greatest hits & a giveaway!: with string me along

what inspires you artistically & creatively? what would those inspirations look like visually? in this fun series, (please see the others here) ... i’ve invited some wonderful artists to share with us 4 images of inspiration in their artistic life, something of an interview in images! the guidelines were basically this: choose 4 visuals (something like your creative-stimuli *greatest hits!*) that you feel most inspires & expresses your art or craft today. for some, it might be a person, place or thing; a material; a pattern; a colour; a sound or song, etc. it might be a photograph, a drawing, a scan, etc. i’ve tried to leave it a bit open-ended so that we might better glimpse into these artists' motivations and their amazing, raw talent! today i’m delighted to present the next in the series : greatest hits with StringMeAlong (and a giveaway, too!)

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happy gorgeous monday, lovelies!

now i've always been the type of person to love an occasion to dress up!
but we all know that if we wait for one to come along, such occasions can be too few and too far between. i say, let's create our own!

so i've always enjoyed the idea of making everyday a great opportunity to add a little glamour & sparkle to what i'm wearing! whether i'm playing at the park, going to the grocery store or packing orders... i'm wonderfully guilty of incorporating fun jewelry and a little glam whenever i can!

so you can imagine how much i enjoy the lovely StringMeAlong handmade beaded jewelry shop. her wonderful collection of earrings, brooches, rings & hair-accessories has something to offer for both everyday wear, as well as an array of gorgeous special occasion delights, too! i just love her beautiful hairsticks, too... and read on to learn how you can WIN a pair! woohoo! plus, a little glamour mixed with kindness goes a long way in my books. and the wonderful StringMeAlong is a wonderful, kind soul. and i've gotta say, when i saw her fun *inspirations* i knew that she was a kindred spirit, indeed! (and that for certain, she adds a wonderful bit of glamour to her days, too! )
so be sure to visit the StringMeAlong shop!

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and now...
what inspires StringMeAlong, in her own words & images...

1) "I find the most inspiration in an ever-present wanderlust. I love travelling in Europe, and find it brimming with inspiration at every footstep. From the well-trod cobbled streets, to crumbling architecture, from its electic mix of the ancient and the modern, to its rich tapestry of cultures. I love how a place can cling to a rich history, yet still embrace a bright and shining future. "

2) "The Natural World is full of inspiration. Anywhere one cares to look there is inspiration to be found. I can gaze dreamily for hours at rocky cliff faces, gently lapping waves, a soaring bird, or fields of gently blowing grasses. "(photo of Bon Echo)

3) "Flora, for me is the best place to find colour cues. If I am sitting at my workspace amidst a tumble of beads and find myself reaching for the same, safe colour combination, I get up and take myself out for a walk in a garden. Flowers and trees are not timid in their colour play, and they combine and mix hues beautifully."

4) "There has been talk that I might have been born in the wrong era. I turn to 1940's Big Band, or classic Parisian cafe tunes for musical inspiration. I'm not sure, to be honest where this springs from, but put on an Edith Piaf song and somehow I find a hidden well-spring of creativity."

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thanks so much, nicey!
and now... StringMeAlong is offering
one lucky reader an amazing
Set of her beautiful Bloom Flower Hairsticks
in gorgeous wintry white! yay!

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here's how to enter the giveaway!
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

1. go visit the lovely StringMeAlong shop
... take a look around ... come back here and leave a comment in this post about your favourite goodie from her shop & where you'd wear it!= 1 entry

2. visit StringMeAlong's lovely blog
and leave her a comment on a post. ... then come back here and tell us about it. = 1 entry.

3. tweet on twitter
about this giveaway and leave us a link to it in a separate comment here. = 1 more possible entry.

4. blog about this giveaway
and leave us a link to it in a separate comment here.= 1 more possible entry

5. follow or subscribe to the rikrak studio blog
and leave me a comment here telling us that you do! = 1 more possible entry.

6. :: PLEASE NOTE: each entry must be it's own comment.thanks! ::

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:: RULES ::
a) it is possible to have a maximum of 5 entries total per person.
b) please make sure to leave each entry as it's own comment. thanks!
c) the winner of the StringMeAlong giveaway will be chosen via random.org on
Tues. October 13th @ 9AM EST.
d) please be sure to leave me an email where i can reach you if your account doesn't link to one. thanks.

