In memoriam...

          For each soldier that has fallen so that many may stand
          We honor their spirit as they pass to God's hand 

          For without their sacrifice we would live forever in fear
          We pray for their loved ones and provide a salute and a tear
          God help us heal the wounds of hate and the misery of war
          That is our gift to our fallen heroes that are amongst us no more.

                                                                   Charlie Gragg 


Let us not forget those who have fallen for our liberty and to those who are still protecting it, may you come home soon. For without your sacrifices, life would not be as we know it.

Hunted:: Gathered: 05/29/11

Hey and Happy Weekend!

I am excited to be playing along again and sharing my weekly finds. Every time I bring something home the boy asks if I am going to post it in my weekly finds. I find that to be pretty funny. It is now a routine. This is a great community and I am glad to be a part of it. Cheers to Sophie and Selena.

So here goes...

One of my first finds for the week was this vintage telephone stand. It is painted in a sweet red and it had been a while since I'd seen one. I actually found it at a church rummage sale and as I was in line to pay a lady behind me excitedly said that she remembered them from her youth. She recalled how you would put the phone on the narrow top portion and the telephone book in the bottom. Funny how most people don't have a house telephone anymore. Times are changing folks!

Then I went to a nearby thrift store and I found the Ceramic Horse above. It is made by a company called Jaru Art Products which was based out of Culver City. This one is not like their products that I've read about but it was interesting from a decorative standpoint. Boy is it heavy!

Keeping up with the horse theme I found this little guy and was all of a sudden stricken with nostalgia. I thought he was so charming and I actually thought he was a vintage toy plush but when I brought it home the boy suggested that it is a pin cushion and I think he is right! That doesn't happen often... ;) Either way isn't this little guy with the droopy head just darling!

This next purchase was a guilt purchase. Don't get me wrong, I think it is really cute but I just wasn't shopping for another tote bag. I bought it because I stumbled upon a new store that was having their grand opening that very day. It's more of a community thrift store that will send their proceeds to several local charities. I didn't want to talk out empty handed so I walked out with the cute bag.

 Who doesn't need more crafting supplies? I am actually quite excited about these. Since I plan on making my own wedding invites with my Gocco I had flirted with the idea of embossing the cards after inking them. Well, what better way to buy embossing powder than in a bag filled with many of them in different colors and at a great price!

This next purchase I blame on recently catching the LP bug. The cover is designed by notable graphic designer S. Neil Fujita. It is an early record and just look at his play with type and color. 

As I was looking for more LP's with cool album covers I came across a name that I recognized: Afrika Bambaataa. They were one of the earliest hip-hop groups and they had great beats. They are often used for break dancing and they remind me of my youth because my brother would blast this music when he would pick me up from school. The boy was also really happy that I found these that we even went back to make sure I didn't miss any. He LOVES this stuff! Want to get a sip of funk town USA? Check it out here... (remember to open it in another window)


Oh and speaking of break dancing... is anyone else as excited about So You Think You Can Dance as I am?

As a teaser, I have one item that I have not revealed. I am awaiting confirmation on its authenticity. It was one of those items that I did not pick up on my initial visit but made a note of it. When I got home and looked it up I ended up feeling sick to my stomach. It has the potential of being the most valuable thing I have ever found. Period. Imagine spending the night wondering if it would be gone in the morning. I had to take a dose of melatonin because otherwise I would not have slept. Imagine my joy when it was there for me the next day. Well, now I am waiting to see if it is authentic. Crossing my fingers and toes! 

Here is a clue, one of the artist's more famous quotes is:

"We don’t take pictures with cameras – we take them with our hearts and minds."


Can't wait to see what you've found this week!

Reading. Thoughts?

As fellow garage salers/ thrift shoppers/ op shoppers/ flea marketers,  I am curious to hear your take on this statement... 

“Flea markets proliferate a volume of goods needing to be sold and people who are hungry — emotionally and aesthetically — to sort out the meaning of life,” said Michael Prokopow, a history professor at the Ontario College of Art and Design University in Toronto.

click here for the rest of the NYtimes article

{Made} :: Material Analysis

These are the only four pen and ink drawings that survived from a material analysis project from long long ago. A methodical project where I catalogued the morphology of heating and stretching a piece of plexiglass over certain periods of time.

I can now enjoy the drawings as abstract pieces in their own right instead of just a means to an end. 

Hunted:: Gathered: 05/22/11

I started off my thrifting week by going to the Long Beach Flea Market. I had not been in months and the weekend worked out perfectly for me to be able to go. I arrived at 8am and the rain was just started to let up. Many vendors had not unpacked yet for fear that it would continue to rain but luckily the rain did stop.

I bought this cute little Rorstrand pitcher because the pattern caught my eye. The pattern is called Koka. I couldn't stop rubbing it because the texture is so satiny.

