Found Furniture!

I found this cabinet just chillin' on someone's curb yesterday. I immediately made a loop around and went back to inspect it. It's in great condition, with just a small scratch on top. And once I cleaned and polished it, it shines like a beauty! 

I've since added my wine rack and a runner, but I'll still playing with the upper configuration. 

As for the inside, I'm thinking I'll use one shelf to store my vintage linen collection in pretty baskets. On another shelf, I may store some beautiful glass cookware that I picked up at an estate sale a while ago. But I'm open to ideas and suggestions! Before I decided to put this in my kitchen, I imagined shoes or purses in it, but I really like it in my kitchen, so that's where it will stay for now!

Focus On... Linocut Boy! {And Free Gift With Purchase!}

Linocutboy

Nick, the man behind this shop, has a great sense of humor and is a super talented artist. Check out some of my faves from his etsy shop and don't forget to mention Kate and Oli when you make a purchase!

Tell me some basic info about yourself.

I am an artist and illustrator working in London, UK. I studied Fine Art in the city of Sheffield, graduating in 1999, during which time I spent a semester in Vancouver. After leaving university I went back to Vancouver to live for a year before moving to London. I am a member of an artists collective called East London Printmakers which runs a printmaking studio and organises exhibitions and events. As an illustrator I have been commissioned to illustrate book covers for Random House, Penguin and Faber and Faber as well as work for The Times. I have exhibited internationally and my work has featured on the BBC and in the Telegraph magazine. I recently got to drive a steam roller which we used to print a giant linocut.

{beard tie etching}

What kind of mediums do you use and why?

I mostly make prints and drawings but I also dabble in painting and I have produced a small number of artists books. My favourtite printmaking techniques are linocut and etching, but I also use screenprint quite a lot, often to add colour to the linocuts. I think linocut is a much underrated art form and most people think of it in terms of the prints they made at school with blunt cutters. In fact you can achieve very detailed and precise results with good tools and a bit of practice. I have a blog all about linocuts where I give some tips and feature the work of other artists that I come across.

{t-rex with a handbag linocut}

What made you decide to sell on etsy?

It was easy and cheap to set up, so I thought I'd give it a go. It has turned out to be a good move - I have sold over 350 items so far and I have sold to customers in five continents! I just need someone in Asia and someone in Antarctica to buy something now.

{let's get it on screenprint}

Where do you get your inspiration?

Old books and magazines and found images on the internet. I cannot walk past a second-hand shop or flea market without having a look. I love old posters - I have a pair of beauties from China which show you what to do if a nuclear bomb goes off (lie down and cover your head with your hands, in case you were wondering!) They are really skillfully painted. I also like children's books and looking at the work of other illustrators. I am also very lucky living in London as there is so much to see in galleries and museums. The British museum always has good exhibitions of prints - recently I saw one on Mexican political prints that really inspired me.

{blue turkeys linocut}

What is your favorite music to craft by?

When I'm printing I like to listen to loud energetic music like Kings of Leon or Jimi Hendrix but when I'm in the studio drawing I listen to more laid back stuff - recently I've been getting into swing and early jazz, plus I'm a sucker for Laura Marling.

{failure is always an option screenprint}

When it's cold outside... it's time for tea and cake

{bear on a bike}

When I'm hungry... it's time for tea and cake

{beards of the world linocut and screenprint}

When I need a boost... I switch to coffee and cake

{take me screenprint}

I wish I was/were... in Vienna (good coffee and cake)


If I could give one gift to everyone I know, it would be... the courage to follow their dream.

{don't expect everything}

If I could have coffee with anyone, it would be... a rich print collector

{king kong kirk etching}

If you were an animal, what would you be? I am an animal!
{Editor's note: that is the first time I've gotten that response and I almost spit out my tea! Yes, sir, you are absolutely correct! :)}

{bring it on screenprint}

What's your favorite piece of your own? A drawing I made when I was seven of a shoe

{bearded man etching}

What are your favorite blogs/websites right now? ffffound.com for inspiration and seeing what else is being made right now and printeresting for interesting things about printmaking. They have a post about a new technique they are developing where they print human skin cells onto wounds using an ordinary inkjet printer. Amazing!


Nick has graciously offered a gift with purchase for Kate and Oli readers. With any purchase from his shop, simply mention that you saw this feature and he will include a free set of 4 pin buttons! 


Happy shopping!

Focus On... Cynthia Vardhan And Free Gift With Purchase!

Cynthia Vardahan 
{in her own words}

I'm an independent ceramic designer working in downtown Columbus, Ohio and I specialize in intricately patterned, functional porcelain work.

The patterns that inspire me come from sources as varied as Moroccan tiles, Indian henna, French pastries and common garden ferns. I throw everything by hand on the wheel in my attic studio. I apply the colorful patterns using a unique technique which gives it a raised texture that people can run their fingers over and feel. By embracing intense, vivid, precise decoration and uniting it with sophisticated forms made from translucent porcelain, these pieces are totally unlike other ceramics out there.