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hope you can add a little glam to your day, nicies!

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greatest hits: with my red boots

what inspires you artistically & creatively? what would those inspirations look like visually? in this fun series, (please see the others here) ... i’ve invited some wonderful artists to share with us 4 images of inspiration in their artistic life, something of an interview in images! the guidelines were basically this: choose 4 visuals (something like your creative-stimuli *greatest hits!*) that you feel most inspires & expresses your art or craft today. for some, it might be a person, place or thing; a material; a pattern; a colour; a sound or song, etc. it might be a photograph, a drawing, a scan, etc. i’ve tried to leave it a bit open-ended so that we might better glimpse into these artists' motivations and their amazing, raw talent! today i’m delighted to present the next in the series: greatest hits! , with tricia of myredboots.

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happy monday, lovelies.
isn't there something just grand about the wonderful idea of collecting vintage children's treasures? the glorious nostalgia. the lovely designs ... and something somehow even more glorious about the idea of vintage treasures from beautiful france?
*sigh* ... what could be lovelier?

myredboots is a delightful new little vintage children's boutique on etsy, with finds from france.
the goodies are charming, inventive, beautiful & handcollected by the wonderful tricia.

many moons ago, tricia & i went to university together. since those undergrad days, she's gone on to craft amazing delights, in her home (i've seen some of her sewing work - gorgeous!), in the kitchen (what a chef!), in the world of academia, & now as a handmaking mommy in beautiful strasbourg, france.

tricia is a dear friend of my dear friend...
and for me, that's always a great thing to be.
so here's to friends of friends.
& the beautiful nostaligia of vintage de france!






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here's a little glimpse into what's inspiring tricia these days:

1. Scandinavian linen fabric
because of great colour (my favourite colour), natural fibre, northern flora (article credit: "Blueberry" dish towel by Kardelen www.kardelen.se



2. moon topography
because science incidentally creates great visuals (which my science-y work-day self encounters and questions) (article credit: "La Lune" Scan-Globe 1966. (a great find from a brocante in Strasbourg)


3. handmade cushion
for vintage imagery
(credit: pinkwagon http://www.pinkwagon.com)


4. snow
because it minimalizes landscape. and cleans my mind. (landscape: Caribou Plains Trail in Fundy National Park, New Brunswick, Canada. / photo credit: Joanna Close, art in fibre. http://www.joannalclose.com)

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thanks so much, tricia.

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greatest hits: with wine on sundays

what inspires you artistically & creatively? what would those inspirations look like visually? in this fun series, (please see the others here) ... i’ve invited some wonderful artists to share with us 4 images of inspiration in their artistic life, something of an interview in images! the guidelines were basically this: choose 4 visuals (something like your creative-stimuli *greatest hits!*) that you feel most inspires & expresses your art or craft today. for some, it might be a person, place or thing; a material; a pattern; a colour; a sound or song, etc. it might be a photograph, a drawing, a scan, etc. i’ve tried to leave it a bit open-ended so that we might better glimpse into these artists' motivations and their amazing, raw talent! today i’m delighted to present the next in the series: greatest hits! , with artist bridget of wine on sundays.

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you know how there are those wonderful folks in life that just shine, & that you feel so thankful to know?! bridget of wine on sundays is one of them for me! she's a real life wonderwoman.

many moons ago, we first met doing our undergrad degrees @ university. right away, it was easy to see how her glorious, magnetic personality drew everyone to love her. she is one of the most enthusiastic, friendly, motivating, witty lovelies around, and her genuine kindness & glorious smile really shines thru in all she creates!

fast forward to the past couple of years. bridget has become, no doubt, one of the superstars behind ottawa's thriving handmade movement. she co-owns what i think many would agree is ottawa's handmade hotspot, the beautiful workshop boutique in our lovely downtown market. together with her fabulous business partner, Christina of *loot by Stina B*, they've crafted the hippest, snazziest, loveliest handcrafting shop around! (if you're ever in ottawa, be sure to visit & go shopping! you'll LOVE it!) indeed, bridget is one of the best cheerleaders for the handmade movement around!

