port 2 port press + camilla engman

with these two ladies, you can never go wrong. camilla and maria have collaborated on a set of prints every season, this being their fourth and final one. (maria will be collaborating with a new artist in the next season) these are seriously so beautiful and simple. i love maria's use of color, and camilla's illustrations are among my favorites. the pair are for sale on maria's site for $16. check them out.

stina persson- fashion illustrator

i have been on this illustration kick lately- probably because i've been trying to work on my own. thanks to joy, i found stina persson, a fashion illustrator who uses watercolor, cut paper and acrylic (my kind of illustrator- mixed media!) to create beautiful work!
(the above work is untitled on the website, but is # 1/16 in the cut paper section)

the 'new' d*s

fyi- design*sponge has changed to a new format and site- check it at designspongeonline.com.
grace starts it out with a sneak peek of her apartment- which she has been working on much over the past year and has been showing snippets, but we get to see it all!

recent updates on flickr

i have to admit- i have been much more diligent about updating my flickr site than my blog. you guys should check it out. there are some new pictures up of my rearranged studio area- i'm prepping to be pumping out some calendars for next year! and check out some of my contacts- they have the best pictures. i love flickr because it's a peek into other great people's lives.

Craft Inc. aka best book ever for independents

so tomorrow i receive my copy of Craft Inc. Turn Your Creative Hobby into a Business in the mail (i know it's in stores- long story) and i'm so excited! i sneaked a peek of it at powells, and it looks so great- there are interviews with great small business owners (most of which seem to be women... including mav of port2port press!) and great facts from the lovely mateo ilasco. she definantly knows her stuff and has been successful in many ventures, so be sure that she knows what shes talking about! it covers business licensing to cost and markups, etc. very useful!

augurie- the 'new' ladydove

i think i mentioned it before, but dagua of ladydove has revamped her store to become an independent designer showcase called augurie. it looks great, and i'm so excited for her new direction (she will still be selling her clothing line under the name ladydove). last time i visited her she seemed very enthusiastic about this new direction for her retail space. i love the idea, especially because there are so many college students there that could use a space to showcase (any letterpress students?). check it out here.

the biggest wish on my list EVER

this is the bike i definately want! on my birthday we went to the ace hotel to use the photo booth, and in the lobby were jorg + olif bikes, which turn out to be amazing. they just released a cheaper version called 'scout' and i want it in steel blue.

i think i saw someone riding one of these the other day on my way to work, and that didn't help me from wanting it more!! aaaahhhh!!!!

crack press

this is my new favorite!!! crack press does kick-ass posters and such. they had an art sale yesterday that i was so mad i missed- anyway- check out their work here.

jansdotter re-vamp

just thought you should check out lotta's site- she has changed the look- there are more photos of her items in use- and it fits so well with her aesthetic. and her clearance is always a good place to hit up for deals. (pictured above- the asko messenger tote right here for 28.00 on sale!)

oliver jeffers- great kids book illustrator

i have been frequenting the children's section at powells books, and i found this one and it was so great i checked out his other ones, and they are just as charming. check it out here.