Friday, August 31, 2012

A Tisket, a Tasket, a Perfect Tiny Basket

For 81-year-old master craftsman Bernadine Dosch, the most beautiful things come in the smallest of packages. The Grayling, Michigan native regularly spends 40-60 hours creating one flawless basket tiny enough to fit into your hand.

Bernie, as she is affectionately called, has been honing her craft for decades. The craft explosion of the 70s first lit her creative spark, when she started mail-ordering supplies and making natural dyes from beets and walnuts. That tiny spark grew into a full-fledged forest fire in the 80s and 90s, as she began apprenticeships with masters from Japan, China, Egypt, and roughly 20 more countries. Multiple awards followed and one of her ornaments, created for the White House, now lives in the Smithsonian.


Starting with a pencil and a pad of graph paper, she sketches out concepts and carefully plans out each basket. Although she has made baskets of all shapes and sizes, she recently shifted her focus to these tiny wax linen creations adorned with venetian glass beads. Her attention to detail is awe-inspiring: Theyre equally beautiful on the inside and bottom as they are at first glance.

Bernie still spends many days weaving and teaching classes in her studio. Her quest to master every inch of her craft is evident in every basket she weaves, and her legacy will live forever through the stories that are woven into the baskets.


The baskets are available through The Ausable Gallery.

Photography Jonathan Faucett

Styling by Ann Berglund


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Thursday, August 30, 2012

We Cant Stop Discussing: Gone Girl

If you were like any of us here at the office, once you started reading Gone Girl, you werent able to stop! This months book is an engrossing thriller that I wasnt able to put down until the bitter end. Were getting together this week to talk about our favorite plot points, but its been a challenge to save the discussion for the meeting! Weve posted a few sample discussion questions from the reading guide after the jump, but be careful not to spoil the ending for yourself.

If youve been reading along with us (you still have time to join!) please comment below with anything we can share in the discussion Tune in next week for our wrap-up and see how we brought this mind-bending mystery to life!

Do you like Nick or Amy? Did you find yourself picking a side? Do you think the author intends for us to like them? Why or why not?

Does the author intend for us to think of Nick or Amy as the stronger writer? Do you perceive one or the other as a stronger writer, based on their narration/journal entries? Why?

Discuss Amys description of the enduring myth of the cool girl and her conviction that a male counterpart (seemingly flawless to women) does not exist. Do you agree? Why does she assume the role if she seems to despise it? What benefit do you think she derives from the act?


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Babys Got a Brand-New Sweater

Like many expectant parents, my husband and I are most looking forward to having a healthy, happy baby whether its a boy or a girl doesnt really matter.Butwhen my 20-week sonogram confirmed that were in for sugar and spice, not snips and snails, I couldnt help getting a little excited.Id finally have a chance to try out the adorable (and free!) baby girl clothes patterns Id been collecting on Pinterest!

My first, and most ambitious, project was to recreate the teeny, tiny black-and-white striped sweater I first saw displayed at Purl Soho.

Little baby sweater displayed at Purl Soho

Technically, Ive known how to knit for years, but Id never actually made anything more complicated than a potholder. Luckily, I found the complete pattern and tutorialposted on the shops blog, the Purl Bee. According to Whitney from Purl, the no-nonsense design was inspired by the work of knitting revolutionary Elizabeth Zimmerman, who advocated working in the round, simple finishing techniques, and seamless construction. Right on!

The entire sweater is done in a simple garter stitch, which is within my limited skill set. However, I did still manage to knit instead of purl all the way through a mistake that didnt change the look of the finished product, but meant that I was continually on the wrong side of my work. Once I figured that out, everything went smoothly, and not to brag (much), my little sweater came out pretty great:

Next up in my project queue were a couple of sweet dresses. I was itching to use the beautiful calico prints I scored at Brooklyn General Storessummer sale.

