Urban Mercantile

Graphic goodness from SusyJack

Graphic goodies from SusyJack are back. Our first order of the clips (formerly known as clothes pins) from Susy went really fast. Now we have them again. I can see why people love them; they're cheery and they're helpful organizational aids. Best of all, they make a great gift at a great price. The clips pictured here are shown with her wall art in the background. It's obvious she has a breadth of creativity with mass appeal. Susy's imagery is both poetic and bold. Which is exactly what captured my attention at the Stationery Show.

The Fortune Cookie clips ($6.00/set of 5) offer inspiration while the Day of the Week clips ($8.00/set of 7) offer strategic access to organization for home or office. The Scroll, Zigzag, and Rope designs are just downright preppy goodness (each $6.00/set of 5). The wall art panels are 9.75in square with silkscreened image ($39.00 each).

Wedding invitations: book two

Another joyous occasion to announce. The second book of custom wedding invitations has arrived. Working on these books with local printers was a little like having a baby (from what I've heard). Months of gestation go by, attending to the creative needs of the un-hatched, and then it arrives. Even cuter than you imagined. The second book, created by Melissa of Finelife Press is just as cute as a button. Melissa, just as pleasant as she could be, worked tirelessly on this book while still churning out rush orders for custom clients. I'm thrilled with her efforts.

This book, too, has a modern touch. Which is just what we're going after. Designs range from new-traditional paisleys and caligraphic typefaces to bold and crisp stripes and hip fonts. A few thematic devices are thrown in, too. A mountain wedding? A winery wedding? We got it. The palette is inviting and striking, fitting perfectly with today's stylish weddings. With several designs to choose from and personalization with color and ensemble, I'm sure a bevy of brides-to-be will find the perfect invitations to announce their special day.

Graphic paper tableware

Finally, someone took casual dining seriously. Paradoxical, but true. I mean, how many times have you planned a picnic or a party only to find the most dullsville paper dinnerware? And, sure there's a time for porcelain--you have to show your friends you've grown up and "got some class"--but when there are kids involved or those aforementioned friends have a penchant for heavy drinking, be safe and serve on paper.

The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD, not a pretty acronym) started an operation a few years ago, that we've enthusiastically supported since the beginning, launching the designs by its students into production and out into the real world. Working Class Studio, this spin-off from SCAD, brings income to otherwise under appreciated artists and creates marketing and visibility for this talent pool before they even get a chance to call themselves starving artists.

Designed by Brad Baker, and appropriately named "Brad" (a name I'm quite fond of), the collection includes paper plates in two sizes and napkins in two sizes. Thus, making a great conversation starter for any birthday buffet or outdoor feast. Dinner and desert plates come in packs of 12 ($6.50 and $4.50 respectively). And dinner and cocktail napkins come in packs of 24 ($4.50 and 3.50 respectively).

Hot off the press: Printing by Hand and Zakka Sewing

More super-cute books came in the other day. These two, published by Stewart Tabori & Chang, are particularly appropriate for their scandinasian appeal. Printing by Hand (hardcover $27.50) by Lena Corwin illustrates a multitude of printing techniques, like stencils, stamps, and silk screens, for textiles and other surfaces. The projects (see middle photo) seem relatively easy (but remember, I'm a bit crafty), and the patterns range from botanical to abstract. The general style of many of the designs reminds me of mid-last-century Scandinavian motifs. A pocket full of Corwin's full-size designs are included (so no art skills are necessary). Materials, tools, and directions are clearly outlined and the photography and artwork won't leave you confused.

If you're the type sit at your sewing machine workstation on a rainy day, then Zakka Sewing (softcover $24.95) could fill a winter's worth of projects for you. Authors Therese Laskey and Chika Mori carefully plan out 25 Japanese sewing projects "for the household." Zakka means "household goods" in Japanese. On a side note, there's a great magazine in Japan called Zakka Catalogue (in which our store has been featured) that if you're ever able to pick up at some well-stocked newsstand, you'll be endlessly inspired. Hand-making gifts and adornments for the home has become very popular in the States, thanks to influences from Japan. The projects detailed here range from an easy tote to more complicated house shoes (channel your inner cobbler). The photographs will inspire you, but the illustrations might leave the novice scratching her/his head. Have no fear, though. Make yourself a cup of tea and release your impatient mind, soon enough your efforts will pay off and you'll have yourself a darling apron.