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.

This morning I woke up very early and sped (by how much, I can't reveal) to the airport to pick up my sister who is back from her 6 months in Australia.

I had to get there early because:

1. I had to get a cup of coffee
2. I had to watch the planes land.

p.s. If you live in LA you must go the little park at the intersection of Sepulveda and Lincoln right by LAX. You can get a burger and milkshake and just sit pretty much right underneath the landing path. I love it there. So do other people.

p.p.s. it's very hard to take photos of a huge moving object with a cup of coffee in one hand.

I finished my first set of School Girls. The taller one is in Grade 5, the shorter one in Grade 1.
{now sold}

Concrete pendant lights by Benjamin Hubert Studio.

Stunning, right?

Last week I was awarded a Kreativ Blogger award by Wendren! Many thanks :)
And for my acceptance speech, I need to list seven things I love.

Preface:
I sat in traffic today for hours, both morning and afternoon, though I actually found myself able to concentrate and think about these things, the things I love, of which there are actually too many to name. This is just the tip of the iceberg.

I dare not say: I love traffic.
Though for the first time in weeks I found myself happily trapped in my car, no movement, no mobile phone, no music, nothing.... I just enjoyed moving slowly.

Today I loved traffic. But don't quote me.

..... . . . .. .. . . .... . . . . .. . . . . ..

Seven Things I love, by Debi van Zyl

1. I love watching planes take off and land. I can honestly never ever get enough of this. I am not exaggerating when I say I can watch it over and over and over...... and over again.
{image via ffffound!}

2. I love my plants... voila: my makeshift garden at the studio.

3. I love Neko Case's latest album, Middle Cyclone.

4. I love it my guitar even though I'm still really bad at playing it. Taking lessons has been the best thing I've done in a while. You are never too old (or jaded) to learn something new.

5. I love typrography, in all it's forms. Wish I could practice more.
{image via typetheaory}

6. I love history. I can't get enough of it. And this is a secret.... but, I frequently imagine/fantasize about having lived during the Roman Empire, in Victorian London, and the roaring 20's. And actually, if you've read the latest National Geographic's article on the She-King, Hatsheput, which I just read this weekend, it makes me want to live during her reign as well.

And last but not least, and for which I have no photo:

7. I love finding $20 in the pocket of a jacket I haven't worn in months... that was really great. I still have it. Haven't even spent it. What a find!

..... . . . . .. . . .. I think I'm supposed to pass this on, but I'm going to be lazy for few days :)

Images from a wonderful textile blog, Suika Laboratorio.

I am in love with these two images. They convey a softness I feel I like am trying to find for myself in my own work. I could look at them all day.

You must look at Kaisu's post about her jacquard weaving. Go... now. Look!

I bought this fantastic pot a few months ago. And yet, it remains empty.

I can't decide what plant (and let's face it, it's going to be a succulent or cactus of some sort) is going to be planted in it.

I feel like whatever I plant will take away from the pot, you know? But I can't bare to leave it empty either. I'm usually pretty good about making decisions, but this one stumps me.

Yesterday I went to a friend's house where I had a lesson in making chili relleno and got to pick fresh loquats from her garden. There is nothing like eating fruit straight from the tree, or reaching into a bag of fruit you just picked. It was a perfect Sunday.

Thursday... I don't really have anything to say to you. I thought you were yesterday.

But still, you are a deadline accomplished, a bottle of champagne opened and shared among friends, and also a long night of work ahead.

Keep in touch,
Debi

{fish head lady by crankbunny}

Dear Wednesday,
You felt genuinely like a Thursday. Not quite sure how you did that, but you had me fooled.

Looking forward to the day I thought was already over.

Sincerely,
Debi

{mushroom vessels from sonrisa... even better in person, be warned}

Dear Tuesday,

I did indeed ask for bursts of color, dare I say spots of color, for my week.
This is a great start.

Thank you,
Debi

Hello Monday,

I know its just starting out, but if you could arrange for the rest of my week to look like this, I'd be grateful.

Clear, simple, and with little bursts of color here and there.

Best, Debi

If this was my work environment, you'd never hear a complaint from me again.
{via Felt and Wire}