heysusy

PATTERN TEASER { new terrain }

Hi All! I've been intermittently working on some new patterns in the past month or so and I thought I'd share some little swatches here. Some of these will make their way into the 2010 calendar (which will be ready quite soon) and some are just ideas that I think are worth checking out.

One of the major things on my wishlist for SusyJack* is a more integrated website, which would be able to show my products, and also show a selection of patterns and motifs for licensing. While I love having my own product line, there are so many patterns I create which don't *quite* fit in...but that are successful in their own right, and might be great for other uses-- and that is something I'm getting approached about more and more. So, hopefully, I can explore that project this year.

Anyway, I wanted to show how some of the natural shapes and ideas I've been posting about lately are inspiring me, in my own work! I hope you all enjoy your day, today. I'll be quite busy in the studio, but hopefully, I can get a lot accomplished.

xx s

STUDY GROUP { design details }

Good morning everyone! I hope you are all feeling fine and frisky this Wednesday. I, personally, have quite a busy day ahead. There is a lot of administrative stuff to do around here, not to mention some project-y stuff that is in desperate need of attention. But first, some creative distraction...what would life be without a little ooh and ahh time?

I received an email from Claire Nereim yesterday, which reminded me how badly I've wanted to post about her recently launched collection. Since I know I have seen her beautiful floral cards and calendars on some other sites, I thought it might be nice to feature her Drift Series, here (which is my personal fave of all her work). While I do love flowers, I'm always amazed when a designer can create beauty out of something that may not otherwise be seen that way...which is why I'm particularly smitten by Drift. They hover between decor and art. Quite nice.

I love the idea of combining natural, flowing lines with harder materials...and seeing what kind of asthetic evolves. Textures, colors, and unexpected mixtures create really interesting, personal, vignettes.

Stacking feather and stone rings by Loselliani > here
Agate slice > from my ever-growing folder of inspriations...
Claire Nereim Prints and Paper > here (mention HS for a 10% discount on any calendar print!)
Lucky Clovers > here
Faceted Mirror Table (love this!) > here

Also...for those of you interested in approaching how to approach blogers about your work, there is a great new post with tips on how to get started over at design*sponge. Even tho I write a blog, I still found it helpful, in terms of my own products!

Past is Present { mischa designs by michelle lai }

Ohhhhh...Ohhhhhhh! I'm having a moment.
I was so thrilled to hear from Michelle Lai about her line of clutch handbags, bangle bracelets and accessories that I practically fell out of my chair at all the juicy colors, gorgeous textures and painstaking details. I've been meaning to post these for a while, but wanted to wait until yesterday's post (also Japan-themed.)

I really love this designer's thoughtful and precise statement about her collection, which uses carefully selected vintage kimono and obi fabrics mixed with mother of pearl and lacquer for each and every piece... "Mischa handbags and accessories are not meant to follow trends or seasons. Instead, they compliment a woman's individual style, giving her the power to express her own individuality and elegance." I really like that idea. It reminds me what really I love about style, and thinking about style.

View more delicious products > here
To shop Mischa Design's store, go > here

In other news...
I will have  SusyJack* 2010 Calendar Preview ready later on in the week, which I will to put in my email newsletter as well as post here. And, the little treat to celebrate becoming a Lucky.com top shop is in the works, too. (I know, it's later than I planned...). And, to everyone who welcomed me on my first day on twitter...thank you so, so much...I am still getting the hang of it, obviously!! xx s

Viva Japan { textiles and fashion }

Hi everyone! How were your weekends? I hope they were wooooonderful, whether they were spent celebrating the 4th of July, or...otherwise engaged.  I, personally, was up visiting my parents with Kurt...filling up on BBQ and dipping my timid tootsies into the cold h2o.

So, I came across some of these items last week, and wanted to save them until today. They seemed a good way to launch into summer!  Anyway...Lately, I"m finding myself very inspired by what is going on in Japanese-inspired fashion and textile design. In particular, the work of two artists, Tsumori Chisato and Wakana Koike. Their gorgeous, watery textiles, combined with super-lightweight garments creates a magical, expressive and easy whimsy.

I am also loving some of the tribal influences which seems to be working it's way in...which is why I accented these picks with a few more accessories I really liked for color and shape.

