Modish

2009 Reader Survey + Mini Giveaway!

As we step into the new year with changes about, I would love love LOVE to have your feedback to make sure Modish keeps heading in the right direction- so, if you have 5 minutes to spare, please help by participating in the Modish 2009 Reader Survey!  I'd really appreciate it!

To sweeten the pot a bit, survey entrants will be entered into a random drawing to receive this oh so adorable Animal Alphabet poster by Kaching Design! 

Hand-printed on 100% recycled paper, these cute little animals will brighten the room of kiddos and adults alike!  Valued at $48, it's dated, numbered and signed and will be shipped to you in a sturdy mailing tube (doesn't come framed.)

To win: Just take the 2009 Reader Survey and include your email address at the end
or visit Kaching Design, have a look around and leave a comment here on this post about an item you found there that you adore. 

(That way you can remain completely anonymous during the survey if you'd like, or enter to win without participating in the survey at all, although, I'd really appreciate it if you did!)

The survey and giveaway will close on Monday, Jan 12th at noon, PST.  One winner will be chosen randomly from the pool of willing survey participants and commenters on this post on Tuesday, Jan13th.

So, have fun!  And thank you so much for your participation!
<3 jena

Eco-Friendly Find: humble

I'm almost done getting the reader survey ready, but in the meantime I wanted to share these oh so pretty handmade pillows with you, by humble!  Not only are they beautifully designed and sure to be the perfect touch to any chair in the house, but they're kind to earth as well!  Score!

Made from 100% organic cotton twill, each contemporary design is hand-printed with non-toxic water based inks.  The pillows are then filled with inserts made from either bamboo or kapok, another sustainable alternative derived from the seed of a kapok tree.  Pretty, functional and better for the planet- now that's something you can rest your head easy on.

{psst: the humble shop is offering a special discount to Modish readers for the new year- enter MODISH at checkout for 30% off your order, good through the month of January!  Thanks Kristie!}

Sponsor Spotlight: Sogni D'oro

Take a peek at Sogni D'oro for stunning hand-crafted jewelry that's one-of-a-kind.

{thank you for your support!}

Handmade Inspiration and Sarah Backlund

One thing I'm really aching to do this year is to show more of the pure awesomeness of what handmade can be.  Instead of just shopping finds, I hope to also show off the side of handmade that isn't necessarily for sale, the side that lies at the intersection of art, craft and design.  The hand-styled, hand-drawn, hand-written, hand-crafted things that add beauty to our homes, our public spaces and our imaginations.  The side of handmade that inspires further creation, that leaves people thinking, "wow." 

Like these incredible dresses from Sarah Backlund, for instance, created entirely by hand.  WOW is right:

It's going to be a lovely year

{lovely banner by Joetta Maue}

Hello hello!!  Happy new year, everyone!  I hope you all had the most wonderful of holiday seasons! 

Here in Portland we got snowed in, iced over, rained out and flooded, all within a two week period.  Kinda crazy.  Despite the wacky weather, I had a wonderfully refreshing 2 weeks off that felt like months I tell ya, months!  Not because I accomplished much of anything really, but because I didn't, and that was okay.

I also managed to update the digs around here a bit, how'dya like the new look?  (If you're reading this thru a feed-reader, hop on over and check out the new design! :)  I wanted something clean and fresh, happy and pretty, a better showcase to the finds for a hopeful new year.

Before I left on my much needed break, I was feeling burned out and uninspired, wondering if Modish really had a valid place here in blogworld anymore.  I had grand plans of "changing it all", taking it in a "new direction" which was just code for me making it all about me.  But between many email conversations with kind and helpful folks, plus time to renew and re-asses, I feel inspired to write again here, to continue to bring you some of the best handmade goods I can find because I think it is a valuable endeavor.  I think there is still a place for Modish.  This year I'll be working to re-instill the unique voice that it began with over 2000 posts ago.

I also have to make sure I'm pursuing other things that keep me happy so I don't get so burned out again.  I'll be starting a new blog to document my life a little- my personal inspirations, my journey to create the career of my dreams as a writer, to live an authentic life.  That's forthcoming and may at times touch on issues that could be interesting to you, as artists and creators, so expect some linkage in the future.

With new endeavors comes some slight changes here at Modish, like no more big giveaways, no more bulletin board, no more Modish Marketplace.  I need to trim down and shape up (no, not my body, although that could use some work too! :)  I want to make sure I'm keeping your favorite aspects of Modish in place though, so later today (uh, let's make that) tomorrow I'll be asking for your participation in a little survey.  If you're a regular reader, I'd really appreciate your feedback!

For now, expect more of the same handmade goodness and inspiring finds.  I think 2009 is going to be an incredible year, and I'm so glad I have you all to share it with!

<3 jena

Snowed in, see you next year

 
We were headed home for the holidays, but things are a bit crazy around here- it's the biggest snowstorm Portland has seen since 1968, and the City seems to have about the same resources to deal with the snow as they did back then. :)  We can't get out of driveway, let alone down the street, and even if we could, most flights are still not getting out and a sleepless night on the PDX airport carpet doesn't sound like much fun. 

