Designer, Oscar Diaz recently launched and line of these totes called Glueline, made with canvas straps and bonded together with rubber at the points where the straps meet.
I really like the simple use of material and how the rubber functions both as the adhesive and also adds a decorative element to the bag.
Ok, so this isn't one of those "perfect" bags with super high performance and function and has hundreds of pockets for anything you can think of or forget about...or one of those transformer bags where it goes from a purse, to a messenger bag, to a backpack, to a suitcase where you can carry things from books, to ipods and ipads, to a dog or a baby...
Nope, this bag does none of that....and that's perfectly okay! Its just a cool and simple bag for....ya know, the beach or the market!!
Actually..come to think of it, you could put a dog or a baby in a bag...and it would just be like a sling with their legs dangling out!
It's especially great for people like me who likes to organize things where I have smaller bags inside bigger bags or smaller boxes inside bigger boxes...and so on...
I hope I'm not the only one in the world who finds that somewhat satisfying....
Oh! Also another neat design by Oscar....An Ink Calendar! What the WHAT?!
Pretty amazing...but if I had this in the house, I would just end up sitting in front of it and watching it and not get anything done...but I suppose that's no different than getting sucked into watching trashy reality shows ...oh, but they're so bad its gooood....
Via Dezeen
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Design Related
German artist, Denise Julia Reytan, created these series of jaw-dropping and UH-mazing necklaces cast from bunch of found precious trinkets and jewelery that she's collected over the years. I love her uninhibited use of color and texture that's daring and sophisticated at the same time. I can only dream of wearing daring outfits with such bold color combinations without looking like I'm a desperate lady in my late twenties trying to fit in with a group of teenage candy ravers.... 
Also, I can't help but to love these plated metal T1IMEPEACE bracelets! I can care less about time if I get myself one of those!
My new favorite blog, Emmas Designblogg, its about design in Stockholm and everything awesome. This is where I like to go and pretend that I actually live there...this is as good as it gets for now.
Emmas mentioned this nice exciting new restaurant with a lovely space, called Restaurang Bar. I don't know much about the food from that country. But everything I've seen makes me suspect that they know what the hell they're doing...and is doing it very well.
What crisp, chic, and classy interior...all that and with a feel of a classy French bistro.
The food looks amazingly simple and fresh...
Here's a menu sample....it says...something something Pommes Frites...and then bunch of something else...then something really exciting at the end!
One of my favorite online place for inspirations, The Selby, is coming out with a book, 'The Selby-Is in your place' on April 1st....no joke! Although they could easily do that since it would be April Fool's day....but I think they have better things to do than play pranks like that...
Todd Selby's photographs creative & artistic individuals from all aspects in their space, whether it be some totally outrageously fancy loft or the less than perfect overly crammed tiny apartments, Selby's honest no-filter approach is all about documenting the creative individual's lifestyle that's simply inspiring to see.
Started on February 1st this year, a design nonprofit Project H Design launched a project called Design Revolution Road Show run by Emily Pilloton. The project's mission?
Simple but ambitious....35-schools, 75-day, 7000-mile tour and exhibition showcasing design for social impact that takes place in an Airstream.
'The programming will bring the evidence of and tools for design for social impact to the doorsteps of students, with the ultimate goal of enabling and empowering the next generation of creative problem-solvers to apply their skills to the world’s most pressing problems and improve life on a global scale.'
But as I looked at their itinerary, I noticed that they purposely avoided the Northwest! Portland gets to be part more things these days than Seattle, so screw them. But Hello?! What about us!?
What's up San Francisco? I thought us west coast people are tight, that's the one thing we do have in common is the fact that we're physically on the same side, right? We gotta stick together! You guys are like the people who knows how to put on awesome parties, while Portland is like the laid back cousin who have all the great "hooks ups." I know...we're like the dorky brother who never gets invited to any cool events... and yeah, maybe sometimes we seem like we have a stick up our a** but that's only because we're a little socially inapt, but that doesn't mean we don't know how to party!
I know you think its ridiculous that we mix fleece vests with business outfits...but really, it's Seattle who started the whole woodsman-hunter-look of black & red plaid button shirt with Redwing shoes....not Portland! They just know how to wear it well! Just look at this 1966 Edie Bauer catalog!
They even got C.C. Filson's products!....Although I've yet seen anyone in Seattle carry a Filson bag...and no, it's not because we're too cheap to sport one, damn it!
