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The Magpie was very honored to meet artist Nikki McClure at the recent BAM Ignite event at the Bellevue Arts Museum. She has a stunning exhibit, Nikki McClure: Cutting Her Own Path, on display until February 3 of next year at The Bellevue Arts Musuem, which I highly recommend going to see, if you live in the area. Chances are you've probably seen her incredible cut paper illustration on book and album covers, and my personal favorite, on children's books, which I think showcases her work marvelously. The dramatic contrast of the cut black paper against white or colored backgrounds lend themselves perfectly for children's books, and her work has such a narrative storytelling aspect.
If you see Nikki McClure's exhibit, you get a chance to see original work and by getting up close, you can see every slice that renders a single piece of paper into a delicate lattice portrait. Admiring that level of handcraft and skill makes me think of jade or bone sculptures, where intricate carvings are made from a single piece of material. And she has a display of her sketchbooks and watercolors, along with a box of used Xacto blades to get a sense of her process and what it takes to inspire and create such beautiful pieces. Also -- put it on your calendar, she's doing a reading at Bellevue Arts Museum on December 8th, from 1-1:30pm! Visit the museum's event page for more details.
If you don't live in the area, fear not! Her books are my Fancy recommendation for the holidays. For the art collector and appreciator, {4} Collect Raindrops is a collection of McClure's work. There are fun books like {3} Things to Make and Do, to inspire the artist in everyone with simple projects. For the family she has several children's books like {2} Mama, Is It Summer Yet, {1} All In a Day, or for the mom to-be, {5} The First 1000 Days. I love giving her books to friends with children because there is always an emphasis on being close with nature and the whole food movement. It introduces simple, healthy habits to children like the benefits of gardening, going to a farmers market and just being hands-on with what goes on their plate. She's also done the cover art for grown-up books like Manifestos on the Future of Food and Seed, a collection of essays about the sustainable food movement.
Art that speaks to body and soul, this is something this Bird can flap her wings about. Nikki McClure's books can be found in bookstores and online, and a quick way to get them is at BuyOlympia.com -- that's where I did a bunch of shopping myself!
Jaunty Fine Print: Books available in stores, or for purchase on Nikki McClure's website
The Magpie received an especially Jaunty Fancy-ful gift recently from a good friend -- some internationally-themed goodies like a little Union Jack frame, a lovely oval dish, Tokyo Milk soap in a heavenly scent, and a copy of Parisian Chic: A Style Guide
, by Ines de la Fressange and Sophie Gachet. Imagine getting your hands on a personal notebook of the ultimate Parisienne, with all the little hints over effortless style, sweetly hidden-away boutiques, lessons on how to order off a menu, and where to stay while in the City of Light. That's what this little red book is, and it's tres awesome.
If I were to ever write a book, this would be the format I'd want to write it -- it's a mix of short essays and a collection of notes, lovingly gathered in scrapbook-style layout, along with photos and clever little drawings. It's a book you can flip through and easily read out of order, as it's not a novel, there's no plot beyond your own desire to explore the different sections at your leisure. Which I think should be the first lesson for Parisian Chic -- no time constraints, no rush, peruse at leisure, and above all, a glass of wine or a creamy cafe au lait in hand. Croissant optional, but highly recommended. Merci.
Jaunty Fine Print: photos by Denise Sakaki
Who says Valentine's Day is only for sweethearts? Not this Birdy. The Magpie believes one should celebrate any special person you love with all your heart! Can't a best friend or beloved family member be as much the apple of one's eye? It's only a few days until the big V-Day, which is unfortunately falling on the most un-loved day of the week: Monday. Really, now -- way to break the Mood, Monday.
But there's still time to pick something out for your special someone! I found some Jaunty Valentine gift ideas specifically for friends and family, including one from a very Jaunty Bird, the crafty and sweet Alexandra Hedin - a local lifestyle expert who has an adorable book full of sweet ideas. I used her recipe for peanut butter chocolate squares and made my own Valentine sweets for friends this year. Sometimes the sweetest gifts are the ones made by hand.
