{ Untitled by Zoe Gatz } { 7247 by Brandon Blommaert }
Hey hey, kitty cats! We’re flying home today! What a trip this has been. I can’t wait to tell you all about it! More regular (and longer) posts starting tomorrow…
Tag Archives: design
A Fine Design: Books? What Are Those?
You know how you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover? Well, sometimes you have to. Here at Westervin, we’re hard at work on a new design for the very blog that you are reading right now. I’ve found that one of the best ways to find inspiration for website design is to look at design in other fields: enter The Book Cover Archive.
As the name implies, the site is a collection of book cover designs. But it’s not just a collection of any old books. It’s a curated collection of visually interesting books, mostly new, but some old. To explore the selection, you can search by book title, designer, art director, font, or many other elements that might interest you. I realize not all of you are embarking on website redesigns, but perhaps you can find inspiration from book covers for all sorts of creative projects.
The Shopping Sherpa: I’m So Edgy!!!
JK. I’m actually more like the opposite of edgy. I’m a big proponent of hugs and baby animals… and hugging baby animals. But that doesn’t mean I can’t look edgy right?
P.S. I realize that some of these items, a ceramic mug, for instance, may not appear “edgy” to some. Just go with me on this. It’s all about the color scheme here. K? Thanks.
ROW 1: Organic Black Hair Triangle Tee from Coma and Cotton; Dreamcatcher Necklace from Erma; Paisley Drums Hair Clip from Paisley and Brass by Ashaloo
ROW 2: You’re a Winner Pennant Necklace from Super Duper Things; Magic Triangle Magnetic Necklace from Color Blind Smarties by Tamé; Triangles Unisex Crew from Jessalin Beutler
ROW 3: Arctic Series Moleskin Notebook from The Blackbird Sings; Neighborhood Mug from Dovetail; Black Lace-up Rain Boots from Vim and Vigor Vintage
Today I Love: Lazy Oaf
Lazy Oaf is not for the timid. This London-based creative label will shock you with color and tickle you with silly graphics. I think I’ll take one of everything!
Giveaway! Amethyst Chunk Necklace
EDIT: This giveaway has ended. Enter our current giveaway here!
It’s that time again, folks. For this week’s Freebie February giveaway, the endlessly sweet Tawni Wold is giving away this ga-ga-gorgeous necklace to one lucky Westervin reader! We’re hoping that you will spread the love and visit her shop — she has a beautiful collection of jewelry made from rare and unexpected gemstones, crystals and reclaimed vintage pieces, the sale of which go to pay her doggie’s medical bills. Read my mini interview with Tawni below, and then leave a lovely little comment to enter the giveaway. The winner will be notified via email in one week.
To enter:
- Leave your first name and last initial (full names are encouraged).
- Leave a working email address (this will not be published).
- You have one week to enter. This giveaway ends Sunday, February 28th at 11:59pm CST.
- Increase your chances of winning by telling someone else to enter! You’ll get an additional entry (up to 20) for every person you refer — just ask them to leave your name in their comment. It really works — last week’s winner had an extra entry!
On this necklace, a faceted piece of amethyst hangs from a unique silver chain, measuring 27 inches. Retail price: $38
What types of materials do you use?
A lot of my jewelry is made from reclaimed pieces. Lots of vintage! I also use lots and lots of gemstones and crystals! I love anything with a bit of druzy and with a sort of rough/raw shape. Hehehehe, rough! raw! Sounds sort of dirty…!
What inspires your beautiful designs?
My mood has a lot to do with how the pieces turn out. My newer pieces are more romantic and feminine, at least I think so. I am almost positive that has to do with my boyfriend finally returning home from Russia. I suddenly want to wear lots of lace and highlight my cheeks with blush. The new jewelry is a result of that, feeling pretty and in love! Really lame sounding, I know, but the same goes for my darker pieces; I was probably depressed when I made them. Or, at the very least, hating all the dark and dreary winter days here in Sacramento.
What’s this little guy’s name?
My doggie’s name is Ren Oir. His last name is Oir as I used to bring him to my classes and one of my professors thought it very wrong that Ren did not have a last name. She said that I MUST give him a proper last name! All I could think of was ‘Oir’. My little brother gave him his first name, after ‘The Ren and Stimpy Show.’
How did Ren get sick?
I’m not exactly positive why/how Ren got sick, as my vet lost his stool sample. How a vet loses a ziplock container entitled ‘REN OIR’S STOOL SAMPLE’ is beyond me, but because of this I never got a definite answer. I suspect Ren may have drank some contaminated water at the river park I’d brought him to the day before… but I honestly cannot say for sure. The poor boy had to be pumped full of fluids and medication for the next few days. I actually had to hook him up to an IV three times a day for a week after he came home from the vet, the poor thing. But he is recovering well, and I am so so so broke because of it! I’ve got ‘pet insurance’ Google results on another tab as I type this, lol. …Don’t want to get into this kind of expensive crisis again. It was completely worth it though, as I love my little boy 
And a big thanks to free!grechen for featuring this giveaway!
