Material Archive

I took a pottery class

I post about ceramic artists I admire all the time on this blog, so it's likely no surprise that I finally decided to take a class in it myself!

Well, as would be expected, I loved it and found it to be much harder than I anticipcated. If you ever go to the pre-made pottery shops to paint existing pieces, that is not a real indicator of how much work goes into making something from start to finish. I truly have a whole new level of appreciation for the craft and definitely am more interested in it than ever. It was deeply gratifying to work with my hands in a new way and to make something with no input from anyone else.

The class I took was at Clay Design on Harbord. Over a period of several weeks, I learned how to wedge clay, make a number of pinch pots, dishes and bowls, and of course throw on the wheel, as well as tool and glaze.

Above are some examples of pieces I made. The first photo is of a nubby pot and a series of bowls drying upside down on molds and the second is a collection of items after they've been fired and glazed.

The black stripe bowl was one I was ready to pitch in the garbage intially because I warped it so badly on the wheel. But after glazing, it's easily one of my favourites. Glad I didn't give up on 'im! ;)

Below is a dark, moody plate I went to town on with little impressions and scratches. 

My Christmas Wish List

Truth be told, we don't do gift exchange in our family anymore – unless you happen to be under the age of 18. Instead, we travel or buy one another fun food items – like great chocolate or wine. So this list above is not a not-so-subtle hint for my beloved – I wouldn't dream of asking for these things (beyond vulgar!). Rather, it's a wish list for the things I hope go on sale Boxing Day...so I can buy them myself, if I have any fun money left after 3 weeks in Europe! ;-)

 Starting from the top, left to right:

1. Dries Van Noten Snake Boot from MyTheresa

2. Gold heart drop earrings from St Kilda

3. Sparkle needle point pillow from Jonathan Adler

4. Hipster heads from Jonathan Adler

5. Red plexi clutch by Charlotte Olympia

6. Gold snake Sang A Pop bag from Kirna Zabete

7. Multi-wrap watch from Burberry

8. Camel coat with fur collar from Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti

9. Creme de Rose lipbalm from Christian Dior

10. Soap on a roap from Diptyque at Barneys

11. Pave diamond earrings by Janis Provisor at Kirna Zabete

12. Gold devil pencil sharpener from Jonathan Adler

13. Blue satin ribboned heels by Liam Fahy

14. Constance H bag from Hermes

15. Green star earrings from Bochic

16. Glitter ankle boot from Barneys Co-Op

17. Nail lacquer in Scarlet Chinois by Tom Ford

18. Pink enamle bracelet from St Kilda

19. Yellow drop earring by Tom Binns

20. H Ring, little square dishes and collier de chien, Hermes

21. Bag by Sofia Coppola for Louis Vuitton

22. Needle point sunglasses sleeve by Jonathan Adler

x

Abigail Ahern Lamps

So fun. From here.

Naoto Fukasawa: Designing Accessories with Paper

If you read this blog with any regularity, you already know that I love it when objects are designed with unexpected materials. I'm particularly fascinated with the idea of clothing or accessories made with paper. The items above were created by famed IDEO industrial design master Naoto Fukasawa – who is known for his collaborations with Muji, B&B Italia, Driade, Magis, Artemide, Danese and Boffi.

Here he has created a line of items called Siwa in collaboration with Onao, which are made with traditional Japanese washi-paper that can withstand moisture and over time becomes softer and takes on the patina of leather without the heat or weight. "Soft Naoron", as it's called, is a type of paper developed from wood and polyolefin fibres, which is derived from recycled polyester fibres, plastic bottles and repurposed textiles.

I recently bought the handbag at the top from Mjölk. Loooooooove it.

A visit to Mjölk

 

Yesterday, after wrapping a TV shoot in the Junction, I luckily came across Mjölk – a store I've been keen to see since it opened. I arrived just as it closed for the day but the manager Lauren was kind enough to let me sneak in and take a quick look around and snag a great bag by Naoto Fuksawa.

With a laser precision curation style, Mjölk carries lovely furniture and craft products from Scandinavia and Japan. In their own words, owners, John Baker & Julie Daoust talk about their vision for the store:

"We specialize in Scandinavia because the north enthralls us. Soft, quiet snowy forests and streets in the winter. Glittery, blinding sunlight on colourful buildings during the summer. Fika (coffee break) at the Konditori, with a kaffe and Napoleon pastry in hand. Trolling the Helsinki open-air markets for treasures. Aalto building tours. S.O.S. (Smör Ost och Sill = butter, cheese and herring). Swedish style. Grass roofs. Hot dog streetside snacks. And of course, the Arctic. These are a few of our favourite things."

 

 

 

  

Today I bought: A Kaj Franck Enamel Mixing Bowl from Arabia

I have always wanted one of these Arabia bowls – keeping my eyes peeled at antique markets. But they are highly collectable and not so easy to come by – luckily I found this one on Etsy. Also love the mushroom pattern below!

