Meet Jess of Pine & Boon + Giveaway!!

When Jess Griffith, owner and designer of Pine & Boon, approached us about a giveaway on our blog, we couldn't say yes fast enough! Just our style--minimalist and modern yet completely functional--Pine & Boon is a great pick for gifts (or a little something for yourself).

This week, Jess will be giving away one of her most popular items: the Easy Circle Tote (a $56 value, pictured below) to one lucky reader. Leave your name, email address and comments to be randomly selected as the winner on Monday, August 5th. We loved getting a chance to ask Jess a few questions while she was around as well! Note: This giveaway is now closed to entrants.

When did you launch Pine & Boon? What was your inspiration for starting the company?
I launched the website and blog of Pine & Boon in May of 2013. However, I worked on my designs, concept, and branding for a solid year before that.

I had a great career in the contemporary art gallery world and while I loved my job, I lost my motivation to create in my own studio. Which meant, I was not getting much fulfillment out of managing other peoples passions. I also knew I did not want to just make 'art' in the traditional sense, even though I studied art in college. I wanted to create more utilitarian objects or clothing. So I started dabbling around with leather and happened to find myself a deal on an antique industrial sewing machine. Once I purchased, I dived in head first to this whole business thing. Friends have always loved my style and eye for fashion and art. I felt like I could capitalize on that somehow, while still staying true to myself. I believe surrounding yourself with lovingly made items and artwork is a happy investment.

Tell us a bit about the product you will be giving away.
I do have to say my favorite item to make is the Easy Circle Dot Tote--which is why I included it in this giveaway. I love painting the fabric and seeing how each one turns out. It is also the first bag I made for my line.


What is your favorite item? What is your best seller?
I love the new Ultramarine Suede Dot Tote. I started punching dots into my leather to create a polka dot pattern. The bright blue is such a fun and easy way to brighten up a simple outfit. I tend to have less and less time to think about styling an outfit or even brushing my hair. Grabbing a statement accessory these days is my go to way to look put together. A color like this just makes you happy looking at it! My best seller is the Dot Card Pouch. Sometimes wallets are just too complicated. This is a zipper card pouch for those who enjoy simplicity when they reach for their wallet.


Image courtesy Moorea Seal via Pine & Boon
Do you have any favorite designers that inspire you? Role models?
My aunt Suzy has always inspired and encouraged me to sell my creations. She has been knitting her sweater and hat designs for ages and selling them at craft fairs in Seattle. She works SO hard to make a living. She also knows how to step back and slow down if she does not like where things are going. She used to sell wholesale to high-end boutiques and attend trade shows. But then she realized they way she was doing business was consuming her family life. Thus, she went back to selling at solely at craft fairs. Now, her best customers are those that do not have a lot of money, but want to put their money towards something local and handmade. I really admire her ability to stick to her guns, no matter how difficult it can be financially and emotionally.


My husband and I were traveling in Europe for our honeymoon this summer, and I fell in love with Simon Hantaï. Centre Pompidou had an amazing retrospective. At first I did not love his early work, but as I walked through the exhibition I really fell in love his process.

Do you have any new projects in the works? Long term goals?
Yes! Right now I am creating more hand-painted fabric designs for table linens and totes. Long term, I would love to eventually work with my husband to create a line of printed fabrics. He is a painter and I want to use elements of his paintings in our fabric designs that can be used to make linens, pillows, and canvas totes.

What do you do when you're not working on Pine & Boon?
I am probably working on another DIY project. I have made shampoo, soap, leather polish, and lots more. I also have another part-time job as an administrator. Which is great because I get to be around people. While I love working from home, it can feel a little lonely sometimes.

If you could catch a glimpse of any celebrity in a magazine with one of your designs, who would it be?
Diane Keaton! I think she would go for the Leather & Copper Tote. Annie Hall would go for the Dot Card Pouch don't you think? (Editor's note: Yes! Definitely!)

Thank you, Jess from Pine & Boon!

Images courtesy Pine & Boon
{Sponsored Post}

Favorite Friend Friday: Julianna Swaney

We have been huge fans of Portland-based artist, Julianna Swaney for years, and were thrilled to have her work in our shop. There were several months that we couldn't even keep her watercolor, gouache and pen illustrations in stock. Elegant and delicate, her work is reminiscent of an eerie Red Riding Hood tale. Her products, sold under the name, "Oh My Cavalier," range from postcard sets to fun office accessories, prints and booklets.

This month, we're kicking off a brand new aspect of our Favorite Friend Features! Each week, our favorite friend will be curating a Pinterest Board for us: a sneak peek into their world. Visit Julianna's Guest Pinterest board, and follow her as well!


