Wit & Whistle goodness...

One of my favorite stationery shops is Wit & Whistle, which I've featured before on Sweet Peach. Every time I check out Amanda Wright's shop, I see new things to admire...and share. I especially like her venturing into the world of pretty tea towels.

Her 30" x 30" flour sack tea towels are silk screened with her own hand drawn designs. And the best part is the towels get softer and more absorbent with use. 

New to her shop are these lovely pillow covers. Amanda designs them and her mom sews each and every one. I love that. 

Amanda's talents truly shine in her stationery line. Her Snail Mail notecards are beautifully designed and as sweet as pie...

Amanda offers over 50 cards and over a dozen jotter notebooks. It's the kind of shop where you'll want to buy a bunch of items and then use them as needed throughout the year. 

And seeing how Easter is less than a couple weeks away, I thought this holiday card was apropos. And so cute. 

Photos: Wit & Whistle     Content: Sweet Peach

Beth Lord's Favorite Gifts for Gals this Holiday Season...

Beth Lord is the owner of the indie-pendent in Atlanta. It's easily my favorite shop in town. All of the goods in the store are handcrafted with a story to tell. Each item is unique, pretty, colorful and well made. Beth loves to celebrate great artists so I knew she'd be the perfect voice for this year's gift ideas for women. Here's her list...

These perfectly southern votives come via Pigeon Toe Ceramics. They are porcelain casts of a real Mason jar and sell for $36. They can be set on the table or hung from above. Beth, "I like that they're sweet and simple."  

Beth, "I'm obsessed with tea towels so... I have a tea towel problem." I feel her pain as I share her obsession. These beautiful Four Seasons tea towels come via Claudia Pearson and are sold as a set for $52. Beth shares, "Claudia does all the illustrations herself which fits the whole organic theme of my shop. Plus the towels are bright and colorful which I love." These are certain to brighten up any gal's kitchen. 

These incredible jewelry pieces are handcrafted by Meaghan Torbert McCord and are modeled after the floor plans of Basilica architecture. All are made from sterling silver and handcut by Meaghan. Beth carries her necklaces, bracelets and earrings at the indie-pendent. This truly stunning jewelry makes an incredible and unexpected holiday gift. Prices range from $160-$300. 
  

These unusual candles are the result of a collaboration between Pigeon Toe Ceramics and Angela Sands of Luminology. When the candle is done burning, you are left with this beautiful porcelain dish that can be reused. The other option is to order replacement candles. Beth and I's favorite feature is the wooden wick which crackles when it burns. $44 each. 

 

Every woman can use a scarf. They're quick and easy and can upgrade an outfit in an instant. These cotton beauties are from ScarfShop and range in price from $15-$60. The scarves are colored by water based dyes, all by hand in small batches. Beth, "They're so versatile and it's nice that they're so lightweight." 

HollyBeth Anderson left her corporate job to create unique and effective skin care products based on traditional homeopathic remedies. Her popular HollyBeth Organics line includes Chamomile Cleanser, Grits & Honey Scrub and Orange Peppermint Shea Butter Cream. Any of her items would make a wonderful gift. ($7-$59) Beth also loves the Saipua Soap shop. Bars include Basil, Lavender Oatmeal, Cedarwood and Mango Butter. Beth's absolute favorite is the Coffee Mint. Handcrafted with an olive oil base, each bar is $10. 

 

One of the first things you'll notice in Beth's shop are all the colorful, pretty pillows. When I asked why she carries so many pillows, she responded, "Who doesn't love pillows?" I think she's right about that. There's a pillow for every woman here. Leah Duncan, Erin Flett and Looploft are some of the artists she carries and all her pillows range in price from $30-$76.  

These plates are instant conversation pieces. They really are just so pretty. Beth, "I love how intricate the patterns are and I love how Cynthia mixes the different patterns in the dishes- they go so well together." Prices are $30, $50 and $90 for the small, medium and large plates. 

All of these items are available at the indie-pendent, located in the Highlands area of Atlanta. Thank you Beth! 

Photos and Content: Sweet Peach. Photo 3: Pigeon Toe Ceramics. Final Photo: Cynthia Vardhan

Naked Decor

Supon Phornirunlit of Washington DC knows no other world but design. He started his own design group at 24 years old, helping to craft brand identities for a host of big companies. Now, he's transitioned into creating his own home line, Naked Decor. 

