A new “column” for The Violet Hours. Occasionally I will feature one artist/maker/crafter/inventor…someone whose creations are comprehensively worth inspecting.

This is the work of Christien Meindertsma, from Utrecht, Netherlands. Her work mainly involves wool that she felts to make chunky, gorgeous, pillow-like yarn. She works the origin of the material into her pieces, which is very much a part of her concept. Unlike most “fine art” she wants her pieces used; it is a larger compliment to her when her work is purchased and put to work in a space. You can hear her thoughts on this here.

Her website doesn’t offer much explanation, but it’s quite jaw-dropping. Here are a few highlights…

Project: Idaho. A project for the Nature Conservancy made with wool from an organic flock of Panama sheep from Lava lake Ranch, Idaho.

Project: One Sheep Cardigan. These sweaters were made from one animal, and were designed based on the size of the sheep.

Project: Aran Rug. This piece is made from the wool of 18 merino sheep.

Project: Texel Ottoman. These stools are essentially over-sized yarn skeins.

Found via The Jealous Curator.

There is nothing wrong with a framed photo on the wall…nothing at all! But check out these creative ways to display your family portrait.

 

With the K Studios family series pillow, you choose your pillow size, color, family members and pets, and the design is embroidered on. Love!

Cozy Blue will make your family tree, with the parents on the inside and the kids on the leaves around. Such a cool, graphic idea! Found via Wise Craft.

I’m a huge lover of silhouettes…make a silhouette family equation (mom plus dad equals kids). Via Lil Sugar.

When you hear porcelain, you may imagine a high-gloss statuette of a girl walking a dog, glazed in pastels and perched on a pedestal with a tiny brass placard. And it would obviously be living in your grandmother’s curio cabinet. A new porcelain craze has been born…

Berry baskets found via Oh Joy!

I see these porcelain nuts at the Brooklyn Flea every weekend. By KG + AB.

There is something sort of ironic about a delicate key. From The Curiosity Shoppe.

Unglazed porcelain pendant lamps. Gorgeous! Via Apartment Therapy.

Delicate + delicate = porcelain feathers. Available at Fawbush & Shulz.

Sea urchins by Lisa Stevens. Found via Elaine Bradley.

I want one of everything made by Pigeon Toe Ceramics.

I hope the weather is lovely where you are this weekend! Looks like rain in New York, but I’m dreaming of a picnic…

Ditch the Ziplocs and invest in these reusable snack bags. By Abeego.

How cool are these sandwich boxes that unfold into a plate? Found via Blog Deco Design; Designed by Emma Smart.

And if your weather does not cooperate, perhaps you need to make this portable picnic. Found on Sharon Loves This.

Chopsticks are not just for Kung Pao Chicken anymore…(okay, except for a few.)

Wouldn’t it be great if these chopsticks actually did write? Sadly, it’s just design. Via LMNOP, available for purchase at Pearl River.

 

Chopchucks are the brainchild of my very clever, and mostly irreverent, brother-in-law. As the site says: Never again will you be left vulnerable to random violence while eating Asian food.

  

I love Danny Seo’s attempt to make his own scent diffuser with chopsticks. Check out his (humorous) instructions at Daily Danny.

 

This dude made a canoe out of 7,382 chopsticks. For reals. Check it out on Geekologie.

 

Set a cup of these in the middle of your table for a Japanese dinner party. Lovely! Found via Aesthetics of Joy.