Anthropologie Spring Fashion Show

Yesterday I attended Anthrolopolgie's Spring 2013 Fashion Show at the Stony Point Fashion Park. Their hardworking and super-talented crew knows how to through a great party. There was plenty of food and champagne for everyone, and the fashion-hungry audience indulged on many levels. The models were real-world people, like you and me, and their family members were cheering for them as they walked down the runway. The long line to the register at the end of the evening was filled with inspired customers. The show was a total success!




















Juliet is having a great time.

Wednesday Decor: Plates With Little Messages

Every time I come across John A. Andrews' III new designs, I get extremely impressed. Whether it is a new window display he works on with his sister for their beautiful store, or his super-cool creation of hand-made Beetle’s No.1, he does not stop to surprise. He is incredibly talented, creative and unpredictable artist. These amazing plates are his latest project: look closer and read the little messages!

The idea behind his design (and I was totally wrong in my assumption) is not just a simple reminder about food portion control. There is a meaning behind it all and here is what Johnny explains:

The idea behind the plates really had to do with things that I had witnessed and gone through while growing up. I think that most of us say these kinds of things in our own minds on a daily basis even if we wish we didn't. No matter where you're from there's always that group of girls who are pretty and dress nicely that are mean. So in the end I knew I wanted to have plates with these pretty girls with hurtful sayings on them to make fun of them, but at the same time make fun of myself for letting them get to me.

Now, a lot of us have been there, I personally remember those mean girls. (I promise I was not one of them!) But mean things aside, those plates are terrific and I want each one of them.

I also asked Johnny to explain the process (for those of us who never took ceramics classes).

-I first measure out the clay so each plate will roughly be the same weight and size
-Then I throw them and measure them to make sure they look all the same
-I let them dry for a while and then trim them on the bottom so they have a foot
-Then they go into a bisque kiln and are fired
-Once they are bisque fired i apply a white underglaze on the entire plate
-After that I sketch out a face in pencil or I look at people I have already drawn from my notebooks and replicate it on the plate also i figure out what kind of saying i should put on it
-Then I go over the pencil with a blue underglaze
-After that I apply a clear glaze over top
-Finally they go back into the kiln for a glaze firing

Thank you so much for sharing these beautiful images and the story, Johnny!

(All of the flower vases on these images, photography and styling by John A. Andrews III)

After The Show

The show was great. I met so many wonderful people, exchanged ideas and shared what I've learned along the way. After working long hours I am back to my usual schedule. Though I am not sure I feel comfortable not working every free minute I have. It is going to be quite an adjustment.

You Are Invited...

You are invited... Yes, I am participating in this year's Spring Bada-Bing Craft Show! I have been working non-stop on dyeing fabrics and sewing them into products. I hope to see you there!
xoxo

Friday Art: First Friday

I cannot recall the name of this gallery, but there was something enchanting about its beautiful old space. As we walked thought the second floor, a group of musicians downstairs began playing a classical piece. We stood listening, watching over the balustrade of the atrium, fascinated by the magic melody, mesmerized by the whole experience.

These cool posters by an unknown artist were for grabs.

The Leaf Woman by Jordan Bruner was part of the amazing Animal Dance show installed by talented Bruner family at the Metro Space Gallery.

Photographs were taken on December 2 2011 by navyblueshoe

Design*Sponge At Home

Today I attended a very special event at Plant Zero where I met Richmond native Grace Bonney, the mastermind behind the ever-inspiring Design*Sponge. She gave an incredible lecture about how it all began, what brought her to start the blog and how it evolved into what it is right now. She shared a lot of points from her personal experience, how she always searches for new inspirations, learns new skills, never settles for familiar, always takes risks. She has a mind of a businessperson; she grew through experimenting with blogging about what she loves, through collaboration and networking with others, through tons of research. Grace knows her audience well and it results in a tremendous following.

Energized by her story I return home with her new book, Design*Sponge at Home. It's autographed to navyblueshoe!

Friday Art: Johnathan Brilliant

Today is the first Friday of the month, and all of the local galleries are about to open their doors to showcase new artwork from favorite artists. I was lucky enough to see a sneak preview of the Stick Stack Show, an installation by Johnathan Brilliant at the Visual Arts Center.
Materials:
~wooden stir stick, woven (no glue was used)
~paper cups, stacked
~paper cup sleeves, stacked
~plastic straws, stacked
~plastic lids






Photos by me. Thank you, Ginny Hass, for posing!

Trick or Treat: Halloween on Hanover Avenue

Flower Power: Meet The Flower Girl

It is Saturday morning and I am filled with pure delight; I am invited behind the scenes of a big flower production! Rhea Calpeno, the owner of Photosynthesis, is making floral arrangements for a 200-guest wedding.

Two of her friends, Jo Corban & Leah Whitehouse, are along their friend's side, creating floral pins and bouquets.

As soon as I enter through the front door I am engulfed in a flower kingdom. The fragrance filling the air, buckets of flowers everywhere - each waiting patiently for its turn to become a part of something special, unforgettable. Flowers are crafted into beautiful arrangements as they take over every available horizontal surface: tables and shelves, fireplace mantel and chairs seats… Each composition is unique and yet very cohesive. A variety of vintage milk glass vases completes the centerpieces, adding a romantic touch.

Calpeno, an interior designer, moves back to Richmond earlier this year after a six-year stint in New York City following her graduation from VCU. Armed with great experience and a dream to open a floral business she returns to make this dream a reality. I use the opportunity to interview the flower girl about her passion.

NBS: How did you become a floral designer?

Calpeno: After working as an interior designer for over 10 years, it was time to shift into a different medium. Flowers have been calling to me for a long time. I mostly just needed to take a deep breath and take the plunge.

NBS: What is your favorite flower?

Calpeno: I don't really have a favorite, but right now I'm especially drawn to Scabiosa. It is so beautiful in all stages of life, from bud, to flower to seed pod. Jo said it best this weekend "it's hard to believe there is so much poetry in just one flower...."

NBS: Where does your inspiration come from for each project?
Calpeno: Beauty is everywhere, but nature has always been my number one source of inspiration. Color is also a constant source. Certain color combinations make me so happy I want to dance!

NBS: Where do you shop for interesting vases to complete your flower arrangements?

Calpeno: For classic designs I mostly get my vases at vintage and thrift stores. If I am doing a modern arrangement Crate & Barrel, West Elm and CB2 are great sources for affordable vases. Here are a few links to some inspirational sources that can be a bit pricier, but lovely:

Glamour Preservation, Global Table, Chive

NBS: What would you recommend to readers as far as making their own flower arrangements?
Calpeno: The most important thing is to relax and not overthink it. Flowers will always be beautiful! Every flower has its own shape and movement. It's best to work with that movement, not against it. A good rule of thumb is to select flowers that you are drawn to and that are varying in sizes. If you have three varieties in your arrangement, there will be more visual interest if you have small, medium and large flowers. If they are the same size, they tend to compete with each other.

NBS: Favorite pattern in your wardrobe: plaid, flowers or stripes?
Calpeno: Funny, I'm mostly a solids/textures girl, but the few patterns I have are floral. Go figure.

NBS: Where do you see yourself in 10 years from now?

Calpeno: Happily working with flowers!

I leave with a big bouquet Calpeno generously offers me to take home. Flowers in-hand, I walk through the streets enjoying the beautiful autumn weather. Inspired by the flower girl I keep thinking about the power of flower.