Westervin Wishlist: To Sarah, From Santa

{ May I Lick the Spoon? by Heidi Burton }

My turn! Time to reveal all the goodies I’ve been pining for this Christmas. From dreamcats and lunar landscapes to mirror shards and rusty nails, I think I’ve put together a pretty interesting and comprehensive wishlist this year. See for yourself below!

Read the rest of this entry »

Maker’s Remarks: Sarah Newby

I’m positively thrilled to share our latest Maker’s Remarks interview. This time, I get to share the beautiful work of my super talented new friend and classmate, Sarah Newby. Sarah is debuting her new shop Newby Treasury with a line of jewelry made from wrapped jute rope and old nails. Separately, you might not think these items would make for a beautiful necklace, but combined using Sarah’s skilled hand and eye, the end result is a work of quiet elegance.

Read the rest of this entry »

The Shopping Sherpa: Sharp

Clockwise from top left: { No. 442 Citrine Beaded Bracelet from Dinosaur Toes }  { Triangle Wall Shelf in Deep Teal from Junglai }  { Linen Oblong Pouch from Bookhou at Home }  { BEAM Silk Desert Prism Scarf from Callen Thompson }

Maker’s Remarks: Debbie Carlos

{ Black Mountain }

While looking for a new photo print for our bedroom that was both large and affordable, I came across this crazy cool Mountains poster by one Debbie Carlos. I just had to have it, and how (!), so I messaged Debbie to make sure I could get it quickly. I’m about as patient as a spoiled kid on Christmas Eve. I also wanted it as part of a mini apartment facelift before our first wedding guest arrived. But mostly, I just wanted it now! Debbie turned out to be very accommodating. So sweet, in fact, that I thought, “Gee. I bet she’s a lovely, interesting person, and I sure would love to learn more about her and feature her gorgeous work on our blog.” So that’s what I did! Debbie kindly agreed to participate in our Maker’s Remarks series and has answered a few questions about her work, her life, and her inner crab.

{ Lake }

Your photos seem to express a love of nature. How do you find things to shoot despite living in a big city?

I don’t often take pictures of the city itself, choosing to focus more on the home and the quiet surprising/beautiful moments that happen sometimes. But Chicago is great in terms of greenery. There are tons of parks and  preserves within the city limits that I often shoot in. I also tend to take the most photographs when I’m traveling.

{ Woods }

Do you have any current or upcoming creative projects that you’re excited about?

I’m collaborating on a project with my brother, who is an amazing graphic designer based out of Minneapolis. He designed the award winning catalog for Yves Klein’s traveling exhibition and is senior designer at the Walker Art Center so you know this is going to be good! We are finalizing the design and about to go into production. It should be making its debut at this year’s Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago!

What’s your spirit animal?

The Dancing Crab

{ Blue Egg }

You also have a food blog! Can you share one of your favorite recipes with us?

Since it is summer, I feel like I must share with you the recipe for Watermelon Shake! Its a take on a Mexican Agua Fresca but its name is a shout out to my Filipino background (we call our blended fruit drinks shakes even though there is no dairy in them).

Watermelon Shake

Watermelon, cubed
Cold Water
Lime juice
Sweetener (Sugar, Agave Syrup, Honey, Splenda etc)
Salt

Use about a  4:1 ratio of watermelon to water. Pulse in a blender and taste. If its too watery, add more watermelon or add water if mixture seems too stiff. Add a small pinch of salt and season with lime juice and sweetener to taste.

* to make this a little boozy add some tequila

{ Gradient / Jade }

And you make jewelry? How do you balance all of your creative drives?

I feel like I always need to have a project going on. I think if I sit still for too long or if nothing is on the horizon, I get really anxious. I also think its really great and healthy to change it up a bit every once in awhile. If I get tired of working on photos, I know I can go and work on some jewelry.  If I get tired of both, maybe I can go into the kitchen and have a cooking project. There are a lot of things that I’d like to be able to do that just don’t happen and thats ok and sometimes it does get overwhelming but I kind of wing it based on mood. Its always good to have something going on.

