My thoughts are with Japan

Utagawa Hiroshige

 

Vincent van Gogh

 
Nature gives and takes back. Nature is almighty. Watching the images about the devastation in Japan make my daily hurdles vanish. My thoughts are with Japan.

Look how tidy mum!

 hiding stuff from the camera

 Tada! Ready for the shoot.

When I seriously think about it there are only two occassions on which  I REALLY tidy up my home. Either I have a photoshoot or my parents are coming to visit. In between those occassions I wiggle my way through wonderful piles of stuff. It is just everywhere books, magazines, clothes, Donald Ducks, shoes, boots, nic nacs.....
So today I had another photoshoot, read: major panic attack before the happy event. Frantic last minute cleaning and stuffing stuff out of sight. Just wonder if I just should let it go next time. Leave everything as is. After all I am not living in a museum and I guess I just wasn't born to be a tidy girl (although I was brought up to be one). Love you mum (and dad of course) xox.

Royal Attic Sale!

 

images all from the Sotheby's catalogue

Our Royal Family will be holding an attic sale. Sotheby's Amsterdam will be auctioning over 1600 lots, including furniture, porcelain, glass, silver, paintings and drawings which encompass the long and varied history of the Dutch Royal family. Many come from the Palace Soestdijk where Queen Juliana lived throughout her married life, while other items come from the attics of other Royal Palaces. Only a small number of the pieces were acquired by Queen Juliana and her spouse Prince Bernhard, and by far the greater share was accumulated over the last 150 years from Kings Willem II and III, Queen Emma and Queen Wilhelmina. Many of the works still bear inventory marks and labels to show their origins in the seven Royal Palaces and Royal Residences throughout the Netherlands. The sale is for the benefit of charity. For details of the auction click here.

Fresh start of the week!

It is 9 a.m. here in Amsterdam. Kids just went off to school and I am sipping my first latte. It is cold outside but the sun is shining. I feel happy and I am looking forward to this busy week :). I hope you do too! Here are some snapshots from my sitting room in its current state.

In to the Neon: Part II

A while ago I shared my new upcoming pillow designs in Neon. At that stage they were still hand painted designs. Today, after a wonderful week in the snowy mountains, I received the new production from the atelier. This is just a quick snap shot. The new range will be available soon through my webstore, printed on 100% linen.

Growing Pains

Why is it that I never choose the easy road. Okay fine I took the decision to chase my artistic dream, but why for god sake didn't I just stick to my brush. Paint, exhibit, sell, paint some more...No that is just too simple when your name is Mariska Meijers. She just loves to complicate her life, she wants to build a business by extending her designs to products. Oeps, products means production, the type she does not have experience in, nor does her law degree fit that bill. Mariska just jumps and jumping can cause major headeaches when your landing techniques are not that flawless. Last week she finally called in the support troops and what a difference it has made already.
Today she is writing her blogpost with a mountain view and is enjoying a ski holiday with her children and friends while business continues with the wonderful talented support of others!

Global Activity!

lampshade and base sample (note: the white stripes 

will not be part of the final design!)

Almost everyday I "go" around the Globe. "Mini Me" needs to face the consequence of growing. I am not complaining, I love what I am doing, but if I could only steal some extra hours here and there wouldn't that be just fabulous.  Currently I have two exhibitions, one in Singapore and one in The Netherlands. There have been some wonderful new additions to store locations selling my products. For example Ada&Darcy is the first shop in Australia to carry a selection of my products. In the US we have added amongst others the Museum of Art shop in Fort Lauterdale, Anchor Cottage in Suttons Bay (Michigan) and Azul Boutique in Coral Gables (Miami).
I am working round the clock in preparation of my first trade fairs such as High Point first week of April. And....I picked up my first lampshade and base samples that I am planning to take to High Point. I found a wonderful lamp shade and base Studio nearby. The husband handcrafts the lamp bases (ceramic) and his wife makes the shades.
Last but not least I would like to thank my blogging sisters Kerry of a Tranquil Townhouse, Louise of Table Tonic, Kerri of Driftwood Interiors and Charlotta of Space of Inspiration (did I forget someone?) for blogging forward the donations of the beautiful table linen by Yvy&Piper and colorful screenprints (by me) the proceeds of which will go fully to the Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal. If you are interested in supporting this good cause by purchasing any of the items kindly contact ivyandpiper@hotmail.com.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend! x

With a little bit of help...Keep Queensland's flood victims in your hearts!

 Mr Smith's Blossom | limited edition screenprint signed and numbered

How quickly do we forget disasters when we are not a victim. The water is gone, but many Queenslanders have lost their homes and businesses. They need to rebuild and donations to the  Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal are still very welcome. Together with Ivy & Piper we have made a donation of screenprints and linens the proceeds of which will go fully to the Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal. You can also read about this donation in Ivy & Piper's 2011 Love Issue. If you are intersted in buying any of the 5 colorful limited edition screenprints (numbered and signed) or Ivy&Piper's beautifully crafted linen items please mail to ivyandpiper@hotmail.com. You can also help by blogging this forward! Thank you x

 Ivy & Piper's 100% linen beautifully monogrammed

napkins

Blossom in Lavender screenprint,

how stunning it looks when framed!

New press: Ivy & Piper's Love Issue 2011!

click here for IVP-TV - interview with stylish Diane Bergeron

I was over the moon when Melanie and Elizabeth contacted me a while ago for an artist feature in their Love Issue 2011. While we were working on it the flooding disaster struck Queensland. 