So, I'll be sticking around town for Christmas, but will still be taking a little break with posting until the new year.  There's projects to finish, new projects to start, kitties that need cuddling and snow-loving dogs to keep happy.

I just want to thank you all for another fantastic year here on Modish!  I appreciate all you readers so much, whether you've been with me since the beginning or just discovered the blog recently, I thank you for stopping in to spend a little bit of your day with me.  I hope you'll check back in starting Monday, Jan 5th to find a whole new look for Modish, some announcements on changes for the new year, along with your first dose of handmade inspiration to get your 2009 off to a good start. 

Happy Holidays everyone!  Hope you all have a wonderful break!
<3 jena

The bigger picture

My oldest brother has a big ol' honkin' telescope that takes amateur star watching to the next level.  It's a hobby I find endlessly fascinating, but only remember to take the time to appreciate it when I'm on a road trip in the dead of night or when I'm on vacation far enough from city lights to realize how vast and beautiful the sky can be.  Usually, when the sky is truly on display, I'm asleep though.  The little white lights in trees around this time of year inspire and excite me. Seeing the sparkling lights in a darkened yard evokes the nighttime winter sky's cold, crisp, still evening air that opens up visibility into the cosmos.  Millions of opportunities to wish upon the first star off the night, astronomical history dating tens of thousands of years, the ability to see objects light years away with the naked eye. 

The other night I caught It's a Wonderful Life on tv, and as many times as I've seen bits and pieces of it, this was the first time I heard what could possibly be one of the most romantic movie quotes of all time as Jimmy Stewart tells Donna Reeds character Mary, "What is it you want, Mary? What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Hey. That's a pretty good idea. I'll give you the moon, Mary." Stewart's impassioned dialog captures the magical essence of the season. 

I say magic simply because otherwise my brain would pop out and fall on the floor. or explode. or maybe even both. But I digress.

The clarity, the depth and the profundity of the stars, reflected in the patterns of the falling snow, the lights on the trees and the sparkle of glittery holiday parties; that's the enchantment of winter.

So perhaps one might deduce that the best way to celebrate this season is to turn on the Ziggy Stardust, just don't let the vertigo hit you on your way out of the galaxy.

Goodies for your own Space Odyssey:
{1} Jez Burrows' Celestial Feats and {2 and 3} An illustrated guide to the Amazing Feats of the Night Sky available from Tiny Showcase;  {4} Celestial Extinction - Lipotes vexillifer by Sub-Studio; {5} Icarus at the Edge of Time by Brian Greene; {6} Binary Star Letterpress cards from Brooklyn Book Binder; {7} You Hold Me Together by Heather Smith Jones; {8} Fridge Henge Galactic fridge magnet by Brighton Sky

And if that's just not quite enough of the holiday spirit, Star Wars brings it full circle. 

Renee Garner has a passion to make things grow, although her brownish thumb wants her to believe otherwise. When mud pies aren't on the menu, you can find her doodling the days away at Wolfie and the Sneak.

Handmade Spaces: The Sea Within

Today I'm pleased to share with you the studio space of bag maker extraordinaire, Nadine from The Sea Within!  Let's take a peek at where she creates her pretty purses and totes, shall we?



What do you create in this space?
I mainly make handbags. I make some smaller items such as tissue holders and coasters, but 90% of the stuff I make are bags. I'd also like to start making hats. I have a million ideas but just not enough time to make everything I think of!



Where is it located?
My handmade space is actually in my bedroom! I live by myself in a small one bedroom apartment. I have incredibly high ceilings, so my machines are located underneath my loft bed.

What sort of tools/equipment do you use?
My main tools are my sewing machines. I have an incredible Elna Supermatic sewing machine from the 1960s. I also bought a new Bernina serger about 1.5 years ago. I wouldn't be able to do what I do without my serger. I love it dearly.

What inspirations do you keep nearby?
Magazines, my mantle with all my great animals and other quirky items.

What do you like to listen to/watch while creating?
When I'm cutting fabric I listen to This American Life. Not only is it great listening, but it makes me want to cut fabric (one of my least favourite parts) and will make me do it in one hour segments. When I'm sewing I usually have my iTunes on shuffle which would include Manu Chao, Leonard Cohen, the Stars, Feist, Billie Holiday, Cyndi Lauper, Bright Eyes, Edith Piaf...

How do you feel when you enter your handmade space?
I really like my space. I don't feel too different because it is shared with my bedroom and I have to walk through it to get to my bathroom!

Be sure to check out all the wonderful bags that Nadine creates here in her shop, The Sea Within!  Thanks for giving us a little glimpse, Nadine!

Lemonstory

The pleats!  The ruffles!  The styles!  The colors!  Oh how I ache for that "sunset yellow" shirt dress, wow.  Lemonstory, you're just too good.

Sponsor Spotlight: Kathryn Reichert

Visit Kathryn Reichert for limited edition, customizable sterling silver jewelry.  Use code 'FSHIP123' at checkout to receive free first class shipping OR code 'modish' to receive 10% off of your order!