In Victorian times people would keep lockets of hair belonging to their lost loves. Today, we have artist Melanie Bilenker, who creates an amazing line jewelry following in this bygone tradition. Images of simple moments are captured in resin and drawn with delicate detail using strands of the artist's own hair. Her line includes rings, pendants, and my favorite, the brooches above. (Via coolhunting)
Just a quick note to say I am almost done with the interview I did with Flavor Paper founder, Jon Sherman. It will be posted in the next few days (I mean it this time). This is a shot of the Flavor Lab with Onda in Saltwater Taffy on the production table.
I love this recycled bathtub furniture by the Spanish design collective Trashformaciones. In 2003, the group created over 40 chairs to be used as outdoor seating for a park in their hometown town of Castellon. They then invited local artists, architects and students to help paint/decorate each piece. The result is a colorful, creative solution in urban enhancement. Their website has several other interesting re-use projects, including an impressive structure made from washbasins. (Via neorama)
I love looking at other people's sketchbooks. Seeing how people's ideas translate onto paper -whether it be doodles, collages or precise blueprints. Journals let you see an artist in his/her most uninhibited state and that's what makes it so exciting. My friend Arden and I used to sit for hours making collages, while drinking tea and listening to records. These images are from the 'My Moleskine' exhibit in Japan. 
I’ve been tagged by Catherine at Domino magazine in a little game of internet show and tell. I’m supposed to reveal 5 interesting things about myself – here goes:
1. I own two cookbooks: ‘Everything Tastes Better With Bacon’ and ‘The Garden of Vegan.’ Every year I host two dinner parties centered around each theme. My friends pick which party they want to attend (it’s pretty much divided down party lines with the veggies/vegans at one and the meat people at the other). The vegan party is always delicious and the bacon party is always a little disgusting (but delicious). And yes even the desserts have bacon - this year I made a bacon apple pie!
2. I have an irrational fear of moths. I think it’s their unpredictability that unnerves me.
3. I can’t decide where to live. So far I’ve tried Boston, Austin, DC, New Orleans and Denver and I’m still not settled. Ideally I want to live somewhere that is: warm, by the ocean, affordable and in a decent size city. Any suggestions?
4. I like NASCAR, much to the embarrassment of my friends. If I had loads of money I’d rent an RV, travel the NASCAR circuit for a summer and write a book about it. If any NASCAR representatives read this, want to sponsor my dream? A design girl travels with the NASCAR guys!
5. My friend Becky and I are co-captains of a kickball team called 'Science for the People'. Our team colors are midnight blue and fuchsia and our team pattern is argyle.
I’m going to tag Anna of Sub-Studio, the ladies at Sabine Brandt, Fieltromania and Face Hunter. Posts to come later!
Anna from Sub-Studio Design found some of the prettiest lights I've seen awhile. I guess they're not new, but they're new to me. The 'Bocci' lights by Omer Arbel are glass pendants which have frosted interior cylinders. The imperfections and bubbles in the glass allow each light to cast a unique glow. The truly amazing effect though comes when the pendants are clustered together, as seen above. I'd like to have a bunch of those for my next party!
I regularly tempt fate by resting cups on the arm of my couch. It has, occasionally, led to disaster. The sofahanger by Vanpey is a clever invention which makes this balancing act a bit more stable by creating a flat service for all your sofa necessities. Custom made to fit your couch. (via NOTCOT)
I can't believe I missed it! The folks at Free People are organizing a Valentine's Day craft swap and the deadline to sign up was Friday. Zut Alors! I think this is such a great idea and full credit goes to the creative folks over there for coming up with this fun project. However, since I missed out on their swap, I'm wondering if there is anyone out there who would like to trade with me...as with the Free People swap it can be anything based on the Valentine's theme...artwork, craft projects, mixed tapes - or all of the above. I hope it's not too terrible of me to continue with this idea, but who doesn't want a special holiday package? It's like having a secret admirer half way around the world. If you are interested send me an email at: design(dot)klub(at)yahoo(dot)com. You can also click on my profile and email me directly from there.
I'm not usually a fan of traditional floral patterns, but Anna Dove has taken the vintage look and given it an updated twist. Her collection of textiles and wallcoverings have a spooky quality that's really intriguing. Each pattern seems to have a story to tell. 'Rose Garden' offers a glimpse at the forgotten courtyard of an English manor. 'Night Light' is a shadowy scene which has the viewer wondering what is happening just beyond the light's glow. 
