Five Favorites ///// Love Independent

top left and right: Aleksey Shirokov right photo by Alyssa Nicol bottom left: Mare Zepeda from Neither Snow

Hi! My name is Stacey and I'm thrilled to be here blogging for you while Eva is tending to the new little one! I am also in the Salt Lake area, as a recent transplant from Los Angeles. While I was there, I worked for a jewelry designer and also for a stationery shop, which is when I developed my love of letterpress and came across the talented work of Sycamore Street Press. You can also find me writing over on my blog, Love Independent or browse my wares at my shop, Verla Ivans.

Five of my favorite things:

Getting letters and sending letters. Especially when they include calligraphy. It's said that everyone's favorite word is their own name and I think this can also translate to the written word. Receiving a letter or card or invitaiton that includes a beautifully addressed envelope, with your name scrawled ever so delicately across the front, instantly gives the recipient a connection of care with the sender. These letters are opened carefully, read repeatedly and responded to with the heart. I have had the pleasure to work time and again with one of the calligraphers pictured above, Aleksey Shirokov. He, like all calligraphers, is a gifted artist and he always showed up with a genuine smile (and often on roller skates!)

1. Babette World 2. Kowtow 3. Ana Montiel 4. Rocks and Minerals
 

I am also fond of gems. I love that minerals are popping up everywhere lately, from jewelry and art to tees and more. Natural beauty in a raw form, simple and mesmorizing.

It's probably just the little bit of Cherokee running in my blood, but I often find myself drawn to teepees. And almost any use of feathers, like this collar by Yes Vincent.



Anytime I come across a piece of furniture in an antique shop that has lots of little drawers, I cannot be pulled away without peeking inside at least a few of them and doing some mental furniture rearranging to fit it in with my current floor plan.



My newest favorite thing to be added to my wishlist are these silk scarves. The first one by Maria Alexandra Vettese is a replica print of the Maine skyscape and the other by Merel Karhof is a pattern created from photographing the water color at the same spot along the Venice canals daily.

I hope you've enjoyed my favorite five and I look forward to posting the next couple of days!