Furious Shirley » art

Windy Days

Shannon Shirley — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 16:38:31 +0000

It’s been quite windy here in the Windy City and I’ve been trying my best to remain indoors [wouldn't want Ava to blow away -wink]. Here is some blustery inspiration so you can enjoy the beauty of the wind without it mussing up your hair. :-)

Sarah Pigeon

Cool Find: www.recipelook.co.uk

Shannon Shirley — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:13:19 +0000

While going through my RSS feeds this morning, I happened upon a post from Talk Crafty To Me about one of the coolest recipe sites [Recipe Look] I have ever laid eyes upon. It is the creation of Artists & Designers, Amelie Labarthe and Tom Ballhatchet and filled with readers’ drawings of recipe instructions. So clever – and the drawings are pretty amazing. Many of them would look great as prints to hang in the kitchen …

Risotto alla Milanese by Emilie Boudet

Roasted Potato Wedges by Rachel Rauch

Spring Fever – Art Roundup Inspired by My Longing for Spring

Shannon Shirley — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:10:53 +0000

It may be snowing outside, but I can hear the sweet song of the birds luring spring to come.

You know when you start hearing that chirping that spring MUST be coming soon [please, mother nature, please!]. I am so tired of the color gray – I cannot remember the last time I saw the sunshine or the color green. I do love the snow – especially untouched snow, blanketed over the streets and yards – no footprints, no tire tracks, but I’ve had enough of it and I’m ready for the melting and awakening to begin.

These beautiful and colorful prints are reproductions of artist, Yangyang Pan’s original “Blossom” watercolor series. Originals are also available at the artist’s Etsy shop, Siiso Visual Art.

These prints remind me of these lines from Emily Dickinson’s “A Light Exists in Spring”:

A Color stands abroad
On Solitary Fields
That Science cannot overtake
But Human Nature feels.

This gorgeous photographic print is the work of Jennifer Simpson. Her work is airy and has a daydream quality to it – makes me feel like running through a meadow with the scent of blooming flowers at my nose and warm sunshine all around me.

This is a photo of one of Marie Antoinette’s hamlets at Versailles. So romantic and enchanting … like a little secret garden or something. I want to run away to France … ahhhhhhhh. Find this print and more at A La Parisienne on Etsy.

I thought I would finish this roundup with a burst of color and this “Las Guitarras” print almost jumps off of the page! So bright and bold! I love it. Taken by the great eye of M. Campbell – Zurek.

Rebecca Ward – My New Favorite Artist

Shannon Shirley — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 05:13:10 +0000

I look at the images and am amazed that it’s tape – genius! Intricate, colorful, stimulating, symmetrically beautiful. This young Texan has won me over. Hope she’ll be doing an installation in Chicago again soon. Enjoy …

REBECCA WARD

Robot Love

Shannon Shirley — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:38:19 +0000

What could possibly be more romantic than cold, metal, heartless, robots? Well, lots of things … but for some reason robots are cute. At least these robots I found in my weekly Etsy search are …

Robots may not have hearts, but they can give them, as depicted in this adorable greeting card by JulieAnnArt. $4.00

The perfect card for your very own love machine, designed by ArtbyKellie. $4.00

These mini art blocks are the perfect gift for the robot lover in your life. I know they would look great on the shelf in Mike’s office. Crafted by artist, John W. Golden. $48.00 / set of 8

You can customize these canbots or pick out of the many creative designs at Sage12888‘s Etsy shop. Made from recycled cans. Prices vary.

Show off your robot love with this shrinky dink ring from Dillon Designs. $8.00

I love this T-shirt – design by Youngsun Compton, available at the Whootiz shop on Etsy. $18.00

Here’s something for your little love machine – a cute onesie by Give A Good Day. $15.00

I found this zipper pouch at Nancym4‘s Etsy store. It’s perfect for storing loose items in your purse or in your child’s bookbag. Available in a wide range of patterns/styles. $10.50

These robots can get you clean. Robot soap from LoveLeeSoaps is made from glycerin and shea butter with a fresh lime scent. 1 4oz. soap, $5.00

Top your wedding cake with these cute creations from The Junk Bucket. $40.00

I had to include these guys because they are so darling [and inventive!]. Made from vacuum tubes by Justina Kochansky. $10.00 each

I also love this little sculpture made from various materials by Morning Bicycle. $35.00

And even though it’s a dog, it’s still a bot that you can’t help but love. Available at Adoptabot on Etsy. $195.00

Underwater Dreams

Shannon Shirley — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 03:23:38 +0000

I am finally taking a few moments to sit down … no unpacking, no cleaning, no hanging curtains … just me on the couch with the internet. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

I’m not sure if I found these photos or if they found me … just what I was in the mood for – tranquil, mysterious, and completely captivating. Born in Moscow and now living in the Bahamas [so jealous], Elena Kalis has been shooting these underwater scenes [with fairytale inspiration/interpretation] for the past year with her children and friends. Spellbinding … beautiful … I love them! Go ahead and hold your breath … happy endings are all around you.

