MAKE.GOOD j o u r n a l

Three days till Open Studio!

2012-02-07T20:47:00.006-05:00

Our Open Studio is only 3 days away!!! Our friends at McKissok Construction, to help us get ready for the event, are rebuilding the connection between us... our STAIRS!! Its amazing how the smallest of things can make or break a space.

That's Dave chop saw-ing the treads

Graham measuring...or something.

Lance walking around looking impressive.

Last stair!!

The stairs are complete and the Bandaid Couch Crew is steady, ready to chill. With new stairs comes a new lounge!

Have your HEARD about...

2012-02-02T16:26:00.001-05:00

MAKE.GOOD studio is having an OPEN STUDIO next Friday February 10th and your invited!! We are doubling the event with our friends at G.H. McKissock Construction as well as the release of our Spring Collection!! Please join us for an evening of drinks and friends!!
RSVP on our Facebook page!

It's great to win!

2012-02-02T13:54:00.000-05:00

Here is the adorable winner of our last weeks giveaway! Joy!

Our studio is coming along..

2012-01-30T10:40:00.001-05:00

We are having an OPEN STUDIO in February, and preparations are underway! We are making ourselves at home at the new space, which now has our name stamped on it! Stay tuned for more information about our upcoming event. And...we are working on a new lounge, which our expresso machine is anxious to move in to!! Check out our Make.Good studio site for our new product updated daily.

And the winner is....

2012-01-26T16:14:00.000-05:00

The winner of our Giveaway is.... Nichol English!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!

GIVEAWAY!! Simply Like Us ON Facebook.

2012-01-24T13:27:00.000-05:00

Today seemed like the perfect day for a GIVEAWAY!!

Inspired by our new collection for spring, we are giving away a Small Limited Edition Monogrammed Zipper Pouch!! This item is great as a make-up bag, pencil case or just to store all your essentials! It's Green Wool with an Orange stripe and of course your Monogrammed Initial!!! Will it be an A,B,C..?? Like us and find out if its yours!!

To enter to WIN just Like our MAKE.GOOD studio page on Facebook. Already Liked Us', existing Fans may leave a comment on this link on Facebook by THURSDAY @ 3PM to enter to win this give away!!

Don't forget to check out all of our new products on our MAKE.GOOD studio Site. For your Custom Zipper Pouch simply specify your Exterior/Interior Fabric, Accent Color & Monogram Letter.

The MESSENGER has Finally Arrived!!

2012-01-19T14:31:00.000-05:00

We are thrilled about our new ROCKIN' MESSENGER bag!

This large bag is great for carrying all your gadgets and holds lots of essentials for city life. The messenger bag is the best for those who go by way of bike or those who are just done with the old backpack!!

This bag has an orange strap and stenciled with the latitude and longitude of Boston, which gives it a bold personality!!

Check out our new Messenger bag on Etsy and keep an eye out for our new collection of Over-the-shoulder bags to come in various sizes and colors!!

Charles...modeling!!!

New Paper Vessels

2012-01-13T12:04:00.002-05:00

During my walk in Blue Hills a few weeks back Penny discovered a wasp's nest delicately perched high in a tree. I was fascinated. The form, the delicate layers, and the way the wasps wove in and out. I wanted to know more. How do wasp make their nest, what materials do they use, etc.
So, today, Charles and I set out create delicate vessels inspired by the wasp's nest. We shaped wire mesh and layered paper dipped in glue. Pretty cool!

Little by little

2012-01-12T10:46:00.000-05:00

Everyday progress is being made on the new space (and graphics...new banner!).

Happy New Year...We're Moving!!!!

2012-01-04T15:28:00.000-05:00

It's a band new year and for MAKE.GOOD studio, a new beginning. I am so excited to announce that we will be moving into a wonderful new space!!!!
It's every designer's dream to have a studio (a.k.a. room) all her own, and this year my dream is coming true. Not only am I taking the whole operation to a 1000 sq ft warehouse loft, I also am welcoming an intern, Charles.
Great things are in our future, and I have every one of you to thank for your support.
So, here it is, what do you think!!!

That was the "before".

...and this is progress. I can't wait for the final reveal.

The Airstream Lounge

2011-12-07T08:57:00.000-05:00

Oh, who doesn't love an Airstream? The classic lines, the stainless steel wrapped capsule, the history, it's all so nostalgic of that time in american history when road trips and the great outdoors were part of the american dream.
So when I was asked to design the interior of an Airstream for a duo of talented guys I jumped at the opportunity. We met, we discussed, we dreamt about what this iconic object could become. I can't reveal all the details just yet, but the design is well on it's way and I am beyond excited to see this happen!
Until then, here is a little taste of some of the materials we will be using

Vintage Army Blanket-Transformed

2011-12-01T17:27:00.002-05:00

It all started with this gorgeous vintage wool army blanket. I found it at a local Salvation Army, deep in a bin filled with odds and ends. The smell of mothballs was so overwhelming I almost stopped looking. But, then, there at the bottom, I saw a sliver of gray/green and perfect triple stipe. I was in love and in a few minutes it was mine. Mothball smell be damned, I was taking this amazing piece of fabric back to the studio.

I started cutting, stepping away, looking, and cutting some more and pretty soon I knew what it was going to become.

It was the perfect material for an oversized pillow featuring hand painted stencil. 42 21 71 5...can you guess what the numbers mean?

Find the Vintage Army Pillows at Room 68!

But the large pillow was just the beginning. This sturdy material also transformed into a few small lumbar pillows and a tote. I'd love this bag for storing hats and gloves in an entry, or blankets in the living room!

SOWA Holiday Market is December 10th

2011-12-01T10:55:00.001-05:00

MAKE.GOOD studio will be at SOWA HOLIDAY MARKET again this year! Don't miss this amazing collection of artists. Hope to see you there.

An interview.

2011-11-29T16:17:00.000-05:00

I was recently interviewed by Wentworth Magazine to accompany an article in the upcoming Winter 2012 Issue that will feature my handbags ! It was such a fun experience and I was excited to be doing this for my alma mater. While it was happening, however, I remember feeling a little nervous and hoping that, through the nerves, what I was saying was somehow making sense.

I hope you enjoy it and perhaps get a bit of insight into my process, the things that inspire me, and a little peak into the MAKE.GOOD studio.

A pillow in a room

2011-11-22T15:55:00.002-05:00

You may have spotted images on my Facebook page vaguely resembling a pillow. It's a project I have been working on for a some time. A pillow for the super fabulous Room 68, a furniture and design gallery that recently opened in JP.
If you haven't been there yet, go now! You will find the Comfort/Conform pillow among the many beautiful object for sale in this gallery/shop.

DON'T MISS: Visit the Room 68 website and see the beautiful video of the opening! It was a great party

Winter 2012 collection

2011-11-22T15:52:00.001-05:00

It's here...and I'm glad to be back! Fewww, I thought for a while there I was in a permanent creative dry spell. As it turns out, it was just the break I needed.
I am so in love with the latest collection. It's feminine with an edge. It's super stylish without sacrificing function, and it draws intensely on my architectural background.

They are all in the shop along with many new winter color combinations of the classic designs.
Find there right here!
Which is your favorite?

"Every child begins the world again..."

2011-08-23T10:31:00.001-04:00

It's been a busy summer here at MAKE.GOOD. Lots of new projects (which I'm dying to tell you all about) and many hours of work still ahead.
But the past couple of weekends have been all about relaxation and family. One of my favorite moments was the morning Penny and I picked up my niece and nephew at 7:00 am on a Saturday and headed to the beach!
After a slightly bleary eyed start, the kids were ready for anything! They loved watching Penny swim surprised that it came so naturally to her. We searched for sticks to throw in the water and spent the better part of the morning enjoying the lovely breeze, the sunshine and just the sound of each other's laughter!

