:: great gift ideas ::

 cravestudio.etsy.com

check out crave studio's amazing  collection of ceramic goodness.  one thing i especially appreciate about artist jennifer bedenbaugh's work is its sincere simplicity (and simple sincerity!).  her clever and creative ideas speak for themselves, without a bunch of frills and fluff.  from her immensely popular "just between you and me" necklaces (mine reads "servant's heart" and is one of the most treasured gifts i've ever received) to the mini houses which are now available in a larger size as Christmas ornaments!  (30% off in-stock ornament sale now through dec 18)

swig

"drink from the bottle" takes on a whole new meaning with these terrific examples of upcycling from this new local business, swig.  creator christina blackwell turns wine bottles into lovely and interesting drinking glasses.  they come in three sizes (small, medium, large) and a variety of colors (clear, green, brown, olive and yellow) and make wonderful gifts for wine lovers who, well, do drink something other than wine from time to time!  (great idea for housewarming gifts!)

:: brilliant music, brilliant art ::

josh garrels, easily one of my favorite singer-songwriters and performers (ever), recently unveiled the pieces of the dvd box set for his documentary The Sea In Between, filmed on mayne island, BC.  i cannot wait to get my hands on this.  check out the view finder dvd art...brilliant! 

 

images, box set art & packaging by stereotonic
click images to link directly to box set photo album

:: question ::

from facebook.com/postsecret

:: trash the dress ::

blueberries, paint, fire - oh, my!

blog.rfproductions.ca

:: before i die ::

start with
change it into
then it becomes
and
and

see additional images and learn more about before i die (and much more, including i wish this was) at candychang.com.

:: fair trade ::

[click image for direct link]

from the artist: How It Works is part of my ongoing series of Newspaper Blackout Poems: poetry made by taking an article from The New York Times and blacking it out with a Sharpie marker, leaving only a few choice words behind. It's rare that I find poetry in the business section, but this one came from an article about hedge fund investing. Like many of my poems, it's about my wife.

:: more design by chalk ::

anthropologie.com via knackstudios.blogspot.com

quite the trend! also seen here and here.

:: and the things i draw come true ::

west elm via catalog living

so cute. reminds me of this.

:: my weekend in photos ::

01. the georgia theatre is undergoing construction after a devastating fire in june 2009. the remodel will incorporate incredible upgrades to the famed music venue while maintaining the historical integrity of a building that's 122 years old. grand opening summer 2011.

02. corey smith being interviewed for GAC's headline country amid the rubble and rebuilding. corey first played the theatre in december 2005 to a sold out crowd. (zac brown opened the show.)

03-04. bus and site provided by the jackson county correctional institute. first photo overlooks the landfill. it was a chilling 30-40 degrees for most (if not all of the shoot).

05-06. family photo shoot and more video footage in one of the chic penthouse suites at the hotel indigo - a beautiful and environmentally friendly (LEED certified gold) hotel in downtown athens. part of corey's upcoming album, the broken record, was recorded in the hotel's own rialto room.

07. local artist wendy hanson's fabric butterflies on display in the mercury art works gallery at hotel indigo.




as much as i was ready to warm and rested in my own home,i made a stop by pitaya to pick up a few things. (2 tanks, 2 cardigans and 1 dress.)

:: as promised ::

catherine roach

i've done this.

:: simply good advice ::

catherine roach

more of catherine's work to come, i'm sure.

:: digital park bench ::

i am not the only one

to read his blog
to love his pictures
to be inspired
to laugh at, cringe from, copy, question
to want to have a moment like that at 2:24
(i would freak! i kind of freaked a little for this perfect stranger. how cool.)

thesartorialist.blogspot.com

i am loving this video. it's exciting to see when some of his more recent and notable photos were captured. the moment behind the moment.

:: serious inspiration ::

we (corey smith) were in a meeting today, discussing art concepts for an upcoming album and supporting photo shoot & marketing materials. the following vogue spread was brought up in response to potential art direction. strictly as inspiration in terms of coloring and lighting. whether or not we go this route, i am so glad this spread was brought to my attention because - WOW. amazing. makes me want to do a finger-wave up-do, put on a pretty little dress & some red lipstick and hit the town for some rhythm & romance! (i just thought, "that'd be a great title for my (non-existent) country album." googled it, and...too late.)

annie leibovitz for vogue

:: warm & cozy ::

remember this post about my latest wreath idea?
well, instead of making another visit to the craft store to try and come up with a cold-weather wreath, i just opted to buy one for myself.

i fell in love with this beauty months ago, and since then, many more door sweaters have been added to cranny's etsy shop. but there's nothing like your first love, right?

i ordered a larger version of this little one and think it'll be perfect for my front door. yellow house, gray wreath. can't wait to see it in person!

check out this awesome shop. do some Christmas shopping and then treat yourself. such a crafty lady!

other favorites include:

crannyfoundfavorites.etsy.com
[click on images for direct links]

:: pretties - lovely lockets ::

love these and many more from this etsy shop. unfortunately, the simple feather has already sold!

verabel.etsy.com via a cup of joe

the simple feather locket :: the origami locket

:: wingo designs trunk show ::

i've mentioned the work of jimmie lynn of wingo designs a time or two here on the swing. she makes beautiful and cute and crafty enamel necklaces.

i briefly oohed and ahhed over her work at the indie craft parade back in september, but didn't get to spend nearly enough time looking through all that she had to offer. thankfully, i'll have plenty of time to check out her latest work at the wingo & lala trunk show saturday, november 13 at art & light! i can't wait to check out some of the asymmetrical 2 piece necklaces that she had at the parade - and maybe pick out a little something for Christmas!

:: hanky ring ::

this is so creative. so pretty. so neat. just adorable. click image for details (or to purchase for me! tee hee).

missnovemberstudio.etsy.com via bluemossgirls.blogspot.com

:: more mingta photography likes ::

mingtaphotography.etsy.com

:: love this guy ::

mingtaphotography.etsy.com

:: cute quilts ::

i really like the look of these quilts. modern, fresh, bright...and my fav colors.

carsontoo.etsy.com via youaremyfav.com

[click image for direct link]