Announcing the new online shop

After days of hard work, uploading the right pictures and the right size, editing text , pricing and inventory, I’m excited to announce a new and revised online shop. I had over two years with Etsy, where I have met most of my wonderful customers and I'm now ready for something different, cleaner and with a personalized design. I'm also grateful to Guido Scarabottolo to give me the permission to use some of his illustrations, extract from the 2010 Calendar Book and use them into the shop design. To celebrate the news, I’m offering 10% discount on the full line of Italian cotton ribbon, until February 14th! Please enter the code valentino during the checkout to receive the discount. You will also find hand-bound books, stationery, twine and limited edition books, updated with more and detailed informations on each product. Any suggestion and feedback on the shop are always appreciated and welcome to my new online adventure!

Masters Workshop in design and typography

Found via Louise Fini, I think these series of workshops in Italy will be a dream! Organized by the School of Visual Art, NYC.

Workshop update

It has been a busy week, but I just would like to stop for a second and announce the new date for the Letterpress and Bookbinding Workshop, reschedule for February 27th and 28th. Please let us know if you have any question. Have a great weekend everyone and stay tuned for a new announcement next week!

Happy Fish

Still working on the new shop and finding much inspiration in work by French Flora Douville. Love the images, hearts and round corners.
Sent by Jill.

February first

As a new month starts, I have some news for the Calendar book giveaway. Yesterday, my daughter wrote on paper and cut all the names left from the comments, my son randomly picked one of the name from the muslin bag and my youngest son just watch that everything was ok. Yes, I have three small children that sometimes appear on the blog!
I choose a very low tech method that involved my children a bit in my world, as they are always wondering what I am doing in front the computer for such a long time. Thank you to everyone that participated in the giveaway and left many lovely comments about the calendar. I also loved to see it across the ocean in one of Camilla's photo. The winner is Snap and Tumble, who just had a great letterpress class recently. Our workshop was unfurtunally cancelled this weekend and we need to reschedule a better date in February. Soon to be announced. Thank you again everyone and have a great beginning of the week!

Jurgen Lehl

I have been spending the last few days and much energy in redesigning my online shop, revaluating Etsy and testing new sources. All inspired by recent conversation with Jill and new prospective for 2010. Lately I find even more attraction to minimalistic design and white spaces, how beautiful are these packaging and book covers by Jurgen Lehl?
Please notice: spots are still available for the Lettepress and Bookbinding Class this weekend and the calendar Book giveaway is on until January 31st. Thank you for your interest!

Carta Stoffa Roma

This is a collaborative projects from a while back, but still deserved some photos before it will be archived. They are tags and business cards for Carta Stoffa in Rome, where clothing designer Barbara Garofalo and Silvana Amato of Edizioni Almenodue share their studio. Simple, clean design, with Barbara's stylized drawing of her clothing, as well as a line of our books. How lovely are the scissors and spool thread hanging on the dot line on her site!

Paper love

As much as I love paper, type and labels, it is always exciting to find some affinity with other ephemera collectors. Love the photography of these details in Dawbis work and I find much in common with the view of her studio. It is a lovely encounter!

Trip to Nepal

My world traveler brother, send me some amazing photos of his trip to Nepal. Unbelievable colors, fresh and luminous light and remote architecture. My true wish is to be there today. It is hard for me to believe, that I went, very young, to an hiking trip to the Himalaya. My memories of amazing Nepal now only appear as a dream.

Before I sign off for the weekend, I would like to thank Nicole, Arounna and Jill for their lovely posts. Also, to all the design blog community for posting links and support to Haiti. It is essential for everybody to help!