I'm always so inspired by children. My niece has taken to designing clothes and bags! She even designed a special MAKE.GOOD bag! It blew me away that a 7 year old already has so much talent. My nephew has started racing bicycles. My brother's son, he wants to follow in his father's footsteps and if it means riding a bicycle for hours then that's what he will do.
I returned feeling inspired and energetic about my work. That's the thing about being around children, they help you see the world again. It brings to mind a favorite quote of mine by Henry David Thoreau, "Every child begins the world again..."

Bench-Calling all Corrugated Cardboard

2011-08-19T11:16:00.001-04:00

It's hard to say where an idea comes from. Pinpointing the exact moment the little seed is planted in one's brain is nearly impossible. In my experience, it's never just one thing that inspires, but a perfect storm of little things converging over time.

I've had this image of what I think is an Indonesian bench around for some time. I had saved it because, if I can remember back that far, I likes the form of the curving seat. It struck me as elegant. I also seem to recall loving that the seat was make up of a few large pieces of vertical standing wood sandwiched together.
More recently, I began thinking about designing a my own bench. As I talked with my Landscape and Site Planning students during the summer semester I was struck by all the beautiful topography models they create using such a pedestrian material as corrugated cardboard.
I suddenly remembered that Indonesian bench.

What does this all have to do with corrugated cardboard? Let's just say the details are not quite all worked out yet. As always with any design, it takes time, patience and a lot of testing. You can't rush an idea and it must come in it's own time. So, for now, I'll leave you with the sketches above and your imagination.

On the horizon...

2011-08-17T14:07:00.003-04:00

I took this photo a few weeks ago at Jamaica Pond by where I live. The scene struck me as odd. There it was a disembodied branch hanging from fishing line. I pulled out my iPhone and snapped this photo not wanting to forget the strangeness of the encounter.
Today, resolved to sit and write, and not having a clue what to write about, (I haven't written a word here for months) that strange image popped into my mind.
So, today I'm writing about the future, or better yet, what is on the horizon for me and MAKE.GOOD studio. I like to think of myself as that branch hanging in mid air waiting to plunge into the pool of water below me. It's a half-frightening, half-invigorating thought. Like when you were a kid and you wanted to jump in the pool but the knowledge of how cold that water would feel on your skin upon impact kept you at bay for what seemed like a lifetime. Until, that is, you went for it. It was just a moment of pain, the rest was all bliss!
I'm not entirely sure what the horizon holds just yet, but I'm ready to take the plunge!
I want to know, what one thing have you been waiting to take the plunge on...?

New seat cushions for VeeVee!

2011-06-02T16:34:00.000-04:00

My favorite place to eat in JP is VeeVee. Literally, down the street from my apartment, it's a lovely neighborhood spot always filled with friends and amazing food.
I recently was asked by the lovely owners to make new seat cushions for the tables that occupy the bay windows of the restaurant. Today, I wheels the striped cushions down the street and set them in place!
I love how the striped fabric transforms the space. What do you think?

Summer is finally here.

2011-06-01T09:58:00.001-04:00

It's hot outside. Just writing those words makes me smile.
The hot days lead to warm balmy evenings. Each is an opportunity to spend time outdoors. One of my favorite summer activities is an impromptu picnic.
Just grab:
a checkered table cloth (mine was a gift from my Aunt Maria...it has little roosters on it!!)
a baguette
some good stinky cheese
a book (about Paris, of course)
a sundress
and of course
a pair of aviators.

It's almost like being in Paris...
Where is your favorite picnic spot? I'd love to hear!

Create something everyday.

2011-05-25T11:25:00.000-04:00

It's not as easy as it sounds.
However loosely the word "create" is interpreted, it's still a challenge to accomplish. Most days I look around and there is in fact something made, invented, produced that wasn't there the day before. On other days...well, the day has just slipped by. Luckily, I get another chance tomorrow...

You know it's been a hectic morning when...

2011-05-20T12:31:00.000-04:00

...your freshly ironed white linen ends up playing with the colored pencils.

One pair of jeans.

2011-05-19T20:57:00.002-04:00

It's your favorite pair.
It's the pair you thought you would have forever.
It's the pair that always helps you remember.
It's the pair that never lets you forget.

The Bernina

2011-05-17T20:51:00.000-04:00

I have been dreaming of owning a Bernina sewing machine since I came to know what a Bernina sewing machine was. Sadly, that wasn't only about a year ago. Thankfully, I now own one!

My journey to the Bernina began a week ago. After breaking another sub-standard, retail grade machine, I decided on a whim to look on Craig's List for the elusive Bernina. To my surprise, there she was in Greenfield, MA, owned by a lovely sounding woman named Shirley. So, off I went on a two hour drive with my dog in the back seat to get her.

Doesn't look like much, right? Looks aren't everything. It's all about what's on the inside with this one.

A lovely Bride and her Maids.

2011-05-10T12:18:00.003-04:00

Wedding season is upon us!
On any given saturday from now until September, you will undoubtedly stumble upon a bride in the Garden, or a groom holding a white train and bouquet crossing Commonwealth Avenue. There is nothing more joyful than seeing two people in love tie the knot... in style, of course.
You may also run across the soon-to-be married girl with her maids in tow, fawning over her dress and smiling from ear to ear.
It's every girl's right of passage; to be a maid at her friend's wedding. Long gone are the days of wearing big, strangely colored dresses and matching"headpieces" made of crystal flowers.
Today's brides want modern maids wearing pretty short dresses and fabulous custom clutches!
That's where I come in! A little clutch, specially made for each girl with her initial stenciled on the inside...and for the bride, the perfect pink on her little handbag. Now, that's style!

What's new?

2011-05-04T09:23:00.002-04:00

Oh, where do I begin?!
I've been making and making and have had no time to share. But, yesterday was photo shoot day at MAKE.GOOD studio and that means new bags in the shop! Yippeee!
What do you think? See one you like?

My morning walks

2011-05-02T11:39:00.000-04:00

Most days Penny and I wake up shortly after the sun and head out on our morning walk. For her, it's when she gets to stretch her legs and gallop about unrestrained by collar and leash. For me, it's an opportunity to reconnect with the still quite world, observe, and, if I'm particularly rested, think.
The Arnold Arboretum is one of our favorite spots especially now when all the trees are in bloom.
What's your favorite spot for an early morning walks?

Meeting of the minds.

2011-04-22T11:57:00.000-04:00

I was recently invited to a "meet up" held monthly by an established group of talented, crafty, small business owner ladies. At first I was hesitant. I asked myself, "What could I possibly have to talk about with a bunch of women I don't know?" Turns out, A LOT!
The meet up took place at Gather Here, a new aptly named fabric store and sewing parlor promoting all things handmade and fabulous. The space is cheery and bright. This is not surprising after meeting the lovely owner Virginia whose enthusiasm for all things beautiful shines right through her pretty black rimmed glasses.
It was a morning of chatting about craft shows, talents, clients and even taxes and I left feeling like I had found something rare.

I managed to restrain my self from buying everything, but am already looking forward to next months gathering...wherever that may take me?

IT'S HERE!

2011-04-18T18:40:00.001-04:00

BeachCityCountry is here! Are you ready???
Which is your favorite?

BeachCityCountry c o l l e c t i o n

2011-04-18T11:59:00.000-04:00

Today the new BeachCityCountry c o l l e c t i o n will arrive in the online shop!!!! Stay tuned for great new bags...

BeachCityCountry c o l l e c t i o n

CRAFTOPIA!

