Atelier East Collection

Introducing Secondsister's newest design collection Atelier East. Most items are one of a kind, so if you see something you like, don't delay!

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Enjoy!

April

whatever janet hill, it's not fair

Sometimes I get really pissed that some people have so much talent. I feel like Amelie when Henry gets something while she is at school and she comes home to discover him enjoying the spoils of the day. At first she just stands there sort of stunned. Then you can watch her little face as she goes through the emotions. Puzzled. Intrigued. Indignant. Pissed.

Janet Hill got a lion's share of talent and quite frankly I won't feel better about it until I can A) crawl inside her head and absorb some of her genius or B) own one of her originals.

You can buy her prints on her Etsy site.

lofty goals

I was feeling sorry for myself the other day.  

I was looking at my friends photos taken at Surtex and the National Stationary show and feeling very sorry for myself that I wasn't there, participating. Oh poor forlorn me. Nobody likes me, my art.

And just generally feeling like my art career is super slow going and lifeless.

So I said to myself,  "Self, this is it. You are setting a goal. You are going to Surtex next year."

And then I immediately got scared because I'd set such a lofty goal. And my go to thought is always, I can't do it, I'm not good enough.

But, you know, what the hell.  What do I have to lose? 

So now I've plastered my goal up on the world wide web for all to see, which is more than setting it in stone, because people will know if I fall short. How embarrassing.

But I think very helpful nonetheless. For instance, the fear of embarrassment will motivate me and also, if you happen to be an agent or a creative director of a company who likes my art, you might just call me up and say, let's make this happen. That would be nice.

Anyway, here's to goals and living stagnant free.

i love you tammis keefe

This is Tammis Keefe. She was a textile designer during the 1940's and 50's.  She is one of my design heros.  I love her art more than just about any other designer from the mid-century.

Have started collecting Tammis Keefe linens. I mostly have vintage handkerchiefs because they are more affordable than full table cloths and runners.  I was looking at my collection yesterday and wondering how to display them.  I love the idea of making them into a quilt, but I don't want to sew them because I don't want to devalue them.

I have enough other vintage hankies to make a quilt so I think I make one with those. You know, as if I could actually make a quilt. Sheesh. I really suck at making quilts and I love them soooo much. It kind of pisses me off a little. Anyone out there want to sew the quilt top for me? I will pay.

My friend Tara sent me this idea to frame the hankies and I love it.  The thought of an entire wall covered with Tammis Keefe hankies makes my heart race.

source

In fact, I am now convinced that I cannot go on living without a Tammis Keefe hankie wall.

If I've piqued your interest, you can see a collection Tammis Keefe textiles on my Pintrest board.

Just don't bid against me on Ebay or I'll have to cut ya.

"Color is the most important factor 

in design generally, 

and in handkerchief design, specifically, 

color prepares the emotions for the design itself, 

as music sets the mood of the Play."

~ Tammis Keefe, 1952 Craft Horizons

what a few old papers can do...

The Sugar Daddy had some wood left over from a project he had been working on so I asked him to cut me some squares.

I have been wanting to do this collage project for some time and I finally had the perfect canvas for it.

I'm a little bit of an ephemera nut. I mean I really like old paper.  I find fun stuff all over the place. I'm not above pulling old wrappers out of the trash or picking them up off the ground.  I also have a few sources I buy from that carry really great old items.

I have built up quite a collection and I wanted to share some with those of you who like this sort of stuff as well. It's great for ATC cards, scrap booking, canvas art and package embellishing.

Here are some ephemera elements for you to download and use in your art.

Download the JPG here.

Download the PNG here.

I have created more block collages and hopefully they will be available commercially soon.

I will try to scan and share some of my collection every now and then so check back often!

cartolina and me

I've been waiting for sooooo long to finally shout this out to the world and today is the day!

I have been working with Fiona Richards of Cartolina Cards on the latest release of cards. Fiona is a delight to work with, and I feel very fortunate to call her my friend. She continues to teach me about industry, art and design. I look forward to making more art to be used on Cartolina cards.

In case you don't already have them, you must download both of the Cartolina iPhone apps.

I use Cartolina Postale all the time to send friends and family love notes. It's so easy to just do it from your phone while you are thinking about it.

Here is a look at the full collection, with the cards I contributed artwork to, and the ones Fiona created on her own. I love the colors and richness of the entire collection together.

You can purchase Cartolina cards in various shops all over the World or online, here and here.

Cartolina cards are eco-friendly!

for the love of maps

I've been busy. Really busy.

The littles are keeping me running. All. The. Time.

My house is a mess.

My yard is a jungle.

But I'm happy. Busy is good, even if you look like the hillbillies of the neighborhood.

I've been trying to keep up, and at the same time squeeze in studio time.  Sometimes when my life is at it's craziest, my creativity sky rockets. Not sure why. Just happens.

My current artistic obsession? Maps. I have always loved maps (all old paper ephemera really) and used them in my art, but lately I just can't get enough.

I recently found the work of Elizbeth Lecourt.  I'm besotted. Simply, over-the-top gaga.

Oh how I would love to make Birdie that last dress! I did find this map fabric that might work.

Hummmm. Another project?

the farfar project: part deux

First off, I'd really like to say thank you for all your kind comments regarding The Farfar Project. I have had such a great response, and it has made the whole process even that much more enjoyable.

I have fallen in love with these men. I have been thinking that maybe for my next project, I will write down the stories I have created for each of them. But I'm not sure. They are near and dear to me. And a little bit silly.

