hello friends,even though it was nice to get away earlier in the week - I was pretty swamped all week - john set aside his projects to help me out - which was appreciated - he's wonderful like that. I hope you enjoyed reading the new b.a.h issue - I am very proud of it and happy to have wonderful people in my life to help me with it. earlier in the week I showed you my process of carving this sweet walnut spoon and I decided it would make a wonderful giveaway along with the circles pouch. please leave a comment before july 10th no later than 11pm EST - and the winner will be announced on monday . awhile back I had a giveaway and I asked you where you are located and a bit about yourself. I really enjoyed reading that - so if you can tell me a bit about yourself I would love to hear from you.
good luck and see you monday - happy weekend friends! xxa
Arounna your spoon is stunning! Your diverse talents never cease to amaze! Thanks for the gorgeous magazine :)
ReplyDeletegorgeous giveaway ... I live in Melbourne, Australia and am studying textile design at RMIT University. I have recently started my own label ethelruby making luxury machine knits using cashmere and silk. At the moment it's only scarves but I have some clothing designs in pre-production. love your work ... very inspiring :)
ReplyDeleteThey do look rather lovely together, I have to say.
ReplyDeleteI'm in Melbourne, Australia too (hi Sharon!). I work in sustainability education, and I also make aromatherapy products and jewellery made from natural materials.
Hi Arounna,
ReplyDeleteI love everything you and your husband do. I live in Italy, I moved from the mountain to the sea after an earthquake destroyed my hometown. I am a translator, but I love to draw and to make things. I am trying to find my way (at 46!), to start a new life and a new job, a creative one if possible.
I live in the Netherlands where I make paintings and design nice accessories. I think I found your blog through SkinnylaMinx and I am a follower for 2 years or so. My parents-in-law live near Toronto, so I hope to visit your studio one day!
ReplyDeletehi arounna! i've been following your blog for awhile now and has been lusting after your tote bags! thank you for your wonderful creativity and efficiency and constantly coming up with new stuff! i am a stay-at-home mum writing from singapore, with interests in screenprinting, linoprinting and sewing. i hope to one day grow my hobby into a business. my daughter eliza is 6 weeks old and i hope to win your giveaway as the spoon would be great for her to use! cheers!
ReplyDeleteHi Arounna,
ReplyDeleteI live in Belgium near Antwerp. I'm a bit of a creative dreamer, working in an architecture office and creating accessories for my 'Atelier Rêvé'at home, which will hopefully grow into a real Atelier some day. I love surrounding myself and working with natural materials, so that's what I like so much in the work you and John do.
A self scarved spoon is an object I would surely cherish, especially if I know the person and the story behind. That's exactly what I want to share with the people who wear things I made: a story of authenticity.
Have a very nice weekend up there ;-)
x
Greet
-trying my luck-
ReplyDeleteHello. I'm Katharina from Lübeck, Germany. I have been reading your blog for years now, still finding inspiration here. As a medical student I don't have much time left for creating, but i do my best. Especially gifts for the people I love I try to produce by myself. My recent interest are ways to preserve food so that I can eat local food in the winter time as well. And one love that we have in common is the one for linen. I try to ban all synthetic fibres from my closet.
Wow! That spoon turned out beautifully! I've been following your blog (and visiting you etsy shop) for a while now and am always so impressed and inspired by your diverse yet consistently gorgeous pieces! I love your aesthetic!
ReplyDeleteI'm from the other side of the country in Vancouver and mother to a 4 year old boy and two year old girl. I just opened up an Etsy store (after having shopped there for almost 2 years. Man, I bought a lot of stuff!!). I've also recently started blogging and am loving this 'virtual' world and connecting to like-minded people. I love to sew, try to knit, and appreciate all things handmade.
Thanks for this giveaway and hope you and your family have a lovely weekend!
Hello, I'm Catriona. I'm from Scotland but have been living in London for the last three years. I have just finished studying GraphIc Design at Central Saint Martins and now I'm preparing to move to India for 6 months.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the work you do. Your blog is a must read for me every morning. Thank you for sharing with is all :-)
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI live in Finland and work at a museum. I love all things handmade and am slightly addicted to Etsy. :)
Hi Arounna!