2011-04-07T08:43:00.000-04:00

This Sunday, April 10th is CRAFTOPIA! It promises to be a great event.
Of course, having a show means making many new things! Here's a peak at what you'll see in the MAKE.GOOD shop at CRAFTOPIA! Did I mention it's in Pawtucket Rhode Island?
You gotta go!

Sometimes...I make it just for me.

2011-04-01T07:23:00.002-04:00

Having a business where I create and make things that I intuit others will love, I rarely find the time to make something for myself, or my home. More often than not, I'm "stealing" something off the MAKE.GOOD studio shelf and calling it mine.

Last night seemed like a good time to change that.

It started with a bench. This treasure lives in my front hall (I use the word "hall" loosely as it conjures up images of a grand entry in an old, perfectly restored Victorian, which is not the current situation). I love this bench, and my entry dearly. This lovely piece comes from a long past. It mostly reminds me of the years it lived in any one of my beautiful friend Alyson's apartments. One of which we shared. Before that it belonged to someone in her family. But this now bench, once a coffee table, is a treasured piece that I have loved since the day I inherited it. It's one of those things I plan to have for a very long time.

I had made a cushion for it, which helped it's transformation from holder of coffee, to supporter of humans. And last night I made two little pillows designed just for it, solidifying it's identity as bench.

The pillows are made from old burlap bags used to transport coffee! They have these beautiful markings on them, and a wonderful faint aroma of raw coffee beans that's a constant reminder of their origin and how far they traveled to get here, to live on my little bench.

Coffee bags are closed using a simple stitch made of burlap thread. I modernized the details and used a bright orange cotton thread. Don't you just love the little punch of color!

What treasured pieces do you love in your home? I'd love to hear their story...

New materials just arrived in the studio!

2011-03-29T12:43:00.000-04:00

I am thrilled to have new materials in the studio! I'm planning the summer collection and the most exciting part is when the raw materials arrive. There is something about opening a package, seeing and feeling a new fabric and imagining the possibilities.
Here is a little peek! What do you think? I know I'm longing for summer...

inspired.fashion.3

2011-03-28T11:11:00.000-04:00

I was so inspired by this cute girl's outfit, I decided to try to wear my own version!
How did I do?

(Via Cup of Jo)

My watercolor drawing.

Summer (i)Pad.

2011-03-23T21:25:00.000-04:00

Oh, summer, where are you? It seems almost within reach, doesn't it? Well, maybe not quite, but still.
I can't wait for early morning walks in the Arboretum, late afternoon outdoor dinners, pretty flowers in my hair and an ocean breeze in the air! (Does that rhyme?!)

Lately, it seems everything I make hasa nautical, ocean vibe to it! This latest creation is an iPad case constructed of red and white cotton canvas. What do you think? Are you ready for summer? Would you sport this beachside/swiss-inspired sleeve for your Pad?

Two bathroom renovations, go!

2011-03-22T12:00:00.002-04:00

I'm in the middle of design for two projects, both involve a bathroom renovation, addition or both. What do you think of these combinations so far? Don't you just love the linen hand towels in the lower image? I'm ordering some for myself right this moment, and they come in black too!

PAINT: Benjamin Moore Pebbel Beach
TOWELS: Ralph Lauren
FIXTURES: Kohler
MIRROR: Restoration Hardware
TILE: Ann Sacks

If I were a French Girl...

2011-03-21T08:51:00.003-04:00

Getting dressing in the morning is a daily ritual for us all. It's that moment in the day you decided how the world will see you for the next 24 hours. On most mornings it's a relatively easy task. I pick out a good pair of jeans and the rest just comes together. But on other days I stare at my closet for what seems like an eternity wondering why it feels like i have nothing to wear when there is a closet full of clothes right in front of me.
On those days I have a little trick I use to get me going. I ask myself, "If I were a French Girl, what would I wear?". Voila! I've just reframed the problem, and given it context. It's like the "blank canvas" in art. Once you make the first stroke, the rest comes much more easily.
So, what would a French Girl wear, anyway... It's subjective, I imagine, but if you need a starting point, her's my list! What's on your list of go to items when your in a dressing pinch... I'd love to know! Leave a comment below!

1. Jeans, jeans, jeans
2. flats in the summer, booties in the winter
3. Iron it!
4. Always add a scarf
5. Sometimes add a broach
6. When in doubt, STRIPES!
7......and above all an AMAZING COAT!

Done! Happy dressing.

1. Flared jeans are always very chic (via The Sartorialist)

2. flats! (via Zappos)

3. I want this iron (via Panasonic)

4. This is good scarf. (via A Ride A Day)

5. I have one of these. I'm wearing it in the image at the start of the post... and I love everything EmmersonMade. (via EmersonMade)

6. There is nothing easier than a striped top! Maybe a little cliche, but it works! (via Petit Bateau)

7. Love this coat from French Connection!

Designer Dinner 3

2011-03-16T08:50:00.001-04:00

I cook most nights. It's my way of unwinding after a long day. A few nights ago, short on ingredients, I patched together a version of a staple in every Portuguese household. Growing up, it made a regular appearance at our family's table. "Caldo Verde"...or translation, Green Broth is a tasty soup of brilliant green kale hanging on to crispy chorizo buoys. In my version I used white beans instead of potatoes to thicken the broth. It was delicious!
Even though I am not Irish, it is that time of year when the color green appears in the most unlikely of edible. So, tomorrow night if your wondering what to eat...Caldo Verde may be just the thing!

Student wall "paper"

2011-03-07T21:10:00.000-05:00

It's spring break this week for me and my clan! But, before leaving for wherever they were going, I had them pin up their latest work: a portfolio. They are charged with making a book showcasing all the work they have done during their architecture education. So, here they are, baring themselves. I have to say, there is some pretty good work up on this wall. What do you think? Can you spot a favorite?

Summer stripes

2011-03-04T10:02:00.001-05:00

It is with much anticipation that we await warmer weather. Yet, here we are in full winter still with only our imagination to keep us warm.
Luckily, in my studio, I can dream with fabric and color. I've been turning these lovely striped summer fabrics into pretty little pouches for your iPad!! Can't you just see the ocean, a sail boat, and you in cute little blue and white striped bikini! I can. Ahhh, the power of imagination!

Garden City Arts Festival

2011-02-28T08:35:00.000-05:00

I am elated to be participating in my first Rhode Island Event! The Garden City Arts Festival will be held on June 11th and I hope to see you there. By then, the snow will have melted and winter will be a distant memory. Until then, thank you Festival Fete for the lovely write up on MAKE.GOOD studio.

(to read all about it, click here)

Garden City Center Art Festival Exhibit P

Festival Fete presents Susana DeVoe of MAKE.GOOD s t u d i o, talented designer and creative thinker. From a young age, Susana knew she wanted to be an architect (or maybe an artist, or a ballerina...). She eventually made the decision to begin her creative life in architecture...

One drawing at a time

2011-02-24T09:12:00.000-05:00

Last night I wanted more than anything to pick up a paint brush, a pencil, charcoal anything and just draw. Sometimes it happens like that.
So I pulled out the pastels and started.