More from these designers and find more accessories > here
What I think is Wakane's blog of ongoing work > here

One more thing- Ok, I finally have a twitter page (there's not much on there yet!) but for those of you who expressed interest, the link for that is right > here.

American Inventions { kwilti and happy 4th! }

Hello everyone! Before getting down to business on today's post details, I wanted to offer a heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you who took the time to weigh in on the Twitter Issue yesterday. I truly appreciate all of your advice, and I think I'm going to give it a try! So, again, thank you for your insight and advice-- it is a total treat whenever my brilliant, thoughtful readers share their thoughts. : )

And now...onto the goodies... I thought these beautiful denim pieces from Brooklyn-Based Julie Floersch were the perfect thing to feature today, since we are nearing July 4th! I love the way she interprets denim- not only as a fabric cabaple of creating unique structure (she really uses the fraying, distressing, and "personality" of the fabric to enhance the form of each piece) but also as a symbol... which adds an interesting and meaningful cultural layer to her tribally influenced jewelry, traditional quilts, and installation pieces.

A mixture of story, improvisation and invention-- what it is to be an artisan. Working wtih materials long enough that they begin to show you something new.

Visit Julie's site > here
Kwilti Store > here and here
Blog > here
Not-To-Be-Missed installation for Madewell SoHo > here
A Visual History of Old Glory > here

Have a wonderful weekend! xx S

Tweet? { advice, please!}

Do any of you lovely readers do twitter? Do you like it? I'm thinking about doing it, but I'm kind of conflicted. So tell me, do you like it? Find it fun? Useful? A time suck? Relevant? Horrid? Abhorrent? A sign of the End Times?

I'm thinking I should probably sign up because I'd like to do a better job of getting the word out when I have something important to share, like a new product or a blog post or something. And also, it might be a good way to keep up with some of my blogger friends! But I'm wondering how many tweets a day I need to do...and I'm concerned it might become an exercise in self-aggrandizement... Which I try to avoid as a rule!

So, I know it's not often I ask for advice, but, the time has come. I'm really wondering what to do. I would love to know if any of my readers are involved, and whether adding tweetiness to my collection of online activities might be a good idea, in your opinions.

(God, I will be SO embarrassed if this post gets no comments.)
Barbie for The Birds > here

love! s

Inspiration { special objects }

There are certain objects, that, even though they are commonly known, still hold a lot of magic for me. On Sunday, when Kurt came home from his trip, he was telling me a funny story about going through security and how they wanted to see the scissors nestled deep in his suitcase..I guess they were visible on the XRay. He took them out and showed them to me, and to my surprise, he was holding up a pair of silver Stork scissors.

I realized that this particular design has always been really special to me. Not because I have ever owned a pair, or because I think they're so pretty. But more because they don't really have to exist...and they don't really have to look the way they do, to get the job done. To me, every time I see these, I see a miracle.

Objectivity { Illustrations by Christine Berrie }

Hello All!  Everything good? Have good weekends? I certainly hope so! I enjoyed mine...I relaxed and spent some quiet time getting work done around the house, and getting ready for Kurt to come back from Berlin. Ok, well really I frantically cleaned up the huge mess I made while he was away! Probably, if I didn't live with Kurt, I'd be buried under a huge heap of craft supplies, half-completed projects and pizza boxes by now.

Anyway, I came across these illustrations on etsy the other day, and fell in love with them. Not only do I enjoy the way they create a portrait of an object, but I love the way that the texture of the illustration works to show the viewpoint of the artist.

I think two of these-- I especially love the transistor radio series, blown up to a huge size, would look fantastic over a couch.

Affordably priced, diverse selection of prints and artwork > right here
Christine Berrie's Own Site > here
And Blog > here

THE ROYAL TREATMENT { marquis + camus }

Oh. My. GOD. This is a short post because I think the incredible jewelry up here just speaks for itself. I am completely in love with everything at Sarah Kang's jewelry label, Marquis + Camus... I especially love the handbags, and the lace-and-fabric-covered gems and baubles. I could always use a few more baubles!

A whole lot more to see right > here

I hope you all have fantastic weekends, and thanks for stopping on by! xx s

Delighted! { susyjack* shopping special on delight today!}

Hello everybody!

