New in the Shop – Shop the OEN Christmas Gift Guide Online
Blue Pigment Vase by Keiichi Tanaka Today I wanted to highlight our Christmas Guide that’s full of goodies for this holiday season. These handcrafted gifts would make the perfect present for family and friends. Unique, one of a kind items that can definitely be used and admired for many years
Making Marks – Sculptural Glassware by Design Studio GUAXS
You know I am a sucker for any objects where you can see the marks left by the maker! To see the connection to the craftsman and the process of construction makes for a totally different atmosphere. You can’t help but appreciate the hard work and dedication and think more deeply about the obje
New in the Shop – Kinetic Mobiles & Sculpture by Ekko Workshop
Creativity and craft has come together superbly in our newest work introduced to the shop by Ekko Workshop. Ekko Workshop consists of Ben Cogdill and Matt Richards, an industrial designer and an engineer who have more than a decade in mobile-making experience. Using many different types of materials
Japanese Design Since 1945: A Complete Sourcebook Interview
Introduction When I came across American architect Naomi Pollock‘s new book on Japanese Design I knew I had to reach out and see if we could put together something for the blog that might inspire. Naomi’s new book ‘Japanese Design Since 1945: A Complete Sourcebook’ is very im
Exploring Gradation – Paintings by Artist Senem Oezdogan
Senem Oezdogan is a Brooklyn based mixed media artist. She sees her art as a vehicle, allowing viewers to observe the world through form and color. Influenced by architecture and geometry, there’s a static solidity that is countered by the softness of fabric and tapestry running throughout her
New Feature – Inside Japanese Ceramic Workshop Nankei
Today we release a special feature showcasing the work of Nankei, a ceramic studio based Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture in Japan. Initially founded as a producer and seller of clay approximately 80 years ago, Nankei dug and refined a special white clay for the local Taisho-yaki pottery and also a deep re
Guiding Forms – Glass Prism Sculptures by Aurelie Abadie & Sauques Samuel
Mineral Design consists of design duo Aurelie Abadie and Sauques Samuel. These two talented creatives focus on the notion of sensitive space. Part of this exploration revolves around the idea of rock and glass, literally filling or juxtaposing a piece of glass with stone. The metaphor to replace emp
New at OEN Shop – Metalwork by Japanese Artisan Tomomi Ishikawa
The appeal of functional ware for me is the time spent and connection shared with such necessary pieces of design. There’s also something fascinating about an object that melts away and becomes a lifelong companion. Tokyo-based metalworker Tomomi Ishikawa grabbed my attention with his characte
Contrasting Art & Craft – Wood Sculpture by Maker Fitzhugh Karol
Geometric, colour, grain, collage … these are just a few words that come to mind when exploring Fitzhugh Karol’s wood sculpture. With so many types of sculpture included in his displays it’s quite difficult to categorise his work. Karol is a Brooklyn artist/designer that thrives on the
Ethereal Gestures – Light Paintings by American Artist Heather McKenna
Wow. So inspired by Brooklyn-based artist Heather McKenna and her wonderful paintings. Some works are part of her ‘Inclinations’ series for an exhibit at the Spencer Brownstone Gallery in New York that took place in 2018. Admittedly this was a little while back, but I thought the combina
Celebrating Life’s Simplicities – Furniture by Woodworker Cody Campanie
In today’s busy world, especially one that’s requiring us to spend more time inside, we need to look for pieces that offer comfort but still have a simplicity and practicality about them so as not to overwhelm our senses. The Campagna studio checks all of the boxes when it comes to providing
New at OEN Shop – Woodwork by Japanese Studio GOLD CRAFT
Elevating functionality and showing us a new way of living through careful design seems to be a topic that’s certainly worthy of focusing on. GOLD CRAFT, a workshop founded in 1963 in Kagawa, Japan have been crafting quite diligently, looking at new methods and ways of producing functional tablewa