People love your illustrations--Assemble couldn't keep enough of your prints in stock! Your work is so recognizable, yet each piece has so much personality. Where does your inspiration come from?
Oh gosh, I get inspiration from so many things! Of course a lot comes from remembering back to the fairy tales I loved growing up. I try to remember how they made me feel back then, and then try to make artwork that has that same feeling for me. More generally I just try to make things that I like, drawings that if I hadn’t made it myself and I saw it somewhere it would make me happy. I like old things, I like animals, I like houseplants, I like rainy days, I like stars & constellations, I like bread. All these things end up making their way into my drawings!


You recently started creating logo/type illustrations for clients. (We ADORE it!) How did that work evolve?
Thanks! I think this new direction came about because I started including more hand drawn text in some of my artwork, and people really seemed to like it. I got a request from Sharon Montrose to do the hand-written text for her book, Menagerie, and after that I’ve been slowly getting more and more requests from people who want a hand drawn look for their logos. It’s really fun work and I’m enjoying it a lot, though sometimes I feel out of my depth. I had half a semester of graphic design in college, and I was soo bad at it, I switched right away to fine art printmaking! Everything I know how to do with a pen, Photoshop, or Illustrator I’ve taught myself so each new project is a bit of a learning process. I’m also trying to learn to stop apologizing about that. My path has just been a little different.


You've been shifting your presence from "Oh my Cavalier" to "Julianna Swaney." Tell us about your decision to highlight your name more than your original blog title.
Well, my online and business presence has been linked with the name Oh My Cavalier ever since I started my Etsy Store way back in ’06. I just picked that because in college I had a zine by that name, and I liked it. When I picked that I never intended for people to solely know my work only from that name, but that was what ended up happening. I’d come across blogs where my artwork was credited to “Oh My Cavalier” like it was made by a company or something. I didn’t like that, I’d rather have my artwork associated with my real name, for obvious reasons. It’s been hard to know where to begin to change it though since over the years whenever I picked a username for any website to keep consistent I always chose Oh My Cavalier. It’s been a slow process of changing things over slowly and promoting myself more carefully. I think I’m finally making headway now.


You seem to do it all -- original art shows, prints, stationery, an online shop, a gorgeous blog. What's next?
Actually my ultimate plan is to do less things! Lately I’ve been wanting to really focus on one of the things that I do, and to do it better. But that would mean not doing the others, which is a little scary. And I have a hard time picking which one thing I want to do!

If you could eat at only one local restaurant, which would it be? What would you order?
I love breakfast, so my favorite restaurant in Portland is probably Broder. I would order a baked scramble. They come in these adorable little skillets and served on a wooden tray, it’s all so nice, I could eat there every day.

Which famous person would you love to see own a piece of your artwork?
I have no idea! I can tell you at least one pretty famous person does own some of my artwork. (Editor's note: WHICH ONE?? Don't hold out on us, Julianna)


If you could live in any other location, where would you choose?
In my wildest dream, somewhere in Europe or Japan.

What else do you do for fun?
I like to bake things, read, or go for walks in my free time.

Thank you, Julianna! See more of Julianna's work here, and click below to view Julianna's Guest Board.


Images courtesy of Julianna Swaney

Favorite Friend Friday: Graphic Designer, Michelle Beilner of Sparky & Marie and Jot Creates

Michelle Beilner of Jot Creates and Sparky & Marie is definitely one my personal favorite friends, as well as being a favorite friend of Assemble. She will most likely read this and roll her eyes, but besides being genuine, kind, and hilarious, Michelle is one of the most talented people we've ever met. Not only did she help us brand Assemble in the very beginning (the logo + all of those awesome little drawings of craft supplies on the website are her work), but she was also a writing partner on Neatloaf with us until we recently transferred to our own Assemble blog. These little projects are nothing compared to her real work, and we were excited to get to ask her a few questions about it:


Tell us a bit about Sparky & Marie and Jot Creates. What different types of work do you do for each?
Sparky & Marie is a brand of prints and patterns that are available for licensing. I work with an agent that handles the business side of things. I come up with the creative stuff, and they make things happen!


Jot Creates is my graphic design business–identity design, print collateral, packaging, web, etc. It’s something that I’ve been building since 2006. It’s been slow growing, but I’d really like to hire a young budding designer this year to get things moving up and up.


