Modus

The Artist

2011-12-07T17:40:00.001-08:00

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to see The Artist as a sneak preview. Knowing little (well, nothing, really) about the storyline, I was surprised to discover that the movie was created as a silent film. Initially, I was skeptical of whether it would hold my attention for 100 minutes but by the third scene, I was totally captivated!

Set in 1920s Hollywood, The Artist tells a story of two charismatic movie stars. George Valentin, a prolific silent film star, struggles with adapting to the world of talking pictures. Peppy Miller, a young and energetic aspiring actress, is destined for talkie stardom. The two serendipitously cross paths and develop a relationship that bridges the generational divide.

Beyond the unique storyline, endearing characters, and feel-good ending, I liked that this film was set in a time when my beloved 1913 letterpress also existed. It confirmed for me that truly great concepts are timeless.

Director: Michel Hazanavicius
Stars: Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo and John Goodman

Sir Ken Robinson: Schools Kill Creativity

2011-05-26T21:28:00.000-07:00

Even though it was long, long ago, I still have vivid memories of art class in elementary school. I remember the chalky smell of those puck-sized tempera tablets and labouring to grip those giant, red handled brushes.

Like little robots we'd all paint pictures of puffy green trees set against a pale blue sky, with a rainbow falling behind two intersecting hills. You know the picture I'm talking about.

Even though our ever nurturing teacher praised us endlessly for what good little artists we were, when I brought my artwork home, it made my mom cry. She cried not because my painting was just that good (which is what I thought at the time) but because she knew it was the beginning of the end of my free imagination.

In this poignant and funny 2006 TED talk, Sir Ken Robinson makes the case for a radical shift from standardized schools to personalized learning — creating conditions where kids' natural talents can flourish.

Undeniable Enthusiasm

2010-12-14T17:35:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe an entire year has gone by since we offered our very first introduction to letterpress workshop. Since then, our participants have included everything from scientists just looking to get out of the lab, to die-hard letterpress fans ready to start their own business. No matter the case, every participant has shown undeniable enthusiasm. It has been a true pleasure imparting my knowledge and encouraging the revival of this otherwise dying craft.

The first workshop for 2011 is scheduled for Sunday, January 23. Please visit the Modus Paperie & Press website for information on how to register.

Echo Park Paper

2010-11-19T10:53:00.000-08:00

I may have mentioned in the past that I am a shameless sucker for packaging and gift wrapping is certainly no exception. Not only does Echo Park Paper have ridiculously cute designs, they've taken it one step further and created themed collections complete with stickers and tags so you can wrap like a pro. (Or in my case, hoard it like we're running out of trees!)

Modus Featured in CRAVE Vancouver!

2010-11-18T11:20:00.000-08:00

The CRAVE Vancouver "Urban Girl's Manifesto" is the most unique and stylish guidebook for entreprenesses that showcases some of the most creative, interesting, and gutsy proprietors throughout the city. Modus Paperie & Press is proud to be selected as one of only 150 businesses featured in the latest edition of CRAVE Vancouver!

What is CRAVE? CRAVE Vancouver is the resource that connects urban gals to the sassiest, gutsiest, most inspiring people they need to know in Vancouver. In addition to the guide, their modern marketplace of soirees, gatherings and online networking serves as your ambassador to everything there is to CRAVE in our city.

We have a limited quantity of guides in stock. To take advantage of our half-off promotion, please email us today!

Creative Genius?

2010-11-03T11:04:00.000-07:00

A while back, my eldest sister posted this photo on her facebook wall. A message from her 13-year-old son. Is he a creative genius? I think so!

Last workshop of 2010!

2010-10-31T21:48:00.000-07:00

We have one last workshop scheduled for 2010 on November 28th! Over the course of the 1-day, introduction to letterpress workshop you'll learn to set lead type, print from plates, mix ink, trim paper on an antique gillotine cutter, and of course, operate the 100-year-old press.

During the workshop you'll create a set of 12 greeting cards with your very own hand-set credit on the back. How you use them is up to you – mail them out to your friends and family or package them up into sets and give them as gifts!

These workshops have been filling up fast so to avoid disappointment, please visit the Modus website today for information on how to guarantee your spot!

Ellen's Frightened Writer!

2010-10-28T23:15:00.000-07:00

Recently, Ellen sent her writer, Amy, through a scary Hallowe'en maze at Universal Studios Hollywood. This is seriously one of the funniest videos I've ever seen! Thanks for making us laugh, Ellen!

