Card and Gift Blog: February 2010

Gifts: Kim Westad Ceramics ...

Today we have beautiful hand made ceramics from artist Kim Westad. Each piece is created, one at a time, from hand-thrown porcelain in Kim's New York studio.

Above is a hand-thrown porcelain vase, with beautiful vine design. The vines are individually applied dots, slightly raised above the surface. The design is finished with a glossy, clear glaze. Perfect as a vase, display piece or a unique gift. Measuring 4" wide x 9" high, each vase retails at $120.

A unique work of art, made from one hand thrown bowl, this whirl bowl is enhanced with a pebble decoration. A wonderfully tactile piece, the curves of the bowl are highlighted by the raised accents of the pebbles and unglazed exterior of the bowl. Each bowl is glazed inside making it safe for use with foods or as a decorative item. Bowls measure approximately 5" wide x 3" high and retail at $52.

This cute hand-thrown porcelain vessel, has a pebbled surface made of individually applied slip dots. Each dot sits raised above the surface, giving the design a unique feel. The white exterior is unglazed, with a choice of bright colour interiors available (shown below). Measuring approximately 5" wide x 3.25" high, with a 2.5" opening. This design retails at $40.

The final images today are Kim Westad's whirl serving dish. Like all of Kim's ceramics each whirl dish is hand crafted with the care and attention, that makes each one a work of art.

The whirl dish is finished with a glossy, clear, food safe glaze. Each dish measures approximately 6" wide x 1.75" high and retails at $72. A large version of the whirl dish is also available at $200.

To see the full collection of Kim Westad's ceramics, visit her website.

Cards: In Vita Paper Studio ...

In-vita Paper Studio is a one girl stationery studio, designing one of a kind note cards, stationery and beautiful invitations. Card and Gift Blog have been lucky enough to get a few examples to show you here today.

This set of six cards are a fun rose pattern in red, yellow and blue. Printed on a high quality, white linen card stock. The note cards come with co-ordinated bright yellow envelopes. Each card is 3.5" × 5" folded and the set retails for $9.

Inspired by her life in Russia, Adriana became a fan of matrushkas (nesting dolls) and has crafted these delightful designs. Russian dolls are a huge trend in cards and gifts at the moment, so these cards will be hugely popular. Each card has a different saying in Russian and English, including 'I Love You', 'Hello' and 'Thank You'. Each card is 4.25" × 5.5" and comes with a matching red envelope for a $9 retail price.

As well as stationery sets, In Vita Paper Studio also create individual greetings cards and note cards. Above is a pretty cupcake design with 'How Can I Resist You?' text. Also for the special nerd in your life is the fun design shown below. Cards are printed on white linen card stock, with rounded corners. Individual cards retail at $3.50.

Finally is this gorgeous 'I {heart} Cooking' design. Bright and fun images, intended for a special person and not just one special occasion. As with all of the In Vita Paper Studio designs, the card is printed on high quality white linen board and retails at $3.50.

To see, purchase and stock these cards, go along to the In Vita Paper Studio online shop, where you will find lots more pretty paper products and full contact details.

Gifts: Prints from Rafael Macho ...

Today we're previewing some modern prints from designer and illustrator Rafael Macho.

These bright, graphic prints are unique, limited edition prints. Each artwork is limited to a run of 50 prints. Printed with archival inks, each colourful image is 14" × 11".

Prints are available with and without framing. Each artwork is generally priced at $75 without a frame and $105 for a framed piece.

To see the full collection and purchase any of these fabulous prints, have a look at Rafael Macho's online store. You can also see more of his work on his website.

Gifts: Anne Kiel Jewellery

Today are some beautiful, hand-fabricated necklaces fresh from the home studio of Anne Kiel.

Anne's necklaces are intended for to be worn and adored everyday. The 'All you need is Love' necklace (shown above) is a delicate, hand-fabricated heart, on an 18 inch, 14k goldfill cable chain. The heart is approximately 3/4" long and is made of 14k gold vermeil. Retailing at $74, there is also the option to purchase this design in silver.

Demonstrating the use of organic forms in the jewellery, this simple golden waterlily design (above) is hand-fabricated in 14k gold vermeil. The Waterlily hangs on a 16" 14k gold-fill cable chain and retails at $128. 'A little bit of luck' (below) is a lightly sandblasted 14k gold-fill horse shoe. Each pendant is hammered and hand-forged, before being hung on a 16" fine cable chain. This lucky horse shoe is $74.

A simple, modern design, with a personal touch, these adorable necklaces make great gifts. Each necklace has a sandblasted sterling charm, stamped with a miniature letter. Pendants come on an 18" super fine, sterling cable chain for $32.

This little padlock pendant is a modern and elegant design. Crafted from sandblasted sterling, each necklace is an 18" super-fine sterling chain with padlock charm. This necklace retails at $62.

To see the full range of necklaces and other jewellery pieces from the collection, take a look at Anne's online shop.

Cards: Little Otsu - Amazing Artistry ...