See! Seattle was sporting this whole look more than 30 years ago! Perhaps that's our problem...we're just way too ahead of the game for anyone to understand us. We're like the awkward prodigy guy who's too shy to get a girl's number...or the sexy librarian lady who's too intimidating for most guys....or something like that.
Just you wait and see, soon enough, y'all will be sporting the fleece-Patagonia-vest-with-sports-sandals-look.....and of course with white socks!
I'm totally psyched to share that I got some of these AMAZING purses from our friends, Chelsea and James of Grain Design. I been thinking about them since JOIN's Design Shoppe event last November....and FINALLY decided to just make a nice field trip over to their house on Bainbridge Island and pick them out myself!
Their new line of purses, Sololá, is one of their awesome collaborative efforts to celebrate the artistry of Guatemalan women weavers in creating beautiful, one of a kind purses.
"Each purse upcycles a vintage huipile (traditional women's blouse woven on the backstrap loom) to create an individual statement. Turned inside-out, the huipiles are an explosion of color and handwork. Each purse is assembled by Guatemalan artisans in Antigua from textiles sourced at the famous Chichicastenango Market."
I love how they highlight the textural quality simply by using the back side as the exterior. So clever. I had the hardest time picking the ones I want since they're all so beautiful! I'd take them all if I can...
They're available in the Grain Shop!
Also I'm excited to share that they'll be in the NY International Gift Fair starting Jan 31-Feb 4. Grain have been selected to to participate in the "A+: The Young Designers' Platform" section of Accent on Design along with 6 other designers.
Both Chika and I will be going there to check out the NYIGF for the first time, and I'm totally excited to see some exciting new things, eat good food, and ride the stinky subway! Can't wait!
Not sure about you, but I'm always a little behind on knowing what's new and awesome in Seattle...and for the fact that I don't hang out in Downtown Seattle nearly enough, I was REALLY behind in discovering this AMAZING shop/gallery called {far4}....a total hidden gem!We first came across the shop when Jamie of Iacoli & McAllister mentioned it to us when she invited them to one of our JOIN shows. With the luck of such great exposure at the show, Jenny Klimenkoff who runs the store contacted us wanting to carry some of our Chalk figures! (there's our Mr. Rabbit in the window!)
We were incredibly honored and excited to be in their shop, since they boast an amazing collection of the highest quality handmade housewares, art, antiques, and designs from all around the world. While it seems like a shop from NY, they're actually located in downtown Seattle with an open space and beautifully exposed brick wall that houses {far4}'s shop and gallery showcasing carefully curated selection of ceramic ware and art. (lucky us!)With an unexpected mixture of objects of both great elegance and humor, I find myself mesmerized by every detail of every single item while feeling unsure if I should even be allowed to handle them!
Here's Jenny & Yelena behind the platter of hard-to-resist French Macarons from local Seattle bakery, Honore.
A fabulous porcelain sculptures of a life-size monkey that reminds us a little bit of Jeff Koon's Monkey!
Check out these realistic looking pea pods and flowers with paper thin petals from Klimenkoff Studio!! Holywow.....
Ceramic doll heads on top of Iacoli&McAllister's Pedestals. Love the arrangements together!
The patterns on the cups are made using only colors of the clay by Yusuke Aida....just incredible.
Our friend Joelle King recently launched her new line of jewelry, Au Fait. Her new collection, BOOM, is inspired by vintage radios, remote controls, speakers and cables. They're versatile, sleek, and handsome modern pieces that can be adorn by both men and women. With such well-designed and refined proportions, we almost wish that they're actual radios that we can put on our credenza!
I'm in love with the Cable Necklace where the ends are filled with yellow resin.
They're available here, and she's offering free shipping till January 1st!
If anyone is around this weekend in Seattle, please come by and say hello and check out our exciting new line of notebooks and cardcases with Piano Nobile at the BIG holiday Urban Craft Uprising show!December 5th & 6th, 2009
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. both days
Seattle Center Exhibition Hall
Admission: FREE!
Isabelle and Nickolas of Piano Nobile runs a multi-faceted design studio where they could be described as professional designers and colalborators. Isabelle has a painting and printing background with a great sense of material, color, and texture. Nickolas on the other hand has an architecture background with mad building skills in all realms whether it be funiture, design build or a large scale printing table. I'm pretty sure he can build a pyramid.... I remember reading that in his resume somewhere....11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. both days
Seattle Center Exhibition Hall
Admission: FREE!
Not only do they have the perfect print studio with their self-designed and welded textile printing set up, they're also just a short bike ride away from our studio in Ballard! It's almost too good to be true!