Invitation Buzz

2010-10-27T19:40:00.000-07:00

To celebrate the Hallowe'en season, our friends at Invitation Buzz out of Maine assembled a "Fabulous Lineup" of black cats and ours made the cut! Check out their blog for all things stationery.

Workshop Review from Edmonton

2010-10-26T09:42:00.000-07:00

If you've been considering taking one of our workshops, you may want to have a peek at Melissa from Wedding Obsession's review of the September workshop. Here's a snippet: "Sure, people question why we’re turning to an ‘old’ and ‘ancient’ way of printing, but it’s so thrilling to see the final product and the steps that went into it." Click here for her full entry.

Call for Entry

2010-10-25T18:15:00.000-07:00

The Society of Graphic Designers of Canada British Columbia Chapter and proud sponsor, Hemlock Printers, established the Jim Rimmer Community Scholarship for Design to honour Jim Rimmer, a local industry icon and pivotal influence in Canadian letterpress and private press.

The Scholarship is awarded annually to two students, or student groups, who demonstrate the use of design thinking to benefit their community and effectively communicate a message, affect action and promote change. Invited to apply are students as individuals or in groups who are currently enrolled in an accredited design program or have graduated within the past year from a post-secondary institution within British Columbia.

Deadline for application: November 8, 2010
For more information, visit the GDC/BC website.

Fall in Vancouver

2010-10-21T13:20:00.000-07:00

With a little pout, I acknowledge the onset of fall.

Coffee & Letterpress

2010-10-08T10:16:00.000-07:00

On a recent trip to Chicago, we discovered this fantastic coffee bar on our way to visit the Chicago Museum of Art. Our first clue that Intelligentsia had great coffee? No free seating at 8 o'clock on a Saturday morning! (We ended up at fabulous Caffè Baci instead.) Fitting to their urban yet down to earth brand, they chose to use letterpress – white ink on a coffee bean brown card stock – to print the tent cards on their table tops. I didn't want to impose my camera on the locals' morning ritual so that means no photos, but I'm sure you can use your imagination with this one!

Mighty Mouse Surgery

2010-09-24T10:34:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to report that my once mighty Apple Mighty Mouse is once again, mighty! After being faced with roller-ball failure on a second Apple Mighty Mouse, I decided it was time to operate. One knife, one screw driver, one damp cloth and two pieces of tape later, it was all fixed! Avoiding a triplicate purchase at the Apple Store was certainly gratifying but in the end, what I really appreciated most was being reminded of how much fun it is to take things apart and see how they work!

Here's a short photo essay on my experience as a Mighty Mouse surgeon.

My Apple Mighty Mouse about to have an operation.

The mouse on its back in preparation for surgery.

With a thin instrument, I carefully pried off the outer ring. The ring was glued down so I had to gently wiggle it loose in order to remove it without breaking the plastic. (If you choose to use a knife like I did, please wear protective gloves and be very careful!)

This is what it looked like with the outer ring removed.

The next step was to remove the inner grey ring. It wasn't attached with glue so it was much easier to lift off – shown here. (In hindsight, I'm not entirely sure this step was necessary.)

Once the grey ring was off, I gently pried up the bottom of the mouse at the end where the cord feeds in. There was a hinge mechanism on the other end, so once the cord end was free, I unhinged the other end with a little squeeze and a wiggle.

Once that was done, it looked like this. There were a couple of thin electronic pieces that connected the top and bottom of the mouse – I left those connected and was very careful not to damage them.

Inside, there was this little black box with three little screws that I carefully removed.

The contents of the little black box looked like this. Once it was open, I could clearly see the problem – check out all those dust particles – eew!

I noted the shape of the white plastic piece, knowing it would be key to putting the roller-ball mechanism back together again.

After I had very gently removed the white plastic piece, this is what it looked like. All the little pieces inside were free so I had to be careful not to lose any. (When you do this, if any of the pieces fall out, you can use this photo as a reference for putting it back together again.)

With the little grey ball out, this is what I was left with. Can you see the four tiny black and white pieces with the dust particles stuck to them? One-by-one I removed and cleaned each of them with a damp cloth, and while I was at it, I also cleaned out any other particles from the inside of the mouse. After everything was dust free again, I put everything back together by simply repeating the steps in reverse. To make it easier to clean in the future, I decided against gluing the rings back on and opted to tape the rings in place instead.

