Giant Gnome Design

I was recently downtown and came across an unusual sidewalk vendor: Giant Gnome Design. The designer and his girlfriend had a small table set up on Grant St., not far up from the opera singers (who were out singing, full force, on Maiden Lane), selling greeting cards - a welcome respite from all the jewelry, leather cuffs and knitted baby hats. I love that several of the cards feature local spots.

 

Perhaps even more interesting than Giant Gnome's street presence is their Card Gnome venture, set up like a stationary store with shelves to browse through. Though the experience is virtual - you pick a card and write a personal message - they will prep and physically send the card in the mail to your recipient, postage included.

*All photos from Giant Gnome Design's etsy shop

Pulp fiction: ten-story love magazine

My daughter and I recently accompanied my parents up to the Gold Country for some heat, relaxation, good eats, antiquing and wine tasting. I picked up this pulp magazine for five bucks at The Emporium in Jamestown.

Evidence of inflation: the magazine was originally sold for ten cents, back in July of 1946. My grandparents would have been entering their twenties at the time, perhaps at university, acclimating to life after war. As far as I know, this magazine was published monthly from at least 1941 to 1950 and possibly beyond. I don't know about my grandparents, but there's no question that I would have been down to read 10 love stories per month.

This issue is full of scandalous lines and terrific pulp art. To be sure, the stories are not for the modern feminist, but any good love story is bound to leave at least one person unhappy.

Forget Barbie and Ken. Meet Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam.

The nerdy, writerly me finds these felted dolls from Cozy Classics (via The Paris Review Daily blog) amazing in so many ways.

“She was convinced that she could have been happy with him, 

when it was no longer likely they should meet.” 

― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

“To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love.” 

― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

“In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. 

You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.” 

― Jane Austen, Pride And Prejudice

“A person who can write a long letter with ease, cannot write ill.” 

― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

Vintage Heath Ceramics

I've been vacationing in South Lake Tahoe my entire life - at a cabin my grandpa built with his two brothers back in the late 50's/early 60's. This year, unfortunately, the cabin was put on the market and promptly sold. We recently drove up to spend a last, long weekend. Somehow it had escaped me all this time (or, at least in recent years), that the cabin dishes are actually vintage Heath Ceramics.

For those who aren't familiar, Heath Ceramics is located in Sausalito, and they also have an outpost in the SF Ferry Building. They've made several things I rather covet (for example: these or this). Perhaps the dishes will remain with the cabin. It sort of feels like they belong together.

Postcards from the Paris Flea Market

My brother's girlfriend recently spent three weeks in Paris taking in the sites, visiting working ateliers with her fashion school colleagues, and, as it were, buying me the perfect souvenir. She had a chance to visit the flea markets and came home with a stack of vintage postcards in perfect condition. All of the great big eyeballs are perforated and can be punched out for extra effect. I think Little Red Riding Hood might be my favorite.

Kari Herer: flora and illustration series

I came across photographer Kari Herer quite some time ago via Design*Sponge, and loved her first for her photographs of flowers (peonies!) and then for her series of rabbit illustrations, which she's kindly given me permission to include here. Imagine my excitement at seeing rabbits and, well, roses.

All of Kari's prints some are sold here on Etsy.

lest you forget kiss card

This amazing card showed up on Pinterest:

It would be fun to recreate this for the letterpress and keep some of the phrases ("I'd like to see you in a little love nest") but maybe also update some of the phrases a little bit (holla!). Hmm.... new project, I think.