Our dining room doubles as a watercolor studio these days. Botanical art being a big part of the weekend. It’s no wonder that a stop at Bower Studio’s booth at the Renegade Craft was mandatory. Vincent Frano and Isa Wang screen their delicate and intricate designs on patches, pins, bags, scarves and cards. The best part, the paper stock is seeded, therefore plantable. Who doesn’t want a greeting card that turns into a bunch of wildflowers? The above set of wild mushroom prints are unmatted, original ink drawings with digitally collaged watercolor that is printed with Epson archival inks on textured Fabriano watercolor paper. The essence of their craft is humbly articulated in their website description. “…to create functional artwork that encourages environmental stewardship, highlighting the diversity of American flora and fauna with educational products that use environmentally friendly materials.” We kind of LOVE that.
More Design Stuff
Abe Froman Logo T-Shirt
Threadless ran a Ferris Bueller design contest a few weeks back and this Abe Froman Logo T-Shirt was our hands down favorite. We lagged a bit in posting this and the purchasable site is now no where to be found. Everything seemed to be on a super limited time offer. None-the-less we though you needed to know about this gem. We did find the designers website and the buy link below will take you to his Threadless entry page. Maybe we can coax them to do a reprint.
Fries Before Guys T-Shirt
We’ve been seeing this in many styles, designs and mediums and think it’s pretty right on. Maybe that’s my poutine loving wife’s influence but this rhyme is far better than some of the crass copy us boys throw around at happy hour. Also, if the Fries Before Guys T-Shirt is the flag woman start waving these days it beats the “Diamonds are a girls best friend” mantra of the 80’s. I’ll buy deep fried spuds for her all day everyday. I know, diamonds are still a “thing” but a man can dream right?
Mission Grove Cardamom Coffee Soap
If I handed you a steak scented sponge you’d probably think I was pining for a role in True Blood. That’s why Mission Grove Cardamom Coffee Soap makes sure their blend of scents makes for the perfect clean, fresh, olfactory delight instead of a vampire induced, midnight frenzy. Mission Grove makes other scents but this South Indian and caffeine combination scratches two of our continual itches, love of the subcontinent and our habitual morning cup of comfort.
Sukeno Doughnut Socks
Donuts have seem to take over the food world momentarily. Perhaps its the unbridled holiday eating that’s pumped up the nostalgic hole sweet treat. Peter Pan was just named best donut shop in NYC. That’s a nod to the ways of old over the newer artisanal makers. Point is, we can’t get enough of donuts…apparently. Lines outside of Dough. Cream filling fountains at Doughnut Dolly. Even politically correct examples at Federal Donuts. It makes sense that we’d want to wear them on our feet if we could. Now, for better or worse, we can. Sukeno Doughnut Socks will provide you this thrill. Even better when you get dressed each morning it will appear the donut fairy left you a secret fresh batch. Have fun with this. What’s next Munchkin gloves. Just sayin’.