I am in Vancouver for a few days. Yesterday I made my long awaited visit to Maiwa, an amazing shop that sells beautiful imported textiles and such but, more importantly, have a whole other shop devoted to textiles artists that sells natural dyes, yarns, books, fabrics etc. I bought some natural dye materials: cochineal, indigo and pomegranate and I can hardly wait to get home and start experimenting. I will be introducing some pretty new dyed scarves, blouses, belts and a simple kimono style jacket for Fall. I've included a few inspirational images to show you what I am talking about. Beautiful!
6.29.2011
I am in Vancouver for a few days. Yesterday I made my long awaited visit to Maiwa, an amazing shop that sells beautiful imported textiles and such but, more importantly, have a whole other shop devoted to textiles artists that sells natural dyes, yarns, books, fabrics etc. I bought some natural dye materials: cochineal, indigo and pomegranate and I can hardly wait to get home and start experimenting. I will be introducing some pretty new dyed scarves, blouses, belts and a simple kimono style jacket for Fall. I've included a few inspirational images to show you what I am talking about. Beautiful!
6.22.2011
Lately I have been really into pinwheels - they just seem like such a great way to dress up a plain wall. I think a grouping of them would make an amazing backdrop for a craft show display or a window display. I am thinking of trying to make some soon. I have my own version of a pinwheel design that I screen print onto various bags and such in my shop (inspired by vintage Japanese floral kimono motifs that have a very 60's psychedelic feel) but I like this idea of making three dimensional ones out of pretty paper. I am also fond of the ones that are patchwork style, scraps of fabric serged together. BHLDN has some pretty ones for sale and they are not too expensive. You can find them here. I also found a lovely tutorial online if you are so crafitly inclined. You can find that here. A google search will find you many more variations on how to make your own. Fun!
My week has been somewhat lazy so I now have two days to turn it around. I am heading to an amazing festival this weekend and am putting together some fun costumes for it because it is just that kind of event. Next week I will be heading out to the west coast which I am soooo excited for. My week started off badly but there are so many things to be happy, thankful and excited for right now that I can hardly stay sad. Not to mention the Summer Solstice! Happy Summer everyone! I celebrated by having a few drinks on a patio last night before the rains came. How is your Summer shaping up? Do you have any fun plans?
xo, a
6.20.2011
Just discovered the photographic work of Lissy Elle via designworklife and it is completely magical and stunning. Every image is so mystical and thoughtful, blows me away.
Returned from camping last night and so far, it has been a crummy week all around. Happy Monday!
6.14.2011
Hello Friends!
Sorry I haven't been as regular with my blogging as I would like. Last week was a busy one, preparing for The Beaches Arts Sale which wrapped up on Sunday. I don't have any more shows for a few months which will hopefully allow me to enjoy summer a little bit. I just bought a ticket home to the west coast for a nice long visit so very much looking forward to some solitary ocean therapy and good times with dear friends and family.
I am really enamoured with tree houses, who wouldn't be really? These photos are so amazing to me that I cannot even imagine a life where I could get to live in such a place. The first one is particulary intriguing to me, it is like a nest! How incredible.
Going to be posting many new items on Etsy this week, both obi bags to Grace and my new shop, The Animal Network, which will hold all of my silk screened bags and pillows with the animal prints. I will let you know when all of those new items are up and ready for viewing.
Off now to enjoy some sun and photograph some pillows and bags. Bye for now! XO,A
6.07.2011
6.06.2011
Happy Monday!
It has been sooo beautiful in Toronto lately, nice hot sunny days. Thank god! My weekend was spent working mostly with some patio time thrown in for good balance. I have a scary busy week ahead of me, The Beaches Show is next weekend (I will post more details on that soon) and another project I am working on is coming to a head which I will share with you in due time. So must get started on all of that...but just wanted to say a quick hello and offer up some yummy eye candy - I am *loving* this jewelry from Anthropologie, designed by Marion Vidal.
Hope it is nice and sunny where you are too. Bye for now!
xo, a
6.03.2011
I am really taken with vintage arrows these days. Something about the fantastic colours and feathers mixture that makes me swoon.
And yes, it is true, Canada Post is now on strike. Boo. This is very bad news and will affect my business greatly. Apparently they are doing a rotating strike around the country at the moment and these things usually do not last too long so, I still have hope.
Enjoy your weekends! I am off now to sit in the sun and have some coffee then to buy fabrics, ink and a new bicycle! Yippeeeee!
xo
a
6.01.2011
I just bought a collection of fabrics from Uzbekistan. Yes, you ready that correctly. Uzbekistan. I'm going to be making some big changes in the coming weeks to Grace, my visual identity and the products I offer. I spend so much time looking at what other people are doing; blogs, magazines etc and have realized that while this is extremely gratifying, it has been taking me in so many different directions that I barely know what I stand for anymore.
Thus, I have realized it is time to return to the roots of Grace.
You see, when I was 14 years old, I met a woman at a craft market and she was selling the most gorgeous dresses, made from used sari silks. It absolutely made an impression on me. I became obsessed with East Indian textiles and in that moment vowed to myself that my first trip abroad would be to India. Well, fast forward to 1997, at the ripe age of 19, I actually did go to India and succeeded in stuffing my dusty backpack with sari's from across the continent. I'd be amiss if I didn't mention all of the tragic events that happened to me on that trip; robbery, flu and all kinds of other trouble. But, I did gain a lot too and I will be forever haunted by the ancient and exotic streets of Varanasi, the Ganges at sunrise, the goldeny light of Jaissalmer at sunset and the sounds of Hindi music bellowing over the streets with incense in the air. It was absolutely mesmerizing.
Shortly after that trip, I visited Japan and my love affair with Japanese textiles has been going strong now for over ten years. I am constantly amazed and surprised by what I discover from Japan, there is sooo much variety and they are all just so gorgeous. I am most reminiscent of the temples of Japan and the subtle and elegant gardens that surround them. Japanese maples and cherry blossoms. What a land of paradox.
Grace is about the textiles and always has been. It is about storytelling through fibre, reminiscent of the dying vats of Japan and India; indigo, cochineal, saffron and bark. It is about the marketplaces of Rajasthan and Oaxaca and the souks of Marrakesh. The smells of Varanasi and the ancient glow of Jaissalmer as the sun rises and sets. It is about searching the corners of the earth for fabrics that tell a story of where they have been and this great celebration of diversity, culture and creativity.
I am very excited about re-gaining my focus and I can't wait to share it with you as it develops.
What you can expect to see soon: Less housewares and an emphasis on a small line of bags and fashion accessories. Textiles from around the world; ikat, silks, woven fibre and leather. Feathers, tassels and great patterns inspired from many cultures including Japan, Native American and Morocco.
xo
a
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