Antlers, prettified

If you're a Sweet Peach fan, you know I follow Jenny and Cody of Cast & Crew in West Texas. They always seem to curate the coolest stuff from the 50's, 60's and 70's. As they say, "We are quite simply a couple with a craze to find and resurrect pieces of the past." 

Their latest venture are custom deer antlers. Last year, the pair came upon several crates of old antlers from a longtime hunter and saw an opportunity to craft a unique and stylized product for their shop. Inspired by the graffiti knitting craze, Jenny meticulously wraps the antlers with various shades of yarn.

The antlers are then flush mounted on an arrow wall plaque made in either dark walnut or natural maple. The final product is both modern and playful. 

Have Jenny and Cody customize your own set of deer antlers here and click here to see their entire Etsy shop. 

Photos: Cast & Crew    Content: Sweet Peach

Shanny Beebo

A good wall clock is hard to find but the Shanny Beebo shop proves to be the exception to the rule. Shannon Ruby, fron San Antonio, Texas has handcrafted over 180 wall clocks, many of which are made from upcycled materials. 

The bases to many of the clocks are made from old vinyl records which give them extra charm- plus they're lightweight. 

When you buy one of Shannon's clocks, you're getting a one of a kind piece as no two are ever exactly alike. 

This labor intensive clock was made with individually rolled magazine pages. It's been featured in British Vogue and deservedly so. Such a fun piece- find it here. 

Photos: Shanny Beebo      Content: Sweet Peach

Pixel Impress

Sometimes you like to keep your favorite shops a secret. You want to covet them all your own so no one else will know about them. But where does that really get you at the end of the day? I'm happy (although I admit a bit slow) to share one of my favorite artists, Pamela Sherry. For a few years now, she's made my stylish calling cards that are mini conversations pieces all their own. 

In her shop, Pixel Impress, you'll find notecards, gift tags, invites, calendars and calling cards- all with great color and design choices. 

My favorite are her calling cards. I use the chevron style, seen here on the left, for my personal business card and had all my info placed along the bottom third. I love the design just as much as I love the perfectly square shape- which still fits great in a wallet by the way. 

When my mom mentioned that she wanted some notecards for her birthday, I knew to go to Pamela's shop. I bought her these cards with a dragonfly design in this pretty and bright yellow. Beautifully made with quality, sturdy paper...and she loves them. 

I loved my work calling cards so much, I had Pamela custom make some cards for Sweet Peach. Vanessa (who created my site) designed them and Pamela printed them with ease- and at a great price. Check out her shop to purchase your own unique cards. But shhhh...let's not tell too many people. 

Photos: Pixel Impress, Sweet Peach     Content: Sweet Peach

The Smuggler's Belt

It's always fun to have a hidden anything...door, hideout, treasure box- which is what makes Barrett Alley's Smuggler's Belt so appealing. 

Barrett, of Dallas, Texas knows how to handcraft gorgeous leather products. For his latest endeavor, he created a belt with a hidden inner pocket that will stay closed while the belt is buckled, only revealing itselft when the belt is taken off.

The buckle is made of iron and is individually hand forged by a skilled American blacksmith. The leather is tanned only via vegetable elements and will darken beautifully with age. As stated on his site, "Barrett Alley meticulously cuts the leather to perfection and hand sews each belt in his Texas studio." 

It's a good gift for a guy. Not only is it a cool belt, it's got a hidden place to stash your stuff. Find yours here...

Photos: Barrett Alley        Content: Sweet Peach

Official Design

At Official Design in Dallas, Texas, you'll find thoughtful, high quality furniture. This is the Peanut Rocker, inspired by the traditional rocker, but given a modern twist. As stated on their site, "We worked the steel by hand, from the milling of the runner connections to the welding of the upper frame. We sculpted the walnut seat and runners with a CNC router." Simple screws and bolts were the finishing touch. 

Mark Leveno, a graduate of SCAD, is the furniture and architectural designer at Official. I particularly like his Mango Bench made of mango wood and steel and inspired by a three dimensional line drawing of a cube. 

This is the Yeti. With a cushion made of wool, it is referred to as the "softer, more tactile cousin of the Mango bench." The Yeti was featured in the Milan Furniture Fair of 2012. 

The Droid Stool was also exhibited in Milan. See the process of its creation here. 

Photos: Official      Content: Sweet Peach

Shawn Colvin's Austin Home

I recently came across these pictures taken of singer/songwriter Shawn Colvin's home in Austin, Texas and knew I had to share them on Sweet Peach. Her eclectic, colorful style is certainly one that inspires and is easy to admire. This wallpaper via The Conran Shop in London. 

For over 25 years, Shawn had been traveling the globe and along the way, had picked up a wide array of mementos. All have various meanings and back stories that she loved but most items ended up in her garage as she had trouble integrating all her things into each room. Shawn sought and found help in Austin designer, Jerri Kunz. For over a year, they worked together to create a space that showcased Shawn's personality and vivid imagination. 

I love barn doors inside a home and Shawn's come via Cierra Interiors in Houston. 

Animal heads on left via Anthropologie. The coffee table is from Southeast Asian designer, Kenneth Cobonque. 

I can't find anything I don't love about her living room as I especially love the prints, wallpaper and pink ceiling. The rug comes from Anthropologie, the sofa from Shabby Chic, the paintings by Julie Speed, the pendant from Uncommon Objects in Austin and wallpaper via one of my favorite shops, Osborne & Little.