it was workshop (thanks so much bridget!) who was the first brick & mortar shop in the world to carry my rikrak goodies, and i'm forever endebted & honoured! :) thanks sweeties!

she's a fabulous & fun mommy, too! and as if all that doesn't make her fantastic enough, she also finds time to be an uber-popular jewelry artist, who is just re-opening her online etsy store! so in honour, please be sure to visit her lovely lovely wine on sundays etsy shop... where you'll be delighted with her gorgeous collections of earrings, pendants & necklaces! i can attest... her work is beautiful & perfectly handcrafted! you'll love it!

everywhere i go in ottawa i see folks wearing and loving her gorgeous jewelry.. it's a staple in so many folks' wardrobes! so join in the fun & shop for yourself! (and be sure to welcome her back to etsy! yay nicey!)

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and now... here's a glimpse into what's inspiring bridget, in her own words,
with 4 images she's chosen!

1. Cityscape: This was painted by my friend Kristin Stoesz. I am
inspried by it because of the way she incorporates fabric (in this case
her old clothes) and other materials into her art.



2. African Market: I am inspired by images like these because of the 4
years my husband and I lived in Africa. In Africa, everything is art and
everything is used in art. It reminds me to look at things
unconventionally.
photo credit: www.trekearth.com

3. Vintage Toy: I love vintage toys, ads and images because the art is so
pure and uncluttered.
photo credit: www.amycrehore.blogspot.com


4. Chicken: This is my best DIY project ever, my 1 1/2 year old daughter
Ayan. She is inspiring to me because she reminds me to find adventure and
creativity in ordinary things: it is amazing how many water fountains I
just passed by before her.

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so thanks so much, bridget!
& here's to all the wonderwomen out there... you're great!

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greatest hits: by ouou

what inspires you artistically & creatively? what would those inspirations look like visually? in this fun series, (please see the others here) ... i’ve invited some wonderful artists to share with us 4 images of inspiration in their artistic life, something of an interview in images! the guidelines were basically this: choose 4 visuals (something like your creative-stimuli *greatest hits!*) that you feel most inspires & expresses your art or craft today. for some, it might be a person, place or thing; a material; a pattern; a colour; a sound or song, etc. it might be a photograph, a drawing, a scan, etc. i’ve tried to leave it a bit open-ended so that we might better glimpse into these artists' motivations and their amazing, raw talent! today i’m delighted to present the next in the series: greatest hits!

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i just love things adorable. things that are beautiful, linear and that captivate my imagination and inspire me with colour & design. so you can well imagine my delight with the glorious, sweet artwork of Laurie, artist behind the amazing shop * ouou * .

i glimpse @ her pen & ink works, gocco creations & silkscreening marvels and i'm transported to somewhere thoughtful, sweet, adorable and whimsical. what a great talent that is! i'm honoured to own some of Laurie's beautiful work, and visitors to our home always comment on her enchanting style & captivating artwork. be sure to visit her lovely lovely shop here, and her wonderful blog, too.

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and now...here's a glimpse into what's inspiring Laurie, in her own words, with her own lovely photos:

Nature:

Here in the Pacific Northwest we are already starting to see hints of spring with crocuses, daffodils, snow drops and the deepening of our evergreen moss. No matter where I have lived, though, nature and plants and trees most especially have always had a way of making the words-words-words in my head melt away and my heart fill with joy. It is in those moments when inspiration feels infinite.

Netsuke:These Japanese figures are such perfect little forms. My first love in design was Art Nouveau, no wonder these curving, detailed, often strange statues catch my imagination and wonderment. I find myself pouring through images of them or seeking them out in museums time and time again.

The Library:
I have a background in independent book selling and children's book illustration, so "books books books" are an obvious choice for my list. The library, in particular, is where I hope to stumble upon the unexpected, or spend hours sketching, nestled into a corner with a pile of tomes stacked around me.


Surprise:
Oh those moments!

