Mahalo Jeff + Caitlyn

Last night I stopped by the Adobe Books Backroom Gallery for the first Tuesday-night sign painting session with the good New Bohemia artisans. Two friendly faces, Jeff Canham (Note: “Ceci est une pipe”)….

and Caitlyn Galloway….

were at the ready with their pots of 1 Shot, their long steadying poles, their long-tailed brushes, and an offer to paint your very own political poster, featuring “your best provocative, witty, serious, passionate slogan,” free of charge, while U wait.

When it came my turn, I found myself explaining to Jeff that in a communal household playing host to an unending parade of shaggy dogs and sandy wetsuits, “MAHALO FOR TAKING YOUR SHOES OFF” does indeed qualify as a political statement. It’s the least we can do. As is his way, Jeff seemed to kindly accepted my slogan and got to work making one hell of a sign for our front door.

The Plan

On my new bookshelf at home, I keep the (mostly 70s) home decorating books next to the (totally 70s) back to the land survival books, which made Brook laugh (and then switched on a light bulb?), but here’s another reason why the two really belong together—B. Allan Mackie’s Log House Plans (1979), on loan from Rory. I appreciate the psychedelic hypercolor cover paired with the let’s get down to business, here’s how you do it information within.

More chances to see other people’s Books at Home here.

A Highly Polished Argument

Lisa recently came across this gift from Arthur “Espenet” Carpenter to the House of Murch. I wish I could have been there for the conversation it commemorates.

It’s A Sign

Friday night, Adobe Books is hosting an opening for a group showing of hand-painted signs by the illustrious stable of New Bohemia artists, including Caitlyn Galloway and Jeff Canham. I’m excited to see these stand up signer folks go wild with the free rein….

That’s Right Debra

Well, nobody stopped me from getting that exact same haircut at the advanced age of 25, only I didn’t have the hutzpah to go for the full dye job. Auntie Debra, would you like a job tending shop? And thanxxx Nicky.

“Yves Saint Laurent had her do his ski chalet”

My dearest Pete Trachy came into the shop the other with the hottest tip. Knowing, as he does, my feelings about vintage made in Wales Laura Ashley dresses, he directed me to the Talk of the Town section of this week’s New Yorker, featuring a profile of Laura and Sir Bernard Ashley. Sure enough, Pete, it’s a hands down must read!

In addition to the astonishing YSL nugget that I can’t honestly picture and then I can, Lauren Collins advances the radical Laura Ashley as “Marimekko for the Home Counties” claim (too true!) and shares a few tantalizing fragments of the Ashleys’ beginnings and their impact on the universe. For example, the cozy floral Laura Ashley jet. It’s wonderful imagine that the holy mother brand of all things granny/girly that meant so much to so many twelve year old girls was once just a mom and pop screenprinting operation out of the Ashley kitchen table. 

The old, big tag Laura Ashley dresses have a been an inspiration for a long while now. I admire their extra thick cottons and hand printed, bordering on psychedelic, prints which feel really different from their home decorating fabrics. Not that I discount the billowing flannel Anne of Green Gables, nice teacher pinafores. Those are really nice. But what does it for me are the ones that seem hyperbolically throw back, with low down scoop necks, or in the case of a high collar, lace bits strategically placed over private bits and noooooooo slip running underneath. Their weight and swing make them great for walking, even if its just down 18th Street and not some hither highland or yonder heath.

I’ve forced myself to put this one up for sale at the shop, though it fits and would feel like such a great antidote to “sexy” at many a formal occasion. I don’t know….hoping somebody will just come in and buy it before I have a change of heart. 

Beachcomber Bling, Beans, Beer

Mark Gravel (no relation) stopped by this afternoon and was kind enough to model our newest treasure in the shop—a heavy, super bling cast bronze necklace from Hunter Gatherer(er). We’re also offering them for sale online. Check it out!

And, if you’re neighborhood, come on by the shop this evening. Mark has elected to set up his Spotted Rooster bean set up here at the shop. He’s doing the $1 bean tacos and we’re handing out the free fancy beer. That’s right.

Microhood Hang

Thursday night (tomorrow), from 8 to 10 pm, we’ll be hanging in our very own microhood for an evening of sales and libation organized by The Bold Italic. The cluster of new businesses that have opened up on 20th and 21st Streets—Bianca Starr, Roger’s Coffee and Tea, Her Majesty’s Secret Beekeeper, and ourselves—are all in on the fun. We, of course, shall be housing the beer, generously donated by Firestone Walker Brewing Company, and offering 20% off all vintage items in the shop. Come, Drink!

Bat House

This great old joint sits right alongside Hwy 1 between Bolinas and Pt. Reyes Station. Have you ever noticed and fantasized? Word on the street is that one of the Marin preservation societies keeps it around, all boarded up, because it’s a sanctuary for a rare species of bat. I can’t seem to find any confirmation of that fact, but I just love driving by, imaging the exotic colony slumbering within and the glamorous sunsets that must pass those little guys by all the time. Getting excited to see Rachel’s show in just a bit…..

