Uncommon Goods Archives

Site Spotlight: Handmade Jewelry from Uncommon Goods

Around this time last year, I posted a roundup of jewelry handmade by jewelry designers in Boston. Today, I also pulled together a selection of delicate handmade jewelry, all sourced from UncommonGoods. The occasion? The site is hosting its 2014 Jewelry Design Challenge, which will be judged in part by the site’s Assistant Jewelry & Accessories Buyer, Jackie Udden.

The grand prize is $1000, along with the opportunity to work with UncommonGoods. Runners-up will receive a critique of their work, as well as tips for marketing and growing their businesses. Additionally, UncommonGoods’ buyers will review each entrant’s portfolio, and consider offering submitted work for sale on UncommonGoods. You can enter Uncommon Good’s Jewelry Design Challenge here.

They’re looking for intelligent designs that tell a story, show your individuality and be responsibly produced from animal-friendly materials (that means no leather, feathers, or pearls). I chose a dozen pieces from UncommonGoods’ handmade jewelry collection that I really like, including pieces from San Francisco-based artist Vanessa Gade; Emilie Shapiro, who creates entwined vines of recycled rose gold; and Susan Harbourt, who makes necklaces from aged copper wire she removed from the walls of her Edwardian-era house in Illinois.

Study them… perhaps the designs will provide some insight in case you’re interested in entering the contest.

S H O P P I N G

1. Copper Rays Necklace by Susan Harbourt

2. Fan Coral Wedding Band by Catherine Weitzman

3. Golden Path Earrings by Eileen Baumeister McIntyre

4. Rose Stalk Wedding Band by Emilie Shapiro

5. Baby Bird Earrings by Rhonda & Elijah Wyman

6. Aqua Raindrop Pendant by Jess Panza

7. Open Oval Sterling Silver Necklace by Cindy and Avril Joffe

8. Bullet Casing CufflinksBullet Casing Cufflinks by Shannon Astali DeJong

9. Links of Love Bracelet by Beth Lawrence

10. Fern Frond Earrings by Katie Lime

11. Twigs Necklace by Eben Papele & Jude Rand

12. Inner Circle Necklace by Vanessa Gade

ARTmonday: 12 Artworks from Uncommon Goods

I discovered Brooklyn-based site Uncommon Goods, which launched back in 1999, when I worked for Store Adore. I perused it all the time, especially for environmentally-conscious and handcrafted gift options. For some reason it had fallen off my radar for a while. They emailed me recently. I learned that the company’s lowest paid worker makes 50 percent above minimum wage—as good a reason as any to start shopping the site again—and that they donate to a number of worthy non-profits, including organizations for women, hunger, and the environment. I was also reminded of its selection of selection of cute gifts, including a whole bunch of whole bunch of personalized gifts, like jewelry, pillows, and books. There’s also affordable artwork. I posted a dozen of my favorite artworks from Uncommon Goods below.

Rainbow, Sarah Nicole Phillips, $85-$150

Big Orange Chair, Kate Lewis, $75-$130

Slice of Genealogy (custom artwork), Jen O’Neill, $295

Personalized Family Art, Mary and Shelly Klein, $150

Challenging Conditions, Audrey Heller, $140-$200

City Skyline Wooden Routing (NYC), $34

You Simply Glow, Jessica Swift, $65-$120

The Animal Alphabet Zoo, Kim Smith, $140

The Happy Elephant, Zlatka Paneva, $68-$150

Woven Seacape, Elise Wehle, $75-$135

Dogs (Dalmatian), Denise Fiedler, $125

Hiking With George, Renee Leone, $145-$ 230

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Get the Look: 30 Giraffe Accessories

After browsing yesterday’s 56 giraffe rooms, you may feel like your own house is missing something—a giraffe! Here are 30 super cute ones, including giraffe hooks, pillows, trays, magnets, lamps, bookends, wall decals, jewelry, and kid’s toys. Happy giraffe decor day.