Pillows are Supon's main focus. Most are vivid in color with bold graphics and lots of animals...so I'm a fan. 

Supon has a good site as he also sells products that he likes and is inspired by. Such as these crafty porcelain lights via Streamline that are equally modern and playful. Check out his Etsy site to see more of Supon's creations which include wall clocks and kitchen gadgets. 

Photos: Naked Decor;  Streamline    Content: Sweet Peach

Cloth and Ink

I appreciate a good artist just as much as I appreciate a good photograph of their work. Helen Peterson of Houston, Texas and Etsy shop, Cloth and Ink, creates original illustrations for primarily organic and recycled fabrics. The end result is simply beautiful table runners, lampshades and pillows.

Much care is placed into each product that passes through Helen's hands. For these modern lamp shades Helen explains, "I screen printed the design by hand using eco friendly inks." Much of her work is inspired by the outside world which include beaches, fields and mountains. Click here to see all her lamp shade designs and here for her eco printed pillows.

I like the quirkiness of this design Helen calls, Toy Box. As she explains, it showcases the "tumble of toys tossed in a child's toy box after a day of play."

Helen certainly has a passion for textiles. As she shared, "My love of fabrics began at a young age from hanging out in my grandma's fabric store and playing mannequin for my mum, who was always sewing something." See her entire repertoire of pretty goods at her Etsy shop.

Photos: Cloth and Ink   Content: Sweet Peach

Colette Bream

"Simplicity" and "Innocence" are the motivations behind the lovely designs of Colette Bream. Originally from Europe, she is now based in Kent Island, Maryland with her husband and young daughter. She creates things that are made from natural fabrics and have a thousand stories to tell- as in the adorable cloud seen above. Colette explains, "A whole story can be created around a simple cloud. You can hang it up on your wall and start pretending, making up stories and imagining."

Colette is a dreamer and a nurturer - you can see that in all her pieces. She wants her items to please and comfort...to stir the imagination. 

In describing her process in making her pillows, Colette explains "I'll start with my small hand-drawn sketch, then re-draw it in the actual size and transfer it to grid paper." She tediously fills in each grid with pencil- as many as 20,000 per pillow, which will soon become stitches. She adds, "I knit my own fabric, which is later gently washed and blocked. Once that is done, I sew the pieces together and add the finishing touches." A true labor of love...

I love her toddler bedding sets, beautifully modeled here by her daughter, Skye. They are all handmade bed linens made of 100% organic cotton sateen. Colette adds ribbon ties as a perfect finishing touch...

If you were to visit my house right now, you would see I'm a bit obsessed with garlands. They are in my kitchen, living room, front porch and back porch and I still want more. These colorful felted garlands by Colette aren't just for the kids- it's the perfect touch of character to add to a window, above a doorway. to hang straight or bundled together. Let your imagination run wild...

Thank you for sharing your creations with us Colette. Simply lovely...

Happy weekend everyone! 

 Photos: Colette Bream   Content: Sweet Peach

Sugarboo Designs

My friend Shanna in Los Angeles recently sent me a link to Sugarboo Designs based in Roswell, Georgia. I immediately loved the shop and thought it would work well for Sweet Peach. Artist Rebecca Puig utilizes reclaimed wood, metal, burlap and a bevy of paints to create her pieces that inspire and generate lots of positive energy. 

I really like these two pieces of art...full of vibrancy and sweetness. When I asked Rebecca what she hopes her work conveys, she responded, "Love, happiness, gratitude for your family and home." Flower Bird and For My Darling Elephant can be found here. 

I must admit, I love her slatted signs the most. When I asked Rebecca about these, she said "For some reason I love old crates. The slatted signs were inspired by these crates that are very functional but seldomly appreciated." It seems any time an artist uses reclaimed wood and adds their creative touch, I'm a devout fan...

Come to think of it, a lot of Rebecca's work would work well for a Valentine's Day gift...many of her pieces speak of love and companionship. You'll find the written word in many of her pieces. She explains, "I am a sucker for words and have been collecting them since I was little. I am not sure where that comes from but it makes me happy to add them to my work."  