(and yes, convenience does matter...)
(and yes, convenience does matter...)
Did I mention that they have a dog named Bauhaus, and also owns a sweet vintage Vanagon and Volvo?Can you stand it?!....I can barely keep my composure thinking about all their awesomeness.
Okay, so come to UCU to see all the goods in person! You can also go to our shop to check out the entire PN collaboration line.
Remember back in October when we voted for Henrybuilt and Viola Park for the 2009 Interior Design magazine's Best of Year Awards? 
Well, guess what?! Both Henrybuilt and Viola Park are one of the 3 nominee under two separate categories!! 
This is SUPER exciting...actually BEYOND exciting!
So, today is a big day for Dylan, since he has left (don't worry, he's not leaving me forever...I hope not) and is on the way to the Big Apple to attend tonight's Best of Year 2009 award ceremony at the Guggenheim!!
So let's all keep our fingers crossed and hope that Dylan will bring home both awards!
Man! It sure it's hard to type with my fingers crossed....It's all worth it.....fingers....getting cramped...
Dear Muji,
Why have you gone and achieved awesomeness yet again? Give the rest of us a chance will ya'?
Seriously though guys...just when I thought legos were about sold-out (star wars, sponge bob, Indiana Jones, etc) you, Muji had to come right along and inject some of that playful simplicity you so caringly distribute to everything you touch.
The result: a simple set of legos made spectacularly and invariably more interesting via a few sheets of colored paper, a hole punch, and a few basic suggestions. You've managed to remind me exactly why legos were a childhood favorite of mine...it wasn't the razzle-dazzle space ships as much as the endless possibilities of our imaginations.
Oh, but you have failed in one respect where you have also failed in the past: making it easy for an American like me to get my hands on your best products. While this product doesn't appear to be available on the US Muji site, it looks to be available on the Japanese one. Check it out.
via Design Boom
JOIN proudly presents:
11. 28. 09' SATURDAY
WHAT: ONE NIGHT ONLY pop-up shop featuring design objects by local artists and designers. Also a silent auction of AMAZING design items to benefit JOIN and Nest Seattle.
WHERE: Vermillion 1508 11th Ave (between E. Pike & E. Pine)
WHEN: 7-9pm Silent Auction
9:15 Auction Winners Announced
7-11pm Design Object Sale **Cash Only
WHO: Chikabird, Dinah Coops Design, fortyfive09, Fruit Super Design, Grain, Greg Bethel, Iacoli & McAllister, &c., Ladies & Gentlemen Studio, Meet Me Here, Piano Nobile, plainMADE,and urbancase.
WHY: To help benefit JOIN and Nest....AND to burn off some of that excess turkey weight.
Now is the time to start shopping for the holidays but also the time to start giving even for all the thanks you'll give over turkey & gravy.....we promise that you WILL be thanked...and maybe even receive a hug from one of us...if you want...your pick. 
Here's a sample of what will be at the sale & silent auction! DON'T MISS IT!! It's the SATURDAY after Thanksgiving!
More about JOIN: Design Seattle
JOIN Design Seattle promotes emerging independent American design by providing designers a forum to show work, get feedback, and share resources. By organizing design shows and events and by hosting an online design event calendar and blog, we strive to be the adhesive and a resource that binds a thriving, but fragmented, furniture and product design community in Seattle.
More about Nest:
Nest Seattle is a nonprofit organization that provides micro-finance loans and mentoring to female artists and artisans around the world. Nest instills pride of ownership, preserves ancient artistic traditions and successfully moves women from poverty to self-sufficiency.
Here's a little exciting sneaky peak of some stuff that will be at fancy's SCRAP show.
I'm drooling already...
Opening night Tomorrow, Friday 13th. 6-9pm!
So Finally! Went through all the photos we took...all 200+ of them! Phew!!
You can see the crowd and the space at Ouch My Eye. The sun lit room made the space look even more amazing. Here's all the designs that were at the show. Remember, the show will be up through July, 12th, and the gallery will also be open late for First Thursday Art Walk on July 2nd.
Above: Graypants , Grain, Elisa Werbler
Above: Frame Lamp by Iacoli & McAllister, Paper Flower Shade by Lit, Peep Show Shade by Andrea Claire, Scrap by Graypants, Porcailine shade by Heath Bultman.
Above: Pedestals by Iacoli & McAllister, Ceramic Cans by Jason Neufeld, Doily Clock by Stanley Ruiz, Hookup by Fruitsuper Design, "Pour"by Elisa Werbler, Recycled leather sculpture by Submaterial. 
