"in defense of stuff"

we titled this post before we realized that megan auman's new book has exactly this title-- that, her manifesto, and the conversation she had over a design sponge- all please us. like most people we are occasionally overwhelmed by stuff (especially kid mess, studio supplies, utilitarian but ugly objects, etc) but more often than not we move small things in and out of our spaces which bring deep pleasure and a sense of place... glad to hear we're not alone in this joy and activity----> ENJOY.

Megan’s Stuff Does Matter Manifesto

Stuff has a place in our world and in your life.
Objects matter beyond their utility.
Caring about things is not wrong.
Your stuff helps you make sense of the world.
Stuff connects you to people — to your past,
present, and future.
Stuff provides beauty, meaning, and experience.
Stuff helps you remember and share.
 There’s a difference between mindless
consumption and the way you feel.
Value what you have.
 Buy only what you love.
Savor what you own.
Allow your things to enrich your life.
Choose gratitude over guilt.
Know that the things you love do matter.

(all photos from our instagram feed)

ship & shape, summer 2012

here's a sneak peek of the new ship & shape collection that debuts this sunday, july 1st at 12:01am. tassels, bright baubles, thoughtfulness. we're ready.

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from the ceramics studio - an arm load

some we have plans for, some we don't.
all will require green--------salads, flowers, succulents. 

a poetic pair + housekeeping -------->

this new pair in celebration of the solstice. they were made separately and then they gravitated to one another. together for ever. 

and a few matters to share....

+ Anything but Dull

+ our new tumblr

+ we have lots of shop related work (i.e shop orders) to take care of before jen gives birth. oh yeah, did we mention she's growing a little human that will join her family in august? here's her belly buying some yarn last month.

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making things happen

and by that we mean the shop has been updated a bit. go have a look if you're in the mood for color and shape arranged into overall cheeriness to adorn your wrist with >>>> here. 

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moms gone wild

this is what it looks like when we're able to get away sans children and our male partners. in no particular order: dinner al fresco, repetitive s'mores, eagle babies, elton john, bead shopping, french press, a nap with a breeze, cookie cruise, cannon balls, 2 days without knowing the time, headstands on the dock, drinks, magazines, chatty kathys, bonfire, kayaking, making newness for ship & shape (debuting july 1st!), sunburns, giant turtle, loons calling eachother over the lake, mental notes made and saved for the long winters....

... this is what summer is made of and for.

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armor lux

we just finished another quite time consuming shop order for one of our favorite stockists, Armor Lux (we would link to them but they don't even have a website. how mysterious, eh? hold the phone we just found their tumblr!). they are a classic french heritage brand newly located on mulberry st. in the heart of the nolita neighborhood in manhattan. from the pictures they put up on instagram we can see the little world they have curated and we love it -- striped shirts, dullDiamond, and plants. this is the second order we've completed for them, with the first one selling quickly. we got word that people were coming in off the street after witnessing others with our wares on and wondering where they could scoop it up for themselves. we think its quite charming that we create these pieces in our humble, quiet, and cluttered midwest studios/homes and they get transported to another world entirely to be enjoyed. 

all photos by armor lux

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beach days and dreams of turquoise (secondary title: finally- new pieces in the shop)

easy rhubarb

we've discovered a simple drink to make with the fruit that the earth basically gives us for free: rhubarb! jen's mom introduced it to us, we can't get enough, and our boys can't either. here's how we're doing it...

pick and clean about 8 stalks of rhubarb

throw cleaned and chopped rhubarb into a pan with 8 cups of water and let simmer for about an hour or two (sorry, we don't do things to a science)

even the composted bits are easy on the eyes

run it all through a strainer. squeeze in some lemon or lime juice to brighten it and some agave or sugar to sweeten it. we dare to call it bliss.

and yeah, our shop could use some replenishing (still a good handful of stunners in there) but it's these summer days and long hours of sun and light and outdoors that are distracting us. and that's A OK. we'll be back at it soon enough- in the interim enjoy your long summer days.

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