I like the rustic simplicity of her pillow collection. Rebecca has over three dozen smile inducing designs and she promises to have even more in the near future. They're made from either stone wash linen, canvas or burlap. 

Just when you think you've seen all her work, you find out she makes napkins too. I just love these graphically pleasing prints of different animals saying different things... Peruse her site to see even more creative endeavors by Rebecca, including notecards, metal signs, picture frames and driftwood pieces. 

Photos: Sugarboo Designs   Content: Sweet Peach

Leah Duncan

Leah Duncan's work is easy to spot. Her aesthetic is modern, gentle and full of personality, often with a nod to nature. She explains, "I'm very influenced by the natural world. I'm not entirely sure why. I think it's because it's the place I like to go to for my peace and calm." 

Leah began her artistic career as a graphic designer for an advertising firm, then as a screenprinter assistant. Now, she works for herself, creating all manner of goods for the home, including these lovely prints. One of Leah's favorites is I'll Be Your Swan, (bottom right.) As she shares, "It came out organically and felt so natural to make." 

You may best know Leah for her tea towels which seem to keep popping up in the stores I visit. Her work reminds me a bit of Scandanavian design, pretty in its simplicity and color selection. 

See all of Leah's lovely tea towels, which can be functional or displayed as art, here.

I love that Leah also creates pillow covers. Made from linen and cotton, her pillows allow for a 16" x 16" insert which you can find at most fabric stores and I think I've seen some at Target as well. Find all her pretty pillow options here.

When I asked Leah what she hoped her work conveys she responded, "I hope I'm able to share a few viewpoints, some smiles, some quirkiness and a little bit of beauty." She resides in Austin, Texas with, as she states, "my husband, our two cats, our pit mix Oslo, some foster puppies, our vegetable garden and my favorite pajama pants." Sounds just lovely...

Photos: Leah Duncan   Content: Sweet Peach 

Pretty Pillows

I'm a fan of pretty pillows as I need more of them in my life. I came across Shellie's site, Pillow Happy on Etsy a few months back and bookmarked it. Her designs are simple and sweet, full of color and well priced. I had to share...

These block pillows were what first attracted me to Shellie's site. I love their modern simplicity and ability to add a quick punch of color to your decor. They are made from soft fleece and each pillow cover sells for $22. I love that price.

Shellie, based in Wilmington, North Carolina, has a soft spot for vintage which makes me love her shop even more. She made this retro fan pillow because she's never seen one pictured on a pillow before. The best creations always seem to happen that way.

Whether you like vintage or modern, granny or playful, there's a bevy of great pillows to choose from on Shellie's site. Just click here to peruse all the prettiness...

Photos: Pillow Happy   Content: Sweet Peach

Stacie from Arkansas

Stacie Bloomfield from Fayetteville, Arkansas has some lovely prints and pillows available on her Etsy shop. 

I always like to find a good calendar for the new year and her owl prints are just too sweet. Stacie has a variety of animal prints to admire, just click here to see them all. 

These adorable pillows are made of a soft cotton/linen fabric and each one is hand sewn. As Stacie shares on her site, "I am a wife and mother. I am a bit unorganized. Inspired by fall colors. I love to doodle and sew and watch Gilmore Girls on repeat." See all of her lovely goods here. 

Photos: Stacie Bloomfield  Content: Sweet Peach 

Home Pride

I have always loved the look of a vintage map. They resonate cool and can fill up an empty wall space in no time. I bought my Georgia map from Kudzu Antiques in Decatur, GA for just $30. Thrift stores and antique markets would be the first place I'd look- but there's also this southern retailer from Etsy:  

Cathode Blue from Virginia Beach sells this eye catching US map for $115

Or this fun Rand McNally map that includes one of my favorite states, Alaska for $215. 

For some state pride, a fun idea are these custom made pillows from Diffraction Fiber for just $30 each. Another way to show love for your part of the country are these beautifully designed art prints from JHill Design. They range in price from $22-$65. I bought the Georgia print for my home as I loved the colors and ode to Martin Luther King. 

Photos and Content: Sweet Peach, Cathode Blue, Diffraction Fiber and JHill Design