[uhp-steyt fan-see] - adjective

1. not exorbitant or extravagent by city standards, however in a rural setting (like upstate new york) it is in fact, quite fancy.

2. a wonderful blog dedicated to art, design and other things that are indeed upstate fancy.

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Apr
30
design
BIG IDEAS come on small packages

 I’m fortunate enough to be able to make a living as a designer, so I know how hard it is sometimes to come up with something new and different that will make your clients stand out. I’ve been thinking a lot about little things and how something small can make a huge difference, and you can’t really get much smaller than the barcode. A barcode is something people don’t think too much about. It’s on almost everything we buy, black and white with those little coded lines, containing the information that will allow us to purchase it and take our finds home with us. But really, aside from the inital thought of “Does this have a barcode or should I grab a different one off the shelf?” who really pays attention to the barcode. The Japan based D-barcode has made the barcode their bread and butter (Your total comes to $4.87 please.) Check out their brilliant barcode designs, if your looking for a little inspiration in making your next product stand out. 

barcode

Apr
29
design
AMAZING DESIGNER TOYS made from wood

If you survive the cuteness factor of these new designer toys, you have me beat. These amazing wood toys from Noferin are beyond words. Noferin is the collaboration of two amazing artists: Candy and Nick. Candy paintings intricate paintings of the make believe Carrara Island and Nick turns these works of art into little wood sculptures. Their previous series of toys have long sold out, but chin up, the newest collection launch next Tuesday, May 5th. So head on over to their site, and add your name to their mailing list so you are sure not to miss out. I mean really who wouldn’t want one of these amazing creatures.

pecanpals

Apr
28
art
THE QUIET REVOLUTION is not so quiet

I love the illustrations by Claire Scully ( The quiet revolution) She has such a great eye and raw talent. I’m always impressed when an artist can excel at more than one drawing style, and Claire does just that. My personal favorites are the pieces in her bejeweled series. The colors are so vibrant and the details are almost unthinkable, such small shapes making up the bigger picture. She has a few of her pieces on pillows and tote-bags up in her shop in case you love them as much as I do. Also be sure to check out her blog for more fun treats.  

quiet

Apr
27
housewares
THE BIRDS ARE LOVING this warm weather

I’m not such a big fan of warm weather. Give me a crisp fall day and I’m as happy as a jack-o-lantern. It seems that spring is over all ready, this weekend in Brooklyn we saw temperatures as high as 89, and I have the sunburn to prove it. We did however enjoy sitting in the backyard sunday morning while it was still a little cool in the shade, while Einstein played with his favorite ball and we relaxed a bit after spending saturday at the Flea. I realized how many birds congregate in the yards behind out apartment, and thought about getting a bird house  to put on the fence or hang from the beautiful magnolia tree that has just finished blooming. Well I love these swallow bird houses from Duckabush Woodworks. Available in a variety of colors, these amazing handmade birdhouses would sure to make some little bird very happy. How cool would these look lined up on the edge of the forest, a little bit of added color, and some beautiful birds too. 

birdhouses

Apr
24
housewares
NEW COASTER DESIGNS from peppersprouts

Yesterday I received a large order of coasters and other fun things from my favorite laser cutters Ponoko. I spent some time working on a new design for a new series that’s a little more organic then my other coasters and I got to hold them in my nervous little hands yesterday for the first time. They need a few tweaks the next go-around but I have to say I am very happy with them. I took a quick snapshot of one to share with you guys since hopefully I will sell out of them this weekend when I’m vending at the Brooklyn Flea. So if your in the area stop by and say hi, I’ll be in good company with the {newnew}. I put a set aside for myself for a more professional product photoshoot. I also have some felt doily’s on their way that I just finished designing, I know you guys are going to love them!

bird_c2

Apr
23
design
AMAZING PHOTOS even more amazing vintage finds

If you haven’t been to see what’s new at 26 Olive Street, I suggest you click your way over there, the second your done reading this. They have some of the cutest, fun vintage finds I’ve seen lately. It’s as if you stepped into the best thrift-shop, flea market, grandma’s house ever. Better yet the photos of their finds are incredible, almost little pieces of art themselves. Sometime I see a little treasure that just really screams, take me home, but I’m never really sure where to put it, I would never have that problem at 26 Olive Street, the combination of photography and prop styling shows me exactly how awesome this will look when i get it home, and give me an idea of exactly where to put it. All in all I will definitly be checking out this shop on a regular basis to see what’s new. Be sure to check out their blog as well.

olive

Apr
22
fashion
CUTE AND SIMPLE bags for spring

I’ve been carrying around this very large, very heavy blue faux leather bag all winter. While I do love it, I have to say I’m ready for something light and colorful. Well the colors are the first thing that caught my eye when looking at the bags by Vildan at Bayan Hippo. Messenger bags, everyday bags, even if you’r not into bold color she has some awesome bags in grey’s and olive and that familiar black. I myself couldn’t resist this little number, the Abanoz in Tangerine. So check her out if you are looking for something new to tote around  in the warmer months, cute, fashionable and affordable. 

bags

Apr
21
fashion
NECK TIES aren’t for dad’s anymore

I used to collect silk ties. I was always raiding my dad’s closet for old pants and silk ties, i wore the pant’s but the ties he was tired of I held on to, because i knew there was a craft project right around the corner that needed those ties. Even in college I found myself picking up the best ties at the thrift stores and even T.J maxx because I had it in my head that i was going to make a skirt out of them. I started that project with all the enthusiasm in the world, but I gave up and decided that if i really wanted that skirt, eventually I would try again ( and buy a sewing machine because sewing by hand takes forever). 

Well I now have a sewing machine, but when I want that tie skirt, or dress or ball-gown, I’m going to Glamarita instead of making it myself. I mean seriously, check out Ronnie’s amazing seamstress skills. If I had a prom to attend this spring, or any special occasion I would definitely be getting one of her creations without thinking twice. They are so imaginative and her color choices and designs are simply beautiful. Breathtaking conversation starters, you would surly turn some heads in one of these made to order ball-gowns. 

ties_dress

Apr
17
housewares
I MISS LISTENING to the radio

I got rid of my car back in september. While I don’t miss parking tickets and trying to find parking on alternate side parking days, I do miss listening to the radio. Sunday afternoons were always my favorite, I was always coming or going somewhere and would be stuck in traffic listening to Prairie Home Companion. Okay so yes, I am a bit of a nerd, I always really liked old radio shows growing up and this is the closest modern area equivalent. So as an homage to this lovely radio program I bring you my top picks of vintage radios from etsy’s vintage sellers. 

radio

A. Tabletop radio from Beloved Bag Lady $34  B. Vintage Lafayette AM-FM Transistor Radio from jadite kate $30  C. Vintage Magnavox Radio with Gold Scrollwork from vixen and prudence $40 D. Zenith from Object Petita $23

Apr
16
Accessories
LATPTOP CASES from Belgium

I love these laptop sleeves from Black Eyed Sheep. Crocheted from supersoft yarn in a variety of colors there is sure to be something that matches your personality. Maybe a little biased, I received one as a gift for my birthday, but its even better than I imagined. It has enough cushion to keep your laptop safe in your bag, but cute enough to turn some heads and not feel like you have the same case as everyone else in that coffee shop. So if you have been putting off getting something to wrap up your laptop, I suggest you check these out.

laptop

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