There’s a certain calm and curiosity that washes over me whenever I look at the Flickr photo stream of Lobster & Swan. I just love her shop too, maker and photographer Jeska Hearne is such a treasure to have in the independent art & design community. I hope she realizes that, but if not perhaps this post and will your comments of support will remind her. I think it’s important to regularly toot the horn of those who positively impact the way we live and see the world. It’s important because these are the same ones who have a tendency to feel drained at times, like they’re constantly inspiring others but in turn who are inspiring them? And do others care about all they are doing to share intimate parts of their world?

Creative types like Jeska have personally helped me to not be so focused on the pursuit of perfectionism and to take more pride in the little things, which I neglected to do as a young adult and striving to be perfect held me back many years ago. Looking upon that time in my life, I see clearly why this was the case: I was in a crowd of friends that were extremely competitive. The companions we keep as children, but equally important as adults, make a huge impact on how we see our own life and work and how critically (or not) we judge ourselves. Even in the online world, we are associating with so many on a daily basis – it’s important for me to be in circles where I do not feel an undercurrent of jealousy or competition but a feeling of support and encouragement. I’ve had those feelings with some in the past and I had to walk away and pursue other friendships, not because I didn’t like or appreciate the person but because I sensed they were trying to compete with me more than aiming to create something personal and important to them. Many artists and designers who have found supportive circles online tend to thrive and magic happens. And this is the kind of magic that I want to naturally occur in my life and the magic I feel when I visit blogs like Lobster & Swan.

I love her paper garlands, photographs, and pretty inspirational things on a string that you can display in your home on a fireplace mantle or over your desk perhaps. In addition to the pretty things that Jeska makes, I love the things that she takes — in the form of memories captured on film — which she posts on her blog that continuously inspire me and so many of her fans. I enjoy her relaxed and cozy design sensibility – no frills and naturally beautiful. It’s the supermodel without layers of makeup, hanging out in her crumpled t-shirt and worn out jeans with a favorite cardigan and a mug of hot cocoa in hand. Disheveled perfection. :)

Jeska also maintains a second blog, Record The Day, that is equally drool-inducing where she takes clippings from magazines and such and puts them together on small pieces of paper as a collage of inspirations. I do something similar, in the folders that I create, but now I’m thinking I should try creating them weekly in smaller format and posting them online somewhere. Hmmm. Well inspiration should motivate action sometimes, right? What is the point of simply feeling inspired if nothing becomes from at least some of those feelings? Perhaps I’ll give it a go.

(photos: Jeska Hearne)

28 Responses to “Inspired By: Lobster & Swan”

1 Victoria Klein commented:
November 5th, 2009 at 7:27 am

I’ve had the L&S flickr account on my contacts list for some time. It always makes me smile – go Jeska!
2 Corrien commented:
November 5th, 2009 at 7:40 am

Thanks for this blog, it is so true. Almost every day I enjoy watching the pictures of the little beauty on your blog. Thank you Jeska and all the others for making it possible to take a glimpse of the beauty you see.
It inspires me to make my home more organized and display what I love in a creative way.
3 Chelsea commented:
November 5th, 2009 at 7:45 am

She seems like a jack of all trades, and a master of them too! Theres nothing like great inspiration, and she fits the ticket!
Chelsea´s last blog ..Photography Bliss
4 María commented:
November 5th, 2009 at 7:57 am

How lovely from you to dedicate a post to this incredible artist xxx
Her blog makes me feel relaxed, calmed, happy… it’s like she lived in a little house in the middle of the country just enjoying herself and totally apart from the mass media! Her Etsy shop is beautiful as well.

My name is María. I live in Madrid {Spain}.
Thanks to all these inspiring- indie-creative blogs I found out that I was not the only one that loves spending her time cutting and pasting little things that I’ve found here and there, reading about fabrics, buying a gorgeous wrapping paper for a present and doing it myself with a little creative touch, and the list goes on and on…

It’s very hard {almost impossible} to read spanish blogs that are so interesting and inspiring as for example Lobster & Swan as well as decor8.

I once sent to Jeska Hearne a little piece of artwork that I did for her, basically thanking her so much for sharing her time and personal bits of her life with strangers, because it does make a difference to people; at least it does to me! She replied to me and I was incredibly excited because she post my image on Lobster & Swan {here is the link to it http://lobsterandswan.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-09-24T23%3A11%3A00%2B01%3A00&max-results=10 – the post was called “curtain dance”}.

So I just want to say thank you once again to all of you that use your time to share little pieces of your life with all of us.

¡ GRACIAS !
5 Sarah commented:
November 5th, 2009 at 8:15 am

I have come across Jeska’s work before as she is a guest designer on A Year of Colour blog. She really is very talented and I know what you mean about the feeling of calm!
Sarah´s last blog ..Rain, clouds and finishing projects
6 Faye commented:
November 5th, 2009 at 8:27 am

Thanks for such a great post Holly. I am a huge fan of Jeska and Lobster and Swan, she so rightly deserves this recognition and praise. Also so true what you say about the small things being the important things, and not surrounding yourself with people who just want to compete with you. Far more important to be in an environment of positivity and support.

Faye x
Faye´s last blog ..feathers, jewels & flowers
7 lindsay commented:
November 5th, 2009 at 8:31 am

I love that you described her photos as the barefaced supermodel. They look natural as you said, her home looks approachable and cozy. Her sofa full of pillows and blankets are calling my name!
lindsay´s last blog ..Picture Perfect.
8 Jacqueline commented:
November 5th, 2009 at 8:37 am

aaaa these photos makes me so calm and relax…such gorgeous gorgeous deco! I adore those lovely garland! Have a lovely merry happy day and love to you!
Jacqueline´s last blog .."Something Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue
9 morgan commented:
November 5th, 2009 at 9:12 am

I love her photostream and her blog. She is so creative. I love looking at shots of her home with an empty frame on the wall and gorgeous handmade garland draped across.

