Typeface Drawer For Beach Treasures

Posted on | August 11, 2010 | 7 Comments

When I was growing up we had an old typeface drawer full of treasures. I remember spending hours looking at every tiny little piece. My sister’s vacation house in Maine had one displayed in the stairwell. It was gorgeous filled with tiny little shells and rocks from the nearby beach. The bird feather tucked at the very top was great contrast.

You can find old typeface drawers at fleamarkets, antique fairs, ebay for under $50. Most are rectangular or square.

Category: accessories, affordable artwork

Sara Elizabeth Block Printers Studio

Posted on | May 4, 2010 | 9 Comments

Over the weekend I visited Sarah Elizabeth Block Printers studio in Rockport, Massachusetts. The thirty year old shop is a living museum honoring the work of Folly Cove artist Sarah Elizabeth. Established in Gloucester in 1938, the Folly Cove Designers were a guild of designer-craftsmen that grew out of a design course taught by Virginia Lee Burton Demetrio. After the designers disbanded in 1969, Sarah Elizabeth continued block printing and in 1974 opened the Sarah Elizabeth Shop.

Today the shop is run by her apprentice, Isabel Natti. Isabel started block printing as a weekend job, and now, after thirty years continues to print the linoleum blocks she has designed and carved. The prints include scenes of nature and marine life on the coast of Cape Ann. The prints are available as placemats, runners, cards, and wall hangings. My favorite is Oceanside a multi-block wall hanging depicting a fish company in Gloucester.

Above and below a photos from inside the studio. Isabel is shown sitting in front of her 150-year old Acorn Press—a press she inherited from her Aunt Lee Natti. To find out more about Sarah Elizabeth including shop hours and purchasing info visit: sarah-elizabeth-shop.com.

Sarah Elizabeth Block Printers
5 Whistlestop Mall
Rockport, MA
(978) 546-6541
sarah-elizabeth-shop.com

DSC 2336 Sara Elizabeth Block Printers Studio

DSC 23411 Sara Elizabeth Block Printers Studio

DSC 2338 Sara Elizabeth Block Printers Studio

DSC 23371 Sara Elizabeth Block Printers Studio

different designs available Sara Elizabeth Block Printers Studio

Category: affordable artwork, artist, boston and metro

Botanicals from Royal Horticulture Society

Posted on | April 28, 2010 | 3 Comments

One show I wish I could go to: RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London May 25- 29. The flowers and displays must be amazing. I really need to make a trip to London soon! On the Royal Horticulture Society’s website botanical prints are for sale inspired by historic watercolors. Prices start at $19 each. I think the radishes are my favorite. Above the print chosen to represent this year’s flower show, Paeonia anomala by Lilian Snelling (1879-1972).

botanicals from royal horticultural society Botanicals from Royal Horticulture Society

Category: affordable artwork

Whale Tea Towel, Print and Cards

Posted on | March 18, 2010 | 4 Comments

I love, love, love whales. I’ve spotted the whale tea towel by Enormous Champion on a few design blogs but did you know they make really cute cards and prints too? The green Sperm Whale Card (below) is buy right now cute. Find out more at their Enormous Champion’s etsy shop.

Really love whales? Check out this new book, “The Whale” by Philip Hoare I discovered at Rogues Gallery.

p.s. the whale teatowel came in the mail. Even better in real life. Love it and thinking about framing it for my kitchen.

whale notecards Whale Tea Towel, Print and Cards

Category: affordable artwork, paper

Modern Cross Stitch

Posted on | January 16, 2010 | 2 Comments

A special Saturday afternoon post. I couldn’t resist posting these adorable cross stitches from Treefox. Right now, they are on sale for just $15 each. Buy all three and hang above a bed, in a small nook, or between two twin beds. I would buy them in a second but I am on a buying freeze. My house is a total mess and I’ve run out of places to keep my goodies until I can decorate.

In other news, how fantastic is the weather today on the east coast of the United States? It’s 45 degrees and sunny here in Marblehead. I opened some of the windows and let the fresh air and the sounds of happy chatty birds breeze through the house. My indoor cat is quite happy and is spending the afternoon sunning himself in the window. After being cooped up in the house for the past month the brief heat wave is a welcomed surprise. Enjoy your weekend and go buy those cross stitches before someone else gets them!