The Shopping Sherpa: Trend Machine

This Shopping Sherpa guide is for the Southwestern cowgirl typography snob who likes to dabble in a harmless bit of witchcraft. I think there’s a little bit of her in all of us, don’t you think?

ROW 1:  { Horseshoe Earrings from Freshy Fig }  { Zig Zag Necklace from Cagebreak Bird }  { Aztec Chic Necklace from Noémiah }  ROW 2:  { Vintage Straw Tote from Swift Fox Vintage }  { Black Velvet Turban from Luna Solis }  { Fairisle Cowl from Knit Frekkles }  ROW 3:  { Ampersand Case Print from Marc Johns }  { Vintage Folk Jacket from Hey Red }  { Jaw Necklace from Beetle and Flor }

The Shopping Sherpa: Cool to the Touch

Three interesting notes regarding a couple of the items in this here Shopping Sherpa collection.

1) The Awesome-with-a-capital-A glass ring (top left) was handmade by one Arlie Trowbridge, who emailed to introduce me to her shop, Urban Revisions. But I beat Arlie to the punch! I found Urban Revisions a few weeks ago, and have been “favoriting” her unique shredded tees and organic glass rings like a madwoman. Thanks for reading Westerin, Arlie, and double thanks for emailing!!!

2) You may recognize the repurposed lace earrings (bottom right) as being from Tree & Kimball, a regular here on our bloggedy-blog. You probably don’t know, however, that Lisa, my special pen-pal and the evil genius behind T&K, has recently shared some lucky news. Tree & Kimball will now be carried in Anthropologie! I kinda feel like I know a famous person (even though we’ve never actually met in person, and I guess that professional success and recognition aren’t quite the same as being “famous”… at least not in the “Us Weekly” sense). Congratulations, dear!!!

3) Every item here is sooo cooooooool. Gimme! I want it all.

{ “Nature in the City” Glass Ring by Urban Revisions }  { Vintage Southwest Jacket from Clever Nettle }

{ Floresta Mug No. 6 by Sometimes She Does }  { Bullet Hole Necklace by Odette New York }

{ “Love Token” Tea Towel by Caitlin Hinshelwood }  { “Limor” Lace Earrings by Tree & Kimball }

Renegade Craft Fair: Romance & Durango

{ Little Ocean }

I hope you’ve been enjoying our coverage of Renegade and don’t mind that we’ve spread the posts out a bit. We’ve got just a few more features left, and next up are some craftsters who were workin’ one of my favorite trends: the southwestern motif! Now, I realize that referring to the traditional designs of an entire culture (or in many recent cases, an amalgamation of different cultures) as “trendy” is a bit asinine, but I’m referring more to it’s somewhat recent resurgence in popular culture (I’m looking at you, Urban Outfitters, with your suede fringe moccasin booties). All the absurdity of popular culture aside, I’d like to introduce you to a few southwestern-themed booths that really caught my attention. I’m buying into this trend quicker than a tourist in an Arizona hotel gift shop!

Read the rest of this entry »

Daily Pretties: Party Pals

{ Marion Burns by Alejandra Villasmil }  { Fairy Tales Bracelet by Elvira López del Prado }

The Shopping Sherpa: Lemon Bars & Brass Beauties

ROW 1:  Amphitrite Necklace from Tree & Kimball; 1808 Lemon Coloured Wall Lichen Print from slinkymalinkicat; Gizmo Portrait Plate from Beat Up Creations

ROW 2:  Eco Leather Shoe from EXTRASEED; Struck Poster from Loveland Miscellany; Ice-O-Mat Ice Crushers from Olde Tyme Store

ROW 3:  Snapper Fish Pillow from Olive Vintage; Vintage Amber Glass Lamp from Fishbone Deco; Ladies in Bird Brass Necklace from Labyrinth Vintage

The Shopping Sherpa: Just Because

{ Clockwise from top left: Woman in a fur cape Print from Hello Earth;  Pie Chart Pin Set from Studio Fludd;  Strange Geometry II Earrings from Chainette;  Sea Green Arrow Necklace from Verla Ivans }