In the Mood for Vintage

I love a good retro pattern on just about anything: dresses, furniture, housewares, you name it. Here are a few recent favorites: (clockwise from top left: Orla Kiely multi flower print mug; Giclee print from Jenn Ski; Orla Kiely multi oval print mug; Back in the Game Dress by Judith March (available from ModCloth); vintage brown oxfords from The White Pepper; Polopolo pocket tissue holder by yokomono; and chevron clutch purse by ccdoodle.

Scenes from Life

This weekend, I've got a date with the DMV to renew my license (ironic, I know, since I don't drive, but it's cheaper to renew my driver's license than my passport, which is also expired, and I have to have some form of ID). After that, I'm hoping to maybe do some shopping, as my wardrobe is looking a little sad. And of course, I've got lots of stuff to make for the shop, which I'm really excited about.

What are you guys up to?

Message of the Day

 From Elise Blaha's autumn mini book.

Sneak Peek

I've been working on some new items for the shop, including these two embroidered pocket journals, which will be listed at some point later today. I've got a few different things in the works right now, not that I won't continue to make jewelry and accessories, but I'm branching out a bit. I've always made many different types of art, and I thought maybe it's time for me to incorporate more of my art into the shop. That was the plan in the beginning, and then, following the advice of many many business experts, I shelved that idea and tried to make my shop have one look, one brand, etc. Well, I'm a person with varied interests, and that's reflected in my art too. And to be honest, following all that business advice didn't really get me very far. So, stay tuned folks. My Hideaway is about to get more interesting.

Bahar Yurukoglu Installation

Bahar Yurukoglu, a recent MFA graduate of Mass Art in Boston, created an interesting installation using geometric shapes made of acrylic glass, which he illuminated with projected rays of light. The result is a really fantastic display of color and an altering of our perception of space. The two-dimensional shapes become seemingly three-dimensional color fields and shadows. It reminds me of the transformative power of light in shaping the spaces we inhabit. What do you think?

Tuesday Playlist

I noticed that some songs dropped off previous playlists, not sure why, except that maybe they were removed from grooveshark for some reason. Anyway, here's the latest. Enjoy!

Autumn Colour Week

Last week, I participated in Poppytalk's Autumn Colour Week. (Some of you might remember that I did Spring Colour Week last April). It's all about inspiration and the welcoming of a new season, and I always look forward to seeing the contributions of creative folks I admire. Each day is assigned a color, and this year the colors picked were red, yellow, orange, grey, and brown. You can see a small sample of the photographs I submitted below. Visit my colors set on flickr to see all my photos, or click here to see the entire Autumn Colour Week group pool.

Happy Friday + Tutorial

I've had this diy from Dirty Hems bookmarked for a while and thought it was high time I shared it. Everyone has a pair of basic shoes that could use a little revamping with some neon spray paint. Alas, I rarely wear heels, and I don't think this diy would have quite the same effect on the barely-there soles of my ballet flats. Also, with no yard or patio of my own, I really lack a space to spray paint. So, this tutorial remains in my project folder of wishful making.

Hope everyone has an awesome weekend! xo, Mary

Flickr Favorites

(Click on images to go directly to sources.)

Letterpress Wedding Invitations by Three Steps Ahead

I can't remember exactly where I first came across Three Steps Ahead, a graphic and web design team with a cool Etsy shop, but I love their style. These letterpress wedding invitations they did a few months ago are the best I've seen in a while. The vintage poster look has a timeless quality, and the colors they chose are so cheery and upbeat. That's what weddings are about after all: love, celebration, and good vibes. You can read all about the printing process on their blog.







(Click on images to go to source.)

Takashi Iwasaki

I'm completely smitten with the work of Takashi Iwasaki, particularly his colorful embroideries. They have a playful spirit reminiscent of Joan Miró or Alexander Calder, which of course, makes me smile. Yet there is also a narrative quality to these pieces, as if we are privy to a glimpse of some fantastic story already in progress. It appears as if some of the figures are moving right out of the fabric frame, don't you think? Also, his use of color is perfection.

To read the artist's statement and see more of his work, click here.

Hand-Painted Necklaces from Heather Kent

When I arrived home from Chicago last week, practically sleepwalking I was so tired, this package of awesome was a welcome surprise awaiting me. Heather Kent is one of my favorite Etsy sellers, and her shop is filled with charming jewelry and accessories, each one hand-painted in watercolor.

I'd had this arrow necklace in my sights for some time, and when Heather said she was one sale away from her 1,000th on Etsy, I jumped at the chance to help her reach her goal. And because Heather is amazing, she threw in a bonus necklace as a thank you!

I fully believe in passing on good fortune, so I chose this necklace as my freebie to go to my sister. It's just her style, and I know she will love it.

I've worn my arrow necklace literally every day since I got it, and soon people will probably start referring to me as "you know, that girl who wears the arrow necklace," but I'm ok with that.

(Also, some of you may notice that my hair looks different; I chopped several inches off and colored it a dark reddish brown.)

Scenes from Life

Meet my newest nephew, Samuel. It's hard to tell from this photo, but he's a tiny little guy, only weighing 5 lb 5 oz.

Halloween was in full swing at my brother's house.

Nera, who can be really sweet or really obnoxious, depending on her mood.

We took a walk on the trail after I got back.

It was maybe not the best idea, though, because we were both sick and the walk pretty much wiped us out.

But the changing leaves were pretty anyway.

All that color and light has healing powers, I'm sure.

I hope everyone has a great weekend! The rain is finally supposed to clear out of here, and I'm hoping to go to some outdoor markets. I have a couple of projects to get caught up on, and I'll probably be making some new stuff for My Hideaway also. What are you guys up to?

Rob Ryan

I'm a huge fan of Rob Ryan's work and happy to see him featured in Etsy's latest Handmade Portrait. His papercuts are beautifully detailed and inscribed with messages of love, longing, and hope.


Handmade Portraits: Rob Ryan from Etsy on Vimeo.

Check out Rob's Etsy shop to see more of his fantastic work.

Message of the Day

I love this series of prints and art blocks by John W. Golden, a digital artist and illustrator and long-time Etsy seller. Actually, all of his work is fun and makes you smile.

Also, if you are a dog-lover or a robot-lover, you must check out his shop.