Safety First

Vintage Children's Training Scissors 

$10 from Studio Stebby Lee via Etsy

I can't figure out how these four-finger scissors work exactly. They look like a torture device for poor preschoolers. But an aesthetically pleasing torture device nonetheless. I wish I had known about them when I made my scissor print. 

- Cathleen 

Three Years Old!

Handmade Leather Polaroid Wayfarer Sunglasses

$160 from Nebulagalata on Etsy

Happy 3rd Birthday, Swings and Arrows! 

To commemorate your third year of life, I found a pair of handmade leather sunglasses, fulfilling both the traditional (glass) and modern (leather) anniversary gift requirements.

If you were a three year old person you'd break these in 2 seconds. Good thing you're a blog.

And to all our readers out there, here's to many more years of inspiration together! 

Love, 

Cathleen

Something Old, Something New

The Horn-A-Phone iPhone Dock

$175 from woodguy32 on Etsy

I don't typically go in for e-lectronic gadgets, but I rather like these two. Combining the newfangled with the old fashioned really gets me going! I especially like the idea of purposefully click-clacking away on an old typewriter without having to tangle with typewriter ribbon (what is that even like?) or wait for the Wite-Out to set (do they sell that stuff anymore?). It would make even the quickest emails you dashed off feel of great importance.   

USB Smith Corona Sterling Typewriter Computer Keyboard

$699 from usbtypewriter on Etsy

- Cathleen 

In Stitches

Spine Quilt by Meg Callahan

Image via designsponge.com

With only rudimentary sewing machine skills in my kit and a definitive lack of ample blanketry in my home, I am seriously considering making a quilt. Grace stitched a really lovely one for me a few years ago---all pale blues, soft creams, and warm browns. It sits with great pride of place on the back of our couch, protecting the button tufting from Graham's picky fingers. However, I think it's time to expand my collection. I've been saving some real beauties on Pinterest for awhile now, and while I'll probably never turn out something as finely crafted as these, they've given me something to aspire to. 

Color Study 306 by Sherri Lynn Wood

Unfortunately sold on Etsy

Autumn Lady by Loretta Bennett

2008, 87 x 65"

Image via scrapyardfabrication.blogspot.com

Image via designscouting.com

Image via gregkucera.com

Tangerine Ladders by Barbara Perrino

$155 via bperrino on Etsy

- Cathleen 

Liking Lately

Vintage Green Tin Picnic Basket 

$45 from shopkeeparlington on Etsy

A brief collection of things on Etsy that I've been liking lately with just as brief an explanation. Enjoy!  

Sawtooth Cuff

$62 from foxtailboutique on Etsy

Sweatertoy Narwhal

$46 from caitlinowicker on Etsy

Belief in Inquiry, 42 x 52" framed oil painting 

$5,600 from KatherineFraser on Etsy

African Print Midi Skirt

$145 from ALUMAhandmade on Etsy

- Cathleen 

Artwork of the Week: Jeu de Ficelle

Jeu de Ficelle by Mathilde Aubier 

signed digital print on 21 x 29.7 cm paper

$21.11 via MathildeAubier on Etsy

Now it's my turn to get in on the First Communion talk. My sweet niece Rita was communion-ized for the first time this past weekend, and I had the great honor to attend the mass and celebrate her milestone with the rest of the Potash crew. It was a quick trip, but I really enjoyed getting some quality time in with both my niece and nephew. We talked about the best movies they've seen lately (they were completely horrified that I haven't watched Frozen yet) and Rita and I even played a couple rounds of Cat's Cradle. Ok, she did all of the fancy finger work and just told me where to pinch the string, but it was still fun.

You can see more of Mathilde Aubier's work for sale in her Etsy shop: MathildeAubier

- Cathleen 

On the Move!

We're moving today! So I don't have much to report besides that. 

I really wish the Etsy seller Anamarko was still making and selling these awesome custom hand-painted miniature wooden houses. It would have been the perfect house-warming present for me to give Micky (and myself?) today. 

