Flip Flop Mail Art

A reader tipped me onto Flip Flop Mail Art, a blog documenting sent and received mail art from around the world. Free free to participate and mail your art to Peter Dowker at 141 Chemin Foster, Lac Brome, Quebec, Canada. A similar blog with my mail art is Arriving and Outgoing Mail Art. Thanks Chris!

Celebrate the 4th of July

ABC Carpet and Home is probably my favorite store ever. They are currently selling these handmade, one-of-a-kind rugs of the American flag. Each rug is made by a Turkish artisan from recycled textile remnants. The rugs are a jumble of color, pattern, form and texture. However, the rugs range in price from $1,250 to $2,750. I’m all in favor of recycled goods, but I think that is a bit much. Although the rugs are orginially sold by ABC Home store, the close out is being sold via Gilt Group.

Cindy Gallop: The Black Apartment

Cindy Gallop designed her apartment with a black ceiling, black walls, and black floors. She stated, "When lights falls, I want to feel like I'm in a bar in Shanghai." The black background makes her art belongings really stand out. Her shoe collection runs the entire length of her living area. In her video, Cindy encourages everyone to 'Give up white and turn to the dark side.

Todd Selby

Fernanda Cohen

Such amazing talent...Frenanda Cohen was commissioned to illustrate walls in a new restaurant/club in Long Island. The owners of the club fell in love with the top drawing she used for an illustration for a boutique which launched her fashion career. Such creativity, such inspiration. See more details regarding her story at Illustration Friday and even more of her work at Fernanda Cohen.

Baptiste Debombourg

I enjoy seeing artists create art out of everyday objects. See more artwork by Baptiste Debombourg

Table Lamps

I cannot tell you how much I love love love these lamps. From Croft and Little

Doshi Levien

I love the unusual design by Doshi Levien, a London-based design company led by Jonathan Levien and Nipa Doshi. Nipa's work is strongly influenced by her Indian culture and she combines it with her husband's rooted design for industrial production. Combine the two talents together and you have fresh, innovative design. See more of their products at Doshi Levien.

Famille Summerbelle

Couple Jule and Simon create the most mind boggling cut outs. Check out this video and watch their work. Take a peek at their designs and accessories for children at Famille Summerbelle

Christian Louboutin

Do you have a shoe fetish? Check out these bad boys by Christian Louboutin. These miniature works of art run over $6,000. Yep, that's right six thousand dollars. These Marie Antoinette inspired shoes were sold at an exclusive Madison avenue boutique as a limited edition. Only 36 pairs were created.

Jorine Oosterrhoff

I love it when designers are creative with everyday objects. Jorine Oosterhoff created these snout cups and high tea set. I love her sense of humor. Clever indeed. See more of her work at
Jorine Oosterhoff.

Turn Photos into Cartoons

I've seen ads for turning your photos into cartoons and have been curious. So, I gave it a shot. I downloaded photoS which converts digital photos into artistic drawings. It leaves out the details, but works pretty good. It was super easy to download, I was playing with the software within minutes from the download. If you're interested, try this free download at Caricature Soft.

Amanda Nisbet

Amanda Nisbet's work has been published in nearly every design magazine. I love her decorating style; she uses both modern and traditional methods, along with bright colors and unique objects, to create a cheerful and comfortable room. She wraps playfulness, sophistication and femininity into her own unique style. Amanda opened her design firm in 1998 in Manhattan, NY. See more of her amazing work at Amanda Nisbet Design

Christiania

(Above photo by Birgit Carlsson)

Surveys show that the Danish people are the most content people on the planet. Christiania is a small community of 850 residents covering about 85 acres in the Danish capital of Copenhagen. Christiania was founded in 1971 when many people began to live in an area that was abandoned by the military. Initially, the area was populated with vagrants and squatters, but developed into somewhat of a hippie community where freedom is embraced. Freedom for artists, musicians and yes, drug dealers. The residents developed their own set of rules, completely independent of the Danish government. Strolling the streets of Christiania you will find paintings, sculptures, live music and theatre. Read more about Christiania at Wikipedia.com