As I was walking around, I passed by a vendor who had countless drafting/ drawing/ painting supplies in boxes. I started looking through them because I can't help myself with those things. An older gent inquired about a set of drawing pens and the vendor rudely replied that he was only selling the boxes with all of their contents, not individual items. The older gent proceeded to tell the vendor that he wanted the pens because he loved to draw and they were just what he was looking for. He then offered him $10 for the pens. The vendor said no, took the pens from the gent and put them back in the box. I looked at the gent and he had such sadness in his eyes. It broke my heart. I wanted to tell him I'd split the price for the box so he could take his pens at a lower price but I did not have the cash to do so. I ended up walking away with such distaste for that vendor. I know that as a vendor you ultimately want to reach your bottom line, but the man offered him $10 for a small set. He wanted $60 for the box and it would have still been pretty full and well worth it without the pens. How difficult would it have been to ask $50 for the box after he sold the pens? Not difficult at all.

A friend caught up with me a bit later and we walked around and looked at many beautiful pieces. We didn't really buy much, we just walked and talked and learned.  I did manage to buy my first Finel piece. I was so excited. It is in great condition. Since I've never seen them before in person I thought it had the wrong lid because it was slightly bigger and wiggled. When I got home I looked up some more Finel pieces and it seems that they are all like that. Phew!

My book find for the week is another kid's book with vibrant colors and illustrations. There are several pages that are compositionally wonderful.

Later in the week I went to a thrift store that I'd never been to before. I was in another town and of course had to look for some thrifts. There I found this cute David Stewart for Lion's Valley Stoneware camel planter. It has either a manufacturing defect or crack on the handle but it didn't matter to me. I'd never seen one of these before.

I also picked up this cute Fiestaware mug for my morning coffee. This is sure to bring a bit of sunshine to the start of my day!

Last but not least I bought some furniture. I hadn't gotten any furniture for a while and happened to come home with four of these mid-century style chairs. Yes, they need some work but I think I can make them shine again. Maybe I am crazy, we'll see. For now it is my next DIY project.

 

 How was your week? What did you find?

Linking up again with two lovely ladies:

Happy Friday!! Happy Weekend!! {ToC 2011}

Here's to a great and fruitful weekend!

Since our trek across the country to settle in SoCal we have not missed a single Tour of California. This year is the same, we'll be heading out to Mt. Baldy tomorrow to watch the pros! I'll be driving up the mountain while the boy will be riding up... hehe.

2009- Pasadena Stage

2010- Time Trial in Downtown LA

2011 Tour of California - Here we come!

{Made} What's the Buzz...

An oldie note-card idea.

so....... what IS the buzz?

Hunted:: Gathered: 05/15/11

Hey fellow thrifters, I hope you had a great week! I also hope you notice the change in my web address. I've made the switch!

After this week I think it is safe to say that I am a bibliotaph. I have so many books in stacks all over my apartment. I also have a couple of containers filled with books at my mom's that I have yet to bring over!

The bulk of books that I found are all design-related. Since I am inspired by just about everything I couldn't hold back. In order to get you through the books I'll start off with one of my first finds, another record album with a cover designed by Albers. If you are interested in hearing the music from this album just click on the image (but open the link in a new window) and enjoy while you sift through my books with me.

The first books I want to share with you are about Beatrice Wood. The books are Playing Chess with the Heart: Beatrice Wood at 100 and Intimate Appeal: the Figurative Art of Beatrice Wood. Despite studying art for some time this name did not ring a bell. I have come to find out that she is called "the Mama of Dada" for her influence on the movement. She was also a lover to Marcel Duchamp. I am surprised that I did not have a recollection of her but I have thoroughly enjoyed reading about her life and viewing her works. She lived to be 105 and attributed it to chocolate and young men!Ha!

I also want to share that one of the books of hers that I found is actually signed by her, this makes it my first signed book!

This is a quote from the first book and it is something I need to keep in mind...

          It is in silence that new thoughts come. If we divert the mind with too much distraction, it        
          becomes scrambled like eggs.
                                                                                                              Beatrice Wood

By the way, if you ever find ceramic pieces signed Beato, pick them up!

I found a book containing works by the artist Lee Waisler from 1968-1988...

... and one containing the Architecture of Mexican Architect Ricardo Legorreta. I don't know if you know this, but architects like pretty pictures. This book has plenty of stunning photographs.

I also found my second Brian Wildsmith book. These are from Circus. His illustrations are stunning!

I also found two books that I think would be helpful for research purposes. One is a comprehensive set of Louis Poulsen lamps in Create Light and Atmosphere.

and California Design 76: A Bicentennial Celebration which features several design mediums. I've never thought of the '70s as having great design but this book is making me reconsider this idea. Just look at that cool wall installation...

Last but not least I did find breakables. Behold these beauties. They are 4 sets of Heath cups and Saucers in what I believe to be their vintage Pumpkin glaze. They are in great condition too!