Coat of Many Colors

I like a guy who spies a coat of many colors such as this one and, unprompted, tries it on for size. With the candles rising behind him, he looks quite regal, no?

Ben and I had a laugh because this sweater-coat is so big and heavy, it’s really like a sidewalk-acceptable Snuggie—which is not a wedgie from the front, the male counterpart to the cameltoe, as was previously assumed. And furthermore along these lines, I’m spending a good part of this day dealing with how, after reading Cintra Wilson’s review of the Zero + Maria Cornejo shop, I totally dressed myself as one who has “forsaken sex and am now devoting myself fully to the co-op”, minus the artful silhouette, plus the old levis, miscellaneously ethnic embroidered shirt, and ratty cardigan.

In the end, in spite of such compelling associations, Ben went home with just the R.P. Miller hat and left the coat on the rack for some other style forsaken soul. Man alive, do I know how to sell a fellow on a garment.

Gadzooks! Great Boots

As the rain comes down in buckets out there, I thought I’d share this picture of warmth with all. See, I tried to tell you guys about how when you wear WindWalkers, you really don’t need to wear much of anything else to keep hot. And now here’s your proof—Ian at an unnamed lake in the Yosemite Valley last summer.

Of Note, From Japan

Our very dearest far-flung friend and contributor to the shop, Eri Kawaguchi, has been working hard on a show of her super rad rainbow throwers at her friend’s shop, Yachibe, in Kyoto. Hoping to get a piece of her new Glass Peace action around here soon. And Yachibe, by the by, seems to be a shop I hope to visit as soon as possible!

Of the Land

Rachel Barrett will be presenting her solo exhibition, Of the Land, at Baxter & Cook this Thursday evening, with curatorial guidance from our own Captain Blankenship, Lady Jana. Since last July, Rachel has been visiting us for extended periods up in Bolinas, where she has been photographing the land, sea, people, and magic of the place. Further glimpses of the work in progress available here.

O/W Opening

Thanks so much to everyone who came out for the Osborn/Woods Poster Show Friday night…..

Especially jailbird Felix, Wendo, and Joe (not pictured), and especially-especially Mr. Charles Woods. It was a grand evening.

Birds of a Feather

Looking forward to the flock tonight. And to seeing sweet, sweet Mr. Charles Woods!

A MORAL CARD
Copyright ©1966 OSBORN/WOODS, Nevada City, California.

No Elephant Show

Not today, not ever. This puppy’s NFS. Thanks to Ajax who knew the top board was bound for us when he came across it whilst biking through an undisclosed woods in the Oakland hills, went home, made this lovely bench, and traded it for a scarf and hat for his mom.

Gradation

Lella + Massimo Vignelli: Minute 5:44!! & their Garbage Can Situation solution, which has proven itself very well in my kitchen, but then again, one must remember at some point the refuse that lurks between the layers.

Seas and Ocean Series

THE INDIAN OCEAN
Osborn/Woods
Litho in U.S.A.
Seas and Ocean Series 3 D
Copyright 1963 The Poster Makers
Nevada City, California

THE CARIBBEAN SEA
Osborn/Woods
Litho in U.S.A.
Seas and Ocean Series 3 D
Copyright 1963 The Poster Makers
Nevada City, California

Friends Fans Facebook

Wonky things are afoot on this here website and I’ve been unable to upload images for the past several days, which has been a mega bummer. Like my snowbound mother in Virginia who learned how to email for the first time this past week as she was trapped inside going nuts (thanks for writing, Mom!), I’ve taken this period of being cut off from my regular world to advance my technological powers elsewhere. And so….Facebook. I’ve taken the plunge.

For all you folks who would prefer to stay in touch with all things Gravel & Gold through Facemaster, please consider be-fanning us on our Facebook page. We’ll basically be posting the exact same info there as we post on the website—blog, events, and all—and so if that’s easier for you to follow, that’s fantastic!

I will say that a bummer cloud remains in the form of the personal page I was forced to create in order to make our business page happen. I put a photo up and zero other personal details about me, and still I find this nefarious invasion of my privacy has weakened my resolve against the dark forces of compulsion and spyificaiton. Shut. It. Down. Go. To. Bed.

But, you say, when I’m traveling in the deeps and I look and there’s this long lost friend that I can so easily find and she’ll tell me all the best restaurants and thrift stores in that particular region of Arkansas and I do an outfit check on her for every event she’s attended in the past decade, I know, I know, I’ll be so grateful….You think? For the record, though, I am finally on Facebook, I just still really really don’t know how I feel about it.

One thing I’ve done to try to mitigate my mixed feelings is to support the Lactivists working to lift Facebook’s ban on breastfeeding photos. I say that if my mug is allowed to be up there, then damn it, so should babies on boobs. To add your number to the multitude, check out the Facebook page Hey Facebook, breastfeeding is not obscene!

Happy Birthday

BRITTY!