AnagramWorkshop

Brooklyn Bon Bon

2008-12-04T22:02:00.004-05:00

So I just realized I never posted my most favoritest scarf of all! This was commissioned last year by my friend Jeff as a Christmas gift for his wife, Kate. Kate loves all things Brooklyn, so luckily I found a t-shirt with little Brooklyn brownstones sketched on it. She also looks stunning in red.

I like to call it the Brooklyn Bon Bon! After all, Kate is one of the sweetest people you are ever likely to meet.

And here is Kate showing off the remains of the turkey she cooked for Thanksgiving this year, wearing the scarf. Isn't she the cutest??

A new scarf (finally!)

2008-11-23T17:15:00.004-05:00

It's definitely been a while since I posted anything. Scarf season has finally returned, but I'm working more now so don't have as much time for scarf-making.

But a few weeks ago, someone approached me through Etsy requesting a custom tScarf; of course, I was so flattered, I had to do it! Here is the result based on the colors she requested.

slow and chanin

2008-02-01T11:29:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I read this article in The New York Times about the slow movement. Previously, I had only heard the slow principles applied to eating, i.e. Slow Food. However, apparently it is spreading to other arenas as well, namely design and craft.

"Slow means that Alabama Chanin is run on the tenets of the Slow Food movement, which essentially challenges one to use local ingredients harvested and put together in a socially and environmentally responsible way. Above all it emphasizes slowness in the creation and consumption of products as a corrective to the frenetic pace of 21st-century life... While Slow Food is now in its third decade, an established global movement with an official manifesto and about 85,000 members in over 100 countries, Slow Design is still in its infancy."

I looked up one of the companies referenced in the article, Alabama Chanin, and I'm so glad I did. The company's web site explains: "At Alabama Chanin we create limited-edition jewelry, clothing, home furnishings, accessories, furniture and fabrics for interiors. Using a mixture of new, organic and recycled materials our products are constructed with care by artisans who live and work in our local communities."

And not only that; the NYT article explains that Natalie Chanin's first business was run on similar principles, but became so popular that the partners decided to outsource the craftwork to India. In response, Natialie quit and started over with Alabama Chanin.

Recently I was discussing these kinds of matters with my friend Ashley. She is currently living in China and working on sustainable tourism programs in small villages, grappling with how to bring money into a culture without corrupting it; how to encourage local craftspeople to innovate for the contemporary buyer, without losing the tradition and soul of the craft. We went to the "Pricked: Exreme Embroidery" show at the Museum of Art and Design , and saw at least 2 pieces that had been designed by the named artist, but completely executed by groups of unnamed Chinese embroiderers. This bothered us! Yes, labor in the US is expensive. Yes, Chinese workers can surely use the money. But isn't that just exploitation, especially if the workers themselves go unacknowledged?

Which is why I was so intrigued to see Alabama Chanin's work. The work itself is gorgeous and meticulous, and inspired by the local culture/environment. The company is committed to using local labor resources, and recycled materials. It definitely seems like a step in the right direction.

However, it's true that I don't know how much the workers are paid for their craftsmanship; and they are referred to on the web site as only "The Stitchers." Which leaves me wondering: why is it so rare for a designer to give credit to the craftspeople who execute their vision?

Anyone?

2008-01-21T11:54:00.000-05:00

Here's a picture of my grandmother wearing the scarf I made for her, which I posted about here. I'm told she wears it every day!

Who is that man with the foggy glasses?

2008-01-15T09:55:00.002-05:00

It's my dad! My mom bought this scarf from me to give to him for Christmas. I'm not sure where they found this ethereal blue background; or why his glasses are all foggy. But I love this picture!

Happy (belated) New Year!

2008-01-10T09:35:00.000-05:00

For New Years, my friend Jeff asked a bunch of people to create Top 10 lists of things they did or consumed in 2007, and post them to his blog. If you are so inclined, you can see my list here.

P.S. You will see that #2 on my Top 10 list is "Snails." As part of my love affair, a couple months ago I bought this fabulous necklace from Etsy seller Paraphernalia.

Callie con Scarfo

2008-01-09T22:31:00.000-05:00

Callie and I met on this unseasonably warm (yet windy) day to model each others' wares for Etsy (you can see her super bags here). Luckily, she was wearing the scarf I made for her (see Crocodile Smile below) so I got to snap a pic. Isn't she just the cutest? I think it looks perfect on her. Thanks, Callie!

And thanks to Scott for letting us borrow his stunning rooftop view of Brooklyn.

Crocodile Smile for Callie

2007-12-12T18:41:00.000-05:00

I have been busy lately, as a bunch of friends have asked me to make scarves for them to give as holiday gifts. Which is super exciting! However, I can't really post about them yet, on the off chance that the future gift recipient should visit this here blog...

