Song Sparrow Loves...

Giveaway via Yellow Press Weddings

2010-11-03T11:57:00.000-07:00

I'm honored to be part of a giveaway on the lovely new blog Yellow Press Weddings. Marni and Kayla's posts are always stylish, unique, and they have the greatest wedding ideas. I'm basically obsessed.

How to enter to win a $25.00 gift certificate:
First, become a follower of the Yellow Press Weddings blog. After that you have up to three separate opportunities to enter:
1. Visit my shop. Go back to the Yellowpress post and comment on your favorite item.
2. Blog about this giveaway! Go back to the Yellowpress post and comment with the link to your post.
3. Tweet this giveaway! Go back to the Yellowpress post and comment with the link to your tweet. (Please tag tweets with @yellowpresswed so we can track them).

Where Good Ideas Come From

2010-09-30T12:24:00.000-07:00

"With Where Good Ideas Come From, Steven Johnson pairs the insight of his bestselling Everything Bad Is Good for You and the dazzling erudition of The Ghost Map and The Invention of Air to address an urgent and universal question: What sparks the flash of brilliance? How does groundbreaking innovation happen? Answering in his infectious, culturally omnivorous style, using his fluency in fields from neurobiology to popular culture, Johnson provides the complete, exciting, and encouraging story of how we generate the ideas that push our careers, our lives, our society, and our culture forward."

And in a completely contradictory, but still interesting, view, good old John Cleese & his talk from the 2009 Creativity World Forum in Germany:

Which seems right to you? How do you get your creative juices flowing? When do you realize an idea in its entirety?

Etsy Spotlight: Salvage Life

2010-08-08T16:26:00.000-07:00

I've been a fan of Salvage Life Vintage on Etsy for a long time now. The curation of clothing, jewelry and accessories is just fabulous. But, there are some especially fun items that store owner Beth has been repurposing-- altering them from their original, sometimes unloved or forgotten, states, and giving them new, fresh, fashionable life!

Headbands made from bow ties.

Skirts, shortened and embellished with bows!

Beth graciously answered a few questions for me regarding her recent projects.

A little bit about you?

I live in lovely Long Beach, California with my husband and one year old daughter. I spend my days at home with my daughter Ruby and together we run Salvage Life from a tiny breakfast nook in my 1923 bungalow. I have a BA in Merchandising and Design from Cal State Long Beach.

What inspired you to start repurposing vintage pieces?

I try to look at everything in life through the lens of potential. "What else could this be?" is a question I like to ask if something just isn't working in it's current form. A lot of what I sell isn't altered and it doesn't need altering, but sometimes I run across an item or category that needs a little face lift. My philosophy is to leave quality pieces alone, so I only alter things that are less than 20 years old or have damage of some sort. The backs of the bow ties used for the headbands were damaged and the skirts are from the 90's to the present.

Do you have any tips for picking pieces to repurpose?

Don't destroy the value ~ Many vintage clothing pieces have value that lasts beyond the current season, so don't cut something up that is in perfectly good condition.
Leave the sewing to the professionals ~ If you know how to sew well, then reconstruction will be a lot easier, but if you don't there are lots of seamstresses out there who can do it for you.
Imagine within reason ~ think of all the things a garment could be become and then balance that with what's in style and what looks good on your body.

Thanks, Beth! I didn't even realize until now that we are Long Beach neighbors. It's just a great area for vintage finds.

Lastly, here's one more fun resource that can be found on Beth's blog, a video on how to properly select vintage clothing for your wardrobe!

LA Renegade Craft Fair

2010-08-08T02:36:00.000-07:00

This is a bit late, but I thought I should still post about how much fun the Renegade Craft Fair at the Los Angeles State Historic Park (which I honestly didn't know existed) was. It took place on July 24 & 25. A bit hot, but so many fantastically talented sellers. Craft fairs are always inspiring, both for sellers & wanderers! Got some goodies, at some yummy crepes, had a blast. Here are some highlights.

The boyfriend and I keeping shady in the sun!

Adorable plushie letters from lepetiteelefant

I love dinosaurs! These cuties are from a tiny little bit's store.

Ain't it the truth? SEIBEI's hilarious shirts.

Squid Ink Kollective's shirts rule-- People (and dogs) staying cool

the bf has narwhal on a segway :) & enjoying the free photo booth!

Urban Craft Center of LA's crafty booth I covet all of Berkley Illustration's work

Kata Golda's cute display

Inspiration: Reminders

2010-08-08T00:10:00.000-07:00

Some inspiration for today: reminders. We all need them, sometimes. Whether we're down, or not. They may come in small packages, or large. Intentional, or unintentional. Hope this inspires you. (Click the + for the source.)