I hope this inspires you to explore the insides of your own malfunctioning electronics instead of feeling like you must resign them to the landfill. With nothing to loose, you might as well go for it, right?!

NOTE: Please be sure to exercise caution by wearing protective gloves and glasses and heed all (if any) warnings noted on the casings.

Letterpress Enthusiasts from the North East

2010-09-23T10:05:00.000-07:00

In the September workshop we hosted Melissa of Wedding Obsession and her friend Ashley who came all the way from Edmonton just to learn letterpress! They exercised great patience in hand-setting their bugs and locked up like experts in one shot. The plate printing went as smoothly as we could have hoped – registration adjustment, roller alignment, rail balancing and voilà – perfection! Now Melissa and Ashley can say they've learned the basics (and a few intricacies) of letterpress in theory and practice.

Hand-set type – Helvetica & Murray Hill – all locked up.

Perfect impression.

A cheerful cardinal.

Ashley & Melissa showing off the fruits of their efforts!

Fall Workshops

2010-07-31T10:42:00.000-07:00

A little update on the fall 2010 workshop schedule at Modus Paperie & Press:

AUGUST: Summer Hiatus
SEP 18th: Sorry - Class Full!
OCT 16th: Now Booking

The fall sessions are filling up quickly so to avoid disappointment, please book early!

Shop Direct!

2010-07-30T16:41:00.000-07:00

In addition to our exciting news on July 28th about our products being carried by Favourite gift boutique, we are also happy to announce, you can now make secure online purchases directly through our website. We are continually adding to our collection so please check back often for hot-off-the-press items!

Find us at Favourite!

2010-07-28T11:08:00.000-07:00

You can now pick up all your favourite Modus greetings, gift tags and limited edition prints at Favourite gift boutique in the Lonsdale Quay! Favourite is a delicious little shop and the Lonsdale Quay Market is as vibrant as ever. If you don't live on the North Shore, don't fret, it's easy to get there! Just make your way to the Seabus terminal, enjoy the crossing... hop off on the other side, and you're there!

Favourite is located on the second level. It's just at the top of the stairs and overlooks the bustling market.

The Fun Continues...

2010-04-26T21:47:00.000-07:00

This weekend marked the 3rd installation of our Introduction to Letterpress workshop at the Modus studio. This time around we added to our barrel full of sock monkeys and transformed our California poppies into a beautiful rich red variety with crisp black stems. Oooooh-ahhhhh. And as promised, I remembered my camera this time!

Who doesn't love printing sock monkeys!?

Monkey plate.

Printing poppies.

Locked up hand set type.

Finished product!

Some Lovin' for Sock Monkey Love

2010-04-23T12:38:00.000-07:00

I recently discovered that back in January, our work was mentioned in a Valentine's Day feature on the popular style blog Platinum Blonde Life out of New York. See our "Sock Monkey Love" up in the top left corner? Thanks for the shout-out Platinum Blonde Life!

Image: Platinum Blonde Life

Sole Mates

2010-04-11T10:22:00.000-07:00

My friend Illene is Queen of all things innovative. In fact, she should really be contributing to this blog on a daily basis but since she insists she is a designer not a writer, I will post this for her!

You finally found the perfect shoe to go with the perfect outfit, what more could you ask for? Sole Mates! – little caps that you clip on to the heels of your stilettos to save them from grass, mud, cobblestone and sidewalk cracks. Well, how about that... you don't have to sacrifice your favourite pair of shoes for your best friend's garden wedding!

Upcoming Letterpress Workshops

2010-03-27T09:41:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to report the March workshop was another great success! This time our solo student produced a beautiful set of 12 greeting cards. The next workshop is coming up on April 24th and this time I'm hoping to have the foresight to bring my camera and show you all what we're up to!

Success!

2010-02-01T11:22:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we held our very first workshop at Modus Paperie & Press. When all was said and done, we sent home some beautiful turquoise business cards that were hand-set in lead type, and an adorable set of "Bee Mine" mini-broadsides perfect for spreading some Valentine's Day cheer. We certainly covered a lot of ground in a day and had loads of fun in the process but don't take my word for it, check out Lemmonism, the student's blog post on her experience with letterpress!

If you'd like to join in the fun, visit our website for more information on upcoming dates and registration.