If I Can’t Make It, Someone Can

Shannon Shirley — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 21:46:30 +0000

When I was pregnant with Ava, I wanted to make something for her nursery … something that I could look at and say with pride, “I made that”. I dusted off the box my [never before used] sewing machine was in, figured out how to thread it, and one week later I had made a tiny pillow. It is a very cute pillow, but to this day the opening where I inserted the stuffing has never been stitched closed. I never quite figured out how to do that, and so it has become a “one day I will finish that” project – like so many projects I have started or thought about starting. I see certain handmade goods and think, “It would be so easy to make that myself”, and maybe it would be, but I lack the patience and dedication of true craftsmanship. So, I will stick to admiring and buying the items other people make. Handmade things have a certain special quality to them that mass produced goods lack … maybe it’s knowing that someone put their heart into it. Big thanks to all the crafty artists out there and your truly inventive goods! Speaking of inventive ….

Cork. I have seen bulletin boards made out of it and photo frames from wine bottle corks, but never purses! The cute wristlets by aptly named, Cork and Cotton, are so cool!

Forks. Artists have a way of looking at something ordinary and seeing something unexpected. These fork easels by Dinner TIme Chimes are an excellent example of that. Great for holding recipe cards or photos.

Paper. These works by Julene Harrison are amazing … and done BY HAND. You can order custom paper cuts for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and just because at MadeByJulene. Beautiful, intricate works of art made out of paper. Bravo.

Paperclips. Now even your paperclips can have style – what a great idea! These cute paper keepers by Jack and Jane are perfect for organizational freaks and come in sets of three with lots of patterns and colors to choose from.

For The Love of the Blog

Shannon Shirley — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 03:50:00 +0000

I have that ‘need a vacation from my vacation’ feeling only it’s ‘need a weekend from my weekend’. What happened to those days I used to wallow around complaining, “There’s nothing to do” in an overly dramatic tone? Oh right – baby. Wouldn’t trade the chaos of motherly love for anything, but everyone needs a little R&R and throughout the week, I find mine in cute, fanciful, darling little blogs like these ….

The Cherry Blossom Girl is Alix – a young, French fashion designer with a love of all things pretty.

Join Louise in her whimsical world of Art and Ghosts … beautiful works [there's also and Etsy store!] and plenty of imagination.

Made by Girl is made by Jennifer Ramos [she makes the colorful cards and prints in the pic above] and her blog is all about inspiration, color, and design.

The Hidden World of Eloise … speaks for itself. Happy Monday … XO

Spotlight: Anna Butler of Custom Made

Shannon Shirley — Fri, 29 May 2009 02:23:13 +0000

In 2004, designer Anna Butler launched Custom Made out of her love for handcrafting, accessories, and all things adorable. Anna grew up in Oxford in the UK, where she inherited the sewing gene from her “mum and gram”. [My mom bought me a sewing machine that sits in the back of my closet taunting me. I'm lucky if I can stitch a button back on ... and so is my mom for that matter!] A friend of mine in London tipped me off to Anna’s goods and I raved about the Tweet Brooches and French Daisy Necklace in one of my previous posts. Anna creates some of the most darling handcrafted items I have seen in awhile … and with a sense of humor! Check out this awesome “Beware of the Yeti” Brooch – guys can wear this too!

Or these super cute “Mushie Cushies” to dress up your bed, sofa, or children’s room!

And last, but certainly not least, a beautiful Vintage Flower Ring – a perfect spring/summer accessory!

Custom Made’s merchandise has received the praises of London’s Sunday Times Style Guide, Print and Pattern, Indie Quarter, and several trendy magazines and blogs across Europe and the US. Here in the States, you can find Custom Made wares at Renegade Handmade and Komoda in Chicago as well as The Makery in Louisville, KY or you can always order online at the Custom Made shop. Anna also has a BLOG to check out!

Q & A

Anna Butler, Creator of Custom Made [How awesome is this pic? LOVE IT!]

What is the first craft you remember making?
“I used to make outfits for my Barbies. The first item I made using a pattern was a Barbie sun hat!”

What inspires you?
“Inspiration for me comes from everywhere – it can be a fabric I see, a button, a pretty charm. I am really into bright and pretty colors so I fill my head with them at all times.”

Your favorite color combination?
“For me, black and black! For products, anything that goes well with a very pretty turq.”

What are your best selling items?
“At the moment, the Little Dolly Brooch – everyone loves them!”

Five things you couldn’t live without.
“Anthony, my sewing machine, music, books, and at the moment Guitar Hero [sad, but true].”
[Note - No worries, Anna ... I am addicted to Mario Kart on the Wii ... addictive.]

Two things most people don’t know about you.
“I have watched Napoleon Dynamite so many times I know all the words, and I wish I could fly. I dream about flying regularly.”

BIG THANKS to Anna from CUSTOM MADE! I have a feeling this brand is only getting started! XO