Shawn fell in love with this colorful floral fabric during a trip to Los Angeles. Kunz had the fabric backed with paper and lined her bedroom walls with it. So ingenious... The shams are from West Elm, Aladdin lamps from City Wide Garage Sale in Austin, the linens via John Robshaw, the handmade gilded Weitzner paper via Jerri Kunz Design. 

Although it's hard to pick, I think my favorite feature in her home is this bathroom wall covered in pages from the book, Cabinet of Natural Curiosities. The shell mirror is from Thomas Boog Design, the pendant from Jaya. The bar stools in the kitchen via Design Within Reach, the white granite countertops from Stone Solutions.

Shawn shares what her home says to her, "It says 'mine.' It feeds me. It feels good to me. Colors are important to me. Objects are important to me." She aptly adds, "I like my stuff."

Photos: Ryann Ford. Final Shot, Michael Wilson    Content: Sweet Peach

Andie's Specialty Sweets

Andie and Jason Moore of Dallas, Texas are master artisans of the culinary variety. They carefully craft all manner of sugared creations that tend to leave you a bit speechless with their perfection. 

After seeing their shop, I believe they could create anything. But, they do specialize in all things found in mother nature, from fall leaves to fungi...

as well as cute round things like gears and buttons.

Andie and Jason are the original purveyors of vintage button candy and what makes it all the more sweeter is how all of their tasty candies are made with high quality, certified fair trade and earth friendly ingredients such as organic chocolates, flavorings, sugars, oils and starches. And every single item, no matter how small and intricate, is handmade individually. It truly is a labor of love. 

I particularly like all their edibles from the sea, which include shells, oysters, starfish, sand dollars and corals. You can buy eight of them to set atop a cake or placed together in a bowl for a most delicious conversation piece. 

Andie and Jason have created quite the niche for themselves in crafting some of the best edible candies available. See their entire shop here and don't forget to think about them when you plan your next dinner party or celebration. I do believe their tasty concoctions would make a most memorable addition...

Photos: Andie's Specialty Sweets      Content: Sweet Peach

Stag Austin

Stag Austin of Austin, Texas considers itself the 'modern day general store for every man.' I love the whole idea of a guy's general store and wish there more store owners who catered to this fun niche. But alas, let's not despair, Stag Austin may have everything the stylish man could ever need...

As you see, they carry a bit of everything - from clothes and shoes to wallets, bags, books, hats, gadgetry and apothecary. 

They truly are a great shop to visit (in person or on line) when you need that perfect guy gift. As they share, "We pair high end with low, mix vintage with new collections, and add the unexpected right alongside the nostalgic. If we love it, we stock it, and if we don't, you'll never find it here." Peruse the entirety of their fab shop here.

Photos: Stag Austin     Content: Sweet Peach

Silas Tom Paper Goods

I received an email recently from a graphic artist in Texas. If I had interest, he wanted to share his new holiday cards with Sweet Peach. After seeing Scarf Face, above, and his incredible, modern style...well, I was quickly a fan and devout admirer. His name is Rob Wilson. 

In the business for 22 years, working with clients such as AT&T, American Airlines and Nokia, Rob is an established and well respected designer. He started creating these drawings in his spare time and after much fanfare, decided to share them with the rest of us. 

As Rob shares, "Each of the illustrations are infused with my sense of humor, experiences from my travels and my own sense of design." This graphically pleasing and endearing card is named Present Tense.

Rob has a few Hanukkah selections as well. It's amazing how a great artist can instantly set a mood and bring us into their world. I can connect with the emotions of the scene...the comforts of home and the holiday season ring clear. 

This series, with the added gold color, is inspired from Rob's travels to Germany. Rob, "For several years, I traveled to Germany and Austria a few weeks prior to Christmas. I enjoyed the bitterly cold weather, the hot gluhwein and a great sense of cheer as I wandered through the many Christmas markets." 

What I like most about Rob's cards is how the more you stare, the more you see. My mind fills with mini scenes and storylines. Rob offers boxed sets of all his holiday thoughts just in time for the holidays. I suggest you check them out- along with his line of cards for birthdays, weddings and such. He's a gem, which makes me all the more grateful that he found Sweet Peach... 

The Roo

I first saw the Roo a few years ago on the campus of Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. Along with Bryce, I was visiting his niece, Chelsea. Her classmates were strung up in trees on different colored hammocks, hanging out and studying. Then a hike up the mountain behind the school, we found even more kids kicking back amongst the trees in what they all called, their 'Roo' or 'Kammok.'

What makes the Roo so cool is how versatile and easy it is to use. And it all comes down to the materials. The innovative Lunar Wave fabric helps keep you warm on a chilly night or cool on a hot, southern day. 

Created by Kammok in Austin, Texas, this modern hammock ($99) is also extemely compact, weighing less than a pound. 

The python straps, (inspired by the python snake) have a vice-like grip and superb tree hugging ability. As stated on their site, the ROO can be hung "to any tree, rock, post or other anchor point capable of bearing their weight." 

Click here or the pic above to see a fabulous video by The Whistler & the Well on just how easy it is to set up the Roo. 

And the best part is Kammok's 1% For The Planet initiative. They are committed to fighting malaria and give 1% of all their revenue to CTC International. Together they work to focus on education, the environment, economy, health and community development in Kenya, Africa. Kammok's business model is: Give. Develop. Sustain. I can't think of a better plan. Although the guy above has a pretty good plan too...

Photos: Kammok; Daniel Davis; final pic- brittanpittman.com    Content: Sweet Peach