This last Sunday, my husband and I took our son to the Annual Origami Festival at the CSULB Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden.  The normally tranquil space, its large pond filled with jewel colored koi, had been transformed into a bustling garden full of happy, paper folding families.  Origami aficionados and amateurs alike were busily creating flowers, boxes, cranes,… hats, brooches, pterodactyls,… whatever their fingers could fold.

I was killing time, wandering around while my son tried to convince a very overstuffed koi fish to take one more piece of fish chow, when I ran across a lovely sight…

A loom!  Now, I’m not a weaver, but I did once take a class, and I find the whole process fascinating.  As I stood in front of this loom and stared at the work in progress, I wondered what on earth the yarn was made of.  I couldn’t figure it out.  Was it jute?  No, not rough enough.  Was it wool?  No, no fibers sticking out.  Well, what the heck was it?? Read the rest of this entry »

Maybe it’s because I went to high school in “Surf City” (aka Huntington Beach, CA) or maybe it’s just because it’s a cool way to recycle, but I think these surfboard showers are wicked awesome!

All images - Will and Jane Fowler

Created by Will and Jane Fowler out of used surfboards, and then covered in glass and mirror mosaics, each shower is completely unique.

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I’m so pleased to tell you about a wonderful new online source for sustainable home decor – Redefine Home!

Just launched today, Redefine Home is the ambitious and amazing interiors shop belonging to Linsi Brownson and her husband David Betz.

Filled with artisan crafts and vintage finds, there is something to please everyone.

Redefine Home sees decorating as an ongoing process, more of a cultivation of things you love and things you need.  We strive to offer a collection of beautiful everyday items mixed with one of a kind treasures and furniture designs inspired by just about everything.  We recognize that some things are a splurge and some are a steal, and we like it that way. – From the Redefine Home website

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I tried to think of some clever, pithy way to start this post, but truly, how could I write anything more powerful than this…

My name is Specioza Mukobwuteta Brown. I am from Rwanda. In 1959, my country experienced a civil war (genocide) and my parents ran away into exile in Tanzania. I was brought up in Tanzania. This is where I went to school. I cam back to my original home in 2003 after Rwanda was liberated from genocide by RPF…  I am seeking a Nest loan for the growth of my business and also I need a market for my products. I started my craft business in 2004 working with women’s groups in handcrafts…. Nest loan will not only help me grow my business, but though the loan, Nest will provide women survivors of genocide and war with the tools and resources to move from crisis and poverty into stability and self-sufficiency.

Women in developing countries around the world are often among the poorest of the poor.  Microfinance organizations have had great success in providing small loans to assist these women in overcoming poverty, and gain independence.  But microloans must be paid back in cash, which can sometimes create a cycle of debt, as new loans are used to pay off the balance of earlier ones.  The loan recipients must also find a market for their wares in time to earn enough to pay off the loans.  This where Nest comes in… Read the rest of this entry »

The Eames DCW chair, with its molded plywood seat and gentle curves, is an icon of mid-century design.

It also runs $629 for a new one from Herman Miller, and originals are well over a $1,000!   However, this wonderful, handpulled Linocut print by artist Eric Rewitzer of 3 Fish Studios is a mere $25, and although you can’t sit in it, it has equally lovely lines. Read the rest of this entry »