Etsy, a love-hate relationship

Etsy is the on-line equivalent of a crafts fair where, like such fairs, you can find beautiful hand-made items amongst an even greater amount of stuff one might consider junk.  Of course, one person's trash is another's treasure (as indeed you may conclude below).  I love the fact that (with PayPal) there is an easy mechanism for a crafter to sell their creations to the world.  I hate the fact that the Etsy site is so massive that it is almost impossible to find anything by browsing (unless you have a lot of time on your hands).  Most of the stuff I've bought on Esty I've found via links from other web sites.  So, in that spirit, here are a few of my recent purchases.....

octopus bag

cute pouch

math clock (the perfect gift for all the geeks in your life)

now sold here

cool tee of Scutigera coleoptrata that live in my basement

 

now, cooler hoodie available from same vendor

I never bought these wall decals but would if I still had toddlers

WWMD? Valentine's Day

What would Morris do on Valentine's Day?  My sister and I were pondering this question last week over a bottle of wine.  He was obviously a great romantic.  Maybe he would have written an epic love poem with hand-painted illustrations or some equally grand gesture out of the realm of mere mortals.  But maybe he just gave small hand-made tokens of his affection....possibly accompanied by chocolate....

and maybe a nice bottle of red wine with a faintly erotic sounding name......

or possibly a romantic book.....

or a special photograph.....

 

and of course flowers (but really, we should consider doing this more regularly, like picking up milk   ;-).....

Happy Valentine's Day!

Beachcombing beauties

This beautiful beach cottage lamp and stone sculpture were both made from objects found while beachcombing.  My dad made the light out of driftwood and a woven lobster trap that had washed up with tide (he hollowed out the small log with a paddle bit and lined the shade with cotton duck).  The carved cobble was my birthday present, carved by a Dingle stonemason who looks for perfect cobbles to carve on the beaches of southwest Ireland.

1/6/10:  I've since found out the stone carver's name is Jindrich Stanek.

Happy Holidays from Starlight House

by vicki, 18

Dan Phillips - Lord of the Trash

Recycled frame samples ceiling (photo from Michael Stravato, New York Times)

 

Recycled cork floor (photo from Michael Stravato, New York Times)

 

Recycled shingle roof  (photo from Michael Stravato, New York Times)

 

Mosaic (photo from Phoenix Commotion)

 

Balusters (photo from Phoenix Commotion)

Tray windows (photo from Phoenix Commotion)

Tree house kitchen counter (photo from Phoenix Commotion)

Mr. Phillips has built 14 houses that he estimates are composed of ~80% salvaged material.  The goal of his Texas company, Phoenix Commotion, is to provide affordable low-income housing while reducing the huge flux of wasted material to landfills.   The New York Times wrote a wonderful profile of him last September that is inspiring to read.  Also, check out the slide show and his web site for more photographs of his work.

DIY - One World Map

 

the problem:  map taped to wall

the inspiration:  antique map

the process

You will need:   4 half-circle 1" diameter dowels that are 4" longer than the width of the map (any lumber yard will cut them to length for you); paint, glue (I used Elmer's wood glue); staple gun; cotton ribbon or twill tape for ties (sewing notions shop); cord for hanging (ditto); clamps.

 

Paint the rounded sides and ends of half dowels.  Then staple map along the first painted half-dowel (you only need a few staples as it will also be glued).  A "tie" is also stapled near each end on top.

 

A bead of glue is laid down along length of first dowel, then the second dowel is laid on top and clamped while glue dries.  Repeat on bottom.  When dry, remove clamps and drill two holes down through the back-side dowel and thread a hanging cord through them.

the new map!

H. H. Richardson meets book artist Angela Liguori

click to enlarge

 

Two nights ago I went to a "trunk show" hosted by artist Susy Pilgrim Waters that showcased the work of numerous talented local (Boston area) artists.  I particularly liked the work of book artist Angela Liguori, a Roman who creates beautiful pieces with paper, ink and binding.  I bought some cards made with vintage stamps featuring H. H. Richardson (see posts here and here) and another 19th century architectural star, Frank Furness.

Here are a few more examples of Angela's work from her website.

 

Angela also had an incredible collection of beautifully textured and colored ribbon, tapes, and twine for sale that she imports from Italy.  While talking with her I discovered she wrote the guide to Rome on Design*Sponge that I had coincidentally printed out months earlier (it lists artist supply and fabric shops in Rome).

Finally, here's a link to Angela's Etsy shop.

 

Stairway to heaven...

My friend and artist Julia Talcott brought me to an amazing store last Sunday---descend into the basement of 580 Mass Ave., Cambridge, and find an arts and craft paradise!

Artist & Craftsman Supply
Central Square
580 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 354-3636
www.artistcraftsman.com

William Morris in real life -- "Compton" wallpaper

"Compton" was designed by John Henry Deale for Morris and Co. in 1896, the year of William Morris's death.  Upon Morris's death Deale was appointed Art Director of Morris & Co. 

Ceiling plastered and painted, floors refinished, paint stripped off bricks on fireplace, woodwork given a good cleaning, wallpaper.

Motion sensors and porch ceilings - electrical, part 3

Having exterior lights on motion sensors is great for a number of reasons, including safety and energy efficiency.  Unfortunately, most exterior lights with built-in motion sensors are ugly.  A solution to this problem is to buy a motion sensor unit (without the light) and install it yourself in some discrete location near the light.  If the walls/ceiling are open this is obviously easy; if they are closed up you will need to snake wires.  It's a little more complicated than installing switches so you might need to call an electrician.

Two earlier electrical posts:
     In praise of push buttons -- electrical, part 1
     In praise of dimmers -- electrical, part 2

FYI:  The porch ceiling is made of 5" x 10 ft lengths of pine beadboard that had three coats of exterior-grade spar urethane applied before being nailed up.

My Makita

Given that it is Black Friday and thoughts turn to Xmas gifts, here's a few words about my cordless drill that I bought 18 months ago after my old drill died.  I love this tool and use it all the time.  I bought it with the two-battery kit (from Amazon) and then got another free battery by sending in a coupon (look for the link on Amazon).  This Makita has fantastic torque for tough jobs but is lightweight and easy to use around the house.  I can't imagine any homeowner not having one of these nearby.

Get organized beautifully....

 

I love my Profolio portfolios  (left side of top pic, before it has been Morrisized).  Inside they have archival quality polypropylene sleeves that are perfect for organizing projects, recipes, house ideas, or any other kind of information you happen to be stockpiling.  You can easily slip whatever paper you choose down the outside spine and above you can see my notebooks with both Wm Morris paper and Art Nouveau paper (the ring binder has a bookmark from the Fortuny Museum).  The Art Nouveau paper appears to be out of stock on Amazon but the Wm Morris paper is a steal at $4.95.  Combine this with the Profolio portfolios (here and here are 8.5" x 11" sized ones) and you can make a lovely gift for someone who likes to be organized.  FYI, the Morris paper pack has four different designs.