I am currently working on having the portraits made into cards, prints and calendars. The calendar won't be available until next January.

If you are interested in buying a set of cards (12) or individual prints, please contact me, (secondsisterjewelry@yahoo.com) and I'll put you on the list for when they become available. Now, without much ado, I give you part deux...

K. G. Persson- Worker (Occupation Unknown)

Karl August Andersson- Carpenter

Ollas Per Persson- Yeoman

Olof Nilsson- Master Painter

Wilhelm Magnusson- Worker (Occupation Unknown)

G. V. Gustafsson- Crofter

the farfar project

I've started a little project that I am enjoying immensely.

I stumbled across a cash of old portraits taken of Swedish men in the early 1900's. For some reason, unbeknownst to me, I have become fascinated by these men and the lives they lived.  I love the character etched into their faces. I love the lines and creases and angles of their cheeks.

All these men were laborers of varying sorts.  They must have worked hard during their life. I stole them from their dark back drop and have given them joyful surroundings. I think it changes how you see them.  I think it allows their countenance to transcend their position.

As I have worked on each portrait, I have created a sort of one-sided relationship with each man. They may not be the people I imagine them to be at all, but I will never know. It's neither here nor there.

I am currently half way through this project. There are twelve portraits. I have finished the first six that are below. I have given their name and occupation.

 I'm not sure what I will do with them once the project is complete. I'm not even sure why I feel so driven to complete it. It's been a little like escaping into a really good book. The characters follow you throughout your day and you can't wait to find time to pick up the book again to see what will happen next.

In Sweden there are two words for grandfather: Your mothers father is called "Morfar" Your father's father is called "Farfar".

Lars Erik Pettersson: Miner

Anders Wedin: Postman

Carl Bohlin: Carpenter

Karl Oskar Lööw: Crofter

Ollas Per Persson: Yeoman

Oskar Almgren: Blacksmith

tangerine tango

1. Delicious, 2. orange and aqua, 3. pixie tangerine and fennel pots de creme, 4. Dana Knit Fingerless Gloves - Pure Cashmere, 5. Bird pouch closeup, 6. a tank full of gold 

Do you follow color trends? 

I do.

I eagerly await the announcement from Pantone to see what the color of the year will be.  Experts in all fields of design report on what the hot colors are for the coming year and Pantone makes the official announcement.

This year it is Tangerine Tango. A delightful reddish orange. 

Which makes me happy. Because, you know, it's a happy color. And I think the world could use a little more happiness these days.

And free stuff. More free stuff would be nice.

Here's a free wallpaper for you to download if Tangerine Tango makes you happy like it does me.

Download this free wallpaper here.

I had to get a little Bellflower dot in there. It's one of my favorite color combos.

Tangerine Tango Pantone color 17-1463
Bellflower Pantone color 18-3628

a study of the natural world

I am a girl, like many girls, that loves all things beautiful. I try to make beautiful things to fill my life. 

The master teacher, yogi and offical authority on beauty is, of course, Mother Nature.

For my most recent art project, I tried to copy the vast and alluring diversity of one small part of Mother Nature's grand work.

Animalia Arthropoda Insecta Lepidoptera

different

I've always had this deep seated need to do different. Not to be different.  No, no. I don't want people staring at me or making comments. Not that I don't like different. I love different people. I seek them out as friends. I get happy and bubbly when I see someone who's down with their "differentness".  

And I wonder why. Why am I so afraid of people staring?  So what? Who cares?

I do.

Then again, I can't think in what way I would choose to be different.  I don't want a full body tattoo. As a general rule I don't like couture clothing.  I feel ridiculous in loud colors. I like to bathe everyday and do my average head of hair and put on muted colors of make-up and modest clothing.  In Lady Ga Ga's words, "I was born that way baby."

Now doing is another story.  I never want to be doing what everyone else is doing.  I won't read a book if everybody is reading it. Or watch a popular television program. I don't like super trendy clothing or jewelry.  I can't stand most pop culture.  

I am continually stretching my mind to come up with something new. Different. 

Something to call my own.

I marvel at people that can build their own new style through their art.  I've been hacking away at it for some time now.  And so far I've only created a few things that I think are genuine April.  

I guess if art were easy, everyone would be doing it. 

And then I wouldn't want to do it anymore.

sparky spark spark 2010

It's almost here. Can you feel it?

Autumn means back to school, schedules, crisper mornings, great fashion and SPARK.  Are you coming? Are you excited?

I am. I can't wait to meet everyone.  I can't wait to spark my own creativity.

The tag above is from last year. This year the girls have outdone themselves.  The decor is going to be amazing. The food is going to be delish. And the company, well the company is going to rock. After all, I'm going.  And I'm going to personally make sure everyone has a blast.  There's no wall flowers at Spark, only wild flowers.

Okay girls. Here it is. The big reveal.  Ta da! My class for Spark!

If you haven't done collage before you are going to love it.  We are using stretched canvases and doilies as a base for funky silhouettes.  Come ready to get your fingers in paint and make a mess.

Most of the supplies for my class will be provided with the exception of:

*     a foam brush (if you have manicured nails you might want to bring a couple extra)

*     your own silhouette if you don't want to use those provided (needs to be roughly 4X4")

*     any ephemera you would like to use other than what we provide

*     markers are optional but super fun

*     a fine paint brush 

*     a loose, ready to groove attitude (mandatory)

*     Oh and scissors.

I'm calling my class Journey.  Collage is a practice in letting go of perfectionism and following the twists and turns that happen on your canvas.

I hope you are coming. The best way to make a new friend is to take a journey together.