Juniper Designs

In order to streamline my sites, I am moving Athena Says from it's current url to one that reflects the name of the blog - please join me there and update your bookmarks accordingly!  Click here for the new home of Athena Says...

My sweet girl joined us on 28 June - she could not be more beautiful...

EDITED:

**Thank you all so much for the love and sweet wishes! She is such a blessing and her sisters are beyond in love with her! I hope to be back in about a week or so with some great new posts - thank you again!**

Yes - things have been rather quiet here at Athena Says - though not so much in the Altman household.  I am days away from my due date and have been suffering from a terrible bout of PNS {psycho nesting syndrome} - I am finding wild enjoyment in things like touching up chipped paint in my hallways at 11pm and realphabetizing my entire book collection - I am driving my husband mad.  Needlesstosay, things are bound to stay a bit quiet for a few weeks as we bring our third sweet girl home - so may I wish you all a wonderful summer and in the meantime, be sure to check out my daily reads list to the left - they are all truly superstar bloggers that inspire me everyday - well - those days that I am not cleaning the faucet heads in my home with q-tips...

{pictured above:  Camilla Slippers at my absolute favorite children's boutique, Teacups & Tadpoles}

I have such a thing for rock posters - especially silk screened works of art such as those found at BRAG - a fantastic collective of UK artists...

I am over the moon in love with Oktak's line of vintage fabric frame bags - they definitely satisfy my current obsession with the kiss closure - check out this wonderful little site - and do so often as she tends to sell out of these gems VERY quickly.  For those of you in Brooklyn this weekend for the Renegade Craft Fair - she will be there!

Another dose of color therapy from domino magazine this month - I am finding pastels so appealing - not in the traditional overtly frilly feminine way - but just simple and gorgeous - lush and sexy... I love the interior of Ruthie Sommers' Project Manager, Krista Ewart's home featured in the June/July issue. 

 

I tend to post about Vivre quite a bit - I really can't help it - the company has redefined luxe glamour and I can not get enough.  I just received the Summer catalogue and was particularly smitten by these two images {as well as the products featured in each shot}.  The combination of colors on the table are all at once earthly and ethereal - gorgeous.  And while I seem drawn to colors this time of year - I still can't get enough of white on white...

While browsing one of my favorite online indie boutiques - Unsung - I came across Realm.  This collection, by DC designer Jesse Walker is so rock 'n roll - I can't get enough - it is Joan Jett {who I worship by the way} meets hip urban chic - LOVE!

I first came across Jen Garrido's work on Design*Sponge sometime ago - I fell in love - but her new work has such powerful movement and such an interesting textural quality - I am newly obsessed - check out her new work here.

Sometimes, late into the evening - when the house is quiet - I love browsing through flickr - it never fails to inspire.  I had marked this photographer as a favorite sometime ago, but have not had the chance to enjoy flickr in so long - I had forgotten.  The incredible depth of emotion and obvious drama called out to me this evening - I am once again awe struck... check out seventytw0dpi's portfolio here - Haanaah is another not to miss.

 

The logo above is a sneak peek at the new look at Juniper coming late Summer 2007.  Not only will Juniper undergo some cosmetic changes, but the direction of the business will be shifting as well.  While I have loved creating jewelry, and have done so for more years than I care to remember, I am ready for a change.  As many designers continue to face the over-saturation of the market with confidence - I find myself losing the drive - there are so many talented designers on the forefront of the market and honestly - I rather support them then continue to struggle with inspiration.  I will continue to create small collections of one-of-a-kind designs as the passion takes hold and work with brides-to-be to create truly unique pieces - however, the emphasis will begin to shift to paper products and custom work - including letterpress.  I am very excited about the shift in focus and hope that you continue to enjoy my work as well!

Last night was beautiful - Morrissey is a living God...

{image from online Morrissey photo gallery; ticket stub, mine!}

If you LOVE pink as much as I do and are captivated by sublime fashion photography, be sure to check out the new blog, pink*box.  This LA based graphic designer has an incredible eye for the delightful and lovely - it is like unwrapping a pink-coated piece of heavenly chocolate every morning...

