creative arts - Public Supply

Writing things down helps you remember important things and keep track of your daily to - do lists. Public Supply’s notebooks are a bit different. Their Embossed Pocket Notebooks are acid free and FSC Certified, featuring 48 dot or ruled pages, and 10% Post Consumer Waste.

Public Supply is a for – profit company that donates a percentage of their sales to teachers in public schools. Their mission is to help students thrive in their creativity by helping them fund for art supplies in their schools. With budget cuts affecting schools’ creative arts departments, it was important for them to help students have access to the materials they need such as paint, paper, markers, etc. 

elephant love - Ivory Ella

As temperatures drop, Ivory Ella brings us these Tie Dye Joggers—and are a must! They’ll look fly and keep you warmer than your hot chocolate will! Available in multiple colors, these athletic musts are made in the U.S. and dyed by hand.

Ivory Ella was founded in 2015 by a group of friends who learned about the impact of the ivory trade in Africa, and its effect on the elephant communities. They sought to educate the public about the crucial roles these magnificent creatures play in our ecosystem—and the vital importance of protecting them. Ivory Ella donates 10% of their net profits to Save The Elephants.

We’re smitten indeed!

peace, love, forgiveness - Yoko Ono for Illy

I have loved Yoko Ono from the moment I understood who she was. Her unabashed willingness to be vulnerable and share her personal journey through her art and design is praiseworthy. I admire her transparency and ability to champion on behalf of her own spirit and its evolution.

The process of healing is a daunting one. I cannot imagine what she endured the days, months and years following John Lennon's death. But through her inspirational work, she shows us the possibility of celebrating the process of healing and starting over.

These espresso cups designed by Yoko Ono for Illy, were inspired by the Japanese Kintsugi method of repairing broken pottery using powdered metals mixed with water and lacquer. The fine gold lines mimic a cracked effect on the cup, and each saucer features a sentence marking a shattering event in modern history. Thus, interrelating broken objects to physical wounds and emotional loss.

The set of seven ($250) are available at the MoMA design shop. They include the My Lai Massacre (March 16, 1968), the bombing of Dresden during World War II (Feb. 13, 1945) and John Lennon’s death in New York (Dec. 8, 1980).

The set includes one plain white cup, with a saucer bearing the words “This cup will never be broken as it will be under your protection"...beautiful.

This collection is timed to debut with the occasion of the artist's exhibit Yoko Ono: One Woman Show, 1960–1971 at MoMA that began on May 17th and continues through September 7th.

*Though I do not see any indication that any of the proceeds of these cups are going to any specific organization, I know fully that Ms. Ono's continued dedication to World Peace is inspiration enough for her artwork to be included in this catalogue.

Yes, Smitten.

for the love of elephants - The Elephant Art Gallery

What a unique and creative idea...Elephant paintings! These 9000 pound elephants create rare and striking works of art at The Thai Elephant Conservation Center (TECC) in Lampang, Thailand.

The TECC is 19 years old and works in elephant conservation science. They are focused primarily on the care and wellness of Thailand’s elephants, 2,700 of which live on private grounds. They operate an onsite hospital and Thailand's first mobile clinic, which treats sick and injured elephants free of charge.

Asian elephants are an endangered species. If something isn't done to halt the rapid decline in numbers, it is likely that within the next 50 years, this amazing creature will be gone forever.

The TECC in conjunction with The Elephant Art Gallery (TEAG) found a genius solution with Elephant art...selling paintings in order to raise awareness and funds for the preservation of this endangered species.

While the elephants are painting, they are unaided in the creative process by humans. Elephants understand spatial awareness and are able to apply strokes within the confines of the paper.

Each piece is original...and a blessing.

This painting was created by Thanwa. Glorious. This painting being sold through Design With Benefits.

These are cool. I am Smitten.

upcycling elephant poo for holiday cards! - Holstee

Are you looking for a holiday card that is both planet conscious and charitable? Well, I was too! I am a huge fan of all things letterpress, and I love communique the old fashioned way... the US postal service. Thus, while looking for an enchanting, simple, well designed card to mail out for the upcoming holidays, I was more than pleased to stumble upon Holstee.com.

Their choice of printing paper: 50% elephant poo and 50% recycled paper. Yes! The paper is handmade, acid free and 100% natural.

Delightful designs, letterpress printed in silver, blue and gold inks on white cotton paper. Each set comes with six 5"x7" cards and six envelopes. The cards are blank, giving you the opportunity to pen your own singular, spectacular greeting. 

 Holstee offers an array of cards, posters and other colorful, uncommon gift items.

A portion of all proceeds go towards funding Kiva microloans.

Smitten with Holstee.