Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Meet Lizzie and Lady


Before you get too excited, new babies Lizzie and Lady are not mine, but they are the latest doggies in my life and they are by far the cutest puppies I have ever seen. They are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Remember Charlotte's dog Elizabeth Taylor in Sex and the City? I want one of these desperately but I'm going to have to start working on R now. He's a big dog person but personally I've always thought great things come in small packages. k

H20 Polo, Waterboy

Pink if you're reading this post the above pic may give you an idea of what Junior might do when he reaches puberty! And NO, I had no idea that waterboy had written H20 Polo in sunscreen on his chest and then baked the rest of said chest in the bow of the boat while fishing Saturday. Geez what will the almost sixteen year old think of next? Whatever it is I'm not sure I can handle it. k

Monday, July 30, 2007

Lost My Marbles, Etsy





Wow, I've been finding some really great stuff on Etsy lately. Love this line of hand marbled cards, journals and packaging products by LostMyMarbles. Would love to put together a gift like the first pic. so fun and playful, k

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Hooray "J"

Hey Kstylers,
Today I am strictly bragging! If you've been following Kstyle for awhile you know that I have a son who just finished his internship and degree in photojournalism. Maybe you've even seen a few of his published photos scattered throughout Kstyle. But what you don't know is that J just landed his first job as a bona fide photojournalist. Yep he is now officially on staff at The Mail Tribune, the fourth largest newspaper in Oregon, and has landed a fantastic opportunity and foothold into this incredibly competitive field. I won't bore you with all of the back and forth details that we've been through the last month but it is fair to say that J really slayed his internship which got him the job. And this despite the fact that he was told they had never hired an intern before. So yes I know I am bragging again but I just can't help it. So bravo to my middle son for a job well done. I am so very proud. And yes, he took the dolphin photo you see above which will be front and center on my other son's new website! SO stay tuned for lots more amazing photography from J, a proud mom. k

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Passionate About lampwork


I love to keep up with what's going on in the lampworking world so I try to browse ebay pretty frequently. By the way ebay is really the leading venue for lampworking artists around the world and they even have a category just for it. To get there go to jewelry and watches, then loose beads and then finally lampworking. On any given day there are literally hundreds of auctions going on like the two auctions I found above. Two different artists, two very different styles. The first photo shows artist Michael S. and you can check out this live auction here. The second group of beads are by artist Karen Leonardo and you can find this auction here. If you're into making jewelry with lampwork beads Ebay is the place to shop. these were my favorites today, k

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Handcrafted Excellence, Kjoo




I was browsing Etsy today when I came across this fun line of felted jewelry by artist Kjoo. I love the bold colors and graphic elements. Makes me want to give this medium a try. Just what I need, another hobby! And lets not even talk about all the stuff one needs to buy to start something new. Would be a lot lighter than glass though. very tempting, k

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

It's a Coin Purse Thing



If you've been reading Kstyle for awhile you know that I love coin purses and if you dropped by yesterday you know that my brain is computer fried from design overload. So today you have it short and sweet, simple and chic. Easy on the eyes and the tired brain. loving marimekko today. k

Monday, July 23, 2007

Logo Lottery?

I read an article today which said that designing logos is like playing the lottery. You might get it done in a few hours or it might take days. Well I'm here to tell you that I did not draw the winning logo lottery ticket this time. I admit I am a design perfectionist and the logo really is a rigorous design challenge but yikes the hours I sunk into this were well let's just say I could have designed my whole website in the same amount of time. But I really wanted to help my oldest son "brand" his new venture in Mexico and I wanted it to work from small embroidered designs to large poster formats, from silkscreened teeshirt designs to the decals on his boat. I wanted it to reflect the outdoor adventures that he intends to run and the family oriented business he hopes to engage. I wanted the colors to be bright and happy and sunny like the beautiful city of Manzanillo where he will start this new venture. And I wanted it to be fun and playful, like the Mexican people who will be a big part of his clientele. A big order and a lot of hours but I really like the final rendition which you see above. I will be putting together the whole line as we move along so stay tuned for more fun visuals from Lusch Aventures, k

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Handcrafted Excellence, Sara Paloma




I've been working on the computer pretty much non stop designing a logo and marketing package for my oldest son who lives in Manzanillo, Mexico and is starting a new business their. We're talking fishing here, of course, so needless to say I have been dreaming marlins all week. Will post a few pics when I get the logo fine tuned. There is nothing harder than logo design. So deceivingly simple and so brutally complex at the same time. And I don't even want to talk about the whole font thing.
Oh and I love the pottery by artist Sara Paloma. Now if I could only get my son's logo to be as "clean and elegant". Love the the bird relief in the first pic. awesome, k

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Hello Lucky



I know I have weddings on the mind with the big one I just participated in but I have to say that this line of wedding invites by Hello Lucky makes me want to do it all over again. And although the entire line is really spectacular this design featuring the peacock feather is my very favorite. I really think I would choose this if I was planning a wedding anytime soon. R should we do it again ??? i'm game, k

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Inspired By Nature, Erin Tracy