{images from Australia Vouge April 2007 via pink*box; layout by pink*box}

I think it is pretty obvious that I am obsessed with jewelry - and the bigger and more of a wow factor, the better.  Needlesstosay, I fell head-over-heels when I came across the seriously gorgeous baubles by 1of My Kind - I am lusting after her hefty cocktail rings!  Check out her Etsy shop here.

I am a huge fan of Stina Persson - her work is what really turned me on to fashion illustration as a true form of high art; so I was thrilled when she emailed me this morning to let me know of her first solo show!  If you are in New York City stop by the gallery hanahou on 24 May at 6pm for the opening... 

Things may be a bit quiet about Athena Says for a few weeks - tomorrow begins the demolition of our circa 1927 kitchen to make way for more beautiful {and newer!} things.  And though my husband and I could live on take-out for three weeks - our toddlers cannot!  So Grandma's house - here we come...

But then again, you know me - it is so hard to stay away...

{above:  the pulls and knobs we have chosen from Restoration Hardware}

I can get rather obsessive over certain things - when I saw the new Harlequin Collection of teacups by Wedgwood, I was determined to have one.  After about 100 calls - including several lengthy calls to England - I found out they should be available by the beginning of the summer - alas - I shall have to wait - but the Deco design {bottom right} looks to be so worth it!

Gorgeous color-filled issue of Martha Stewart Living.  These images force me to remember that color is gorgeous - and to look past all the neutrals in my life!  Bring on the pink!

Shop here...

... to my perfect baby girl who turns 1 today!  We are throwing a Cocktails & Cupcakes bash - hope to have some pics to share next week - have a lovely weekend!

{photograph by Amiee Photographs - I love her - she also shot work for Juniper!}

Gorgeous earrings at Barneys New York - I love that nature continues to be such a popular motif in design.  {Above:  clockwise from top; Rosanne Pugliese, Ten Thousand Things and Cathy Waterman}

One of the things I love most about the change in season this time of year is the bursts of color that seem to fill my landscape.  Everywhere I look, I feel as if I am bathing in pastels - and though my love for pink is probably apparent to most readers, I still tend to wear neutrals {and yes - black} throughout Spring and Summer.  So it should be no surprise that I am head-over-heels for the Spring Collection from Felder Felder - take a peek at both the lookbooks and runway collection for Spring '07 and Fall '07 here - and I am loving the photography in the Fall '07 lookbook...

... and she is mine.  Ever since discovering this about two years ago, I have been a Hobo International addict.  I wish there was a pill or something because now of course, I have to have that in pink.  But the lovely Via Brera pictured above was a birthday gift - sometimes {thankfully} I can be easy to buy for...

I just can't seem to stay away!  Check out the new links {marked with an asterisk} under both 'Read' and 'Inspire'  - some wonderful new discoveries out there!  New favs include Terramia, Treats and Treasures and SeamSters...

{photo from a Todd Alexander Romano design via Terramia}

Just a quick note before the weekend - from now until 31 May, take 25% off a custom designed blog banner at Fieryeyed.  For more examples of recent work, see my portfolio here!

... to me!  Yes, it is that time of year again - another year older {a very early 30-something thank you very much!} - another year of lessons learned, life adventures embraced and creative forces harnessed.  I am hoping that the next year brings such joys!  I am taking the rest of the week off to enjoy the sunshine {weatherman, you promised!}, a day at the spa, a prime steak dinner with my love and to maybe treat myself to one of these {yum}.  And hoping for enough time to start this {so inspiring - I bought my supplies on Monday} and this {so genius}!  Have a lovely week!

{images from Martha Stewart}

*edited:  omg - it's snowing - thank you weatherman!

So my excuse would be that my b'day is tomorrow and I tend to just buy myself beautiful things around my b'day - yes - that works.  Sub-Studio recently left a comment on one of my posts, resulting in this amazing discovery - and yes, purchase.  Check out both the site and the Etsy shop for gorgeous prints and cards.  {above:  'abyssal' by sub-studio}

*edited:  okay, i guess i live in a box as they have been covered on the major design blogs - where in the world have i been??

