Sunday, November 29, 2009

the making of....


Maybe some of my Dutch blog readers already know that I designed the December give away for the interior magazine 101-Woonideeën. It is a paper lantern you can cut yourself (the ones I sell myself are already cut out), since 101 Woonideeën is a crafty magazine and very much into DIY!

Got a lovely stylish, sweet and romantic moodboard/briefing from their great art-director (it was a feast working with you, Monique!). Soft pastels and ottoman embroidery, and I was even asked to use a shiny silver! To be honest: this style was a real challenge for me!
I designed a whole bunch of lanterns, and then suddenly I found my (nordic, straight, graphic) 'touch' to go with this project. Found colours and patterns that mixed the required style together with my own handwriting. I kept a couple of them, took some pictures, to share with you. On the right side you can see the 'winner'.

Poor editors of 101: they were looking forward so much to the silver on the lanterns... the printers told them some weeks before publishing it wouldn't be possible. They chose another colour instead, a kind of deep lavender that shocked my eye in the first place, but which I like more and more every time I look at it.
So: very well done, 101! Hoorah!

Saturday, November 28, 2009

chalk



Do your kids a big favour and have Sinterklaas (our dutch Father Christmas on the 5th of December) or Santa put these in shoes and stockings!
In the Waldorf tradition I was raised we only used this kind of chalk because of the beautiful natural pastel pigments and the soft structure. My children use them as well (see one of my sons pieces of blackboard art above!). They cost hardly anything and they make little artists so happy. In Holland available at Engel webshop, owner and friend Sabien gave me this set!

Etsy treasures: crochet


Who: Emma Lamb
What: Crocheted pillow covers and pot holders
Why: Pot holders by Emma (and displayed like this) are almost fine art! Emma mixes and matches colours in a very subtle way. Besides her work makes me think of my beloved granny who was also a crochet phenomenom. If I ever come across one of granny's pillow covers in my stuffed up textile drawers I'll certainly take a picture and post it.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

december G I V E - A W A Y


Looking at the sad news I posted yesterday I just thought: there must be so many people that could use some extra attention, love and joy in December.
I would like to donate three sets of my paper angels accompanied by a (limited edition and not for sale) XL-angel I just created for special occasions. I'll send these to three persons of your choice.

So: do you know anyone for whom this December give away would make a difference, for whom it would bring a little joy in dark times?

Please send me an email with your friends name and adress and write a little text that I can put on a small card in the parcel. I don't mind to send all over the world, it is my treat! On Sunday December 13th I'll have my sons draw three names and I'll send it the next day.
Please send an email to:
info@juriannematter.nl

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Cecilia


Tomorrow it is the name day of Saint Cecilia. Today we celebrated the life of our dear friend Cecilia: a beautiful, very honest woman, a super mother of two strong daughters who just - like that - snap - lost her young life last Monday. Dearest Cecilia, we will miss you sooo much....
As you will understand, I didn't feel like posting anything this week.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Coffee and Tea angels


These Christmas angels I specially designed for Douwe Egberts, a coffee and tea company, founded in 1753 and a symbol of Dutch tradition. On the background you can see the moodboard that I made to get inspired and base the designs upon.
They are available from now on in their 'Koffie & Kado' (web)stores (you can find it by submitting the word: 'engel').

Saturday, November 14, 2009

cardboard


Scrap lights by the architects from Graypants: handmade shades from recycled cardboard boxes. Seth, Jon and Jonathan strive to develop products that are thoughtful and have impact. But most of all: they want to have fun designing it. And that shows, I think!

winter switch

It was only two weeks ago that I felt completely 'Autumn', smelled pumpkins and fallen leaves, saw 1000 sorts of brown and orange... Today I suddenly switched, don't know why, to my favorite December colours and found sooo many beautiful things on Etsy!
Top left: crocheted wreath by Rhodi. Top right: handwoven kitchen towel, which I am definately going to order, from Nutfield Weaver. Middle and down left: Christmas ornament stitched on handmade mulberry paper, by Personal Threads. Down right: paper ornaments by Tanya Mac.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Etsy treasures: puppets


Who: Jill Bent
What: puppets made from an antique wooden clothespeg and dressed in handknitted and vintage wool clothing.
Why: Wish I could direct an animated movie (about fashion-Paris 1950), with these little ladies as actrices...

Saturday, November 7, 2009

bamboo birds


Don't have to be a kid to adore these mobiles... Lorena Siminovich, designer and founder of Petit Collage uses fastgrowing (sustainable) bamboo for these wonderful 'flying objects'!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Etsy treasures: more tea towels!


LEFT
Who: Flockhome
What: Yellow check tea towel
Why: Made of 100% naturally sustainable linen and screenprinted in a beautiful bright yellow with water-based inks.

RIGHT
Who: Mengsel Design
What: Roosters tea towel
Why: Lovely graphic roosters pattern. Love the blue colour on the crisp white, looks so fresh!

Etsy treasures: tea towel


Who: Enormous Champion
What: Tea Towel
Why: This is a brilliant pattern design. Besides, the tulip is our Dutch national symbol (allthough it has its roots in Turkey...)

proudly present: my little elephant!


I remember the moment that Sabien Engelenburg from Engel asked me to design a pattern for tablecloths for her wholesale company. It was a very happy moment. The fact that Sabien, a businesswoman with a good heart and a lovely taste, wanted a series designed by me is an honour!
It was super working together! And I think the result, Little Elephant, is nice. At least: I am proud of it. It turned out to be exactly as I had it in mind.
Two of the pictures above I took myself, one (with cookie cutters) is taken by Sabiens photographer Henny van Belkom together with stylist Saskia Huiting.
Sabien sells al over the world, so don't hesitate to contact her for wholesale information!
And...there is another table-cloth design for Engel on its way!

Monday, November 2, 2009

new house for my new kitchen

During my (too short!) surfing sessions on the web, I notice that I get more and more a focus on kitchen stuff. Found New House, a UK-based webstore today. They sell homeware, textiles and accessories, based on 1950’s Swedish design.
Ordered 5 different teatowels at once (they are not expensive) but then saw the shipping costs to the Netherlands and cancelled it (it was 20 pounds!). I'll have to find out if there are any retailers selling these products here on the mainland!