Predictably unpredictable

2011-02-16T09:50:00.001-05:00

I rarely set out to make something with a plan in place. More likely, I just start. It can be a fabric, an object, a movie I just saw, or someone I passed on the street, inspiration is unpredictable but, luckily, it is everywhere. It's not always timely, but it is abundant.
But inspiration is just the beginning. For me, inspiration is a blip...and the rest? Well, that's the fun part and it always leads to something completely unexpected. Well, without a plan, what would one expect but a completely unpredictable outcome?
I think this is why I keep doing what I do. The only certainty is that I never really know what the outcome will be. I generally embraced this part of myself, and if you've spent any time with me you know that this makes it's way into most aspects of my life.
But, I have a confession to make. There are those times I wish desperately to be one of those people that has it "all figured out". There is a plan and it gets executed to completion and he/she won't move onto the next thing until it is. You know, the girl who's life and creative process seems so orderly and under control. She just seems to move from one thing to the next seamlessly and with grace.
Ya, that's not me. On most days I'm moving from sewing machine to drawing board and back again tripping over my cat every step of the way.
But enough about that. The real reason for this post is to show you the results of my latest unplanned project. It all started when a very fashionable friend of my donated a few pairs of well worn jeans to the MAKE.GOOD studio collection of random fabrics.
The results...well, here they are! Jeans made into bags.
What do you think? Would you sport this over-the-shoulder bag around town?
What shall I call this new line of bags? I'd love your thoughts on this...cuz I gotta go work on the next completely random and unpredictable thing...whatever that is.

Writing on the wall.

2011-02-09T09:32:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, I just need a reminder.

Valentine Giveaway!

2011-02-02T11:41:00.002-05:00

It's time for another GIVEAWAY!!!
Valentine's day is on it's way and just in time is the new Zipper Make-Up Pouch! It's personalized with your (or your love's) initial and made of charcoal felted wool outside and striped ticking inside.
You can win a customized Zipper Make-Up Pouch! All you have to do is:
1. LIKE Make Good studio on Facebook
2. Leave a comment bellow sharing your "can't live without" beauty item.
3. Don't forget...leave us a way to get in touch with you too, just in case you are the winner.
It's that simple.
A winner will be selected on Friday February 11th.
GOOD LUCK!
UPDAT: And the winner is Phoebe (Heffron Family). Congratulations Phoebe!

Finding a summer sun, somewhere

2011-02-01T20:29:00.000-05:00

This New England winter has been relentless. It seems every week the sky turns icy gray before opening up and dumping heaping piles of white fluffiness on our already snow filled corner of the world.
All I can think of is spring and warmer, brighter, more colorful skies. I find myself searching my photo database for memories of warmer times. Ahhh, the glow of a bright summer sun filtering through the lush leaves of a tree in full bloom. It's my way of coping. What little things are you doing to get through the mid winter blues?

Paper and pink thread.

2011-01-21T11:22:00.001-05:00

My morning's experiment...playing with paper and pink thread.
What do you see?

The start of something new-ish.

2011-01-19T19:31:00.001-05:00

Today was the first class of a new semester. After ten years of teaching, rituals, performed with every incoming class, have emerged. One of which, taken straight from the Napoleon, Washington and Roosevelt playbooks, is that of learning each student's name. I methodically call each name, stare at the human associated with this word for what seems like too long and repeat until I have all the names committed to memory.
It sounds creepy, but in fact it's quite funny. It's like the ice breaker that no one saw coming, and at the end of our four hour studio I'm not the only one who knows everyone's name. We all do.
What better way to start something than to feel like you are already a part of it?
(Photo courtesy of here)

An addition is born.

2011-01-13T14:41:00.001-05:00

As the title of this post suggests, we designers often think of projects as our "little children". From the moment we meet with a client until the day a line on paper become a wall in space, we love them and nurture them as we would a child. And like children, they require all our attention, keep us up at night, and in no way can fend for themselves. But, each step in the process is another step closer to becoming the freestanding project that lives in the world contributing to society independent of it's creators.

As the say goes, "It takes a village...". You know the rest. This saying also applies to a fledgeling design project. There are the parent architects, the cousin interns, the aunt structural engineer and the cranky great grandfather contractor that hates the entire family on principle.
In the coming months I (and my wonderful intern Lisa) am working on an addition to a house for a lovely couple with two children of their own. My little creation will help this family live a life with a bit more elbow room. Seemingly a simple problem, there are many things to consider. The first order of business on the proverbial design table is scale and form.

In the photos above a soldier row of models sits obediently waiting to be tested in context.

There is also never a shortage of drawings, lovingly crafted by hand to ensure the relationship between parent and child is as direct as it can be.
I love the design process and the idea that I can create something from almost nothing, take care to delicately help it evolve and grow, and then see it standing in the world on it's own foundation.

To swatch or not to swatch?

2011-01-05T20:00:00.003-05:00

I have, for some time now, thought a swatch card a very useful little device; tiny pieces of fabric all lined up in a row for your viewing and choosing pleasure.

So, when I set out to create swatch cards for MAKE.GOOD studio I asked myself the following questions:
1. What is the convention for organizing fabric swatches?
2. How would I organize fabric swatches?
3. How might this card be useful to a client?
A quick study of the above questions provides a bit of insight into my way of thinking about any design problem. I think about what has been done before, my own, unbiased thoughts about how things are done, and then how the user may want to see things done.
At the end of the day, after much consideration, the answer was right in front of me on the shelves of my studio. You see, I organize my fabric by type first and second by how major a player it is in the collection. The result is four categories, wool, linen, cotton, specialty. The result, it turns out, is intuitive...to me and hopefully to everyone.
Regardless, it is so satisfying to see all the pretty colors gathered together, organized and ready to be picked.
Ok, so it was also a ton of fun naming the colors. Petra is my favorite. Can you find it, and do you know why it's called Petra? (and don't cheat and use the internet to find the answer)

Energy is Energy.

2010-12-31T17:26:00.004-05:00

Nothing can begin without the ending of something else. As an old, musty year's kinetic energy gives way to the new one's potential energy, I question this premise.
Perhaps a better way of seeing the world is as a series of beautifully stitched together moments that neither end nor begin anything. As someone who tries to live in full color, it occurs to me that seeing endings as giving way to beginnings leave us with a colorless, static life. Then again, what do I know?
But, either way, I won't wish you anything tonight but a Happy Next Moment...it is, after all, all there is!
Luckily, my next moment involves a lovely glass of champagne!
Cheer, Friends! Thanks you for all the lovely moments!
(Photo by: Ramsey Bakhoum)

Back to the business of design

2010-12-30T10:00:00.001-05:00

It must be the holidays. The last few posts have been of a much more personal nature.
But, alas, a new year is upon us and it's back to the business of design. So, what is this business of design anyway? On most days it's me at a sewing machine or a drafting table. But on the really good days it's a process that happens primarily in my thoughts.
Someone said to me once that it seems to them that design thinking is in everything I do. Yes, in fact it must be. I had never thought about this before, naively assuming that of course this was the case with everyone. Turns out it's not, but as a designer I have never know any other way of seeing the world. Everything is a study in proportion, scale, color, light, line, placement, and all those thing's relationship to each other. The list goes on and on and it's as automatic to me (and all designers I assume) as breathing.
So...a new year means a new calendar and an opportunity to add something beautiful to my work space and keep the design brain designing.
Here are a few of my favorites; none short on design. Which is your favorite?

The Chair Calendar by this lovely lady. There is a nice sweet story behind it's existence.

Who doesn't love letter press!!! This is a pretty, pretty one.

Simple and perfect! Find it here.

Oh, I'm in love! Find this one here.

Not entirely sure how this one works...but I'm intrigued!

Typography lovers, this one is for you!

My "new" corner of the world.

2010-12-29T20:57:00.002-05:00

In anticipation of the arrival of my beloved cousin Juliana, I have been reorganizing the 1200 sq. ft that I call home. Working, living and sleeping have been thrown up in the air and landed in new places; all good.

But, humor aside, let me tell you a little about my cousin... Juliana is one of the beautiful people. She's not just beautiful on the outside, but much more importantly, beautiful on the inside.
She is genuine, kind, loving, smart, and a pediatrician which (obviously) means she cares for all the little beings that, to so many of us, remain a mystery.
Juliana is an angel; a woman I have known my whole life and never once felt anything but kindness from and toward. I feel lucky to have the opportunity to have her in my home for the next three months... my hope is that we will learn from each other. As children we concocted dances and languages only known to us, but as adults, we have had few opportunities to spend much time together. Well...this is our chance. Prima, I can't wait!

