Designers I Could Just Eat Up: Hillery Sproatt

I met Hillery Sproatt a couple of years back at the MICA Art Market, while searching for the perfect little birthday gift to myself. I found her delicate, feminine etchings irresistable and I came home with a piece entitled, Balancing Act. It hangs on our dining room wall, reminding me as I pass to take a breath and chill.
A local printmaker and fiber gal, Hillery is a Baltimore favorite and can be found at the Charm City Craft Mafia's Pile of Craft and Holiday Heap craft shows. Which means that I am forever tempted by her lovely work. This is the newest addition to my burgeoning collection, Speckled Spectacle, a dense collection of people busied with their work and united in labors of love.
My birthday is just a few weeks away. I'll keep you posted on what sweet treat I come away with! Maybe another piece by Hillery?

Designers I Could Just Eat Up: Young Alexander

I just love these guys and their dishware! I met Young Alexander at Artscape this past July and purchased a pair of itty bitty bowls from them. Then I came back for a few chevron plates that will adorn our dining room walls.

Their retro-inspired motifs are hand-painted and reminiscent of vintage diner ware which I am quite fond of! Even though our kitchen cupboards are bursting with dishes, I can't help but add to my collection of mix-match old and new, humble and fancy.

Paisley Plates

Retro Leaf Plates

Diamond Serving Plate

Designers I Could Just Eat Up: Ashley Lloyd

Beautiful. Haunting. Mysterious. Delicate. Bold. Fierce. Meet Ashley Lloyd. A master milliner based in Manhattan, Ashley is a collector bringing to life the untold story of her gathered relics. A MICA grad, Ashley is currently working on her collections of avant-garde head-pieces while collaborating with other designers as well. If only Alexander McQueen could have met this talented gal. It would have been a match made in heaven. To read more about her work, check out this wonderful article by Design Sponge.

Designers I Could Just Eat Up: Essimar

I can't seem to remember how I stumbled upon Essimar , but I am thrilled that I did.
I love the play of color and seemingly simple repetition on each tiny little card.
I had a reversible fleece shirt like this in the 80's.

Essimar takes me back to my childhood days of Rainbow Brite, legwarmers and Cyndi Lauper.

Back to School

Ready or not, the school year is just around the corner. As an art teacher, my dress tends to have a funky flair. I was tickled pink to find Thief & Bandit, a super hip etsy site filled with hand printed necklaces and clothing. Based in Richmond, we're almost neighbors!

Here are a few pieces that I just adore:

Hand Printed Fabric Necklace in Pink White and Black

Braided Headband in Red

Feather Leather Headband