Where do you get your inspiration for your designs?
Specifically for Sparky & Marie–-60s and 70s pop floral prints are a ton of fun to look at, and I always have my eyes open when I’m out and about. I might find a flower on a walk, or something else lovely in nature. J. Crew catalogs have been bursting with fun color palettes for a while now, and the flea market is always a great source of inspiration. When I’m really in need of a creative jolt, my go-to place is Little Tokyo in downtown Los Angeles. There’s a Kinokuniya Bookstore, which I believe also has a location in Seattle. Their craft book section is awesome (even though I can’t read, I enjoy the photos). I also love the Los Angeles Flower Market. It’s a huge space filled with vendors selling flowers.

You have the sweetest ten month-old little boy at home--what's a typical day like for you as a designer and mom?
The baby wakes up at about 6:30am and he and his daddy start their day off with some one-on-one QT. I wake up at about 8:30am and by that time the little guy is ready for his morning nap. Once he’s down for his nap, I try to work--sometimes unsuccessfully. When he wakes we eat and play. I might try and squeeze in some emails and phone meetings while he’s awake, and at about 1pm he goes down for his second nap (the same work schedule applies for the second nap). After his second nap, we usually get out of the house for groceries, a good long stroll, or to see some pals. Bedtime begins at about 5:30pm/6:00pm with a bath, PJs, a feeding and cuddles. Once the baby is down for bed the work REALLY begins, and I’m usually able to cram in 3-5 hours before it’s time for my bedtime.


How do you manage to balance work and family time?
I don’t. It’s a wild juggling act! I have big dreams of “doing it all”–-being creative, managing two different facets of my business, managing the house, being a good partner to my husband, a good mom to my son, etc. I fall behind on many levels, but fortunately I have a loving and supportive husband, a very sweet son and a big number of others (mom, dad, sisters, friends) who love me despite all of my shortcomings.

Do you have any new projects that you are excited about?
Why, yes! On the Sparky & Marie front, I’m working with a company by the name of Trimcraft in the UK on a collection of Nordic-inspired Christmas crafting papers. On the Jot front, I’ve been working with a woman entrepreneur (website, packaging and print collateral) on a product that she is soon to be launching at the International Home and Housewares Show in Chicago. Labels to help you organize your paint cans!


What is your proudest design achievement?
I’m not one to acknowledge achievements. There haven’t been achievements like design awards, or anything of the like YET, but Sparky & Marie prints and patterns will be featured in a kids print and pattern book by Bowie Style of the Print & Pattern blog. The book is due out some time this year. When Bowie approached me about including my prints, I was so happy. I love her blog!

What do you like to do in your off-time?
Of course I am always thinking about business related things, but a girl has got to get refreshed and feel inspired! These days: going for walks with my family, cooking recipes from Epicurious, going to the farmer’s market, and dreaming of buying our first home (hopefully in the next few years).

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Simple. Chicago. That’s where my family is. I do love what my husband and I have created in Los Angeles, but I miss my family terribly. Thankfully, we have very loving and wonderful friends and neighbors in LA.

If you could eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I don’t like this question. Grr. I love food too much to pick one thing. Pizza is probably up there.

What's your dream job, besides what you are doing now?
I just told my husband this a few days ago and he said, “No, you DO NOT want to do that.” Oh, but yes I do! That is, I would love to have a shop in my neighborhood that sells handcrafted artisan home goods and offers the best damn gift wrapping you’ve ever laid your eyes on--gorgeous papers and the prettiest grosgrain ribbons. No wire ribbons!! I’d be like Mommy Dearest, but with ribbons.

You get to organize a dinner party, who is there?
Ira Glass (This American Life), Michelle Obama (First Lady), Jimmy Kimmel (Jimmy Kimmel Live), Jenna Lyons (J. Crew Creative Director), plus two of my professors from college who made me look at the world with bigger and brighter eyes--Ken Carls (graphic design) and Jerry Savage (life drawing/painting). Oh, and my husband would be there, of course! Everyone would really enjoy his fabulous collection of vinyl records and his charming personality. Also, everyone gets to bring their significant others, which means the President would be at my party too.

Thanks, Michelle!!

Images courtesy of Michelle Beilner.

Favorite Friend Friday: Molly Gaines of Vivi Dot

We're excited to introduce today's Favorite Friend, because this weekend we will be hosting an event for her at Assemble! This Saturday the 8th of December (that's tomorrow!) Molly Gaines will be here with items from her awesome line of jewelry and accessories, Vivi Dot, from 5-8pm for a special designer showcase. We'll have treats, wine, and lots of happy holiday music. Molly's designs convey an element of whimsy, with a dash of vintage style, and are great choices for gifting (me, please!). Emily and I ended up oohing and ahhing over everything she brought into the shop, and we're pretty sure you will too. Save us from spending all of our own money and come by!


