My head is still spinning from attending AltSummit. I was throw back into "real life" and work, but all I want to do is concentrate on this blog! I have a lot of work to do, and notes to review from all I learned at Alt and will be posting a thorough recap next week, for now take a peek at my gal Heather's recap, she did a fantastic job of summing it all up!
The quality of speakers at Alt is really incredible, they know no boundaries when booking the right people! One of the speakers that I loved looking into after Alt was Stephanie Housley. Stephanie was such an inspiration. As someone that works full time while trying to blog and start a business, I find it tiring & trying & challenging, but listening to Stephanie and seeing what she accomplished in starting Coral & Tusk, she makes me see that hard work and dedication pays off. She too was working while launching a business and has accomplished so much. Her tale of working overseas for her full-time gig, and creating her beautiul drawings and products (by hand at first, wowza!) is truly what I needed to hear to get some fire under my own tush.
via Coral & Tusk / photography by Kate Lacey
Stephanie Housley founded Coral & Tusk in 2007 with her husband Chris Lacinak. Stephanies quirky designs and characters are first drawn by hand before redrawn STITCH BY STITCH on the computer. Coral and Tusk now has a gorgeous space in Brooklyn that not only acts as her showroom, but is where the gorgeous products are finished BY HAND.
images via Coral & Tusk
As an illustrator, I love to take in the many unique, incredible styles of work that are out there. Stephanie's work REALLY blows me away. Her characters are clever and adorable.
I have alawys wanted to create an illustrated alphabet, but not been able to decide what style I'd like to do them in and how to set mine out from the other incredible alphabets out there, but Stephanie really takes the cake. Look at that Anteater above! Perfection.
images via Coral & Tusk
images via Coral & Tusk
“A mix of smart design, magic and mischief is at the heart of every Coral & Tusk embroidery.” - Coral & Husk
images via Coral & Tusk
My A#1FAVE is this Plains Fox Pocket Pillow. It is clear the level of thought and work that went into this darling. I mean, the fox comes out of the tee-pee. WHOA. I have got to get my hands on some of her work, I think I'll try to get to the Brooklyn Studio! SWOON.