Lauren Simkin Berke Illustrations

I got something really spectacular in the mail the other day. I received some stickers from a project that I had supported on kick starter a little while ago. Now, I often roam around kicker starter backing random art projects and had totally forgotten about this one. You're probably thinking, they are just stickers. But they are some amazing sticker from a very lovely illustrator! 

We all know that I'm a sucker for illustrations and old photographs so its only natural that I was smitten for LAUREN SIMKIN BERKE. I really like his style of illustrations. They appear simple at first but are actually really complex and full of textures. Which you can see HERE! in some of his sketches. I like that he uses old photographs to work from. Mostly because I love the mystery that old photos of strangers hold. To take something as simple as a photograph and transform it into something beautiful and unique, that takes a pretty special person. I really enjoy this blurb he says about his work. 

"I collect old photographs from flea markets, antique and junk shops and draw from them. They are often family snapshots from the 1920s through the 1970's or studio portraits from the last quarter of the 19th century. I find it strange these document are for sale as part of a consumer market place instead of being in albums on book shelve in the homes of the families of those in the photos. I find myself at the intersection between fascinated voyeurism and determination fo know these documents as well as humanly possible in order to give them a new, longer life." 

Needless to say I'm going to be snatching up some of THESE cards and probably end up buying his new book as well. Check out his stuff, its dripping with awesomeness!

-Remi

Lovely Letters!

Hello! Just wanted to share this awesome new project! I'm always looking for letter and snail mail projects to participate in. I'm super excited about this one! This one is a little different from others because you have tasks to do. Or like general guide lines to follow for each letter. Which I love because trying to figure out what to write about is the hard part. There is also a deadline for each task. That is really good for me cause I love to put things off and procrastinate. This way I'll for sure get it sent out! I'm off to start task number one! 

Also check out both these lovely ladies blogs!

They are two of my favorites! Modern Buttercup & Kitty and Buck. 

-Mint~Tea

Photo Challenge..er.. Project Thingy

I've always thought that disposable camera projects were really cool. There are tons of them out there that you can participate in. I first read about it on a kick-starter page for a project that  is consisted of cameras left in public places in New York for strangers to take pictures. Which seems like a neat idea. Then I was reading about The Disposable Memory Project. Which was kinda the same idea but more world wide.  Anyways I wanted to start one of these kinda projects. But my problem was I wasn't sure how much money and time I wanted to invest in a project like this. I feel like way too much of the success rate relies on the stranger taking the photos and returning  the camera. So, I came up with my own version of the project and am just sending these cameras out to my snail mail pen pals around the world. I've compiled a little list that's more of a guide line for them to follow and sent out a few cameras.

yeah, I know I accidentally typed 12 twice. Typewriters don't have a back space. 

Now, I've only sent out 3 of these and have yet to receive one back. So the success is kinda up in the air. But I'm hoping that if it works out well I can send these to all my pen pals. It will just be fun to kinda see what they see everyday. Yeah, that sounds creepy, but you know what I mean. Taking the "stranger" part out of the project. I have a feeling that there are still some little details to work out. Hopefully with these test ones I'll get all the kinks worked out. 

Oh how I do love analog photography! Wish me luck! 

-Mint~Tea

Elevated Envelope Project

We all know I love snail mail, pen pals and papery goodness. So when I found out about the Elevated Envelope Project I just had to participate! Basically you decorate a bunch of envelopes and send them to a list of people you're given and those people also send you a decorated envelope. The first time around I didn't give myself enough time to fulfill my decorating desires. So this time I'm getting a jump on it, although I have already fallen behind. Needless to say, punctuality isn't my strong suit. I've already received a couple of envelopes and man they are awesome. It always makes my mail box happy to digest a beautifully decorated envelope. This project is perfect if you want to send and receive mail but don't want the long commitment that snail mail entails. Its a really fun project to be a part of. Hats off to Tara Bliven! Shes got an awesome blog and store.

Here are the few that I've finished. 3 down 7 to go! I'm really into these kinda flowery patterns as of late. I'm thinking I should make a tee shirt or note cards with the same kind of patterns. 

One of my favorite envelopes that I've ever received. I really want this ladies stamp and stationary sets. She drew those awesome flowers on the envelope! The overall design is just awesome. 

One that I received the other day. My photograph doesn't do this envelope justice. I just love the calligraphy on the front. I need to work on making fancier fonts. 

It's a known fact that people love handwritten letters. Go send some pretty mail and make someones day! 

-Mint~Tea

Payday Zine

So I've always liked zines. I tried a while ago to make one of my own but it wasn't really my thing. Anyways a while ago I was roaming around on kickstarter and found this project of a guy making a zine called PAYDAY. You can read more about it HERE. At first I thought it was a cool idea, making a statement and sharing his interesting point of view and also stories that this guy has found along the way of being a working man. But what I was really intrigued with was his way of binding it all together by putting all the little photos in a wallet. I thought ok, that's witty but seemed like it might be a bit awkward to handle. Once I got mine in the mail and started looking through it I thought that whole thing was really successful. I mean zines are supposed to be simple and have something to say.( At least in my opinion.) This guy has some mad photography skills and I would donate again in a heart beat. He is a volunteer photography teacher, flower delivery man and a damn good photographer on top of all that. You know this guy has to be pretty cool and have something to say. Check out his BLOG! 

Man, he really packed these little photo cards into these wallets.  It feels like each time I go to look at it I find a new picture. Zoei also got one and I was surprised that it didn't have very many repeat photos. 

Aren't creative people just so cool. 

-Mint~Tea

Painted my bike.

This week I finally stopped being lazy and fixed up my bike. At the end of last summer I got a flat back tire. Instead of just fixing it then, I figured it was getting chilly might at well just hide it in the garage and deal with it later. But now its summer and I'm ready to feel the wind in my hair! So, since i needed to fix the flat I figured I might as well paint it. I've been meaning to paint it for sometime. It went surprisingly well! At first I did need a little help from Jeremy (my brother in-law). But just to get the thingys loose. After that spray painting was super easy. I always love spray paint projects! Then putting back together I did it all by myself! I even used all the tools in the correct manner. It didn't even fall apart afterwards! I feel pretty spiffy about myself.

Check it out! I named him Pistachio, because he's green of course! My favorite color! I think next he needs some little details. Maybe I'll have to take a sharpie to it one of these weekends.

P.S- I totally forgot to take before pictures. Oopsy! I'll have to find some! Also, tossed together a mini playlist of Bombay Bicycle Club. If you like it make sure to look them up and love them as I do. Isn't that guys voice so interesting? I love it! 

-Mint~Tea