Thecrossover pinaforefrom Smashed Peas and Carrotscame together in just a couple hours. The outer print is from Urban Chiks Urban Cowgirl line for Moda Fabrics. I lined the dress in basic muslin and paired it with contrasting bloomers I made following this quick tutorial from Little Pink Monster.


The peasant dress from Sew Much Ado was another quick win. Four seams and some elastic and its done! Im already planning to make a bunch of these for my September baby to wear next summer. For this one, I used a tiny floral print from the Urban Cowgirl collection. I also made another pair of bloomers. This time, rather than sewing a channel to thread elastic through, I used elastic bobbin thread to finish the waist and leg openings a real time-saver!

Now when I add my contributions to the beautiful, handmade gifts I received from Ashley and Row, baby girl will have quite the custom wardrobe!

What are your favorite things to sew and craft for baby?

My next project will be a simple sling for baby wearing. Any advice on patterns to try would be appreciated!


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Wednesday, August 29, 2012

A Business Card Built for Two

Mike and Alma are the creative duo behind Ollibird Art + Design where they create beautiful branding elements, cards, calendars, and a variety of cool printables. They also happen to be married. In preparation for the Alt Summit, which was held at our offices last week, they conceptualized this double-sided business card. We loved it so much we just had to share. Mike did the illustrations and the precisely aligned letterpress was done by Leland of Rowley Press. Everything had to be just right; the cards encourage you to check out my better half and flip to see the other side. Alma explains their thought processes on the Ollibird blog.


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Sunday, August 26, 2012

Alt Summit Morning Crafts

We were delighted to host the first-ever NYC Alt Summit yesterday at the Martha Stewart Offices. Tons of our favorite bloggers spent the day with us, crafting, listening to panels, and sharing tips with one another. It was a super-creative (and stylish!) bunch.

Just in case it wasnt clear that this isnt your typical corporate conference, the day started with a delicious breakfast and DIY projects. Check out the bright, colorful results:

Photographs by Mike Krautter


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Friday, August 17, 2012

Ballet for Non-Ballerinas

My secret to happiness is ballet class. It gets my endorphins going and keeps my mind busy. I have been taking classes in the city since college and, though I have found some good teachers, the schools always felt too competitive and crowded, like a weird flashback from the movie Fame.

Then I found the Mark Morris Dance Center located in downtown Brooklyn. The center has huge, light-filled studios with well-tuned pianos. The teachers are lovely and most are former dancers from major dance companies. The classes are a mix of professional dancers and pedestrians like me, yet I never feel any attitude or competition. Instead, I am inspired and happy.

The center has all levels of ballet classes, but they also have modern, Afro-Caribbean, jazz, tap, yoga, and more.

Do you dance for fitness?


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Wednesday, August 15, 2012

The CSA Coach: Canning for Beginners

Welcome to The CSA Coach, where Jenn, our digital food editor, doles out advice to first-time CSA subscriber and digital features editor, Ashley. In this weeks episode, we decide its time to get canning!

canned tomatoes

Home-canned tomatoes -- worth standing over a hot stove in August? We say yes!

Jenn,

Summer isnt over, but I already feel like a little squirrel gathering my nuts for winter. The CSA bounty is going to end in about a month and a half, and I want to continue cooking with farm produce throughout the winter.

What can I do now to start freezing and preserving? What veggies should I focus on to make warm winter meals in January?

Ashley,

Okay, first question: How committed are you? Mind you, canning isnt difficult, it just requires dedication. Dedication to following all of the procedures to the letter for sterilizing and processing, dedication to buying a whole canning setup (great big pot, rack, jar tongs, jars, and lids) and perhaps most significant, dedication to spending an entire sweltering August day over a pot of boiling water.

Does it sound like Im trying to talk you out of canning? Not exactly. Six months from now, popping open a jar of tomatoes that you put up at their peak is going to make you very, very happy. Home-canned food just tastes better, particularly because youre starting out with really good ingredients.

