It’s hard not to get excited when a practical, reasonably-priced product has a DIY component to it. Here are just a few of the many wallets on display at the Dynomighty booth at this week’s gift fair. The themes range from Star Trek to Sailor Jerry Tattoos to whimsical watercolors. The material’s essentially indestructible and a nice alternative to traditional logo-pressed leather. For $15 a pop, it also makes for an easy, no-frills gift.

Vera Neumann believed that fine art should be accessible to everyone – a radical idea for her time. The legendary artist and designer launched her scarf company in 1946 using excess parachute silk from World War II, setting into motion a lifetime career. Her bright and whimsical prints covered not just scarves but a litany of objects including slipcovers and plates. Up until her death in 1993, Vera did it all, never compromising her career for motherhood, family, or her art for business. While today’s Vera lovers have been forced to comb the internet and rummage through bins at thrift shops, Vera’s work has recently been given new life.

After having been rediscovered by Anthropologie, Vera’s patterns and art have been incorporated into a variety of wares for a handful of seasons. A book entitled, “Vera: The [...]

Many of us played with spirographs as children, creating intricate designs out of plastic templates and colored pens. While most have outgrown these science-friendly toys, the shapes are still fascinating, particularly when rendered as jewelry. Parisian designer, Miette, creates eye-catching pieces that are as memory-inducing as they are modern. There are a bevy wonderful styles and variations in the collection, check them out to add a unique spin to your wardrobe.

I’m always on the lookout for a chic flat perfect for pounding the city pavement. Extraseed’s line of flats comes in a classic shape and a variety of subtle, wearable patterns that will add to, not distract from your outfit. As an added bonus, the shoes have a rich sustainable side: the soles are crafted from used car tires and the fabrics are the scrap remnants from garment factories – not that you could tell. At $38 a pop, you can feel good about doing something healthy for the environment, your closest, and of course, your wallet.

Having just returned from a week of travel, I have luggage on the mind. While my Burton bag has served me well over the past few years, I can’t say I’m not tempted to upgrade every time I see a great pattern. A series of textured weekender bags from Saltbox are currently on sale on One Kings Lane. Check em out, as they’re a nice alternative to the Vera Bradley set.

This silk box clutch from French Connection is a real eye catcher. From the geometric linear shapes to the folk inspiration to the nod from bedding, this collection is the perfect balance of hard meets soft. The color palette’s bright and bold and an interesting example of functional color blocking. At $53.99, it’s also a sweet addition to any futurist’s wardrobe.

A few months ago, Amsterdam-based artist, Louis Reith spun a web of admirers with his typographically inspired works on paper. His masterful merging of geometric shapes, abstract typography, vintage maps and old book pages is a reminder to all designers to take a step back from the computer every once in a while. In today’s world where so much art is digitally composed and intricately dense, the hand-rendered simplicity and obvious restraint makes Reith’s work immensely beautiful and refreshing. Little Paper Planes is presently offering four exclusive limited edition prints from the artist at a delightfully affordable price of $35 per print, with the whole set offered at $120. A lovely opportunity to get your hands on the work of a talented up and comer- take advantage!

After visiting this year’s gift show, it’s apparent that ikat patterns are here to stay. Just as animal print’s become a seasonal staple in the fashion world, it appears that ikat variations and ethnic repeats are following a parallel road. Everyone knows the beauty that is the John Robshaw collection, however it’s important to note other designers making their mark around the globe. Today’s feature highlights Jules Pansu’s collection. Pansu’s a Parisian design house with roots dating back to 1878. In 1994, a home collection was launched and the line’s been leading the way in innovative design ever since. Today a wide variety of products are on sale via Gilt Groupe. Check it out!

We couldn’t help but get excited when we saw this censor scarf by Allsaints Spitalfields because it reminds us so much of the imagery from the Art of Conversation show in Berlin as well as our recent Spin it: Webcam Style post. Even more interesting, is that within this scarf, the details are censored. The faces are nothing but a blur when looked at in quick succession, though the design’s political spin adds an interesting and rather timely twist.

The Jack scarf is lovely too, in its moody swashes of color, looking almost like an abstracted appropriation of topography – a trend that’s been moving steadily through the ranks. We love these for their wearability, and for the fact that they’re not your everyday run of the mill hankies. [...]

The visualization of sound is always a mesmerizing sight, as is the blur of buzzing static that can inhabit your tv screen. What we love so much about these bags from Industry is that while they’re named for their sound-like patterns, they’re also reminiscent of a modern ikat print. With both stylistic ideas being on trend these bags have high appeal whether you’re looking to reference a tribal, ethnic vibe or a more offbeat sound-influenced pattern, making them a versatile and fun addition to your wardrobe.

The Dutch duo that is Stefan Scholten and Carole Baijings have been working together since they founded their design studio, Scholten & Baijings in 2000. Dedicated to an aesthetic of minimalism and intricate detail, this design force has become most famous for their keen arrangement of grids, gradients and patterns. Their catalog of work consists of home goods and fashion accessories and is quite inspirational, regardless what medium you’re accustomed to working in. Check them out!

Keds have been an American classic since 1916. “The Champion,” has graced the feet of such style legends as Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe and Jackie O and has continuously been a favorite among designers, stylists, and editors. In truly modern fashion, Keds has been taking it to the streets with their Keds Collective Collection which brings “top designers, cutting-edge artists, musicians and pop culture icons to see how these creative minds can transform” the blank canvas of the classic Ked.

We’re currently digging Portland-based artist, Betsy Walton’s beachy patterned kicks, which look perfect for warm weather wandering. A few of her favorite influences are evident in the final product and include Byzantine Icon Paintings, American Folk Art and geometric abstraction. At $60, they’re a pretty swell deal.