The Calendarbook 2010 and giveaway

Last week I finished to send out the self-promotional CalendarBook 2010. So happy, this year, I made it by the middle of January! I took some pictures and only a few copies are now available in the shop with free shipping. The Calendar is a limited edition of 250 copies, designed and hand-made in collaboration with Silvana Amato, under our imprint of Edizioni Almenodue.
The long, beautiful landscape is an illustration by Guido Scarabottolo. The calendar is offset printed in Rome on Fedrigoni Old Mill cover paper and includes:2 gold map tacks, 1 meter hemp thread and 6 wooden clothespins, all protected in a muslin, cotton bag. You will wrap the thread around the map tacks and secure it with a knot. Position the map tacks in the desired place and use the clothespins to hang the 12 months, divided into 6 cards. Every card is printed on both sides, 4 x 6 inches size.
We were lucky and honored to work with wonderful Guido Scarabottolo and his oniric imagination, as well as being inspired by Diva Pyari's Wall Display Kit, given as a present during the past NSS. We wanted to design a calendar that creates a perpetual landscape, all year long!
Let me know with a comment what you think of our collaboration by January 31st and I will be happy to send a copy of the CalendarBook as a giveaway. It will be my pleasure to read your opinion and good luck!





Last image from Scarabottolo's site. Also read more about him at this link.

Quite

With all what it is happening in the world, I feel quite and I leave the blog silence for a few days. More soon in the new week.

J. Morgan Puett

When in 1995, during one of my very first trip to New York City, I discovered J. Morgan Puett store in Soho, it was a pure revelation. The strong impact on my aesthetic had an influence I can still recognize today. I was happily surprised to find her again in a recent issue of Selvedge magazine to remind me this love at first sight. More info here, for you to enjoy!

Working on the Calendarbook 2010

Parts and pieces of a work in progress laid on my table, for the annual self-promotional Calendar Book. This year the package of the printed months arrived from Rome in good timing, compare to other years where the calendar was really ready by valentine's day, instead of of the beginning of the new year. This is just a preview, some of you might receive a copy in the mail and I will be ready soon to list a few copies for sale and a giveaway. More news to come......

Letterpress and Bookbinding Workshop No. 9

This morning I can focus more effectively on upcoming workshops and make plans for 2010. Beside the extreme low temperature outside, I drink a hot cup of tea and I feel more productive.
We are excited to announce a Letterpress and Bookbinding Workshop, this time is our ninth collaborative class, for the weekend of January 30th and 31st, using the popular hard-cover Lotus book structure. We taught this class in the fall and the collaboration between students had an amazing result. We would like to offer this class again to explore further possibility with the Love theme, just in time for valentine's day. As usual, on day one, participants will design, typeset and letterpress print an edition of one book page, by learning basic letterpress skill. On day two, we will learn the construction of the origami-style book and assemble the editioned pages. The picture below illustrate the result of two books, the lotus and a miniature accordion book, made during the previous class. If interested in signing for class, please contact me directly or Albertine Press with any question. You can also find the registration form by following this link. Thank you!

As today.....

Beautiful blue, yellow and red in the snow.

On the way to Toronto

Slowly I have been back to my studio and sorting pictures and memories from the last trip. Here a few images of what the most attracted me on our way to Canada and about the city. Unforgettable is the intimate time we had at Bookhou with a warm cup of tea and lovely conversation. The space is white, bright and calm, where everything on the wall and in display has a beautiful sense of aesthetic. I loved seeing Arounna and John working studio and shop attached, it has a special warm feeling to see the behind the scene of a blog I follow daily. They were also such a pleasure to meet! and because everything to me pretty much comes back to food, I loved going for brunch at Bonjour Brioche that perfectly completed our last day in Toronto!

Announcing.....

I'm settling after vacation and it is taking a bit of time to get back to the regular routine of work. But yesterday night my daughter helped to select one name out of the comments left on the giveaway and I'm happy to announce that Cat Taylor Design is the winner. I'm ready to send the package to New Zealand! Thank you everyone for the lovely comments and for participating. It was a lot of fun and I will make sure to offer more in the near future. Again, happy new year!

Buon anno nuovo

I will leave for the holidays, returning on my blog on January 4th. We are heading north, to cold and exciting Toronto, passing via Niagara Falls. I hope we won't freeze on the way, as to me seems rather a trip toward North Pole! I'll be back with some new pictures for the new year and ready for the giveaway! I wish all of you the best for the holidays and a fabulous new year!

