Loving Hollie Chastain’s work.

Perhaps because she finds a use for those bits of paper and ephemera that always tempt me at antique malls and flea markets, but which I can never think of a use for.

A ton more in her flickr stream.  & of course she has a very, very tempting shop.  If only I had more space on my walls!

I collected a ream of business cards when I went to Urban Craft Uprising shortly before Christmas.  Of course, between the madness of the holidays and general procrastination, it’s taken me this long to share the booths that caught my eye.

Loved the handbags by Population One.  The mix of vinyl and fabric was even cooler in person and the color combinations she had on hand were so tempting.

Absolutely adore the artwork by Black Rabbit.  The recycled tin she uses, along with found objects, was dimensional and too, too cool in person.

And you know I love jewelry made from unexpected, interesting things.

Finally, Tako Fibers had amazing embroidery on display.  It looks like their shop is stocked with DIY kits–maybe Rebecca or Diana might take a stab given they’re much farther along than I ever got with my Sublime Stitching kit.

I know these neighborhood posters are nothing new, but I had no idea one had been done of Seattle!

I think I’ve lived in six nine of these so far…

At Ork Posters.

Anna Fraser contacted me about her recently opened Etsy shop and I was instantly taken with her watercolors.

While some of her images are simply sweet, others are more troubling and sad.

I figured I’d wait until after Valentine’s Day to post them.

Courtesy of one of my favorites, Gianluca Foli.

I could browse Kat Heyes portfolio for hours.  Even the landing page for the site is amazing.

The mix of fashion and crafting (the hexagons and yarn!) go straight to my heart.

Via Treasuring.

Wishing I had more space on my walls to justify getting this illustration by Michele Maule.  So perfect for a craft room.

I’ve been thinking about prints for the new digs.  While I’ve always had a thing for silhouettes, I’m trying to depart from that theme.  However, I’m still very much landing in the realm of black and white.

Pining Away by Studio Lyon.

The Heron’s Wife by Mon Petite Fantome (great, lovely blog, too).

And MGU still has me utterly fascinated with these intricate up-dos.  This might be the one I finally get…

Loving these trippy, fantastic bio-accessories.

While clearly the gas-mask like face shield made of leaves has political overtones, the boutonniere might actually work for day to day–though it’d get far fewer stares.  By Australian designers Ben Landau and Brittany Veitch, via ecouterre.

Amazing, painterly artwork from Amanda Wachob.

It’s hard to believe tattoos could be so vivid and dimensional, not to mention absolutely gorgeous.

What I wouldn’t give to be in New York to participate in the art project that was announced last month–free tattoos from such a talented person!

Amanda does more traditional tattoos as well but they still have such a wonderfully artistic touch that takes them beyond simple birds or flowers.

And just for laughs, be sure to check out this tattoo by Ryan Mason–I can’t not grin when I see it..

Graphics relaying facts and figures that are astounding in and of themselves.

If I were a graphic designer, I’m pretty certain this life resume would get me the job.

And Kill Bill rendered much more huggable in this cartoonish breakdown.

Via here.

So intrigued by this exhibit at the White River Valley Museum at the Auburn Community College:

Suffer for Beauty: A Retrospective on Women’s History as Evidenced by the Evolution of Undergarments.

Each section includes a stylish outfit from an era, a silhouette of the ideal woman’s shape of the time, photos of trendsetters and local women doing their best to live up to the standard — and, of course, examples of the underwear that made it possible.

The article states the curators took a light hearted tone, which is pretty clear from the museum’s site where they actually say ‘women have been responding to these changing norms of beauty in the best way possible, altering their shape and look…’  While I don’t think I could approach corsets as the best of anything, I think it would still be fantastic to see these items in person.

Loving this by Elsie of A Beautiful Mess (a phrase that perfectly describes my craft room at the moment–but the tunic is almost done!)

Available in her shop.

Shona recently asked what was the craziest request anyone had gotten, the type of press release/mass email that makes it painfully clear the person (or automated spam script) sending it out had never actually read the content of your blog.  My answer to her post doesn’t even begin to capture the range of stuff that lands in my inbox, something I attribute to the length of time I’ve been blogging rather than any Google ranking.

However!  Every now and then, either due to the wild range of subject matter or because the content is actually directed at me, I will get an email that doesn’t immediately end up in trash.

Fossil, who are better known for their watches and handbags, have just launched a footwear collection that I’m absolutely loving.  The two tone leather, the detailed heels and cut outs, and of course the boots that it’s too warm to wear now are all just amazing.  Too bad the closet is bursting and can hold no. more. shoes.

Perhaps it’s a sign of the times more than anything I’ve yet seen in retail.  Instead of a shopping spree or cash free and clear, Burlington Coat Factory’s contest is for “up to $20,000 awarded toward the winner’s principal & interest payments or rent payments for one year of your home mortgage loan or residential rent.”  As easy as sending in a post card–without giving up a ton of personal info (which I initially thought might be the case.)  If anything, they ask for less info than when I buy something online.  I’ll be curious to see who wins and hope the award genuinely helps someone in need.

Two exhibit notices that caught my eye are taking place in locales I’d love to visit but just haven’t had the chance yet.  Native Couture at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Sante Fe will feature work by a variety of artists.  Did you know 2009 was the first year Native designers were featured at New York Fashion Week?  I certainly didn’t.  This exhibit will include some of their work as well as jewelry and other textiles.  Starts August 30th.

The largest exhibit of Annie Pootoogook’s work is being featured at the National Museum of the American Indian in New York.  According to the release, she chronicles the challenges of contemporary Inuit life—from stark interiors dominated by televisions to scenes of domestic conflict and personal discord.  I only wish I could be there to see it in person.

Sometimes it’s worth it to have that spam filter set to ‘low’!

I’ve often thought wood as a canvas in art is ingenius and lovely all at once.  These two examples of Sara Everett’s latest work could have been painted on anything though and been simply breathtaking.  I regret I’ve been so busy I wasn’t able to make the initial opening at La Familia but perhaps I’ll be able to go to the reception on July 16th.

Between Braid Wednesday on flickr and these amazing prints by MGU, I’m actually considering doing ornate things with my hair.

Perhaps with Freelancer’s tutorials, I might even manage it.

Via labour of heart.

For me, after anthropomorphized animals and truer than true statements, you can’t really beat clever in terms of art.

There is no better word than delight to describe discovering Brock Davis’ work.  A combination of photography, collage, and illusion, his work presents a puzzle (how did he do it?) and admiration (why didn’t I think of this?)

Bumper stickers for shoes, thread on paper to represent a somewhat true trompe l’oeil, and shattered objects that would never shatter, clever is really too limited a word to describe how smart his executed concepts are.

Check out his flickr or site for more.

Given the vintage focus of the last few posts, it seems all too appropriate to feature the Brilliant Magpie this cloudy Monday morning.

Amy Abshier-Reyes work has a decidedly retro feel.  From the wide-brimmed hats of the Edwardian era to the playful bobs of the 20s, her work is both stylish and beautiful–and reminds me in the best possible way of Vogue’s illustrated covers.

The minute she restocks the 5′7 section of her shop, I’ll be snapping one of these up.

Let’s hope this print brightens up your Monday:

Thanks for the memories,  William Dohman.

While I’m no typography expert with a love of good kerning, I do adore this print:

From Ink Finger.