My Olioboard called Cute Retro
I just discovered this site where you easily can create your own dream living space using Olioboard, it is free and fun to use. It works like a very simple version of Adobe Photoshop and you can use the items on the site (which you can buy of course). -Clever advertising but it is possible to add your own images as well.
Some of the cute retro furniture are from Vintage Looks.
Graphics for Bloesem Kids Wear Neon by Marjon Hoogervorst
Bloesem (consists of both Bloesem Living and Bloesem Kids) has been a favourite blog of mine for some time and I am happy to find out that they have launched a kids wear jewellery collection.
All the images are from their website.
Photographs by An Van Daele
You can buy them online here. The materials they used are: Swarovski crystals, neon threads of elastic and cotton and for the closing they have used 9.25 sterling silver.
They are definitely on my summer wishlist ♥
Mobile in my son´s room from acryllic squares which I drilled a hole through and hung on the ready made wire-mobile. It spreads the colours round the room when sunlight hits it.
I wanted to show you a DIY idea for your children´s rooms. My son´s room is very small and I wanted to give it personality and atmosphere. I had some leftover black paint, som masking tape, and a black pen. I drew the tree with a pencil and masked the lines with tape, then I painted twice. The branches are made with the masking tape afterwards and also painted twice. The small insects and characters are drawn with a black all-surfaces pen by free hand.
At the tree trunck I drew grass with the pen, it was the most difficult for some reason.
The boy on the swing is Silas -my son- this he loved! He is part of the magic tree and we tell many stories about the characters.
Tiny characters formed themselves on the tree.
The gentleman spider and Silas on his swing
Just wanted to show a miniature sodapop earring I made. The hole in the sodacan for the jewellery parts, was made with a needle.
I don´t usually take pictures of my food but this was such a nice snack: Home baked warm bread with cottage cheese, small tomatoes, fresh basil, salt and pepper, yummy!
Post a comment here and you could win a Kawaiicph giveaway ♥
I read the supercute blog by Sara from Minimega. She creates beautiful paper graphics such as postcards, posters etc. and shares her creative ideas on her blog. One of her posts is with jewellery made with cernit clay and I had to try this for myself. I really like these molds I bought on etsy. It is easy to use the cernit clay, my only problem is when I glue the pieces on to the jewellery parts. Especially the earring studs don´t seem to stick. I have tried with reular jewellery glue and with a glue gun. Maybe you can help me?
I solved the glue problem with superglue instead of jewellery glue. The neon flower ring i my favourite. I have more colours in cernit clay and will try some og the others, the bow is gold but looks more cookie coloured…The bright neon colors turn out nicely. After they have baked and are cold, I have given them a glossy lacquer coating.
Tea Time porcelain set by Jorine
“Tea Time is a high tea set based on characters. Build up to be a family. Each piece has its own identity. With their character-like look they seem to come alive, living their lives on the table like soldiers in a little nation. Creating surrealistic moments like in Alice in Wonderland.”
This text is from Jorine Oosterhoff´s website and I immediately found my old childhood cartoon book from Disney with Alice in Wonderland. I have taken photos of some of the pages and postet them here, I think the pictures complement Jorine´s porcelain stories nicely.
Cakestand from Teatime by Jorine
Photo of my Disney book with pink “choose me” cookies and porcelain with little feet.
Yoska cups by Jorine
The Yoska cups refer to the wooden, Russian Matryoshka dolls. They can be stacked within eachother.
Snout cups by Jorine
It looks like an ordinary cup but when you drink from it it becomes a snout, and the cups come with different animal snouts. When you buy a pig snout you help support the animal aid organization Pigs in Need .
Tea cups with little tree-trunk legs, called T(r)eacups. Put them together and a magical forest arises.
Which way should I go..Alice in the forrest of signs from my childhood cartoon Disney book.
Bird clips from Puhlmann the Zoo by Jorine
Dear Deer hook by Jorine
Hamster and Squirrel money bank for Puhlmann the Zoo by Jorine
Flowerlamp by Jorine
Left Overs glaze porcelain tableware by Joline
The Left Over in the flower relief pattern, tells its own graphic story..
Here are some of my favourites
My perfume from Paul Smith
A dangerously addictive spicy tea I ♥ ♥ Yogi teas
Fresh herbs in the window sill in the winter and from the garden in the summer
I collect these Moomin cups from Arabia in many colours but of course my favourites are pink…
My Blythe doll from Japan
This is a gift I got, it is so cute from Danish Liebe
My best jewellery: the glittery stars and the butterfly earrings are made by me from recycled paper
This bag I have had for many years it is from HM actually
Shoes from Paris
Candy Apple Mint nailpolish from Essie
I love my blue scarf from Petit Bateau and I collect vintage children´s books
Bathtubs are highly underrated this is the ultimate luxury, children´s bubblebath from Hollys
Vintage pin-up magazines
Vintage magazine Frou Frou
I have read this book many times, definitely my favourite, written in 1975, fantasy novel by Salman Rushdie “Grimus”
I love this cd with Agnes Obel
♥ My stuffed bird
Without a doubt my alltime favourite: my son Silas
© Charuca Kokeshi & Little Bird, 2008
I am a little starstruck by this opportunity to ask Charuca Vargas, my favourite Kawaii artist, questions about cute. She was my first introduction to my fascination with Kawaii and of course I have so much to ask her about. To those who have never heard of this great kawaii artist and illustrator, here is a short introduction:
© Charuca Legion: We are your Friends
Spanish illustrator Charcuca Vargas is the mother of these cute characters and this amazing vector universe. She has created characters such as “Kawaii” and “Gothic” and later “Baby” and “Toxic”. Her impressive portfolio includes collaborations with Sanrio and graphic artist Catalina Etsrada and a book publication about famous Kawaii artists.
