Like many of you, I spent much of Friday reading about and watching the devastating news coming out of Japan. I can’t seem to wrap my head around events like this. How one minute the world is just as you know it, and the next, the destruction from a natural disaster can literally change our map. I think if many of us could, we would rush over to lend a helping hand. I know when I see people suffering, I just want to help. Thank goodness their are creative companies like W + K Studio that are coming up with creative ways in which all of us can help through donations.

W+ K Studio has designed this beautiful print to raise relief funds for the Japanese quake. They are asking for a minimum donation of $25 with 100% of the proceeds going to the relief effort.

Thank you W + K Studio for creating a beautiful way for all of us to pitch in. Also, my wonderful friend and graphic designer Hijiri K Shepherd is donating 50% of her sales to the relief effort this week.

Lately I’ve been working extra hard as I am currently in the process of redesigning the LAMA site with my wonderful graphic designer, Hijiri K. Shepherd. Along the with site redesign, I’m also in the process of ordering, receiving, and photographing new products for the shop. Product photography has always been a bit of a daunting task for me as I am not a trained photographer. In fact, I barely know how to use a camera. I often spend a lot of time searching the web for simple but beautiful product photography inspiration. I was excited to recently discover a beautiful e-shop from Praia da Aguda, Portugal called Loja de Estar. I adore the simple, colorful, and effective product shots taken by the shop’s owner.

I take all of my product photography in my own apartment and these photos make me want to paint all of my walls bright and brilliant colors! Unfortunately, I don’t think my landlord would approve. Oh well.. here’s to shooting the new line of products! (wish me luck)

Today I’m hanging out in New York city preparing to head off to Rhode Island for the wedding of one of my childhood friends. The past couple of days have been awesome hanging out in this incredible city (even though I was soaked in a torrential and unexpected downpour yesterday). I took the blogging day off yesterday to work along side my favorite graphic designer, Hijiri K Shepherd (and her dachshund Maia), on the redesign of the new LAMA site! We had a great time working together and we’re both excited about the new look LAMA will be taking on soon. Speaking of great people here in New York, today I’m off to Astoria to hang out with my favorite shop owners and contributor of this week’s Friday I’m In Llama!

Mackenzie Farquer, owner of SITE, was kind enough to send over these adorable llama illustrations by artist Migy. The llama above is Aymara and she is the main character in Migy’s latest book which is loosely based on the Northwest of Argentina. Cute! I need to find this book!

Thanks again Mackenzie! I can’t wait to visit you and your fabulous store this afternoon!!

Happy Friday everyone! I hope your weekend will be filled with as much fun and happiness as mine.

A few weeks back, I was delighted to find a small package in my mailbox from my wonderful graphic designer and friend Hijiri K. Shepherd. To my delight, she sent me the cutest llama cell phone charm she found on a recent trip to Japan, along with one of her fantastic letterpress “Hello” cards. It was an incredibly thoughtful gift! Thanks so much Hijiri! My little llama enjoys sitting pretty on my desk every day.

I also want to congratulate Hijiri on being featured in a very cool new book entitled “Impressive – Printmaking, Letterpress, and Graphic Design.”

Hijiri’s amazing work, including her VERY popular Live What You Love print, can be found on page 96. Here’s a sneak peek taken from her blog..

Congratulations Hijiri! It’s such an honor to work with you. Impressive indeed!

A sweet and lovely gift created by my dear friend and graphic designer Hijiri K Shepherd. This is definitely going up in my office as a constant reminder. :)

How much do I LOVE that she used Friend in a Nut to stage this shot?! Awesome! Thank you Hijiri!!

Yesterday was my first day back in LAMA HQ’s after a 5 day trip to NYC for the New York International Gift Fair. It was a good experience overall to check out a ton of great new products that will be making their way into shops soon, but I’ve come to the conclusion that maybe trade shows just aren’t my thing. I think I’ll be sticking to different means of scouting out products from now on. It was, however, so much fun to finally experience New York in the summer! It was scorching hot but a nice change of pace from the cool Oakland summer (think SF sans fog).

One of the highlights of my trip was spending some time with my favorite graphic designer Hijiri K Shepherd. Yes, I’m slightly biased towards Hijiri because she happens to be LAMA’s graphic gal. Regardless, she’s totally sweet and was kind enough to show me around a beautiful part of Brooklyn called Dumbo.

“Hi Everyone, I’m Hijiri!”

walking to the park

view of the Brooklyn Bridge from Dumbo

Another view into Manhattan from Dumbo

Not only was Hijiri kind enough to show me around town, but she also made this awesome custom letterpress stationary for me at her studio! I wonder how she knew my favorite color was blue? Hmmm…

To get your own fabulous Hijiri K stationary and prints, check out her shop here. Also, don’t miss her fantastic blog (Heart Fish) here. Thanks again Hijiri! I can’t wait to hang up my letter C in my office!