Here's the skinny on the Valentine goods: {1} Octopus, 8.5" x 11" limited edition print by Juri Romanov from Green Optimist, {2} Rose dial pink leather strap watch by GUESS from Macys, {3} Gravity's Grasp treasure box from Anthropologie, {4} Double finger sparrow ring by Juicy Couture from Piperlime, {5} Mustache Valentine card kit from Paper Source, {6} Poppy red cashmere rosette scarf by Magaschoni from Bluefly, {7} Entertaining at Home by Alexandra Hedin
, {8} Heart lock diary from Tiffany and Co.
Jaunty Fine Print: images from shops listed, candy photo by Denise Sakaki
The only Jaunty shopping trips this Bird has been on of late, have been for friends having babies. One of the things I like to do is add something personal along with all the typical baby wishlist registries, because there is nothing cute or adorable about silicone nipples, no matter how practical they may be. I always received books as a child, and while maybe storytime may have fallen by the wayside in lieu of PlayStations and XBoxes, this Bird is hanging on to the notion that there's still people out there who read to their little one. If so, good on you -- reading really is fundamental. And there's definitely some good books out there once you've run through Goodnight Moon five hundred times.
These are the latest books (some old, some new) that this Bird has taken a Fancy to:
{1} Don't Lick the Dog written/illustrated by Wendy Wahman - a local/Seattle-based author who teaches wise lessons about pet ownership; good for the kids who are starting to ask for a puppy or kitty. Sent this one to a niece right as they got a new dog.
{2} A Pair of Red Clogs written by Masako Matsuno, illustrated by Kazue Mizumura - I grew up with this book and it's a personal favorite about a little girl with a new pair of red laquer clogs who becomes careless, but learns from her mistakes
{3} Just Being Audrey written by Margaret Cardillo, illustrated by Julia Denos - just discovered this book and it's so charming and beautiful, I have to get a copy for myself. It's a sweet biography about Audrey Hepburn, incredibly illustrated, focusing on all the good things and humanitarian efforts she championed in her life.
{4} Zen Ghosts written/illustrated by Jon J. Muth - it's never too early to teach a child about questioning the world around them and embracing a deep sense of humanity. A tale about the power of love and lost spirits, elegantly told and illustrated by Jon J. Muth. He also illustratedCity Dog, Country Frog
, also a sweet tale about friendship.
{5} This is New York written/illustrated by Miroslav Sasek - this is just one of several cities Sasek has chronicled in his geographical series of wonderfully illustrated books, which you can see here. The classic NYC, London, Paris and Rome are my favorites. They're so modern and clever, and a great way to familiarize children with different places.
{6} Little Pea written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Jen Corace - all I have to say about this book is: so cute, it hurts!! An adorable little pea reluctantly eats his dinners of candy and sweets, just so he can enjoy his dessert of spinach! Obvious reverse-psychology, I know, but a sweet-pea book to inspire a finicky eater to eat their greens.
Jaunty Fine Print: book cover images from Amazon.com
Guess what this little Birdie has on her brain? Food, of course! And no, it's not just because when I'm not being distracted by shiny-shiny, pretty-pretty objects, I'm penning my food blog, Wasabi Prime (shameless plug), the simple fact is, food and cooking-related gifts are always appreciated!
The Jaunty Cook felt a Food Mood come on when browsing for gift ideas. For true food nerds, the latest gadget or gizmo would be peachy keen for the holidays, but what about those looking to spice up a drab kitchen or make cooking into less of a chore? Maybe a flirty apron that makes preparing a meal more dressy and less drudgery. Or a vintage-style red kitchen phone to add a bright pop to the one room that rarely gets much decor. Even having a supply of sweet treats for an impromptu party or an easy hostess gift is a handy thing to keep around.
