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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Check out the cozy collection from mummysam. These adorable creations are sure to melt away a little winter depression and cool off that cabin fever. They remind me of the childhood in england I never had. These mini quilts are made from wool felt and cotton and perfect for any space big or small. I also think they would make the cutest coasters ever. While you are checking these out make sure to check out her art dolls and lovely paintings.
We at upstate fancy couldn’t be more stoked on tonight’s return of LOST. With that being said, check out these great topography inspired cards from crafterall. These great finds are all hand made and hand-cut, so each one is unique. I love the color choices and simplistic shapes, so simple but they really stand out. While I can’t guarantee these little cards will give you the loacation of the next Dharma station, or keep you safe from “the others,” I do guarantee they will look great in a frame or in the mailbox.
I have had hisss in my inspiration folders for quite a bit. I thought now was as good of a time as any to share her wondrous illustrations with you. All of her pieces are so different from each-other, some are straightforward and some have a twist, but all of them are stylistically beautiful. I’ve always been drawn to artists with a flair for puns and idioms as well, twocans, ant-lers, two ships passing in the night. Its so refreshing to see the english language twisted and made into something so serene. She may have just inspired me to open up my old idea book for some pillows… keep an eye out, and i’ll keep you posted.
Please welcome the newest installment of artist inspirations. We have asked some very talented artists, illustrators, designers and crafters to share some things that help inspire them. So each monday stop by an take a sneak peek into the swatch files and bulletin boards of some of your favorite artists. This week’s inspiration board is from the multi-talented Jessica from Miniature Rhino.
I’d like to call myself a collector. I obsessively search out and hoard books, snapshots, stones, keys, sea glass, ephemera, and even digital images for reference and inspiration. The objects I collect have an age and history, things that tell a story. Photography, art, science, museums and archives, the cabinets of curiosity, natural history, and Victorian traditions are all sources of inspiration. Here are a few images from my archive (clockwise-from right).
I love daguerreotypes and images within images… My collections are stored in a library card catalog, so I can pull the drawers and see the objects in serial… An image by the photographer Harry Callahan of his wife Eleanor. I like photographers who point the camera at their own lives…. Ernst Haeckel’s images of sea life. Amazing and full of wonder…the curiosity cabinet of Ole Worm with ostrich egg, turtle shell, polar bear, armadillo… the tradition of making Samplers. Making them connects me to a history of craft and learning…family heirlooms like my grandparent’s letters…a daguerreotype, the butterfly collector, from the George Eastman House collection. Get lost in their archive … an image of hands from Gary Schneider’s series Genetic Self-Portrait. He included in this series images of his families hands pressed onto photographic paper, heat and sweat creating the image….a field guide to birds, silhouetted, numbered and cataloged….center, family photographs and found images. This one is of my mother and aunts and uncle on Halloween. The details in images kill me (like my mom’s-the little drummer in yellow- high water pants) so I take them out sometimes and look at them over and over again.
I loved sharing this and hope you enjoyed it too! – Jessica
Comic maker, illustrator, and absurd genius, welcome to the world of Scott Campbell. I would love to hang out in the mind of Scott for a little bit, maybe have some lunch with the windmill head people, pick some monsters from the garden, or just sip on a slurpee with E.T. I often find myself with creative block, but I have the feeling that his head if just crawling with fantastical images faster then he can get them down. His prints are super affordable so this leaves you no excuse to own your favorite one. I happen to have a Friends with E.T. print that is jonesing for the perfect frame. His work is available at Gallery Nucleus and Gallery Nineteen Eighty Eight. Check out his blog, and be sure to read his web comic over at doublefine.
Spice up your couch with a little Lincoln. These little pillows from Big Stone Head are sure to add some presidential flair to any apartment. Maybe Abe will be able to help you through some hard times by imparting some presidential wisdom. But if your too cool to have a conversation with an inanimate object he’ll still be there to look pretty darn cool just hanging out. If your home is a bit too modern for ol’ Abe check out the Obama pillow for a more contemporary look.
This is the very first post in a new weekly series here at upstatefancy. We have asked some very talented artists, illustrators, designers and crafters to share some things that help inspire them. So each monday stop by an take a sneak peek into the swatch files and bulletin boards of some of your favorite artists. This week’s inspiration board is from the wonderful pulpsushi.
It’s difficult for me to describe where my inspiration comes from. People who I just love everything about and wish I could be more like. Places that I dream of seeing and absorb their history and culture. Things in my daily life that I try not to take for granted like visiting my favorite museum, or picking up a batch of my favorite flowers. I just love colors and experimenting with bold, obnoxious palettes and imagery. I’ve always had quirky taste (esp in all things kitsch and low brow) even though I may not show it in my appearance, my interest and taste in things made me stand out from my friends in school and in my neighborhood growing up and it still does to this day. — Marilyn
I am very dangerous in a fabric store. If I like something, I will buy it , and quite possibly never use it. Last year I took a class in textile design and have been wanting to print my own fabrics. I came across this lovely bird fabric designed by Laurie of The Scarlet Fig that was printed using service from Spoonflower. Spoonflower allows anyone to upload their own designs and have them outputted on cotton MODA fabric. AMAZING! I have a few designs I am working on and will be sure to share them when they are done. In the meantime, start designing your own fabric, at $18 a yard, it’s a steal!
There are no shortcomings in the illustrations of Lisa Falzon, as far as I’m concerned. I love her her mixture of traditional painting and digital manipulation that create such wonderful works. Not only does she offer the traditional “paintings,” she has also turned some into wearable jewelry. Imagine being the heir to an antique locket with pictures of Napoleon and Josephine tucked away inside. Be sure to check out her shop, and her portfolio. Viva la Lisa Falzon, and Viva La Revolution.
Happy new year to all of you. After a much needed vacation, Upstate Fancy is back in action. I was able to do most of my holiday shopping on etsy this year, and one of my favorite finds was the Missile Cat from pillowcat. Move over sock monkeys, there’s a new cat in town. Be it stripped, argyle or even polka-dotted, these adorable little cats are fashioned from some very soft socks. Collect them all and wage a kitty war of your very own, probably the cutest cat fight ever.