Beautiful print, 'While I Wait For Spring' by Dan-ah Kim - check out the website for the portfolio or Etsy to shop {I just bought the one above!}

You may feel as if this blog is morphing into a glossy-obsessed mosaic - well - for now anyway, it kind of is!  I am just finding so much to delight me in the pages of some of my favorite magazines right now; like these beautiful images from April '07 British Homes & Gardens...

I can't get enough of food photography right now - especially this photo from April '07 Food & Wine - taken mid-meal there is a casual elegance about the image - you want to crawl in and pull up a chair...

It is hard to believe it has been one year since my first post - I am amazed at the inspiration {my favorite word on this blog} that continues to take hold.  Influenced to start blogging by such fab sites as Oh Joy! and Decor8, it was Susan at spiralbound_ that made me realize what a wonderful opportunity it is to not only collect your own thoughts, but to create essentially a visual inspiration board.  So thank you Susan!  And Happy Birthday to Athena Says!

{image from Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic}

I have always been a sucker for a great vanity shot - I love the mix of elements and textures.  In this shot in particular I am really adoring the modern use of color with the overtly feminine accents... {from House & Garden April 2007}

I love the fact that I keep receiving these little wonders of inspiration in my post box everyday - the new outdoor furniture line from Brocade Home is - to be expected - sublime.  And could you just die for that pink grill?  I love that you can now shop online - my living room has recently been graced with this beauty...

I find myself seeking out product photography right now - I find the placement of products, backdrops and angles really inspiring in my own design work - love this shot from the new Anthropologie catalog...

The new Calling Card collection is up at Juniper - expect to see four more designs debuting before June!

I finally found a copy of the Spring '07 issue of adorn - after the last issue I was able to get a hold of {Summer '07 - why are things always so hard to find?} I was so excited to see this on the rack.  It was like opening a basket of confections - the colors and photographs are amazing - every page just pops.  Also, be sure to check out their flickr group in which you can post photos of projects you have crafted from the magazine - have a lovely weekend and happy crafting!

LOVE this Glam Rock Chandelier by jewelry designers Erickson Beamon - for detail shots of this piece click here.

Wishing you a beautiful and joyous Spring 2007!  This shot is by one of my absolute favorite photographers on flickr - fernandadesu...

One more for the weekend - I couldn't resist as this was just dropped in my mail box.  My favorite pages from the Anthropologie Home catalogue - gorgeous!

I really can't believe that it has been nearly two weeks since my last post - with the girls sick and construction going on - time has quite literally escaped me.  I hope to return in full force next week - until then, be inspired by the beauty of Spring {new wrapping paper at Kate's Paperie} and a new submission at my photoblog.  Have a wonderful weekend!

I found this Ram's Head piece this afternoon while stopping in ZGallerie; as a proud Aries, I had to have it - it reminded me so much of the lamp in this post - now where to put it.  And while in Atlanta a few months ago, I picked up this ring by Elizabeth Cole - love, love, love my Rams!  Have a great weekend!

As a designer, I am constantly seeking out sources of inspiration, and nothing has led me to more wonderful and inspiring finds than becoming a part of the design blog community.  However, I have found that as I focused more on internet and print media for design inspiration, I was neglecting my own world for that mysterious muse.  As such, I have given myself a challenge - a personal creative challenge to document at least one inspiring moment from my own life every week.  You are welcome to peek in on my efforts here...  wish me luck!

As I was flipping through the new issue of N.E.E.T., I came across the work of artists Jennifer Leonard.  Her work is gorgeous and completely captivating - the only link I could find for her is her flickr account which features some of her work - take a peek - true beauty...

The Fieryeyed Studio website has been slightly revamped and refined - I am excited about the new look!  I also want to thank those of you who found me through Athena Says and trusted me with creating your branding - it has been such a wonderful experience - I look to forward to many more!

I always love the first day of the month - Port2Port Press is updated with limited editions!  I just purchased this two card set and am so excited; as Mav is one of my favorite artists, I plan on purchasing a new set for each of my girls' birth months - can't wait to see what April and June/July {whenever she is due!} bring!  Also - be sure to check out her new Photo and Print Project - the photo featured below is of a set of 5...