© Charuca I Love Kawaii 2008
Here is my interview with Charuca:
First I would like to ask you about the facts such as formal education, current project / exhibition?
My education in the world of graphic and character design has been largely self-taught. Most of my learning has been experienced in the world of design and illustration until I found my own language. At the moment I dedicate 100% of my time developing the Charuca Universe. I have a studio/lab in Barcelona, where we shape the Charuquil Universe. We do character design and product application. Recently we are also shaping the Charuca’s magazine No. 1… with comics and lots of surprises!!!
Foto of my book “I love Kawaii” by Charuca from 2010
© Charuca 2007-2008
I would like to know if you can remember when and how you were introduced to Kawaii and what it ment to you at the time?
I have always felt the Kawaii inside me. I grew up in a small town where there is not much influence of the Japanese culture. The only references were some cartoons like “Little Memole” and some merchandising from Sanrio…Furthermore, I enjoyed drawing big-headed characters, my big love were dolls and stationery. I was constantly drawing characters. Thanks to the Internet, I could peek into a world where I felt very identified, but the seed was already there.
© Charuca Love Kawaii
Do you think of the Kawaii movement as a new artform which in the future will have its own place in art history?
Yes I think there is a Kawaii movement, it is already here, which includes major artists from many countries. I think that leaving an imprint on art history will be a function of artists like Takashi Murakami, who are taking the Kawaii to another level, bringing their work to MOMA and Louvre museums.
© Charuca Sugar Avenue
© Charuca Mini Toys 2010
© Charuca Paper Toy 2010
I have met people who think of kawaii art as a kind of superficial way of viewing the world. Personally I think everyone needs something to smile about, but can you understand the scepticism of these art critics?
I can understand that not all people get to feel what the Kawaii can awaken in some persons. I do not think Kawaii is a more superficial art form than others. Art is art from the time that it touches your sensitivity, and Kawaii awakes internal feelings. I do not think that positive images are more frivolous and superficial than negative ones. Joy and sadness came from the same depth of the soul.
© Charuca Kawaii Porn 2008
If you could design anything and budget wasn´t an issue what would you like to create?
I would work in Charuca products and designs without worry for a moment of cost. I would use all qualities I wanted, I would create wonderful accessories and would open Charuca shops, online and physical stores as well. I would do the same as now but as big as possible.
© Charuca
I would like to know how you work (do you have to have coffee, music on, or do you have a ritual you have to do in order to be able to create)?
At the beginning, I worked alone in a room of my apartment that I enabled as an studio. A year ago I moved to a studio in the center of Barcelona. It’s really spacious and luminous where creativity flows easily. In addition, also a year ago I stopped working alone, I have an assistant, Miriam Alvarez, who understands me perfectly and who had helped me to bring beyond Charuca World. Every day we come to the studio, I play music (always music, I can not work in silence) and we spent the day playing with the characters. All I need to work is to feel happy and relaxed. I take good care of the working environment in the study…
© Charuca I Love Gothic 2010
Is there someone or something you think the world should know about (an artist, musik, designer, book, food, a favourite place; anything, )
I think it is important to travel, experience other cultures, other countries. Walk out to the world and do things, each one what stimulates oneself. All Kawaii lovers should visit Japan, which is the cradle of this aesthetic trend.
© Catalina Estrada & Charuca – Forever Love 2010
You show a great sense of humour in your figures, for instance the “sugar kills” figure. What do you wish to communicate with this type of message?
My main message is “Do not take life too seriously”. We live immersed in a stressful culture that can make us worried or sad. Some people work in places they hate to earn money to buy things they do not need … My work wants to help people to stop worrying and start enjoying the beautiful things of life . Time passes, laugh, have fun, do what you like to do and do not take anything too seriously. It’s not worth it!
© Charuca – Toxic Fruits
Do you do scetches by hand or mainly on the computer? (I would love to show some scetches of your work)
Yes… we never draw directly on the screen. Pencil and paper allow a fluency and a connection to the subconscious that it is hard to get drawing directly on the screen. Our process always begins with paper and pencil.
© Charuca Baby
© Charuca Baby
© Charuca BBZ Baby Zigoto 2008
Is there a project or a designer you dream of working with?