...and we both have awesome (giant) front teeth!!!!

My Dad

2010-12-23T08:56:00.001-05:00

Last year my dad retired. He was a sea captain his whole life, going off for weeks and months at a time to sail the seas. It's just how it was. We'd see him off at the dock or the airport, kiss his cheek, hug him tightly and know that for the foreseeable future he would be where he loved to be, on the sea.

Time would go by and he would return home. We were so happy to see him and have him around to play with for a time. And then, inevitable, the cycle would begin all over again.

Until recently it never occurred to me that this is not how most kids grow up. I suppose it is because I never felt like I had less of a dad than anyone else. In truth, I always felt like I had the best dad in the world...I still do.

This past weekend my dad turned 67. We took him to lunch to celebrate, and to our surprise hear stories about his youth. Somewhere between the appetizers and the main course, my dad started telling us stories about his teenage years. He told us how he would skip his violin lessons to run off to the beach to hang out with his friends. He relived the days when he was a young man with a guitar slung over his shoulder serenading the girls. And then he told us of how he fell in love with my mom, his best friend's sister, the first time they danced.

We took in every word with fascination. You see, we have always know there is this whole other side to my dad that none of us really knows. Not just the youthful man part, but also the part that lived his whole live floating on a vast ocean under a broad sky with all the stars in the world to keep him company. I can only imagine what that may have been like, but knowing my dad confirms that it makes you a thoughtful, loving, caring, wonderfully soulful human being...and a great father; not measured by amount of time spent with his children, but by the quality of every moment.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD! Now that we have you around all the time, we can't wait to hear ALL your stories.

Girl Evolving

2010-12-17T09:53:00.004-05:00

I believe you can tell a lot about a girl by what she does with her hair.

This belief may come from my own lifelong fascination and experimentation with hair styles. I'm the type who never holds on to a particular style, or color for that matter, for very long. I get bored. What does that say about me? Hmmm, years of therapy and I still don't really know.

But let's speculate, shall we.

1. I get bored. (I think I just said that)

2. My hair is the outward expression of where I am in life

3. My hair in no way defines me, it's more like an accessory, changes with my mood.

4. I'm an undercover agent and always need to be evolving my look as to not get "made" (this one is not likely, by the way :)

5. I like to annoy my mom.

6. I have multiple personality disorder (my therapist has ruled this one out)

7. I'm incredibly impulsive

8. I'm a dedicated fashionista. (,or I like using the word fashionista as often as possible)

9. I long to be someone else (hmmm....therapist input here _____________________)

10. "Why the hell not, it's only hair, it will grow back!" (that's the one I tell my girlfriends when they are considering a drastic change)

Anyway, those of you out there who know me may have your own thoughts on why I'm always changing my hair...I'd love to hear them!!! After all, it is only hair, right?
OH, and if any of you have photos of some of my more drastic styles...please share!

A girl, some bags, a camera, and her dog.

2010-12-15T09:29:00.001-05:00

Good morning dear readers. If you have been wondering where I have been, wonder no longer. I'm back!
It has been a hectic couple of weeks with Holiday Markets to attend, student work to grade and a giant pile of laundry to wash...oops, that one still needs work, but it's on the list for this afternoon. But, first things, first. Blogging!
I had planned to blog about all the markets from these past weeks and showing you yet another photo of my lovely, ever evolving booth. But I decided you may have had enough of that.
So instead, as the title suggests, I'm taking you behind the scenes to my latest photo shoot.
After all the selling was done this past weekend at SOWA Holiday Market I had a few lovely bags still hanging on the rack. A photo shoot was in order.
Now, understand, during daylight hours on most days it's just me and the dog working away in my little home studio. So when I decide it's a good day to shoot some photos of bags, I have an instant problem on my hands. Who will model? Well, the dog isn't much help in that category, nor is she particularly agile with a camera. No opposable thumbs, you know. So, it's all me. I'm the photographer, the stylist, the model, the editor, the lighting director, wardrobe coordinator, the caterer, and yes even the one in charge of lint brushing the bags so they don't appear all speckled in the photos.
You are starting to get the picture. (Pun intended).
You will find the refined fruit of my labor on my updated website and online shop. But, I thought I would share a few of the more humorous moments of the day. Enjoy!

I'm not entirely sure what happened in the shot above, but I suspect the next two shots may explain something...

This one was getting close...

And, finally, this sums up the day. Lot's of shots where the timer went off before I was able to reach the designated location. Ugh, models, they just don't move fast enough.

Color and Line

2010-12-03T09:03:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, as I scrambled around trying to find some good quality drawing paper for a project I was midway thorough, I stumbled across long forgotten drawings and paintings. They were neatly tucked away precisely where I had stored them a while back. I pulled them out, one by one, and to my surprise, time and distance has somehow made them better.
I had painted them two summers ago at a class I took at Mass College of Art. It reviewed the technique of layering drawing and painting to achieve a hybrid image that was neither drawing nor painting, but something in between. I recalled the professor, Patrick, a sandy haired older gentleman that never sat down, walking energetically from easel to easel passionately talking about how the line and the paint work together to build the drawing. He would pick up one of my pencils and show me how it was done, but in a way that never made me feel inadequate or that I was doing it wrong. The nude model stood silently, lit by the sun as our eyes and minds learned the line of her figure and the tone of her skin.
It was an electrifying week! For five days, 8 hours a day we drew and we painted, and we listened to Patrick knowing that if we were distracted only for a moment we would miss it.
Yesterday, when I pulled out those drawings, it all came back to me. I remembered the way it felt to just draw all day and think of nothing else, to be immersed in line and color for so long that when I went to sleep that night I sill saw the image imprinted in my mind.
I also don't remember thinking my drawings has turned out great. But, yesterday as I scanned them with my eyes and my memory I felt differently. Regardless of their technical merit, they are so honest and free. I see them now and know they are exactly what they should be.

See all the color and line drawings here.

Napkins everywhere!

2010-12-02T10:05:00.000-05:00

The title of this post says it all. There are, literally, napkins all over the studio. They make great christmas gifts, so I'm making as many as I can to have at the SOWA Holiday Market in a couple of weeks. Thought I would try some new bold colors to brighten up the collection a bit. They still need the finishing touches, but do you have a favorite?

Hingham Holiday Market

2010-11-29T09:22:00.001-05:00

The Hingham Holiday Market this weekend was a great time! Met some wonderful customers as well as other artists. Thank you everyone who stopped by.
If you are in Worcester tomorrow, stop by Assumption College Hagan Hall 10-5 for their annual Holiday Bazzaar. MAKE.GOOD studio will be there!

Hanging out with my neighboring vendor, Kirsten of It's Sew You... She is adorable and so are her lovely textile goods.

Little plates, little plates.

2010-11-26T11:38:00.001-05:00

It's the season for being home, staying in, and cuddling up to cozy things. Nesting, we call it; the phenomenon that comes when summer ends, bikes get put away and the fire place once again becomes the center of the home. It's the season for holiday celebrations with family, eating well, and eating plenty.
I love designing and making handbags, but as an architect I have a soft spot for anything home related. And about a month ago I realized the shift in my customers from wanting bags to wanting things to make their nesting time more beautiful. They are no longer wanting to buy hip bags and totes that remind them of how far away next summer is, but instead are searching for pillows and linens in tactile fabrics and warm colors. And so I happily shifted my focus to the HOME COLLECTION. There are pillows and linen napkins. But the latest addition is my favorite, adorable 5" dessert plates, hand painted some with dots others with branches! They are perfect for winter parties and make any food feel extra special. Which color is your favorite?

