Custom Order: Octopi, Revamped

Spring is finally upon us, and with it, bicycling season.

I just finished a custom helmet for a girl named Natalie out in California. It was my first official commission for Ferocious Ostrich Helmets, and it was so much fun to collaborate and create something unique for someone all the way across the country.

Natalie liked my original octopus design, but decided to put her own spin on it, requesting purple and green octopi with a blue and gold background. I found some great iridescent gold paint for the background and accents. These pictures were taken before I applied the glossy sealant, but the gold was still super cool in the finished product.

While I like coming up with my own designs, I think custom work is really where it's at. I'm looking forward to my next custom order. And thanks to Natalie for being an awesome first customer.

So how about it, Pittsburghers--have you been taking advantage of the good weather?

Headgear, Pt. 2

As a follow up to this post, I'm now getting around to announcing (somewhat belatedly) that I was chosen as a vendor for this year's Handmade Arcade in Pittsburgh.

It was totally crazy. And exciting. I met a ton of incredible people, and I'm looking forward to getting this little business of mine off the ground.

If you're interested in seeing what I've been up to, and what I have for sale, visit my etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/FerociousOstrich. I have some pre-made sizes available--and you can place a custom order for a different size, or even your own design.

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Arcade--and for making my day a total blast.

Decompression

One of the good things about working in Oakland is my proximity to the Carnegie Museum. I usually remember it when I'm feeling bombarded--and it has never failed to be a sanctuary, even on the toughest of days. When I feel disordered and disheveled and stretched to my limit, the museum provides a space for me to breathe in again. It is ordered and clean and quiet, both cozy and spacious. 

On Friday, I wandered in for one of my lunch-break escapes. I sat on a leather couch in a purple gallery and read about James Abbott McNeill Whistler. I strolled through the blue-walled galleries that house their (familiar) permanent collection. I even ducked into the Natural History section and disappeared into the hall of minerals and gems.

Though I've been to the museum countless times, I always discover something new while I'm there. This time, I was surprised to find myself most attracted to abstract, black-white-and-greyscale paintings hanging in the more modern end of the permanent galleries. They felt expansive: free and open to interpretation.

Detail from Castile (España) by Robert Motherwell, 1952

Detail from Siegfried by Franz Kline, 1958

Detail from Painting, by Antoni Tápies, 1958

Which goes to show that even if the venue is the same, you can always see things with new eyes, every single time you go.

Summer Bike Style

Oh friends. I made a pact with myself to ride my bike to work as often as possible this summer, and since the weather broke last week, I thought I was safe. Yesterday, though, I should have suited up a bit better, because it was cold. I think I almost lost a few fingers.

With thunderstorms in the forecast today, I gave myself a break, but I plan to be back in the saddle tomorrow. In the meantime, here are some things that have me thinking about summer biking in the city.

1. This I'm with Bluegrass t-shirt is merch from one of my favorite bands ever, the Punch Brothers (any old-school Nickel Creek fans out there? Anyone?). I get to see them on April 16th, and you can bet your booty this shirt is coming home with me. 16-year-old me is already jealous that she didn't get to wear it first.

2. This is one of my favorite maps of Pittsburgh, by Commonwealth Press. I live in Greenfield--can you spot it?

3. While we're talking maps, Woodcut Maps might be my new favorite design idea ever. Choose a location on Google Maps, choose up to four different woods, and they'll ship your map in two weeks. How beautiful is that?

4. Yes, this is a planter that attaches to your bike. Yes, it is orange with a teal elastic, and yes, it is holding succulents. No more needs to be said about this.

5. I'm addicted to gray sneakers, and these ones by Born look right up my alley. Sure, they're $95.00 a pair, but this is my bloggy dream world, so I'll do what I want. ((P.S., did anyone realize that Simple Shoes is on hiatus? So very, very sad. I should grab a pair from Zappos before they disappear forever.))

6. I can't wait to make one of these jersey, finger-knit bracelets, as shown in Vanessa Christenson's how-to. Can I rewind to a couple years ago when I donated all those old college t-shirts during a closet binge? There are accessories to be made!

The weather was perfect for my lunch break, so I got to have a nice lunch with my favorite boy and even sneak in an orange-pineapple ice cream cone. I'm so, so glad that the sun is back.

Melting Point

As a Christmas gift, I bought my little sister two spots at the Pittsburgh Glass Center's Make It Now event, which took place last Monday. She was off school, I was off work--it was a perfect setup. I've taken her to a Make It Now event before, where she made a glass bead and a paperweight. The bead was a huge hit, since she got to make most of it herself, so I made sure that she got to make two this time. I get to pick them up for her this weekend.

If you've never seen people blow glass in person, it's something you definitely need to do. The Glass Center studio is a super cool building, made of steel beams and concrete and giant windows. Just being there makes me want to roll up my sleeves and dig in. One more reason for me to get my own studio space up and running.

((mmmm a ferocious tumblr.))