Monday, December 27, 2010

: BESTeam feature : Beader Bubbe :

This Etsy shop artist is a busy busy woman! A mother of five kids and a grandmother to six, working, blogging and making beaded creations on the side. Quite impressive I think! This crafter makes earrings, bracelets, pendants, necklaces, rings and keychains... she sells some supplies as well. Check out a few items from her shop Beader Bubbe and be sure to visit her blog www.beaderbubbe.blogspot.com
Butterfly Necklace
Butterfly Necklace $15.00

Turquoise - Metal Donut Necklace
Turquoise Metal Donut Necklace $35.00

Lovely Turquoise Earrings
Lovely Turquoise Earrings $5.00


Be well and have a great week!
~Liza

Thursday, December 23, 2010

BESTeam feature : From Shirlee

This weeks BESTeam feature is on a little shop called From Shirlee. The crafters at this shop are family and together create everything from little hats to scrapbook pages. Shirlee was the well loved mother grandmother of the crafters and they learned much of what they know from her. Here are a few samplings of items you can find at their Etsy shop!
Amigurumi Turtle Family
Amigurami Turtle Family $30.00

Embroidered Snowman Decorative Pillow
Embroidered Snowman Decorative Pillow $15.00
Now, if you know me- you know I love this next item;) 
Gratitude Journal
Gratitude Journal $10.00 
Here are a few more places you can go to find these talented ladies:

Happy Holidays to you and yours!

~Liza

Thursday, December 16, 2010

: Treasure Box :: Just the Goods :


I am proud to feature this weeks BESTeams member Just the Goods Skin Care. This shop uses eco and body conscious ingredients to create skin care products that are as good for your skin as they are for the environment and your wallet. This Winnipeg based shop products are made without using animals and offers an almost totally vegan selection. Here are a few decadent selections for him, and for her.
Fizzing Vegan Bath Melts // no artificial colours or fragrances, no preservatives
Fizzing Vegan Bath Melts $4.50
Vegan Peppermint Ginger Foot Butter
Vegan Peppermint Ginger Foot Butter $6.50
Vegan Shaving Cream Solid for Sensitive Skin (Incl. non-synthetic Shaving Brush)
Vegan Shaving Cream Solid $9.20


So go ahead and treat yourself to one of these wonderful additions to your body care, your body and your environment will thank you! 


Here are some more places where you can find Just the Goods:
http://justthegoods.net
http://justthegoods.wordpress.com
http://www.facebook.com/justthegoods
http://www.twitter.com/justthegoods
~Liza

Thursday, December 9, 2010

: Friday Treasure Box : Cynde Clark of Cyndesplace :

Meet the wonderful fabric filled world of Cynde Clark and her Etsy shop Cyndesplace. Cynde loves to sew and she loves handbags (and hats;) ... her style if lighthearted, fun and unique. I find her color palette to be especially refreshing during the winter!

Extra Large...Travel in Style....Weekend in WONDERLAND Duffle...cyndesplace...Ready to Ship
Travel in Style Weekend Extra Large Tote $160.00
This next item was too hard not to include, especially in the dead of winter up here in Boston! 
Hoo, Hoo, Hoooo Goes There Funky Hoot Owl Hat, Newborn -Child
Hoo Hoo Hoooo GOes There Funky Hoot Owl Hat $25.00
I really love felt, and when I saw this handbag with its rich yummy green color it brightened up my day!
Going to Town Bag
Going to Town Bag $56.00


Okay... one last bag just for fun!

Classy Chic Handbag, in wonderland fabric-cyndesplace
Classy Chic Handbag $28.00

If you want more, please visit Cynde's blog at www.hipchicdesigns.blogspot.com


Happy Friday!!!

~Liza

Friday, December 3, 2010

: Inspired Human :: Jono Pandolfi :

I am so excited to share this artist with you. His medium of choice is clay which holds a special place in my heart. Jono Pandolfi and I attended Skidmore College at the same time working in the ceramics studio under the guidance of professor Regis Brodie. Jono has taken his talents to the next level and has more than earned his place working with top designers. Among these clients are Anthropologie, Calvin Klein Home, Crate and Barrel, Converse and the list goes on. Jono's work can be found on restaurant tables at Terrace 5 Restaurant at the MoMA, Eleven Madison Park and more. Without further ado, may I introduce you to Jono Pandolfi.


Name: Jono Pandolfi
Age: 34

Sign: LEO!
Where can we find you (blogs, websites etc... list them all;): My website jonopandolfi.com, plus loads of others (see Jono's site for details).  Food and; Wine, Ediblemanhattan.com, msnbc, all kinds of stuff.
Terrace 5 Bud Vases, MoMAm NYC

What inspires you most right NOW?
A dark clay body I am using that looks awesome unglazed. I am doing unglazed tea service pieces for Eleven Madison Park.

Kona Dinnerware for Crate and Barrel
Does form follow function, or the other way around? 
It can work both ways. Usually the first one, but it can be either.



What was your first "real" job? 
Teaching ceramics to kids at the school where I first got hooked. 


Do you have a favorite piece, or lots of favorites? 
I don't think I have one. 


How does the creative process work for you?

Yesterday, at a meeting with a client, they asked me to send some sketches of ideas after a lengthy conversation. I boldly stated that I rarely sketch before I start throwing. Well, today, I realized that I DO actually sketch, just in my head. So I forced myself to put some of these things on paper just to see how they looked and it was a worthwhile exercise. But usually I just have an idea of what I want, wedge the clay, and go for it. Pots are like sketches. The first one or two you throw on any given day will usually not come out. Think of that as your warm up. Not every pot has to come out perfect. And not every pot should be kept. 
Pillow Plates, Eleven Madison Park

Salty or sweet? 
Both at the same time. I love Kettle Corn!!!!!!!


What is the craziest thing you ever did to get someone to notice your work? 
Great Question! You have to be fearless about that if you want to get ahead. I'll do anything. I'll talk about my stuff to anyone who will listen (look how much I am typing here...)
Serving Pieces 

Are there days where you just don’t want to get into the studio? If so, what gets you in there? 
Yes there are, and I usually just DON'T go in- I go elsewhere. I feel that on those days, just don't do it. I mean, if I am in the middle of production and it's basically a mindless thing, then there is no excuse to not work. But If I am working on new design, and I just strongly feel like avoiding the studio, i tend to stay away for a day and not feel guilty about it. I go walk around Manhattan and come back the next day feeling super. 


Is it the process of creating a piece that most intrigues you, or the end result?
Definitely both, because you enjoy the first part, the creating, but then the end result is so permanent and long lasting so you better like it. 
china
Edible Manhattan: "Not Your Grandmothers China"

Describe what it is like for you when you are in the 'zone',when you are in your most creative moment? It's a great feeling. Being creative all the time is impossible though. It's good to have breakthrough ideas, then return to monotony for a while, then more breakthroughs, then more monotony, etc, etc. 


I am inspired, are you? Thank you Jono for talking with P&P!


Liza