 

Maria Kristofersson's Ceramic Art

I want every piece. I love the illustrative quality to all the items – as though they are drawings of dishes made real.

See more here.

Marjorie Skouras: Turquoise Empire Chandelier

Buy here

RabLabs: Kiva Platters

 

These RabLabs "slabs" are actually serving platters – beautiful!

Commute Home

 




 

Some of my favourite pieces at home are from Commute and so I must confess that I'm a little sad that they've moved away from my hood in Queen West – they are now at a bigger space at Bathurst & Dupont. They've also updated their website to showcase some really beautiful custom installation work – have a look.

Julie Moon

I've amassed a pretty respectable collection of Julie's ceramic flower brooches – I love them. You can buy them at Magic Pony and you can see more her other work here.

Bookshelf Porn

The secret bookshelf and the swivel bookcase wall are amazing aren't they? I'm addicted to Bookshelf Porn. Another great find via SM.

Paola Navone for Reichenbach

I went to the AGO today to see the Tutankhamen exhibit and afterwards saw these marvelous plates in their giftshop. Italian designer Paola Navone created the "Taste" collection for Reichenbach. They remind me of a more precise version of Astier de Villatte's dishware and as a set look really smart together. Since I live so close to the AGO, this could be a problem... ;)

Clémentine Henrion's Eternal Balloons

Clémentine makes these marvelous "stuffed" pillow balloons to order in her Paris studio. They are meant to be used as permanent interior sculpture – hung from the ceiling in groupings.

Feeling a Whole Lotta Love for Love of Mine Boutique

My friend Adam and his lovely wife Anna recently opened a new home and fashion accessories store called Love of Mine Boutique and Friday night was their official opening party. Located on Queen west, nestled between the likes of Magic Pony and Buckler, the store is a wonderful addition to the neighborhood and really raises the area's level of sophistication. Carrying lines like Jonathan Adler, John Derian, Rebecca Minkoff, Canopy New York, Green Beads, Swallow, Heather Benjamin, Noir, Alexis Bittar, Pade Vavra, St. Kilda, Mercedes Salazar, amongst others – the store has something beautiful for every discerning eye.


I left at the end of the party with a soft wool throw for the chesterfield!

Not your typical holiday snow globe

See more here.

Loyal Loot Log Bowls

Saw these great Loyal Loot bowls for sale at the AGO. So Canadian...

FINN Boutique

My new office is just around the corner from FINN Boutique which is going to be dangerous! They carry my former clients Mercy as well as Ewankia, Hoi Bo, Designers Remix, Tocca, Camilla and Marc and furnishings by Missoni Home. I already have a shopping list!

1. Ewankia wool jersey Simone dress in dove grey. 2. Hoi Bo satchel with oiled canvas 3. Baby Alpaca hand-knit mittens in charcoal.

Their website is currently under construction so go to their Facebook page here in the meantime to see what's new.

Treasure Hunting at Three Potato Four

Some fun vintage finds here at Three Potato Four. Love the tin bowling pin markers.

John Derian Decoupage Plates

See more here.

Fanny Laugier Ceramics

I love the look of these ceramic pieces – don't they look like those disposable fast food take-away paper cartons for fries? See more here.

Whimsical pillows & totes illustrated by Don Carney

These hand-printed French burlap bags & pillows are illustrated by Patch NYC's very own Don Carney. I've seen the whale at Anthropologie.

Astier de Villatte

 
While looking at PatchNYC's blog recently, I was reminded of one of my favourite tableware brands – Astier de Villatte. Designed by Benoît Astier de Villatte and Ivan Pericoli, the house specializes in handmade black terracotta clay with a milky glaze finish which is created with an old technique they revived called estampage. This method leaves each piece with deliberate little hiccups and imperfections that make each item one of kind. If you're not fortunate enough to visit their storefront in Paris, which was once home to Napoleon's silversmith, you can check out their very cool website which is unlike any other porcelain and earthenware company I have ever seen.

Leanne Shapton's Wooden Books

I saw these originally in the New York Times a while ago and hastily dismissed their charm because they reminded me of a decorating TV show I saw once with Brian Gluckstein – where he presented a wall filled with fake books to serve merely as decoration. The very idea insulted me – so I glazed over how clever these were despite the non-association. Silly girl! These little beauties are works of art in their own right and I just love 'em. In fact, I have my eye on Raymond Carver ;-)  See more of Leanne's great work here.

Teacup Saucers Reborn

I know a certain butterfly obsessed mom-to-be that might like these ceramic teacup saucers from Lightly.

Bosse Brass Figures

Design Within Reach has reissued these Bosse brass cuties that were originally created in the late 40s to, as the designer put it, "make as many people as possible happy." Buy them here.