Restoration Values

Restoration Values

I loved this article I found in American Craft Magazine today.
John Hindman of Red River Restorations handcrafts custom doors, windows and even detailing after the style and quality of older homes.
I really admire the ideas and values behind the business.
Writer Julie K. Hanus states "A culture of cheap and fast has crowded out values like quality, durability, and craftsmanship.  And its those values that Hindman is out to restore, one building at a time."
He explained how people set out to restore homes, and find that the materials they need that no longer exist or are difficult to locate: sash weighted window panes, antique mortise locks hand-mixed paint.  His team works for quality, "Slow, mindful production" and making every inch "special and useful."
Lately, they have been constructing fondly named "bungalitos" as "period perfect mates" to the homes that they restore.  They work as great studio spaces or guest houses.
I love this paragraph:

"Yet more and more people are choosing Hindman's way of doing things, from his company's clients to people across the country who have joined in this shift toward what the inventor Saul Griffith calls "heirloom design," a spirited repudiation of the throw-away principles of consumer culture. Judging from the rebounding DIY ethic and the popularity of books such as Sarah Susanka's Not So Big House, a lot of Americans are recognizing that something's missing in contemporary society. That intangible value goes by a lot of names - quality, authenticity - but readers of this magazine will recognize it by this one: craftsmanship."

Card Case Failure

I don't want this blog to be a place where I just root-tootily-toot about my successes, I'd like to display my failures as well.  

Enjoy.

I wanted to use an Altoid Tin as a carrying case for my new bunny calling cards from Paper-Source.  I went through all the trouble of emptying its contents into an envelope on the hood of my car outside of Publix, cleaning out the powder, and photographing each of these steps while melting in the heat when I was met with the simplest of roadblocks: my cards were too long for the tin. 

Sigh.

Neat n' Woodsy

 Long Wooden Desktop Organizer

I searched natural wood organizer on Etsy and came across these natural beauties.
The above was made by Lisa's Paintbrush from reclaimed barn wood.
I especially enjoy this design because it lines and separates the paintbrushes. I'd prefer this system to my stick em and mix em in a mason jar system that I have going on right now.  

Garny Spalted Maple Desktop Caddy 

I liked the variously sized cubby holes and depths and the overall asymmetrical design of this piece made from naturally aged spalted maple.
 Garny Designs also makes some pretty sweet barstools.  

Reclaimed Pine Wood Caddy
I loved the history this caddy carried with it, constructed from antique floor joints in 19th century Philadelphia.
All of the products at Peg and Awl have a beautifully nostalgic, rustic quality.   

Novel Lamps (there's a pun there)

Gods, Graves and Scholars

I want one! These are quite literally reading lights!  Designed by artist Philip Hansen of Typewriter Boneyard, these book lamps fuse my love for antique gadgets and repurposing old books. 

They are super pricey, though, so I'm going to talk to Cam about making my own out of my favorite books...

The Last Love

Velvet Teal

Reading Light

Subtle Division

Red Hot Crafty Tea

After our Senior Trip last summer, my best friends from high school dubbed ourselves the "Ace Gang" based on the sweet British coming-of-age story Angus Thongs & Full Frontal Snogging.  Members of the Ace Gang met at Amy's house for a "Crafty Tea": refreshments and delicacies provided by Master Chef Amy and crafty bits led by yours truly.  My bestie mates were hesitant at the prospect of crafting, this is normally my sole territory, but I promised them a simple project that would leave them feeling quite accomplished. However, after dinner, smoke began spewing forth into the kitchen.  Unfortunately during fire safety training, we were never taught how to put out a fire in a locked oven.  Madness ensued, and after we located the circuit breakers and sheepishly called my dad, the evening was saved.  

For the craft night, I asked the ladies to provide their odds and ends: ribbons, doo-dads and broken jewelry along with bobby pins and head bands.  I provided magnetic strip, my expansive collection of little diddlies and super glue.  I am proud to say that they all did splendidly, and we each have lots of new hair accessories and magnets.  

Amy cooked us chocolate chip scones and hot tea while we chatted, and then served a Four Cheese Margerhita Pizza, a cranberry salad and White Chocolate Raspberry cheese cake.  

It was a full evening.