Victorian Gothic Wooden Comb - Limited Edition

Yes I'm inspired by the skull trend still very strong in fashion, decor and accessories but it's also that time of year when I'm thinking creepy things. So I was inspired to combine that theme with a past successful Ferrochie product, the wooden comb!

The Design of the comb is a simplified Victorian curve that rolls into an oval hold for the thumb and forefinger. The size is smaller than any of my previous combs (3" Square) to make it small enough to slip into any purse, handbag or pocket. There are 12 tines at 1/8" spacing for a nice broad and smooth stroke.

The Front Art is a rendition of DaVinci's medical sketch of the skull from his sketch books. Always being a huge DaVinci enthusiast I immediately wanted to go there with this skull. For size comparison the skull measures 1" tall on the comb. I inset the skull within an oval frame to give it a sort of cameo appearance. Lastly I added some creepy scrolls to create some drama in the space above the tines.

The Rear Art features the same oval frame and scrolls but inset are the Ferrochie makers mark and the series number. Since this is technically my prototype or as us manufacturing nerds like to say "First Article Sample" it features a "0" or naught above the mark. This particular one will never be sold and kept in my personal archive. The one's I will be selling will be numbered 1 thru 13 in a limited series and not made again.

Why Would I Want a Wooden Comb? Well there is a bit of nostalgia involved with wooden comb ownership but for practical purposes there are really only two.

#1 - No Static! This is big and speaks for itself.
#2 - Impress your friends with a cool limited edition comb in your bag that only has 12 siblings!

Make no mistake this comb can be actually used! I had so many people think my past combs were for decorative purposes only. Of course, you're more than welcome to protect it as a keepsake since it's definitely that if nothing else but do use it.

Details of how to get one of your own will be announced soon on FB and Twitter. Happy Friday!

Artistic Endeavor's

William Shakespeare

It wasn't too long ago when I started playing around with etching on wood. There was a lot more to learn than I realized in terms of the artistic limits, the best types of wood for the medium and even how to finish it for the best results. It's reminded me of the woodcut works of M.C.Escher who was a master of this process and the trial and error he must have went through. Although I in no way measure up to Mr. Escher I do have to admit that modern technology has made this incredibly easier to to get involved with. It's been a lot of fun and the experience has inspired me to tackle a few new artistic endeavor's.

The image to the left is a sample I created during these past few weeks of trying to perfect the process. I realize now what must be done within the artwork to really pull the detail needed to truly be special. So, I'm smack in the middle of creating my own art for use in this unique process. I look forward to sharing those with you.

Edgar Allen Poe

2013 Trend #5: The Glass Cloche

"When it doubt, put a cloche on it!"
With what I am seeing out there you can use that motto whenever you are unsure or want to accent something in your home. The cloche is popular because of it's amazing ability to put something that would normally be out of context into one. Just like it's original "functional" purpose, you can put just about anything inside and shield it from it's surroundings. Put anything from a creepy doll head to a stapler inside a cloche and voilà! It works with your decor!

Many versions of the cloche are available and I've never see them more popular than then are right now. Particularly, with the emergence of another trend (next post) that is a natural for the cloche. In fact, this surge in cloche use may be a direct result of that but still, the cloche deserves respect on it's own.

HGTV Magazine

A recent HGTV Magazine issue showed a clear glass jar with cute little note cards inside. In addition to being a fun holiday activity it also demonstrates the influence the cloche is having in other ways. Clear glass containers, terrariums and cloches are all part of the same family doing essentially the same thing in different ways. Taking objects or items and giving them some visual context. If you wanted to utilize this in a more home & hearth type decor you could do clear glass mason jars filled with something interesting for instance.

Go ahead and experiment with this in your home and in your art work. Play with the elements of it too like the clear glass. So many of these things are interconnected it's very easy to make your own interpretation and still be on trend.

Next Trend: Victorian Science, Specimens & Skulls

2013 Trend #4 : Humanized Animals & Stencil Forms

Illustrations of Animal Heads on Human Bodies

Humanized Animals

Not that this is a new art form but this emerging trend has some clearly defined rules. The examples I found at both trade shows and in my retail explorations had a genre focus on those all to familiar portraits from the middle ages up. To me they appear mostly to resemble renaissance portrait paintings with a dark, serious and at times almost menacing appearance. Except rather than a bunch of bourgeois rich guys who want to commission paintings to show status, we've been replaced by the Animal Kingdom's royalty and middle class.

