Golden Arrow Shop on Pintrest

My new job went really well!!! I think I'm going to totally like it-people seem way more laid back at this new place and I think it's going to be right up my alley.  The first day at a new job is always like the first day of class-kind of nerve wracking but also pretty chill considering that you just have to smile and nod your way through, 

So, on a more design related note: like most design-oriented people my age, I've gotten sucked into Pintrest.  It's like the best thing ever, like a virtual idea board!  And no matter where you "pin" a picture from, it always preserves the original web address so you can always go back.  This is awesome because I inevitably neglect to note where I found things I like.  Here's a little sample of Golden Arrow on Pintrest and of course, there's always more where that came from...

Technical Drawings

I've never done any sort of technical drawing/drafting before and I know that in the near future I'm going to need to know how it's done.  I typically work best from example: so here goes...

RAPP Limited Eyewear

Mel Rapp opened his optical boutique in Toronto 24 years ago and has since expanded to designing his own line of limited edition eyeglasses, called Rapp Eyewear.  Each design is produced in small runs of 20-30 and once those frames are sold, the design is laid in the archive, never to be manufactured again.  Using popular culture, art, literature, and music as the basis for their designs, Rapp Eyewear are through and through my kind of eyewear.  Pure love!

Rapp article by Midwest Lens

Cool Stationary

Once upon a time Halloween was the best holiday ever; second in line was Valentine's Day.  This favoritism was in place back when I was still in grade school however, I still really love Valentine's and this year Conner and I sent out love cards to all our friends-trying to bring back the school yard tradition.  In case one didn't end up in your mailbox, then here's one for you now!  By Crankbunny

In my search for cool stationary, I came across several designers that I really liked.  Be on the lookout for some of these gems to be gracing the inside of your mailbox soon...ps. if you'd like to be added the the annual mail-out list then send me your address.

 Sycamore Street Press

Wit & Whistle

The Hungary Workshop

Acute & Obtuse

Atelier Katsumi

Beautiful ceramics from Atelier Katsumi.

Cupid's Corner Pop-up Shop

Two talented and lovely ladies, Carissa Leos and Glade Hensel, have organized a Valentine's pop-up shop featuring emerging designers from across the country, called Cupid's Corner.  I feel honored that they've invited me to participate.  Please do come by their shop if your in the Austin area!

A few other designers being featured are jewelry designer Hey Murphy, stationary from Quill & Fox, and scarves from The Spotted Fawn.

Convoy on Tumblr

I've come across a lovely new Man blog that I really love; Convoy. I have no idea who the gentleman behind the Tumblr blog is but I certainly do love his style.

Paper Puppets from Crankbunny on Etsy

Recently I have been completely and utterly sucked into Etsy; people around the world are making beautiful things and it's so easy to wile away the hours on this website. I've been using my Favorites page as an inspiration board for me and Conner's new apartment, although now he's been having dreams of buying a house of our own...maybe one day. Anyhow, I'm totally taken with Etsy seller, Crankbunny's paper puppets, and their pop-up cards, and their total aesthetic. Love!

New Black Friday Items

I've been working on a couple of new things to put up on the Golden Arrow Etsy site now that the Holiday shopping season is officially under way. I've been listening to stories of Black Friday shinanigans on NPR all day; such as the California lady on the loose who is charged with Pepper Spraying her fellow shoppers so she could get the upper hand and grab more XBox games before anybody else. Pure craziness right there.

Anyhow, here is a little sampler of the new items about to debut...

Holly Glasses By Mykita

So, I think these are the next glasses that I shall be getting, the Holly glasses by German company Mykita. Officially I think I'm in love with Mykita because first off, they are German and I simply love Germans. Secondly, because they make all of their glasses by hand-which, how amazing is that? One day I would love to do an internship with these folks. One day...I give myself 12 months to pull that one off.

1950's How-To Vintage Eyeglass Selection

Fabulous!
Via Eye Heart Glasses

Kathleen Rabe of Clay And Labor

A good friend of mine, Miss Kathleen Rabe of Clay And Labor, is a super talented ceramic artist and for a local Austin boutique, Finch, we had a chat about her work via email.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself--where you're from, what you're up to, etc.

