In search of happiness

Really want to share with you guys a thing I’ve been working on over the last couple of months in my limited free time.

Since moving in last year, it’s been playing on my mind more and more how large this wall is; how blank and how little display storage I have. So I decided that I needed shelves, but not any shelves; I wanted reclaimed dark or red wood, and wrought iron-look brackets. Rather difficult to come by without commission for exorbitant prices. In my head, from early on, I knew how I wanted them spaced and what they’d look like; the issue was time, money, and materials.

I went to my local discount timber trader and managed to find a long piece (3m) of reclaimed Jarrah - it was perfect - which they cut down for me into three equal pieces. From there it was just a process of sanding, filling knots with resin to stop dust from collecting (in this cold weather it took weeks to set), more sanding, varnishing, and finally mounting. These brackets, I stumbled across by accident at my local hardware store in completely the wrong section to where they should have been stored - what a find! I marked out their placement on the wall, and a family friend did the drilling.

this baby rhino has been hanging out with a lamb and picking up on its mannerisms. this is so cute.

To watch the entire process in detail (and to learn about the history of pencils), check out our latest video.

Puzzle Piece Wedding Bands

Couple turned business partners  Eliad (goldsmith) + Maya (Product and Architectural lighting designer) first met in India. From their unexpected love affair, they traveled through Africa and the Far East, where they immersed themselves in local traditions. Abroad, the couple explored color and age-old jewelry-making techniques passed down through the generations of tribal cultures.

After being exposed to modern,cutting edge technology of jewelry marking, such as 3D printing CAD, they’ve developed a set of unique and contemporary rings on their shop Cadi Jewellery.

Their collection of promise rings, engagement rings and anniversary rings are made of gold, sterling silver and lots of love. The “Wedding Engagement Ring” collection is designed as a puzzle, which implies the feelings of finding you other half and soul mate. Find them in their Etsy shop.

Miniature Crochet Animals by Su Ami

Vietnam-based boutique Su Ami is composed of a group of 5 crafters in the family who create adorably tiny crochet figurines of animals. Featuring insects, bugs, domestic pets and wildlife, the miniature pieces are generally made with bright and cheerful colors of wool, which accentuate their quirky and unique nature.

The shop is named after the youngest member, who is 10 years old. The charming subjects and amigurumi aesthetic are inspired by childhood films and movie characters. Following amigurumi fashion, the crafters concentrate on elevating the level of “cuteness” of an ordinary figure.

With the use of slightly smaller crochet hooks and knitting needles, the knitted creatures are tightly constructed so their polyfill stuffing doesn’t peak through. Outstandingly small in size, each miniature arrangement ranges from .5 an inch to 1 inch. You can find popular animals, which include a set of different dog breeds, dolphins, deer, bears and other critters in their Etsy shop.

Israeli artist Doron Merav learned the basics of jewelry making when he traveled to Rajasthan, India, where a jewelry making guru taught him the process of creation. Excited by this newfound talent, once Merav returned home he bought the equipment necessary to set up his studio.

His exquisite handmade gold rings inspired by the shape of leaves and roses have captured a fan following for all who appreciate the beauty of creativity, flowers and his technique. Titled “Leaves of Engagement”, each piece is handmade with 14k gold and the budding rose is surrounded by a composition of leaves, thus giving the illusion of a lush and real flower. Find them in his Etsy shop.