Tell us a little bit about Vivi Dot.
I bought a button maker back in 2006 and began making earrings, magnets and pin back buttons with comic books, origami paper and scraps of fabric. Before long I decided I'd try my hand at a craft fair and Vivi Dot was born. It is named after my Grandmothers, my maternal grandmother Vivi and my paternal grandmother Dot.

You design your own fabrics for a lot of your designs. Tell us about that process!
I used to scour fabric shops for anything that would fit onto a 1-inch button. Now thanks to places like Spoonflower that make it easy to design your own fabric, I am no longer limited to what other people design. I love using the 1-inch circular shape as part of the design like I did with the Peppermint print and the Coquette Girls design. I also love to connect multiple buttons together to create an image like the Giraffes and the Bikes. I create new patterns and prints twice a year and debut them at the POOL Trade Show where buyers come to scout new lines to carry in their boutiques and online shops.


What are the pros and cons of working for yourself?
This one is tricky because I do work for myself as far as Vivi Dot goes, but I also still juggle a full time 'day job' and teach dance two nights a week as well. I like being busy so I'm used to the constant need for more hours in the day, but having very little free time can be a con. I can't think of a bigger pro than loving what you do. Making things that people want to spend their hard earned money on is pretty awesome.

Do you have any projects coming up in the future that you're excited about?
I just started hand painting gold accents on vibrant solid colored dots. They're festive, fancy, and perfect for New Year's Eve. I'll have them at the showcase and online as soon as possible too. I'm also redesigning my website so I'm antsy to get that done and live as well.

Do you have any new designs that you are particularly excited about?
I am super excited about how the Fancy Flower Hair Pins turned out. I really wanted to create a fun gift item that was more than just a hair clip that can be hidden away in a drawer somewhere. You can brighten up your hairdo and then keep it out on your dresser or vanity in between wears.


What do you like to do in your off-time?
My husband and I love to cook. We remodeled our kitchen this summer so now we have an amazing space that we designed ourselves to cook everything we love. I love dancing too. I teach tap and hip hop classes and take a jazz class weekly as well.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I haven't really been back in Seattle long enough to want to be somewhere else. I grew up here and I'm back again after living in San Francisco for eight years. I don't think I'd move anywhere if I could, I'd just like to have all of my closest friends move here instead.

If you could eat at only one local restaurant for the rest of your life, what would it be?
My husband and I stopped eating meat over the summer so we've been on the hunt for the best veggie burger in town. Because of that I'd have to say Blue Star Cafe. They have a great black bean burger that can be dressed up in a bun different ways. They're menu is like a book too so there would be a ton of variety to choose from for the rest of my days.

What's your dream job, besides what you are doing now?
My dream job would really just be to ditch my day job in Marketing and run Vivi Dot full time while teaching more dance classes. If I won the lottery I'd still teach dance and run Vivi Dot, I'd just do it in fancier clothes. If I have to pick something completely different than I'd choose to design elaborate store window displays.

If you could have one famous person wear a piece of your jewelry, who would it be? Hmmm...I'd want it to be someone with some indie credibility, but also someone really popular so I can stretch that priceless publicity as far as possible. I can totally see Solange rocking a Psychedelic Fleurs Necklace or Zooey Deschanel sporting a triple floral necklace. Whoops that's two!

Pretty Pattern Gift Guide

I am a pattern junky. Honestly, I have to focus very hard when I buy accent pieces for my house, because it is starting to look like a version of that nutty girl in your Chemistry class who wore stripes AND polka dots (plus high-top Kaepas and wrote Mrs. Bowie all over her Trapper Keeper). And no, I'm NOT speaking from experience, if she's reading this.


So, I've put together our first Holiday gift guide--and there are MANY more to come. This one is for your pretty, pattern loving friends and family. Enjoy!

1. I'm not so much a bangle-wearer as I am a bangle-loser, but in this case, I might try to hang onto them a bit better. Check out these Hare + Hart Skinny Suede Bangles from Madewell in a variety of colors, $40.

2. Washi tape! Washi tape! Washi tape! We love this stuff! Get it anywhere! This roll is also available at Madewell: the Kamoi Kakoshi collection, $4.

3. Piano Nobile patterns on RandL notebooks! Two of our favorite designers, $24-$32 at R&L Goods.

4. I got this perfect patterned pillow case at the Urban Craft Uprising last weekend from Nell & Mary. The Patagonia Pillow, $82.

5. Stripey iPhone cases! How cute! Grab these for your stripey-loving friends. From Uncommon Goods for $39.95.

6. Last but not least, our favorite Tacoma textile designers, Slide Sideways, made this pouch just for your pencils, makeup and other supplies. Grab it in our shop for $18.

Happy Holiday shopping!!!