ReplyDeleteYour giveaway is absolutely cute, as all you make!I'm a teatcher in France, in a village near Lyon and I love my job so much! I like venturing to the sewing and i have a blog with my friends about our modests créations and our failures, sometimes!
Thanks and have a very nice weekend!
Sarah
Hooray for giveaways! Thanks for hosting this.
ReplyDeleteI'm originally from Southern California but at the moment I am finishing my Masters in History at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. I woke up to a beautiful sunny day after a week of rain. Perhaps I'll go sit outside and study; my Californian skin is in desperate need of sunshine. :)
Oh, i love this giveaway, it's so beautiful. My name is Irene, I live in Vienna and I'm going to be an elementary school teacher soon. I love to take photos. Have a nice weekend :)
ReplyDeleteHello sweet Arounna,
ReplyDeleteYour giveaway is absolutely amazing, as usual. That spoon is so lovely! As tempted as I am to try and win it, I will ask you not to put my name in your giveaway, seeing as I've had more than my fair share of luck lately.
But why not still tell you a little secret about myself. You already know about where I live and work, so here's a funny little secret. I dream about doing this:
http://scoutmagazine.ca/2009/09/21/the-makeshift-project-wearing-only-things-you-make-yourself/
I've got the woolly knits thing covered, but I think it would be an amazing challenge to make shoes, underwear, a winter coat, etc... Quite inspiring!
Hola. Bonjour. 你好. Hello.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful petite sculpture, a form released! I have a passion for D E S I G N ! I'm originally from Peru and currently live in Coral Gables, Florida, a multicultural city, much like your blog it seems :) I practice Interior Design along with my husband who is an Architect and together we have two young children who are the inspiration in our lives. I share your passion for all things beautiful and wish you continued success in all that you do :)
Hi Arounna!! I live in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The land of gaucho, mate and Maradona ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm a freelancer children illustrator and I really enjoy your art.
Thank you for sharing and be so generous.
Big Hug.
Hi Arounna,
ReplyDeleteI'm Lisa and I'm a woods-dweller from Minnesota. The spoon is fantastic! I've been drying some wood for spoon blanks but have yet to try carving them. I hope mine turns out half as lovely as yours. When I'm not chasing my four unruly children, I'm a dabbler in wood and wool.
Thank you for sharing so much beauty with us.
my family used to joke that i had more degrees than a thermometer. But the truth is that is doesn't matter how many degrees you have, how many days you have spent in school, how many books you have read, if you don't live a creative life and have a great profound love for the natural world, you just aren't living.
ReplyDeletexo
Dear Arounna,
ReplyDeleteI am Marie. I am Belgian (from Armenian origin), living in Brussels and working in Amsterdam. I am teaching in the field of visual culture, enjoying thoughts with my students during my philosophy of arts classes. As you know already I am a big and faithful fan of your art works and I love my home when there are some Bookhou pieces around...My 3 years old son and his dad love them too!
your creating makes my heart sing...
ReplyDeleteHi Arounna, you know who I am! (Natural Dyeing Brian). Beautiful spoon. Are they also on sale?
ReplyDeleteB
Hi there,
ReplyDeleteI'm a mama of two from MA who thinks your spoon is amazing! : )
This was actually my first time reading b.a.h. and loved it (saw the link on your facebook page) I love textiles and am excited to try the solar dying.
ReplyDeleteAbout me... I've just moved back to Toronto after 15 years in Vancouver and am excited to discover all the local crafters and artists and handmade goodies!!
Thanks,
Michelle
Hello. I'm Ai from the Emerald Coast of FL. I paint with gouache and play with clay.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful giveaway! I love the shape of that spoon, and your linen goods are always lovely. My name is Melinda, and I'm located in Toronto, too! I'm an illustrator and live and work in our home in Brockton village with my (new!) husband, who's also an illustrator.
