Doing Research on Special Containers

I have been doing many special projects this last month that have been keeping me busy.

Most have included research for unusual container solutions- whether it’s a custom sized box or a shaped package.

The fascinating process has allowed me to read fabulous books and trade publications that cover design trends from all over the world.

Shapes, colors, but mostly the intricate pattern used to construct the “container”, gives way to all kinds of possibilities-ones for now and ones to save for future projects.

An example of a nicely designed container. We sell these in our store.

Interestingly, many of the books have been published in Japan. I have always believed that the gift wrapping is a serious requirement to elevate gift giving from the ordinary to extraordinary- but in a simple, elegant, and maybe even quietly exquisite way.

And in looking at these books I saw complexity and simplicity are often interwoven in one design.

Like how the ordinary cake box becomes a totally out-of-this-world package when in the hands of a passionate designer, these boxes are colorful, playful and utilized and created a host of shapes- many requiring complicated die cut processes.

I have a new interest- to go to every library and seek out wonderful books that test my thinking and my creativity.

Have found yourself on the edge of learning something totally new yourself- something that makes you push through to challenge what you know or what you can do. I feel like I am standing on that edge. Now I just have to find the time to indulge in this new passion- should I skip sleep, eating or brushing my teeth to fit in this new interest? We’ll have to see.

Getting the Store Ready for the Holidays!

I know that you read this headline and thought that it was too early to think about the Holidays.

Me, too.

But it seems like every big box store has Halloween mixed up with Christmas- or is it the other way around?

Halloween gift wrap!

I hate it myself. It takes the joy of each of these distinctive holidays and smashes them together, meanwhile skipping the whole Thanksgiving thing. Starting October 1 it is Halloweenthanksgivingchristmasnewyears.

By the way Thanksgiving gets a short shrift from stores because there are no gifts attached. It is the only holiday that is really about food-cooking it and eating it. After the big meal there are snatches of the TV tuned to a football game or two followed by a late night turkey sandwich with all the trimmings or second piece of pie.

Back to Halloweenthanksgivingchristmasnewyears.

By now you are probably thinking why am I complaining since I’m in the holiday business?

Complain I must, because I hate to jump the seasons this fast and have to think about have my store decorated by early November.

And that seems pretty late given my tour through COSTCO last week. On a trip for bottled water I walked by displays packed with Christmas ribbon, wrapping paper and all the fixing’s of Christmas. (Wonder when they made that chocolate candy?????)

Why must we buy holiday ribbon on October? Is there going to be a time when we run out of these things? Is there an urgency to purchasing these items now or forever pine away for the ribbon we so desperately needed to finish our wrapping project?

How dare I mock the business and industry that I am so passionate about?

Because I think it has gotten out of hand, when Christmas arrives earlier and earlier every year. For fear that we as consumers better buy now or forget future possibilities of correctly celebrating the holidays.

Just a random ranting- but it really does bug me. You, too?

A Cool Nip in the Air

I’ll tell you that the change this week to cool weather ( this being the first week of October) has made me gasp at the notion of wearing socks and shoes and potentially layering a sweater or jacket on in the mornings to ward off the chill.

That’s Michigan weather- the chance to slowly drift into cool weather while still having a sunny and slightly warm afternoon.

So today I was thinking about spices – how the colors trends this fall are so heavily influenced by Chili, Curry, Nutmeg and the colors they represent.

Pretty intense colors – and surely the names evoke strong sense of smell.

Lisa's Gift Wrappers Fall Paper

Last week when I was starting to plan the papers and ribbons for Fall, it seemed a little silly because no one, least of all me, seemed to be in the mood to put away the colors of summer.

But when the temperatures change, it seems to shake everyone into realizing the season is about to change.

And so it did. As we wait for the leaves to start to change colors, we can look forward to fresh apple cider and doughnuts from the cider mill- the smells and tastes a distinctly Midwest thing. Yummy!

Starbucks will offer Pumpkin Spice Lattes and other treats like Spice cookies or Pumpkin muffins.

It takes willpower to hold the line (and waist line) against this slow slide towards the Holidays.

So for me, I will try to slow down and enjoy the color change – because that’s what I find so fascinating and invigorating and inspiring as an artist.

And use all of my senses, mixed together in the right proportions, to give my customers a glorious riot of color that matches the weather outside. Because I know it will make for a fabulous gift they have chosen for a dear friend, family member or other welcoming occasion.

So here’s to successful outcomes – be it a simply colorful package, a walk in the woods to enjoy the color of the leaves or the fond memories evoked by a taste of your favorite childhood treat of Fall. (Where does Candy Corn come from and why is it called that?)

Summer vacation was invented by a man

It had to be. Because men go about their life that same – and a mother starts dreading the summer about April, trying to plan ahead for the long days of summertime.

Just ask any mother during the summer. While summer vacation has some upsides, like a less rigid schedule and not a lot of homework to do, there are still those things that kids need.

