Oh how I love Hella Jongerius... seriously, totally in love.

I want to be her.
I want these shoes.
I want to make shoes.
I love her, did I say that already? I'm not sure if I'm making that clear enough.

{tribute to Camper, via dezeen}

Today the skies are smog/haze/June gloom grey in LA.... the colors from this image kick-started my morning. Nothing like a burst of fushia.

{image from New York Times Magazine, Summer Travel '09... see and read more on Indian textiles here}

Some sad news: Renowned wood worker and true craftsman.... Sam Maloof has died.

It's funny how things work... we (H and CG and I) were signed up for a tour of his house for later this week.

Truly a loss to our built-world...

{images from here and here}

I found this little hungry coyote on J's desk. I could not help but take a picture. I love him. I'm going to ask if he can live on my desk for a while.

{inspired by e. soule}

Ladies and Gentlemen,

May I introduce The New Recycles, my new beast series. Hand and machine made from once-lived materials and lost buttons. One of a kind beasts with varied ancestries.

They are slowly trickling into my Etsy store... stay tuned for more.

To those I love: please do not take offense at this next statement:

I love this chair more than anything.

{images from marie claire maison, newly perforated and reinterpreted by Normal Studio for MERCI.... better image on designboom}

drooling.

I started to get really stressed this morning after thinking about all the things I need to do vs. all the things I want to do. Perhaps I found my answer: check myself in at the Sanitarium.

I need and want to go. Perfect.

Just one look at the these little succulents in the bathroom is enough to calm me; imagine what seeing them in person would be like. Or better yet, I could just get my own little collection going. I've got loads of mismatched drinking glasses that have just found their calling.

{image via Remodelista}

p.s. This what I mean.... I just read this post over again, and lo and behold, just realized that I added another little project that falls under the "want" category. The needs and the wants have really been battling it out these past few weeks. I want my work to be want to do, instead of need to do.

Sigh.... back to square one.

This morning I wasn't paying much attention and took the wrong bus to the studio. I didn't mind at all though as it resulted in a nice (albeit long) walk. To get from downtown to our studio you have to cross the LA River, which is the saddest and most interesting rivers I know. In the 30's, after major floods, the river was "channelized" by turning its banks into concrete.

Parts of the river still have a natural bottom and trees and vegetation happily grow... such a stark contrast to where we are further down the river where it is all concrete. It's still really beautiful in a completely different way one might think.

You can read more about it's history and revitalization here.

The past few days have been quite busy.... and I'm finally getting around to posting images of the studio party from last week. I'm very impressed with the wall, especially with the lights installed behind. I think the wall is supposed to be temporary, but I don't think we'll be able to give it up.

The month of May promises to be busy, so bear with me as I try to post more often, I feel like I'm lagging a little behind.

My studio mates have feverishly been making the origami wall for tomorrow's party. The wall will grow considerably as guests help to fold and install. I will need to take some images as it progresses... should be interesting!

Some order in a slightly chaotic world. I like how CG keeps her pens and pencils.