Illustration by Guido Scarabottolo, a preview of the self-promotional Calendarbook 2010.

A thank you giveaway!

I would like to thank everybody that supported my work during the year, by reading my blog, leaving a comment or just by following my inspirations. Please leave a comment below by January Second and the morning of January 4th I will announce a winner for a little package of one spool of Bianco e Rosso twine, a sampler of Italian cotton ribbons and a set of six cards, with poems and illustrations extract from the limited edition book The Insectionary. I will have my children to randomly pick up a name from all the comments. I will ship the little present anywhere in the world! Thank you for visiting.

Italian cotton ribbons in use!

By shipping orders of cotton ribbons and twine all year, I enjoy immensely to collect photographs displaying the use of these materials. Already last year I posted some photos of several projects and I'm excited to arriving to the end of 2009 with as many or more samples of amazing work done with cotton ribbons. I love to see all the possibilities line up together. Thank you to everyone that contributed with their images and creativity!
Coming up a holiday giveaway, so stay tuned!

No.1 Papermade
No.2 Nouveau Design

No.3 Lizzy House
No.4 Maya*Made

No.5 Flora and Ceres
No.6 Jill Bent

No.7 Alee and Press
No.8 for Charym, packaging by Korn Design

No.9 Perideau Designs

No.10 Simple and Pretty
No.11 May Day Studio

No. 12 Parrott Design Studio

No. 13 Truly Smitten
No. 14 Bookhou
No.15 Purl Bee
No.16 Satsuma Press

No. 17 So Beautiful Paper

No.18 "Unlimited" a portfolio of prints
No. 19 Sewing on tapes , workshop in collaboration with Albertine Press

No. 20 My children drawings!

Shana Faust

Today I mailed some samples of cotton ribbons to a New York based stylist for a possible 2010 project. I find her work really amazing and some it might look familiar to you too! Enjoy Shana Faust site and I wish a relaxing weekend to everyone!

Super ribbons sale!

It has been a great holiday season and I'm ready to think head to 2010 and make some changes on the Italian cotton ribbons line.
I will discontinue some colors in the new year and I offer them now with 50% discount from the regular wholesale price! A good opportunity to find some ribbons you like for future projects and purchase them now at reduced price. Available in several colors, in large spools of 218 yards and rolls of 109 yards, please visit my online shop for color availability and further information. Quantity are very limited to one spool per color! I will be happy to send holiday orders until the morning of December 24th. Thank you all for your continue support and interest in my cotton ribbon line and special thanks to Nole and Bloesem for their posts on the Pikku collaboration! I'm always flattered to see my work on their fabulous blog!

Last notes on the Holiday Trunk Shows, part 2

A few notes on our Paper and Fabric at Michelle Willey home boutique, from the past weekend.
We were in a fabulous location, in a large space, with white and fire-bricks high walls . Jill and I were encircled by modern Finnish design, very new from her previous trunk show, white and colorful ceramics and bedding's, display perfectly on distressed old furniture. I loved the settings and we received a very good respond from the many people that came just for the show. The store was constantly filled! I'm very grateful to Michelle for hosting the event and to Jill for complementing my paper products with her lovely textile. And of course, thank you all for coming!

Last notes on the Holiday Trunk Shows, part 1

What an incredible time this past week! I was honored to meet many other talented designers and artists, working with me on the trunk shows and wonderful clients that simply came to visit us in the different locations. Meeting all of you made the experience much more exciting and inspiring. Thank you all for being there with us!
I selected some pictures from the latest show at Susy Pilgrim Waters's studio and house, where despite the snow, more than 200 people came and filled her lovely house with cheers, laughs and support. Great work from twelve vendors were in display, jewelry, hand-made dolls, textile, paintings and prints, Pod shop, pottery and more. The show ended with a lovely home-made soup for all vendors and it felt warm and fulfilling to end the day with just a few friends, around a big dining table. Thank you Susy for having all of us and for being such a great host!
Stay tuned for the latest on Paper and Fabric!



Above, wood-cut prints by Julia Talcott.

