when life gives you corks

I guess I've been living under a rock, to never have heard about the Champagne Chair contest that's apparently been going on for years.  The minute I heard about it, I rushed home to look for images of these miniature delights.  (I have a soft spot for the Veuve ones; when I was 18 and interning at Betsey Johnson in NY, I used to make rings out of that Grande Dame's discarded cork wrappers.  She wore one of them home from the studio one day, and I was indescribably proud.  Silly, I know.)

Anyhow, there are some very skillful seating creatives out there--feast your eyes:

 

 

Dip dyed

This is my favorite tree on my jog--I think it had a bad encounter with some lightning, but I just imagine it dipping its branch like an arm into a pot of india ink.

 

These shoes kinda remind me of it, like I just kicked my toe into a can of red paint:

a new find

In doing a bit of "research" I stumbled across the site for a must-visit store in Philadelphia called Material Culture. They sell special hand-made things from around the world...most of which I am now coveting:

Love this indigo:

C'est chic, l'Afrique....mud cloth:

To add to my vessel collection: how pretty are these Syrian copper pots? I'd fill them with water and float candles or gardenias by the front door...

I'm making neutral slipcovers right now, but I always like bright colors against muted ones. I also love the fringe-y elements on these:

And finally, for the garden!

Such a celebration of art & craft...I hope I can make a trip out to visit in person sometime.

Coffee or Tea?

These Astier de Villatte cups are so divine. Most everything they do is--check it out.