Something to do is the first step. And that means as much or more driving around. Plus, Mom also becomes entertainment central – answering the “I’m s-o-o-o bored” comments with how about – cleaning your room, reading a book, going outside and playing or riding your bike.

So where is Mom’s summer of doing nothing?

It’s funny. As an adult, I crave the free time to just do nothing. Like swing in a hammock or lie on a blanket under a tree and have a picnic.

When did those fun things disappear for me?

I have some many things that I would love to do. I can always find something to do- although housework is not my first choice, nor is laundry, cleaning bathrooms or even grocery shopping.

I guess that when you are a kid, you’re in a hurry to get some place. And when you are an adult, you’re not so much in a hurry, but rather more likely to wish to slow down and finish some of those things you missed.

So can that guy who invented summer vacation for kids figure out a way that we adults can have a piece of that action? I wonder. How was your summer vacation?

Color Again?

Just imagine your brand new box of crayons. It is exciting because all the points are nice and sharp. The crayons are orderly. And that smell- you remember it forever and anyone can go there with that scent and immediately relate.

So, here’s what I have been working on- thinking about how color fills your senses- not just visually, but also through other senses- especially your sense of smell.

The color purple and all its shades are very popular for late summer and early Fall weddings.

And, lavender is a very relaxing and soothing scent- it can remind you of freshly ironed sheets; or a wonderful spa treatment, like a facial or a massage. Maybe even eye shades that are cool and help get rid of a headache.

And what if you opened a gift, that was first wrapped in a lilac color and tied with a purple or maybe aubergine (think eggplant) ribbon, and you instantly smelled lavender. What a way to get that entire color feel in both a visual and sensory way!

The color purple

Should the packaging have that “memory” for you? I think chocolate makers would certainly want to put that idea across when you open a box of fabulous truffles.

Perfume makers try to get that scent out there before you see their packaging- but their packaging, especially the bottle shape, has to be in tight harmony to the scent or there might not be any sales.

Colors & shapes- I get to play with them all day.

Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor has colorful, tasty treats!

People often ask me where I get my color sense and my inspiration for colors.

It is a funny way I find color inspiration.

Blueberries are a big fruit crop here in Michigan. They love sandy type of soil and we have lots of that on the western side of Michigan. Right now, there are blueberries in the stores that are almost as big as the diameter of a penny.

So I’m at one of my favorite fruit places, Plum Market. And I have to admit that besides picking up Vitamin D capsules (good for women especially to strengthen your heart and help in preventing macular degeneration); I know they carry goodies from my favorite company, Zingerman’s from Ann Arbor, MI.

And how convenient is it that my favorite cookies, Junior Ginger Jump Ups (the best you’ve ever had), are right at the checkout. Well- something new got added- a freezer with Zingerman’s gelato and sorbet.

Zingerman's Creamery Blueberry Sorbet

They had lots of choices- but I savored the idea of Blueberry Sorbet. And I hid it way in the back of the freezer at home so I wouldn’t have to share.

But the best part was the color of the sorbet. Not some fake idea of what blueberry should look like- to me it’s often a ghastly shade of navy blue- but the real true color of the inside of a blueberry picked at its peak and then smushed (yes that’s a technical word ) into a riot of the most delicious looking purple you have ever seen.

It looked like it should taste- marvelous.

And now I have this shade of purple in my head and I am going to love experimenting with watercolor and gouache to achieve that color.

I love reading blogs by other artists to see where color inspirations come from. One of my favorites is “Maine Cottage” a furniture store that has a video on their web site on their Color/Creative Designer and one on their Furniture Designer- www.mainecottage.com . One of my favorite colors of theirs is called “rhubarb”- and it is exactly how I would picture that color.

So- 2 questions- how do you capture colors inspirations, like taking a small digital camera with you everywhere and snapping colors? And what small camera delivers the truest color?

My sister Lorie and her fabulous Dietz Family Adventures

My sister, Lorie, is incredible. She locks onto a travel idea and then spends hours researching the best way to get the real feel of the country.

Often, it requires some physical challenges -like back packing or camping and hauling in food and camp gear and tents. I was the one in the family whose idea of camping was no room service in the hotel. It was maybe due to many summers spent at summer camp (which I adored) when I was younger.

Besides the great outdoors, Lorie always seems to add into these travels some time to research our family genealogy. Which is great. She has located ship manifests showing family members and where they have traveled from and pictures of some family members going back several decades. Some of this is new information and some of which tells us we have good information already.

She’s working on a web site where she can share these adventures. They are all places she has traveled with her family and has done such great research that she has reliable guides and lodging and restaurants and other items that make the adventure family friendly.

One of her travels included visiting the wild horses in the story, “Misty of Chincoteague”, one of the barrier islands off the coast of the south Atlantic. Let me say if you have a young daughter or son that loves horses, you have got to go on this adventure.

I’ll keep you posted on her website, so you can get an idea of vacations that are learning and exploring and designed for a certain age group and family situation.

