I had such a wonderful day today! Remember, I’m between 6-9 hours ahead of my friends in the states, so for me the day is just about to end (it’s 11:30 PM here). What did I do? Well first, my IKEA kitchen was delivered and installed — I cooked my first official meal tonight (that wasn’t in a microwave!) in our new space and we had our friend Allie over. He kept telling me how crazy he was about the kitchen, how my light looks like a little dog, and the great walnut counters that he went ‘nuts’ for. Well, not real walnut, they are IKEA laminate, so faux bois… But they look spectacular and I’m thrilled. I also did a ton of errand running with my husband and Allie in the city this afternoon… stocked up on art supplies at this massive 2-floor art supply/craft store called Idee. No Martha Stewart supplies there but honestly, I don’t care and don’t miss MS at all because I’m learning to live without certain products just fine, replacing them with new ones that I’ve never seen before. It’s a nice change for me I think.
I have been living in Germany now for 6 weeks and keep wondering when the fun will end because every single day has been great and I’m not exaggerating. The best part of the day was when my mother-in-law came over again today with yet another friend of hers to ‘tour’ my apartment. She makes such a big deal out of my place and all of her friends are the cutest — picture 60+ year old ladies who have very ‘old German style’ interiors with lots of orange, blue, and brown touring my modern mostly white, lilac, gray, and pastel-y apartment swooning over my stuff. The best part was when one of them was going nuts over my photography from Wren & Chickadee and a surreal print from Betsy Walton. I was grinning ear to ear. They all told me that I should open a shop here and, “bring this style to us”. I have concluded that it’s not that older Germans do not like light and bright colors and fun motifs, it’s that they aren’t exposed to it in the same way that I am being online all day… One thing I must comment is that I’m going to try harder to bring the art I see on sites like Etsy, DaWanda, Trunkt, etc. to those who I know aren’t online like some of the ladies that have been visiting me via my husband’s mom. I was thinking of placing a big order for postcards and such from all of my favorite shops and keep them in a vintage wire postcard holder in my entryway so that when people come over and see my art and all this stuff they’ve not seen before, I can give them some postcards and small prints to take home with them. Spread a little indie art love. Why not? So now I just need to find a vintage postcard holder that I can mount on the wall or perhaps something that spins for a shelf top… eBay Germany here I come!
Okay so back to art… I was shopping yesterday in Jennifer Davis’ etsy shop and while talking to her she told me about this project that she recently worked on with Amy Rice and so I looked at Amy’s blog and website and stopped dead in my boots. Amy is phenomenal! Now I’m wondering is Amy has prints because I’d love to add something to my apartment from her collection too.
My goodness she is talented. Where has she been all of my life? I cannot believe I’ve not heard of her until today because I’m sure all of you talented design savvy creatures already know… and I’m just light years behind perhaps? If some of you are in the same boat as I am, then let us drool over the paintings of Ms. Rice together, shall we? First let me show you my very favorite piece, “Make a Wish”, from her collection. I heard it’s sold so my heart hurts a bit but oh well, I’m certain someone out there is very happy with it.
Look at the colors, the frame, oh.my.god. I just made a wish that whoever purchased Make a Wish will feel sorry for me and send me this painting. I doubt it will work. 
Making a wish does not guarantee it will be granted but part of the fun in life is hoping and wishing, don’t you think?
And look at this stenciled building with her paintings on it. I really enjoy seeing her work in such a natural setting. I can totally see her work hanging over some lush velvet sofa in an Anthropologie store, can’t you? It would fit into so many different decor styles from bohemian modern to a country farmhouse.
Amy if you’re reading I’m sorry for not blogging about you much sooner as the more I’ve read about you online this afternoon the more I realize how famous you are and how behind I am. Your work is brilliant and has inspired me so much today… Thank you for sharing your vision and lovely work to the world Amy!
Find Amy here: Her blog, Flickr, and website.
(images from wren & chickadee (first), betsy walton (second) and all others from amy rice)
September 24th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Isn’t Amy Rice phenomenal?!
I love that idea of yours to have a basket full of postcards and I wish I could be a fly on the wall when all those ladies visit your place.
What am I saying, I wish *I* could visit your place! ; )
Shanons last blog post: Blue September Morning
September 24th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
What an absolutely, positively happy post (including Amy Rice art)… good for you! ‘Put a smile on my face…Thanks!
Beatas last blog post: bold bedding beginnings…
September 24th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
wow, you’re right, she’s totally awesome.
Elizabeths last blog post: Hooray!
September 24th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Amy is so talented! Why haven’t I heard of her before. Thanks for sharing.
John @ furniture fashions last blog post: Micheal Weiss Modernism Collection by Vanguard Furniture
September 24th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
What a lovely collection of happy images!! My favorite is the “make a wish one” too … I really love when artists take creative liberties and use non-traditional materials beyond cloth canvases.
Grace@PoeticHomes last blog post: Fiat Lux ? Upcycled Lamps
September 24th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Goodness Holly… I’m so flattered! Thank you for sharing my photos with your friends, family, and on your ever-lovely blog. You are the sweetest!
xoxoxo
Ez
Ezs last blog post: In Good Company: Sartoria Vico
September 24th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
I too was ignorant of Amy….but wow!!! I have invited some of her wonderful photos to my various flickr groups….especially the inspiration and artisans one as she is “all that”
http://www.flickr.com/groups/828231@N21/
Your description of the older German ladies touring your apartment is priceless and go girl…get those postcards. I had not sent an email or looked at eshops until last year and there are a lot of people like that….the undiscovered market…especially by the sound of it in Germany where as you say blogging is just taking off.
