The Art of Shoe-Making: Louis Vuitton

This video is a great explanation of the cost of luxury shoes. There is a huge difference between artisan-made and assembly-line-made products, as we all know, and this video beautifully illustrates the expertise that goes into crafting a shoe from beginning to end.

This takes me back to my days at FIT where I learned to make shoes from scratch.
Find a pair of beauties for your totally worthy feet at Neiman Marcus.

Design Crush: Product Designer Stephen Burks

This NYC-based brother designs it all, and everything that I covet: furniture, lighting fixtures, vessels... all combining modern aesthetics with artisan handicrafts like weaving and crocheting. For someone like me, who has evolved from fashion design to handbag/shoe making to furniture and home goods design, while staying true to my craft as a leather artisan, I am simply in LOVE with his work. His collaborations with international luxury
brands Missoni, Roche Boboi, and Calligaris have made his work sought-after worldwide.

 

Keep up with this creative genius at his website: http://readymadeprojects.com/

Nyah Beauty

Last Thursday, I had he surprise pleasure of dropping into the work studio of La Shonda Tyree's of Nyah Beauty, located in Paterson, New Jersey. La Shonda and I have been online friends for almost a decade but had never met in person. it was so wonderful to finally do so. She was such a warm, generous presence. Plus, my senses got their fill thanks to the scents and visual power of her natural, skin-loving cleasing bars of goodness! What I already knew about Nyah Beauty is that it is a luxurious, artisan soap brand that's been going strong for almost 15 years following the tradition of soapmaking in La Shonda's family. Nyah Beauty has goodies for men, women, children, and pets. Owner, La Shonda Tyree, also offers soapmaking classes.


What I learned since meeting her, is that she is dedicates 10% of her sales to ending the industry of child brides and has done more than talk the talk, she helped with the purchase of equipment needed for the organization to create their own soaps to sell in area hotels so that it could provide the finances needed to save young girls from a dreadful fate, some as young as 7 years of age.

If you need more reason to fall in love with the Nyah Beauty brand, just try any bar. While at her studio, I was chatting with a fashion photographer who has a studio down the hall fromLaShonda's and that brother made it plain. "It changed my life," Stefan said (www.kingboyett.tumblr.com) refering to the Wake Up Call bar.  http://nyahbeauty.com/shop/wake-up-call-natural-soap/

 I grabbed one of those for my own man. Gotta love a serious testimonial! Also, I got the Oatmeal facial bar to switch up my facial cleansing routine. I never, ever, ever use bar soap on my body, let alone my precious ;) face. But,  when I say its super gentle and nourishing, it really is. My face is pleased. Find out for yourself by shopping the Nyah Beauty website or find a retail location near you.

Inside the Nyah Beauty studio

Inside the Nyah Beauty studio

Nyah Beauty signage

http://nyahbeauty.com/

Sam Chung--Cloud Series

I find the work of Ceramist Sam Chung work to be playful and imaginative. Wouldn't mind drinking and eating from them one bit...or just staring at them and daydreaming.

Learn more about Sam Chung here.

Designer Profile: Blacksmith & Cobbler

Keith Kirkland

Who: NJ-born Artisan/Engineer/Designer Keith Kirkland
Where: Harlem, USA
What: Handbags and leather goods, lighting, dog wearables, innovative drawing devices, props, drinking glasses, mailboxes, women's footwear, kinetic sculptures and conceptual product and space design.

Latest projects: Hand-painted custom skateboards and accompanying leather carrying straps for them, as well as Mondrain-inspired mailboxes.

Hand-painted Maple Wood Skateboard

Mondrian-inspired mailbox includes Mondrian's story inside.

Pedigree: Engineering degree from Rutgers University; Accessory Design degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Currently earning MFA in Industrial Design at Pratt Institute.
Has designed for Calvin Klein, LeSportSac and Coach.

International pursuits: Recently returned from Mexico with a group of designers that individually worked one-on-one with local artisans to create their one-of-kind, handcrafted creations. In his collaboration, he and the artisan produced a metal, leather and hand-knitted lounge chair. Keith is headed to Japan next!

Hammock-inspired chair by Blacksmith & Cobbler

Artist statement: The underlying theme for my work is simple, rustic and modern. It has to be interesting and it has to be challenging. I am also very technical, both in my idea generation and execution. I enjoy works that create simplicity through complex considerations.


Shop Now! Prices range from $28-$170.

Meet the Artist: Meca McKinney

I am super excited to announce that my library here in town, which has a lovely art exhibit room, is doing a solo show for the full month of July of my work. The artist recpetion is today from 2-4pm. Come see my first bags ever, sketches, mood boards and inspiration as well as pieces from almost every collection I've created thus far.

Get more info here: http://www.willingboro.org/index.php/exhibits-and-displays-leftmenu-209/exhibits-leftmenu-211/987-meet-the-artist-meca-mckinney

Beth Beverly

FiberPhiladelphia2012-Get Your Fiber ON!

FiberPhiladelphia2012 is in progress. New exhibitions are opening; presentations and workshops are taking place in venues around the city.
 
Full list of exhibits

FiberPhiladelphia is an international biennial and regional festival for innovative fiber/textile art. Exhibitions are planned for 40 locations including major institutions and independent venues. They will include work by renowned international artists and a new generation of artists breaking into the field.

For more information:
http://www.fiberphiladelphia.org/

Learn How Hats Are Made By Hand

RESPECT THE CRAFT: