as my eyes have been opened to the world of surface pattern design, i see beautiful images, patterns and artists everywhere i look. i find them to be an enormous inspiration, and i hope that you will too. :) here you see a few lovely pattern designs from helen dardik. aren’t they fun? for a little added joy, don’t miss her blog, orange you lucky!

wrap up: {color} {design} {fun} {helen dardik} {patterns} {pretty} {surface pattern}

gifting someone of the crafster variety this year? how about a book on their craft? or maybe one on how to sell it or taking pictures of it? i personally own eight out of ten of these books (a bit of an obsession?) and can vouch on how truly wonderful they are. chock-full of useful information, you or your recipient will surley leave full of inspiration and better equipped to take on the world of craftiness!

p.s. do you have any favorite crafty books?

row 1: how to make money using etsy | the handmade marketplace | creative, inc

row 2: craft, inc. | how to sell your crafts online | print & pattern

row 3: a field guide to fabric design | a crafter’s guide to taking great photos | martha stewart’s encyclopedia of crafts

wrap up: {2011} {art} {books} {craft} {crafty} {design} {etsy} {gift guide} {how to sell} {photos}

simply stated, i think these are so pretty.

these beautiful tabletop delights are found in the anniversary preview issue of rue (discovered via mochatini), and i’ve got to say.. the preview did it’s job! i cannot wait until the full issue is released (you’ll be able to find it here). wouldn’t it be pretty to have chalkboard place mats for thanksgiving? or watercolor place cards to match what’s on the menu?

wrap up: {art} {chakboard} {design} {dinner} {ideas} {inspiration} {tabletop}

happy monday, lovelies! i’m on the mend from my knee surgery and just wanted to say a big thank you for bearing with me! my mom came out all the way from north carolina last week, and it was so wonderful to have her here. she made us lots of yummy meals and helped with my recovery so much. miss you mom!

now on to something verrrry exciting. beth nicholls from do what you love has just announced a brand new e-course: the art and business of surface pattern design featuring rachael taylor!  if you have ever dreamt of seeing your designs on stationery, fabric, homewares or other products, sharing your art through pattern, and monetizing your designs this groundbreaking course is for you!

you may not know this about me, but i have been an aspiring textile designer for a few years now. as i’ve been training and working on designs, this e-course couldn’t have come at a better time. i couldn’t sign up quick enough! if you have ever dreamed of designing your own patterns or seeing your own artwork illustrated as surface design, this e-course is for you.

the course features 3 modules (you can sign up for 1, 2 or all 3) which will take you through all the ins and outs of becoming a successful designer.

module 1: designing your way- how to gather inspiration, build patterns, create mood boards, work with color and more.

module 2: creating your professional identity- how to start your own label, develop a signature look, develop a collection, market yourself and more.

module 3: monetizing your designs- how to identify multiple streams of income for your designs, sell and license your designs, choose the right distribution and more.

this is only a brief mentioning of each module, if you want to read more detailed outlines, visit the e-course page here!

sound like you? read more about it at the art and business of surface pattern design featuring rachael taylor. don’t delay- the first module begins november 14th!

find out more about rachael and beth here. images via rachael taylor.

wrap up: {art} {beth nicholls} {business} {design} {do what you love} {ecourse} {pattern} {rachael taylor} {surface}

new favorite fonts! all can be found by searching their title at dafont.com.

do you have any latest favorites?

wrap up: {dafont} {design} {favorite} {fonts} {text}

going home to roost’s pins

do you use pinterest? as a brilliant tool in helping you categorize, organize and archive your favorite finds, it’s quickly become the latest rage. in holly becker’s recent article, pinterest may help your decorating add for simplystated., she describes some of the best tips on how to use pinterest to keep your design ideas organized. learn how to make the most out of your boards, from creating them with specific intentions and giving them appropriate descriptions to learning how best to credit your sources. click here to read the article in full!

are you on pinterest? if so, share your board with us in the comments section! and if you’re interested, you can follow going home to roost here. :) see you on pinterest!

wrap up: {boards} {design} {holly becker} {organize} {pins} {pinterest} {simplystated.} {tips}

 
ready to take your business to the next step? kristen hodges is a creative graphic designer that can help bring the vision you have for your online shop to life. her graphic design business, ahoy! graphics concentrates on the handmade community and offers business branding and design for everything from your blog to your etsy shop. aren’t her designs adorable? with affordable rates, quick turnarounds and beautiful designs, it’s time to take your biz concepts to the next level!

visit ahoy! graphics: {shop}{blog}{site}

interested in advertising on going home to roost? click here to download the sparkly new media kit!

wrap up: {ahoy! graphics} {branding} {business} {design} {graphic} {illustration} {kristen hodges} {marketing} {sponsor welcome} {web}

 

 

 

 

 

 
high quality. handmade. high fashion. minx shop has luxuriously wearable dresses, shirts, skirts, and accessories, all handmade by a lovely gal in pittsburgh, anna-marie, or better known as minx. a self taught designer inspired by vintage pieces and nature, her work is eclectic and unexpected. her pretty sets and beautiful photography help to draw you in, and you’ll get lost finding all the detail in each of her pieces. visit her blog, collected reverie, for more fabulous fashion.

wrap up: {clothing} {design} {fashion} {handmade} {indie} {nature} {vintage}