A lower-commitment but still perfectly viable option is to freeze some of your produce

Jenn,

My grandparents had a garden, so I know my way around canning tomatoes pretty well. (My favorite part was listening for the jar lids to pop.) Im dedicated. Bring it.

Ashley,

Well then, lets go for it!

Whole Living has a nice beginners guide to canning. It covers the basic guidelines for tomatoes, pickles, and jam. (The website for the National Center for Home Food Preservation is great resource too.)

And if you want to just get all your equipment in one blow, Id go for Balls waterbath canning kit.

So, a few recommendations:

  • Stick to high-acid items. This includes most fruit (tomatoes included), and pickled vegetables. These are the safest things to can because the acid content keeps dangerous bacteria at bay. Canning low-acid foods like meat, potatoes, and other non-pickled vegetables is an activity best left to ninja-level homesteaders in possession of a pressure canner.
  • Go big. It hardly seems worth it to steam up the kitchen for just a few jars of tomatoes. It might seem counterintuitive to buy more produce, but peak tomato season only comes once a year! At the farmers market you can usually find at least one stand selling less-than perfect tomatoes, peaches, etc., for a discount. (The produce still tastes great but it might be on the verge of overripe, or be a little dinged up perfect for canning!)
  • Make it a party. Invite friends to share in the fun, the work, and the expense. Go in together on 20 pounds of tomatoes and youll all have a nice supply squirreled away in your pantry for the winter.
  • Use recipes specifically intended for canning.This is not the place to improvise. Here are some to get you started:

Canned Tomatoes

Phat Beets

Pickled Okra

Sweet-and-Spicy Bread-and-Butter Pickles

Raspberry Jam

Peach-Rosemary Jam

In the meantime, you can also make quick pickles with some of your vegetables. They wont keep as long as if you can them, but theres no boiling water bath involved, and you can enjoy near-instant gratification.

Pickled Vegetables

Let us know how it goes!


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Monday, August 13, 2012

August Book Club: Gone Girl

Welcome back! Summer vacations have us a little off schedule, but we are thrilled to (belatedly) announce Gillian Flynns Gone Girl as our Living blog book of the month.

After three of our editors came back from their vacations excited about Flynns summer release, we knew it had to be next on our list.

Heres how the publisher describes it: On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunnes fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nicks clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isnt doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wifes head, but passages from Amys diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge.Under mounting pressure from the police and the media as well as Amys fiercely doting parents the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and hes definitely bitter but is he really a killer?

Stay tuned throughout the month for our initial suspicions, teaser questions, and party ideas! Comment below if youd like to read along with us!


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Sunday, August 12, 2012

Our Finds: Friday Round-Up

Want to know what the editors of Livingbookmarked this week? Here are the links we found that made us smile.

When executive editorial assistant Kelsey Mirando visited her friend Lis Engelharts desk at Martha Stewart Weddings, she discovered the coolest iPhone charger. Lis, an unapologetic Jane Austen addict and assistant at Weddings, found the library-worthy charger onRichNeeleyDesigns Etsy shop.

Associate digital editor Ashley Little is vying for a new pair of pumps from CHROMATICgallerie. You can choose the size, width, and heel height for any color. Shes digging the jewel tone color group.

As senior photo producer Linda Denahan and I research pet products for our holiday gift guide, Linda came across these gems. These dog bowls from Cloud7 are so chic. We were disappointed to find out they dont ship to the U.S., though!


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Friday, August 10, 2012

Book Club Wrap-Up: Gold

Our book club recently met during our lunch break to sit down and talk about Gold by Chris Cleave. Heres what you missed!

Everyone appreciated reading the book during the Olympics, since Cleave gave us a realistic glimpse of life as an Olympic athlete and insider knowledge of a sport we didnt know much about. Then, the conversation got heated as we discussed the plots many twists and turns.