Artist I Heart: Mary Virginia Carmack
The Shopping Sherpa: Ancient Egypt
I got a little inspired by yesterday’s post with Mario Zoots…
Clockwise from top left: Tut Women’s Tee from Shipwreck Design; Anubis Jewelry Case from Kikkerland; Antique Pyramid Necklace from A Little Bead; Artifacts of Ancient Egypt Pen Collection from Design Toscano
Clockwise from top left: All 4 1 & 1 4 All Tee from Threadless; Customized Hieroglyph Pillow from Blue Terracotta; Pharaoh Necklace from The Brass Menagerie; 69 BC Print from Amber Alexander
The Shopping Sherpa: An Etsy Wedding
I’ve got weddings on the brain! Between the Crate & Barrel Ultimate Wedding Contest we entered, my sweet baby Gracie’s upcoming nuptials and all the wedding season commercials/shows on tv, I can’t seem to escape it. Like many a daydreaming schoolgirl, I’ve already started planning ours, even though we haven’t even set a date yet. Below are some of the lovely, handmade things I’ve picked out from Etsy — a mix of sweet and quirky. For those of you just joining us, Brian and I have entered the contest (mentioned above) to win $100,000 and the aid of a talented wedding planner to create our dream wedding. We need a lot of votes to win, so if you haven’t already voted, please take a few seconds to do so! Vote for us here.
EDIT: If you’ve voted for us, you can now enter our giveaway to win a stunning embroidered necklace from Marañón, a featured seller on Etsy. Enter here.
1. Squirrel Groom Cake Topper from Melabo
2. Necklaces from The Vamoose — These would make lovely gifts for ladies in the wedding party, no?
3. Gray and Royal Blue Hat from Behida Dolic
4. Gold Paper Bowl from Up In The Air Somewhere – On the reception tables, filled with small pebbles and a tea light. Might need to see how flammable they are though…
5. Pink Petals Dress from Sarah Seven — I must have a Sarah Seven dress in my life!
6. Silvery Sash/Headband from Little White Dresser
7. Light Shades from Nice — I’m in love with these. In LOVE!
8. Custom Couples Portrait from Tuesday Mourning — To go on the Save the Date cards.
9. Teacup and Silverware Windchime from Reclaimed Designs — For the wind to make sweet music as we celebrate our sweet love. Eew! Sappy.
10. Tiny Twig Pencils from alliebeans — To sign the guestbook.
11. Silk Tie from Tie One On — For the groom. Obv.
12. Custom Tiny Text Bowl from Paloma’s Nest — Instead of those froofy little ring pillows.
1. Silk Pleated Collar Dress from Amanda Archer — A possible bridesmaid dress.
2. We Make Sense Poster from Things by bubbo-tubbo — I want to have this printed on rectangles of cotton (preferably recycled or eco-friendly material) for reusable napkins that our guests can take home.
3. White Gold Band from One Stone New York — Made from recycled gold by the same artisan who made my engagement ring.
4. Multi-color Flag Necklace from Scout Holiday — Not sure who would wear this yet… I just had to include it.
5. Vintage Ledger Seals from Kis for Calligraphy — For sealing all the “Thanks for the gift” letters.
6. Big Dots and Bunting Teapot from Ninainvorm — Because you gotta offer your guests a little after-dinner cup of tea, right? Really, I want all the plates to be from Nina, too.
7. Small to Tall Containers from Jfish Designs — Picture these filled with mismatched wildflowers
8. Triangular Laced Necklace from Marañón — I gotta temper that dainty, sweet wedding dress with a little bit of spice!
9. Porcelain Tiles from Ashley G
10. Cupcake Stand with Bird Bell Jar from Whitney Smith Pottery
11. Porcelain Pie “Tins” from Lorena Barrezueta — We’re thinking the food will be “picnic fair”, so I think these would make cute serving dishes for the potato salads and such.
12. Victoria Cake Stand from My Cake Stand
Daily Pretties: Be
{ tennisanyone by t knouff } { If you want to be happy, be. by Stéphane Massa-Bidal }
The Book Shop: The People of Paper
And now, we leave you to your weekend debauchery with a very special Book Shop post — our beloved buddy Sarah Hughes sent us a review for one of our favorite readings (of all time… it’s amazing) that’s as well-written as the book itself. Welcome, Sarah, to the ranks of guest blogger! And welcome, readers, to more reading/shopping fun…
The People of Paper opens with a little boy bringing his butchered pet cat back to life with delicately folded paper organs and veins made from a college-ruled notebook. It is this care, attention to detail, love, science and heartbreak that marks the rest of the novel, and sits with you long after the book is over. Like a lump in your throat, made of origami.
The story centers around Little Merced, the daughter of a flower picking and perpetual bed-wetting father, who cures the sadness of her mother leaving with the sour tang of limes. The ways in which people deal with heartbreak is a defining personality trait in the book-whether they rage or hurt themselves or take comfort in the song of a bird. The cast of characters ranges from domino playing cholos to celestial bodies, but what the author lacks in focused, traditional character development, he mostly makes up for with first person perspectives, as well as an expertly-crafted intertwining plot and breath-taking prose.
The book itself is a piece of mixed-media art. Pages are sometimes blank, words are blocked over and the text is usually split up into columns based on whose point of view it’s from. The paper itself becomes a character in Plascencia’s descriptions — you almost find yourself rubbing it unconsciously, wondering what it tastes like or would feel like as a pillow or hand.
If you are already a fan of the sorrow and whimsy of Mexican literature, or modern authors like Jonathon Safran Foer, George Saunders, Eggers and others, this book will creep up on you like one of the story’s mechanical tortoises, but will remain lodged in even the most delicate of paper memories.
Clockwise from top left: Girl with a Magic Fruit Papercut Print from Elsita; Leather Heart Necklace from Katie Q; Friends Holding Heart Mandala from Emerlye Arts Kirigami; Mexican-style Tunic from Spun
Clockwise from top left: Tortoise Print from Sharon Montrose; Topographical Anatomical Heart Original Art from Kim Hamblin; Floral Print Pillow Shams from Plum Pretty Sugar; Paper Doll from The Black Apple
