Storque articles: REVIEWS

News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: October 2, 2008

2008-10-02T14:37:00Z

Inspiration is all around us, all the time. What one might see as a pile of broken glass on the street, another envisions as a magnificent mosaic for their living room wall. A door might just be a door to some, but to others it's the beginning of an inspiration board all about the power and magnificence of peeling paint and weathered wood.

With that in mind, here are some of my inspirations this week! I'm feeling rich colors, minimalism, modular fashions and cute little cottages in the woods. Read on!

Design*Sponge posted a sneak peek of Swiss Miss' amazingly minimal Brooklyn digs. Very inspiring! So clean and white! Love it.

Anja of EstateSale has put together a most ingenious fall lookbook for her vintage finds that is totally prop styled and magazine worthy. Her photos are amazing, her finds are cool — get shopping!

A View To's inspiration boards are always so visually striking. This particular board is pretty much my aesthetic to a T. Old photos, hands, fossils and bunnies, oh my!

Come Spy with Me's collection of Pierre Cardin's mod fashions is totally worth a look. Fashion is so cyclical — I feel like so many of these ideas are recycled today...

Flora Douville always manages to set a tone and take photos at just the right angle. This particular cottage door reminds me of my wish to someday be a little old lady with a garden and a green door.

This simple and beautiful wall decor was made with paper doilies and orange thumbtacks. Against the white wall with the blue velvet couch, it's pretty heavenly. I have a new idea for my apartment...! [Via See Saw Designs]

Wanna give me some more artsy, style or design blogs to peruse? Leave them in the comments! And check out past installments of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere!

News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: September 25, 2008

2008-09-25T14:39:00Z

It has finally happened: I'm wearing tights, a sweater and boots. Fall is here! YES! Now all is well with the world. (For today, that is.)

This week's edition of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere is full of whimsy, Polaroids, voyeuristic kitty experiences, patterns and fabric. Read on!

The Porter Polaroid Project presents a whimsical view of New York that I've never experienced before. It's quite addictive. [Via Royal Quiet Deluxe]

If you are suffering from a lack of feline companionship and are looking for a few quick purrs, Cats I Am Near is the most amazing voyeuristic kitty experience out there. Simply put in your city or zip code, and voila! You'll know what cats are snuggling in your neck of the woods. This little kitty comes care of ClatieK on Flickr. [Via For Me, For You]

In today's heated political atmosphere, it's important to think about what came before, just to keep things in perspective. These photos from historic Democratic and Republican National Conventions past are very revealing. Suffragettes unite! [Via Nothing is New]

Looking to take in some awkward photos? Let Sexy People be your guide. This collection of terrible/beautiful photography will surely make your day. If you want to submit, you should know that they only accept studio photography. We have a soft spot for awkward photos here at the Storque — just take a look at our About Us series.

Have you heard of Bon Bon Kakku? It's amazing! This fabric design website functions like popular T-shirt design site Threadless — simply post your design, people vote, and if it's loved, Bon Bon Kakku will produce it to sell! It's pretty rad.

Wanna give me some more artsy, style or design blogs to peruse? Leave them in the comments! And check out past installments of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere!

News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: September 18, 2008

2008-09-18T15:00:00Z

This week's edition of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere is all photography. Some of the photos are pleasant reminders of autumn, others are projects to do (faux bois walls, anyone?), and some are simply examples of the wonders a camera can produce.

Read on!

If this isn't fall, I don't know what is. Photography blog Shorpy posted this adorable glimpse into autumns past. Eat that apple, baby!

Readymade has great instructions on how to produce a faux bois effect for your walls. [Via It's Knot Wood]

Don't these photos make you want to spend some time outdoors? Elisabeth Dunker makes the world a little brighter. [Via Fine Little Day]

Interested in typography? (Specifically, the bad kind.) Check out the Bad Type Flickr pool devoted to detailing all the imperfect signage and lettering out in the world. [Via Uppercase Gallery]

Anne Naumann's photography is completely and utterly stunning. Her blog, strandgut, is also pretty awesome. [Via What Possessed Me]

Wanna give me some more artsy, style or design blogs to peruse? Leave them in the comments! And check out past installments of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere!