Hi Rachel, thanks so much your interest in my work! You guys at Finch are the greatest. Ok, so here goes (!). Two years ago I moved from Austin up to small town Alfred, NY to go back to school for ceramics. I still have a home base in Austin, and absolutely consider myself an Austinite, just taking a bit of an extended vacation. Currently I am working on my thesis show, which will be shown in Austin next December!

2. You used to use a lot of white in your ceramics, are you now employing a bit more color in your pieces? What motivated the change?

My most recent work was made this summer in my studio in Alfred. This was the first time I had ever experienced a real season change from spring to summer, and the flowers were amazing! I realized all that color made for a very good mood, and I wanted to bring that good energy into my studio.

3. Where do you get some of the ideas for your imagery?

Most of my imagery is found. I pull from old children's books or books on nature or animals or machines or really anything that catches my eye. I don't know there is a really clear common thread, but I think in general I like imagery that reminds me of things I have experienced and like to remind myself of; they almost act like photographs in that sense.
4. Why did you choose to pursue ceramics as opposed to anything else, non- art related?

There is a familiarity to the ceramic object that I find really powerful. It is non threatening and approachable. I find that people are more receptive to my ceramic work because they have a point of entry; we all have our individual histories with ceramic objects (like a family's holiday china). As for my ceramic table ware and functional objects, I really enjoy the idea of my work being used, and enhancing ones daily experiences. I love the ceramics I have collected over the years. When I eat from my Mud Australia bowls I feel indulgent and sophisticated, and when I take my perfume from my Diana Fayt plate I fell fanciful and nostalgic. I love that the objects we surround ourselves with can enhance our daily lives.

5. Are there any other artists that you admire? Or whom you get inspiration?

Right now I am really into Pueblo Wedding Vases, I love the idea of the heirloom and ceramics being central to cultural traditions. I have also been looking at Valeria Nascimento's work lately; she uses simple components to create complex installations, love! I look at blogs all the time too, Copenhagen Style Blog is one of my favorites!

6. What do you have going on for the future? Any projects you're excited about? Traveling plans?

Lately I have been working on a few lighting projects that have been really fun. Currently I am making pendent lights that are inspired by paper bag hot air balloons. This will lead right into my next project which is actually going to be done in Austin in December-January; I will be creating a lighting installation for the Gypsy Wagon Stages studio space, a craftsmen-style portable stage business started by Conner and Denny Finn. Super exciting!

All images via Clay And Labor.

Golden Arrow on Etsy

I finally got myself in order and set up an Etsy shop; it also probably helped that I was all but unemployed last week and had plenty of time to get everything taken care of. Here are a couple things I've got posted.


I named the shop and the jewelry Golden Arrow. Hopefully it all goes well and I'll sell enough of them to take Conner and myself to NYC in the spring.

Beautiful Garden

I would love to have a little garden oasis like this when Conner and I finally get our own space in Austin again. We're heading back down there from Colorado next week. We'll be staying with Emily Mitchell for the time being until we figure out what we want to do, and save enough money. My vote for our new house would be to grab an autoshop and turn it into a home/shop...with a cute little patio/garden out back.
garden picture via garden guru Jeffrey Bale

The Nestrest

I have no idea how this guy got in this seat to begin with however, if it was hanging under a huge oak tree in the back yard, then that's where I would be all the time. The Nestrest by Daniel Pouzet and Fred Frety.

Stanislava Pinchu

Purely stunning street art from Melborne-based Ukrainian artist Stanislava Pinchu (aka Miso)

via iiiinspired

Stella Artois Commerical

Stella Artois commercial shot by Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola...mid century fabulous.
via Mid Century Modernist

Terrarium

I want to be Martha Stewart. When Conner and I finally settle down and have a bonafide house--not just a bedroom on wheels anymore--I want to throw dinner parties and cocktail hours and kitschy parties like Terrarium making afternoons. I found this on Design Sponge today and wanted to repost for my future Martha endeavors.

Letterheady Blog

I just stumbled upon the Leaderheady blog via Neuhaus Design blog.

Letterheady is a collection of letterhead graphic design of noteable people. My personal favorite so far is:

Floating Lanterns

This is Beautiful! C & I tried to make one of our own floating lanterns over SXSW. It involved butcher paper and a tea candle. Hahaha...it didn't exactly work...didn't work at all. But it would be beautiful to do this in a grand Texan field--I'm a big fan of the grand Texan fields.
Can purchase lanterns here.