Handmade for Japan

Artists from around the world are donating their work for an Ebay auction called Handmade for Japan. All the proceeds will go to Japan in their time of need. The auction begins on Thursday, March 24th at 8pm.There are lots of wonderful ceramics and other handmade goods for sale. To preview some of the items before the auction, visit their Facebook page.

The bowl pictured above was made by Jana Evans. She has some lovely cups on her site as well. I like the pieces with her delicate drawn lines.

Handmade Turkish Socks

Our dear friend Annika just got back from visiting her sister, Christina, in Turkey. She and her family visited nearly all the same places as me and Matt during their stay in Istanbul and Cappadocia. We even stayed at the same hotel in Goreme, the Kelebek Cave Hotel.

During our stay in Turkey, I hadn't yet imagined opening a Specks & Keepings shop, but if I had I would have come back with a bounty of handmade treasures. So, I asked Annika if she could gather me up a bundle of wonderful knit Turkish socks from Cappadocia for the shop. She brought back such a beautiful collection, it's almost hard to part with them!

So pop into Specks & Keepings come the Fall and treat yourself or your little one to a lovely pair of handmade Turkish socks...I have lots of childrens sizes.

Drawing Corner:Christine Buckton Tillman & Sabine Timm

Above is a picture of Christine in her studio, taken by Matthew Yake. Christine is a very inspiring maker, I think she must make a drawing nearly everyday. Her drawings are filled with floral forms dancing atop organic rainbowed shapes. She often re-imagines everyday objects flattening them into fields of color. Christine's work reminds me of my favorite rainbow cake layered with jam and sandwiched between chocolate, it's joyful.





Sabine Timm keeps a wonderful Flicker. She is a German artist who makes drawings, small still lives, and little sculptures from found, used, and re-imagined bits. She breathes life into small, lost, and discarded objects through play. It's beautiful.

Presents from Adam & Erika Jane of KOTOA

I have been such a bad blogger lately, although who am I kidding, I've never really been very good at posting something new everyday. This reminds me of when I complain about being out of shape and then I take a moment to think of the last time I was in shape, which was never...my favorite sport as a child was swinging at the park and as an adult I have come to love long walks.

It is funny to me how our idea of self fits in with our expectations for ourselves and ultimately reality. Mine never seem to match up. I think life must be a continual journey of learning and acceptance, and it's up to us to make it a beautiful one. Matt's mom, Harriet, once said in passing that she is a student of life. I've always loved and remembered that.

On another note, here are photos I was hoping to share a while back. My cousin, Erika Jane from KOTOA, made me this beautiful afghan for Christmas, which I snuggle up with every night. She and Adam also made me this fantastic set of plaid pillow cases for my birthday last month. They are actually a gift to Matt as well as they have little cluster of m's & h's on them. I sleep on the m's and Matt sleeps on the h's. We thought it was more loving that way. Eleanor loves nesting on mine! Erika and Adam might make some sets with z's for the Specks & Keepings shop. I think Erika might also make another large patchwork afghan for Specks & Keepings come winter.

Just an update: The Specks & Keepings store is on it's way...I promise. I am working on descriptions this weekend and Matt is working on photos.

Drawing Corner: Ana Botezatu

I stumbled upon Romanian artist, Ana Botezatu in Papier Mache Magazine. She makes exciting small embroideries and illustrates many children's books.

I am also hoping to work on a children's book sometime soon as I spend much of my days reading to the children I look after. It is so wonderful watching small children fall in love with stories over and over again. I think when you read to a child, you are helping nourish their imagination and instill a forever love of reading. It's a very beautiful gift to be able to give someone.

Photograph Corner: Sam Falls

Matt just shared the work of photographer Sam Falls. The picture above reminds me a bit of my embroidered women.

Just a taste...

Our photoshoot went wonderfully thanks to some very talented makers and helpers. Below are a few photos for Specks & Keepings, The Shop, by Matthew Yake. Just a bitty peak...

Annika in the Rose Dress. This collection of Rose Dresses were made special for Specks & Keepings. I only have a very limited size run. I think it is more special that way.


I think this fly swatter is such a beautiful object and I think it's purpose and design were well considered...although to kill a bug with a bug is a bit sad. I kept trying to put it in the shots and Matt and Annika were laughing at me. When I left the room I think Matt was also taken by its form and now I have this lovely photo.


Delicious lunch, by mom. It was such a treat to eat.

Baltimore Magazine: Valentines Edition

My embroidered man was featured in Baltimore Magazine, it was included in a spread of things to buy for someone you love on Valentines Day.

The Specks & Keepings Shop is on its way!

I have been scrambling to get everything together for the Specks & Keepings photoshoot this Saturday and Sunday. I am so pleased that my mom decided to come out to help with the shoot and so we can celebrate our birthdays together! Annika has generously donated her home for our location and is going to be a model as well. My mom will be on craft services, so her job is to keep everyone fed and in a sense happy. So I expect we will all be eating quite well. I'm looking forward to it!

Be on the lookout for Adam Wolpa & Erika Jane's handmade goods at Specks & Keepings, the shop.

Drawing Corner: Lee Piechocki

I discovered Lee Piechocki's work in Ruby Mag #51. This instillation looks much like his paintings. I am interested in his relationships and pairings, the story of objects that live side by side.

ALL Knitwear

I just happened upon knitwear designer, Annie Larson. Annie's blog is just as exciting as her wonderful knit goods. Such fantastic sweaters, leggings, and hats! I would love to sell them at Specks & Keepings.

Feral Childe: TARQUINA

I love Alice and Mariah of Feral Childe as much as I love their clothing! They make some of my favorite things. Each season they design new prints, which are usually fantastic line drawings and they always pay such close attention to detail and form. I think they have fun designing so others can have fun wearing. Everything is so full of play. I think their Spring 2011 Collection, TARQUINA, is my favorite yet!

Turkey

Here are a few photos from our time in Turkey, in no special order. It was such a wonderful place, I hope we get to return one day.

Simit in Istanbul


Balloon ride in Goreme, the sky is littered with them every morning


Painted school in Cappadocia




At work in Goreme & a cave office





Beautiful outdoor market, I love his basket


Homeless kitties that are really everyone's everyone's kitties, Istanbul


Beautiful carpet shop in Goreme

Winter time

Winter time always seems to last forever to me, but there are some wonderful things to be had...warm drinks, snuggles, hiding under all your favorite blankets at once, cute pet days and beautiful whiteness everywhere.

Photographs by Matthew Yake