OK. Maybe Eleanor wasn’t that into the Modern Wing of the Art Institute, but I made it up to her by letting her splash around for half an hour in Millennium Park’s Crown Fountain. Now, for purely selfish reasons (I’m San Francisco bound and I’ll be missing her), I’m posting footage of Eleanor having a grand ole time.
Eleanor at Crown Fountain in Millennium Park from Nicole Balch on Vimeo.
shot with my Zumi camera
music: “Afternoon Speaker” by The Sea and Cake
I checked another one off of my 30 Before Thirty list yesterday: Visit The Modern Wing of The Art Institute of Chicago. Inspired by the great works of modern art surrounding us, I summoned forth my inner photographer. I call this series “uninterested toddler looks away from art.”
(All photos were taken with my fun little Zumi camera.)
The Renegade Craft Fair took place this weekend in Chicago. Many of my favorite artists and crafters were there again, but this year I decided to showcase some of my favorite items from vendors that hadn’t yet been featured on Making it Lovely. Enjoy!
wooden toys and blocks from Tree Hopper Toys
hooks and clocks from Timber!
paintings of unsuspecting 2009 Renegade shoppers from Ryan Kapp
diagram tea towels from girls can tell
silhouette chalkboards from Despina Papadeas
leather flower necklaces from Lara Collins
bespectacled plushies from Cleo Dee’s
cute onesies and t-shirts from pinecone+chickadee
awesome pop culture finger puppets from abbeychristine
botanical and delicate jewelry from Moira K. Lime
fun play spaces for kids from hip huts
Brandon and I took Eleanor to the Shedd Aquarium today.
Number 28 on my 30 Before Thirty list: done. And we had a lovely day!
Many of the same crafters from the DIY Trunk Show were there (and here’s my recap of that show), but the Renegade Holiday Fair was much bigger. Let me show you some of my favorites!
memory game from The Whimsy Tree
great prints from Seattle Show Posters*
* Discount for Making it Lovely readers
Seattle Show Posters is offering 20% off on orders over $10 if you use the code “lovely” at checkout!
incredible art from iamhome
linen prints from three sheets 2 the wind
patterned skirts from orangyporangy
sparkly headbands from Heart Felt by Aviva
adorable shoes from Smartfish Handmade Footwear
lovely calendar from One Canoe Two
modern prints from All Things Grow
faceted wood from kindling
letterpress cards from Paper Stories
yo-yo necklaces from coo koo ri koo
framed prints from I’m Smitten
8-bit fun from Pixel Party
cute cards from rhymes with twee
state jewelry from truche
neighborhood prints from Ork Posters
colorful porcelain jewelry from Lusterbunny
stationery from 16 Sparrows
coasters and binders from Urban Posture
The One of a Kind Show is happening now through Sunday at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. The show is absolutely huge, but these were some of the things that caught my eye…
Etsy was there with an entire section devoted to Etsy artists.
ReadyMade was there too. You can pick up the latest issue and get a free one-year subscription.
sweet stockings by MyPerennial (and there were a million other things that I wanted there)
modern botanical-inspired jewelry by alisa miller
fantastic art by Dolan Geiman
cards and customizable baby posters by hoot design co.
headbands, fascinators, and hats by Ophelie Hats (you know I’m always fond of these things)
darling onesies by Little Korboose
really fun brooches by Overdue Industries (I bought two)
clever cards and signs by Rar Rar Press
adorable baby clothes by Sam And Coop
large-scale art from recycled license plates by Aaron Foster
delicate and beautiful mobiles by Moon-Lily Mobiles
fused glass coasters by Kiku Handmade
excellent cards and prints by OrangeBeautiful
camera straps, guitar straps, and belts by Souldier
textured porcelain by Raquel Masri
delightful cards by kinaloon