COLLABORATION WITH: Jess and Stephanie

Every once in a while a client will commission a tattoo of a word that I've never heard of. I'm embarrassed to say that such was the case with Jess and ubuntu. (Although once I was keyed into the word, it appeared everywhere). I enjoyed falling down the rabbit hole of exploring the word's infinite meanings and watching this TED talk by Chris Abani about the topic. Of the idea he says: "there is no way for us to be human without other people." Jess writes: 

Being in my last semester at university studying Peace and Development, friends and family often ask me how I think I will cope everyday facing the realities of poverty or living in a the middle of a civil war and WHY I want to do it? They are always questions that I don't really know how to express an answer for. So in a way, I guess ubuntu is my 'why'...

Ubuntu is the essence of being human. It speaks of the fact that my humanity is caught up and is inextricably bound up in yours. You can't exist as a human being in isolation. I am human because I belong. It speaks about wholeness, about compassion. A person with ubuntu is welcoming, hospitable, warm and generous. Such people are open and available to others, willing to be vulnerable, affirming of others, do not feel threatened that others are able and good, for they have a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that they belong in a greater whole. They know that they are diminished when others are humiliated, diminished when others are oppressed, diminished when others are treated as if they were less than who they are.

It is uplifting for me to think about all of the places Jess will go in her life-- places of unimaginable poverty, suffering, and hope -- and she will transport this idea of ubuntu, on her body, to the world that awaits her. It inspires me to do the same.

Many thanks to Jess and Stephanie at Victims of Ink in Port Melbourne. As a reminder, you can see a portfolio of tattoos over here. 

{Photos by Jess' friend Mitch}

NEITHER SNOW FOR MR. BODDINGTON'S

Have you seen Mr. Boddington's new collections? Weddings. Social stationery. Birth certificates. I mean really. It looks like they've added hundreds of items to their inventory, and every one is thoughtfully designed and charming. I want to wallpaper my house in the sailboat pattern above. It was a delight, as always, to contribute some calligraphy to their product shots, as did so many other colleagues. I can't believe how much the company has grown since I first started working with them. Thanks to Jessie and Laura and the rest of the crew for including me + brava!

LUCCA

Last weekend we went to Lucca, an ancient walled city about an hour away from Florence, with our friends Fabrizio and Flora. Yes, there were churches. Many churches. And also porcini. Incredible grilled porcini at Osteria dal Manzo. But headed back home Flora and I agreed that one of our favorite ways to understand a new place is through their office supply and stationery stores. Which is what I did. I happened upon some locally printed cards and these old Letterfix sheets that, I believe, are no longer made. I have such fond memories of my mother's folders and folders of these. It was hard to choose just a few, including the Greek alphabet and these trees from above. Lucca's famous flea market that winds its way through all of the piazze was taking place and there I found this spectacular embroidered monogram ribbon that was sewn into clothes; telegrams from Belgium with pastoral illustrations; and two letters to the same person, in the same hand, but with different pens. 

COLLABORATION WITH: Becky, Amy AND Muriel

Becky just sent along these photos and her tattoo story. It was a treat to work with her and meditate on the meaning of this word she chose throughout the process. 

There has been a lot of loss in my life the past couple of years. The loss of my last grandparent; of a future with a man I was soon to call my husband; a business and livelihood I poured my heart and soul into; people whom I considered friends; my home; and the most impactful loss on my life, my best fur friend and my first foster pup, Delilah. 

Delilah showed me that love isn't measured by the past, but by living in the present. She loved without prejudice. She loved without remembrance or distrust She loved with everything she had.

Looking back on the last few years the one clear thread that has bound my life together and stitched me into who I am at this very moment, was that of love. It is so easy to water down that word and the very strong meaning it holds. 

I had desired to get a tattoo for quite some time. To me, love, was the perfect word. A reminder on how to live my life. On how to treat others. The word itself, being so simple yet so complex, encompasses who I am as a woman and my desire to live intentionally.

My business name is designedbylove. God designed me and gave me the gifts I have. God is love. 1 Corinthians 13 defines love as God intends. "Patient, kind, never boastful. Not easy to anger. Keeping no record of wrongs. Delighting in the truth. Always protects, trusts, hopes and always perseveres. Love NEVER fails."  

Thank you Mara for taking this {very} dear and special word that I hold close to my heart and making it become a true piece of art that I get to wear for the rest of my life. Thank you Amy for being there with me as my plus one to capture such special moment in my life. Thank you Muriel for taking me on as a client and making my art come to life. There was special care and much thought put into who would be the one to make this mark on me.

Thank you to all, and especially to Becky for sharing these heartfelt words. 

SMALL BUSINESS CRUSH: CAMDEN PRINTWORKS, PART II

My love for the folks over at Camden Printworks is no secret. I've been so fortunate to collaborate with them on this party invitation, this wedding suite, and this extravaganza of invite, menu, program, banner, ribbons, and on and on. The enterprise is a deliberate effort to bring more jobs and economic opportunities to struggling Camden, NJ, and I couldn't be more honored to give them my business. From top left to right: Brad, owner Adam, the Shellenberger Brothers (Nicholas and Jackson), and Joe are hands down some of my favorite collaborators. They invited me over the other day to silkscreen a bit (my technique is...lacking), throw back some beers and poke around the printshop. Just being in that infernally hot space with the riot of ink colors, blasting Katy Perry music and smell of clean cotton is enough to inspire me for weeks. The chaos of the shop is such a remarkable contrast to the impeccable, detailed, refined work they make for Neither Snow. And I adore this contrast. And most of all, I adore their company. You'll be hearing more about our partnership in the coming months. For now, some behind the scenes snaps.

