Some good ones from some of our favorites!

+ Lovely artwork by Kees Goudzwaard via Pinterest

+ Really cool mobiles like this one by AM Radio via Old Brand New

+ Mini Golden Cake recipe in this month’s issue of Styled Mag

+ Ephemera valentine DIY tutorial on Design*Sponge

+ Storage boxes from bookhou at home, pictured above

+ LOCAL STUFF: If you’re in Raleigh then you should definitely check out the First Friday Gallery Walk while the weather’s still nice! // If you are up for some early morning entertainment, the annual Krispy Kreme Challenge is going on in Raleigh on Saturday // It’s the last weekend to see the first year MFA students’ exhibit Built Forged Faked at UNC

Have a good weekend!

Leah Goren is a California native who currently resides in Brooklyn, New York where she is finishing up school at Parsons The New School for Design. Leah’s work is very reminiscent of her sunny California roots, with lots of bright floral patterns, girls and niche culture illustrations. She first caught our eye with her scarves and headbands, and continues to excite us with new illustrations and textile prints. There’s no doubt that she will continue to do great things in the future, and we are happy to share some insight into her work as she’s on the way there!

When did you first become interested in illustrating/drawing?

My mom is an artist, a painter among many other things, so I grew up always making and creating. Some of my first memories are making large-scale paintings with her. One of the photos I included is a really epic one – I painted my family, and my grandma is the one in the center with the huge brain. The other is me looking really serious next to my chalk board – it looks like that may have been my first cat drawing.

Anyway, I kept with art my whole life, and realized around age 16 it was actually a viable career path. I took life drawing classes outside of high school, and did the Pre-College Program at California College of the Arts for two summers. After studying drawing, painting, and printmaking at CCA, I knew art school was where I wanted to be.

You appear to wear so many hats; student, artist, blogger…what keeps you motivated and going every day?

Making my own schedule and keeping it balanced.  I’m an obsessive planner, and I keep lists and daily schedules of what needs to get done. I only have school two half-days a week this coming (and final!) semester, so everything else will fit around that. It’s more fun making time for a variety of projects, than just one thing over and over again. As soon as I get tired of one thing, it’s on to the next! I also spend as much time as possible doing things I want to do, rather than things I have to do.  Etsy is a time-consuming, repetitive job — making multiples of objects is rarely creative — so I have to set limits for how much time and work I’ll put into it. I recently stopped making the cat dress, at least for now, because it was interfering with making new things. Coming up with my own projects is usually exciting and motivating.  I also love working with others. Kaye Blegvad and I recently did a project together, and now my boyfriend, Dylan Ousley, and I are working on a couple jobs together, as well as our new blog, A Future Present.

Who, would you say, is/are the biggest influences of your work?

I’m always inspired by California, where I grew up, and how it seems so much bigger and brighter now that I’m not there. My work is very colorful, which reminds me of that – New York can feel so drab. I draw a lot of flowers, plants, and girls with this in mind. As for inspiring artists, Sonia Delaunay and Vera Neumann are always on top. I also love Matisse, Tina Berning, Maira Kalman, Leanne Shapton, and tons of young illustrators I’m always finding on the internet.

What piece of work are you the most proud of?

That’s a tough question! I get so tired of everything after looking at it for so long. I am pretty proud of the pattern portfolio I’ve put together so far, and the girls faces print is one of my favorites.

I think that the Internet Girls installation you did is so interesting. Do you have plans of exploring this subject any more or creating new pieces that tie in with the internet girl phenomenon?

Thank you! The pieces I created and the exhibit feel specific to where I was last summer, right after I was thrust into this whole internet girl blog world because of my work on Etsy. But, the themes are still constant through my work. Many of the pieces I make, unless they are for a specific assignment or client, refer back to that type of girl, what she likes, the kind of illustration and textiles she’ll want to buy or blog about.

You’ve been sending out some signals that you’re partnering up with a big shop! When do we get to know who/what it is?

Oh man, I didn’t think I’d said a word! The project should be out late spring or early summer, and I’ll definitely let everyone know when it is.

What are three things you never leave your house without?

iPhone, keys, and wallet. And also chapstick, I can’t go anywhere without that.

What is your favorite part about living in Brooklyn, NY?

Living in Brooklyn, I feel like I’m a tiny part of a something much greater that’s happening in art, design, and the current handmade movement. So many people I admire live right here, and even if I don’t personally know them, and I’m nowhere near as great as them (yet), at least I’m here making it happen too.

Thank you, Leah!

All image credits: Leah Goren

- Katelyn

Thank you!

Does anyone else feel like January is flying by? If you are able to catch a break this weekend, we have some links for you to check out!

+ Leather handle by Nu interieur | ontwerp via Bloesem

+ Oh So Beautiful Paper has been running some informative posts about the printing process. Check out the latest ones on letterpress printing, die-cutting and offset printing

+ Artwork by Lynne Woods Turner via Design for Mankind

+ A lovely collection of Valentine’s cards by Rifle Paper Co.

+ Screen printed infinity scarfs by little minnow designs, shown above

+ LOCAL STUFF: Third Friday in Durham! In addition to galleries downtown, the Golden Belt studios will be open and Only Burger will be serving dinner out front. // “A Sense of Place” interactive art installation by Michelle Gonzalez-Green at The Carrack // It’s going to be warm, so the Raleigh Flea Market might be a great place to check out!

Have a good weekend!

A round-up of gift-worthy items from some of our featured sponsors!

