Peacockette

I've got 1920s glamour on the brain! I'm listening to '20s jazz while drawing Art Deco surface pattern design collections and then hopping out of my chair to go dance the Charleston in a fringy dress!

Summer Surface Pattern: Relax

Now in my shop as fabric, wallpaper, and gift wrap: Que Sera Sera

Crested

Creamsicle Mermaid

Tray Mod

I found this fantastic Mid-century Mod molded plywood tray tucked beneath some Tupperware at a thrift store.

The first thing I thought of when I saw the pattern was my fellow designer friend Ottomanbrim on Spoonflower, whose designs have the same fabulous flair.

 The tray was made in Konga, Sweden, and the pattern may have been designed by Astrid Sampe, whose designs are still in production by Almedahls.

1898 Art Nouveau Book

 Not too long ago I was picking up some old art magazines from a library archives building. While lifting one of the boxes of magazines onto a trolley, a book in another box caught my eye. I saw something turquoise and ornate, and pulled out this Art Nouveau beauty.

I cracked it open and found that it was printed in 1898! As I was flipping through it, I turned to the elderly woman who was the volunteer book sorter helping me with the magazines and asked where this book was going. She said to a used book store. I asked how much it would cost there. She said probably around $30. We flipped through it some more. I drooled. She saw me drooling. She said she'd give it to me for $5. I grabbed some change out of my coat pocket.   

And now it's sitting in my house.

It is such a fancy book--complete with a gilt pages and golden lily motifs on the covers!

As it turns out, it is a French biography about Capitaine Belletable. I guess I'll have to read it to find out what made this dude so special.

Something I love about old books is the bookmarks that hide in them. I found this perfectly-penned list (look at that calligraphy!) snuggled between the pages.

What a find!