You know, one of the things I just can't get used to as an entrepreneur is the idea of self-promotion. I am just not the sort of person who toots her own horn without feeling VERY self-conscious. But, I thought since this promotion involved the lovely, lady-owned and operated site Delight.com, I'd toot, toot, toot, guilt-free!

Today (for the next 22 hours) Delight is offering up my work/life magnet sets as one of their daily shopping specials! So, I hope you'll hop on over there and take a peek... There are lots more wonderfully fun items there as well, all hand-picked by the delightful Kim and Tracy, the site's founders. Actually, I had the pleasure of meeting Kim at the Stationery Show. It is always great when you know that there are cool people behind a very cool site.

Check it out  > Right Here

NOTIONS { collecting }

Lately, I'm feeling the need to re-collect myself...I feel a bit scattered...and sometimes, making a collage is just the thing I need to do to remind myself of what really inspires me, what I like, and where to begin. So, perhaps, that is what this post is all about...in fact, that is most certainly what it is all about!

Clockwise from the top left...here's what each piece inspired in me...and you?
Buttons > Stop and enjoy.
Bridal Photo > Be Yourself.
Butterfly > Simplify.
Clovers > Look Closer.
Key and Letter > Make the effort. It's worth it.
Earrings and Necklace > Dress up more often. Just for fun, just to be girly!

An extra update: Tiffany from Muntedkowhai is offering HS* readers a  15% discount... just enter code hellosusy !

What's Not to Like? { idlm }

Hello Ducklings...I am back from the Upstate Wilderness. Okay, not quite wilderness, but anyway, I did manage to get up to see my family this past weekend, and am now plunging back into daily affairs with wild, unbound, abandon. Sort of.

So, I really like some of the items at I Don't Like Mondays...and today seemed like the perfect day to post them. Personally, I am really in love with the pants up there. What a great, comfortable look, and of course, I like anything that manages to blend a great shape with a generous pair of pockets!

Also, I'm loving some of the cage detailing on many of their items...it's risqué, with a nice edge. If you really want a thrill, check out the cage skirt and bralette by Savant. LOVE!

I Don't Like Mondays > here
Listen to the Original Boomtown Rats song.
You'll love the handclaps. And Bob Geldof's Big Gingham Blazer. > here

CALL OUTS { a few of my favorite things }

Hello sweet sweeties! Hope all is well and you're having a fabulous morning. Personally, I am wondering if it will ever stop raining in NYC, and feeling like maybe I should build an ark, or at least invest in a stylish life-preserver.

I love the rough and refined mixture here, the drippy foil lettering on leather, the planetary stones, and the wonderfully  rough, sketchy lace...and rows of white covered buttons, of course, of course.

Well, I'm off to pack up a box full of goodies...in other news, susyjack* has been named one of Lucky's "sites we love" ...and so I'll be celebrating that next week with a little paper treat!

NOW wallet > here (watch out, there's really irksome music on this site)
Green Lace and Bead Corsage > here
Necklace > here
Pretty sure I found the Gloves > here

DUDE, WHERE'S MY FOULARD? {neckerchiefs}

There is nothing I love more than weird, weird collections, and people who have assembled knowledge on one particular topic. In the past, I've been lucky enough to find some great websites dedicated to everything from typewriter ribbon cases, to pencils, to obscure toys from the 1970's...but it never occured to me that people might collect Foulards.

Anyway, I love the square format...so many possibilities. And up here are just a few that popped out at me-- both current and vintage. There's nothing easier than tying a gorgeous silk scarf to your purse, the perfect accessory, and oh so casual. Personally, I never know when I'm going to be hopping into a convertible, or taking a fast ride on a cigarette boat. Ok, I'm kidding, but I do know I'll be visiting the International Hermes Scarf Collector Site pretty darned often.

I should mention that not all of these are Hermes...but, then again, the brand doesn't matter. I just like the format. I should also mention that I can't figure out the key shortcut for an accent grave.

GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS {coco pit}

Hello lovelies. I'm so, so busy today...so I am just popping in for a minute or two. Looking at these illustrations by Frenglish Illustrator Coco Pit reminds me that a still life can look just as lovely as a picture of a pretty girl...and it's probably harder to capture. I particularly love the image at the bottom, of the clutch and the fabrics. Somehow, the way she's rendered tweed and twill is just so true.

