We are excited to be announcing that we’re looking for an enthusiastic individual who loves to craft, have always been curious about how small art/design studios work, and would love to learn about small-scale production printing of custom fine stationery and event invitations! We would need some help with customer service and errands as well. For the full job description and application please go here. I promise this will be better than flipping burgers

It has been one week since the launch of the dream BIG for Japan benefit card and many thanks to all those who purchased the cards, I have donated over $100 to the Red Cross with more sales yet untotaled pending donation today.

These are some of the card packs that shipped out yesterday.

Two weeks after the disaster: http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/03/japan-earthquake-two-weeks-later/100034/. Absolutely devastating.

Other teams on etsy with similar listings:  http://www.etsy.com/teams/search/japan

The original dream Big for Japan listing. If you want to donate but don’t want a card:
Text REDCROSS to 90999 to Give $10

I have pondered for awhile how I would be able to help a disaster like Japan’s, so much larger than myself.

I can only imagine from the safety of my home what those with families and friends affected by such a tragedy must be feeling. How fleeting and fragile life really is.  As a big fan of Japanese arts and culture-their architecture, handmade papers, artisan clay pots, refined cuisine and much more, the extent of destruction saddens me even more.

Being in a unique position as a shop-owner and artist, I feel that right now I am able to provide a fund-raising element larger than myself.

Here above is my small contribution-a special dream BIG for Japan benefit painting, archival printed with pigment inks on handmade seeded papers. For $10 you will receive a set of 2 single panel art cards with wind-powered, recycled envelopes. 100% of proceeds (minus shipping) will go to the Japanese Red Cross via the American Red Cross. Click on image to go to my etsy listing. All donated sales will be tallied and done immediately or at the end of each day and the donation receipt will be forwarded to you via email.

Many others on Etsy have created similar relief listings, so check these teams out: http://www.etsy.com/teams/search/japan

If you want to donate but don’t want a card:
Text REDCROSS to 90999 to Give $10

For the first of my Inspired Monday series, I am featuring an amazing local organization called 826LA, a non-profit writing and tutoring center in Echo Park, LA that I discovered during the recent Citylabs event and just finished a volunteer session with-illustrating for a storytelling field trip for 2nd graders.  What exactly is it that earns 826LA an Inspired Project showcase? Well, it hits all three requirements that I feel makes it worthy of some hero-worshipping-namely amazing creativity, passion for work, and last but not least, a genuine desire to help others.

I will start with the top of the checklist. Make no mistake, this is an extremely creative group, from the idea of the Time Travel Mart (scroll and see pictures below) and its fabulous products, to the tutoring center in the back and the way the spaces are designed and put together-definitely inspiring! From the moment you walk in, whether its through the mart at the front, or from the entrance in the back, the space itself to me feels like coming home-a great place to go if you want to conjure up stories of faraway lands and tales of monsters and superheroes! It has warm antique elements, modern design sensitivities, wall to wall bookshelves and radiates with playful wit.

The volunteers and interns that I spoke to during my storytelling illustration have a real passion and belief  for what they are doing-helping children learn to appreciate and enjoy the written word.  There is care and thought put into to every detail of a simple storytelling 2nd grade field trip-from a basket of sunglasses for posed mugshots of the visiting kids, printed photos and individual ‘approved’ booklets of the stories they all co-wrote, to a booming oz-like voice of the omnipotent Mr Barnacle the Big Boss staged to thrill and captivate the young audience.

I undoubtedly enjoyed my session there, surrounded by so much creative energy and malleable young minds!

I honestly feel that doing remarkable work with passion and a genuine desire to help others is a powerful, powerful combination. There are so many lessons that can be learned from the 826LA approach. Such an interesting combination of programs and products in a non-profit group is definitely a befitting first featurette!  Check them out ,volunteer at your next opportunity and be inspired!

Chateau by Dan-Phillips

Bottle Cap Mosaic Wall!

Dan and Marsha Phillips are my heroes of the built world. They craft beautiful homes by hand for folks who can’t afford to buy a home.  They assist in the loan application process and walk the owners through a hand-built home from recycled and discarded building materials, objects and whimsies. It is absolutely incredible. Their website has many more photos and monographs on their methods. Absolutely worth a visit.

A Catalyst

IDEO has produced some gorgeous materials for  mapping and DIY anthropological studies. I recently downloaded  their Human Centered Toolkit, which is crafted as a tool for getting in the minds and ways of communities who urgently need design help to better their lives. Click on the image above to go to the download site.

Experimenting with their method cards as well as this toolkit has really set some wheels spinning at the TreeSpace Studio. It’s one of those things I really wish I had come up with right after college! A toolkit for architects to understand their clients’ living style and spatial identity!