Emeowly Bronte by ChetArt

Just about every animal you could think of was represented. Dogs, cows, lambs, monkeys, etc. They look really great and the appeal is they add a little fun and unexpectedness to an other wise stuffy and ordinary image. I took dozens of photo's of people doing this so the idea has definitely caught on within the home decor trade.

I couldn't help but immediately think of my artist friend Chet Phillips of ChetArt who has been working this genre for years. If I want to get in on this trend in earnest I need look no further than his website which features literally hundreds of his original works. If you are thinking about exploring this art form I would certainly suggest exploring his website. He's such an amazing artist that I hope this trend will increase his exposure now that it's hitting the mainstream.

It's a bit early to tell on this one but I hope this sticks for a while in this form or another. Historically with trends like this it will mutate quickly and when it does it will be interesting to see where artists take it.

Stencil Forms

Stencil Bear (Note: Goat Men in Back)

Stenciled constructs are not new either but there seems to be a few places that are toying around with them. I'm not sure necessarily that this is up and coming. I only saw a few places doing this but it's worthy of mention. The large bear pictured to the right is one of a handful these guys were doing including a rhino, antelopes and an ostrich to name a few. Note the creepy upper class goat men sitting on the back wall behind. :)

Outside of this particular use of laser cut stencils there has been for years quite a few products in lighting and other trades doing a form of stenciling. In fact, in a recent October edition of HGTV magazine, one of dozens of such products was featured. (see below) I don't know if that's just coincidence or planned timing but this one will have to be watched as well.

Since I just invested in a laser cutter I suppose I can toy with this trend too. The hard part is figuring out which trend to work on first. :)

Left: Moose Stencil | Right: October 2012 HGTV Magazine

Ostrich & Antelope

2013 Trend #3: Birds Today, Horses Tomorrow

Birds used in various decor applications.

HGTV Magazine October 2012

There is no doubt birds are HOT right now. So hot in fact, it's difficult not to run into a decor item featuring a bird anywhere in retail. And why shouldn't they be? They are cute, create calmness and anything nature inspired you put in your home will aid serenity. You may as well get used to them because they have been trending up since 2010 and really don't show signs of stopping.

Looking to your right at the October HGTV magazine image of David Bromstad cheerfully discussing art you might be thinking, "Hold on a sec! What do you mean birds are trending? I've been seeing owls everywhere for years!" Well, that's true. Owls really never go out of style and have been cyclical in popularity. This bird trend is much broader than owls but does include him nonetheless. Bird trend gets a mention in the caption and David's designer owl wallpaper was on the opposite page.

Elle Decor October 2012

Outside of the obvious the bird is also a very versatile subject for decoration and design. You may have noticed the huge success Restoration Hardware had when they introduced the birdcage chandelier. A product that has spawned endless imitations and a truck load of other birdcage inspired products. Clear proof that when a hot trend hits you can design around the edges of it and make new related trends. A great example of that was brought to light in the October issue of Elle Decor Magazine (left). They put out this interesting collection of items that use the feather as the primary theme. Before you get any weird idea's about using beaks or bird feet as related elements let me stop you there. I already vetted those out for you and they aren't going to work! Try looking at nests and eggs instead. :)

For designers and artists it's a perfect time to try working with birds in your products and art work while it's on the top of the trend curve. For decorators, it's a perfect time too since there are already so many items to choose from. Birds will be with us for awhile so you have some time.

Alternatively, if you like to live a little on the edge and in front of the curve there is something else bubbling on the horizon. Horses are starting to pop up here and there as well. I have seen it both in person at the trend shows in Paris as well as in retail. Right now it's subtle sporadic uses as small accents here and there. Almost as if to plant subliminal mental impressions for a ramp up to 2013 or 2014. The most blatant use I have seen were these horse head sculptures placed in a grouping of four. Horses are beautiful creatures and I'm confident this will pick up steam. I'll be keeping a watchful eye on this one though the next year. Again, if you like horses I don't think you would be wrong to go ahead and jump on this one without knowing if it sticks.

Ballard Designs October 2012 | Note the horse painting.

 Next: Humanized Animals & Stencil Forms