News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: September 11, 2008

2008-09-11T15:00:00Z

This week's edition of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere salutes autumn while bidding adieu to warm summer nights. The links ahead are all things that make me supremely happy—and I hope they will inspire similar emotions in you as well!

On the agenda today: The Happiest Book in the World (YES!), the oldest abandoned prison in the United States, tempting tarts and beautiful interiors. Onward!

Artist Alex Ostrowski's Happiest Book in the World is an intriguing project. According to his mission statement,

"In one way or another we are all looking for happiness. Some people even say that man's sole purpose for existence is to hunt down and capture this intangible and elusive treasure. In 2006 researchers at The University of Leicester concluded that Denmark is the happiest country in the world — this was good enough for me. In March 2008 I made the decision to visit happiness, and embarked upon a pilgrimage to find it. My experiences are presented in this book.
Only one copy exists."

As you can clearly see above, his aim is true. Have you visited happiness lately? [Via heartthrobs & villains]

James Merrell's photography is so awe-inspiring. I love the jumbled art effect in this room, and just learned that the artist behind the mysterious blue faced portraits is Vladimir Tretchikoff, sometimes referred to as Tretchiko. Mystery solved! [Via Design*Sponge]

Cannelle et Vannelle's food photography is heavenly. I haven't attempted to construct any sort of tart in this lifetime, but with results this decadent, I'll have to get on it asap. Beautiful!

Flickr photographers Curious Expeditions are mavericks, explorers and global adventurers, seeking out "the wondrous, the macabre and the obscure from around the globe." (In other words, my idea of a great time.) They recently ventured to Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The prison is an ominous fortress of a building erected in 1829, which makes it the oldest penitentiary in the United States. After closing in 1970 and being abandoned for many years, it now serves as a museum. The photos are amazing.

While Fashion Week is all fine and good, sometimes it's the clothing that's worn to the shows that deserves more attention. These stylish audience members were attending the Preen show, but made statements of their own on the street outside. (Doesn't that puffy hipped dress remind you of Leanne's design on Project Runway?) [Via Refinery 29]

Wanna give me some more artsy, style or design blogs to peruse? Leave them in the comments! And check out past installments of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere!

You be the Judge: Vuitton and Darfur

2008-09-09T16:00:00Z

This article was originally published on May 6, 2008. We are reviving it as part of the Best of the Storque series. Enjoy!

I’ll admit it: as Etsy's in-house attorney, I love reading legal disputes and thinking about what important issues each side should stress. I especially like to analyze pending copyright, trademark, and patent cases. I daydream about what points I would argue if I were the lawyer for each side and then I put on my imaginary judge’s robe and make a decision.

Well, here’s your chance again. If you were the judge, what would you decide on this real-life on-going legal battle? (Remember, this issue hasn't gone to court yet…and it will likely be decided in a Danish — not U.S. — court).

Nadia Plesner is a Danish artist. According to her website, the illustration “Simple Living” was inspired by “the media’s constant cover of completely meaningless things. My thought was: Since doing nothing but wearing designer bags and small ugly dogs is enough to get you on a [magazine] cover, maybe it is worth a try for people who actually deserve and needs attention.” One hundred percent of the profits from the Simple Living t-shirts and posters will be donated to Divest for Darfur.

In February, 2008 an attorney for Louis Vuitton Malletier (“Louis Vuitton”) sent Plesner a letter asking that she discontinue making and selling the Simple Living products. According to Louis Vuitton, the illustration infringes on the company’s intellectual property rights, in particular the Louis Vuitton Monogram Multi-Color Trademark, to which it is confusingly similar.

Plesner responded to the letter, arguing freedom of expression. She said she will continue her Simple Living campaign in order to raise money for the victims of Darfur. Louis Vuitton sued her and according to torrentfreak.com the company demands $7,500 for each day she continues to sell Simple Life products. Plesner found a lawyer to represent her free of charge.