Enjoy more illos > here

And don't miss her silk scarves > here

Eye Spy { Judy Geib Plus Alpha }

I don't know, everybody. I just saw these and KNEW you would like them. Personally, I'm always up for a little Judy Geib. There is so much LIFE in her work. And, while I always love looking at all of the beauties in her body of work, what I enjoyed even more was reading her biography, which is quiet, thoughtful, gracious and really quite interesting.

Looking at these glasses reminds me that life is not necessarily about what you see...but about how you see. To choose poetry...to go beyond, and into.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I do...like I said, I had a hunch you might.
Right > here

GLOW ME { the metallic touch }

Sigh. It's finally Friday. I can't say I'm in the best state of mind. Not to get too revelatory, but I feel pretty blue after a week of Nothing But Rain here in NYC. Still, it's always nice to think of the city getting a good scrubbing.

So, while I know there is much to be done with my current collection, I can't help but think into the future about what I'd like to do next. These wallpapers inspire me. I love the colors, and I absolutely adore the warmth of the gold, copper, and brass tones laying on top. Perhaps, perhaps...

Well, I hope you all have wonderful weekends. I am going for a long overdue visit to see my parents, upstate at Lake George. I am really looking forward to hopping on that train tonight, looking out the window as the city tunnels and bridges give way to the hills and the Hudson. xx s

Wallpapers found > here
and  also > here

Please Please Me { au fil de }

Greetings, darlings. How are you this morning? I'm sorry for the lack of a post, yesterday. I had a horrible-- horrible migraine-inducing morning, wandering around Long Island City in the rain (I also enjoyed getting splashed, bodily, by a passing truck). It was truly, truly traumatic. But, I guess these are The Things We Must Do if We Want to Have Our Products Printed Locally. Luckily, my policy is to reward myself with food, so I can say I *earned* my macaroni and cheese, and my pizza...and my beer... last night.

Anyway, today, soothing images are just the thing I need. I was so happy to come across the work at Au Fil De... and I really hope you find the colors and abstract explorations in these images as inspiring as I do.

Enjoy more > here
Explore more > here
Read More > here

LE BEAU EST TOUJOURS BIZARRE { grégoire alexandre }

 

Hello everyone! I really hope you all enjoyed your weekends. I certainly did, and I had the wonderful, wonderful, opportunity to meet up with some blogger friends of mine, and to meet a few new faces...it's one of the things I really love about living in the NYC area, that there are so many other bloggers concentrated here, and they actually enjoy meeting in reality, as well as supporting each other online. They also like bacon, and I like bacon. So, it works out well.

At any rate, onto the post du jour! I can't recall where I heard about Gregoire Alexandre, but I really enjoyed taking a trip through his portfolio-- the colors, the ideas, and the constructions are really clever and it looks like he has a lot of fun making these images a reality. If you feel like getting lost somewhere between photography and reality, just hop on over here for more.

Title of this post courtesy of Charles Baudelaire.

SO TRUE { nice shapes }

Hello, hello, hello. I've been so very, very bad about creating new inspiration boards lately, and can't wait to get started on some of the different ideas I've got brewing, again. I love taking inspiration from sources outside of the paper world...fashion, style, obscure photos...things that speak to me. I try and remember them. And that's one of the reasons that writing a blog comes in so handy.

Anyway, I wanted to post up this little collage of items to remind myself how much I like these shapes. Drapey, feminine, and also structured and organic, I'm loving the free-flowing, expansive nature of these objects....Hippy-dippy? No. Exotic and daring!

Ok all, I'm off to squeeze what little productivity I can out of this rainy friday. Enjoy your weekends, ok? OK! xx s

Dress by > these people
Bag > new here
Cups > also from here
Necklaces  > honestly, I can't remember, but I'll try, by God, I'll try!! Oh! I remembered!! > HERE

FANTASTIC CREATURES { audubon's delight }

Kurt can tell you that I watch more Antiques Roadshow than anyone should. The other day, there was a lucky fellow on with two...count them...two...Audubon prints.

