Winter Warm-Up

We've had a good run, but it's becoming clear that fall is nearing its end and winter is heading in quite quickly.

Which means, fivefeettall.etsy.com will soon be stocked with a new inventory of sweater mittens.

If you're not familiar with my mittens, they are made from old wool sweaters. The sweaters are shrunk and felted, and lined with polar fleece. They're incredibly warm! In addition to mittens, this year there will also be hats, slippers, and stockings available.

All these items will be posted online in the next few weeks. Email me if you're dying for a sneak peak! OR VISIT THE RECYCLED ARTS MARKET on November 6th at City High/Middle for an opportunity to browse personally!

Poooo-tato Potato Potato!

Those of you who know anything about me, know that if I had to be a food, I'd be a potato. I have a serious potato weakness. TonyGottlieb here on youtube, got inside my head, and put my feelings about potatoes into song. Enjoy.


I discovered this video on the Savoring Time in the Kitchen blog, when my friend Mere sent me this delicious looking potato recipe, which I will totally be making for dinner tomorrow night? Why? Because potatoes are just great. I'll let you know how they turn out.

Spicy Color

I can't believe I'm talking about catalogs again—you're going to think I'm obsessed with Antropologie. Really, I'm just a catalog admirer.

But seriously! Check out the art direction on these photos for the home section for the October catalog. LOVE. On the website they are saying "Quick hits of color to spice up your space." And you know I'm all about spicy color.


I'm basically gaga over these images that paint around the objects. Though did have one friend that once painted around his sofa when painting his living room versus moving the piece of furniture. It didn't have quite the same effect, and I don't necessarily advise it!

I don't have much else to say, except, check out the lamp on the top right! Reminds me of the Artworks pieces (shown below) at UICA during ArtPrize!

Blood-shot and Frazzled?

My blog postings for the last month have become increasingly scattered and infrequent. Rest assure this is nothing to do with lack of interest, but rather lack of sleep.

Being busy is always a good thing for a designer, and this designer isn't complaining. Luckily I was born nocturnal. For this week's Weekminds challenge I actually celebrated my exhaustion by hailing the Flailing Insomniacs as my personal mascot:

"Dressed in multi-colored argyle and clashing patterns because a). they haven't had time to do laundry and b). they got dressed in the dark. Hair, clearly uncombed; eyes, blood-shot and frazzled. They have two sets of arms to make multi-tasking easier!"


Its not totally unlike the Ugly Ex-Boyfriend VooDoo Doll I made several years back for my friend Sarah, post break-up!

Be sure to take part in this week's Weekminds task by designing your own Aol. homepage corner. Submissions will be uploaded Wednesday evening, 10.13.10. Send photos to weekminds@gmail.com.

Gold Star: Anthropologie Gift Card Holders

Good packaging can make a huge impact. I'm giving Anthropologie major props for these carriers, which come with the message:
"This is teefs and zips. They were pleased to carry the Anthropologie gift card in their bellies"

Neither Borrowed nor Blue

The other day I was on the French Paper website, looking for some kraft paper—and while muscletone is fun, I was easily distracted by the Pop Ink Pattern Paper - specifically Pattern Dolls.

Can I be jealous of a paper dolls clothes?

This paper actually reminds me of a project that would definitely make the list of projects I most enjoyed working on: Nicole's Bridal Shower Invitation.

This invite, was in fact, also a paper doll—the bride could be cut out and dressed. It was mailed in statement-sized vellum envelopes with pink polka dots showing through—Because nothing says congrats like polka-dotted underpants.

The Weight of ArtPrize Decisions

The top ten for ArtPrize was announced last week, which means I have until Wednesday to place my vote. A decision which I am giving more consideration than I've given several of the last elections.

I've split the list into two distinct halves—those that I like and admire, and those whose place in the top ten makes my question the validity of popular vote. I don't criticize ArtPrize for this, as they openly define themselves as "Part arts festival, part social experiment." (I do however criticize the taste of the general public).


Not from the top ten but from my own personal favorites, shown here is In the Valley of the River, which was displayed at the Boardwalk Condos. A portrait of Grand Rapids made from garbage collected around the city.

While I've narrowed it down to three pieces, I haven't made a final decision. Voting means I need to decide between:
• an impressive display of fine art, clean and technically masterful.
• a unique skill, well-executed and creatively designed.
• a concept that I find beautiful both in meaning and aesthetics.

I'm also considering something else in my voting this year. Since ArtPrize will now own the winning piece as part of an ArtPrize collection, I'm putting stock into which piece I'd most like to see stay in Grand Rapids.

Regardless, I've written down what I think the final popular vote order will be. We'll see how well I know the people of this city on Thursday when they announce the winner.


The top ten include – in no particular order:
• Vision: at the GRAM
• Elephant Walk: at the Children's Museum
• Salt & Earth: at the GRAM
• Dances with Lions: at the BOB
• Calvary: at the GRAM
• Lure/Wave: at the new UICA building
• A Matter of Time: outside the Van Andel Public Museum
• Helping Mom, one Penny at a Time: at the Ford Museum
• Steam Pig: at the BOB
• Svelata: at the DeVos Place