ReplyDeleteAww that's such a sweet wooden spoon. I live in the GTA, just outside Toronto and I took your letterpress workshop awhile back (and loved it)!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
I have a huge obsession with wooden spoons. I have lived in Calgary, Alberta for the past 9 years, but I grew up in a small town in northern Alberta amongst the trees and wild animals (I miss it dearly). The good thing about living in Calgary is that the mountains are only a hop, skip and a jump away. One of my favorite trips was to a small town in Montana where they have the world's largest wooden spoon! As soon as I saw the sign for that road attraction, I had to stop! It turns out that it is a spoon shop owned by a couple who carve all of the spoons themselves by hand - this store had hundreds of spoons, each one unique and beautiful (this spoon that you have carved actually reminds me very much of the spoon that I purchased here - it is very similiar in color and texture).
ReplyDeleteI love both the spoon and pouch, and would be thrilled to call them my own. I write grants for a living, but am a glassblower, potter and blogger in what little spare time I have, and call Brooklyn, NY my home. Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteHi, Arounna!
ReplyDeleteYou inspired me to take up wood carving again! The spoon is so beautiful and delicate.
I'm Masha and I live in Bulgaria.
Your work is so beautiful. I always enjoy stopping by to see what's new in this space. I love the simple, graphic shape & line aesthetic you do so well.
ReplyDeleteFor money, I work at a pretty dreary desk job. For love, I make plush dolls and dabble in jewelry. I also love to paint and draw, although it's taken a back burner lately. I'm passionate about my work and hope to be successful in it in the future. I'm from the east coast (CT, NY) but have lived in Michigan for most of my life. Important to me: love for others, a creative life, our earth, handmade, local goods and food, and my two cats. ;)
PooknflipProductions[at]gmail[dot]com
All is beautiful!!! so inspiring and fresh!... we met at the Etsy-West Elm Show this year [micheleguevara-journal.blogspot.com]. I'm originally from Venezuela but now a loving resident of Toronto! enjoying every moment of my life here! I wil drop by your shop soon, hopefully we will be able to chat and I will see all your wonderful work.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Michèle
Hello, those carved spoons remind me my grandparents` house at the village. They were farmers, they work hard raising cows, pigs, horses, ducks etc. Those spoons were something casual at their simple house and nowadays people go back to old good products:) Ps. Love John`s towel with butterflies. Greetings from Poland
ReplyDeleteHello Arounna,
ReplyDeleteI'm Katia and I live in Port Credit (Mississauga) with my husband and almost-one-year-old daughter. At the moment, my only creative outlet is trying to teach myself photography and rearranging furniture. But, I used to sew quite a bit when I was 10-13 years old - clothes for myself from Burda Moden patterns, which was kind of a necessity when you're growing up in Soviet Ukraine... And my grandma used to carve wood into whimsical sculptures, from found twigs, roots and branches! So I have a huge appreciation for all the lovingly carved wood pieces you create.
My name is Beth and I'm a textile artist living on a small farm in the damp, green hills of NW Oregon. I'm blessed to be able to spend time with the plants and ducks every day, in between putterings in my studio. I'm inspired by your sense of design and productivity. Your blog is so lovely! I'd love to visit your store. Thanks for offering up such a precious "giveaway".
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the wooden spoons you've been making!
ReplyDeleteI live in Toronto, close by your shop actually - and I think it's one of the prettiest shops in the whole city!
I have a blog where I document the art projects I make:
www.littleprojectiles.blogspot.com
and I recently participated in the Living with Washi show that I think you were also a part of!
Wow.. I have so much admiration for just about everything you do. There is always such a sense of depth, and soul, quality, earthiness, harmony to what you design and make... I feel so very fortunate to have a few of your pieces. The mag looks amazing too.
ReplyDeleteI'm Rachel, a photographer, blogger (www.bluealgaecreative.blogspot.com) and creative dabbler living in Seattle, Wa, USA. I'm almost 37, have been married for 7 years (together for 12) and have a 5 year old precocious son. Like you I stay up late to get my creative fixes or just to get stuff done. I know exactly what you mean when you say it amazes you that a body can adapt to 5 hours of sleep a night.
