Soft Light

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I have a soft spot for handmade lighting, especially those sculpted from eco-friendly materials. Austrian designer, Rainer Mutsch created a series of pendants from recycled fiber cement for Molto Luce using water and cellulose fibers. Natural cellulose fibers are minimally processed. Recycled fiber cement is highly durable and non-flammable. soft_lights2

Each individual luminaire shade is molded by hand. The shades get stability from their slightly rippled geometry .

Beautiful, wouldn't you agree?

Photos: via: Contemporist

Knit Your Vegetables

Jung-Jung-VegetablesJung-Jung-plants The detailed needlework pins created by Japanese artist, Itoamika Jung Jung are simply nutritional fiber candy for the summer soul. Using lace threads in muted colors, these jewels embody everything fine in nature.

I’m at a loss to even speculate what level of finite skill it takes to create such exquisite representational fruits, vegetables and flowers from minuscule needles and lace yarn.

Do I have the patience required to knit with lace? No. But, I just had to order Jung Jung's book, Knots, Itoami Plants.

Is this not perfection for the first day of summer?

Credit © Itoamika Jung Jung via Pinterest

Stunning Stained Glass

“Every project uncovers a new secret. It’s like a jigsaw puzzle," says Doris Cultraro, the stained glass artist that restored this Tiffany window panel that stood for years in a local Hudson Valley residence.

On assignment for Chronogram, I visited Doris' DC Studio a few weeks ago and was unexpectedly enamored by the kaleidoscopic magic of stained glass. With an exploration of color, texture, and opacity, along with a unique understanding and respect of the ancient glass art form, Doris has perfected the decorative art of fitting together the stained glass puzzle.

The walls of the DC Studio are lined with a gradated rainbow of colored glass and an assortment of recycled glass scraps that Doris mines from old windows and other broken glass sources.

While all of the pieces I saw were beautiful, the above window panel totally captivated me. The densely diverse colors that surround the woman create what Doris describes as a "marble cake" effect. The rippled, wavy lines of the dress evoke the textured drape of a fine fabric. From the face to the toes, the skin tone color is ethereal. You can really feel the movement of this piece as it catches the deep Hudson River light with a sparkle. It is truly a magnificent feast for the senses.

After experiencing Doris Cultraro's original stained glass art and restoration work, I will never look at a piece of broken glass in the same way.

Read the full article here.

Credit: DC Studio