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This past weekend I visited Eugene, OR and was able to spend a little time in Passionflower, this most wonderful gift store and hang out with shopkeeper, extraordinaire, Jewel Murphy.
And our signature Dream journals and giclees mixed with earthy tones and antique furniture.
This store is dreamy and a real treasure in this college town--absolutely a destination if you are in or near the area!
I met Mayura Kona a few weeks ago at the Las Vegas Gift Market. Mayura and her company One Thread Fair Trade are an inspiring example of the change each one of us is capable of making on the world. Mayura has used her brilliant brain and amazing design talents to bring about positive change to our global community.
One Thread Fair Trade works directly with communities of battered and impoverished women to give them the skills and opportunity to become self-sufficient. Mayura introduces us to each of these artisans on her site with photos and stories about their lives. Each artisan also gets credit on the hand-signed labels that include the name of the artisan that tailored
the product, a statement of what she believes in, and an artisan
number.
The One Thread line includes absolutely stunning 100% silk pillows made using hand looms (providing a totally eco-friendly product that supports rural communities).
Definitely check out One Thread Fair Trade to learn more about Mayura and the powerful ways in which she is impacting the lives of so many.
In the July/August Issue of Selvedge (a magazine devoted to the world's finest textile photography), there is a beautiful spread about Magnolia Pearl.
Founder Robin (pictured above) defines her brand as: "what Victorian style would have been if Queen Victoria had partied with Janis Joplin and Alice in Wonderland".
I love the philosophy behind Robin's work. There are fascinating stories being told through the combination of timeworn beauty and love of color and texture that have been woven together. It's a special brand of beauty that's unique to her, that stretches over many mediums of self-expression.
Furniture, human figures, farmhouses even cars and silver Airstream trailers are all vehicles for Robin's encompassing vision of color, texture and pattern. "One of the tenets of my art is don't be afraid to cover beauty with more beauty... layer upon layer of beauty. More is never enough, Never" she affirms"
To read more about Robin's work, and artistic philosophy take a visit to her personal website Magnolia Pearl.
I think I am the last Papaya on the block to discover and fall in love with this incredibly talented and inspiring artist, Sophie Adde. Better later than never....I can get lost just staring at her bowls, peonies, and even simple Chinese slippers take on a magical feel.
I love the combination of the simple subject, colour combinations and asian collage text block in background.
For the big envelopes we just deconstructed a plain, manilla envelope to use as the template. So easy and really sweet once it's done. For paper we used PAPAYA! paper wrap, old maps, and even leftover wallpaper from our trade show booth. Under normal circumstances I would recommend 'loping, but considering we've all caught the fever I must advise you of the possible consequences. It is very addictive.
Friday afternoon here and thought it would be fun to see a glimpse of a Papaya day in the life....summer is winding down but the design team is going full tilt putting together 2012 calendars, planners, journals, art boards, greeting cards, tote bags, giclees...and more!!!! As they say, it takes a village and you can hear the hum of activity...
Last week our new fine paper wrap sets arrived at the Papaya Warehouse, and are now available online!
I had so much fun wrapping gifts up to photograph for the newest PAPAYA! catalog, adding in yummy sensory & tactile elements like fresh flowers, and velvet and silk ribbons. I designed the paper sets with the intention of layering complimentary colors and patterns together. (It's been such a fun design process all around... what can I say?! I'm truely a girl who loves paper!)
There are four design themes to choose from (Left to right): Flora Bowley, Flower, Birds & Blooms, and Pamela Garrison
In case you missed it....Last week I blogged about this terrific magazine and since then the back issues have made the rounds with all the creative souls at Papaya and we have collectively come to the conclusion that this is simply the best printed publication on art, blogs, creativity and old-fashioned magazine eye candy. If an Anthropologie catalogue met a high-end art review, mixed in with irresistible snippets of way-cool bloggers doing their art thing, this is what you get. There is something about the thick, matte-finish pages...
So thank you, you fabulously creative Canadians! We are enjoying it very much.
The other day we received a sweet email from Ginny at Swallow's Nest in BC that was so cool we had to share. Inspired by PAPAYA! images, Ginny created these beautiful leafy-haird ladies for an artshow.