And, maybe, you will find a convert like me traveling the Navajo Trail in the Bryce Canyon in Utah with hiking boots and a camera and a large bottle of water. Something I swore I would never again do in my lifetime.

Saving time AND helping the Michigan environment…wow I’m good!

I admit it. I have way too many projects and not enough time to explore them as deeply as I want.

Anybody have a good way of doing it?

I have tried the living on the less sleep program. My family has vetoed that because “I’m too crabby”.

So I then go to the list of least favorite things to do – laundry, loading and unloading the dishwasher (my answer- is also a good for the environment). It is www.michigangreensafeproducts.com where you can get recyclable / compost-able plates, cutlery and cups, lids and straws- good for the environment and less dishwashing. And I am cutting back on yard work – I am letting my landscape go natural this year (well that isn’t hard to do since Michigan is not really having a summer this year so far with all the rain).

So do you have any good ideas of what to let go and how to squeeze in some time to do something fabulous – I know somebody out there has some great ideas – good and maybe not do-able.

But send them my way. I am anxious to start.

Read Any Good Books Lately?

I am a bookaholic. I can’t help myself. I love to read and learn new things- challenge what I know or don’t know.

So here’s what I have been reading-

In addition to reading them I also like to make books-from scratch, the old fashioned way.  You find the grain of the paper, cut and fold it, sew it into signatures and eventually cover it with an exotic paper or something you made yourself.

So imagine the thrill of reading “People of the Book” by Geraldine Brooks. It’s a story of a book conservator asked to analyze and conserve the famed Sarajevo Haggadah, rescued from Serb shelling during the Bosnian War. This book is one of the earliest Jewish volumes ever to be illuminated with images. It may be a small book, but an ever important book for the daily lives of a religion that goes back centuries.

It’s got history; tiny clues that give the travels of this treasure ideas and inspiration on its making, centuries of the way people lived and died.

You don’t have to love books as much as I do- but this book will keep you riveted. If world history is not your forte, don’t worry- the story is compelling. And in the end it’s about redemption and salvation.

Second set of books are “The Friday Night Knitting Club” and “Comfort Food” both by Kate Jacobs. Good beach reading or back on the patio kind of books. It is about the intertwining of women learning to knit and what happens in their lives. It’s definitely Chick Lit. But anyone who considers herself creative and craves being with like-minded women, will find some inspiration to find a group regardless of your skills, because it’s a whole lot of fun to belong.

Another subject area I’m reading (more for professional purposes) is Packaging Design. I am learning to incorporate great ideas into my own creative head. Some things might never work. Some might. But I push myself- and encourage my staff- to be open and inquisitive and to look in non-traditional places for that next level of creativity and inspiration.

And, last- my coupon find of the summer. Armed with a 50% coupon I walked (no really skipped with excitement), because I could go in and buy the most outrageous and expensive book that in my right mind I would never look at for fear of coveting it and not being able to do anything more than to visit it.

So I splurged on a book about one of my favs- the Arts and Crafts Movement. It celebrates the handcrafted, single artist made work of art. It can be from a luxury element, like silver or a humble piece of wood.  The colors often reflect the colors of nature. Since I am an artist of wool dying with natural dyes, like black walnut shells, and a weaver, this is a period that harkens to my early skills as an artist.

I opened one page and saw a piece of silver by a wonderful artist and I was hooked. But before the final purchase, I did drool over several other possibilities. I wish for more 50% off coupons- but truth be known I should not add to my book collection. I really do have enough.

Maybe I should have a trading group- people who love books like I do and just keep passing around so that more people can enjoy the book. (I know, I know it’s called a Library and was invented by Benjamin Franklin- I just am an impatient person by nature). What is your weakness when it comes to books?

A New Old Customer

I went to gift wrap for a new “old” customer- a woman with many years behind her, but with limitations like no more driving.

She has three pieces of crystal that she wanted to give to her family and wanted them to look wonderful.

With just a few pieces of information, I gathered up supplies and headed over to her small, independent living apartment to gift wrap her precious gifts.

It reminded me of my own grandmothers, Isabella who lived to be 93 years young and Ruth who live to be 89 years young.

Not easy getting old. Not easy having to be dependent on some else no matter what your age.

I was there for two hours, wrapping three gifts. In the store, I could have knocked them out in about ½ hour.

But I would have missed the wonder of a new “old” customer, who just wanted to do something special for her daughters.

And we had a lovely chat about all kinds of things. The new hope for the country with President Obama. The troubling times for the Michigan economy. How fast the world moves today. The need to feel independent and needed.

Pretty amazing conversation. It reminded me of the last months Grandmother Isabella was alive. She wanted to talk about what happened in the world each day while we helped her eat her dinner. She never looked back but only forward and she never dreamt that she would live as long as she did.

I got a delightful hug and many little kisses and let with a warm glow that somehow I had made a difference in her day.

I wish I could afford to do that everyday. Maybe some day I can.

But at least for that day, I felt that I had gotten more than I deserved. And that felt pretty special.