Matryoshka Doll Heels

Hand-painted Matryoshka Doll Heels now available online. Red leather "Naturalizer" brand, with wedge heels. See more photos here.

I spent 6 days on the Trans-Siberian train with my mother from Beijing to Moscow, Russia. It was amazing seeing how the countryside changed as we passed through Mongolia, Siberia, Lake Baikal, and then to our final destination. The train was full of different types of people, all interesting, and had a story of their own. A few hours before we arrived, I spent my time staring out the window. The sun was so bright that I actually burned my eyes and spent the next day putting eye-drops into them. We wandered the streets and ate delicious food and ice creams and commented on all of the incredible clothing and ritzy people wandering about.  I loved seeing how the city-dwellers dressed vs the country-side peasants. I adored the Russian designs and the traditional trinkets you could buy.

In Beijing there was also a Russian Market lined with fur shops. I loved going there in the fall- when it started to get crisp and cold. I also loved the influence of the Russian culture and imports they had there, mingled with the Chinese treats and goods. Once again, I was reminded of these memories, as I painted on the toes of these shoes.

Left & Bottom Photo: My Little Belleville
Right Photo: Jessica Peterson Photography

Strawberry Spring Photoshoot

During my time in Paris, I was constantly inspired by my environment. On the last few days there, I came across a bike leaning against the side of the road, on it's way from a delivery- a crate on the back of it with the words Elle et Lui and a pair of strawberries underneath it. I stored that image away for a rainy day and decided to paint it on my first pair of flats here. I have also said in previous posts how I always keep a look out for a nicely shaped ballet flat. Pairing both this design with the help of adorable shoes is such a delight. Thankfully you too can have a pair of these black ballet ankle flats pictured above. Click here for more sizes and photos. The vintage bag pictured is a commissioned portrait of a client's grandmother that I did for her.

I loved how these photos evoke those feelings of early spring. That day the weather felt like the ocean when it comes in waves of cold and warm. I hope the weather makes up its mind one way or the other, but oh how I love the sun, how I adore a new pair of shoes, and how I cherish my memories of France.

Photography: Jessica Peterson
Model: Elyse
Shoes & Bag: My Little Belleville

Spring Sale

When I was little I always loved Easter because I would get a new dress to wear to church and it was always so pleasant and beautiful outside.  We'd get Easter baskets, but nothing too extravagant. My mother would always write us little notes and give us plastic Easter eggs with jelly beans in them and sometimes a little stuffed animal to go with it. I love those memories. Easter Sundays were so nice after long winters of cold and dark.

I've painted a bunch of wooden eggs to make those Easter baskets stand out. These little guys are made of wood and will be able to stick around just as is even after Easter is over. They will be a fun addition to the rest of the items you've planned to give with them. Or just give it alone. 

Either way, I think they'll be happily received.

And what is even better- you get 10% off everything in the store with coupon code: PRINTEMPS

Enjoy this lovely sunny weather!

Interview & Anthro Platter Giveaway!

T'keya from her blog, Della Rouge, contacted me to do an interview and giveaway last week. She was such a doll to talk to, and full of thoughtful questions and insights. I loved talking to her, and we wandered around my studio taking photos and chatting.

 Read the interview here and enter the giveaway for one of my Anthro platters!

Better.

Okay so I am embarrassed that I talked about how good I was at art in High School when my print was abysmal yesterday. So here's a better eye and another one that I worked on.

Cheerio!

Eye Love You

I'm working on a lino-cut and so far the block is looking a lot nicer than the actual print. Oh well!

When I was in High School in South Africa, I started IB Art early- in 9th grade instead of 11th. I got special permission from my teacher, who thought I could do it if I worked really hard. My time in South Africa wasn't the most pleasant, I think those two years were a hard start to my teen years. But my IB Art class and my best friend Tarryn saved me from going crazy. I delved into my class and got nothing but A's the whole two years (which is kind of how I live my life...things I like vs. things I dislike) I took this workshop with the older IB students where I learned how to do copper etching. It was during two weekends in Johannesburg, and it was a gorgeous process- the way the old masters would do it. Etching our intial design onto a copper plate, then putting chemicals on it to eat away the lines in the copper, then plunging it into another solution to stop the process. I comforted myself quite a bit with my art while I lived there.

Obviously lino-cut printing is much less complex, and takes a lot less time. But it made me remember that memory, and how even though those years were difficult, I still found joy in my art.

HIIIiiiii Free Shipping!

Free Shipping on ALL iphone covers with coupon code: parachute. This is my favorite phone cover. I'm not even sure where I came up with this girl. I think I was in a circus, French clown, hedgehog mood. (Which is ALL THE TIME??!!!)

Etsy Shop Feature

I'm pretty excited to share my interview on Etsy today. I have to admit when I first started selling on Etsy, I had mixed feelings. I initially felt I would get lost in the chaos. But I've found such a supportive network amongst those shop owners, artists, and designers. It's wonderful to feel like it's a safe space where just about any creative can come and sell their work. 

A big Thank You to Matt Clayton, who is an incredible photographer and did all of the photos in this feature. Check out more of his work here.