While I have always known about John James Audubon, I never really took the time to understand why his work is so important. After looking more closely, I could clearly see why I have always loved it...especially the pieces where his distinct style is at it's zenith. The spirit of exploration, the twisting, otherworldly shapes, and the incredible use of whitespace invoke a kind of exploration and observation that makes the world seem like a giant, magical oyster.

Personally, my favorites are his drawings of larger birds-- there is just something so weird about them, and I love how Audubon is celebrating birds athat are not quaint and dainty.

But really I can see hanging these beautiful studies up in a space with contrasting, modern/industrial furniture. While I love their conservative feel...there's a part of me that wants to accent them by opposing them.

Affordable and Plentiful Audubon Posters found > here
Make sure that you check out the discount code for 15% off til June 5 > here

OFFERING UP { etsy gift guides }

Morning, sweeties! Today finds me perusing the Etsy Gift Guides...which I do quite a bit. They really are, in my opinion, the most reliable source to find the best of the best on Etsy. I am ever-amazed at the incredibly explorative and deeply-rooted creativity on show there-- not to mention the amazing styling talent that these sellers showcase in the compelling images of their items.

Three Must See Shops...
Wonderful new jewelry and adornement to be found at > Contrary
Gorgeously grounded ceramics at > mrh studio
MUST SEE typographic event garlands at > bekah jennings

---
The paper feathers above were found > here
And the chair (not from etsy, but I like this shop too) found > here via Melissa Loves

Enjoy!

CANDY GIRL {candystore collective}

I had the pleasure of meeting the Candystore ladies at the Stationery Show in 2008, and since then, I've been wanting to post about their beautiful online store. Today, when I opened up my Daily Candy, I noticed there was a link to them (with a  discount promotion attached here) and thought to myself 'Today's the day!'

I love many of their new items...and overall, what I adore about their store is the simple sophistication of so many of the items...there's definitely an urban edge, but it's tempered with an artistic overlay. I also love the mixture of bright color with strong neutrals-- and the simple beauty of many of the style shots on their site. They do such a wonderful job of re-creating the feeling of the Mission District...Bright light, Latin roots, Summer sheen.

Also worth noting, there's a really lovely new intro animation on the home page, created by Alyson Fox. I loved all of it...especially the music. So take a second to get lost in it, if you need a little daydreaming today.

Candystore Collective > here
Daily Candy Feature (you'll have to sign in to see the discount) > here

More about artist/designer Alyson Fox > here

WEEKENDER { pace }

Hi Everyone, I hope you all had wonderful weekends! I actually had a great weekend...I managed to get all of my accounting done (truly scary) and to get out and about in NYC.

Kurt and I went to Pace in Midtown this Saturday, to check out the Tim Hawkinson show...which included, among other things, a motorcycle made of feathers...which appears above. It was a great show...full of pieces which brought delight through their process-, clever, rational yet improvisational style. Truly, for me, the type of art I adore.

Upstairs, we happened on a couple of prints by Helen Frankenthaler...and I managed to track them down to share with you, pretty much as they appeared in the gallery. Since posting this, a few months ago, I realized that I'm not the only Frankenthaler Fan around here, and I thought you might also like the bright colors and thoughtful shapes.

Anyway, it was great to get out, to see the sun, to spend time in Central Park under the Elms, ice cream sandwich in hand...sunny colors sweet tastes, and fun ideas...it makes me feel a lot lighter.

GREY GARDENS { paint colors }

It's pretty rare for me to see interior design that I would actually want to live in... but this did the trick. Normally, when I see pictures of people's perfectly decorated places, it makes me want to run screaming into the woods, and live in a tarp-covered hole. It just seems unachievable.

I'm really not good at decorating, and despite writing a blog, I'm kind of not into decorating. I guess that's why I post so much about fashion, here, and very little about furniture.

However, I do really admire people who know how to make a space work...and for me, this interior works really well. I love the unexpected use of ubiquitous grey paint...and the meaning it gives to the pops of color in the space. I also love the street-punk asthetic that it brings in in such an unironic, livable way.

