i'm still here!

{and I've missed you.}

a little break from the blogging world, but not from the lief world! we've been busy with shows, weddings, ties, stamps, handmade collectives, connecting with fellow grand rapidian artists, eating good food, dancing and lots and lots of calligraphy. it's been an incredibly busy, yet absolutely joyful season.

here is a handful of lief happenings these past few months....

{UICA Holiday Artist Market booth}

{hand calligraphed + stamped save the dates}

{GRunveiled booth: calligraphy tray}

{hand stamped + calligraphed Chicago print}

{potato stamping (with the lovely tori)}

{custom linen thank you cards for 6.25 paper}

happy weekend. happy spring.

markets, parties + stoneware

liefday. (with a little inspiration)

{markets, parties + stoneware}

first, a big thank you to all who came out to the Beneath the Tree show last weekend! It turned out to be a great show!

second, I am very excited about the shows coming up in December! UICA Holiday Artist Market + Handmade Collective's Handmade Holiday Party. I am so looking forward to both! (and busily working away in my studio preparing!)

third, I was thinking over my week and what has inspired me in a design sense, and I was, sadly, having a hard time coming up with something! oye. (this is directly related to the fact that I have been working, and working and doing some more working this week (be it lief, anthropologie or nannying), allowing my inspiration to be minimal -- SAD!) but a beautiful thing about working at Anthropologie is that I get inspired while I am at work. here is one of the products that has inspired me this week. it is just so beautiful!

slate stoneware with a mint glaze covered with delicate half moon imprints. gorgeous!

have a fabulous weekend!

emilie

robot rock + beneath the tree

liefday.

{robot rock + beneath the tree}

gearing up for the holidays! still can't believe that we are at this time of the year already...

the first holiday show I am a part of this year is Beneath the Tree this Friday and Saturday. This show is unique in that it is held in different homes around town, with a handful of artists in each. I like this spin because it brings a very cozy + intimate feel (gezellig!) to the show and it has given me the chance to meet some wonderful people, specifically mary, in whose house I am stationed. if you are around this weekend, you should definitely check this show out, there are a lot of talented artists involved. (rebecca green + beth forrest are also in the sylvan street house -- check out the basement with their gorgeous christmas stockings!)

for the show:

the grey striped tie is back with two new ones: robot rock + eyeglasses in dark brown.

and, of course, some mitten lovin' cards.

a big thanks to grand rapids area young life for inviting me to be part of your YL Auction this past week, it was a treat!

have a lovely weekend!

anthropologie + the handmade collective gals

liefday.

{anthropologie + the handmade collective gals}

anthropologie.

the unimagined experience.

the beautiful juxtaposition of modern + vintage.

I started working there last week and its environment has inspired me. from the velvety ribbon to the slate sketched walls; from the detailed laced dresses to the flea market found pieces. oh, and they carry pia jane bijkerk's book. (and it's on sale.)

{image via}

{image via}

but way more important (and exciting) is

the handmade collective.

we've become official.

we've had some delightful additions.

we're excited about our handmade holiday party.

here are the ladies of the handmade collective...

Rebecca Green.

Aneka Ingold.

Elizabeth Forrest.

Erin Lenau.

Lindsay Jones.

and me. :)

really excited to be working with such talented women!

Happy Wednesday.

holler for holland + max

inspire.

{holler for holland + max}

i'm switching things up. putting a little spice to my blog world. instead of the liefday monday + inspiration wednesday, I'm opening things up a bit, creating space for some movement.

why? because, well, sometimes I'm just inspired on a friday and want to share.

so, hello friday, i'm inspired. (and excited to share!)

first bit of inspiration comes from the designsponge article titled: around the world with bash, please: Holler for Holland.

it made me so happy for many reasons:

1) the lovely photographs

2) the shared inspiration of simple designs stated as "Dutch design is known for being simple yet powerful..."

3)the stroopwafels!

4)the bicycles (with baskets)

5)the patat met pindasaus (french fries with peanut sauce)

to name a few....

{image via}

{image via}

and max.

max wanger to be exact. I stumbled upon his site this week and fell in love with his beautiful photography.

{image via}

{image via}

{image via}

have a lovely weekend!