Posts Tagged ‘Creative’
STUFF: Alpaca Farm Fashion from Adrienne Antonson
Ok, ok so I know that spring is “here” and summer is on it’s way, but have you been in Oklahoma lately? It’s cold! My baby filled body doesn’t know if it needs to get ready for hibernation or bare feet on the grass.
And then I saw these felted alpaca hats… remember our Everyday Design post featuring the amazingly odd bugs made out of human hair? Well it seems that artist, Adrienne Antonson, is up to more great creative goodness. In between these fantastic felted alpaca hats and the chilly spring I kinda want too crawl back into my winter hole and curl up with a cup of tea (raspberry of course!) and a nice warm fire (comfy house shoes included).
From Farm to Fashion with Adrienne Antonson from Seattle magazine on Vimeo.
After watching this beautiful video about her farm inspired creations she seems like a reasonable person (not someone who would collect human hair and spend hours sculpting them into tiny bugs). And of course I can’t help but be completely intrigued and yet captured by Adrienne’s locally produced clothing line…
“Now, we’ve known that line as NuBe Seattle; but because Antonson has left her digs on Vashon to be closer to family in North Carolina, the line has been renamed State. As Antonson tours with her artwork, she’ll collaborate with other designers, artisans, and friends around the states (hence the name) and scour thrift stores and antique shops for gorgeous threads to put back into premium circulation.” - SeattleMet by Laura Cassidy
So here I am stuck in between winter and summer and enjoying the “cool” Oklahoma spring days for as long we have them! Adrienne I can’t wait to see what else you have up your “remaker” sleeves! Winter or summer I’m definitely figuring out a way to incorporate your wonderful pieces into my wardrobe!
From the (Oklahoma) Farm 
All images are from Adrienne Antonson’s Blog. Check it out!
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Creatives Near You: Ryan & Chelsea [Lovely Indeed]
I first met Ryan and Chelsea this past January at a special dinner prepared for ALT Summit attendees. They arrived all sleek in their New York attire and to be honest it made me wish that Cale could have attended the conference with me. It’s always amazing to me to see other couples who work together creatively. I love hearing their process and how they balance work and life.
When Ryan and Chelsea first met, they were both full-time actors; actually they were doing a national tour of a show. Since then, Ryan has mostly left the acting business and started his own web design company, called Roundhouse Designs. He specializes in designing websites for actors and creatives while Chelsea has continued acting and has added blogging to her plate. Together they take on DIY projects, designing and re-designing Chelsea’s DIY blog; Lovely Indeed, auditions, and all that a New York City life has to offer!
Q1) What was the inspiration behind starting your blog Lovely Indeed?
A1) When Ryan proposed, I knew that I wanted our wedding to be very DIY, so I started reading DIY and wedding blogs regularly. After a while, I realized that I had a lot to share, especially while planning our wedding, so I put together a blog of my own. We documented all of our wedding projects and planning stages. I’m so grateful for it now; it’s almost like looking at a scrapbook of our engagement. I’m still so surprised and grateful at how it’s taken off – even though our wedding has passed, the blog has grown and transitioned into something that I hope is long-lasting.
Q2) What about your lifestyle inspires your work or makes it better?
A2) We’ve been so blessed during our time in NYC. While Ryan was still acting, we had the opportunity to work together on two U.S. tours, and to work together on a job in China. That kind of travel is so inspiring and eye-opening. In each new place, we’d be sure to try new foods, hunt down local shops, and go on photo tours. Those are memories that we both absolutely treasure, and seeing so much of the world together has exposed us to so many beautiful, inspiring things.
Q3) It seems you and Ryan work very closely together. How do you balance a healthy home while running a blog, graphic design clients, auditions, shows, etc.?
A3) For us, everything sort of runs together. One day may be filled with three auditions plus two client meetings and seeing a show in the evening; the next day might be staying home to get the laundry finished before we go to a rehearsal for something. To be honest, we know that it’s not necessarily something that’s a long-term lifestyle; but in the theater world, you have to somewhat roll with the punches and fit the puzzle pieces together however they will fit! And while we’re living in the city, we’re trying to soak up as much of it as we can.