Necklaces by Stanly Ruiz, Wood & Corian rings by Iacoli & McAllister, Cryon Rings by Timothy Liles, Cinder Block necklace by Kiel Mead.
Hairpiece, and mirror necklaces by FortyFive-09.
Above are some of the figures I made for the Chalk-It-To-Me Series along with the Buddha figure and Piggy Bank. I provided bunch of various colored chalk and people went crazy on all the Chalk-It-To-Me figures. It was fun to see the progression of what people drew as the night went on. As you can see that what used to be the handsome black panther got turned into a drag queen panther.... Good times. :D
I especially enjoyed the art installations and art work by (knee shy). They have a wonderfully analytical, but humorous way of commenting about the audacity of our everyday behaviors and interactions. They didn't begin working on their piece until arriving in Seattle allowing their journey here to inspire them to document a movement of their own creation: O.N.W.A.R.D: Our Nation Want Airport Re-Design. Their installed piece mocked humanity's futile efforts to improve airports by adding things like bad art and crappy shopping to our air travel experiences. Pretty funny stuff.
Brite Collective has a section in the show with all the Brite Lites are displayed. It was fun to see them again in the gallery context and I think it got a lot of people curious and interested in it! Become a Brite Collective facebook fan and get all our updates plus other design-related Seattle happenings!
More of Tricia's Bread Friend Map. It was even more impressive to see the bread board that she had someone custom made for her. I love all the adorable playful doodles that people did through out the map, too!
There's seriously too many photos! You can see MORE on our Flickr!
The folks at CoolHunting did a review of the Ctrl+Alt+Design show. They even included L&G's Alphabrass lamps and bench!
How exciting!
Dylan took out the memory card from the camera and I couldn't upload them today! AH!
But thanks to Tricia Martin...who did her homework already! I'm borrowing some of her photos for this post. Thanks Tricia. :D
The Ctlr+Alt+Design opening this Friday was AWE-SOME!! The show looked amazing, and it was a great turn out with more people than I expected. Well...I didn't know what to expect, but there were tons of support not only from friend & family, but also from local Seattle businesses as well as design professionals. We've met lots of interesting new people and found out how so many people are connected!
The show is at Ouch My Eye Gallery and will be up through July 12th. The gallery is this incredible loft space just north of SAFECO field. The show looked especially professional and stunning because of the space and what the guys had done at Ouch. I would love to work...or even live there!
Here's the amazing progress of how the Seattle Bread Friend Map was growing! That was totally fun to have at the opening. It was interesting to see how people are connected! The bread was also DELECIOUS!! We even took a little bit home at the end of the night. :D
I made this little chalk piggy bank to accept donations. Although we didn't make a million, we did receive a whole $20 bill! Many thanks to the generous person! We will indeed HEART you very much. And the other person who put in 0.50 cents. We HEART you, too...AND everyone who showed up for support of course!
More photos to come soon!
I actually got some down time to do this entry half hour before the the Ctrl +Alt+Design show opens.
Okay, I made the piggy bank for suggested donations. This little piggy is gonna make BANK!!....I hope. 
I got a stack of Ladies & Gentlemen business cards, with our Alphabrass lamp silhouette! Check!
Not to be a girl or anything...well... But I am girl, so whatever.
I've picked out my outfit for the show opening! :D I'm gonna wear this AMAZING dress from La Casita De Wendy!! I did a trade with Ines for something from our vintage shop and I can't be happier!
They now have an online shop!!
Hope to see some of you around!
This is it! Tonight is the opening of JOIN's Ctrl+Alt+DESIGN show! 7pm-Midnight!!
There's so much stuff at the gallery space that it is starting to look like a design store! (I wish we have design store!)
Lots of things are for sale and really affordable...DANGEROUS!! I'm already eying on some stuff and gonna get first dibs! Muah ha ha!
Here's some photos of us setting up late last night.
Jamie organizing all the jeweleries including an array of awesome crayon rings!
Nin & Dylan setting up the BRITE lites. It should be a fun little wall with some crazy lights!
Oh and here's Dylan eating some takeouts from one of our favorite late night place for some Cantonese comfort foods, Purple Dot Cafe in Chinatown. Nothing like eating delecious sticky friedrice at 11pm for dinner!!
Still more to do! As you can see it's still quite a mess. :P
I'm sure we all be running around till the very last minute!...totally feel like we're students again!
