the scent of antique paper

One of my favorite things in this world- and a huge part of my job is to search out design inspiration, which I like to call my treasures. I don't like to give out a lot of my secret spots like most designers because I think we feel like the whole world will know where all of our fabulous ideas come from and other designers will go to these spots and find our secret treasures.

The good thing is- when you go to a vintage show like the one I went to last weekend: Papermania, you notice that all of your fears aren't true--not everyone is on the stake out for exactly what you're looking for.. and there's SO MUCH that there's room for everyone. So I decided maybe I will loan out a few inspirational spots here and there once in a while.

Check out some of my goodies below.

A 1949 catalog from Montgomery Ward filled with 1,156 pages of everything you could possibly own including clothing, accessories, home goods, furniture, specialty food, shotguns, tires, wall paint, toliets, door knobs, electric arc welders for your farm, baby chicks, chain saws and the list goes on.. it was an incredible find.

American Fabrics from 1961-62 and The Designer and The Woman's Magazine from 1926

Johnny and I scoping out the scene when we first came in. This was at the FIRST booth. We couldn't leave for like 20 minutes.. and there were so much more to go. Jeff had to help us from one booth to the next!    

Check out the beautiful Papermania video Stebs of Quarter Productions made while we all had our noses in paper all day long! I don't think I saw Stebs all day! When we arrived we all were sidetracked with the amazing treasures and he just started shooting. He's so focused and dedicated with every video he makes. And read Jeff's feature on Selectism showing the anatomy of a Red Wing work boot that he found at a booth. So neat!

Overall I think it was an amazing, inspiring and productive day for us all!.. especially Rein's Deli... mmmMmmm yum Can't wait to go back!

Fringe Movement Grand Opening

Fringe Movement opened up our doors to the public last Saturday to present the current work of all the designers in the studio. The night was amazing.. full of all sorts of interesting people from family, friends, to locals in the area. But the vibe was clear--everyone loved the space.

So instead of showing you what went on that night.. We decided to make the night extra special to keep in our memories by only taking photos of the aftermath.  (Flickr photos by Autumn Ahn)

American Craft Show

Baltimore wasn't as dirty and grimy as everyone told me it would be.. at least the four block radius where I visited last week during the American Craft Show put on by the American Craft Council.

We have a new 100% Bamboo scarf that will be in stores next fall. This scarf turned heads at the show, at 12 feet long, and soft colors of gold, grey and white. We also have a Holiday handwoven leather collection including a tote, clutch and wallet. 

Check out some of the talented jewelry designers I met below.

Andrea Janosik

Margaux Lange

Deborah Hadler