Art Supplies In Shanghai

Aren't these pretty?

I am trying to figure out a project for these, any suggestions?

I picked up a lifetime supply of crepe paper! I loved the chaos in this booth.

I recently visited the indoor art supplies market in Shanghai. It is a crazy, cramped, and claustrophobic place. Some commonplace items are still hard to find here, but random weird items are plentiful. Packages of tiny people and paper mache fruit can be found in just about every booth. I single handedly cornered the world supply of crepe paper sheets!!! I will keep you posted on what I am going to do with all of it.

The Fabric Market

The Shanghai Fabric Market had been on my "to do" list since moving here, and I picked the hottest day of the summer to finally make the journey. It was an overwhelming experience of beautiful colors and patterns. I bought two silk pillows and I scoped out tailors to make some vintage inspired dresses for me. The prices are extremely reasonable and I may never buy off the rack again.

Sweet And Sinister

I am so thrilled to have been invited by Kari Ramstrom to participate in Artsy Mama's dazzling blog/swap event! Sign up for the festivities here.  Over a dozen artists are sharing their ideas for creating wonderful autumnal and Halloween projects.

Win A Pin

 

Win a Pin!!!

Please leave me a comment if you would like your name to be entered to win this adorable giant safety pin wall hook. The peeps at allmodern.com/CSN  have generously offered to send this to one very lucky person in the U.S or Canada! I am so happy to have a giveaway before I ship off to China. I will randomly draw one name on Valentine's Day, good luck!

Don't forget to leave your name and a way to contact you.

cute mail boxes courtesy of:

moremailboxes.com

Cutest Bike Ever

Madsen Cycles

I saw on facebook that my pal Jennifer McGlon had posted a picture of what may be the cutest bicycle I have ever seen! I would ride this down the middle of our farmer's market and have the vendors toss their produce right into the big tub.

Check out more cute bikes at Madsen Cycles.com

Architectural Artifacts (Paradise)

Beautiful Colors
Industrial springs, $2.00

"Cici n'est pas une pipe"
Giant pipe from a tobacco shop

Stuart Grannen, Owner and nice guy!

Architectural Artifacts, Inc.

Imagine 80,000 square feet of the coolest, most beautiful one of a kind treasures, inside the most aesthetically pleasing space. Two of my dearest friends treated me to a wonderful day of treasure hunting and lunch, and I discovered my new favorite place in the world! Stuart Grannen was ahead of his time when he started his business, Architectural Artifacts over twenty years ago. This enormous shop is brimming with architecturally significant pieces that have been rescued from the wrecking ball, signs, furniture and funky things you will feel compelled to take home. I can't wait to return to my new favorite place.

New York Food

We had a wonderful time in NYC, but I am so glad to be back home. I went to oodles of great shops and restaurants that have inspired my creativity. Here are some of the best places we dined at last week. Enjoy!

Pop Burger

This little hamburger spot may be the coolest joint I have ever dined in. I wish my interior shots of the simple decor and Andy Warhol's soup cans had turned out.

S'Mac NYC

S'MAC (short for Sarita's Macaroni & Cheese) is located in the heart of Manhattan's East Village. They specialize in macaroni and cheese, all four of us got different versions of this dish, and they were all quite spectacular. I dined on a swanky goat cheese mac 'n cheese and Lulu's dish had figs and camembert cheese.

Magnolia Bakery

I think we can honestly declare this to be the birthplace of the cupcake resurgence.

Dean and Deluca

Lulu and I loitered in this shop for a very long time. Did I look like a freak ogling cheese and photographing it? Yes. I get a little weak in the knees when I see their beautiful sugars.

Moomah

This wonderful restaurant and crafting spot was steps from our Tribeca hotel. We had a great healthy lunch followed by making super cool crafts. Lulu made this fabric headband that looks like it came from Anthropologie and Deke made a felt mouse. Everything about this spot is cool and creative!

Junior's

We had sandwiches and cheesecake as big as my head!

Artology Workshops

Artology Workshop
October 11-14, 2009
City Flats Hotel
Holland, Michigan

Finally, we have an exciting art workshop in the Midwest! I have seen so many extraordinary offerings around the country, but nothing for those of us in the middle! Patrice Greene and Amy Hanna have teamed up with some very talented artists to teach a weekend of wonderful workshops.
This is Amy's class description: " 'Forgotten Treasures' Come spend the day with me playing in velvet boxes and old cigar containers where we will find new life in forgotten treasures. Bring your Granmere's jewelry box with old broken jewelry bits and bobs. Favorite old tintype photos even if they are not your family's, favorite religious relics, rosaries and medals. Your favorite uncle's watch fobs, keepsakes from a trip to a faraway place. Smashed coins from a machine or one that you placed under the railroad tracks yourself. Bring the things that you feel are special. We all have a different meaning for "treasure" so do not be afraid to bring whatever speaks to you and we will work with it. I will teach you how to wire wrap and to oxidize to bead and to use your imagination to build jewels out of things you would not think of using. I will also teach you to solder. I am looking forward to meeting you and hearing your story. " Sounds great, doesn't it?
The venue for all of this fun is at a new and very hip hotel in Holland, Michigan called City Flats Hotel. Holland is home to many great new shops and restaurants, and you can still buy wooden clogs here! This looks like something I have to sign up for.

Demolition Score

I was so sad to see that an old estate in my neighborhood was being torn down, but I was able to salvage this arch that once hung over the carved front door. Have you ever been to a pre-demolition sale? You bring your own tools and you are responsible for removing whatever you buy, wood floors, windows, molding, patio pavers, you name it. It's actually loads of fun, and you can get some great deals on cool things! I hate to gloat, but the arch only cost $30.00!!!

Cute Food And Bento Boxes

Tiny quail eggs

These are hole punches for using with sheets of seaweed!

If you need something to do for the next few hours, google images of Japanese bento boxes and cute food! Wow, I don't think Lulu and Deke's lunches will ever be the same! You can actually put a warm hard boiled egg into a plastic mold and shape it like a bunny! Hole punches for sheets of seaweed, everything we eat is going to have eyes now. I adore this sort of thing.
I found all of these items for sale at J-list.