Now I guess he'll just have to settle for backaches and strained muscles. The gifts that keep on giving!

See you next week, friends! 

- Cathleen 

Art from Anek

Blueberry

8.3 x 11.7" giclee reproduction print of original illustration 

$30 via anek on Etsy

It is now one week until we move into OUR NEW HOME and I am so excited I can barely stand it. We're in the thick of it, organizing and packing all of our belongings into brown cardboard boxes. I can't stop my mind from wandering into our future backyard, plotting where we'll plant the blueberry bushes we were already gifted (thanks, mom!). But mostly I am thrilled by the prospect of never having to move AGAIN. I know, I know --- nothing is forever. Who knows what might happen years down the line! But after relocating a fuzzily estimated 15 times in my life, I am SO ready to plant some permanent roots and put as many holes in my walls as I want, security deposits be damned!

Speaking of blueberries and hammering holes in the name of art, I love almost every single print in Anek's Etsy shop, but especially Ana Zaja Petrak's food illustrations. Any of these would make a great Mother's Day (or housewarming) gift if you are in the market.

Spaghetti

11 x 15" giclee reproduction print of original illustration

$45 via anek on Etsy

Radicchio

11 x 15" giclee reproduction print of original illustration

$45 via anek on Etsy

Botanical Chart Herbs Poster

20 x 27" giclee reproduction print of original illustration

$85 via anek on Etsy

Plums

11 x 15" giclee reproduction print of original illustration

$45 via anek on Etsy 

- Cathleen

Craft Fair Find: Ash

This past weekend I spent a gorgeous Saturday afternoon trolling the aisles of the Rock & Shop Market in downtown Durham, NC with my friend Nicole. While I usually get super stoked about craft fairs and love seeing what people have been working on in their studios, I'm often struck by how it all sort of starts to look the same, show after show. Especially in the jewelry department. But this time I noticed one table that stood out among the hand-crafted crowd.

Ash is a jewelry line created by Ashlee Meadows and based in Raleigh, NC. Her work is mostly matte porcelain pendants and earrings, dipped in different pale glazes then dunked again into a gold overglaze. The results are pretty, delicate geometric pieces that have a nice weight and feel to them. You can see the full range of what she does on her website, www.jewelrybyash.com and purchase work through her Etsy shop.

Hexagon Porcelain Earrings, $58 

by ashjewelrystudio via Etsy

Porcelain Bar Necklace, $65

by ashjewelrystudio via Etsy

Circle Porcelain Earrings, $58

by ashjewelrystudio via Etsy

Tiny Porcelain Hexagon Necklace, $54

by ashjewelrystudio via Etsy

- Cathleen

Admiring Wes Anderson

Lobby Boy Hat from The Grand Budapest Hotel

$68.38 from WesAndersonShop on Etsy

I haven't been this excited for a movie in awhile. The Grand Budapest Hotel by Wes Anderson opened this month to many rave reviews (at least, from my friends), and I am trying to figure out how to convince my husband that it's time to call in some babysitter reinforcement so we can go see it already!

In the meantime, I've found the Wes Anderson Shop on Etsy that sells items inspired by (you guessed it!) Wes Anderson films. The online store does not appear to have any official affiliation with the auteur, but the shop owner, Bibi Anderson (if that is her real name) describes herself as simply a big fan. Along with movie replicas, she also sells phone cases and mugs emblazoned with images from the films. I think Margot Tenenbaum's pale pink gloves with half a finger missing are my favorite. 

Dudley's World Hardcover Journal from The Royal Tenenbaums 

$25.64 from WesAndersonShop on Etsy

Altered Cashmere Gloves from The Royal Tenenbaums

$76.92 from WesAndersonShop on Etsy

Sweet Afton Cigarette Package from The Royal Tenenbaums

$17.09 from WesAndersonShop on Etsy

(replica contains crayons)

Engraved Swiss Army Knife from Rushmore

$247.86 from WesAndersonShop on Etsy

Suzy's Letter Set from Moonrise Kingdom

5 cardboard cards, $8.55 from WesAndersonShop on Etsy

New Penzance Island Map from Moonrise Kingdom

$13.68 from WesAndersonShop on Etsy

- Cathleen

Hanging Garden

Isn't this leafy mobile lovely? It reminds me a lot of the black and white plant drawings of Ellsworth Kelly. This particular balancing act, titled Jungalow, was created by Chuck Kubba in collaboration with designer Justina Blakeney. Chuck sells more mobiles through his Etsy shop, comometalworks where this black beauty is available for $190. 

- Cathleen 

Happy Birthday, Brian Searby!

Happy Birthday, Brian Searby! 

I am so glad you joined the Swings and Arrows team! Your posts are always fresh and insightful --- I love the piping hot cups of man-flavored inspiration you bring to the table each week. 

I hope you have a great day full of hearty breakfasts, smart flannel shirts, and rugged outdoor living.

Because I know you love photography, boxing, wood, and camping, I somehow found this incredible synthesis of all four in one vintage postcard circa 1910. If we bought gifts for each other, this is what I would give you today!  

(If anyone actually wants to purchase this snapshot, 

it is available from NiepceGallery on Etsy.)

- Cathleen 

Wood Work

Wooden Bear Skin Rug

$2900 from NAMEthisDESIGN on Etsy

A few solid favorites from my Etsy woodpile to keep you warm on this cold Wednesday. All are beautifully hand-crafted and could double as kindling if need be! 

Wood and Resin Pendant Necklace

$50.49 from BoldB on Etsy

Wooden Xylophone Porch Swing 

$1300 from musicalfurnishings on Etsy

Wooden Aztek Pendant Light

$362.58 from MarzDesignsShop on Etsy

Wood Earbud Holder

$27 from AcousticDesign on Etsy

- Cathleen

Artist of the Week: Jeremy Miranda

Massive Ice Wall

8 x 10" archival print of original painting

$20 from jeremymiranda on Etsy

Jeremy Miranda is an artist born in Newport, RI who graduated from the Massachusetts College of Art in 2004 with a BFA and settled in Salem, MA where he paints acrylic on panel. All of that steeping in the dark New England tea has certainly influenced Miranda's choice of subject matter as well as his muted palette. His paintings are filled with crashing waves on rocky shores and chilly gray landscapes juxtaposed with warm interiors. His interest in nature vs. man-made architecture and focus on what's happening above and below the surface of things has a very science-fiction feel to it that I really like. 

The artist sells original paintings as well as more affordable signed archival prints of his work through his Etsy shop, jeremymiranda. You can see a wider range of Miranda's art on his website: jeremymiranda.com

Shelter

8 x 10" archival print of original painting

$20 from jeremymiranda on Etsy

Chasm

11 x 14" archival print of original painting

$40 from jeremymiranda on Etsy

Library by the Sea

8 x 10" archival print of original painting

$20 from jeremymiranda on Etsy

Greenhouse Interior

11 x 14" limited edition print of original painting

$40 from jeremymiranda on Etsy

- Cathleen 

For Your Honey

Gold Bumble Bee Bobby Pins

$18 from shopelizabethperry on Etsy

Looking for something sweet for your honey this Valentine's Day? Me too. 

Micky just walked in on me making what was supposed to be a surprise Valentine batch of lime buttermilk sorbet, his *favorite* dessert of all time. 

He's such a ruiner. 

Hopefully you guys will have better luck than I! 

Here are some ideas in that department just in case you need a plan bee.

(Sorry, I HAD to do it.)

Happy V-Day, everyone!

Utah Salt Honey Caramel

1/4 lb box, $8 from beesbrothers on Etsy

Bee by Suren Nersisyan

8 x 10" original watercolor, $25 from ORIGINALONLY on Etsy

Busy Bee Mug

from kinshipgoods on Etsy

- Cathleen