Little Otsu is an independent publisher, collaborating with artists to create these fun card designs that combine beautiful artistry and functionality, while remaining Eco-friendly.

Using an array of artists enables Little Otsu to provide a wealth of artistic ideas. Spanish artist Pepa Prieto designs a bright, modern celebration, with a menagerie of odd creatures, gathered for a many-legged parade (above). While Stuart Kolakovic brings us a little piece of old world charm in his card design, shown below.

All cards in the collection are blank on the inside. The full colour printing is completed at a family run shop, using vegetable-based inks on 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Cards come with a 100% recycled paper envelope.

Card designs are available including blanks, birthdays and occasions. The thank you card shown above is designed by Atherton Lin, using flora and fauna to create a graceful image.

The final card images are a celebration of music with some funky rock cats by Jo Dery and Gemma Correll's talented bubble blowing. All of the cards shown here today measure 4.5” wide x 6.25” tall and retail at $3.

For more information on these cards and many more, take a peek at the Little Otsu website.

Cards: freckleface - Cute & Kitsch ...

Launched in 2005, freckleface have built up a loyal following for their sweet cards, designed to make you smile ... a few lovely examples are on show here today.

In the UK, freckleface are stocked in lots of independent boutiques and Paperchase stores nationwide.

freckleface cards are also available internationally, with designs currently distributed in France, Australia and Japan.

All of the designs are cute, quirky and a little bit kitsch. As well as greetings cards, freckleface also create mugs, badges and matching gift wrap.

For more information and to stock these magical designs, take a look at the freckleface website.

Gifts: AnAtomic Factory Design - Lamps with a secret ...

AnAtomic Factory Design from Florence, Italy have created this playful collection of lamps, named 'Milk Gone Bad'.

AnAtomic Factory Designs playful approach to every day objects shines through these lamps. As the light is turned on, the objects reveal their imaginary contents ... a fun and surprising world of mould.

These lamps combine two different artistic experiences. The iconic milk carton design of AnAtomic Factory, meet the bright and funky illustrations of Bombo. Hinting at the hidden second nature of products, each lamp treads the design ground between toys and collectable homeware.

With 8 different designs in the collection, there is a 'Milk Gone Bad' design for everyone. Each lamp retails at $65 and can be purchased from the AnAtomic Factory online shop.

NEW - Cards: Alice Palace

This lovely new collection of cards is the 'Farm Animals' range ... fresh from the imagination of Alice Palace; purveyors of fun and unique greetings cards that combine illustration and found materials in a wonderful collage style.

The number one bestselling card in the range is this beautiful pair of Indian runner ducks (shown above). The text reads 'I like you best of anyone in the whole world'. As with all Alice Palace greetings cards, the range is Eco-friendly, using recycled board and envelopes and biodegradable cello-bags.

The Toulouse goose design (above) reads 'It's a fine day and I'm perfectly happy' and the saddle-back piglet (below) states 'always having fun - real fun, the sort that bubbles up inside you because you're young and happy and a bit silly'. Cards retail at £2.10 and these fab designs are also available as mounted prints, which are limited edition, signed, digital prints for £25.

To purchase or stock this brilliant new range and find out more, visit the Alice Palace website.

Gifts: Undergrowth Design - Heavenly Tableware ...

Today Card and Gift Blog is taking a closer look at the Blaue Blume tea set from Undergrowth Design, a fabulous collection of tableware with a seductive twist ...

Tina Tsang has designed each piece of the set to guarantee tea drinking becomes a fun and glamorous event, bringing a sense of other-worldliness to everyday life.

Blaue Blume was conceived from aiming to solidify lace onto ceramics, bringing a softer texture to the pieces. Each item is made from Earthenware, with a 14k gold company logo on the base.

The full set comprises cake stand, teapot, cup and saucer, sugar bowl, milk jug and plates in three sizes. The range of plates are perfect for anything from a large slice of cake to a selection of nibbles. Component pieces range in price between £22 and £135.

The full collection available from Undergrowth Designs can be seen and purchased at the online shop.

Gifts: Chocolate Confetti - Charming Chocolates ...

Today's delectable gift ideas are from bijou chocolate company, Chocolate Confetti.

Obsessed with making all things chocolaty, Chocolate Confetti make stunning works of art in an edible form. Using fresh, high quality ingredients, combined with unusual flavours, resulting in brilliant chocolates for the discerning palate. I was lucky enough to be sent some samples from the lovely folk at Chocolate Confetti and can happily confirm they taste as good as they look, and they disappear very quickly.

Chocolate Confetti's atelier is based in Mayflower Cottage, in the heart of Nottinghamshire's national trust parkland. A perfect, heavenly setting to make some fabulous individual chocolates and jars of drinking chocolate. It's garden's even supply some of the fresh herbs and fruits used in the collections.

Each individual chocolate is mixed, dipped and decorated by hand. Traditional artisan methods and the experience of generations of patissiers and chocolatiers all come together to create every chocolaty item.