New York!

Map by John Breznicky

It was an immediate YES, when Tuttobene asked me to join them in the Dutch Design stand on the International Gift Fair in New York next August.
It was a wish already for some years to set foot and grow on the US market with my designs. What better place is there to start than New York?
 
This is all so new to me, I've never crossed the endless ocean before and I must say I suddenly feel so small!

How will it be, all by myself in the big apple? Where can I stay for those six nights (not too expensive, but still clean, safe and quiet AND in Manhattan West side - talking about unrealistic whislists....)? In the few hours left next to promoting my work on the stand, where can or do I have to go?
So now I am hoping for some of your good idea's for sleeping, eating and spending time in New York, adresses, links....
I would really appreciate your email or your comment here on my blog.

 Thanks in advance!

Big Apple/La Mela by Enzo Mari

pop-up sale in Madrid

If you happen to be/live in Spain - Madrid - at the moment:
Sofia Fernández Caleri, from Mamblona has organized another pop-up Sale! Sofia used to be one of my regular stockists, but sticks to amazing pop-up-sales since a couple of years. The surprising locations and the assortment of crafty products she collects make it into an event not to be missed!

illustration by Juliana Salcedo

very pinteresting

 

Although first of all I am my own personal source, recently I was influenced more and more by images from other designers I collected on my Pinterest-boards. Pinterest makes getting inspired so easy!
To be honest, after a while my head starts spinning from all the Pinterest pictures. And to get myself working (in stead of collecting more and more inspirational images) I sometimes have to put myself on a Pinterest-diet.

In the process of designing the pop-up posters  for example, I think I was influenced by a lovely print designed by Andrew Holder, by a mascara package from Topshop and by the reflected inkblots on Isabelle Foirest's plates.

Ameland

On our way to the island of Ameland in the north of the Netherlands we stayed in Leeuwarden and visited some beautiful towns, museums and some of my Frysian customers!
One of them - the lovely Gerrie Tiemersma from hairsalon 't Kapperszaakje in Franeker bought me this little gift in the local thrift store. Beautiful vintage montessori school supplies! Very inspiring for the future tiles collection I am dreaming of...If you are in the neighbourhood - even if you don't need a haircut - you should visit her salon on the Dijkstraat number 60. It has an extraordinairy, crafty and nice atmosphere, my designs feel at home there! 
And don't forget to drive to Sneek and visit Elles and Maaike in their new and huge store Nio & Elva (they sell Hay, Muuto, Ferm, Marimekko and my Blom flowers).

And then we went to Ameland for a couple of days, to breath some sea air, get some salt in our hair, sand in our shoes and study fishing net structures

DIY-copper mobile

I would love to make this awesome copper mobile, with a little help of the clear tutorial by the Craftysisters. I read on their blog that it is inspired by the work of Alexander Calder and I recently visited an exhibition of his work in The Hague. Each shape is made from two copper disks cut to fit together.
Thanks for sharing this one!

cast cup

Just came back from ceramics class with my very first cup from the cast mould I made some time ago during a workshop.
Have to admit: I cheated a little...didn't make the model for the mould myself, but I asked an experienced and talented class-mate to throw me one (thanks again, Annemiek!). The rest of the cast-work and all the details (lines/glaze etc) are mine though!
The idea that I can make this same model over and over again in numerous variations makes me happy...

dipped

It is so funny to see lots of designers use 'dipping' as a new technique. Must be in the air somehow.
From above: DIY- neon dip dye egg, find the tutorial at: Oh Joy. Dipped pendant hanger from Heuteschmidt on Etsy, so simple! There are even designers that 'dip' one material in the other. As you can see at the awesome baskets above by Cordula Kehrer from Germany.