Q4) In your opinion, define what makes a great DIY Project?
A4) To me, photos are key. If the project is attainable and the photos are quality, there are times when you almost don’t need instructions. I think that it’s easy to want to push through a project without taking the time to make sure the photos are beautiful and descriptive; but the truth is that much of the blog world is image-driven, and people want to see beautiful things – even if it’s a DIY tutorial.
Q5) What advice do you have for others interested in starting a DIY blog?
A5) Be ready to invest the time to make it great! DIY blogging is extremely time consuming once you add everything up – you have to conceive the project, shop for materials, do the project (do it again if you mess it up), photo it, edit photos, and put the post together. And that’s just one project. So you’ve got to be ready to work. But on the flip side, it’s so rewarding to share ideas with people and see your work making the world a little more beautiful!
AND NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF!
Q6) If you could co-star with your husband in any show what would that be? Why?
I’d probably go with us playing Robert and Janet in The Drowsy Chaperone (even though I’m so wrong for that role!). The show is kind of old-school, and Ryan comes from an old Vaudeville family, so he’d be hysterical in it. That, plus I’d get to wear lots of sequins!
Q7) What is the DIY project you are the most proud AND the one you will NEVER do again? Why?
GCD: Okie Charm SWAG at SXSW Buffalo Lounge!
It’s that time of year where our twitter feed becomes all a buzz with the latest happenings from one of the coolest festivals around the country. In case you have been living in a hole (or WAY out in the country 
) South by Southwest (SXSW) is an annual music, film, and interactive conference and festival held in Austin, TX.
The last few years it’s been really exciting to see Oklahoma art and music represented at SXSW and one of the ways this has been able to happen is through The Buffalo Lounge, presented by The Oklahoma Film & Music Office:
“The mission of The Buffalo Lounge is to promote Oklahoma’s film, music, and interactive industries to a statewide & nationwide audience. The vision is to be the premiere event and outlet for filmmakers, musicians, and interactive companies to connect with their supporters and attract a new audience, including the chance to gain national attention.”
LIFE: Fresh Air
Last Sunday we had a “work day” and with both of us pounding away on our computers we decided to “open the house up”! At first I was a little whinny to the idea of it being chilly but Cale said the fresh air would be nice. And he was right.
Creatives Near You: JD [Handmade Artist]
We first met JD last year when we participated in the OKC Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar. I don’t know how she finds time to balance it all (and right around the holidays) but JD and Sara Cowan (her BFF) put on Deluxe every December in addition to their own personal creative endeavors. After teaching in the Oklahoma City Schools for several years JD resigned to being a full-time creative. You can find her today working in her studio and weaving in time for her 18 month old.
Q1) How did Deluxe get started?
A1) Deluxe was created out of a need for a different kind of craft show in OKC. As crafters ourselves, we were hungry for the kind of show that would showcase our creative work and not lump us in with resellers and other non-handmade products. We wanted something a little more selective both for our vendors and our shoppers.
Q2) Define what makes a good craft show?
A2) What makes a good craft show is going to change from person to person. For us, it’s all handmade with the opportunity to talk with the maker. A good craft show for us also changes some from year to year. We like to bring back some of our favorite artists and also new ones, keeping the show fresh each year.
Q3) When you select artists for the show what are three key factors that can make or break the selection process?
A3) Selecting artists is probably the toughest part of putting on Deluxe. We love all of the handmade work that we see but we have to filter some out to keep the show in line with our vision. Three of the many factors we consider are:
- Is it handmade? First things first! If it’s not, it’s not going to fly at Deluxe.
- Would we buy it for ourselves, our home, our families?
- Creativity. Is it something we’ve seen a million times or is it new and something we think the shoppers will appreciate?
Q4) What advice do you have for others interested in starting their own handmade show?
A4) Get started. You learn a lot in the process. It helps to have a partner with complementing skill sets. Someone that can do the tasks that are out of you aren’t as comfortable with. It is also a good idea to go to other shows, see what you like, take notes, pictures, whatever will help you later. It’s really nice if you can get some experience as a vendor and a shopper.