Her second blog inspired me to start doing daily collages again and I am so glad I did.
10 Fresh Design Blog commented:
November 5th, 2009 at 9:42 am

Have gained a good dose of inspiration from the photos, so thanks to Jeska for creating the items and you for sharing them!
Fresh Design Blog´s last blog ..Habitat launches online store
11 Claudia commented:
November 5th, 2009 at 10:57 am

So much loveliness and inspiration in one post! I need to get me some of those mini-wooden clothes pegs…
12 Rose commented:
November 5th, 2009 at 4:16 pm

The details in her photos are very beautiful and alluring. Thank you for sharing Jeska’s work. I think community is so important for artists (and designers, too), especially when much of our time can be spent alone making things.
Rose´s last blog ..The non-binary life
13 Lori commented:
November 5th, 2009 at 4:26 pm

These photos are beautiful. I especially love the blue cupcakes on the stand. So perfect a colour.
14 Red Lipstick Style commented:
November 5th, 2009 at 4:31 pm

You are so right about all your points. I was thinking something similar today (the company we keep…) after a particulary daunting staff meeting (can I add idiotic as well?) and the negative, hateful people that I have to work with. I can’t even make a joke with out being verbally attacked. I have a degree in fraud management , and most of these people do not have anything (if at all) like that, but yet they treat me like I’m an idiot.

My point is that this year I have looked for friendship outside of the office (prior to that I was very isolated aside from family) and have found that by meeting people I have interests with via blogging I am so much happier with myself. Your post was quiet timely in that respect and I just wanted you to know that you basically validated my feelings (going along that lines that we should tell people who impact our lives ;-) So, Yay You!

I love the pics that you posted and will visit Ms. Lobster and Swan.
15 shay commented:
November 5th, 2009 at 4:59 pm

Holly,
I love this post..so heartfelt. I draw a huge amount of inspiration and joy from blogs,especially yours. The first thing I look forward to after my two cups of coffee is turning on my computer to see what you have found.
As usual you have not disappointed.Lobster and Swan is wonderful,humble and sweet .
Thank You !!!
Shay
16 Deja commented:
November 5th, 2009 at 8:26 pm

I LOVE the transparent postcards. As a child, I had penpals from around the world and I used to try and come up with super creative letters and postcards. These bring back memories of that time in my life.
17 Melissa de la Fuente commented:
November 5th, 2009 at 8:35 pm

Oh, I love this…..it is all so true and especially about dear, sweet Jeska! I love her and her work…..it is truly lovely to see her featured here. Thank you Holly and I hope this does serve to remind her how wonderful she is and how appreciated.
xo
Melis
Melissa de la Fuente´s last blog ..Wow…..
18 blue bicicletta commented:
November 5th, 2009 at 8:56 pm

Absolutely beautiful pictures and ideas here—I will definitely go over and check out her blog. I do love that simple natural beauty you are talking about—in people, in things, in spaces, in life. Thanks for sharing!
blue bicicletta´s last blog ..Something New: a monthly art club!
19 Lauren commented:
November 5th, 2009 at 9:42 pm

This is why I adore your blog. You’re right — decorating is much more than style and appearance… It really can tell us a lot about how we see the world and how to turn imperfections into something really great
20 tiina commented:
November 6th, 2009 at 4:38 am

I couldn’t agree with you more, Holly. Lobster & Swan is such a magical blog. I stop by there quite often, especially to give me inspiration on those days when feeling inspired is not easy. The atmosphere in the pictures is absolutely beautiful, all those lovely little details make it happen. Have a great beginning of November!
tiina´s last blog ..{ baked cabbage rolls }
21 Ana commented:
November 6th, 2009 at 5:10 am

Thanks a lot, Heather, for making my grey days at the office better. It’s always so nice to sneak into your blog once in a while to forget about work!
Ana´s last blog ..Uma delícia / So cute
22 Judith ~ Felicity Crew commented:
November 6th, 2009 at 5:51 am

Thanks for this inspiring post!
Judith ~ Felicity Crew´s last blog ..Maggie – 5×5 original fine art photograph
23 Penny Patten commented:
November 6th, 2009 at 6:31 pm

Her photo’s are lovely, and her home looks simply put together, but at the sane time elegant. Thank You for sharing her with us!
Penny Patten´s last blog ..Can You See It…
24 Mónica commented:
November 7th, 2009 at 3:41 am

I loved what you’ve said about not to be focused on perfectionism and about the persuit of real friendship. It’s very corageous of you Holly.Your words are important to me, now that I am taking baby steps and stumbling a lot in my fresh blog.
I do care about those who put color and joy in the world.
Thank you Jeska.
Thank you Holly.
Mónica ´s last blog ..
25 Catrin commented:
November 7th, 2009 at 6:21 pm

Hi Holly,
thanks so much for this post. Right now I’m working on my own little paper garlands ;) I hope you have a great time in Hannover – I lived there during college for two years. Greetings from Berlin
26 Suze commented:
November 11th, 2009 at 2:31 pm

What a lovely positive post. I am also a Lobster and Swan fan,
and you have perfectly summed up what it is about her blog that I admire.
Your blog if fabulous too.Thank you.
27 Jo commented:
November 13th, 2009 at 2:51 pm

This is such a lovely post. I adore Lobster and Swan. Like you, I feel like her blog is that big deep breath, let out in a sigh of relaxation. It feels like a refuge.
Beautifully written words on friendship. I relate very deeply to that whole subject. And you really addressed it in such a real manner. So glad I was directed this way.
28 RedorGrayArt commented:
November 15th, 2009 at 3:47 pm

a perennial favorite

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