UPDATE: Letterpress Classes Scheduled for 2010

2010-01-30T10:08:00.000-08:00

JANUARY 31
Class size: minimum of 1, maximum of 2
Suggested Theme: Valentine's Day
Hours: 9:30 AM - 6:30 PM (with a 1-hour lunch)
Cost: $240 CDN (includes all materials)
Registration Deadline: CLOSED

MARCH 6 & 7
Class size: minimum of 3, maximum of 4
Suggested Theme: Easter
Hours: 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM (with a 1-hour lunch)
Cost: $240 CDN (includes all materials)
Registration Deadline: February 26th

APRIL 24 & 25
Class size: minimum of 3, maximum of 4
Suggested Theme: Mother's Day
Hours: 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM (with a 1-hour lunch)
Cost: $240 CDN (includes all materials)
Registration Deadline: April 16th

For more information or to register, email Modus Paperie & Press or call 604 313 6954. Payment is due at time of registration. (Paypal, Canada Post Money Order or Cheque)

Learn Letterpress!

2010-01-06T23:39:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a pleasant holiday, is well rested and ready to charge forth into 2010! I've never been an active participant in proclaiming New Year's resolutions but I've always felt that January is a great time for change. Rework priorities. Set new goals. Learn something new!

In keeping with that theme, the creative minds surrounding Modus Paperie & Press came up with a great idea — share our knowledge with our wide-eyed fans and offer letterpress printing workshops to all!

In our first session, we'll follow a century-old tradition and you'll make your very own valentines on our 1913 printing press! Over the course of the 2-day workshop, you'll learn to set lead type, print from plates, mix ink, select paper and, of course, operate the press! The cost is $240 (CDN) and includes all materials. Class size is limited to 4 for optimal press time so contact us today to reserve your spot... the class will fill up fast!

WHERE: Modus Paperie & Press
ADDRESS: 316 West 5th Avenue, Vancouver, BC
DATE: January 30 & 31, 2010
TIME: 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM (with a 1-hour lunch break)

For more information or to register, email Modus Paperie & Press or call 604 313 6954. Payment is due at time of registration. (Paypal, Canada Post Money Order or Cheque)

Obsessive Consumption

2009-12-22T11:12:00.001-08:00

In this season of extreme consumerism, I thought this would be the perfect time to share this amazing blog. Since 2002, Kate Bingaman-Burt has been documenting her personal consumption... in illustration. French fries, a bus ticket, some scotch tape. I love the quality of her illustrations and of course think they would look amazing printed in letterpress!

Photo: Obsessive Consumption

Touch Me!

2009-12-18T10:34:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I've come across something that's really compelled me to note it in my Creative Thinking category but this definitely caught my attention. Remember those lights that turned on and off by touch? How about this, a FAUCET that does the same! My only question is, what took ya so long?!

Video: Delta Faucet

Portobello West Holiday Market

2009-12-09T23:36:00.000-08:00

Just a quick reminder that Modus Paperie & Press will be participating in the Portobello West Holiday Market this weekend. We'll be sharing booth 38 with Lovably mobiles located in the center aisle to the left of the front entrance.

If you've never been to this event before, it's held at the Rocky Mountaineer Train Station located on Cottrell Street just off Terminal Avenue near The Home Depot. It's a really great venue that has loads of natural light, tall ceilings and ample FREE parking.

LOCATION: Rocky Mountaineer Train Station
ADDRESS: 1755 Cottrell Street, Vancouver, BC
DATE: December 12 & 13
TIME: Noon to 6PM (both days)
WEBSITE: click here

Last Stop to Shop

2009-12-09T22:49:00.001-08:00

It's hard to believe it's been two years since my first post announcing the Beaumont Studios' holiday craft event, "Last Stop to Shop." This year the event is stronger than ever with a juried selection of vendors including both Beaumont tenants and local artists.

Join us for the opening night festivities with bevys, appies and music. All of the studios will be open (including ours!), making this a perfect opportunity to check out one of the coolest artists' buildings in Vancouver.

Hope to see you there!

WHERE: The Beaumont Studios
ADDRESS: 316 West 5th Avenue, Vancouver, BC
DATE: December 18-20
TIME: Friday 7PM - Midnight, Saturday & Sunday 11AM - 7PM

Last Class of 2009

2009-12-08T13:09:00.000-08:00

Once again, Modus Paperie & Press will be included in the curriculum for The Beaumont Studio's "School of Thought." Come on out this Thursday, December 10th for one last opportunity to pass your electives.

The final night of classes will include:

WOOD SHOP 101: Tyler Harris will guide you through a entertaining class of woodworking.

LIFE 101: Dennis Currie will inspire your spirit to live life to it's fullest.

ARTS & CRAFTS: Amber Butler will show you how to get creative and think outside the box.

LETTERPRESS PRINTING: Back by popular demand and the Dean's favourite class of the semester, come experience a little taste of what a printer's life was like back in the Industrial Revolution! The 25 minute class will cover a brief history of our letterpress, the process of relief printing, a printing demonstration and a Q&A period. AND...also by popular demand, Modus Paperie & Press will have their latest product line available for purchase during break time!

WHERE: The Beaumont Studios
ADDRESS: 316 West 5th Avenue, Vancouver, BC
DATE: Thursday, December 10th
TIME: 8PM - Midnight
COST: $5 per class (you must register for a minimum of 1 class)
CONTACT: Dean Harris

Bizzy Bee

2009-12-07T20:34:00.000-08:00

Well, as always, my more than month-long absence is a definite sign of me being a very bizzy little bee. November was filled with a flurry of visualizing, strategizing, debating and compromising all in anticipation of our marathon of holiday shows that began on November 28th. After display planning, all remaining hours were spent at the Modus Paperie & Press studio, printing, printing, printing, and doing fussy little tasks like folding cards and packaging gift tags.

Our very first market, the Portobello West holiday season opener, happened over the last weekend of November. It was heaps of work and an enormous learning experience. Some silly decisions and omission were made – like to use bricks as display props (duh!) and to not bring a chair – but all in all, it was a valuable first-time experience that established a great foundation for our next show.

A week later, our second show – Got Craft? – was indeed, an entirely different experience. The display had been streamlined (bricks returned!) and everything was organized to fit neatly into two large totes. The show itself was spectacular. The lineup for swag bags started at 7:30 am, doors opened at 11:00 and the hall was packed until closing at 5:00. Randomly assigned, Modus Paperie & Press was one of 4 vendors located on the stage and by what I could see from up there (and from patrons' rave reviews), the Got Craft? organizers, Andrea and Robert, did a fantastic job at vendor selection. Congratulations to them both for yet another extraordinarily successful event!

Kool Kidz

2009-10-23T11:17:00.000-07:00

Last night's inaugural School of Thought event at The Beaumont was heaps of fun! It was a great turn-out with about 80 of the coolest cool kids showing up to join in the fun.

There were 3 blocks of 4 regular curriculum classes throughout the night including: graffiti stenciling, photography lighting, enlightened finance and old skool letterpress printing. And the fun even continued at recess with a couple quick wine purchasing and sorbet making demos in the breezway.

Kind of like shop and art combined into one, letterpress was definitely popular with the crowd. Only scheduled for 3 blocks, I ended up doing a 4th late-night class by popular demand, squeezing in as many people as we could into the little Modus Paperie & Press studio. I'm a little hoarse today but it was great fun being on the faculty and having the opportunity to introduce so many enthusiastic people to the art of letterpress. If you were there, it was great meeting you – and gold stars all around!

This event will be held every Thursday for the next 7 weeks. Next week all the classes will be different so if it's letterpress you're interested in, it'll likely be included again in the November 5th curriculum. Stay tuned for more details!

Get a Grip

2009-10-19T21:21:00.000-07:00

Check out these little beauties from Mayfair Lane. Clips that grip to surfaces where magnets don't: stainless steel, whiteboard, glass, mirror. And there's a patchwork of lively designs to choose from.

Photo: Mayfair Lane

School of Thought

2009-10-17T14:13:00.000-07:00

The Beaumont Studios presents School of Thought, a night of practical and fun classes with over 20 teachers and 30 subjects. The event will be held for 8 consecutive Thursdays beginning this Thursday October 22nd.

Each week there will be at least five classes to choose from. All classes will be 30 min long. You can drop in and out of class throughout the night, or skip class all together to hang out in "homeroom" (AKA: the bar). After the last class, "show-and-tell" will begin at 11PM.

This is a great way to meet new people and learn a new thing or two.

Subjects for Thursday, October 22nd include:

• Financial Warrior (Mac Daddy)
• Photography Lighting (Wayne Webb)
• Letterpress Printing at Modus Paperie & Press (Manna Wescott)
• Stenciling Graffiti (Charmaine and Steve)
• Culinary Arts (Sean Burrows)

The premier night is filling up quickly so please confirm your attendance asap!

WHERE: The Beaumont Studios
ADDRESS: 316 West 5th Avenue, Vancouver, BC
DATE: 8 Thursdays beginning October 22nd
TIME: 8PM - Midnight
COST: $5 per class (you must register for a minimum of 1 class)
RSVP: Jude Kusnierz

Portobello West

2009-10-16T10:13:00.000-07:00

Once again, Modus Paperie & Press is pleased to announce our participation in another local show. Portobello West Fashion + Art Market is one of the most prolific art markets in Vancouver. Inspired by the famous artisan markets of Europe, Portobello West brings together Vancouver’s talented artists and designers in an eclectic and often surprising mix. Come down and meet the designers, hear their stories and take home truly original pieces.

Since the November 28/29 show will be our first event of the year, we'll be celebrating the launch of our 2009 holiday line with a free gift with purchase for the first 50 customers! But don't worry, if you're not quite ready to face Christmas until December, we'll also be there on December 12/13, and if you quote the secret password "sunday morning" we'll have a free gift with purchase for you too. (Sorry, only while quantities last.)

LOCATION: Rocky Mountaineer Station
ADDRESS: 1755 Cottrell Street, Vancouver, BC
DATE: November 28/29 & December 12/13
TIME: Noon to 6PM
WEBSITE: click here

Video: Portobello West

Now That's Dedication!

2009-10-07T12:47:00.000-07:00

Chronicle Books is by far my favourite publisher and this is just one of the many reasons why I subscribe to their newsletter. They had my full attention with the subject line, Explore the world of Pictorial Webster's, but it didn't take long before I was completely captivated by this video. What a fabulous little short. Bravo to John Carrera for his dedication and to Chronicle Books for championing the fruits of his labour.

Video: John Carrera

We're live!

2009-10-02T23:11:00.001-07:00

In effort to honour our 2009 marketing plan, we're happy to flip the switch on the new Modus Paperie & Press website! Please take a browse to check out our latest letterpress work and discover the full complement of services we offer.

Got Craft?

2009-09-27T21:30:00.000-07:00

With a record number of vendor applications this year, Modus Paperie & Press is pleased to announce our participation in the 2009 Got Craft? Holiday Show! One of the trendiest craft shows in town, Got Craft? features over 55 local and handmade vendors ranging from clothing to jewelry to ceramics and wall art.

LOCATION: Royal Canadian Legion
2205 Commercial Drive (@ E.6th Ave), Vancouver
DATE: Sunday, December 6th, 2009
TIME: 11:00am to 5:00pm
WEBSITE: click here or on the logo below

Arrive early and if you're one of the first 30 people through the door you'll receive a FREE, handmade swag bag stuffed full of goodies from all the vendors!

The Drift: Art on Main Street

2009-09-26T13:36:00.000-07:00

Modus Paperie & Press and The Beaumont Studios will be participating in the annual Drift event held October 3 & 4, 2009. The Drift: Art of Main Street is an art walk & open studio tour similar to the East Side Culture Crawl. Over 100 artists, 35 artists’ working studios & 80 Main Street shops, cafés & galleries team up to host this free 2-day art party! The Drift is a self-guided art tour. Visit their website to download a PDF guide & map or pick up a hard copy on Main Street from one of the many participating small shops and cafés.

The Modus studio will be open after 1:00 on Saturday afternoon only. We look forward to seeing you there!

A Logo for Modus

2009-09-24T12:42:00.000-07:00

After a quick mini-vacay to the Oregon Coast, it was back to business at Modus Paperie & Press. The entire month of August was spent on Modus branding and product development. Not surprisingly, after spending literally years on landing a name, the process of developing a logo was a walk in the park. Something clean and modern to reflect the Modus philosophy. A celebration of simplicity. A logo that possesses the one quality that all logos strive for: timelessness.

We sure like it – and we hope you do too.

Embrace the Lemon

2009-08-21T22:36:00.000-07:00

In this time of adversity, I thought it would be appropriate to reignite my blog with this specific entry. Just as many others have, I stumbled upon the Embrace the Lemon movement on a recent trip to Seattle. The artful simplicity of the poster compelled me to investigate further and a quick visit to the website revealed its simple purpose: to spread the word of optimism. I love that creative thinking is a byproduct of difficult times.

Posters for the "Embrace the Lemon" campaign in Seattle.

Tonic Living

2008-08-19T12:07:00.000-07:00

I’ve always got a few DIY projects on the go and the latest has led me to Tonic Living, a fantastic online source for creative fabrics. Nearly all the patterns are retro inspired but they’ve also got some great complementary basics. Fair warning: choosing just one pattern is nearly impossible. I checked out with 4 this morning – all in black and white – of course.