Cynthia graciously answered my silly questions and allowed me to share her fabulous work with you. She is also offering a free gift with purchase just for Kate and Oli readers. Carry on to learn more about Cynthia and her work!

What kind of mediums do you use and why?

I use a very temperamental translucent porcelain purely because it is the best possible backdrop to my colors. Also, being able to hold the piece up to the light and see the patterns casting a shadow on the inside is pretty cool.

{set of 10 assorted dishes}

Where do you get your inspiration?

Traveling, the museums of decorative arts (LOVE the Victoria & Albert!) and textile design.

{sunny blue sky mug pair}

What is your favorite music to craft by?

I actually craft with documentaries running in the background. Thanks Columbus Metropolitan Library system!

{lil pink vase}

When it's cold outside... I start checking property prices in Florida.

{blue vase}

When I need a boost... I get out of town. A change of scenery does wonders!

{lime green mug}

If I could give one gift to everyone I know, it would be... organic, locally grown fruit & veg for life. What one eats has such a great effect on health and happiness. Which is the real gift I’d like to give everyone.

{indian henna dessert bowl pair}

If I could have coffee with anyone, it would be... either Hella Jongerius or Jonathan Adler. I'd love to quiz them on their career trajectory and get their business input.

{cream bud vase}

If you were an animal, what would you be?

Either a sloth or a well loved cat. Something that would allow me to be soft and lazy.

{rose bud vase}

What's your favorite piece of your own?

My favorite piece that I own is a tumbler I made and decorated purely as an experiment. It has swirls of similar patterns completely covering the cup. It quickly made its way into my house and now has a happy home in my bedroom where I use and pretend that I always use fine china in my house. :-)

{completely, totally, covered in decoration dessert bowl set}

{Fan Cynthia on Facebook} 

{Visit her Etsy shop}

{Visit her general website}

And, just for Kate and Oli readers, when you purchase from Cynthia's etsy shop, just mention you're a Kate and Oli reader and receive a small decorative dish for free!

Free Holiday Music?

Want some free music this holiday season? A little something for you, that doesn't cost you money or mean a trip to the mall or the post office? Vanguard Records has just the thing!

My End of Summer Playlist + Giveaway!

(Sunrise over Sydney, Australia; July 2008)

As summer winds down, vacations end, kids head back to school and daylight gets a little shorter a little faster, my mood generally changes to a more mellow one and my musical tastes match. I find that I can listen to a select few songs anytime at all, but in general the seasons and weather dictate my playlist.

Here is my playlist for the end of summer:

1. Metric - Help I'm Alive
2. Frou Frou - It's Good To Be In Love

3. Tegan and Sara - Like O, Like H

4. Kings of Leon - Use Somebody

5. Looking Glass - Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)

6. Toby Keith - Beer For My Horses

7. Tiësto & Christian Burns – In the Dark

8. Frankie Laine - That Lucky Old Sun

9.Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Maps

10. The Cliks - Oh Yeah

11. Ken Oak Band - Summer's Kiss

12. The Beach Boys - Sloop John B

13. Chairlift - Bruises

14. Tegan and Sara - Nineteen

15. Carly Simon - It's Too Late

To spread the (musical) love, I'm hosting a giveaway of not only a $15 iTunes gift card so that you can download all of this lovely music but also a set of three of my "Congratulations on Your Tax Deduction Cards." Your choice of any of any of the colors shown below. These cards are great choices for when you know someone having a baby, getting married, starting a business or buying a house!

Ways to enter:

*Note: Each entry must have a separate comment, and please don't post anonymously! If your username is not linked to your blog, please leave an email where I can contact you!*

Follow my blog!

Go to my etsy shop, choose your favorite item and heart it. Leave a comment here telling me why you like it!

Heart me on etsy!

Facebook about this blog (leave me a link or your facebook username)!

Blog about this giveaway!

Start a thread in the etsy promotions forum about this blog! Leave a comment with the link.

Enter me in your own giveaway!

This giveaway will end on Tuesday, September 8th at midnight PST. On September 9th, I will choose the winner using http://www.random.org/ and post the results as well as notify the winner.

Thank you for your support and good luck to you all!

Giveaway Alert!

Silver Sparrow Designs is giving away the lovely necklace above. Just go here to enter!

Also, check out her etsy shop!

Giveaway Alert!

Valerie at Cabin + Cub is having another giveaway (she has such cute stuff)! This time, it's for a notebook. Not just any notebook, though - it has deer on it. Yes. WITH antlers. I know, you can't stand it. You have to enter now. Do so here - all you have to do is leave a comment telling her what your favorite subject in school was.

Don't forget to check out her etsy shop as well - for much more cuteness!