Gift
Gift Fair: Jonathan Adler
Every optic sweater needs a matching headpiece! In a playful attempt to engage their customers and fans, the Jonathan Adler team has devoted a portion of their site to user generated content, titling it, “Show Us Your JA Style.” The lovely Starrett Zenko convinced me to get in on the action and model my rust and navy colors. It’s safe to say that the new products and patterns are in line with what we’ve come to expect from the Jonathan Adler brand. They’re playful, sophisticated and easy accents that’ll add zing to any room. From overlapping colors to optic Hollywood metallics to geometrics and a clever candy dish, there’s something for everyone in the new Fall/Holiday line.
Gift Fair: Mud Puppy Magnets
Patterns and magnets- what could be a better combo? Everyone’s seen the alphabet fridge letters and the magnetic poetry kits by now, so it was quite exciting to see a departure from the norm at Mud Puppy’s booth this week. With a bit of styling help from my ShelterPop buddy, Amy Preiser, we were able to craft a new playful logo for Pattern Pulp. One of the best parts of the gift show is getting to touch and play with new product, and luckily for us, the ladies at Mud Puppy were more than generous when we hijacked their display. Be on the lookout for these decorative kits this Fall!
Book Review: Creative, Inc.
When the end of August looms and September heads into sight, you can’t help but get that “back to school feeling,” no matter how old you are. It seems like just the right time to think about starting new projects and learning new things, maybe even setting out on your own.
As more and more people embrace (or dream of embracing) the freelance life, the little details can feel illusive and innumerable. You may know your craft, but how to make a career out of it can feel like heading into an overwhelming and uncharted territory. Fortunately, designer and writer Meg Mateo Ilasco of Modern Economy has been down that path and has collaborated with fellow design maven, Joy Deangdeelert Cho of OhJoy! to help others who hold similar aspirations. With their latest book,
Gift Show: Gallery 91 + Wasara
Nearly every design-minded gift giver’s crossed paths with a cute vase from Gallery 91 at least once last year. These lovely Japanese vases are functional, minimalist and highly transportable. Their latest collection at this week’s gift fair takes a pattern leap of faith, presenting an array of candy colored textures paired alongside organic metallic shapes. The line is sophisticated and light, proving you don’t have to break the bank to have a classy centerpiece.
Walking past the booth, you immediately know the paper pieces are from WASARA, a Japanese company, as the subtle detail and intricate messaging forces the viewer to stop and contemplate. Everything from the angular lighting to the asymmetrical curves to the minuscule paper cuts reminds you that these paper goods are special. Everything is single-use and fully compostable. The exclusive importer and distributor,
Gift Show: Dynomighty Wallets
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.
Gift Fair: John Robshaw
Simply put, John Robshaw is a massive force in the homegoods industry. His worldly prints and travel-inspired merchandise have driven the ethnic trend for years now. His customers are loyal and his competitors, envious. Walking by the booth, I spotted Robshaw, live in the flesh, cheerfully walking buyers through his latest collection. The newest additions carry an Egyptian theme, revealing block print hieroglyphics and nile-inspired repeats. The thematic parallels are similar to Robshaw’s previous collections, reminding us that Robshaw loves to infuse and overlap his travel adventures.
Gift Fair: Koko Company
Over the next few days I’ll be posting Pattern Pulp’s favorites from this week’s gift show. Unsurprisingly, geometrics, french/indian-inspired prints and apothecary influences are in full swing, proving the commercial buying power these trends have in the homegoods sector. One of the most vibrant executions is on display at Koko Company’s booth. Stitched organic, geometric repeats over printed patterns make up the pillow and bedding spreads, showing differentiating color palettes. Whether the stories take the rust/navy/gold angle or the pink/mint/lime avenue, the quilted effect makes for a unique display. I was serendipitously dressed for the occasion so we snapped a shot!
Diagnol Thinking with MWM
This past weekend a wonderful little package arrived in the mail: Matt W. Moore‘s most recent foray in publishing: Diagnol Thinking, an 88-page softcover book filled with black and white images. As I flipped through Moore’s illustrations, murals and graffiti patterns, it was easy to see the immediate translation of what inspires him. Everything from cloud patterns to concrete structures to spray paint and ragged brushes round out the mix, mirroring polished vector drawings. Beyond being a beautifully-bound compilation, this first volume is an interesting window into an artist’s mind. With a limited run of 500, make sure to get yours before they’re gone!
Budget Buys: Spirographs for Summer
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.
Budget Buys: Geometric Tees
Clever graphics are simply the best. So are artist-generated businesses. Glyph Que and Pattern and Shape are two brands that have carefully (and successfully) navigated the art meets retail space. The above collection is the result of a collaborative project from The Strange Attractor, a blog dedicated to sharing strange and exceptional art from around the globe. The objective of this particular line is to marry geometric shapes with unconventional patterns. The winning tees are now being sold on Pattern and Shape at $23 a pop. What’s your favorite?
Here’s a snapshot of Glyph Cue’s Summer 2010 collection. Each shirt is handmade in Portland, Maine by Matt W. Moore and sells for $33.
Budget Buys: Saltbox Bags
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.