There are many dreamt projects, but I would rather not talk about them because I am bit superstitious and I think it is better not telling dreams…if you do, they will not become true 😉
Charuca
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Charuca/44476864516
Thank you Charuca for letting me use your beautiful inspiring illustrations and for the interview 😀
My moodboard in my new office calls for something pink and I need more lighting. I have two old lamps from Netto without shades which were partly put aside for garbage but then I remembered an idea I saw from Retro Villa:
This is a great and cheap way to redesign old lamps, so I decided to try. I used string from a bulding supply store meant for bricklaying in neon pink. I didn´t find out an easy way of using the string. It is difficult to wrap it around but with som patience it turned out nicely I think.
I put transparent glue on the knot I tied in the beginning and at the end:
Below you can see the white version of the lamp:
In the dark the whole room now glows with an amazing pink colour:
Mette Helena from Retro Villa, who creates beautiful things and has the cutest shop with vintage wallpaper, also has a facebook group where you can see more of her cute ideas here.
Foto from Retro Villa
Tsumori Chisato Autumn Winther 2005 campaign
In random order I have chosen photos and graphic illustrations to show you from Tsumori Chisato´s website. Her collections have a timeless storytelling appeal to them which is what I wish to show.
Illustration from Tsumori Chisato Autumn Winther 2010-2011 campaign
Tsumori Chisato studied fashion at the prestigious Bunka Fashion School in Tokyo. She has worked for Issey Miyake and in 1990 she started her own brand. The first time I held a piece og her garment in my hands I was in love, so carefully detailed and feminine and you really feel that the garment is cared for from idea to final wearable piece.
Illustration book by Tsumori Chisato
Illustration by Tsumori Chisato from her Autumn Winther 2009-10 campaign
Tsumori Chisato opened her first store outside Asia in 1999 in Paris. Situated in the heart of the Marais neighbourhood, the boutique showcases Tsumori Chisato’s love for the arts through collaborations with photographers, visual artists and set designers exhibited in the storefront. Her artistic sensibility is also translated throught the brand’s inventive advertising campaigns.
Store installations from her Paris shop; top: installation by Sandrine Pelletier & Sophear Froment and below: installation by Guillaume Ségur
Her innovative and luxurious textiles, intricate beading, embroidery, appliqués and prints of her own design are her signiture style. Graceful, elegant and fun at the same time. Her clothes are slaso available at one of my favourite shops and webshop Lubarol in Copenhagen.
Dress by Tsumori Chisato available in stores now
Picture of her work for Petit Bateau from Tsumori Chisato´s Facebook group
From Tsumori Chisato´s Spring Summer 2011 show in Paris
Tsumori Chisato Autumn Winther 2005-2006 campaign
Illustration from Tsumori Chisato´s Spring Summer 2010 campaign
Illustration from Tsumori Chisato Autumn Winther 2010-2011 campaign
Owl Poster by Krisitne Mandsberg
I have fallen completely in love with Kristine Mandsberg´s graphic universe, I hope you find it as inspiring as I do:D
Kristine Mandsberg is a Danish designer, based in Copenhagen. She graduated from the Royal College of Art in London, 2008, specialising in printed textile. Kristine is working in the crossover between art and design, 2D and 3D, exploring how materials, textiles and illustration combined can produce interesting visual outcomes, displayed through several different medias. Most of her work is linked to a narrative, and is often a startingpoint, when new work is taking its’ form. She has since her graduation, received grants from The Danish Arts Foundation, and exhibited her work in both solo and group exhibitions.
Croco Illustration by Kristine Mandsberg
Kristine is also freelancing for several companies, and has among other things developed a textile collection for IKEA, and is designing artworks for fashion (ao Soft Gallery). Other areas, she has explored, is as set-designer for the opera “The First Commandment”, and working with costumes and other project based set-design projects, which is an area that interests her a lot.
Drops Collage by Kristine Mandsberg
Krstine about her inspirations: “I can get inspired by pretty much everything which surrounds me. However my inspiration depends very much on the project that I do. For my own work the idea often comes from some sort of narrative, which I want to visualize through a certain media. The project is therefore linked to words or a headline, which describes an idea or a thought. Where as the stuff that I do for clients often has its’ starting point in a visual idea, which is then developed into something unique.”
Still from video animation “Structure” by Kristine Mandsberg
Kristines dream project: “There are lots and lots of project that I want to do, and people that I would like to work with. If I should define my dream project it would be to do some kind of huge scale installation or theatre project. It should be a project where I could work with all the different things that I like to combine, such as animation, video, illustration, textile, materials, costumes, props, space and body, linked to a narrative that would give the viewers some kind of experience visually and emotionally.”
The Freaky King and Queen by Kristine Mandsberg
People who inspire Kristine:
Filmmaker: Tim Burton (I love his visual style, a mix between reality and fiction)
Photographer: Tim Walker (and the set designer Shona Heath, which he often works with)
Japanese Fashion designer: Tsumori Chisato (her prints is amazing, colourfull and humoristic) Note: Kawaiicph will blog about her on Thursday!
Danish artist: Cathrine Raben Davidsen
You should all know: A collaborative animation by Blu and David Ellis
Birds and Feathers textile print by Kristine Mandsberg
Printed textile by Kristine Mandsberg
Thank you Kristine for letting med use your lovely pictures. If you want to buy posters and graphics by the artist they can be purchased at Butikcmyk in Copenhagen.
kawaiicph 
