If you collect unique and artful looking pieces of jewelry, then I think you will really appreciate these designers.  I can't stop looking at Edition X's curated jewelry.  I love the simplicity in each of these pieces, but also the obvious craftsmanship.

My most favorite pieces among Edition X's shop are these earrings and necklace by: Nadine Treister

          
                                                                    and some other favorites 

like this mountain broach by Nicholas Bastin!

 this sweet hand carved bear necklace from Kester Black 

and lastly, these beautiful sketch earrings from Peta Kruger {so in love w/ her name}

* Petra's new collection of jewelry - do go to her site though....

you will fall in love with all her past collections! 

 Absolutely, uncontrolably, and dearly in love with Frances Palmer's vases!

Roald Dahl's writing hut/shed: 

inside this amazing hut:

Jesse and I both hope to have a "room" of our own someday...

We love to tell one another what our spaces would look and feel like... my work space would double as a shop that anyone could come visit and browse or buy little handmade items that I make.

Before I saw Roald Dahl's hut I imagined my little place to look something soo similar to the likes of his... something a little run down but cozy.  I wouldn't say his is entirely cozy but still....

I searched hut and shed on amazon.uk. and came across this fun book:

It reminds me of my childhood growing up. The seven of us [kids] were ALWAYS making things... my brothers were always fascinating me with the many forts and fake guns that they would make and actually use.  I give major props to my mom for being such a creative mom and helping all of us develop those skills. It makes me cringe when I see parents keeping their kids from experiencing a similar childhood.  With all the ipads, iphones, video games etc. that are out there...kids are just becoming less and less creative. Plus it weirds me out with all  the "creative" apps on these things...really? Why not go create something in real life?  I definitely am standing on my soapbox right now preaching...this is something I feel soo passionate about [obviously] to the point that I will do everything in my power to keep my kids off of electronics IN OUR HOME... maybe our kids will be slower than the rest of the kids in their grade...lol and they may even be really introverted because us depriving them of their digital motor skills, and they may never even get into college, or high school for that matter...who would even want to play with such a child that makes things with his or her own hands and uses their imagination....weird I know. But we're ready to take that leap into the creative unknown! lol Okay, I'll stop now. :/ 

This journal bandolier from Clever Hands is perfect for keeping one's pens and sketchbooks together. My only wish [hehehe lol only wish] is that they had some in leather....perhaps I should tell them. :]

Jesse and I are entering the 2012 Eustace Tilley Book Bag Competition through the New Yorker magazine.  Thank you Andrea [ my very funny and talented writer friend] for suggesting this to me!! :) If either of us wins...you'll be getting some books my friend! xo :) * I will post Jesse's once he is finished...his is pretty amazing!

To see inside the book, click here. :)

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I wish I owned just one Mina Perhonen piece...scratch that, I wish had a TON of Mina Perhonen! These three looks I want to knock-off for myself...but make them exactly as shown, they would just be the kroger/target brand version... lol  -  and isn't that golden broach so pretty? 

and don't you want this rocking chair  "potato chip chair" of Perhonen's as well?  + deep sigh + 

For Christmas I received a little bit of money, and decided to use the entire amount on building my children's book collection.  One of the books I received that I am so in love with is:

The Heavenly Tenants by William Maxwell and 

one of my favorite illustrators : Ilonka Karasz

Ilonka: isn't she beautiful? 

picture found via: we too were children, Mr. Barrie

A vain confession:

 I want to have portraits like this taken of myself oneday... :]

I especially love the placement of her hands and her gaze...

but I am most exceptionally excited for Enchanting Modern to come, a book about her life.

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Lastly, my sweet friend Emily had some ladies over last night for dinner and then to decorate canvases. It was her Christmas present to all of us. She provided the canvases as well as magazines and books for everyone to tear up and mod podge till our hearts delight. It was so much fun, and such a creative way to bring ladies together. * she got the books at the thrift store. So smart she is!

Here is my little canvas...I made it for Jesse. :)

Clearly I am not the best with mod podge...  :-[) heheheh lol ...

so if I was to do it again, I would stick with rubber cement...keeps the bubbles from forming...

flowers. enough said! :)

Starting my day off with something inspiring is a real favorite. It gives you something to think about other than yourself and hopefully encourage you to be better  friend, artist, listener, communicator etc. This video of artist Riusuke Fukahori makes me want to be more patient and thoughtful in everything I do and slow down my life even more.  I like to imagine what it would be like to spend a day with some of my favorite artists...and I feel like with Fukahori [whom I just heard about today] it would be so tranquil and steady..... I want to be like more like that.  video  found via Lidewig Edelkoort/Trendtablet

image found via seejapan

"Goldfish Salvation" Riusuke Fukahori from ICN gallery on Vimeo.

These pair of Verlain's make me smile so much.... :)

and yep, your right foot wears red, the left in blue.

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New colors for Spring 2012.... you have a favorite?

found via Editd

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Currently, I have been inspired by these two artists:

 Doug Johnston bags are absolutely beautiful. 

They look so well made, and I love the simplicity/color palate.

& Hannah Waldron.

I would love to try my hand someday at running a way with a nap-sack of hers [to the backyard] 

and her prints/paintings are so lovely taped on the wall like how she has it. :)

It's 2012! Make something EVERY DAY this year! 

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Do you ever watch Handmade Portraits from Etsy? 

Here are a couple favorites to kick off the new year. 

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I love this one of Jevgenia the mask maker, but I have to disagree with her comment about animals expressions versus people's expressions. She says "animals are just animals, you make a bear or a fox but they don't have any emotions, but faces of people are interesting to make. You can make a mask smile or you can make an evil or kindhearted mask." I think a mask of anything would be interesting....but what's funny is at the end of this video, her animal masks have sooo much character as opposed to her human masks. Her animals are far more interesting which makes it so odd that she would make such a comment.... what do you think?

Handmade Portraits: Jevgenia's Masks from Etsy on Vimeo.

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The History of Glitter! I love this one because I am such a lover of all things sparkly and shimmery. I warn Jesse that when we have kids, he will need to be the sparkle police. Because when the babies come, and grow big and strong...it's all about the sparkle folks! We'll glitter the bedposts, curtains, buckles and collars. We'll sparkle and shimmer the fun out of the house...it will be a war-zone of shine!

All That Glitters: The History of Shiny Things from Etsy on Vimeo.

I love this sequin wall found via MaieDai via THE GLITTER GUIDE!!! I love that there is a guide for glitter! But in all seriousness....this is numero uno when decorating our child's room! Imagine all the fun he or she would have with just this wall! I can hear it now: "MOM, let's do a photoshoot again with the shiny wall!!"  Okay...okay, it would actually be me saying that to our little person...hehehehe lol :-[) 

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I love Pearson & Maron

so inspiring & I love how their imaginations work together.

Definitely pieces worth collecting.

Handmade Portraits: Pearson-Maron from Etsy on Vimeo.