When you're looking for special gifts, think of items that a whole household can enjoy and benefit from! Items that brought on this edible Mood include: {1} Pig Cooking Lid from the MoMa Store, {2} Seat-of-Honor Bottle Openers from Anthropologie, {3} Crosley Classic Kitchen Phone from Urban Outfitters, {4} Tea-and-Crumpets Apron from Anthropologie, {5} Object Tea Towels from the MoMa Store, {6} Petite Bouchee Salted Caramel Gift Tins from Foodzie
Jaunty Fine Print: images from shops listed above
What is up with this Bird and the obsession with soaps?! Well, we all have to keep clean, be you a belle or a beau, and I'm happy to say that the handcrafted soapmakers have keyed into that need for gender-neutral and fella-friendly products! Let's face it, our boys can sometimes work up a sweat, but shouldn't they be afforded the same opportunities for quality sudsy products, but without the retail fear of buying something that looks like it was meant for Barbie?
I discovered a recent Jaunty find that was Fancy-ful indeed, as it's locally made, uses natural ingredients and the labels are Northwest-fabulous with that distinctive sly Seattle humor. Magpie Minions, let me introduce you to Seattle Sundries! I had the chance to have a little chat with the creator of these soaps while at an open market the other week. While not always at the farmers markets, the sudsy goods are most definitely available online and it's fun to just read the labels like Sasquatch Soap, Road Trip Soap or Bitchin' Kitchen Soap. They're packaged in these great apothecary-like metal tins with vintage styled labels, making them great gifts for manly-men who want to get clean. I think the fellas wouldn't mind a bit of pampering, but they don't want to be squeezing a bottle of pearly-pink gel flecked with glitter. Not so manly. Plus, the soaps double as a proper shaving soap, foaming up nicely with a boar's hair shaving brush. I ended up getting a stack of these soaps for future gifts, plus one of their adorable "soap sweater," which are cute knitted cozies that double as a scrubber and a way to use up all those odd-shaped soap chips that all bars seem to get whittled down to.
I'm definitely getting more into finding gifts that are locally made with a distinctive Northwest flair, as it's fun to give objects that clearly have their own voice, and Seattle Sundries definitely has a sudsy tale to tell!
Jaunty Fine Print: photos by Denise Sakaki
I know I've said it before, but I can't stress how fortunate I feel to have such thoughtful, generous-hearted friends who know how to give fantastic gifts. So this post's for you, for all the friends of the Magpie. I wanted to showcase some of the sweet things friends recently gifted a couple of months ago, when this Bird got older, not necessarily wiser. Ba-dum-bump -- thank you Ladies and Germs, I'll be here all week!
My friend Renee gave me these amazing hand-blown glasses by a local artist who sells his fragile wares at the Issaquah farmers market -- I believe she said his name is Chico. Which immediately makes me think of Chicos the store, and that makes me wonder, does he have weird sizing numbers and sell really crazy clothing and big jewelry? Another dear friend, Miss Anne, the Angry Peanut -- don't ask why she has this nickname, it would require the need for a whole new post -- who gave me a little Kokopelli figurine as a reminder of our days in Arizona, where we met at college, discovered our profound obsessive love of the show X-Files, and have continued our BFF-ness ever since. The totally adorable vintage creamer that looks like a singing cow is from superpal and blogger compadre, Miss Radish and Rose, putting the "rad" in "radish." She and I have a love of sadly cancelled TV shows, one of them being Wonderfalls
, this total gem of a TV series by the same brilliant mind behind another fabulous but cancelled show, Pushing Daisies
. Wonderfalls was about a surly girl who works in a souvenir shop and all these objects in the store start advising her to do random crazy stuff that result in good things. Prophet or schizophrenic entertainment? Who cares. The show was adorable and it featured a Limoge cow creamer that had the best advice I've heard all week, which was: "Have a pancake." If that's the voice of God talking, sign me up.
Jaunty Fine Print: photos by Denise Sakaki
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