The Nest

While ready the latest issue of Mary Jane’s Farm, I saw an article on vet tech, farmer, beekeeper and artist Zan Asha. You might think she lives in the wilds of Vermont, but she does all these things in Brooklyn, of all places. Her art is created under the name Vagabond Creations and she sells several items on Etsy. I was completely charmed by her mama catfish and kittenfish. That mama does not seem to know what to do with her lively little kittenfish.

It may be because of the cold weather, but I’m falling deep under the spell of the warm, southern style and sound of Rising Appalachia. Not only do their voices and music make me want to wander through a moist bayou, but I might just decide to start dressing like them…but only on summer weekends.

While doing a search for scrapbooking designs for a website I’m working on, I ran into this wonderful design studio in Iowa. Avalon Rose Design, run by Catherine Haugland, has some of the most interesting vintage and layered designs I have seen in a while. Of course, I fell in love with her steampunk template above and would like to see more of those. Also, how cool is it that she also designed the logo and t-shirts for the Cornelia Marie (my favorite boat) on the Dealiest Catch?

My poor, poor neglected blog. How I have missed thee. I have been so busy with work and freelance work, my beauty of design blog had to take a summer break. Well, this photo from the Reno Slow Food group was inspiration enough to get me blogging again. Just look at that array of locally produced and cooked food. Beautiful! Fall is the perfect time to hole back up in the kitchen and create edible art. My new interest for the season is the Slow Food movement. I am determined to know more about where my food comes from and eat like a locavore. It’s a challenge, but one I am willing to take on…with knife and fork in hand.

From Flickr Group: Motel & Hotel Signs

The Nada Dada Motel exhibit is in town again this year. I am especially looking forward to the works of Patty Melton. She will be celebrating the retro design of old hotels and hotel signs in the Reno area.

I have always loved the style of old motel signs. In Reno, several of the hotels have been closing up. I would love for there to be a certain part of the city or a street where these old signs can be refurbished and displayed. We could call it Motel Alley.

I am itchin’ to get a few t-shirts and tank tops from this small company who makes these sassy designs. Perfect for this western gal.

I really adore the items that Uncommon Goods sells. They are fun, unique and unusual. I especially like their design oriented recycled and reclaimed items like their recycled windshield glasses, their reclaimed wine barrel lazy susan and their reused chopstick soapdish and basket. Happy Earth Day!

I used to be able to knit, but I don’t seem to have the patience anymore. However, I do love looking at the Lion Brand catalogs of yarn and patterns. This is not your Grandmother’s way of knitting. Their patterns, colors and styles are fun and hip. They even offer free patterns.

Thanks to the Black Apple and Etsy, I found another lovely artist who reminds me of the drawings I used to create when I was a young bird before I got caught up in the corporate and freelance life. Julianna of Oh My Cavalier creates eerie and splendid little creatures that belong on any wall. They remind me of the bird headed women and drowned ladies I drew as a teenager.

I ran into this artist’s work through my husband and was mucho impressed with his style, color and use of lines. More and more unique artists are coming out of the Reno area. I hope to see more of them recognized.

We may be seeing some of these pieces on the walls of Peg’s Glorified Ham & Eggs downtown.