Last week I was surprised to be notified that Ashes & Milk was nominated for “Best Online Retailer” for Time Out Chicago’s 2011 Shopping Awards. I am totally flattered to be part of this fun contest and hope that you will vote for Ashes & Milk. You can vote right here. Thanks so much!

In the lower right corner is one of pieces we offer at Ashes & Milk called Pierres Graphiques by artist Yoran Morvant.

Ashes & Milk had a wonderful feature in July Issue of I HEART Magazine, a new publication about trends, travel, music and fashion. A special thank you goes out to journalist, Lucille Béziers for the press.

While browsing through some of my favorite interior design blogs I found the image above by Australian photographer Amanda McLauchlan (via The Style Files). If you look closely toward the upper left hand corner of this mood board you will spy a few images of Pierres Graphiques by Ashes & Milk’s Artist Yoran Morvant!

This gave me an excuse to contact Amanda who, I discovered, has her hands full with a new baby (I can relate). She was kind enough to tell me about the story behind this photograph she did for Inside Out Magazine. It was part of an interview of the designer collective Polli. This was their mood and influences board in their studio. Neat right?!

I had a neat opportunity to be a part of Lucky Magazine’s newsletter this month and got to mention a few online stores, bag designers and blogs I absolutely admire. Check out the full article right here.

Also, a special thanks to Anna Blessing for thinking of Ashes & Milk.

Sunday morning I was so happy to be notified that Ashes & Milk was nominated as your “Favorite Handmade Artist’s Blog” for Poppytalk’s Handmade Awards event, The Poppies. I am totally flattered to be part of this fun event and hope that you will vote for Ashes & Milk. You can vote right here and there is no registration required.

{ Update }

Thanks everyone who voted for Ashes & Milk last week! Though I did not win under as the People’s Choice “Favorite Handmade Artist’s Blog,” I was delighted to participate and be amongst so many talented artists + designers.

Also, the First Annual “Jury’s Choice” Poppies results were released today. And guess what?! Ashes & Milk came in as 3rd place under the category “Favorite Housewares!” Congratulations to Bookhou and BrooklynREHAB, who came in 1st and second. You can check out the rest of the results right here.

I have two wonderful announcements. The first is the arrival of the 2010 Collection of Pierres Graphiques by Yoran Morvant. Secondly, Ashes & Milk is happily featured in the December issue of Sunset Magazine.

A few months ago Miranda Jones, stye editor of Sunset Magazine contacted me about including Ashes & Milk in the publication’s Holiday issue. This was my first experience of sending work to a magazine to be professionally photographed and I think they did a gorgeous job showcasing Yoran Morvant’s Pierres Graphiques. Also, it’s pretty exciting to be featured right on the editor’s page.

Thank you Katie, Miranda and Sunset Magazine!

It goes without saying that blogs are an amazing method to network, promote ourselves and spread the word about fellow businesses we identify with.

On a macroeconomic plane, blogs reach out to a global market allowing small businesses to sustain a viable living through the internet as demonstrated in the DIY movement, etsy.com and the rise in e-commerce only boutiques.

At the same time, on a micro-cosmic level, the way things are bought and sold has become more personal. Through blogs an enormous amount of content and substance suddenly arises out of a simple transaction. From buying a handmade porcelain cup to a one of kind lithograph print, the information posted in blogs about the artists who design and create the things we buy bring a new level of connection between us.

On this note, I’d like to give a very big thank you to all the wonderful people who have mentioned Ashes & Milk in their blogs. I tried to credit everyone, but may have missed a few of you. -Don’t hesitate to let me know. Also, for those of you interested in blogging about Ashes & Milk, shoot me an email at info[at]ashesandmilk.com.

This spring I wrote a short article called At the Heart of Value is Desire: A Gallerists Take on Value as part of the Chicago Artist Coalition monthly publication, Chicago Artists’ News. Each issue is a resource for visual artists including information about gallery openings, calls for entry, grant opportunities and job postings. To inquire more about Chicago Artists’ News – contact the editor, Alyson Koblas at editor@caconline.org.

Also, I want to thank artist Lynn Basa, and CAC editor Alyson Klobas for the opportunity to contribute to the Chicago Artists’ News, May 2009 Issue. The experience of writing this article has not only given me a deeper understanding of how I value art, but has also provided a platform for conversation. I’ve received some really wonderful responses. One of my favorite things said was by the artist, Charlie Spear:

“Inspiration, for me, is the most vital aspect of value. When I look at a work of art I must be inspired to create also. I must be drawn into the process (of art-making) for art to have lasting power…and immediately charged as if I was in a conversation with the artist and (thus) it is my turn to respond.”

[ To read the full article above, click on the image or download a PDF version of it right here. ]

I was so exhilarated when Elaine Matsushita, editor of the Chicago Tribune’s House & Homes section contacted me about Ashes & Milk. She wanted to include Ashes & Milk in a special products feature involving birds. Above is the article in the Sunday newspaper called “Finds of a Feather.” Showcased is the Needle Nose Bird from Helen Beard’s Porcelain Cup Collection.

For those of you on facebook.com who are interested in all things surrounding the home, decorating, crafts and gardening be sure sure to check out Henrietta @ Home, the virtual face of the Chicago Tribune’s House & Homes section.

I am happy to announce a few honorable mentions from two amazing Chicago publications: Timeout Chicago and The Daily Candy Chicago.

Thank you Jessica Herman for a beautifully written article in the special Holiday Gift Guide issue of Time Out Chicago. When Jessica contacted me to tell me that she loved our website and that she wanted do a little feature in the magazine, I was absolutely delighted and honestly a bit nervous given that this was my first interview regarding Ashes & Milk. As it turns out Jessica is really likable (wink) and I really enjoyed talking to her about my background and how Ashes & Milk got started. You can read the write up right here and here.

Many thank you’s to Lauren Berger for the fabulous post in The Daily Candy!