UPDATE: Plesner started a Foundation to use her art to "raise funds and awareness for crisis situations/areas throughout the world, especially where children are victims." Plesner's art no longer makes any references to Louis Vuitton (the bag is gone!) and she writes "[t]hank you so much for all the wonderful support of my first Simple Living campaign and the lawsuit."

Hopefully Plesner's legal issues are a thing of the past. However, had this case gone to a Danish court what would YOU have decided? Was there risk of confusion? What about the fact that Plesner is raising money for charity? In the comments below, you be the judge!

Read Sarah's previous post in the series Apples to Apples and all her Legal Info for Artists pieces.

News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: September 4, 2008

2008-09-04T12:45:00Z

September: It's finally here! Fall is so close I can taste it.

Here's what's going on around the ol' blogosphere water cooler this week. Look for lots of interiors (romantic ones at that!), Icelandic fashionistas and multiplying girls. Onward!

This midcentury house tour is pure amazing: so bright! (P.S. It's Dave of grain edit fame's place.) [Via lola: bits and pieces]

Prepare yourself for the most romantic apartment ever. Interiors photographer Todd Selby ventured to the eccentric and charming home of Bill Gentle and Fanny Bostrum. Their entire way of life is so utterly captivating and sweet. I think I fell in love with them a little bit. [Via The Selby]

The photography of Julia Fullerton-Batten pulls me in and just won't let go. Her "School Project" photo series is eerie in a Multiplicity sort of way.

Icelandic fashionistas know what's up! These styling ladies from Reykjavik showcase the best possible juncture of fashion and function. [Via A Cup of Jo]

Wanna give me some more artsy, style or design blogs to peruse? Leave them in the comments! And check out past installments of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere!

You be the Judge: Judging Pretty Woman

2008-09-02T11:00:00Z

Sometimes in order to play judge and fully investigate a situation, I have to acquire evidence. And so, many times when I read an intellectual property dispute regarding a musical work, I purchase and listen to the music at issue. Yes, truth be told, I have an “infringement” section on my MP3 player.

Unfortunately, more often than not, I will later learn that parties settled out of court and cannot discuss the details of the case. So then when my play list brings the allegedly infringing song back into my legal ears, I am left to wonder what exactly happened. Thankfully I am also often left with some pretty cool music.

To me, the only thing worse than a song stuck in your head is not knowing whether or not that song is legit. To avoid this situation, this time instead of us Etsians playing judge I’m going to leave the job to a select few: the Supreme Court of the United States. However, please feel free to comment on this case and let us know what you would decide if you were the judge.

In 1964, Roy Orbison released a song titled “Oh, Pretty Woman” which reached number one in the Billboard Hot 100. The song’s lyrics paint a romantic picture of a man watching a beautiful woman and at the last minute she turns around.

Here’s a sample of Orbison’s lyrics:

Pretty Woman, walking down the street,
Pretty Woman, the kind I like to meet,
Pretty Woman, I don’t believe you,
You’re not the truth,
No one could look as good as you

In 1989, 2 Live Crew recorded a song titled “Pretty Woman” and sampled the distinctive baseline from the Orbison song. 2 Live Crew’s lyrics describe a “bald-headed woman” a “two timing woman” and a “big hairy woman.”

Here’s a sample of 2 Live Crew’s lyrics:

Big hairy woman you need to shave that stuff
Big hairy woman you know I bet it’s tough
Big hairy woman all that hair it ain’t legit
‘Cause you look like ‘Cousin It’

Almost a year later, after nearly a quarter of a million copies of 2 Live Crew's recording had been sold, Orbison’s publisher, Acuff-Rose Music sued 2 Live Crew and argued that the fair use doctrine did not permit commercial reuse of copyright material. District Court granted summary judgment for 2 Live Crew, reasoning that the song was a parody which “quickly degenerates into a play on words, substituting predictable lyrics with shocking ones” to show “how bland and banal the Orbison is” and its commercial purpose was no bar to fair use. The Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit reversed and remanded finding that “every commercial use … is presumptively … unfair.”