Hingham bound.

2010-11-24T07:53:00.001-05:00

After the turkey has been devoured and the mashed potatoes are gone (I do make amazing mashed potatoes thanks to Thomas Keller), it's on to HINGHAM SHIPYARD HOLIDAY MARKET !
I'll be there with new totes, great pieces for the home, and an amazing little over the shoulder bag. I'm in love with it's simple design, sturdy construction and handy (fuchsia!) exterior pocket.

See you at the market!

And the winner is...

2010-11-12T10:54:00.001-05:00

Thanks everyone who participated in the giveaway yesterday! It was so much fun reading about how you would use your Envelope Zipper Pouch. But only one can win. Congratulations Lori!

UPDATE: Lori was so excited to win the Zipper Pouch she blogged about it. Read her beautiful words here and here. Thanks Lori! I hope you are enjoying your voyage to Laos and Cambodia

Today...Giveaway!!!

2010-11-11T08:34:00.002-05:00

Today I'm doing a giveaway!
You may remember the Envelope Bag recently added to the winter collection at MAKE.GOOD studio. Everyone is loving this bag, so I created a companion piece to go with it! The Envelope Zipper Pouch is a structured pouch to carry all your loose ends: laptop, chords, keys, even your phone fits in one of the roomy pockets inside. It's 12"x14", made of charcoal Felted Wool and lined with gray and white Ticking fabric. Perfect for winter!!

For a chance to win, please leave a comment below about how you would use your zipper pouch. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck!
(please also leave an email address where you can be notified if you are the winner!)

A custom bag coming to life

2010-11-09T20:44:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago a friend from long ago contacted me wanting a custom bag. A few idea emails were exchanged and before long a custom tote was in the works.
My primary goal for writing this blog is to give you insight into the process of designing and making. How do things come to be the way they are? It's no easy task, but I hope you at least get a peak into my world and the way I think. Enjoy the images, and Sara, enjoy your new tote!

The handle for the tote is a reclaimed leather belt I found. I chose it because I felt the natural leather works well with with the Gray Felted Wool. My favorite feature is the 02115 zip code stencil. It's the zip code where Sara and I went to college. It's moments like this that help me remember why I love what I do. It's intensely personal, always.

So-Not-Russian Nesting Gourds

2010-11-09T09:03:00.002-05:00

I have a confession to make. I have always wanted a set of Russian Nesting Dolls. Why, you ask? Well, I can't remember when the obsession started, but I do know it goes way back. I can't remember a time when I didn't love these cute little pieces of carved wood that, when opened, revealed a smaller replica of itself inside. I think it's the genius design that gets me. The adage "form follows function" comes to mind, except they are completely useless aside from being decorative. None the less, I have lusted after what I see as an object that still stands today as an example of great design.
So why I have never bought myself a set is perplexing. Perhaps I have been waiting for a trip to Russian to treat myself to an "authentic" one.
Well, my wait ended when my girlfriend Rebecca, upon discovering this obsession, took it upon herself to end my wait. Brilliantly, she opted for a modern, abstracted version of the classics. I call them my So-Not-Russian Nesting Gourds. My favorite is No.2, with it's pretty little polka dots. Which is your favorite?

Independent Designer's Market Boston

2010-11-03T09:22:00.000-04:00

This sunday, November 7th, I will be at the Independent Designer's Market! This is a relatively new market that promises to showcase a great group of local, and yet unknown artists. I'm so happy to be among them. Stop by this sunday and say hello!

A day at the Open Market.

2010-10-24T17:55:00.000-04:00

Market day began at 6:30 this morning. It was still dark outside, and I was still half asleep. But as soon as people arrived the rush of excitement took over. It was a good day for MAKE.GOOD studio. Tonight I'm home and tired and happy. Another day of knowing that everyday is a new and amazing experience!

Sometimes, it takes a friend.

2010-10-21T13:15:00.001-04:00

It has been a week filled with mistakes and mishaps. Fortunately, from them came a few successes. Yesterday I finally finished the Envelope Bag which has been in the making for some time. Today, the Cuff Bracelet was born.

A few days ago by amazing friend Rebecca called to share with me her thoughts on a new accessory. It came to her one morning that I should do a cuff bracelet, something pretty, but modern and inexpensive so that every girl could have a fabulous accessory from the MAKE.GOOD collection. It was brilliant! And so I took the idea back to the studio to work out the details.
The Felted Wool Cuff Bracelet is my version of pretty, just enough detail to catch the eye, yet understated and unabashedly modern.

The Cuff also works perfectly with the new Envelope Bag! I can't wait to debut them both at the SOWA Open Market this sunday, October 24th!!! Let me know if your coming by.

A new bag in the making.

2010-10-20T09:42:00.000-04:00

It's always fun and challenging to develop a new bag. The ideas usually brews for a while in my brain before materializing into what, at first, is a rough version of what I intended. But with refinement and detail and a lot of patience, something does eventually emerge.
In the case of the Envelope Bag it has been in the works for awhile. It started a couple of years ago when a coworker and friend moved away to Seattle. I wanted to make something unique as a gift for her. How to capture the personality and character of a person in a bag?
Katie is bright and spirited, but at heart a workaholic and super organized. The Envelope Bag was born from the idea that a fun carry-all in bright summer colors could double as a corporate envelope to carry papers or go along on an interview.
Then last year another friend, Alyson, saw a photo (above) of the Envelope and wanted one. So a bit of refining and reworking, the second iteration of the bag emerged. Very similar to the first, but the proportions got refined a bit and the materials also changed to work for winter.

The result is an elegant, but still fun bag that seems more appropriate for that interview I mentioned. We are in Boston after all and not the beach, so Charcoal Felted Wool accented with a pretty bright orange detail is just perfect! The final step will be the custom stencil to complete the bag. I'm struggling with this decision. I love the leaf pattern, but keep wondering if it will still work with the more stark, serious fabric. Maybe the contrast is just what it needs... After all, life often is a lovely combination of both.

A new camera to see the world with

2010-10-17T17:43:00.003-04:00

The Blackbird Fly 35mm TLR Twin Lens Reflex Camera is the latest little gadget to catch my fancy. You may remember at the beginning of this year I got the gift of a lovely Lumix LX3. A wonderful digital camera that is not only intuitive to use, it takes great pictures without much effort. I use it to take all the photos for this blog.

What it can't do is replicate the feel of a photo taken on film. This beauty promises atmospheric photos bursting with color and character. It also has a few super cool features; square format capability, double exposure option and the ability to expose the entire film to the edge! (check out these results!) I'm in love! Of course there is human factor to consider, and with my photographic abilities being limited at best, I'm wondering if the results would be worth the investment. For now I'll remain content to look at the gorgeous photos that others have taken with this bold looking little camera. Have you ever used one of these?...do you love it?

(Images from Amazon.com)

An evening of handmade art at West Elm

2010-10-15T09:46:00.000-04:00

Last night I ventured up to the Fenway area to attend the West Elm Handmade Art Event. This pop up shop featured local artists showing their wears among the loveliness of the West Elm Collection. I was greeted at the door with a Boston Iced Tea and 20% off card to use on a later purchase. I was smiling already.
As I strolled sipping my tea, already being familiar with West Elm's products, I search and searched for the artists who's work I had excitedly come to see. It took a while to find the first, and this a while longer to find the second. In total, there were about 9 artists present with a small, but lovely selection of work on display. There were stationers, printmakers, a soap maker and jewelry designers. But it wasn't until I arrived at artist Alli Herrmann's table that I got really excited.

(Golden Glow2010encaustic4"x4")

Her beautiful and tiny little gems of layered seeds and wax are lovely in their translucent, almost underwater quality. I bought one of these encaustic pieces immediately for fear of the few that were left would be gone by the time I made the rounds.