GCD: FORGE [Branding]
We have crazy friends who start entire ministry’s while they are still in college. Somewhere between the 2am-6am slot they must find time to invest in it because in between class, studying, eating, sleeping and having a life… I don’t know how they fit it all in? But, this is not your average “church”.
Welcome to the Forge Community.
STUFF: Glamping?
A friend of mine mentioned this on a recent hiking trip I took. Glamping he said is something he wants to get into with his family. At first I was giving him a hard time, because he is usually the one that wants a fire, and marshmallows and all that “stuff” on a camping trip. I on the other hand have gotten more and more adamant about truly roughing it…I had been until I google’ed this.
So now I’m interested… Glamping huh? According to Glamping Girl
“Glamping truly originated in the early 1900′s, with the popularization of the safari, The word safari is an Arabic verb meaning “to make a journey” and an entire industry was created to cater to the needs of the demanding European and American travellers, looking to bag a trophy and experience adventure in the wilds of Africa. Naturally, the wealthy travellers weren’t eager to part with the creature comforts of home, and instead stayed in luxurious canvas tent lodgings. These tents were fully furnished with beds, luxurious bedding, Persian rugs, antiques and fully staffed with chefs, guides, porters and butlers.
A new trend of glamping has emerged with luxury camping resorts, safari camps, eco-resorts and campgrounds offering every amenity imaginable, from 5 star dining to spas. Manufacturers are catching on, offering designer gadgets and gear to bring style to the wilderness. Regardless of budget, you can enjoy the great outdoors without sacrificing luxury.”
Everyday Design: Bamboo Architecture
It’s not often you see bamboo in Oklahoma, but bamboo is quickly becoming one of the most widely used naturally replenishing resources we have in this world. So why wouldn’t it be a major part of great art installations. Meet the Starns, a couple of amazing artists that have made a name for themselves with bamboo.
“Doug and Mike Starn were born in New Jersey in 1961. Identical twins, they work collaboratively with photography and continue defying categorization, effectively combining traditionally separate disciplines such as sculpture, photography, painting, video, and installation.”
Working even now the Starns have just finished an exhibition of Big Bambú in Venice, Italy. Here are some images of that work, and a link or two to other works of theirs… Enjoy!
Creatives Near You: Samantha Lamb [Farm Lifestyle Photographer]
We first met Sam Lamb as neighboring booths at a local craft fair. Turns out we have a lot in common with Miss. Lamb and we have enjoyed our random run-ins ever since. Not only does she have an eye for truly breathtaking photographs but we we’re amazed to meet another creative who lives on a farm (with cows, horses, and chickens)! She genuinely enjoys the simple things that make life so sweet and has a joyous heart that makes you feel all warm and tingly inside. It’s the kind that makes you want to sit back, count the clouds, and sip a glass of sun soaked tea reeeeaaal slow.
Q) How did you get started?
A) I wanted to capture my grandparents farm in the way that I saw it and people, to my surprise, enjoyed my captures. From there, the morning light had my full and lovely attention.
Q) What about your lifestyle inspires your work and makes it better?
A) Ooohhh my goodness gracious….everything my dears. I live on a full fledged farm, so there is no division of my lifestyle and my inspiration. I am happier than a peach!!
Q) Why do you choose to live in the country?
A) The Mornings…….I live next to lovely pastures and I have two amazing barns….one in which I keep a milk cow, in which I milk by hand twice a day. I can plant an acre large garden and share that bounty with all of my loved ones. This would not be possible in the city. Plus, the farm is a well-spring of inspiration and I am obedient to my inspiration.
LIFE: Stress, Family, Baby Showers…
Last weekend I (Meg) took a little girls road trip with my mom, Aunt, and Grandma for a family baby shower in Arkansas. I’ve never seen a couple more excited to bring a little person into this world. It was a truly a wonderful time to get away, spend time laughing at “when I was a kid” stories and celebrating what life is all about…living.
We have been so busy lately with trying to juggle Green Couch Design blog, graphic design services, products and life (oh, yes that thing too!) it seems we’ve forgotten to take time out to remember why we wondered down this crazy path of self-employment.
High class design in overalls. It's the simple life of a farm through the eyes of a couple of crazy designers. We call ourselves Green Couch Design and we are Bringing Design Home.