S H O P P I N G

1 Giraffe Hook, $14 at Urban Outfitters.

2 Thomas Paul Giraffe Pine Box, $50 at Design Public.

3 Kissing Giraffe Pillow, $165 at Jonathan Adler.

4 Faux Leather Giraffe, $60 at Nova68.

5 Giraffe Nightlight, $99 at Land of Nod.

6 Giraffe Pendant Necklace, $64 at Samantha Faye.

7 Safari Animal Butt Magnets, $14/set of 6 at Fred Flare.

8 Premier Prints Yellow Giraffe Pillow Cover, $16.95 on Etsy.

9 1990’s YSL Giraffe Print Shift, $495 at The Way We Wore.

10 White Giraffe Vase, $49 at Uncommon Goods.

11 Thomas Paul Bazaar Giraffe Tray Set, $66 at 2Modern.

12 Abstract Giraffe Figurine, $24 at West Elm.

13 Giraffe Photo by John Bland, $49-$210 at Saatchi.

14 Mini Giraffe Earrings, $12 at Fred Flare.

15 Wallpaper Wildlife by Inke Heiland, $118 at Greener Grass Design.

16 P’kolino Giraffe Rocking Chair, $79 at Design Public.

17 Jax & Bones Jerry Giraffe Chew Toy, $15 at Uncommon Goods.

18 Umbra Zoola Giraffe Ring Holder, $12.38 at Wayfair.

19 Gold Giraffe Figurine, $35 at Dwell Studio.

20 Melissa and Doug Giraffe Plush Toy, $70 at Meijer.

21 Alex Marshall Studios Silhouette Lamp, $173 at AllModern.

22 Kata Golda Giraffe Tea Cup, $23 at Fawn & Forest.

23 Spisani Giraffe Bookends, $365 at Barneys.

24 Decor on Safari Mounted Head, $69 at Land of Nod.

25 Inflatable Giraffe, $60 at Urban Outfitters.

26 Calder Style Stabile “The Giraffe”, $3,800 at Gustavo Olivieri.

27 Giraffe Surprise Mug, $8 at Pier 1 Imports.

28 Vulli Sophie the Giraffe Teether, $18.39 at Yoyo.

29 View From Here Hook, $20 at Anthropologie.

30 Giraffe Sack Pack, $26 at Cafe Press.

Get the Look: 33 (Affordable) Pops of Color

Montage: 32 White Rooms with Pops of Color was meant to run yesterday not Wednesday, but hopefully you haven’t forgotten the fresh white rooms punctuated with bursts of brights. As you know, I’m concocting a decorating scheme inspired by those rooms for a Delray Beach condo. (The closing papers should arrive today!) As you also know, we’re on a serious budget. Here are some pieces I found while perusing the usual sites. They’re great, but would love suggestions for any other sources you know!

