Spot on, our new studio

April 13, 2013

In my last post I promised you some pictures of our new studio and here they are!
We got a space in a former coffee factory at the Joan Muyskenweg in the south of Amsterdam. I can’t say it enough: I love our big windows, the light is sooo nice! It’s been six weeks since we moved and we have so much space that we’re still moving things around and finding the right place for everything. While I’m writing this Thijs is fixing us some ceiling lighting on a very high ladder (the ceiling is 5,5 meters high!). Next on our list is a fully functioning kitchen! It’s a fun process making the space our own, improving and adding things. Yes, this is our spot.

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Starting spring with summer ingredients

March 22, 2013

I’m back! It’s really been too long. It’s a new beginning for me at our new studio (pictures soon in my next blog post) and to kick this off: a brand new blog post with a summer feel! The beautiful items and pictures above give me such a happy vibe, because all we need in summer is legs, feet and icecream right? And a bag and phone of course :)
+ Clutch Libro Petit Prince, I want this bag for lots of reasons I will give you two: it’s pretty and it’s a book bag.
+ Black Cat iPhone Case, I love everything that Leah Gorens makes, yes everything.
+ Popsicle project, a fun print made by Carmyn Joys that breathes summer.
+ From Where I Stand, a print with beautiful light and colors made by Stephanie Somebody.
I follow Carmyn and Stephanie on Instagram and discovered they both have an Etsy shop where they sell their wonderful photos!

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White Keys

December 1, 2012

Wednesday I heard this (in one word: beautiful!), piano song on the radio called ‘Rideaux Lunaires’ by Chilly Gonzales. We bought the album the song is on and now listen to it everyday, so I just had to share his music with you. There is not really a good video of Rideaux Lunaires so instead above you see a video of his song ‘White Keys’. I like how his music takes you on a little journey in each song.
When my brother heard his name he immediately said Speedy Gonzales? The fun thing is that I had the same association, I guess it is our childhood cartoon watching history together :) Have a nice Saturday!

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From machinery to gym attributes

November 18, 2012

 

I surprised myself by making this collage! I love the feel of it, much like some earlier paintings of mine (some are in my Etsy shop). The images I used are from my fiancee’s image archive that he collects for inspiration. He finds his images in books, magazines and on the internet and the topics vary from machinery, wooden constructions, lamps, interiors, to gym attributes. It’s a wonderful archive so that’s why now and then I will share some of these image(s) with you.

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Which three should go to print?

November 10, 2012

In my previous post ‘A second life in print’ I mentioned that I want to choose three compositions out of my archive for making offset printed cards out of them.
I have to admit I’m not that great at choosing when it comes to my own work. And in this case there is lots to choose from, somewhere around 60 compositions :) I’ve narrowed it down to the 7 shown above and as you can see I’ve made a little composition out of them (I love doing that!).
Now you guys come in (if you like): I would really like it if you let me know which one you would like to become a printed card. You can choose your top three or just one, and if you don’t see (the) one you like check my Instagram account @francagarrels or http://instagram.com/francagarrels for other compositions.

If one of the compositions of your choice ends up being printed, I’ll send it to you as a gift! Thanks in advance for your input!

Category   Compositions 15 Comments

A second life in print

November 7, 2012

A little update on one of the things I’m working on right now.
I want to give the compositions that I make a second life by making offset printed cards out of them, and selling them at my Etsy shop. Above you see my first attempt that I had printed at FlyerAlarm (upper card). I don’t like it, the color, the white border around it, the finish, so the this card was not a success. And then I realized that I liked the color and the matte finish of my business cards (lower card) much better which I had printed at Offsetkopie.

So my next steps are going to be:
1 – Order a new test print at Offsetkopie (the same size as the first card in the photo with the color and matte finish of the second card).
2 – Choose three compositions out of my archive to start with.

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What bag? – Bags with a companion

November 3, 2012

Because fun bags don’t come alone!

From top to bottom. Embellished Clutch from Zara + Flesh-colored long necklace Sully by Asmé. Tote Coco I from Nurmi + Trees Tea Tray by Depeapa. Bucket Bag- Light Blue Leather from Falcon Wright + Bobby Chair Pillow from Michi Girl.

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Moving it

November 1, 2012

Yes it’s been a while since my last post and yes this is the first time I have moving image on my blog! I like this song. Apparently I’m into folk a bit.
It’s been busy the last couple of weeks because we moved our studio, actually it feels a bit like we’re still moving. The new studio isn’t ready yet, so we are working from home and that means not having all our stuff around because most of it is at our new studio. I will keep you updated on all things happening and of course more posts about art, bags, compositions, brooches and so on!

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Meet our new tool!

September 13, 2012

A while ago we bought a new machine for our workshop that lets us cut parts from woods and plastics. It’s called a cnc milling machine, and is controlled from a computer. The machine came as a kitset, and it took a little while before everything was put together and ready to go. We really needed to find some time to get everything right for the machine to work properly. And two weeks ago the big moment was there, it was all up and running! On the left photo you see the first try outs in woods and plastic and on the right you see the machine itself.

It creates some amazing possibilites, and also makes simple tasks alot easier and far more precise! For example; in the lower photo you see a piece of aircraft grade plywood that was cut using the machine. I’ve used it as the backside for my latest work. The measurements were spot on, and the finish is so much smoother than sawing by hand. And the fun has just begun!

Now we’re off to Berlin for a couple of days, see you after the weekend!

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Paper fantastic

August 25, 2012

Paper is just such an awesome material!

I have a big admiration for artists that work with paper and make wonderful things with it. These are my current three favorites, from top to bottom.

(1) The paper city called New Tysons is made by the duo Lucie Thomas and Thibault Zimmermann going by the name Zim&Zou. I stumbled upon them on the Pikaland blog and I was an instant fan.
(2) Kate slater makes collages and paper-cuts, The secret garden is one of my favorites. Her images trigger your imagination, they take you to another wonderful world.
(3) The last work is made by Sarah Illenberger. Sarah makes amazing images where she recreates everyday objects out of surprising materials. This is one is a true joy to look at, it shows the ingredients for ‘Chilli con carne’ made out of paper.

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