NSS Prep: String

We're changing up our booth display a bit this year. To keep costs down, we're using many of the same elements: the rug, the foamcore walls that we saved from last year (because they are way too expensive to pay for year after year!), and the material we draped over the foamcore. But we're doing something fun on one of the walls using string that I'm really excited about because 1, the process has reminded me of my senior art thesis using mixed media (more on that another time) and 2, it drives home the whole idea of correspondence & communication - a big theme for us. Here's a sneak peek of our trial run. We move in & set up on Friday, so I'll be sure to keep you posted on how it goes.

Back to the list-making.

Artist: Jean Shin

I was in DC for a friend's wedding this weekend and stopped in at the Smithsonian American Art Museum to see the Jean Shin exhibit, Common Threads. Holy moly, I love her work. She uses found objects & uses them in this meticulous way that completely captivates me. I haven't been this impressed & inspired by a work of art in a long long time, so it felt really nice to experience it. If you're in the DC area, I highly recommend checking it out. Later this year, she'll be in NYC.

Also - Shin discusses her recent work on nytimes.com -- always super interesting to hear an artist speak about her own work.

Stay tuned for a full week of From the Desk...

From the Desk Fridays: 2010

This is probably my favorite From the Desk Fridays yet: a super sneak peek of 2010 Calendar that we're unveiling at the National Stationery Show (May 17-20). Designing the calendar every year has been one of my all-time favorite projects. I try to think a lot about the seasons, what they bring & what they mean. I try not to make it too cutesy or too literal - so I'll throw in some patterns and inject some different colors that are relevant but not obvious. For 2010, we decided to do things a bit differently. The design sensibility remains the same - but the function has changed. I think I'll wait til next Friday to show you what I mean. Until then, it's show prep time! Next week will be all From the Desk, all week. So stay tuned.

And have a great weekend!

InStyle Weddings

InStyleWeddings.com has featured L&H as one of four stationers on its wedding paper trends piece. Check out what they had to say about our custom collection here.

Jenny Lee-Katz

I'm a total copycat for posting these Jenny Lee-Katz textiles since Grace at design*sponge posted them yesterday, but I can't help myself. I love them. I'm always drawn to animal prints, but sometimes they can look too cutesy. These however, seem to stay on the more sophisticated side with a good dose of fun. And even though seagulls are kind of pesky, they remind me of summers on the Jersey Shore - chasing, avoiding, but never feeding those little buggers.

[images courtesy of jennyleekatz.com]

Paperfinger

A friend just told me about Paperfinger, a new calligraphy & hand-drawn design company based here in Brooklyn. I have a big soft spot for hand-lettering, especially when it looks like this. I love working with local calligraphers, so I'm thrilled to have found her. The owner, Bryn, also has a great blog.

Case of the Mondays

I apologize for the lack of posts last week. I had every intention of blogging from a bachelorette party in wine country -- but that was just silly. So now I'm back & counting down the days til the NSS. Still so much to do! Eeek!

Three of my favorite - and blog appropriate - photos from the trip: A chandelier at Brix. Tiny cracker dishes at Mumm in the shape of the grape transport containers (I really wish they sold these little guys!). A napkin pressed with the name of the vineyard, Shafer.