I was just browsing today casting about for cool stuff and well every once in awhile even I who do this often am totally blown out of my chair by something that makes me want to bow to the creativity gods. I guess you can tell that I absolutely adore this line by jewelry artist Erin Tracy. And there's lots lots more of fabulous pieces on her equally breathtaking website. loving this, k

It's Fair Time in Jackson County




I have to admit it's really fun having my son the photojournalist constantly keeping me and Kstyle in such darling and creative shots of all the goings on here in Ashland and Jackson County. These shots are from the Jackson County Fair and he will be covering it all week. Aren't they just too cute? He had so many awesome shots it was almost impossible to choose just a few. stay tuned for more fun fair shots as they come in. enjoy, k

Monday, July 16, 2007

A Little Break


Took a little break yesterday and today and brought our young visitor from Mexico on a day trip to Crater Lake and then did the jet boat dinner trip up the Rogue River this afternoon. Beto is a third year veterinary student from Guadalajara and he has been our guest for the past 3 weeks. He's headed back to Mexico Wednesday and I think he's experienced just about the best Oregon has to offer. Other than the fact that the foods just not hot enough for him ( I think he would put chili sauce on his cereal if he could) he's really enjoyed it all. We're really going to miss him but I'm pretty sure Beto will be bopping in and out of our lives for lots of years to come. adios Beto, k

Sunday, July 15, 2007

From Out Of My Kiln






Hello everyone!
Yep there's something NEW going on at Kstyle. And no not the NEW beads you see above (finally I know) but the whole NEW sidebar that you see to the left. That's right I'm going personal. That little column over there is going to be me, K and the goodies that come out of my kiln. I hope that knowing I need to keep this fresh and fun and NEW will get me back on the torch and producing. So so many distractions. Any of you out there have that problem??? Well I am the queen of distraction so we'll see if this NEW tactic will work. Oh and once my new creations end up in that column you can hop on over to my Etsy shop to check prices, availability and well maybe even to purchase. It's a NEW day at Kstyle, hope you enjoy, k

Friday, July 13, 2007

There's Something About Ferns

I love, love these new pottery pieces by artist Suzanne Crane. I guess you could say they make my heart sing or "ring" as the case may be. Bottom line I really want one of these. Would be so gorgeous sitting on my dining room table just waiting to announce dinner for my crew. sweet as waterboy would say. k

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Fire Style


When we lived in Mexico almost everyone had a chimenea or an outdoor fireplace/fire pit going on almost every evening while relaxing or eating out on the hacienda terrace. When I saw these arty renditions by Pot de Feu of the same idea I immediately wanted to buy one. How fun to light one up for an outdoor dinner party or barbecue. love these, k

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Stop The Presses

Okay I am blatantly bragging again but I just can't help it. Photo Journalism son is interning for the Mail Tribune here in Southern Oregon and he just made the front page with this wow photo of the electrical storm of the year here in Ashland last night. His editor said get a lightning shot but not just a lightning shot. So J hiked all over the hills of Ashland to get this shot which shows our city int he foreground and the very dicey lightning show that was literally going on all around him. From the hill at about 10 pm he called his editor and said "I have THE shot. Can I get off the hill now???" Long story short they stopped the presses and redid the whole front page to feature the shot. A young man in Ashland was absolutely beaming today. and a certain mom named K was pretty proud as well. hope you can indulge me the occasional brag, k

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

YouSayTomato, Noming Vase

I was browsing architectural digest today and they have this fabulous section called designer gifts for under $100. Well check out these chalk/paper vases from Yousaytomato. They are reusable and you can even print or write on the paper like material. what a perfect gift these would make. so cleeeever, k

Monday, July 09, 2007

Handcrafted Excellence, Alex Clothing




Not too long ago if you remember I spent a few days at a wonderful handcrafted art show in Las Vegas. One of the standout lines was this gorgeous line by textile designer Georganne Alex. Weaving together vintage kimono fabrics and contemporary silks Georganne creates purses and vests which are the perfect blend of the old and the new. I saw her work in person and it was just beyond fabulous. For more examples of this unique line check out Georganne's website. love this line, k

Sunday, July 08, 2007

Love Is In The Air, 7/07/2007


They say it may go down as the most popular wedding day in history and I'm here to tell you there was definitely something magical in the air on this most precious day for my friend C and her beautiful daughter S here in Ashland. From the place, to the ceremony to the party everything was just picture perfect. So take a few minutes and enjoy a few photos from this most amazing day. And check out the cake topper designed by fellow blogger and artist Ann Wood. And the fans designed by yours truly. hope you enjoy, k

Friday, July 06, 2007

Fourth of July Ashland Style






From zebra horses, bald eagles, hot cars and hot nurses Ashland pretty much covers it all in the annual fourth of July parade. The event starts out with a buzz over of two F-16 fighter jets and then the party begins. The whole town turns out and the party goes on all day with a fabulous fireworks display topping off a great day.
And tomorrow is the big day. As in wedding. Spent the morning helping to set up for this epic event. Will be taking LOTS of pics so stay tuned for some really fun photo ops next week. hope you're all having a great weekend. k