NEW HOME: FLORENCE

Let me preface this by saying that I don't know Why We Are So Lucky. For the last two mornings the words "There must be some kind of mistake...a clerical error..." have been running through my head. But here we are. One moment I am frantically schlepping to Target in the humid Philadelphia heat, covered in ink and basement detritus and the next I am living a few steps from Galileo's house and awakened by the sound of 14th century church bells. I don't think I will ever stop marveling at or being grateful for these contrasts.

As you may recall, we are living in Florence for the year where Andrew has a fellowship at this villa, over here, and which can only be described as wining the jackpot. (He calls me sometimes hyperventilating over his good fortune). I wanted to share a little glimpse of our new life here. From top to bottom: our view, the walkway to the apartment, our entryway, courtyard and my new office.  Also, we have a pomegranate tree, which is up as fall's new header, in celebration of the Jewish New Year. 

Pinching myself, and can't wait to share what is found here. 

THREE YEARS

In keeping with tradition of years one and two, I'm marking our three year anniversary with a picture of Andrew's wedding ring. This year, we were apart for the big day (he in Italy, me watching a giant puppet burn to the groud in Santa Fe). In browsing through the year of photos I came across this one, from this decal tutorial featured on Green Wedding Shoes  It still makes me smile, and I can hear his voice saying "You want me to do what with this sticker thing?" This last year in Los Angeles  I enlisted Andrew to help me with all manner of tasks that I traditionally reserved for my assistant or Philadelphia collaborators. Among them: acting as hand model. He was always uncomplaining and good natured and ready to drop everything to help me. These are three of countless qualities I love and appreicate about him. Here's to many more years of 2 AM deadlines, craft projects, and guest appearances in eachother's work..

COLLABORATION WITH: LEAH, CODY and MARIANNE

Hello hello. What accounts for the radio silence is that these last couple of weeks we've been packing for our move to Italy. In this spare moment, I wanted to share Leah's story, and my most recent Gratitude Giveaway. Leah works in hospice which, to my mind, is like the work of angels on earth. And so, here is her tattoo story: 

I have been privileged to work in hospice for the last 5 years.  Whenever I mention that people always say “That must be so hard, working with people who are dying.”  In reality, it is an honor to do my imperfect best to help people at this stage in their life.  It seems to me that death is like life, amplified.  It can be sad, graceful, beautiful, messy, transcendental and mundane, all at the same time.  Seeing people in this stage makes me aware of the finite nature of my own life, and that I need to strive to make it the best that I am able.

My hope with this tattoo is to keep several ideas central in my heart.  First, the life I live is foremost under my control; a positive person lives in a positive world.  Second, the more love I give, the more love I get, in my life and at the end of my life.  Third, those things that I dislike most in others are the things I dislike most in myself.  So better to try to acknowledge and change that in myself than focus that negativity toward others.

Thanks to Cody Swigert at Temple Décor and Marianne Wiest Photography in Kalispell, Montana and to Leah for sharing her story and the final product!

As I reminder: I give away one expression of gratitude every month to a client whose story I find especially moving: commemorating a loved one, an act of kindness, a gift, etc. Email me with your story. And all the gallerty of tattoo photos can be found here. 

COLLABORATION WITH: RYLEE + JESSICA

Well, there aren't really words are there? For what is going on with this wedding over here featured on Style Me Pretty that I was lucky enough to contribute to? I'm a bit gobsmacked, so I'll let Rylee's beautiful photographs and Jessica's impeccable styling speak for themselves. This event is the first that incorporated all of the "not on paper" work I'll be focusing on this year. Specifically: on linen (menus and invitations), satin (banner), silver (table numbers). I can't wait to work with more visionary couples and planners who want to dream up more projects like these. Thanks to all + the happy couple! 

Wedding Photography: Rylee Hitchner Photography / Creative Direction, Design + Styling: Jessica Sloane Event Styling & Design / Floral Design: Amy Osaba / Wedding Stationery + Decals: Neither Snow / Wedding Cake: Dream Cakes Bakery / Rentals: Special Events / Linens: Southern Events Party Rental & Vintage Prop Shop / Chandelier Installation: Allison Rhee of Enamored With / Wedding Dress: Badgley Mischka / Bride’s Veil: The Bride Room / Hair + Makeup: Joanna Ballentine

COLLABORATION WITH: Rebecca, Bruce and Manuela

How fun to return from vacation and find these beautiful photos from Rebecca of her tattoo "be still." Rebecca writes that the words are from:

Psalm 46:10 : "Be still and know that I am God"     &
Exodus 14:14: "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still

These two small words are a reminder of God's faithfulness, provision and love in my life, a reassurance that I never have to worry and that I can trust Him with everything. 

..and the photos were taken by Rebecca's husband and collaborator Bruce. The both are from the talented photography studio Love Made Visible in Cape Town, South Africa (and they are too adorable). I cropped in to highlight the exceptionally detailed work of tattoo artist Manuela Gray of Wildfire Tattoos. Manuela, you rocked this. Often all that matters in translating my work from a digital file to the skin is the ability of the tattoo artist to capture and interpret the "thick and thin" strokes of each letter. Manuela couldn't have done a better job. As always, see a couple more snaps in the Portfolio > Tattoos section over here. Thank you Rebecca, Bruce and Manuela!

{Photos by Bruce of Love Made Visible}