I can see how difficult it will be for you to leave Holly as you are having way too much fun, but then is there ever too much fun?
magikquilters last blog post: Silver Wedding
September 25th, 2008 at 1:09 am
Holly,
I do adore your kitchen…I am leaning towards bamboo cupboards but my guy likes white…the walnut and white is a nice look! I also love the Ikea prices, it’s hard to compare.
I would love some of your expert feedback on some photos I am working on…they are of antique figurines of little animals. I posted them under Random Randomness today. Thinking of starting a little Etsy shop and looking for some guidance from mavens like yourself. Much Love!
http://www.snickerdoodles.typepad.com
September 25th, 2008 at 5:29 am
Her work is inspiring! And did you read the intro to her blog? It’s really true:
“instructor/advocate for adults with severe and persistent mental illness? a true believer in the powerful healing tool that art can be”
I am with her on this one, I too believe that art is a great healer.
Thanks for introducing her, great post!
September 25th, 2008 at 6:01 am
Yay!!! Thise prints are AMAZING! Thanks for sharing!!!
Suse/RevoluzZzas last blog post: Pirates and a cute Whale/Piraten und ein niedlicher Wal
September 25th, 2008 at 6:07 am
Oh my god!!! I’ve just taken a look at her pictures on flickr they are incredible. Thank you for sharing her work with us.
Sues last blog post: Green and Gold Sequin Card
September 25th, 2008 at 7:48 am
yaaaaay, holly! thank you for this wonderful post about amy. she is an amazing, muli-talented artist and a beautiful person. (the good news is that many of her works are made from her hand-cut stencils. each painting is unique and one of a kind but there is potential for her to make multiples of each motif…)
September 25th, 2008 at 8:22 am
yes holly, Amy Rice is amazing and all of her works shown above are available from us here at http://www.artstreamstudios.com/shop - right in your native NH. Too bad you are away in Germany right now as you could just pop over and see them live!
September 25th, 2008 at 8:34 am
your “Schwiegermama” is right, you should open a shop here! lthanks for introducing me to Amy Rice, the lass with the accordeon is haunting me now….
September 25th, 2008 at 8:43 am
Ha Linda, maybe you can open a shop in Berlin and Hannover… How about that!?
You’d be rich.
Hi Susan, thank you for the invitation but yes I’m here until 18 December.
Jennifer - Thank YOU for introducing me Amy via your email yesterday. I love the project you’ve collaborated on with her and the boots painting I purchased from you is going to remind me of you and Amy every moment I look at it. Thanks for telling me the history behind the painting, means so much more to me now.
xo
Holly
September 25th, 2008 at 9:51 am
First of all, I love Amy Rice and am so happy to see her beautiful work up here! Secondly, I LOVE your idea of the little “art shop” at the entrance to your apartment! So sweet….what a fantastic idea. It is so great, all this love and exposure you give out Holly. Truly, each little thing gives so much joy to SO many.
xoxo
Melissa
Melissa de la Fuentes last blog post: Ellie
September 25th, 2008 at 10:33 am
Holly - You’re going to fall in love with Amy’s work all over again once you see it in person. I have one in my dining room (a painting she did on an old shingle — clever!) and it’s one of my favorite things in the house. So glad you posted about this talented artist!
September 25th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Hi Holly, I’m so happy to read your post tonight and hear that you are having a wonderful time in Germany!! I knew you would! And yes, IKEA and IDEE are just great!
At this moment I am writing up Friday’s interview with Sarah Ahearn - and she mentions Decor 8 as being her top blog and how thankful she is to you for your post on her work! So please drop by tomorrow and have a wonderful weekend
stephanie levys last blog post: Oktoberfest in Munich
September 25th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Wow! Gorgeous. I love them all. The accordion one is wonderful.
September 25th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Another reason to love Amy Rice…
“Gutsy woman Amy Rice bites pitbull to save labrador”
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23483286-5001021,00.html?from=public_rss
Incredible artist…and fierce friend!!
September 25th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Both Jennifer and Amy are fabulous Minnesotan artists - I never tire of their work. I’m so pleased that you have discovered them both - the more exposure they get, the better. Check out amyrice.com
September 26th, 2008 at 6:57 am
Thanks for sharing all those photos and links. I really liked Amy Rice’s work and looking at it makes me want to go and stencil something like NOW!!!
ellen from irelands last blog post: WHAT WE MADE TOGETHER-TTV DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINT-VINTAGE FEEL
September 26th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Thanks for introducing me to Amy Rice!!!
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September 26th, 2008 at 9:21 am
how sweet of you to want to share your postcards from your entry-way art gallery! i am in love with that idea. not sure what kind of vintage postcard holder you had in mind but i instantly thought of this little wire organizer i saw on martha:
http://www.marthastewart.com/goodthings/wire-organizer?autonomy_kw=wire%20wall%20organizer&rsc=header_1