1. Good Timers Ceramic Mug by Kin Ship Press / 2. North Carolina Necklace by Vespertine / 3. Thunderbird Ring by Ruby Lane / 4. Zig Zag Postcards by The Change Factory / 5. Western Meadowlark Specimen Letterpress Print by Mossière / 6. Spring Court Velcro Trainers from Smallable / 7. Snow Angel Letterpress Cards from Felt & Wire / 8. Peaceful Snowflake Cards by Juniper Berry / 9. Looking for Beauty Print by Creature Comforts / 10. Hana-Hukin Kitchen Cloth from Uguisu

Thanks, all! Sponsors help make Mint possible, and I am so grateful for their support. If you’re interested in advertising on Mint, please get in touch by emailing ellie at mintdesignblog dot com, and I’ll be happy to give you all the details.

Some good ones from some of our favorites (with the holidays on the mind)!

+ Fun and colorful geometric wrapping paper from Forma via Oh So Beautiful Paper

+ These prints from Swallowfield would make the perfect gift! We especially like the one pictured above, via Bloesem

+ Ink + Wit’s wood cards are so unique, and we really like the gold envelopes!

+ Silly Buddy’s dog bow ties via Design Sponge

+ Ship & Shape is a beautifully curated shop and has a variety of gifts for the holidays (or yourself!) via Wit & Delight

+ We love the classic cases JCrew is carrying for the iPhone, along with the handsome DODOcase for the iPad

+LOCAL STUFF: 2nd Friday Artwalk in Chapel Hill // Prime Cut at The Fish Market Gallery // Object to Image at Trough This Lens // Luis France at The Stone Center // Phil Cook & His Feet Saturday at Local 506 // The annual UNC Student Print Sale is today (Friday) from 11am til 9pm on the 3rd floor of Hanes Art Center!

Have a good weekend!

One of our favorite sponsors Felt & Wire has some really great gifts for everyone on your list this year. They also have a large selection of cards and tags that would put the perfect finishing touch on any gift! Here are some of our favorites for the holidays, and be sure to check out their entire shop!

1. Heart Cushion Cover / 2. Holiday Music Card / 3. Yellow Candle Holder / 4. Kids Letterpress Color-in Clock / 5. Recycled Canvas Bucket / 6. A Year in Caps 2012 Calendar / 7. Fern Art Print / 8. Italian Grapes Journal / 9. Letterpress Holiday Cards (set of 6)

Thanks F&W! Sponsors help make Mint possible, and I am so grateful for their support. If you’re interested in advertising on Mint, please get in touch by emailing ellie at mintdesignblog dot com, and I’ll be happy to give you all the details.

Luci Everett is an Australian illustrator / graphic designer / collage artist extraordinaire who creates beautiful work and seems to always have her hand in a new adventure. We caught up with Luci to get a little peek into her mind and see what she’s been working on and what’s next for her!

When did you first become interested in graphic design and illustration?
I think I’ve always been interested in it. Definitely since I was about 12 at least, although my work aspirations have changed (I don’t particularly want to design for teenage girls’ magazines anymore!).

We have been following your blog and love your posts “Things I’ve been working on.” Can you tell us about these new pieces? 
These are peeks at some illustrative stationery I’ve been creating for an online wedding stationery store which is launching very soon.

Do you have any other exciting new projects you are currently working on?
Yes! A few personal projects in the works. I’m working on a publication with my friend and great photographer Olga Bennett and an animation with two friends. I just finished a fun illustrative typography project for Frankie magazine which will be in the next issue.

Who, would you say, is/are the biggest influences of your work?
Probably a mixture of a gazillion sources. Some which come to mind: Chris Silas Neal, MASH, Dane Lovett.

What piece of art do you own that you cherish the most?
Other than my nephews’ drawings, I have a beautiful wooden “egg head” (that’s the only way I can describe it) by artist Eveline Tarunadjaja.

What are some of your favorite materials to work with?
Paper/collage, watercolour, pencils.

What are three things you never leave your house without?
Phone, keys, shoes!

What is the best part about living in Australia?
Lots of beautiful places to visit and road trips to take. The Melbourne coffee is killer too.

Thanks, Luci!

All work and photos by Luci Everett

Some things we are coveting this week:

+ Pippa Small’s ethically traded collection at Terrain.

+ These constellation calendars by little bright studio via Unruly Things

+ Erika Lawlor Schmidt’s collages via Design for Mankind

+ This apple galette recipe from La Tartine Gourmande, above

+ Turner Pocock’s Owlet Wallpaper via Design Sponge

+ A very cozy looking Rennweg Scarf from Anthropologie

+ LOCAL STUFF: First Friday Gallery Walk in Raleigh // Durham Storefront Project // Holiday Open House at Marbles Kids Museum’s Corner Store // Raleigh Winterfest on Saturday

 Have a good weekend!

+ There are some great things happening in Flora Douville’s shop. I really love her whimsical sketches and watercolors (one is pictured above), oh and her 2012 calendars, too!

+ This Kickstarter project is such a cool idea. They are raising money to create “etchpop”, an online service where you can upload your own work and they will turn them into wood blocks for you.

+ Darkroom has so many great products, many of which are handmade. I currently have my eye on this great African wax print pillow and this colorblock tote.

+ Verses from my Kitchen has been doing a soup series with lots of yummy recipes. This onion with sage and aged cheddar toast looks like heaven!

+ I just recently came across cubicle refugee, a great art and design tumblr organized by color. Perfect for color inspiration!

+ LOCAL STUFF: Duke Gardens Garden Guild Craft Show on Saturday // Second Friday Artwalk in Chapel Hill // Opening Reception of Franco Gallery Exhibition in Chapel Hill // Orange County Open Studio Tour on Saturday and Sunday //  Slingin’ Homemade Pies with the Pushers culinary workshop on Sunday // Drawing for Kids at Ackland Art Museum on Sunday // The Handmade Market on Saturday in Raleigh

Have a good weekend! And don’t forget to enter the Kin Ship Press giveaway by Sunday night!