What did you find this week?

Linking up with the usual suspects:

Have a great rest of the weekend!

Inspired: Warhol

This was a little project of mine from a few year's back. I was inspired by Andy Warhol's Marilyn Monroe. I went through several iterations to make an architectural screen (as can be seen above). The final iteration was done in aluminum and the pattern was water-jetted.

My Day at Unique LA

I had been hearing about a craft show in LA from other blogs that I follow and after hearing so much about it I had the itch to go. It sounded like just the thing I needed to inject some inspiration back into making things. There were some wonderful and motivating young entrepreneurs that made me believe that I can do anything again, so long as I put my mind to it.

Upon arriving, we paid our admission and received this cute little tote. This little tote would end up holding the countless amount of business cards and brochures that I would pick up.

Here is a view of most of the business cards that I picked up. Most of them are from sellers of paper goods.

I only managed to take pictures of two of the vendor spaces. The first one being Perhacs Studio which is based out of Bainbridge Island, Washington.

 

I thought they had a very clean design aesthetic. Their products and packaging incorporate ingenious ways of using ordinary materials thus making them extraordinary. Major Kudos to them.

The other vendor space that I managed to take a picture of was Genevieve Santos' le petit elefant. You can see her in the far right talking to a friend of mine. She was just as cute as a button with a great bubbly personality. Since I am a huge fan of animated movies I couldn't help but love her illustrations. She studied animation so her work has that aesthetic. She also had a 9-5 and decided to start making her own line of goodies and it is now her bread and butter. I want to join those ranks!

I also had to take a pic of her sign-up sheet. It was just too darn cute!

In the crafts section we did a little bookbinding with Jeannine Stein author of re-bound: creating handmade books from recycled and repurposed materials.

We made this cool fold-out book with some repurposed maps, (2) pieces of chipboard, (3) square sheets of paper, stamps, ribbon and a glue stick. It was a fun project that could be incorporated into many things. So simple too!

All in all I had a great day doing many different things with a friend !!

How about you? Leave a comment if you want to share something cool you did recently.

To all of the mommies reading this...

Hunted:: Gathered: 05/08/11

This was one of those weeks where my thrifting was all over the map. I bought a couple of bags, some fabric, some prints, some books, some pottery and glass!! Sheesh... what was I thinking?

I found this really sweet Marimekko bag which is actually a piece for Avon's benefit for Breast Cancer from a couple of year's ago. Both my mom and aunt are breast cancer survivors so it is extra special to me.

Is anyone else a sucker for designer labels despite the high probability that they are knock-offs? I know I am. What actually sold me on this item was that it had a little Kate Spade note-card inside with details on cleaning it. 

I have such a soft spot for great line-work and color in illustrations. These next two images are snippets of two prints that I bought at a fundraiser sale for my local art museum. The prints are from a series of 4 by David McCall Johnston. They were commissioned for the 150th anniversary of Jules Verne's birth.  

 

The image above is a clip from the  Journey to the Center of the Earth print. I can't get enough of those colors, and those details...

The image above is a clip from the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea print. They also had the Five Weeks in a Balloon print but the prices were just a bit on the high side for me. Originally, I was only going to get one but after talking to the boy we settled on two. Both of our favorites.

I don't believe I've mentioned that I adore hippos. I also love all kinds of animals so the book Our Peaceable Kingdom came home with me. Isn't that picture the cutest?

I also found another book that had the most darling block prints. It has sections for the different seasons.

I hope you didn't think that I would go one week without buying pottery cause here it comes...

I found this cool dutch vase with a rough and earthy texture on the outside and a smooth glossy interior. After some research when I got home I found out that the vase is by potter Pieter Groeneveldt and that it dates between 1945-1972. Not bad...

As luck would have it I found another Wiinblad plate at the same thrift store that I found this one at months ago. This one is for the month of July. I just love his illustrations!

Last but not least I found a couple more of Dorothy Thorpe items. I am actually not sure about the plate but the bowl has the same edges as my large marked bowl which makes me confident.

Linking up this week with:

+

For the mommies on Mother's Day and every other day, this is just for you!

Mami

My mom is the young lady standing proudly behind her loving aunts and uncle in her native country of Guatemala

Little did you know that you would embark on a journey into an unknown land with unknown people in order to provide a future for your family. You left everything that you knew. You learned a new language. You took a menial job to lay a foundation for the kids that were to come. You earned enough money to bring my dad into this country. You bought a small home to call your own. You strove for your American Dream.  You lived.

For this and more I could not be prouder in saying that I have an extraordinary mom. I strive every day to be as courageous and independent as you. Your efforts will not be in vain. Your same ambitious spirit lives within me.

I love you mom for all of your sacrifices and never-ending support. You are my biggest fan and I yours.