The New Inspirational Poster

2010-08-07T17:46:00.000-07:00

So we've all seen the traditional gag-worthy inspirational posters with the word in all caps below the oh-so-inspiring photo plus tagline (and all of the parody versions that make fun of them). But, the sentiment is nice. I think the new trend of quote-themed art prints is a brilliant replacement. Anyone who has seen my quote blog, Seed of Wonder, knows that I'm a quote addict. Quick bits of wisdom from some of the greatest writers and thinkers? Yes, please.

Here are some of my favorites currently on Etsy. I covet all of them, but the books print is already hanging on my wall! Not only are the quotes inspiring reminders of how to live life for the better, the details are beautiful to look at! Any room would be lucky to have them.

"Wild Air" print by The Wheatfield Abe Lincoln print by Mary Kate McDevitt

Morrissey print by The Black Apple Jefferson Airplane Rock Blox by SuzannaAnna

Embroidery Hoop Decor

2010-08-07T01:15:00.000-07:00

Here's a fun art project and an inexpensive way to deck-out a blank wall: fill embroidery hoops with fabric. If I had more wall space in my apartment, I would definitely do this! Not only can you hang them straight on the wall in whatever size and shape combo you like, you can also hang them from the ceiling or make cork boards (see below).

From Apartment Therapy

Source unknown. Know it? From craftster

From Apartment Therapy

Mad about "Mad Men"

2010-08-02T21:40:00.000-07:00

My latest Etsy treasury! Check it out here, and leave comment love. I am enjoying the new season so much, even after just 2 episodes. The show just gets better and better. I really respect show creator Matt Weiner for staying so true to the time period!

I'm even on a 60s fashion and music kick (probably along with the rest of the fans). I just want to be Joan Holloway (er, Harris). Is that too much to ask?

Book Worm Treasury

2010-07-21T01:50:00.000-07:00

Feeling bookish tonight. Here is the latest treasury. Check it out here! Click to give some love to the sellers & help them get featured. Alright, off to read before bed. How appropriate, no?

Recipe: Warm Goat Cheese Salad

2010-07-20T22:39:00.000-07:00

Tried out a new recipe tonight (inspired by one my best friends mom cooked for us in San Jose, once). It's SO EASY and it turned out delicious. I'm definitely making this one again.

Warm Goat Cheese Salad

Ingredients:

Spring mix salad (or greens of your choice)
Goat cheese log(s)
Eggs
Breadcrumbs (I seasoned mine with pepper, Italian spices and garlic)
Any other veggies you like

Directions:

Cut the goat cheese log into rounds
Dip the round in egg
Dip the round in breadcrumbs
(You can repeat the last 2 steps for a thicker crust on the cheese)
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to solidify
Put rounds on a baking sheet, with a thin coat of olive oil, and cook at 425 for 8-10 minutes (until sizzling).

Here's the finished product, served with some fresh strawberries! YUM!

Artist Spotlight: Alphonse Mucha

2010-07-16T02:33:00.000-07:00

Alright, so he's old history. But, as I didn't have much art history in college, I have developed a love affair with Art Nouveau, specifically the works of Mucha. The Czech artist was known primarily for his depictions of women in the flowing, delicate, nature-infused nouveau style. His advertisements, both for products and the theatre, are certainly my favorites.

Mucha started painting theatrical scenery and doing mural work, and transitioned into producing magazine and advertising illustrations, after moving to Paris in 1887. His first mega-success was a poster for the play Gismonda starring the well-loved Sarah Bernhardt. This poster did much to spark the nouveau movement. After a successful career as an ad-man, he spent many years working on his Magnum Opus, The Slav Epic, twenty huge paintings that are fascinating and depict the history of the Czech and Slavic people. I'd be happy to have any of Mucha's work framed on my wall-- the detail is endless.

UPDATE:

Here it is, July 23, and Google has dedicated their main page to Mucha's 150th birthday!

Treasury Thursday

2010-07-15T18:32:00.000-07:00

Here are some Etsy treasuries that I'm loving this week.

First, "We go together," curated by Dusty Drawers, who has an ephemera/vintage-inspired jewelry shop that is just as sweet. I love the theme of pairings and doubles-- so simple, but so poignant. The muted colors are gorgeous, as well.

Second, "This American Farm," curated by Vint Condition (such a fun & clever store name!). This treasury sets such a mood and era. Reminds me of the Dustbowl, or at least of my last trip through the midwest.

Third, this "1. 2. 3." treasury curated by Candy Crack Creations (check out all the cool key necklaces) is just such a fun concept. Reminds me of those desktop calendars made from photos of numbers, and of cutting up magazines and pasting words together when I was little (no, not for ransom notes!)

Finally, "Retro Kitchen Love" is the mood I've been in lately-- a style I'd love to have in my own kitchen-- is curated by Cookbook Addict. How appropriate! Check out all her vintage cookbooks for sale; so nostalgic.

Thanks to the wonderful goods from all the sellers and the great design eyes of all the curators!

I took a plane, I took a train...

2010-07-13T20:56:00.000-07:00

My treasury for today, inspired by world travel and New Pornographers lyrics. Check it out here. Click, comment and give love to awesome sellers.

I Left My Heart in San Francisco

2010-06-28T20:41:00.000-07:00

Treasury in honor of the upcoming trip on Wednesday! Click the link and check out all these amazing Etsy sellers.

Missing in Action!

2010-06-28T19:46:00.000-07:00

Sheesh! I've been MIA for a while now. I was gone on vacation for the Theatre Communications Group Conference in lovely Chicago, which is such a wonderful city. Not sure if I could live with the humidity/crazy thunderstorms, but the theatre, architecture and public gathering spaces all blew my mind (again). I got to see Itsoseng at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, a one-man retelling of life in a South African township, The Farnsworth Invention, the story of television came to be, Hephaestus: A Circus Tale, done by the ever-creative Lookingglass Theatre Company, and finally, Fuerza Bruta: Look Up, an experience unlike any other I've had in the theatre. See the trailer here!

I had my 2 year anniversary with the boyfriend on Friday. He planned a drive down Pacific Coast Highway, with lunch, beach, movie, dinner, and dessert stops along the way. My favorite was k'ya bistro bar in Laguna, which served the most delicious tapas, including lobster macaroni and cheese! Mmm. What a perfect summertime beach day. He also got me the Regretsy book, which is just as hilarious as the website. We also made an evening trip to The Getty, which has to be the most gorgeous spot in LA.

On Wednesday morning, I'm off to Sausalito (which reminds me of the Conor Oberst song I love) with some friends. I've been to San Francisco so many times, but never stayed in Marin County, so I'm quite excited about that. Should be beautiful! Then, on the 3rd, a friend's wedding in Pismo Beach, and on the 4th, a pool party in Los Angeles.

The tales of an adventurer! Happy summer to all in the meantime.

Choose Happiness

2010-05-12T00:02:00.000-07:00

My latest treasury. I'm gearing up for summer, people... Hope you are too! Check it out here.

The Relationship of Opposites

2010-03-21T13:06:00.000-07:00

From I Love Charts

Treasury Thursday

2010-03-18T23:33:00.000-07:00

Tonight, I bring you some treasuries that are not only beautiful, but are helping me relax because they remind me of sunshine, spring, warmer weather, the beach, drinking wine and enjoying the blue blue afternoon sky. If you're an Etsy-er, leave these folks some click & comment love. Both the curators and the sellers deserve it!

1) "Sunsine," curated by Nancy Wallis Designs, is just that-- a little bit of bright peeking through the clouds on this peculiarly cloudy day in Long Beach. The bright yellow is such an eye-catching, pop of color; it makes me want to buy some sunflowers for the dining room.

2) "This Love is Silent," curated by Lesha's Workshop, not only has a lovely & poetic title, but it reminds me of an afternoon picnic in a winery, reading Shakespearean sonnets and watching the sun slowly set. Mmmmm.

3) "Get on board!," curated by Le Chou Chou (love that name), has one of my favorite themes right now-- nautical! I love the primary colors, the stripes, the simplicity, the vintage nature, the bold graphics, and perhaps most of all, the fact that it reminds me the ocean is just a short jaunt away and I should go enjoy it! Ahoy!

4) Finally, "Golden Teal," curated by Kate & Company Jewelry Designs, is the perfect combination of spring colors-- light aqua & dusty yellow. Makes me excited for dress season, birdies chirping, flowers blooming, and iced green tea. Pure loveliness.

Lost Things

2010-03-16T23:31:00.000-07:00

Found this lovely stop motion short on the Nectar & Light blog and couldn't resist posting it here! Co-created by Angela Kohler and Ithyle Griffiths, it stars and features music by A Fine Frenzy. Hope you love it as much as I do.

What's your sentence?

