Everyone needs a daily dose of color and pattern inspiration. BigBrightBold inspires and delights through showcasing colorful places, spaces and things.
Love having the Grand Central Market just down the hill from work. Though some complain about its recent gentrification, I love the new food options. From gourmet falafel to delicious sausages, the Grand Central Market is a "must see" destination for foodies and hungry stomaches!
June 22, 2015 
I have definitely been on a Shibori spree. I’m totally addicted and have been trying to find space in LA to continue my experiments.
It was a fortunate coincidence that I emailed Jane Palmer at Noon Studio and inquired if they might offer classes. She replied that indeed they were just planning a series of workshopsand would be posting details later that week! What perfect timing. The creative stars aligned and I got the chance to meet a new Shibori teacher and see her beautiful studio space.
I arrived bright and early (well, 11:00 on a Saturday seemed bright and early) to a bustling neighborhood that somehow seemed to be in another country. The rest of LA still lay in a sleepy, foggy Saturday morning slumber, and the Fashion district was bursting with energy.
The studio is located in an industrial workshop building in the downtown garment district. The brightly lit space is the perfect backdrop for the deep hues of the indigo experiments, an industrial room that’s perfect for the messy indigo process.
Jane and her studio assistant Tyler were very knowledgeable and helpful workshop leaders. Jane showed three techniques which were fairly easy to do but yielded gorgeous (almost fail proof) results. The participants came from pretty eclectic backgrounds– from civil engineers wanting to be creative to women who ran their own vegan fashion labels. We all had a fabulous time folding fabric, dipping it into the Indigo vats, and then opening it up and seeing the surprise. In three short hours, all of us got the chance to make several beautiful pieces.
June 16, 2015 
A few more photos from Saturday's Shibori Workshop with Jane Palmer at Noon Studio.
I was impressed how organized the class was. Jane really helped us make beautiful pieces, with Tyler manning the vats and helping us dip the pieces evenly. People brought a veriety of fabric: from pillow cases and shower curtains (pretty complicated) to Turkish towels and jumpsuits. All came way more interesting after being shibori dyed. Their geometric patterns were unique and beautifully blue. I am excited I signed up for her other two workshops in the upcoming months.
June 16, 2015 
I'm so enthralled with the deep indigo blue, whether on fabric, splashed on the wall or even layered onto the floor. Noon Studio's studio space looked like an in-progress art piece, one covered in layers of indigo from years of dyeing. The floor resembled aerial photos of a liquid landscape, and the vats of indigo resembled abstract expressionist paintings. The textured shades of blue were so beautiful, each one with a deep story to tell.
June 16, 2015 
Finally found a boutique in Laguna beach that is as modern and artsy as this community. Brass Tack, a tiny home shop at the end of the main retail strip, was a serendipitous discovery. The chevron poufs on top of the geometric rug on the front patio set it apart from the other shops. After snapping an instagram worthy detail of the black and white geometry, we immediately had to venture inside to discover all the beautiful wares.
From African quilts being used to reupholster rustic french chairs to feathers and yarn creating modern wearable crafts, the shop offers a verity of gifts that are bohemian, warm and modern.
According to Melissa, the owner, "WE BELIEVE IN HOMES WITH A STORY AND OWNERS AS INTERESTING AS THE SPACES THEY OCCUPY. OUR UPHOLSTERY STUDIO AND MERCANTILE WORKS PASSIONATELY TO CONTINUE TO FACILITATE THAT IDEAL”
The Brass Tack Brick & Mortar brings Melissa's skill and upholstery industry experience to the community where she lives. "Historically, Laguna Beach is an artists' colony so it makes sense to set up shop here. I'm most inspired when traveling or in the studio. I never tire of the satisfaction that comes with hard work and sustainable products I believe in. Every home should tell a story about the people who occupy it. I hope I'm helping to facilitate that."
June 15, 2015