Meredith MacLeod
November 12, 2009
Cultus Bay Tile’s dish collection is handcrafted by Meredith Macleod in her small artisan studio on Whidbey island.
Using traditional printmaking techniques such as silkscreening, she is able to capture rich colors and pattern between two sheets of fused glass.
photo credit: Stadler Studios
Her simplistic yet sophisticated designs are Influenced by old textile patterns,nature and 1930’s fabric. The collection comes in different sizes and has many versatile uses.
In 2008 Meredith launched her Stubborn Twig Card line. Working back and forth between two media she continues to pursue her love for printmaking. Using hand carved rubber stamps she creates her one of a kind mixed media pieces.
Please visit her websites for more info:
www.meredithmacleodartist.com
www.stubborntwigdesign.com
Leah Adams
October 30, 2009
Leah Adams, working behind the brand SpiderFelt, creates distinctive fiber art with handmade felt. Inspired by textures observed in the everyday world, from leaded windows to roof shingles, each piece is at once sculptural, functional and whimsical.
Learning from methodical exploration and happy accidents, Leah feeds on ideas gathered from the small people working at her side, students in her workshops and accomplished artists working across the world.
Leaving the doors to inspiration wide open, her art grows with each suggestion and comment made by those in her surroundings.
To see more of Leah’s work, become a Facebook fan.
Shamila Jiwa
October 21, 2009
Shamila Jiwa’s design reflects a deep synesthesia and an eye for exotica. Inspired by travel, architecture, textiles, food, nature, and above all relationships, her design reflects her ethnic heritage and diverse accumulated experience, shown in her careful rekindling of the natural brilliance of finely culled gems.
Shamila remains true to our narratives, true to the nature of materials, maintaining a refined simplicity that is uniquely versatile as wearable art. Extensive travel, research, and sourcing ensure that her design honors painstaking gem selection, careful craftsmanship, and exquisite detailing.
One recent example is her “Blue Glimmer Labradorite” line, which evokes oceanic power and mutability while revealing an iridescent fire of blue, green, and amber. While Labradorite is known as ”the stone of new beginnings,” it is greatly underappreciated. Seeking to prize this extraordinary gem, Shamila’s design releases the inherent beauty of Labradorite with exquisite settings endowed with storytelling. With smoldering luminescence, Labradorite’s chameleon-like properties imbue warm or cool tones with soulful and sexy nonchalance.
To see more of Shamila’s work visit her website, and her Facebook fan page.
Roberta Torgerson
October 21, 2009
Roberta began knitting when she was a little girl, taught by “La Signora” Elda. She picked it up again when her daughter came home from school with a knitting project and wanted to know how to fix a mistake she had made on her scarf. It seems the body remembers things taught long ago; Roberta began knitting again and hasn’t stopped.
Roberta knits what she loves. Scarves give her an immense satisfaction; there is excitement in finishing each piece. Choosing yarn while traveling adds to the gratification. Most recently, Roberta has been collecting mohair from Italy, since most of it comes from the region around her home town of Torino.
Roberta developed the idea of Fatto a Mano with Andrea Kohler, Ja Teuber and Stephanie Sykes because she wanted to make scarves for a broader audience. Since each scarf is one of a kind, there is a special pleasure that comes from seeing people gravitating towards a scarf that fits their personality.
Estrella Soap Company
October 9, 2009
Estrella soaps are hand-crafted in small batches using high quality vegetable oils and aromatic essential oils. The result is a wide variety of unique bars. Some that swirl, some that scrub, all that suds you smooth and smelling fresh. Unlike commercial soaps, Estrella uses no animal ingredients or artificial fragrances.
Estrella Soap was born from wanting to create a natural, vegan soap that not only smelled fantastic and worked well but also looked beautiful. And that they do! The idea that one’s eclectic, natural, and fun approach to life could be reflected in soaps seems a bit of a reach, but their beautifully scented, attractive product stand as proof.
Often working in the middle of the night in their Seattle soap studio, Jesse and Nicky find joy in their work. From the pouring of soaps into molds to packaging product and shipping it off, this dynamic duo of vegan soap-making love what they do!
See the complete selection of Estrella Soaps on their website.
Andrea Kohler Bookbindery
October 2, 2009
After a traditional 4-year apprenticeship and several sojourns abroad, Andrea established an atelier in Zurich, where she practiced for 14 years. She trained several apprentices and for many years taught courses at a school for continuing education.
Andrea binds books entirely by hand, in both traditional and contemporary styles, using techniques that have changed little over hundreds of years. Hand binding is a labor-intensive craft, requiring much skill and patience.
Since 1996, Andrea has lived and worked in Seattle.
See more of Andrea’s work at Andrea Kohler Bookbindery.
Ilee Paper Goods
October 2, 2009
Ja Teuber started her custom stationary design business in 2001.
Her first ready-made product was for F.A.M. show in December 2004. She created letterpress note cards and desk calendars. The letterpress calendar was a hit and encouraged her to continue with this successful product.
The calendar received the recognition of Best of Hostess Gift in the December 2006 issue of Seattle Magazine. Her calendar was featured on The Martha Stewart Show in February 2008.
A selection of her current work can be found in her etsy shop.
Dinah Coops
October 1, 2009
Inspired by the aesthetic of the Northwest, its rough and beautiful nature, colors, openness, and diversity, Dinah incorporates these sensibilities as she creates her work. In the Northwest, nature is an immediate, visual and physical part of our lives. Even in Seattle, there are constant reminders. Depending on the season, the sidewalks are blanketed by seed pods, nuts, leaves and blossoms. These beautiful everyday found objects, bursting with their own life, forms and stories, inspire many of her designs.
The collection aims to combine the elements of surface design, utility and environmental sustainability. Coming from a background in art direction and design, Dinah believes in the positive impact of beautiful, functional design in our personal lives. She is motivated by the sensibility and values of the Northwest: practicality, honesty, appreciation for quality, avoidance of waste. They mirror the values of Western Pennsylvania, where she grew up.
In trying to find ways to reduce the impact of her business on the earth, Dinah works toward efficiency in materials, labor and energy. She utilizes the least toxic, effective materials available and small, local businesses whenever possible. Her work is created to last and is produced from recycled or rapidly renewable materials such as PaperStone, reclaimed wood and linen.
More of Dinah’s work can be seen at www.dinahcoops.com
Sydney Designs
October 1, 2009
Inspired by a vintage wallpaper collection acquired from a farmhouse in the Midwest, Kristin established Seattle based Sydney Designs in 2002. She makes Note Cards and Pendants using the vintage wallpaper.
More of Kristin’s work can be seen at www.sydneydesigns.com.
Pitter Painter
October 1, 2009
Pitter Painter is Dawn Tyler, an artist and designer living in Seattle. After graduating from the University of Washington in 2003, she has shown her artwork in various locales around town.
Using her fine art experience and her love for collage and books, Dawn started Pitter Painter Cards in 2005, making notecards for friends and experimenting with different bracelet designs. Recycling vintage fabrics, books and other materials is an integral part of her art. Dawn’s paintings and collages have been shown at Solstice Cafe, Santoro’s Books, Art Books Press, and Secret Garden Bookshop.
You can find her art & craft in the following shops and at craft shows.
*Seattle*
Bouncing Wall
Nancy
Fancy
SPL Friendshop
Space Needle Gift Shop
Swanson’s Nursery Gift Shop
I Heart Rummage
Urban Craft Uprising
Pioneer Square Artwalk
*Oregon*
Redux in Portland
Pendleton’s Art Gallery
*Massachusetts*
Oak in Boston
