I promised a quick post on what I picked up on our Scandinavian trip. In all honesty, I could have spent my way through Denmark, Sweden and Iceland. So many beautiful, well designed things from fashion to textiles to ceramics to pillows. However my budget was fairly small (the trip cost us a fair penny not to mention the dinner at Noma) so I had to be fairly choosey about what I decided to bring home.
In Stockholm on the advice of a friend and reader I visited Dusty Deco a vintage store with an eclectic array of finds. The moment I saw these black metal candlesticks with their rusty patina I knew they had to be mine. Everywhere we went on our trip (and particularly in Copenhagen) we saw lighted candles from apartment windows to restaurants to stores. We got in the habit of lighting candles every night when we were away and have continued the tradition at home.
In Iceland I couldn’t resist picking up one of the wooly sheepskins. Not only are they bigger and fluffier than the sheepskins I have seen for sale in Canada but they were cheap – about $80. A great find.
My goal when travelling is always to pick up a little something that hopefully I will have for a very long time that will conjure up memories of the trip. Each object has a story to tell and their story is my story. I think I found some pretty good stories this time around.
Tis the season!
One of my most popular giveaways of all time featured the extremely talented (and equally lovely) Alanna Cavanagh. Well, I’m happy to say that next week I will be hosting another giveaway with Alanna. (YAY!!) You’ll have to check back next week to see what she is offering but in the meantime I wanted to let you know that she is having an Open House and Holiday Sale this Saturday. (With lots of new prints and artist’s proofs available at great prices!)
To give you a little taste of what you might see at her Open House check out these photos taken by Jodi Pudge for the new Covet Garden book.
Worth a visit, don’t you think?
And don’t forget to enter my current giveaway with Albert Zuger. I think his work is pretty amazing but I’m not the only one. Lucky Magazine, Refinery 29, Trendhunter, Flare Magazine and even the gorgeous actress Olivia Wilde have all sported his pieces.
Let’s kick off December and my birthday (yay, today is the day) with a fantastic giveaway. I can’t tell you how much I love these bangles and this artist.
Albert Zuger discovered his passion for jewelry by falling in love. Wanting to make his own wedding bands he took up his tools (he studied sculpture at the Pratt Institute and worked as a fabricator in Brooklyn making everything from bronze doors to parts of artist’s sculptures) and found his true calling. When the time came for Al and his wife to leave Brooklyn for Toronto he saw the opportunity to delve into his new passion deeper.
Working from the basement of their Victorian home, Albert pounds out designs that are both sculptural and show the mark of his hand. Inspired by the work of artists such as Alexander Calder (did you know he made jewelry?) and Isamu Noguchi each piece is hand-hammered. There is something both classical and raw about his bracelets, necklaces, rings and earrings that recalls warriors and goddesses.
His affection for his craft is evident on his blog where he beautifully documents the creation of his work from custom made wedding bands to elegantly curved hoop earrings.
Albert is hosting a Holiday Sale and Open House this Sunday, December 8th from 12 – 6pm at 63 Cowan Avenue. A chance to see his beautiful work for yourself.
To enter the giveaway to win the gold bangles (pictured above) please leave a comment on this post telling me your favourite piece from his collection. (Personally I am in love with this gold cuff. Drop dead, capital “G”, Gorgeous.) I’ll announce the winner on December 17th. I’m happy to say this contest is open to all my readers!
Happy Christmas/Birthday/Hanukkah to all!
Now enter away……….
(Photos by Kristin Sjaarda for The Marion House Book with the exception of the bracelets courtesy of Albert Zuger.)
It’s official. The countdown has begun. Only 23 more days until Christmas!
Have you started putting up your decorations? What about your tree? And how is the shopping going?
If you still have a few people on your list why don’t you join me and some of the other editors (Claire Tansey & Laurie Jennings to name a few) from Chatelaine this Wednesday night, December 4th at West Elm. There will be sparkling wine to drink, food by Mildred’s Temple Kitchen and music to dance to. Shouldn’t all holiday shopping be so civilized? Plus there will be a 20% discount throughout the store which is kind of just the icing on the cake. A few of the things I’m hoping to pick up include those polar bear ornaments above and this felt mistletoe because you never know when you might need to steal a Christmas kiss!
If you’d like to attend please send an email to RSVP@janegill.pr or follow the easy link here.
Come raise a glass with me! Hope to see many of you there. (Plus it’s my birthday so another good reason to say hello!)
Speaking of my birthday make sure you come back here on Wednesday. I have a little Christmas/Birthday/Hanukkah giveaway that is going to knock your socks off. No lie.