More slides of this home can be viewed > here
Socially aware, yet positive post-punk pop art available > here
Wooden Letters to Paint Bright Pink  > here

CONSTELLATION PRIZE + NEWS {rapz, shoplive}

Just a quick post today...I am pretty busy, and, before I get to procrastinating, it's time to get into gear! Vroom.
Anyway, not to beat you over the head with jewelry posts-- I know I've been pretty heavy on the adornments this week...but I just thought these product photos were really pretty...I like the way they soften the look of the materials used...the spiral shapes are really evocative.

A nice reminder of what styling can do...even if there are not many props handy!
Found > here

OH, AND...
ShopLive Event Tonight with Marichelle of HeartHandmade!
One more little tidbit of news...The fabulous, funny, and talented Marichelle of Heart Handmade will be hosting, and curating, a ShopLive event tonight at Etsy-- and yours truly will have a couple of my new  items on sale at a nice discount. So, head on over to her blog for more info and presale deals from talented types such as Drika B, BoyGirlParty, TheSmallObject, Cicada Studio and Mudpuppy among others.

I'm switzerland. {powerful neutrals}

Hi Everybody! Hope you're all feeling fine this morning. I, unfortunately, am feeling a little lack-luster today. Perhaps it's the gray weather we're having here in NYC, or, maybe it's that the stationery show is over, and this is always a weird time where I realize my adrenaline has left, that I have lots of administrative work to do, and generally, feel wiped out from the huge amount of effort that goes into being a sole proprietor and trying to move a business forward.

I guess there's always a silver lining...even when days are cloudy. That's what inspired me to pick out these items. I particularly like the feminine touches that each of them have, but in unconventional ways-- of course, with a bit of an edge....Studs, Facets, Tangles...oversized metal chunks. Right on! And of course, billowy shapes in all the right places.

Shoes > here
Tough but Lovely Earrings, Ring > Anna Beck
Dress > found here
Bracelets...LOVE these > also here
Scarf > i forget...will try and find!

Enjoy your day, all. I hope to be back in my 'element' tomorrow.

Gettin' Bibby With it {necklaces}

Two things happened this weekend that I NEVER thought would. The first involves-- and please sign here ____________ to indicate that you will continue reading Hey even if I tell you this.... these. The second, which I am going into greater detail about above, involves actually liking something in the window of a Banana Republic! Normally, they are too upright for me.

Taking cues from trend-forward jewelry and accessory designers like Michelle Jank and Marni, BR has actually got a couple of really gorgeous bib necklaces in their summer lineup. Personally, the neutral one with the smoky faceted cabochons gets my vote- while I like *looking* at candy colors, I tend to think they look garish on. Especially here in NYC, where everything competes for attention.

Go Bananas > here
Several fun pieces by Michelle Jank > here

GAM I AM {bebaroque}

Delft Legs! What could be better? I don't know...maybe flowy, engraved bows on my ankles?

I love the collection of tights at bebaroque, a Scottish brand which prints and embroiders it's own designs on gorgeous, opaque stockings. Personally, some of my favorte tights are the ones with only one leg designed, which have a nice asymetrical, draped ornamental look.

Also, their new designs which have actual embellishments sewn onto the tights (ribbon, fringe)  are very cool, and definitely fun to look at. I can see wearing them with an understated dress, or even under a great pair of dressy shorts with a tweed, boy-style  blazer.

Bebaroque > here
More about the ladies behind the line > here

xx s

Honored { Anna Bond of Rifle }

Yaaay, everybody!! I'm back to my normal posting schedule...hurrah! No more days spent at the Javits...watching my feet balloon through my shoes, lunching on unsatisfying, overpriced empanadas, and wondering if I'm allergic to cheap carpet.

So, here's something of note...Anna from Rifle stopped by and she is wonderful... (and also has the best eye makeup). Anna, if you're reading this, I totally know your work, and didn't make the connection when you were in my booth...I am like a deer in the headlights sometimes! If I had known it was you, I would have probably jumped around all excited and crashed my booth.

Anyhow, readers, if you'd like a sweet, interesting treat today, check out her site and blog-- here's what I love about all of it: The signature style which is present in every piece...the art direction of the photos which accents the asthetic Anna works with, and, on her blog, the wonderful mixture of design, illustration, and technical aspects, like packaging and printing. It is clear how she creates such beautiful things-- a LOT of work, and a LOT of expertise, experience, and thoughtfulness.

Anna's blog
Anna's site
Also...don't miss her flickr