Congratulations on all of your success. It's well earned and very exciting to see an independent handmaker of such high design quality doing so well. Bravo.
My name is Katy, and I just placed my first order from your Etsy shop this week after reading about you from Margie and Gennine for some time. I am in the process of building a new home in the country, and I am purging and simplyfying my stuff. I live in the Southeastern US.
ReplyDeleteI am a big 'ol goofy Golden Retriever that is the mascot to mom's Letterpress Studio... my life's passion is being a good listener, so I am a Therapy Dog that kids read to.
ReplyDeleteDr. Seuss is my Hero. Mom would cherish the spoon and not even let me lick it.
Tail Wags,
~moose
you have the most wonderful giveaways! i love love love the wooden spoon and circles pouch. what an inspiration you are! thank you :)
ReplyDeleteThis is THE most beautiful & generous giveaway ever! I won't tell you anything about me because we'll be meeting in person in a couple of weeks!!! (jumping up and down!)
ReplyDeleteHi Arounna,
ReplyDeleteBeautiful things to giveaway :-)
I am an artist specialising in printing and painting and live in England.
If you would like to know more about me here are my two blogs:
http://www.jacquidodds.blogspot.com
http://venetian-blue.blogspot.com
Thank you
Jacqui
I just learned how to ride a pogo stick today. Wait, do you ride a pogo stick or jump it or work it? I don't know, but now I can do it and it's awesome.
ReplyDeleteI just read through the comments so far - what an amazingly creative and international group..! I'm Dutch, living in the UK with my young family, and I especially love sewing up things from old, used fabrics that I seem to have an unending collection of. The spoon and the pouch are both beautiful - you are very very generous..! Hope you'll have a restful weekend.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, beautiful--I love your work. I already have the Spring tea towel, and I think I will add the new Summer one to my collection.
ReplyDeleteI live in the lovely PNW--Seattle, to be exact. I work during the day at a desk job, but spend the evenings painting in my studio and hunting sunlight for my photography.
Aberdeen Scotland is home for us and it is a lovely quiet and creative plAce to live. I love your work and often give it as guests to friends worldwide! I have just picked up sons yellow cedar to carve a bowl - you have inspired me.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on bah mag 3! X
Thank you for the great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI’m Agata. I was born in Poland, but I live in the Nederland. My husband and I are architects. I finished also art school, and my husband photography. I love to look at your creative marriage, it looks like mine ;-)we have two boys (5 years old and 9 month)
I love natural materials and high quality crafts, and I’m really new blogger.
Hi Arounna,
ReplyDeleteI think you are courageous to give away such a personal gift! Strange that your handmade spoon feels so different than other things handmade... maybe because it is really one of a kind and can never be reproduced.
I was until 2 years ago Heleen from Holland and am now Helene living in France. I am a pharmacist dreaming of creating things with my hands. I do create in between trying to find a job as a pharmacist, but I want to do it all the time! I have 2 little girls and a French husband. And I admire yours and Johns work (that was me who contacted you for the alphabet, it stays in my mind for a bit later, after finding a job). Visiting Toronto is on my wish list.
I'm an elementary art teacher from Kansas. I have two boys, one and three. I love to draw, knit, and sew. I'm currently working on a picnic blanket for the family made out of linen. Love your work.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful textures in your photos. I love the look of the texture of thick hemp fabric, in photos. Another generous giveaway from you.
ReplyDeleteAbout me - ummm. I live in the rainforest, under a mountain in Australia (about 2hrs away from Brisbane). Right now I am looking forward to the four days of time without my family (they have left on holidays to see grandparents). Hopefully some stitching (I work with hemp fabrics and screen printing) or crochet will happen. Or perhaps some writing and photography. But most probably just some quiet sitting and listening and being in the forest with the birds and the sunlight (and the cold).
[And grieving the loss of a long/old family friend; peaceful grieving.]
I am currently listening to The Neville Brothers - good soul-nourishing songs and heart-warming sounds.
I hope you enjoy your weekend.
