Welcome to the first installment of Fab 5 Friday. Where every Friday, we have a guest share with you his or her five favorite shopping discoveries that are sure to be fab! This is part of Rare Bird Finds' effort to bring you even more unique and interesting finds - we hope you like this new series.
Our guest today is Jenny Ryan, a kitsch-and-cupcake-obsessed artist and crafter living in Silver Lake, CA, with her cartoonist husband Johnny and their two insane cats, Kang and Kodos. She is the creator of SewDarnCute and has had her handiwork featured in BUST, Knit.1, and Crochet Today magazines.
She has appeared on two episodes of the DIY Network's needlecrafts show "Uncommon Threads" as well as on KNBC's "Your LA" morning show. Jenny also moonlights as the organizer behind LA's popular indie craft fair Felt Club, and as a writer for CRAFT magazine.
Mushroom Necklace - $15
This adorable necklace is brimming with summertime charm! I've been a fan of Hannah's playful silkscreened clothing for quite a while now, and I love that she's branching out into accessories. She makes each necklace by hand, painting the sweet little wooden mushrooms, then stringing them on cotton baby rickrack along with a glass ladybug or bumblebee charm. You just can't fight the cute!
"Why Isn't My Baby Gaining Weight" cutting board - $33.99
The amazing folks at PuchiCollective use their vast collection of vintage toys and dollhouse furniture to create colorful and fun photographs, which are then turned into whimsical tchotchkes like this hilarious cutting board. It's like Prozac for your kitchen!
Because We Can is a clever duo with the enviable ability to turn any wacky whim into beautiful and functional furniture. They use mostly sustainable materials and water-based, zero-VOC finishes in their work, so you can feel good about buying it—which is great, because who could resist a coffee table that features both a squirrel AND an owl in silhouette? I love that you can choose the color of the acrylic tabletop, I'd love to see it in a leafy green. Only $115 shipped! Beat that, IKEA.
Mushroom Pincushion - $20
Again with the mushrooms! I know, I know. But I love the retro-woodland look of these pincushions, and the color combinations Cathy chooses are so old-school, they look fresh and fun again. Sure beats a boring old red tomato, right?
Uptight All Night postcard set - $10
Full disclosure: Jordan Crane is a close friend (he created the artwork for Felt Club!), but even before I knew him personally, I loved his unmistakable drawing style, top-notch design skills and breathtaking use of color. This brand new offset-printed postcard set-- produced by the awesome people at Chronicle Books-- is like having 30 miniaturized Jordan posters in the palm of your hand. Flawless and frame-worthy.
Do you like our new series? Post a comment or email us and let us know! We would love feedback.
We're looking for readers to be guest posters on Fab 5 Fridays! Interested? To be considered, send us an email with:
- Your 5 shopping picks and their links with photos (item must be available for purchase online)
- Tell us why they're your favorite
- Your favorite item you found through Rare Bird Finds
- Your name along with a brief bio about yourself
- A photo (can be a childhood pic or a partial face picture if you're shy!).
*If you're a designer, we ask that none of the 5 items you pick is your own product If you're picked, we'll contact you the week your picks will appear on our blog.
love these picks! i am seriously thinking about that coffee table! love it.
Posted by: liz elayne | Tuesday, June 12, 2007 at 10:29 AM
rarebirdfinds [AT] yahoo . com
Obviously without all the spaces :) We're trying to keep the spam bots from harvesting our addy. Viagra emails are no fun!
Another easy way to find our email address, click the "Email Me" link on the left-hand column (it's above the "Subscribe Via Email" section)
Posted by: Mei-Lynn | Saturday, June 09, 2007 at 11:27 AM
Hi I want to submit an email with my fab 5 picks, but, I can't seem to get to your email. (or my email through you etc.) so what is an email address that I can send it to.
Thanks
Kristi
Posted by: KristiKritter | Saturday, June 09, 2007 at 10:31 AM