Linkz

Keeping it short today, as we prepare for a little vacation in Montana. Hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

Letterpress invite via Beast Pieces

Beast Pieces
A lovely design/letterpress blog

Display and earrings by Polli

Polli
I bought a pair of their earrings a few years ago and they are still my most favorite pair ever.

Final result by Nicole, from Making It Lovely

Better Homes & Gardens 48-Hour Challenge
Five bloggers + two days = I'm a slacker

Greenery

It's official—Earth Day is here... and it's still trendy. I can't count the number of "Happy Earth Day" emails I have received from companies trying to position themselves as eco trendsetters. Don't get me wrong, it's great that our country is finally starting to get it. Unfortunately, we've abandoned some simple earth-friendly steps in favor of purchasing designer reusable bags and driving hybrid cars (I still love you hybrid Civic.) I'm trying very hard to get back to basics, grow my own food, buy grains out of bulk bins, and repurpose what I already have. But the urge to buy more is always there. There are just so many great things being made, and I have sites like Etsy to thank for my constant exposure to all of these fabulous creations. At least buying this way supports the artist directly and allows for more interaction than most online purchases. I'm also a sucker for craft shows. But I digress... the real point is that each year I try to do a little more. And this year, my goal is to start using and reusing the things I already have. Less buying, more creating.

Until I have more to report on that front—and it's my goal to have something made and up for your viewing by the end of May—here are some great things others are making.

FrucciDesign
Jewelry made from recycled paper


Elephant and Chickpea
Shoes made from upcycled fabrics.

Way Basics
Modular furniture made from 99% recycled materials

Businesslike.

The work has been piling on this week, rather unexpectedly. It's a wonderful thing, but it really caught me off guard. I don't advertise in any way, unless you count my website. Instead, I have a network of fabulous people who continue to send projects my way. Thank you, thank you!

However, I have been wondering how long this arrangement can last. Eventually, I am going to have to put myself out there—right? I feel a bit disconnected from the rest of the design world, as I continue to work in isolation in my lovely brown office. I try to get out at least once a day and have even made a few local business contacts. But I think it may be time to branch out. I really, truly believe that networking (as much as I despise the word) is the best way to find clients whose products and/or values closely mesh with mine. There are several opportunities coming up that sound promising, so if I can just make the time (effort)...

One I'm looking at seriously:

Defining Business Success on Your Own Terms
Through the Grassroots Business Association, who have a great selection of events that always seem to fall on days that I am previously engaged :-)

So, I'm wondering... How do you stay connected?

p.s. Facebook and Twitter do NOT count.

In the mail.

I recently found an incredibly inexpensive (used) version of Piero Ventura's Book of Cities online... and am anxiously awaiting its arrival in the mail. More soon!

Linkage.

Another week down. We'll be headed to the Tulip Festival this weekend, which seems like a fine place to enjoy the lovely weather!

TapeSwell
The decorative packing tape is my favorite.

Morris & Essex
Pretty hand-printed cards.

The Small Stakes
Jason Munn designs posters for awesome bands like it's nobody's business.

Bold & Noble
Beautiful screenprinted posters.