Another favorite of the night was the fellow Jamaica Plain-er rennes. The designer's sensibility to line and detail was spot on and her use of bright color was something I identified with.
I spent a fun few hours chatting and browsing and eating mini crab cakes that were too delicious. It's nice to see handmade goods coming so far as to gain the attention of a design giant like West Elm. The future is looking bright for the handmade nation and I'm so glad I get to be a part of it!

A new direction

2010-10-12T14:03:00.002-04:00

A one year anniversary happens and suddenly I want to change things...
I have been guiltily plotting to take my blog in a new direction. It has been feeling somewhat insular and devoid of tidbits the world offers that inspire and motivate my creative process. After all, nothing comes from nothing. I'm a big believer in that statement and have deciding to share more of the inspiring somethings that fleetingly pass me by or have been lingering for years.
I am also hoping to make this a more interactive forum, one that invites comments and feedback, something that has also been sadly lacking this past year.
So, to start, let's talk about flowers!
Winter is coming. I can feel it in the crisp air of night, and see it in the rusting of the leaves.
Spring seems too far away and fresh flowers a thing of distant memories. To me, these flower arrangements capture this fleeting moment between blooming warmth and the deep freeze to come. Which is your favorite?

(Via WeddingAces)

(Via Modest Craft)

(Via ModernGardener)

(Via Design*Sponge)

Is that me in the window?

2010-10-01T09:55:00.000-04:00

A couple of days ago, strolling down Center Street, window shopping my favorite spots, I look up and see my Saddle Bag perched on a "man"-equin's hip, peeking out from under a very cool jacket! Of course, I know my bags are at Salmagundi, my favorite shop in JP, but seeing one there in the window was unexpected and so exciting!

If your wondering, 02130 is the zip code in JP! Fun and graphically cool too.

A year in a life...

2010-09-29T08:53:00.003-04:00

This post marks one year that I started writing this blog. It doesn't feel like that much time has gone by! When I think, however, about all that has happened this year I realize that my life is completely different.
I was working, then, a 9 to 5 job at an architecture firm and teaching Design Studio part time.

I remember the feeling of waking up every morning and dragging myself to the T station, stopping for an obligatory cup of Starbucks and then sitting for hours at my desk staring at my computer (or the Life Insurance sign out my window) wondering why I was there working on projects I didn't care much about. On some days I got to leave the confines of my corporate workstation and spend 4 hours talking, listening, and learning from a group of 19 year olds who had not yet been jaded by twelve years of waiting for something to be different someday, somehow.
I would arrive home drained from the contrasts of the day with little energy left to do anything but cook food and wait for it to start all over again the following day.
I sit at my laptop this morning smiling. Out my window the blue sky reminds me that all is well. I'm just back from a 2 hour walk with Penny my pretty little Vizsla, the cup of coffee in my Mt. Washington NH mug is my own and the day awaits for my willingness to fill it with what is meaningful to me. These days everything feels meaningful because it is my own.
The best part of all this change is the certainty that it's only the beginning.

Thank you all who read this blog and have been on this journey with me. It means everything to feel supported and know that what I am doing is not just an amazing personal journey, but also somehow significant to the world.
I look forward to another year, and then another after that!

Happy.Penny

2010-09-21T15:51:00.000-04:00

There are times when images speak for themselves. This is one of those times.

open.market

2010-09-17T10:43:00.000-04:00

Big news!
MAKE.GOOD studio will be at SOWA Open Market next weekend September 25+26!!! This is a great weekend outdoor market that features many handmade wears, music and food. What makes this weekend even more exciting is that it's also South End Open Studios! You can stop in artist's studios and see their work, meet them and buy art.
I am over the mood about having been chosen to participate. It's a big step for my little operation and a great way to get my handmade bags and home collection to a broader audience.
I'm working extra hard this week to have lots of new bags in great winter colors. I'm also planning a great GIVEAWAY that weekend so don't miss it... I look forward to seeing you there!

letter.press

2010-09-14T18:36:00.001-04:00

Last week's trip to the antiques market was more than just about a fun morning out with friends. It was also a day to find inspiration for MAKE.GOOD studio. Winter is fast approaching and I've started working on a new line of bags and home accessories, but inspiration is lacking. It must be the changing of the season. It always brings on the urge to hibernate.
But this Fall I'm staying focused and luckily my finds at the market are helping. I found these beautiful antiques printing plates! Some have text, others images, but overall I'm loving that the results are still abstract.
I'm not sure yet how they will make their way into the new designs, but I'm excited to try.
(My favorite is the series of squares in the second image on the left! Click on the image to zoom in and take a closer look)

shopping.vintage

2010-09-10T11:10:00.001-04:00

Last weekend I spent a crisp end of summer morning with my good friends Rebecca and Chris. Along for the treasure hunting was also their gentle greyhound Trevor. We strolled an outdoor flea market looking for beautiful things with a good story. I just love the moment when you spot something wonderful among of all the "other stuff". Turns out, Rebecca and I agree on what falls into the wonderful things category and so a great collaboration begins....hmmmm, I like that.

We both fell in love with big old jars. I especially loved the printing on them.

And I just couldn't resist adding this deer antler to my personal collection. I plan to hang it in the light somewhere it can cast a lovely dark shadow on a white wall.
I'm missing Brimfield this week, but taking this little trip only a few days ago makes up for it!

First.Thursday.4

2010-09-03T09:32:00.003-04:00

I walked down the block from my apartment carrying all my wears and arrived at Salmagundi at around 5:30 last night to set up for the Trunk Show. Greeted with great enthusiasm by the lovely owner Jessen, I was shown around this little gem of a hat shop. Gorgeous hats and belts everywhere, propped beautifully on display. So many lovely things, I instantly felt like a part of it all. The music was playing, and we could feel the anticipatory energy in the air.

By 7:30 the shop was bursting, the cava was flowing, and the evening was in full swing. What a wonderful night! I met so many great people and the positive feedback of the bags was overwhelming. That's me in the photo above chatting with two lovely women that wanted to know all about the fabrics and stencils.

Friends stopped in to say hello, offer support, and buy a bag, of course. The HipBags were a big hit with bikers, travelers and dog owners. The clutches caught the eye of quite a few very stylish ladies, and the tote's leather strap reminded one girl of her childhood. Wonderful!

Thank you all who came to Salmagundi last night for the Trunk Show. It was great to meet so many lovely people and get so much positive feedback on my bags. JP is an amazing community and you all make it so!

First.Thursday.3

2010-08-30T16:54:00.002-04:00

The countdown has begun! Officially, three days till First Thursday, September 2nd and the MAKE.GOOD studio Trunk Show at Salmagundi!
If your curious as to what great MALA handmade bags you'll see...here is a sneak peak.

First.Thursday.2

2010-08-29T09:15:00.001-04:00

MAKE.GOOD s t u d i o will be at SALMAGUNDI in Jamaica Plain this Thursday September 2 from 6-9 pm. Our MALA handmade bags will debut the custom Salmagundi Hip Bag made exclusively for this JP shop! Come by, sip champagne, listen to DJ Bruno spinning tunes Live on www.UtopiaBostonRadio.com, and meet the designer, that's me!

