Good Stuff: Calendars

Since it's that time of the year.

Chelsea Granger

Vintage Japanese Katazome Calendar

LEIF Gems and Mineral Calendar

People I've Loved

Lana Pelana

Isa Gagarin of Gibbous Goods

Gina Tuzzi

The Wild Unknown

Spencer Studio

Good Stuff: Temari

These thread balls are called Temari. China introduced them to Japan in the late 7th century. They were originally used by children of the wealthy noble class in a Japanese variation of hacky sack called, kemari. The game became increasingly popular over time and mothers and grandmothers, who could not afford to buy their children the foreign imports began to make their own. They would use remnants of old kimonos and wrap them in the salvaged thread.

As time went the balls' stitching started to become less functional and more decorative until the balls evolved into the art form they are today. Which I think is a pretty cool thing. I use to have a bunch when I lived in Asia and would string them up like they do in the small photo above and turned them into kick-ass Christmas ornaments. However, now that all seems absurd and would cost a small fortune. I tried finding them stateside and they go for around $50 a piece. Um what? I should have stocked up while I was still living far east.

All the large photos of the Temari balls are via NanaAkua.

Inspired: Salvation Mountain

I wanted to share some photos of the awesome painted walls at Salvation Mountain in the Colorado Desert. You can find more photos and information about it here. 

Most of the photos are via mociun's instagram account here and the remainder from here, here, and here.

Inspired: Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii

Glass negatives. Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii (taken c. 1900). Library of Congress

Good Stuff: Paula Hayes

Had to share these unbelievable terrariums by Paula Hayes. I found a few for sale online but they were in the 5000 dollar range, so I won't be owning one of these unless I sell a kidney/win the lotto. Still amazing stuff. You can find these and more of Paula's work on her website here.

Photos via Paula's site, her instagram, here and here.