Photo credit: Tonic Living

Kiitos Marimekko

2008-08-07T12:04:00.000-07:00

I’m a bit of a google junkie and I often find myself searching for something specific and stumbling upon all kinds of great bits in the process. The other day I did a search for “white Queen Anne sofa” and discovered Kittos Marimekko, an independent textiles boutique located in New York City. I love that their textile designs are both bold and organic – what a great combination.

Photo credit: Kiitos Marimekko, New York

Black Chandelier

2008-07-11T12:02:00.000-07:00

If the Bendant Lamp had an arch nemesis, this would be it. The Concerto Black Chandelier. Props to The Home Depot for carrying such a cool line. Check out how Color Confidential used it in Episode 75.

Photo credit: The Home Depot

Thinking Outside the Bin

2008-06-21T11:57:00.000-07:00

You know you’re a true recycler when you look at a bowl of pistachio shells and you think to yourself, “I must be able to use these for something.” The authors of the How Can I Recycle This? blog began with this thought and are now proving to the world that you can repurpose virtually anything. What’s really cool about this blog is that it acts as a public (and global) forum for all to offer up their own unique and often ingenious repurposing ideas.

Now…what to do with those “non-recyclable” bottle caps…

The Bendant Lamp

2008-06-10T11:53:00.000-07:00

This piece is noteworthy on so many levels but what I really love about it is the idea that it has the potential to give the average everyday person the feeling of being creative. The Bendant Lamp is ingeniously designed. Each piece comes flat, you bend the leaves however you choose and…voila! A one-of-a-kind designer pendant lamp designed by you! MIO has been creating sustainable products since 2001.

Photo credit: MIO

Yipee!

2008-06-03T11:51:00.000-07:00

Every now and then I come across a photo that really makes me wanna be a kid again. Can’t you just smell those nostalgic scents of summer from this one? Thanks Veer!

Photo credit: Veer

HOW in Boston

2008-05-26T11:46:00.000-07:00

Creative minds from around the world have been uniting at the HOW Design Conference every year since 1991. This year, the three-day conference attracted nearly 4000 attendees, over 45 speakers, a resource centre packed with industry suppliers, and me! Most of the sessions I attended were useful in content and sometimes even inspirational but for the most part, I attribute the success of the event to its inherent social nature. Attending the HOW Design Conference: $1075. Being in a room with 4000 creative minds: priceless.

Attendees fill the auditorium in the Hynes Convention Center for “10 Secrets of Typographic Success.” Speaker: Allan Haley

Goofing around with new friends after day 2 at the conference. Location: The Clink restaurant at The Liberty Hotel.

Glass Flowers

2008-05-24T11:40:00.000-07:00

If you ever find yourself in Boston you must make a point to cross the bridge to Cambridge and stop by the Harvard Museum of Natural History. Their collection of hand blown glass flower specimens is well worth every penny of the $9 entrance fee but they also have an amazing collection of taxidermy animals (I know - eew - but also very cool!), sea creatures, dinosaur fossils, bugs, minerals, gems and meteorites.

Above: One of over 3000 glass models created by artisans Leopold Blaschka and his son, Rudolph. Models were commissioned from 1887 - 1936.

Beauty in Imperfection

2008-04-28T11:35:00.000-07:00

After months of tinkering, the letterpress is now running! Nearly 100 years old and it still purrs like a kitten. Sunday, April 27th marked the press' very first print run in nearly 13 years. Some say that practice makes perfect but I prefer the notion that beauty is in the imperfections.

Above: Hand set lead type. Script - 18 pt. Murray Hill. Sans - 8 pt. Univers.

Best Place to Whip Up Some Art

2008-03-27T11:32:00.000-07:00

Recently voted “Best Place to Whip up some Art” in the Georgia Straight, Blim is a community based art resource center that facilitates screen-printing, button making, drawing, knitting, local experimental audio, film screenings, animation, video, dance, spoken word, visual art, creative workshops, and crafts in the independent field. They even offer classes on how to make a sock monkey. Simply put, Blim rocks. If you live in the Vancouver area, it’s definitely worth swinging by Main Street to check out the studio or visit their website for a current list of workshops.