First.Thursday

2010-08-24T12:56:00.003-04:00

MAKE.GOOD studio will be participating in Jamaica Plain Center/South Main Street First Thursday in September!!! (That's Sept 2nd!)
Find out soon which fabulous shop will be featuring our MALA handmade bags!
If you haven't been to a First Thursday in JP come on by. It's an evening of Live Music, Art, and a peak into a great community! Hope to see you there.

designer.dinner.2

2010-08-16T13:18:00.001-04:00

Most people, when asked, say they don't like to cook for themselves. It's probably less the thought of laboring over a meal just for one, than it is the thought of eating it alone afterward. Just a guess.
I'm not one of those people. The joy of cooking, and eating is not diminished by the size of the party. I love cooking for a group of friends as much as for myself. I put on some music, pop open a bottle of good wine, sharpen my knife and roll into the relaxing tasks involved in preparing a meal. It's almost meditative, the act of chopping, sauteing, and stirring. And when the moment comes to savor the meal, I sit down at my table, cherish each bite, and daydream.

This past weekend I discovered a recipe for stuffed pork loin. Inside the meat went a layer of prosciutto topped with a mixture of dried fruits, breadcrumbs and goat cheese.

Wrapped and tied safely inside the meat, the savory stuffed package was browned and roasted in the oven until just a hint of pink remained. Or, for the practical, it reached 155 degrees.

Roasted asparagus was what I had on hand, but if I could do it all over again I would have had a pureed something or other. The port wine sauce to finish the dish was calling out for something to pool in...and so was I. It will have to wait till the next time.

photo.shoot

2010-08-13T13:22:00.003-04:00

As fun as it is making handbags, it's the moment you put them out into the world that really gets me excited! Yesterday my lovely and talented friend Kennan and I styled a photo shoot in Boston's Back Bay. We had bikes and gray sweaters, beautiful wrought iron and lots of old Boston brick to set the mood. It was the perfect spot to showcase the Hip Bag and the Saddle Bag. Both are so practical for when you are ridding in the city, but stylish when you lock up the bike and stop for an Americano. So when will these be out in the world, you ask? Stay tuned...MALA handbags will be featured at a great event in September!
More details to come...

this is Penny.

2010-08-11T08:53:00.004-04:00

I have never had a dog. Growing up we were not a pet family. The closest I got was the summer my brother surprised me for my 14 birthday with a little yellow cat I named Garfield. Two months later he was gone. I cried, a lot.
Later, as an adult with my own apartment, it one day dawned on me that I could have a pet if I wanted one. So I got two cats, Phoenix first, then Harley. I loved them.
It was wonderful having those two little furry creatures around. Opening the front door after a long day, they were always there to greet me, and to remind me that nothing is more important than the relationships one has with living things. And yes, that includes cats and dogs. Their wide loving gaze satisfied by a pat on the head, or a rub of the belly reminds us to appreciate the simple things.
Phoenix and Harley are gone, but now there is Penny, a sweet little Vizsla with long spindly legs and unbelievably floppy ears. She demands my love and attention, and in return she makes me smile every day and never fails in reminding me what's important in life. Love.

just.thursday

2010-08-05T15:21:00.001-04:00

Doodling on a rainy Thursday afternoon...

chair.love

2010-08-05T09:38:00.002-04:00

Oh the joy of owning an Eames Molded Plastic Rocker!
I am so in love with everything the Eames' have made, and now I have a little piece of history in my very own living room. I love the way this chair feels both delicate and solid. It's smaller than I expected, but has a huge personality! What's your favorite piece of furniture?

I'm pretty sure my Womb Chair has a crush...

house.calendar (mobile.homes.4)

2010-07-28T12:52:00.003-04:00

Every project comes in its own time. The past few days have been bright with the possibility of this latest work. And after a long process of working with this iconic form, the 'House' Calendar has arrived!
The changing of seasons in New England inspired this collection of small watercolor vignettes depicting sky, ground, and house.

Visit the online shop soon to purchase prints!!

mobile.homes.3

2010-07-27T09:45:00.001-04:00

What started as an obsession with the iconic form of "house" is turning into much more.
This little shape holds so much meaning. It is evocative of times in our lives spent curled up inside as the snow fell outside, playing in the tall grass as the sun warmed the shingles and our bodies, and of the days the leaves turned red and the cool breeze through open windows lulled us to sleep at night.
These are the memories of home in New England.
This project captures these moments as the long year progresses and changes and our relationship to home changes with it. As the seasons change, so do the colors of our lives. It's a subtle shift but one that resonates with us all.

yay.weddings!

2010-07-23T18:20:00.001-04:00

I have been asked a few times by friends to make an extra special clutch for their extra big day, the Wedding! The latest is one of my favorites. The grass stencil is so perfect for summer and the lovely gray interior compliments the wedding colors beautifully. Stay tuned to see it on the 'real' bride.

summer.handbags.3

2010-07-22T10:37:00.004-04:00

A few days ago I posted a peak of new summer clutches in the works. They are finished and I'm loving the new color combinations, white, blue, green, and salmon! There is also a new size, the MINI CLUTCH! Hurry to the online shop, these won't last!

summer.handbags.2

2010-07-20T10:23:00.002-04:00

I always have requests for the signature MALA clutch! Usually from friends of friends looking for a special color combination, something unexpected, or a unique handbag that no one else has. I love commissions because they inspire new designs and are usually unique to the person I'm make it for.
Here are a few in the works...
I have been working with bright summer colors lately, so this is a departure for sure. The beautiful muted tones of deep blues and gray can be stunning for summer...and who know, there is always the opportunity to add a splash of color with the lining!

mobile.homes.2

2010-07-19T15:49:00.002-04:00

One of a few recurrent themes in my work is the "house" with it's sloped roof and sturdy proportions. An iconic form, it is classic and modern, intimate and generic, simple and complex all at once.

These are a few small scale pieces I'm working on where I use both the iconic image and the word home to create evocative compositions. I plan to make a much expanded series of these in various colors and text combinations. Check back soon. They will be available in the online shop both with clip hanging and framed!

inspiration.walk.3

2010-07-15T15:30:00.001-04:00

I am overjoyed by encounters like this...a random mailbox, tagged.

explaining.stuff

2010-07-15T12:37:00.000-04:00

I've been working on ways to better communicate what a MALA handbag looks like in real life. It's a challenging thing. A pretty picture says a lot, but there is nothing like understanding dimensions, colors, and fabrics to help you make a decision about whether or not you will buy something.
Between designing, making and selling, I've been working on some graphics to help communicate the detail information better. Still not quite working, but progress is being made.
Anything you would like to see? Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below! Thanks.

saddle.bag.3

2010-07-14T14:01:00.001-04:00

Another saddle bag is ready! The gently worn leather bag I found just keeps providing great inspiration and material for this collection! Let me know what you think.

Come back to see how these bags look when you wear them! Photo shoot coming soon...

Eames.Love

2010-07-14T11:36:00.002-04:00

I am in love with these Eames House Blocks!
They are simple and beautifully graphic without all the plastic typical of kids stuff. It seems to me that the imagination is pretty involved when playing with this toy and, bonus, it will look great sitting on a dresser or bookshelf!
Is there a little one (or big one) in your life that would love these? I know I would love a set. It's never to early to start shopping for Christmas (hint, hint).

(Image House Industries)

saddle.bag.2

2010-07-12T15:50:00.004-04:00

It has been a wonderfully productive day! Inspiration struck this morning in the form of a few images, and by mid afternoon a prototype Saddle Bag was finished!
I started within the theme of the ARMY MARKET COLLECTION; soft linen + masculine lines. Luckily, I had this beautiful used leather bag to do the rest. I found it discarded on the sidewalk one morning destined for the dump! I fell in love with it's soft, well worn brown/red leather and softly tarnished heavy metal hardware.

With a bit of design, cutting, sewing and, of course, love, the result is, admittedly, unexpectedly wonderful!

saddle.bag

2010-07-12T10:00:00.001-04:00

There is a new bag in the works! It's a take on the Hipster Bag I developed a couple of weeks ago.
It's influence comes from saddle bags used on horses.
Hmmm...we'll se how this one goes.