PAPAYA! BLOG

Creating beauty through photoblogging, inspiring images by Sandra Juto

Sandra Juto's artistic photographs, give me the feeling of traveling without moving as I'm following her and her husband Johan's story through silent stills.

Originally from Sweden, she's recently moved to Berlin, Germany, where she works as an artist, illustrator and graphic designer. To see more of Sandra Juto's photographs be sure to take a visit to her blog & flickr.

Her photographs have been inspiring me to try to get back into photoblogging, which was a great creative outlet for me in the past. It's a great way to capture beauty for even the smallest things in life, and find a deeper appreciation for those things that quickly dissapear... like a nice cup of artfully swirled latte.

I love how photography can carry a feeling, and be reminders of where you've been and where you're going. You can use them like visual diaries, make photobooks on blurb, share with the world on sites like flickr, or simply keep them as mementos for all your own. All you need to begin your visual journey is a camera, and even the simplest will do. (The images above taken by Sandra were from her iphone, with an app called Instagram.)

Easter Basket Essentials

1. Bloom Small Journal 2. Woodland Bunny Spiral Notebook 3. Large and Small Accessory Pouches  4. Hong Kong Beauty Luggage Tag  5. Bunny Small Card  6. Tassle Key Chain

Sneak Peek

As you can imagine, the life cycle of a product from birth of an idea to design to manufacturing to sampling to arriving in our warehouse is a long one, often up to six month! There is a village of team workers here and overseas who put all these pieces together so it is a wonderful day when we receive samples that we love, that don't require too much tweaking, that are ready for the world! Here is a sneak peak of just that: a new product for PAPAYA! called "Glitterifics". They are coordinating notecards and envelopes, both embellished with glitter and will come packaged in a darling decorative tin. For the snail mail enthusiast, trust me, these are little jewels for your mailbox. We're still a few months out for availability but cross your fingers, they will be here in June.

One of our new fun images, "Laughing Whale" is a PAPAYA! favorite.   

I sincerely hope this made a few Ashland and Medford mail carriers smile. We sure did sending them!

Inspired by Leslie Oschmann of Swarm Home

I have long admired these gorgeous reworked oil paintings that I have seen at Anthropologie and Juxtaposition Home. Not surprising that the artist, Leslie Oschmann of Swarm Home, worked as a visual merchandiser at Anthropologie for many years! This is one of the most exquisite  and imaginative ways of repurposing vintage finds that I have ever seen. 

Her current work appears to be more focused on a variety of bags and small furniture...all of which I am in love with. Check out her blog for a larger assortment....they are amazing.

Need these for my kitchen!

This is how I first saw her work--whimsical pieces of fabric sewed to these striking oil portraits. In person as a collection, they literally jump off the wall. Gorgeous!

Loveology

It's easy to lose track of time browsing through all of the image collections that are lovingly currated all over the internet.

The colorful eyecandy I'm posting today comes from Loveology's blog,  if you need some visual inspiration this weekend be sure to take a visit.

(If you have any visual bookmarks you'd like to share in the comments, we'd love to see them!)

Four Seasons

I've been thinking a lot recently about the beauty of changing seasons and passing of time, as this is the first year in a long time I have lived somewhere that has definitive seasons. Today, I have beautiful quince blossom branches from Kathleen's yard on my desk, a certain sign that spring has sprung yet outside my window the snow is falling and there is white stuff on the mountains. It's all very dramatic and made me think of Katya Horner, a photographer I have admired who captures that moodiness and delicate beauty of our natural surroundings.

But if it's okay Mr. Oregonian Weatherman, more of that pink blossom stuff please....we are ready!

CATalogue Proofing

We're waiting for her final approval, but judging from photo, Gracie Carpenter, contract employee at PAPAYA!, is very pleased with catalogue #24. We went to press yesterday and insiders tell me she's most excited about Accessory Pouches, Sticky Notes, and Memo Mouse Pads! 

Here's a sneak peak at some of the new goodies available now or in the next few weeks....

Small and Large, we are all crazy about these new pouches! They really are the perfect accessory to hold cosmetics, art supplies, magazines, you name it! 

I love using our Memo Mouse Pads...so great for note taking, doodling, and daily reminders. Available early April!

Sticky Notes!!! We've designed 6 styles, all of which we hope you love as much as we do. Also, available early April!

INALUXE

I stumbled onto Kristina Sostarko and Jason Odd's artwork of INALUXE last week, and was instantly smitten with their use of color, shape, and texture.

Inspiration abounds on their blog, and there's dozens of prints to covet in their shop. Enjoy!

NEW! Accessory Pouches, Luggage Tags, and Giclees

We couldn't be more excited today! New Large Accessory Pouches, Small Accessory Pouches, Luggage Tags, and four new 14" x 14" giclee images have arrived and they so beautiful.
Have a great weekend everyone!

Reading List

 

I've found my next collection of must-have coffee table books to savour but...BUT...they are not published yet and as fast as I click on the pre-order button at Amazon, they don't appear to be arriving on my doorstep any faster. I will wait patiently. Here are some of what I think will be some of my favorite home design books for the spring. Creative Walls, by Geraldine James, in particular, is calling my name!

I have no doubt this will be a wonderful book from Holly Becker, blogger extraordinaire from Decor8. 

 
Mixed patterns, lots of pillows, flea market goodies wrapped up together by UK stylist and author Emily Chalmers seems like a promising mix. 

I imagine this book from another great UK stylist, Atlanta Bartlett, will reflect that shabby chic aesthetic that Rachael Ashwell made so popular in the United States. And so I will wait...hopefully not too long...for these inspiring goodies to arrive.