Hello, I live in Chicago, and I think about making things all day long. I love your spoon. I have been wanting to wood carve for awhile now, but am having the worst luck with it. Your work is so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYikes! What a gorgeous little spoon and pouch. Upon seeing it I thought,"I must have one". It is a real work of art. I hope that whoever gets it really, really appreciates its beauty.
ReplyDeleteoh my goodness! i was reading the story of the spoon, as i was awaiting seeing the final result.. and then a giveaway (gasp!) I would love to win and share this spoon with my little 19 month old
ReplyDeletepulchrabliss(at)hotmail(dot)com
Love the spoon and the little pouch! I live in the woodshed--two rooms really attached to my parents house in what was the woodshed for this 1798 house. This is also the former wildlife rehabilitation center--my kitchen was the fawn pen and there used to be a beaver, flying squirrels, and baby raccoons in another part of the woodshed. Before I moved in, my sister and I used up gallons and gallons of bleach. For more than twenty years of their retirement my parents did wildlife rehab here for Maine mammals and birds. There were often over 100 creatures here at any one time: raccoons, squirrels, skunks, woodchucks, bobcat, deer, hawks, owls, ducks, turkey vultures and the occasional saltwater bird and a seal once. It is a really beautiful place to be now even though the only animals we see are those that inhabit our woods and those that come to our feeders.
ReplyDeletei love the darker colour of that spoon, and the little pouch is so sweet. i also really enjoyed the new issue of b.a.h.
ReplyDeletei live surrounded by many tall cedar trees in a river valley between mountains and the sea, on the eastern shore of Vancouver Island. during the week i work as a graphic designer, and in the evenings and on weekends i stitch and dye and craft whatever inspires me from my west coast surroundings. and when i'm not crafting it, i do my best to be out exploring it, paddling, climbing, biking, surfing, walking, and always photographing my rainforest home.
hope you have a wonderful weekend!
I'm in love with the organic shape of the spoon; it really turned out well! It almost reminds me of a Chinese soup spoon in how it gradually narrows into the handle.
ReplyDeleteI guess I don't have much home description to do as I am from Toronto too! During the school year I live in Guelph, where I'm hoping to get into vet school next year. I never thought I'd like Guelph as much as I do, being a big city girl, but sometimes the relaxed atmosphere is a nice change from bustling Toronto.
So nice of you to give this away!!! I always love how organic your designs are. Thank you for your generous giveaways and inspirations.
ReplyDeleteWY :-))))
I love those!
ReplyDeleteI live in Davis, CA, where I am studying food science. I'm not exactly sure what I want to do with it, though...
I'm Sandra from France. I live in a small town in the Pyrenean mountains, surrounded by forests and peaceful landscapes. I work as an agronomist in ecological restoration of damaged areas in the mountains. I spend most of my time (when I am not at work) walking in the mountains with my kids, observing nature or in the garden, or sewing ! Your work and art are very inspiring :) Thanks for this very very beautiful giveway, so generous !
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely giveaway. I live in Seattle, and am in the first several years of what will be a long hiatus from ceramics to raise a family. Until I can go back to clay, I'm finding so much enjoyment in sewing and fiber-work. Thank you for the wonderful inspiration that you share in your shop and in your blog. -Megan
ReplyDeleteMy name is Leah and I live in Australia. I am near Byron Bay. I have been a full time mamma for the last 12 years and am in the process of starting up my own business... I love your work. Much love xxx
ReplyDeleteyour spoon is just beautiful. i'm allison. i live in the amazing blue ridge mountains in asheville, north carolina. i make embroidered jewelry, and my husband and i make wooden toys. i discovered you through resurrection fern and instantly fell in love with your textiles. i find you such an inspiration! i'm amazed at how you are so productive with two children. i have an almost 5 year old and i dream of getting things done the way you can!
ReplyDeleteYet another talent--you are awesome! I am Angelica, living at the beach in Florida. I am a papermaker and artist. I have a great appreciation for your talents and your ability to do what you love for a living!
ReplyDeleteHi!
ReplyDeletemy name is Jezahel, i live in Nancy, France and i daydream of soft and warm dolls!