Most of us struggled with the dynamic between Kate and Zoe (we wouldve liked to shake Kate to her senses), but we all agreed that Cleave gave us richly detailed characters, however flawed. In fact, we got a little carried away and cast the movie. If youre listening, Chris Cleave, we pick Keira Knightley as Zoe, Emily Blunt as Kate, and Orlando Bloom as Jack. We havent quite figured out Sophie and Tom yet. (Comment below if you have ideas!)

We snapped a few pictures to share how we translated Gold from page to party!

If you finished Gold and have any thoughts, please share them in the comments. Dont forget to check back on Monday to find out our book selection for August! (And if you want to make the shortbread-blueberry cookies, you can find the recipe on Marthas Vineyard Magazine.)


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Thursday, August 9, 2012

Meet the Maker: Sonya Young James

I recently had the pleasure of talking to Sonya Young James about wool sculptures and home decor.

Check out my interview with the genius behind Modern Fiber Lab.

What is your fascination with wool?

I have been working almost primarily with wool for about ten years. I love how an attraction to a particular medium can be almost instinctual and even emotional. Ive always been drawn to natural fibers. Years ago I did very large sculptures and installations using plant fibers, which then led me to the idea of exploring different animal fibers for their potential sculptural qualities. My fascination with wool is its natural ability to felt and make a solid piece of fabric and different natural forms using only water and friction. But I alsolove the sheep that they come from, the shepherds that care for them, and simply the way the fiber feels and smells.

When did art become part of daily life?

From as early as I can remember. I began painting when I was three. I actually trained to be a classical pianist and thought I might pursue this but I realized I enjoyed making things rather than playing music. It suits my temperament as well. As a young child, I would always spend a lot of time by myself doing obsessive things like carve bark or sew little forms for hours at a time. I am still doing that decades later.

Can you tell us about your process?

Intuition. I usually initially know or sense an idea by imagining a form or texture. This can happen for the sculpture work and the textile design work. It usually just appears visually and emotionally when I am working with my fiber materials.

Assemble. This part of the process is very organic. I begin to work out ideas and structure by prototyping and sketching. This often brings ideas that lead to unexpected places and solutions that I did not initially plan for. I then gather the materials and process the wool from the sheep to the finished piece.

Repetition. I then set out to work. My work is very labor intensive and some pieces can take months to complete. Because of this method of working, it is very therapeutic and meditative.

Do you ever work with any other medium?

I still use linen frequently, and I also use silk, in particular silk organza. I love the poetry of silk, the larvae weaving cocoons, the undergoing of complete metamorphosis, and just the beauty of it. I also am an avid dyer, using both acid dyes and natural dyes, and wool and silk dye very well.


Who inspires you and what artists have affected you most?

There are so many amazing people in my life, including friends and family that inspire me. Their tremendous talent, support, and generosity affect me creatively. This immediate community of people is very encouraging and important to me.

Many artists have influenced me over the years in many different ways. I have always adored the work of Petah Coyne. She is unlike many contemporary artists that focus on social or political related issues. Her work has always attracted me through its very personal qualities. Petah Coynes sculptural work is so magical, seductive and excessive. Her work embodies all of the qualities that I love the most in artmysterious themes and work that touches on life and death. I also love the meticulous and labor intensive qualities of her work. Some of her pieces take years to complete.

The obsessive and repetitive work of Eva Hesse and Yayoi Kusama has influenced me since I was young, along with the sculptural work of Louise Bourgeois. Louise Bourgeois worked every day in her studio until the age of 98.

Other fiber artists that have informed my work include Magdalena Abakanowicz, Claire Zeisler, Sheila Hicks, and Joan Livingstone.By listing all of these artists, I can see the common thread that runs through all of their work. This is certainly apparent in my work, including my textile design and sculpture.


Do you work from home or in your studio?

My whole entire home is my studio. Ive always lived in a work/live space. I have an extremely understanding husband. There isnt a spot in our house that isnt occupied with tools, wool, books, and even more wool! The wool and the work even migrates outside. I have five different drying lines for when production is in full swing.


See more of Sonyas work here.

Photographs courtesy of Sonya Young James


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