Paper and Fabric holiday 2009

The last event of my holiday trunk show is tomorrow at Michelle Willey home boutique in South End, Boston. I will be there in great company with Jill Bent for our Paper and Fabric show.
I designed the invite long ago, after spending a lovely morning with Jill taking photographs. It's funny how, in the end, we choose just a small detail among many pictures, with different styling.
I worked today on the inventory after the other festive party/trunk show at Susy's house and I left all of my products in boxes into my car, after moving them too many times in the last week. Everything is ready now for another exciting weekend and I'll be back next week with many new pics! here below a quick preview of the Michelle Willey boutique with some amazing products. If you are in the area or just like to enjoy a good cappuccino at South End Buttery, one of my favorite cafe` in town, come next door to say hello!


PAPER and FABRIC
Saturday December 12, 11-6
Sunday December 13, 12-5
Michelle Willey
8 Union Park Street
South End, Boston MA

Announcing Felt and Wire shop

It has been an incredibly busy week full of events, but because I probably work best under pressure, I spent all yesterday morning setting up my "paper only" shop at Felt and Wire. I'm honored to be among other great designers, I love the way the site looks and I admire their selection of paper goods. Come to visit my new shop, their Read section is also truly unique!

Reminder: Susy Pilgrim Waters trunk show on the 9th!

Just a quick reminder for who couldn't come to the past shows and want to see more and new, great vendors in one place. Susy's trunk show is tomorrow at 11 Eden Street, West Newton, from 5:30 to 8:30. Regardless of the snow coming this way, in my opinion, it is that kind of annual event that can't be missed! See you there!

The first three shows......

I'm still recovering from the intensive weekend, where I talked to hundreds of interesting people at the past three shows. Very different from my quite and solitary studio life where I talked only to virtual friends in the blog world....
Thank you to Portobello Road, Shelley and Jill for inviting me to their wonderful events and for everyone that came, supported our work and made everything so exciting. It couldn't be the same without you!


Day one: Portobello Road with their spacious and magical display of international items. Particularly loved the city guides as a Pantone watch book, by Phaidon and I brought back one of their beautiful plant to enjoy in my home, after a long day!



Day two: Super busy event at Taza Chocolate and Albertine Press, where tons of people were waiting at 10:00 in the hallway, even before they opened their doors! They counted more than 2500 people during the stone ground chocolate demonstrations and many of them made it through the second floor to the letterpress and paper section. I was happily drinking tea with Kelly when we could take a break and adorable baby Sadie, was the queen of the event!


Day three: In Boston we woke up on Sunday morning with a stunning view of the first snow, that prepared me for a festive show at Jill's home. A warm and more intimate event, where constantly people and friends came to join us all through the day. I was next to Susy's silkscreen clothing and leather bags, inspired by her British sense of humor and creativity. More vendors were there with us, unfortunately I barely made it to go the the other room and take more pictures. But I couldn't miss some delicate details in Jill house. Her home is beautifully warm and gentle and I simply loved to be there!
More news to come for the upcoming shows of this week!

Collaboration with Pikku

Ever since my first NYC Stationery Show, I admired Pikku textile and paper, her sense of style and colors. Their booth display was one of my favorite of the all show! So I'm very excited to announce our new collaboration. We have been working on a way to combine Valerie's beautiful designs and the Italian cotton ribbons for her own packaging, but also for a mutual product to offer on the market. As a start, I will have Pikku's wrapping paper in her new holidays designs, for sale during the upcoming trunk shows. We believe they combine well with the colors and texture of the cotton ribbons and we hope you will also find some inspiration for your own creative wrapping. Pikku designs are available in many shops around the country, but also online here. We will develop more collaborative ideas in the coming months, but this seems an exacting beginning! If you are in the Boston area, come to visit us this weekend to one or more of these events: at Portobello Road on Friday, Paper and Chocolate on Saturday and at Jill Bent's Holiday Sale on Sunday. I really look forward to meeting you all!

Dear:Rivington

If I was in New York City today, this is where I would go! Inspiring images, for an even more inspiring store! Found via Chelliswilson.