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thanks so much, ouou!
and have a sweet sweet weekend, lovelies!
join me all next week for earth day celebrations, 3 (count 'em, 3!) great little giveaways,
and more!

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greatest hits: with nesta

what inspires you artistically & creatively? what would those inspirations look like visually? in this fun series, (please see the others here) ... i’ve invited some wonderful artists to share with us 4 images of inspiration in their artistic life, something of an interview in images! the guidelines were basically this: choose 4 visuals (something like your creative-stimuli *greatest hits!*) that you feel most inspires & expresses your art or craft today. for some, it might be a person, place or thing; a material; a pattern; a colour; a sound or song, etc. it might be a photograph, a drawing, a scan, etc. i’ve tried to leave it a bit open-ended so that we might better glimpse into these artists' motivations and their amazing, raw talent! today i’m delighted to present the next in the series: greatest hits!

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ever come across a spot online that just seems to inspire it's own funky soundtrack?
i feel that way when i'm visiting the fabulous shop of Nesta Home. designer & artist Tandie's handmade interiors just have this wonderful vibe to them.

it's fresh. unique. urban. and like any good soundtrack... helps me envision a whole new landscape
(in this case.. for my home!)

you can learn more about the genius behind Nesta Home, the wonderful Tandie, here, in her Quit Your Day Job interview on Etsy. and be sure to visit her wonderful shop for mixed media delights, sketches, photographs & more. and you'll love her fun blog, too!

and now...here's a glimpse into what's inspiring Tandie, in her own words, with her own lovely photos:

Traveling because it takes you out of your comfort zone.

Nature because no manmade design can ever match it.

Architecture because every detail must be thought out.

Athletes because they are artists in motion.

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thanks so much, sweetie! hope your day has a great soundtrack to it.

(ps: only 2 days left to enter my little giveaway! come win!)

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greatest hits: with oktak

what inspires you artistically & creatively? what would those inspirations look like visually? in this fun series, (please see the others here) ... i’ve invited some wonderful artists to share with us 4 images of inspiration in their artistic life, something of an interview in images! the guidelines were basically this: choose 4 visuals (something like your creative-stimuli *greatest hits!*) that you feel most inspires & expresses your art or craft today. for some, it might be a person, place or thing; a material; a pattern; a colour; a sound or song, etc. it might be a photograph, a drawing, a scan, etc. i’ve tried to leave it a bit open-ended so that we might better glimpse into these artists' motivations and their amazing, raw talent! today i’m delighted to present the next in the series "greatest hits*:


*swoon* .. everything about the handmade work of oktak just makes me *swoon-worthy.*

a favourite of many many an etsyian, Aki (of the brilliant label oktak) crafts beautiful handmade bags & frame purses that are a true delight to the senses. who wouldn't want one of those impeccably made, gorgeous & luxurious fabrics in hand? i just love oktak's beautiful sense of style, the perfect way she uses colour & light & pattern in her work, and the simple, classic contemporary style she inspires every handmaker to strive toward.

and ... she's a delight, too! so warm & friendly & modest. so I asked Aki, a Tokyoite living in Manhattan, designer extraordinaire & wonderful mommy, to share with us what inspires her beautiful beautiful work. in her own words, here are 4 images that inspire her...

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A Japanese iris, taken in a garden in Tokyo: Nature because I believe it's the source of inspiration for everything humans make, conscious or not.

My kids' art. Because they aren't afraid to create what they want, and their art is so alive and unique. "It took me 4 years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child"
- Pablo Picasso.

Little girl kimono: My grand-mother made this gorgeous silk kimono for my mother's 3rd birthday - it was handed down to me and then to my daughter. I am very much influenced by the Japanese aesthetic of using beautiful (and often shocking) fabric for the lining.

Mid-century art & illustration. These are works by Jim Flora and Mary Blair. Just because I love art from this era.


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beautiful. thanks so much, aki.
for a delightful stroll, visit oktak's beautiful shop.

ahh... delightful! and have a bright & beautiful weekend, lovelies.
(ps: thanks for all of your wonderfully warm well-wishes yesterday about the new rikrak works! your comments are so very very much appreciated.)

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