Photo credit: Blim

GI Gogh

2008-03-26T11:28:00.000-07:00

I stumbled on this little gem at the AMOA museum store in Austin but just discovered it’s also available from a number of sources online. Check out Shakespeare’s Den. Their shop is packed with totally unique novelty items inspired by the most iconic creative thinkers of all time.

Photo credit: Freitag

What's not to like?

2008-03-20T11:26:00.000-07:00

Recycled banner bag companies are popping up all over the globe but these guys are credited with the concept. Swiss by design, Freitag products are one-of-a-kind, totally functional and of course, super cool. If you’re a sucker for design-your-own functionality like I am, check out their “DESIGN A BAG” tool for endless hours of entertainment.

Photo credit: Freitag

Brand Camp

2008-02-27T11:24:00.000-08:00

Paper Magic

2008-02-26T11:22:00.000-08:00

Paper sculpture has always fascinated me. Years ago, I endeavored to carve the Leaning Tower of Pisa out of a sheet of bond with a #11 x-acto for a school project. The end product was impressive but excruciatingly delicate and eventually disintegrated over time. Peter Callesen has mastered the art and taken it to new heights with his conceptual sculptures. His framed work is especially exceptional.

Photo credit: Peter Callesen

Eye Candy

2008-02-18T11:19:00.000-08:00

The Beaumont Gallery presents, Serious Intellectual Eye Candy. The grand opening of The Beaumont’s extended gallery and permanent rotating collection.

Opening Reception
Date: February 29th, 2008
Time: 8-11 PM
Location: 316 West 5th Avenue
Phone: 604.733.3783
Flyer: Eye Candy

Proceeds from the event will be donated to The Universal Outreach Foundation in support of relief projects in the Musema region of Burundi, Africa. To learn more about this cause please visit: www.universaloutreachfoundation.org and www.givemeaning.com

Cool as a Cupcake

2008-02-14T11:15:00.000-08:00

All cupcakes are yummy but when they’re neatly designed and beautifully packaged they become little works of art. But with a price tag of forty six dollars a dozen, you may want to save these for a special occasion.

Photo credit: Victoria Pearson for Cupcakes

Protection with Style

2008-01-24T11:11:00.000-08:00

I love my iPod touch and want it to stay shiny and new forever. Thanks to GelaSkins there’s now a practical and stylish way to protect our cherished toys without adding extra bulk. With dozens of designs to choose from, I spent about an hour on their site before finally deciding on Blow Fish designed by Nanami Cowdroy. My new skin arrived in the mail today and it’s every bit as adorable as it looked online. The vinyl isn’t stretchy like “gel” would imply, but is extraordinarily easy to reposition — for all those perfectionists out there (like me) who want it applied just right.

Photo credit: GelaSkins

Fishs Eddie

2007-12-16T11:03:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine and fellow creative visits this shop every time she travels to New York. With her rave reviews and one visit to their website it didn’t take much to turn me into an equally fanatical fan. Their 212 New York Skyline original pattern is a perfect mix of sophistication and charm. And classic black on white—you can’t go wrong. I try to make a habit of visiting New York once every few years and Fishs Eddie is definitely at the top of my perpetual I-heart-NY to-do list!

Photo credit: Fishs Eddie, New York

Last Stop to Shop

2007-12-15T11:02:00.000-08:00

As promised, last night’s Christmas party at The Beaumont was brimming with merriment! Clearly, a well managed event, the building was packed with holiday shoppers happily checking items off their list. Exhibitors included tenants of The Beaumont as well as local artists from around the lower mainland. One of my faves was Irit Sorokin Designs. Her handmade jewellery was exquisitely diverse with beads, stones and metals hand selected from all corners of the globe.

Apartment Therapy

2007-12-14T10:41:00.000-08:00

If this is therapy - sign me up! Friend and fellow designer, Courtenay Webber has dedicated her life and career to uncompromising style. Check out her first-round entry into Apartment Therapy’s, I’ve Got Color!, fall colors contest.

Photo credit: Courtenay Webber

Bona Fide

2007-12-13T12:14:00.000-08:00

The search for studio space for the letterpress if finally over – hooray! It will be taking up residence on West 5th Avenue in The Beaumont Studios. A hidden gem, the two story building is home to a talented group of local artists and a small theatre. The press is still in pieces but feel free to drop by this weekend to say hello and check out the Beaumont's annual Christmas sale. Opening festivities start at 5 PM on Friday with the sale running through 6 PM on Sunday.

Above: Last Stop to Shop craft sale and Christmas party at the Beaumont Studios.