So in the meantime, I'll post a couple pictures of a scarf I made for my lovely friend Callie a couple months ago. The colors are inspired by a tank top she often wears in the summer; I totally dig the muted grays and browns with a streak of pink.

Callie also happens to sell some amazing bags on Etsy, under the code name CallieCo. And everyone should buy one. For serious.

moop!

2007-12-12T18:20:00.000-05:00

I first read about moop on Etsy's Featured Seller page, where I experienced an acute attack of jealousy upon seeing the picture of her studio, which is located in Western Mass, a place I now dream of when I'm on the subway. Here is that picture of her studio:

And here is a picture of my studio:

Now, while I have never really had my own studio (before moving into this current apartment 2 months ago) and I am VERY grateful that I do, it is clear that some people have better studios than others.

I also happen to really like moop's amazing bags, so I was excited to see she had a table at the Bust Craftacular last weekend. She was very sweet, and I ordered one of her hip pouches, which will look like this, but have a loop for attaching it to a belt. Hello new accessory I will wear all summer! I should get it in a couple weeks, and am very excited. Thanks moop!

Lamps by Danielle

2007-12-04T23:04:00.001-05:00

My sweet friend Danielle is making and selling photo lamps, and oh my gosh are they awesome. How could you not want one of these?

Each lamp is $40 and features Danielle's photography; you can even ask for a specific theme. But the most amazing thing about Danielle's project is that she is going to donate every penny from each sale to her friend Edson Cardoso, who is running for public office in Brazil. He needs money to set up an office and run a campaign to continue and amplify his work in education and health care for the poor, civic participation for the disenfranchised, green building, etc. You can read Edson's blog (if you know Portuguese); or just contact Danielle at daniellelinzer@gmail.com for more information and to buy a lamp!

deeply dippy

2007-12-03T14:23:00.000-05:00

My last post was about my grandmother. This post is about... well, pretty much the opposite of my grandmother. My friends Jeff and Harry have just started a blog called NYC Commuter Blog. Sounds innocent enough--but it is not for the faint of heart! To wit, I quote:

It's appropriate to begin Jeffie and my blog with a little burst of aggression because that's what commuting is all about.

and:

I am gay for Eddie [Van Halen].

If I understand correctly, the focus of the blog is 1. biking, 2. music, and 3. being their twisted, charming selves. So check it out!

Mixed Berries for Mamere

2007-12-03T10:50:00.000-05:00

A bunch of people have commissioned me to make tScarves for Christmas gifts! My mom asked me to make one for her mother--my grandmother, whom my sisters and I call Mamere (as in "ma mere" or "my mother" in French). Based on colors my mom thought Mamere would like, I made this scarf. I hope the bears up in Alaska (where she is currently living) don't mistake her for a berry bush!

The great thing about making scarves for specific people, is that they inspire great color combinations. I'm really enjoying this one (navy, burgundy, and lavender), and plan to make some more--though it turns out lavender t-shirts are kind of hard to come by, especially in the mens large sizes I favor for making scarves...

return of the stitched cards!

2007-11-29T22:09:00.000-05:00

Waaay back in 2003 (WOW that seems like a long time ago), I started a little web site to sell some stuff I was making. It was called stitchbox.com and looked something like this:
Isn't it cute?

Well, I lost interest fairly quickly, as it was hard to get a following, and sort of a pain to update. BUT, back then I was making cards using collaged images from old magazines and books. I still had a bunch of said cards left over, and today decided to go ahead and sell some on Etsy. You can check them out here and here.

After scarf season I plan to get back to card making, maybe using some new designs. Or the old strips and squares designs, if people seem to like them. (Let me know if you have a preference.) I have to admit I love ripping colorful pages out of magazines, organizing them by color, matching them up, finding the right thread, and... well, you get the picture...

Don't you?

you know you want to

2007-11-27T21:13:00.000-05:00

So far, I've purchased about 90% of my Christmas gifts from Etsy. And I have to say it feels 100% better than shopping at Amazon, Macys, Pier 1, or what have you. Buying from people who are excited to be selling to you?? That don't happen at Target!

Speaking of handmade, I've posted a bunch of new scarves, and more are on the way. Let me know what you think!

bananagrams!

2007-11-14T13:00:00.000-05:00

Just had to share this game that popped up in a Gmail ad today. It's Bananagrams, the Anagram Game! It even comes in a little fabric banana-shaped pouch! Oh my goodness.

Big Red Biker... in Amsterdam!

2007-11-12T19:38:00.000-05:00

I am so excited about these pictures! My friend Lidy bought this scarf as a gift for her brother, Wei, who lives in Holland. Here are some pics of him wearing it at the main station in Amsterdam. He said he specifically wanted to take pictures of it there because of all the bikes-- the scarf is made from a Transportation Alternatives t-shirt. Thanks Lidy and Wei!