2010-03-15T22:04:00.000-07:00

My theatre management program went to see Dan Pink-- author of the hit book A Whole New Mind: Why Right Brainers Will Rule the Future-- speak at Orange County Performing Arts Center this morning. OC corporations, performing arts representatives, Arts Orange County leaders and education officials were all gathered together (a rather strange juxtaposition). Pink was promoting his new book, Drive, which discusses what motivates people other than carrots (rewards) and sticks (punishment). Autonomy, mastery, and purpose are the chief motivators the book discusses as human drives, but it also touches on two questions that can have a lasting impact on not just the business and educational, but also the personal, and I thought I'd share. They may sound a bit cliche, but for those of us -- like me-- who sometimes get bogged down in the details, it can be nice to have reminders to assure that, in the big picture, we're living the life we want.

Natural Curiousities

2010-03-13T00:41:00.000-08:00

I cannot express how much I love Natural Curiousities, an online store whose mission is to provide unique art to the design community worldwide. From images of the natural world and cartography to silkscreens and penmanship, the collection is enough to drool over, and is always being expanded. Some of my favorite inspirations:

... isn't it the truth?

Their quotes collection is lots of fun and sparks a special interest in me, as anyone who has seen my Quote Blog knows, and makes for some stimulating conversation. And any quote that can help me feel less guilty about my splurge of a shopping trip is fine by me...

Fernando Boher's illustration collection, inspired by the concept of "Collections of a Travelled Mind."

And finally, Einsten riding a bicycle. Reminds me that age is a matter of perception. Also reminds me of a favorite Einstein quote:

“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.”

-ALBERT EINSTEIN

Treasury Thursday

2010-03-12T01:56:00.000-08:00

A few favorite Etsy treasuries for this late Thursday evening (or early Friday morning) while sipping my coffee and sitting in my snuggly pants. Mmmmm laziness.

1) This "Through the Viewfinder" Treasury, curated by lesleysico, is a vintage gem. I love the colors and the vibe-- it makes me look so forward to the rest of spring, to warmer weather, to budding flowers, and to beach days.

2) This "Golden Green" Treasury, curated by PluckingPendants, is such a rich, warm color-- my favorite, in fact. Green is so soothing, and these picks make me want to read a book under a tree.

3) This "Sweet Lilac Dreams" Treasury, curated by outodry, is just so precious and girly. It makes me long for the day I will have a guest bedroom that I can decorate with soft linens, lace curtains, and lavender sprigs. One day.

4) Finally, this "Marigolds" Treasury, curated by muppetloon, is so vibrant, I couldn't resist. I'm not usually a big orange fan, but this collection has be so lighthearted and happy that I might have to reconsider.

In the Sun

2010-03-11T23:00:00.000-08:00

I am oh-so-excited for the new She & Him album on March 23, so I thought I'd share the first album video for anyone who hasn't seen it. It makes me want to dance in libraries and hula hoop, well, basically everywhere. Also, doesn't M. Ward look like Tony Stark?

Artist Spotlight: Sophie Blackall

2010-03-05T01:04:00.000-08:00

Sophie Blackall's Missed Connections blog/artwork is amazing. These are my favorites, so far. I want to cover my walls with them. Lots are available for purchase in her etsy shop.

Fantastic Speech on Education and Creativity

2010-02-16T20:26:00.000-08:00

While I love everything on TED, this one is especially moving. Sir Ken Robinson discusses how education has caused us to lose our creativity and instead has become a machine for churning out college professors. I absolutely loved it and thought I would share. Also, check out his website.

Stop Motion: "Deadline"

2010-02-09T19:17:00.001-08:00

A fun little stop motion. How I feel sometimes when it's 3 am and I'm still up trying to get something finished.

The Library of Congress: Photos

2010-01-31T20:06:00.000-08:00

For anyone who has yet to see it, I quite love the Library of Congress' flickr photostream. What a fantastic way to make historical images readily available! It refreshing to have free access to communal history when so much in today's world is forbidden by copyright and ownership.

From the Titanic, to the Suffrage movement, to the building of bridges, to the pioneer days, there are so many fantastic moments captured on film to be searched through. Go check it out!

Back to School and Work This Week...

2010-01-26T01:00:00.000-08:00

... And both of these infotoons remind me of things NOT to look forward to. So much for being positive ;) But thanks to lunchbreath, whose flickr photostream is awesome and guffah-worthy. It serves as a reminder that we're all in the same boat.

Book-Themed Stop Motion

2010-01-25T23:45:00.000-08:00

This Is Where We Live from 4th Estate on Vimeo.

