to introduce my art, my ideas, my thoughts, which encompasses so many elements from design, art and religion to my family. Basically, probably, what the whole concept of blogging was suppose/does contain. But, majority of the time I feel like nobody’s here but me. Maybe that isn’t so bad.

So, today, with still no clear vision here is who has moved me and propelled me to continue to find the story within me. This is just a rough sampling and in no particular order.

Joseph Cornell (December 24, 1903 – December 29, 1972) was an American artist and sculptor, one of the pioneers and most celebrated exponents of assemblage.
http://www.josephcornellbox.com/

Diane Arbus (March 14, 1923 – July 26, 1971) was one of the most original and influential American photographers of the 20^th century.
http://diane-arbus-photography.com/

Frida Kahlo ( July 6, 1907 – July 13 1954) was a Mexican painter. Many of her works are self-portraits that symbolically articulate her own pain.

http://www.fridakahlo.it/

Cindy Sherman (born January 19 1954) is an American photographer and film director of Office Killer, best known for her conceptual portraits. She currently lives and works in New York.

http://www.cindysherman.com/

Mid Century Modern is an architectural, interior and product design form that generally describes mid-century developments in modern design, architecture, and urban development from roughly 1933 to 1965.

The movies Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Sound of Music.

Edith Minturn “Edie” Sedgwick (April 20 1943 – November 16, 1971) was an American actress socialite, model and heiress. She is best known for being one of Andy Warhol’s Muses.
http://www.warholstars.org/stars/edie.html

Stay tuned this week to see who or what else plays a role in my creative process.