Work and Play

Yesterday was a great day of doing all sorts of stuff.
Jan and I went to Environments for the debut of our mobile in their wonderful space. I took so many pictures, all the Knoll furniture is strikingly beautiful (and they favor the color of bright red/orange, so I found just about everything really eye catching). This wall of textile samples was particularly enchanting. There was even a mini chair on a bookshelf.
I don't have time this morning to post more pictures of the Knoll furniture or the space, but I did upload some onto my flickr account so you can see them there. I can't leave out the pictures I took of this beautiful cocktail they were serving (click the picture to see two more shots, it was a pretty drink!):
After mingling a little bit, I stopped at both Jan's studio and the glass studio up in North Portland to get a bunch of work done. Making mobiles, cutting glass, attacking to-do lists and making plans... you know.... work :)

Then I went to my friend Naomi's and played around with her and some balls of thread and paper flowers (wedding decorations for her brother-in-law's nuptials which are tomorrow). I know its stressful creating things for a special event, but just jumping in and helping for a night was really fun! I enjoyed myself, and I took lots of pictures :)
What she is making are beautiful light features for the reception tables - string latterns covered in curls and pink flowers. Really these deserve a blog entry all in their own! They are so beautiful!

Origami a Day

Check out this origami frog that my brother made - I gave him a "Origami a Day" calendar this past Christmas... they are getting pretty complicated! I love this orange frog!

And the Winner Is...

Congratulations Judi! You are the winner of a pair of sea glass earrings :)

I'll be bringing you the light aqua colored little guys, your #1 choice and it also happened to be the #1 choice of so many of my readers! Its also the color that I originally picked out to make for my family. Looks like water to me and they are gorgeous!

Knoll Celebration in Portland

LOCAL ARTIST COLLABORATION DEBUTS AT KNOLL CONTEMPORARY DESIGNS CELEBRATION

Knoll Contemporary Designs is a place where furniture isn't just furniture... it's a work of art.

Founded in 1938, Knoll has gained international recognition for workplace furnishings with an understanding of modern business. Their products range from seating and workspaces to storage and textiles. But the pieces are not only designed for workplace efficiency; they are works of art that are on permanent exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, New York.

Local artists have generously shared pieces to decorate the Environments Showroom for the introduction of Knoll's new Generation ergonomic chair.

One piece to watch for is a collaboration between myself and printer and bookbinder Jan Christine. We have spent months developing a technique that allows us to transfer images onto glass using traditional and non-traditional printmaking methods.

See the fruits of our labor in person after August 5th at the Environments Showroom, 707 SE Belmont or weekends at the Portland Saturday Market.

For a look at more LeJa Glass designs, visit http://lejaglass.etsy.com

My Orange Ukulele

Today I received some awesome mail - an orange Ukulele! Sweet eh?!

You may be wondering, "Leah do you play the Ukulele?" and the answer might be a big ol' No, but that doesn't make this instrument any less awesome :)

Last week I discovered this fun website and I was inspired to buy myself an Ukulele, and then when I found this little orange number the deal was sealed. I'm surprised it arrived so quickly! But honestly I am tired today and all I wanted to do was sit around in front of a fan... I should be working in the studio... I don't have to teach class tonight (phew - its way too hot!) and I just feel lazy with all this heat and long hours this past weekend... so the arrival of my new toy was perfect.

I twiddled away the hottest part of the afternoon learning a few chords and some beginner songs (why do all string instruments start with "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and "Happy Birthday"). Then I tackled "When I'm 64" with this great website that inspired the silliness in the first place.

Honestly. Sometimes I like to dwell and play in my randomness. Now my left finger tips are red and sore (and the fingernails had to be cut super short - ah memories - I learned to play the violin when I was young, and the piano and various other instruments, but the violin teacher always had to battle with me to keep my nails short, they grow so fast so I was always getting in trouble)

Oh and on the topic of stringed instruments... this weekend I picked up the most wonderful little bit of clothing for my tiny friend Orson. Orson's dad is a great musician, here they are (you can tell this little man is going to be a natural with a guitar):
And below is the onesie I found. My friend Karina made this wonderful onesie - its perfect for him! She vends at the PSM, I believe we met as fellow members of the Portland Craft Mafia. Karina also has an Etsy shop.

Desperately Seeking a Sun Hat

Okay so I am trying to shop for a sunhat... and I'd love help!

I found these three shops on Etsy, I sorta like all 3 of these hats (although I am looking for something plain white, so I'd end up ordering custom which each of these sellers indicated is entirely possible - gotta LOVE handmade goods)

Each of these pictures should be clickable and will link you to the online shop page:



What do you think - any preference? Feel free to link me to more/better hats you may know of

Heres my criteria
1. wide brim (I must protect my white white skin from this scorching sun)
2. white available and/or custom available
3. I have a big head, so its gotta be big or custom size available
4. cotton... I am not really looking for straw or otherwise at this moment
5. its gotta be cute.

More Hot

Its so hot here in Portland. This week has been very hot and spending the day at the Portland Saturday Market was sweaty. My booth is hot, its beautiful out, but its hot.

The picture above is the sun beating down on my booth at the PSM.

The temps are finally cooling down, I hope there are a few clouds today (the weather man said there would be)... and rain tomorrow!!! Yeah for Portland rain!