In 1994, the United States Supreme Court heard the case and in a seminal fair use decision decided in 2 Live Crew’s favor, thus greatly expanding the fair use doctrine to protect parodies created for profit.

According to the court,

“[i]t was error for the Court of Appeals to conclude that the commercial nature of 2 Live Crew's parody of 'Oh, Pretty Woman' rendered it presumptively unfair. No such evidentiary presumption is available to address either the first factor, the character and purpose of the use, or the fourth, market harm, in determining whether a transformative use, such as parody, is a fair one. The court also erred in holding that 2 Live Crew had necessarily copied excessively from the Orbison original, considering the parodic purpose of the use. We therefore reverse the judgment of the Court of Appeals and remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.”

Check out this site to hear the songs for yourself. So, although the judges have spoken, you be the judge!

The Indie 5 Collective: A Video Collaboration

2008-08-29T14:55:00Z

Ali, Amy, and Julia have created their own YouTube channel called the Indie 5 Collective, and together they independently create videos!

They are posting helpful videos for Etsy sellers, such as this one about how to use social networking site Facebook to promote your Etsy shop. Sometimes the videos are just downright hilarious.

Ali broke it down and gave me the scoop on her collaborative project.

"A few months ago, I began making videos to promote my Etsy shop at Buttonhead.etsy.com. Each time I posted a new video, I received such a positive response from the community, and I started to realize the full potential for using video as a way to share knowledge and resources. Inspired by the many cool vlogging and artist collaboration channels on YouTube, I established the Indie 5 channel. We are an Etsy artist video collaboration show airing 5 days/week on YouTube. The channel is designed to highlight the crafting community, provide instruction and information to indiepreneuers, feature outstanding artists, and promote the ‘buy indie’ lifestyle.

We would very much like to expand our group of contributors, so we are now accepting video submissions. If anyone is interested in learning more on how to get involved, you can check us out.
The first week of the Indie 5 show brought us about 100 new subscribers and a ton of enthusiasm from the community. We really hope that everyone sees the show, gets involved, subscribes to the channel, and starts making their own videos."

Looking to make your own videos? Check out the Getting Started in Video series!

News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: August 28, 2008

2008-08-28T13:27:00Z

After a glorious New England weekend celebrating Vanessa's wedding (congrats M&V!), I'm back on the style hunt, searching for inspiration on the 400+ blogs I religiously follow.

Here's what's shakin' this week!

The Sartorialist has quite the eye for on the street fashion. This look makes me inspired for cooler weather. That pop of neon makes it all work! And the coat—don't get me started. [Via Fashion Toast. Thanks for the tip, iheartnorwegianwood!]

Not only is this a beautiful photo—and trust me, all of the Polaroids on Nectar & Light are incredible—but there's also a great recipe for fried green tomatoes. Looks delicious!

Metallic makeup is looking hot for fall. Make a statement! [Via Kingdom of Style]

Children's photographer Janet Moran's house is a dream. Cookie's Nesting blog has the scoop on her Chicago digs. (If you want to check out Janet's photography, be patient! Her site is down currently, but will be back soon.) [Via A Cup of Jo]

To all the Twin Peaks devotees out there, take heart: Audrey Horne's unique brand of saddle shoed glamor is sure to be all over the streets this fall. [Via Come Spy With Me]

These French interiors are so inspiring. Some are classic, some modern, but all with that certain indefinable je ne sais quoi. Page through all of the interiors here. [Via This is Glamorous]

Wanna give me some more artsy, style or design blogs to peruse? Leave them in the comments! And check out past installments of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere!

Complete Embellishing: Kayte Terry Shares Inspiration, Embroidery and More

2008-08-22T15:50:00Z

Multi-faceted designer, blogger, and now, author Kayte Terry gives us a look inside her very first book, Complete Embellishing. Feeling crafty? Kayte's kindly shared a download with full project instructions for your very own ribbon-embroidered tunic.

Please introduce yourself and talk a bit about your book.

My name is Kayte Terry and I am a stylist/writer/crafty lady from Brooklyn, NY. Complete Embellishing is my first book and covers all sorts of embellishment techniques—from appliqué and needlefelting, to printing and dyeing fabric.