I'm off to a friend's birthday party, but here is another birthday you won't want to miss. Michelle Caplan is an amazing mixed media collage artist based in LA. In honor of her 30th tomorrow, she is offering 30% off everything in her online store. Oo-la-la. Happy Birthday Michelle.
Attention all Denver design lovers: Mod Livin' is having a 'make-up' holiday party tomorrow night starting at 7pm. Their last soiree was cancelled due to the blizzard and even though the snow is still on the ground, by now you should have dug out your car...Mod Livin' will be serving up champagne and hors d'oeuvres as well as a generous 20% discount. 5327 E. Colfax Ave.
Joining the ranks of Ana Hagopian in Barcelona's jewelry scene is Walter Chen. To say Chen is a wizard with paper may be an understatement. I can't even make a decent paper airplane and here he is crafting amazing pieces of jewelry (reversible jewelry). I found both Ana and Walter through the website Trace Paper - a paper fanatic's dream store.
' milk moments ' by : laura strasser + milia seyppel from germany
'parlez avec moi ' by : xinhe jiang + zhuo wang from china
These bowls by Belgian architect Vincent Van Duysen are beautiful. What an elegant combination - a matte earthenware container topped by a sturdy wooden lid. With prices in the $150-250 range, these lovely bowls will have to go on my 'Someday...' kitchen list. But for those of you ready to make them your own, they're available at Moss. Lucky ducks.
Look at what the folks at Reluct found. Images of forgotten Soviet bus stops by Christopher Herwig. This description of the photos offers an interesting glimpse of the history and design behind these amazing structures.However, in many instances this was not the case, much time, effort and imagination went into many roadside bus stops. The sky was the limit with different shapes and design– blocks, domes, columns, towers, A-frames and archways, even ones shaped like birds, yurts and hats. If the bus stop was less bold and daring with its architectural design then the creators would often attract attention with decorating the structure with murals or mosaics."
O.K. See what happens? As soon as I write about how there are no clever coat racks I come across another gem. This one is the 'Symbol' coat rack by DESU. Made from powder coated aluminum, this little rack gets around the standard ugly syndrome by hiding its hooks. When you need one, you pull it down -when you don't it's a nice decoration for your wall. Well done DESU, simple, functional and above all, not ugly. Available in monochrome or color.
I love these 'Sushi' chairs by the Campana brothers. Inspired by patchwork bedspreads found in their native Sao Paulo, these chairs are not only a color explosion - they actually look quite comfortable too.
Another stop on my Boston design tour was the Vessel store in Chinatown. I feel kind of bad that I didn't take any photos of Vessel products (I'm a big fan of Vessel's fun, affordable line of home accessories), but it was a nice surprise to see they carried other designer's work as well. 
Not sure if I'll get to posting again until Sunday, since hopefully I'll be heading into the mountains. So here's two for tomorrow. I first saw Metaphys on MoCo Loco last year and have been checking in on the Japanese company ever since. Their 'Factory' and 'Frame' planters are perfect for adding some green to the great indoors. The pieces can be stacked, hung or simply laid flat on your coffee table. 
Take the classic lampshade, add a few more classic lampshades and then spice them up with a pleasing assembly of wild fabrics. I like it. The 'Doosey Lights' by POLKA are a fun take on the traditional lamp. Every light that's produced is limited edition - when they run out of one fabric they add in another, so you never know which creative combo you are going to get.
Most people imagine their later years in a nice home, surrounded by comfort and calm. Not so if you live in Shusaku Arakawa and Madeline Gin's 'Reversible Destiny Lofts'. The architects have created a nine-unit building in the Mitaka suburb of Tokyo which aims to keep its elderly residents on their toes. Filled with bright colors, the lofts also have lopsided floors, hidden electrical switches and absolutely zero closet space. "[The apartment] makes you alert and awakens instincts, so you'll live better, longer and even forever," says Arakawa. That's a lofty promise, but an intriguing idea nonetheless.
David Wiseman may have only graduated from RISD a few years ago, but he is already producing some of the most sophisticated and elegant work around. David’s designs are carefully crafted from materials such as porcelain, bronze and crystal. Inspired by nature, many of his projects take the form of delicate branches and flora (as seen in the commissions above). In the ceiling project alone, he used over 500 unique porcelain blossoms and 100 plaster branches to create this mini-masterpiece.