S H O P P I N G

1. PS 2012 TV Unit with Yellow, $179 at IKEA.

2. Ziggurat 5 by Superdeluxe, $24 at 20×200.

3. Aqua Herringbone Rug 8’x10’, $199 at Urban Outfitters.

4. PS 2012 Yellow Easy Chair, $149 at IKEA.

5. Kuhn Rikon Serrated Paring Knives, $11.95 at Sur La Table.

6. Dip-Dye Rainbow Silk Pillow Cover, $39 at West Elm.

7. PS 2012 Flatwoven Green Rug, $99.99 at IKEA.

8. DOKUMENT Pink Wastepaper Basket, $3.99 at IKEA.

9. Flip N Dine Dining Table, $499 at CB2.

10. Colored Crystal Runner, $199 at CB2.

11. Lightning Bolt Power Strip, $20 at Fred Flare.

12. Pegs Rug 5’x8’, $349 at CB2.

13. De’Longhi kMix 2-Slice Toaster, $99.95 at HSN.

14. Neon Angled Wall Shelf, $16 at Urban Outfitters.

15. Unikko Blue Shower Curtain, $69 at Marimekko.

16. Thesi Pool Loveseat, $499 at CB2.

17. Blik Tripod Light Wall Decal, $35 at Blik.

18. Metal High Gloss Clover Coat Rack, $19.95 at CB2.

19. Spindle Back Side Chair, $119 at West Elm.

20. GAVIK Pink Frosted Glass Table Lamp, $14.99 at IKEA.

21. Canvas Storage Bins, $36 at Uncommon Goods.

22. Yellow Zigzag Rug 8’x10′, $199 at Urban Outfitters.

23. KARLSTAD Corner Sofa in Sivik Green, $899 at IKEA.

24. Vienna Green 24″ Barstool, $179 at Crate & Barrel.

25. Fleet Hot Orange Chair, $149 at CB2.

26. 10 Colored Cups with Spoons, $8.48 at Pier1 Imports.

27. Room Essentials Towel Bundle, $11.97 at Target.

28. Go-Cart Yellow Rolling Table, $99.95 at CB2.

29. Cyclone Folding Chair, $198/pair at Chiasso.

30. PS 2012 Candlestick, $19.99 at IKEA.

31. Casa Tissue Box, $10 at Fred Flare.

32. DIOD Turquoise Glass, $2.99 at IKEA.

33. Sophie Headboard Wall Decal, $40 at Blik.

Follow my “Inspiration for Delray Beach Condo” board on Pinterest.

Get the Look: 24 Fox Furnishings & Fashions

There’s been a proliferation of fox fashions and furnishings over the last year, and the little orange guy is slowly moving into the mainstream. While West Elm and CB2 haven’t embraced the sly guy just yet (the owl is still the favored creature at most larger chains), Tory Burch plastered fox heads on flats, iPhone cases, and pouches, Jonathan Adler has a white one in his porcelain menagerie, and various foxy home accessories can be found at Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie. Here’s a mix of the best from big names, indie brands, and artisans.

S H O P P I N G

1 Steel Fox Head by Bongo Designs.

2 Alkemie Fox Pack Cuff, $209 at Alkemie.

3 “You’re a Fox” Card, $4 at Rifle Paper Co.

4 Wildwood Square Linen Pillow, $42 at Gretel Home.

5 Donna Wilson Cyril Squirrel Fox, $81 at The Future Perfect.

6 Fox on Bicycle Plate, $18 at kokokoshop, Etsy.

7 Mrs. Fox Necklace by Polli, $40 at Greener Grass Design.

8 Jonathan Adler Ceramic Fox at Jonathan Adler.

9 Tory Burch Fox Ballet Flats, $250 at Tory Burch.

10 Orla Kiely The Fox of Life Bag, $345.99 at Modcloth.

11 Sly Fox Knocker, $24 at Anthropologie.

12 3 Spouts Fox Storage Bin, $31.99 at AllModern.

13 Aubin+Wills Fox Intarsia Sweater, $215 at Net-a-Porter.

14 Fox Pillow by Fauna for Areaware, $28 at Design Public.

15 Patch NYC Fox Dessert Plate, $19/set, $19.99 at Target.

16 The Rise & Fall Sleeping Fox Pillow $29 at Urban Outfitters.

17 Burberry Fox Bracelet, $650 at Net-a-Porter.

18 Foxes Graphic Knit Blanket, $58 at DwellStudio.

19 Hidden Fox Mug, $21 at Uncommon Goods.

20 Bone China Fox Plate, £22 at Donna Wilson.

21 Mr. Frank Fox Pillow by Ferm Living, $45 at Yliving.

22 Saddle Leather Fox Mask, £295 at Fleet Ilya.

23 Bronze Fox Head Bookends at Antiques Du Monde.

24 Fox Tray by Lush Designs for Ary Trays, $43 at Gretel.

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