Since I started blogging I have become more and more connected to Australia because of some dear colleague bloggers. They make me feel that there are no boundaries, no oceans that divide us, no time zones. Sitting here in Amsterdam, watching the devestation on TV made me want to do something so I spontanously donated 5 screenprints and send them over to Ivy&Piper. All proceeds go towards the Premiers Disaster Relief Appeal. If you are interested to purchase one of these limited edition screenprints email to ivyandpiper@hotmail.com.

Going back to the wonderful content of Ivy & Piper's Love Issue 2011 make sure to read it. The issue includes bio's and interviews with design icons like Carleton Varney, Jamie Herzlinger and Diane Bergeron. Every single page is simply delicious!

New arrival: Trays!

When I am quiet it is usually good news. Working on new products is intensive but oh so inspiring. My latest product is a collection of trays, handmade in Scandinavia from birch wood. We have started with 3 designs:

"In Bloom Pink", a round tray (31 cm)

 

"Delft Blue Teapot",  a small rectangular tray (27x20cm)

"In Bloom Green", a medium round tray (38cm)

All three designs are available through my webstore @ webstore.mariskameijers.com and soon through selected (web)stores. "In Bloom Green" is also available as a tray table sizes (49cm and 65cm). If you are interested drop send me an email as they are not available through the webstore yet. We are currently selecting more designs to add to the collection. I would love to know which of my designs/paintings you would like to see on a tray!

In to the Neon

new pillow design 

White Allium (oil on canvas)

Teapot (oil and goldleaf on canvas)

Dark winters make me long for even brighter colours and what could possibly be brighter than neon tones. I have been playing with it lately and I love it so much that in addition to a range of paintings I am also turning some of the designs into pillows! Wishing you all a beautiful weekend x

Working around the Clock!

 Work in Progress @ The Studio

 Working @ Home

I must be one of the most boring bloggers around currently. The frequency of my postings is down and if I do post it is about my work mostly. No time to sit down to search and write about the less obvious. I have come at the stage that I moved one of my larger easels back from the studio to my appartment to so I can paint evenings...My kids are thrilled as they were missing the action and I have to admit I am happy too as I am less tempted to spend the whole evening behind my Mac!

Coming up next: High Tea

Just wanted to share a new series with you "High Tea" available soon as boxed notecards with 5 fabulous recipes (in Dutch and English version) by culinary journalist-author Lise Goeman Borgesius. A small tray (20x27cm) will complement the series. Handmade in Scandinavia out of birchwood. Keep you posted!

My thoughts are with Brisbane

 from absolutely fabulous things

Holland 1953

Brisbane 2011

 

Yesterday when I came back from a whole day of client visits I switched on the news and saw the images of a flooded Brisbane. The Dutch have been fighting the water for ages, with the worst flooding disaster in 1953. Anna Spiro's shop Black&Spiro is in Brisbane, so are Ivy&Piper's Melanie and Elizabeth! My thoughts are with Brisbane.

The Stylish Blogger Award and 7 things you may not know about me!

Well all I can say is that receiving the Stylish Blogger Award from Pam of Red Ticking is a most flattering start of the week. Seattle based Pam is not only a fabulous colleague blogger but also the driving force behind the Red Ticking retail store.
I have to admit I was not familiar with this award and it comes with certain rules when you receive it:

thank and link back to the person who awarded you
share 7 things about yourself
award 10 great bloggers that you have RECENTLY discovered
contact those bloggers and tell them about the award

So here are 7 things you may not know about me:

1. Skiing is my favourite sport. I just love racing down the slopes, the steeper the better.
2. I never wear foundation.
3. I can' resist temptation.
4. I still cuddle with my parents.
5. When I was a teenager I had lunch with Dame Joan Sutherland.
6. I bite my nails (sometimes)
7. I will never retire!

And then on to the more difficult task: to award 10 great bloggers I recently discovered....Oh no... choices to be made. There are so many great bloggers out there. So here I go reluctantly and I apologize for not choosing others!
oh and uhhh I have bended the rules a bit, I did not only pick blogs I just discovered as I also have included a few bloggers that I have known for a longer time and cherish!

A Tranquil Townhouse

A Space for Inspiration
Ada and Darcy
Cornflake
Flourish Design and Style
Hviit 
Lanalou Style

Scandinavian Chique 
The Decorista

Urban Stems

From my bookshelves: Plan B by Sabine Leenhouts

 Journalist Sabine Leenhouts proudly on the cover of her first book

a peek at the 12 page interview

 my Sunday reading spot

Friday I found a package on the doormat. It was from Bruna publishers. Inside was the book "Plan B" by driven, charming Dutch journalist Sabine Leenhouts. For her book she interviewed 20 people who radically changed their careers (and lives), sometimes forced, sometimes voluntary. Giving an insight on how they (finally) got to follow their own heart, THEIR passion, in stead those of others. With the book Sabine wants to share that nothing is impossible and inspire people to dare to chase their own dreams.
I had a wonderful, inspiring afternoon with Sabine when she interviewed me and I feel honoured to be part of her book.

The book can be ordered through http://bol.com (available in Dutch only). With 20 illustrated portraits by talented artist Lisette de Zoete.

2011 - New beginnings

Well it is here: 2011! I have a great feeling about this year as there is still so much more to do, to learn, to gain and to lose :)), especially after enjoying the Austrian cuisine which is not particulary known for its lightness.


2011 has in any event begun well for my designs. As of today a selection of my pillow collection is sold in Norway through trend setting webstore HVIIT.

I wish you will a fruitful year. Follow your path with passion. Be persistant and patient. PERSEVERANCE is key. Always remember:

"When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."

Franklin Roosevelt