A lovely little mini film on one of my favorite subjects: books! While it kind of makes me sad that so many books were cut apart to make this, at least it turned out beautifully. Created for 4th Estate Publishers 25th Anniversary.

Artist Spotlight: Marc Johns

2010-01-25T20:41:00.000-08:00

Marc Johns is fantastic. His little drawings are so simple but so quirky, witty, and hilarious. They are little slices of the truths we all deny (or the silliness we don't usually let out). Check out his work at his site, marcjohns.com.

I also LOVE the idea of the Post It Show he participated in @ Giant Robot's GR2 Gallery in LA. Maybe I'll decorate one of my walls this way... What a wonderful collage of tiny treasures.

Artistic Desktop Wallpaper (Free!)

2010-01-18T14:46:00.000-08:00

I stumbled upon the online gallery/"sketchbook" of Yoshihiro Moritake, and not only do I love the prints, but they are also available to download for free as desktop wallpaper! Just go to the "Gallery" section, click on the prints you like, and download the correct size.

Another great website is Pixelgirl Presents, featuring free wallpaper-sized versions of various artists' work. A couple of my favories are below. I especially love the ghostly watercolor cat.

And finally, Katogi Mari's gorgeous portfolio offers some free downloads, all in a brightly-colored, graphic representation of a fairy tale style. Check them out.

Vintage Book Covers

2010-01-15T20:57:00.000-08:00

I bookmarked this post from Bluelines, the former Martha Stewart blog, some time ago because the colors and graphics struck my fancy. As both a book and graphics lover, I find there is a special appeal in vintage/retro designs and their muted colors. As the original blog post suggests, BookScans is a site that makes available scans of old book covers, and The Book Cover Archive does the same for more modern covers. What a neat opportunity for an art project, or at the very least for design inspiration!

If Form Follows Function...

2010-01-12T20:25:00.000-08:00

I find this debate coming up all the time in my graduate studies in theatre management. To make art? To make money (hopefully never the ONLY goal)? To somehow find the harmony between the two? Via Product Etcetera.

The Perfect Music Video.

2010-01-10T18:43:00.000-08:00

I hadn't heard of Oren Lavie before this video came out, but now I can't stop watching it/thinking about it. The stop-motion approach is so brilliant, especially as it relates to dreaming. The under-water part is my favorite. If you haven't seen it yet, watch! If you have, watch again!

Embrace Your Inner NERD

2010-01-09T14:40:00.000-08:00

Bound to the house the past few days with an awful sore throat, I think the lack of exposure to civilization finally gave me the giggles. I made a treasury this morning/late last night dedicated to our inner nerd. I quite like it. And it features some outstanding sellers, like steppie, whose ninja and panda drawings always make me smile, and Evie Tees, a fairly new seller who features HARRY POTTER shirts! What? I know. Check the treasury out here.

Girl Crush: Zooey Deschanel

2010-01-09T14:18:00.001-08:00

My number one favorite lady. There are about a million reasons to love her, and it seems like everyone is jumping on the bandwagon these days (even the Cotton commercial people!). However, Zooey is a gem. Not only is a fantastic actress and a soothing songstress, she's one of the best vintage shoppers in existence. Her popularity was boosted immensely by (500)Days of Summer this past year and She & Him, her musical group with M. Ward, which is AMAZING. "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?" and "You Really Got a Hold on Me" are two personal favorites.

She & Him sporting folky style

(M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel)

I'm stealing this wardrobe. I especially love the two on the bottom left. This girl can pull off short vintage dresses with tights like no other.

Girl Crush: Lisa Hannigan

2010-01-07T19:11:00.000-08:00

I heart Lisa Hannigan. So big. I not only love her vintage-inspired style, her inherent sweetness, and her delicate voice, but the fact that she uses paper CRAFTS in both of her music videos thus far! If you don't already love her, you should. Here are the videos for "Lille" and "I Don't Know."

The Perfect Vintage Wedding Dress.

2010-01-07T01:32:00.000-08:00

Everyone spends so much on their wedding, or so it seems. While full-bodied gowns are beautiful, I've always pictured something much more light, natural, and vintage-inspired. I came across this photo on Bridal Wave and thought its cream-colored lightness was just right.

What's your perfect wedding dress?

Artist Spotlight: Jessie Wilcox Smith

2010-01-07T01:09:00.000-08:00

Aside from being my namesake, and one of my mom's favorite artists, Jessie Wilcox Smith (1863-1935) is now one of my favorite artists. Her children's illustrations are so much more-- they have a poignancy that I can't describe in words. Also, they're just so cute! These are a few of my favorites.