You cover so many different techniques in the book, what

do you hope people will come away with?

I really wanted to show people that it's not that hard to turn ordinary clothing and home decor into something really extraordinary and they don't have to sacrifice fashion or style.

Also, I think the modern crafter is more experimental: she doesn't just think of herself as a knitter or a sewer. Crafting is more of a way of life. The book is split into Techniques and Projects because I really wanted to encourage people to experiment and mix and match techniques, not just follow my patterns exactly.

Would you say your experience as a visual merchandiser and photo stylist effected your approach to the book and if so, how?

Oh, definitely. I worked as a Visual Manager at Anthropologie for many years, and it was such a creative environment: we were always dreaming up new displays and learning new craft techniques. I learned to switch gears very quickly and be an omni-crafter. One day, we would be making giant fruit out of fabric, the next day we would be making trees out of books and we would all just roll with it.

Also, when you are a stylist or a merchandiser, you really have to look at the big picture, so I thought a lot about the overall aesthetic of the book when I was making the projects. I wanted everything to make sense together, but still offer projects that appealed to lots of different people. I hope people can see that in the book.

Can you talk a little bit about where you find inspiration and your creative process?

I would say I am just constantly looking for inspiration. I carry a digital camera and a sketchbook with me all the time. I do a lot of people-watching and daydreaming. When I need to think, I take long walks and think and plan and sketch in my head. I read a million magazines and books: I love Japanese craft books, Selvedge magazine and Elle Decoration UK especially.

I love craft blogs too, but I am actually trying to curb the habit a bit. I found that I spent hours reading about craft and not so much time making things. As much as I love getting inspiration from the outside world, sometimes you just need to turn everything off and focus on your own creative process.

You seem to have a hand in so many different aspects of craft and creativity; how did that develop, and how do they all play off each other?

I have been making things my whole life. When I was growing up, I had a different career dream every other week, and I would get totally obsessed with something, read all about it, get a bunch of tools, then move on. I decorated cakes, painted silk and drew fashion illustrations. Honestly, I thought this was a major character flaw and that eventually I would have to settle on one thing, but actually, I think my short attention span has worked in my favor!

When I stopped working full time at Anthropologie, I thought I was going to sit at my sewing machine and make things to sell all day long. I quickly realized that I just couldn't do that: I hate making multiples of things and I never would have made any money with one of a kind crafts.

That's when I got the opportunity to work at Adorn* magazine as the stylist, and the experience was just awesome. In addition to styling, I started making a few projects an issue and writing for the blog. I am at my happiest juggling a few different tasks at a time and wearing a few hats at once. What I really love is craft: it doesn't matter if I'm writing about it, styling a craft magazine or sewing a dress, I'm just happy to do it and so thankful that this is my job.

*Full disclosure: I was very lucky to witness Kayte's creativity first-hand, having worked together on Adorn magazine.

What's next for you?

Well, I have another book in the works that will be out next year. I am also working with the new and fabulous Craft Stylish magazine. I have quite a few projects in the upcoming Holiday Makeover Ideas issue and styled the whole issue too!

I'm also a member of the Etsy {New New} team and we've been planning a few of our own craft fairs: the Handmade Cavalcade on September 13th in Beacon, NY and a big holiday event too!

I am also hoping to carve out a little time for myself! I have quite a few sewing projects I want to work on and some new things I want to try. My latest obsession is making hair accessories and I'd like to get a few of them up in my own Etsy shop, loveforever.

Anything else you want to share?

I just hope, more than anything, that people are really inspired by this book! For updates on the book and everything else I'm doing, visit my blog, thisisloveforever.com/blog.

-Thanks, Kayte! Click here to download project instructions for the Ribbon Rose Tunic pictured above, designed by Kayte for her book, Complete Embellshing, from Creative Homeowner publishing.

For more with Kayte, check out the Storque articles she's reported, including a trend story on Scandinavian design and this post from the front lines of Brooklyn fashion.

Fashion photos care of Creative Homeowner publishing; button collage, care of Kayte Terry.