Hi! What a great giveaway! amazing work, as always:) My name is Gillian, I'm a sewer and crafter of many things living in Guelph, where I moved to from Toronto last year (not sure how I never made it to you shop while I lived in Toronto!)
ReplyDeleteLove your spoon, pouch and blog! I live in a small town just north of Toronto in a century home with wonky walls and crooked floors. I work with troubled children, teens and families. At home, I am mom to two sweet kids, a partner to my love who supports my constant "puttering" in the house and garden. We have two loving cats and one funny litte fish. I love all things natural, organic and whimsical. My favorite shape is circle. My favorite colour is white...although my kids always tell me it's not technically a colour. My favorite book of late is The Help. My favorite word of this summer is serendipity.
ReplyDeleteThanks for inspiring me with your lovely blog. I am coming into the city next week with a list of stores to putter in...will be trying to get to yours.
Jenny
Arounna, this is such a magnificent giveaway! Well, all your giveaways are! I'm from Buenos Aires, Argentina. I live with my husband (and best friend) Leo in a nice flat although we dream with a house with a beautiful garden. I love nature, design and cooking. Thank you for share with us your fantastic world! :-)
ReplyDeleteArounna, I have enjoyed the simple beauty of your work for a while now. The items in your giveaway are quite lovely. I live in western North Carolina in the US, in the Appalachian mountains with my husband and eight year old daughter. I am inspired to try the solar dyeing bundles with my daughter as we love natural dyeing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the beauty you share.
dreamy spoon and pouch!
ReplyDeletei live in alaska and work in fishery policy/research. i like to make stuff but hate to follow directions for crafts. i'd much rather experiment when i'm not working.
Hi Arounna,
ReplyDeleteYet another wonderful generous giveaway! Love b.a.h. issue 3, and the new tea towel!
I love walking, being outside, and being inspired by nature. Life would feel empty without it.
Diana x
Hello!
ReplyDeleteMy name is Marieke and I live in The Netherlands. I have my own shop with handmade accessories, bags and homeware. www.handmadebymo.com
I love to read your blog!
This tuesday it's my birthday and this lovely spoon + pouch would be a very nice birthday gift for me =)
Bye,
Marieke
Good morning! What a beautiful little spoon and bag. I'm a new reader to your blog of inspiration. I love designing jewelery, and sewing art bags and wrist warmers. My kids and I hike with the dog, garden, tell stories, cook together, and enjoy life over here in Oregon. -Aly
ReplyDeletehello, my name is cinthia and i live in france, in normandie, in a little village on sea side. I have discovered your blog a few week ago and since it is in my blog list to visit like a ticket for a daily very nice little trip ... I have never participated to a free giveaway but this little spoon is so poetic ... it's like a little magic object in a fairy tale.
ReplyDeleteAbout me ... i sew, for kids mainly, fabric characters, pillows, and different things from my imagination ... my creative nam is FROM CINTHIA pour les enfants ... soon i will open a worshop, here afront the sea where i hope to create a creative meeting place.
Thanks a lot to share,
cinthia
Hi !
ReplyDeletethis is YiYi From France. I simply love your work.
Beautiful spoon!
ReplyDeleteVal :)
Hi! I am Neža from Slovenia. I made my first wooden spoon last year. Your spoon is lovely!
ReplyDeleteHi Arounna, Your little spoon and pouch are priceless. I am from Hawaii. I love all things nature: hiking, swimming. I love creating things: sewing, quilting, and gardening. I dream of being a paniolo (a Hawaiian cowboy/girl) someday.
ReplyDeleteSo inspring, thank you for sharing your creative spirit with us. Lovely spoon and pouch.
ReplyDeleteJust had to comment (even though too late for the give-away!) Your spoon has a lovely balance to it, a Japanese yin-yang sense that makes me want to reach out and touch it - beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAnd something of me: I'm an occasional visitor to your blog and site, when I have time to wander the waves of the internet between working full time and looking after teenagers. Soon to have a huge change in my life as I return to university in October to begin a degree in Nursing.