Ruby Bansal: artist series take 2

Artist Series, take 2
In an effort to showcase what creative folks are doing out there, I've decided to interview them and share a few tidbits about who they are and what they are doing. Since i love fashion, art and design, it's always fun to see what others are doing, especially those who you had no idea were into making stuff. So, that's what this series is about, showcasing people's work that you otherwise might miss. And now... 


Mrs. Ruby Bansal


Ruby,  33,  is a sewer, crafter, blogger and mom of 2 precious children (in no particular order :) and oh by the way, she's also a molecular biology research fellow. She also happens to be a friend of mine, and I really wanted to share her designs with you because they are awesome. 


Q & A


How long have you been sewing, Ruby?
I've been sewing since I was a kid. It all started with a needle and thread and making clothes for my Barbie Doll. I've only really become obsessive in the past few years.


What inspires you to sew?

What doesn't inspire me to sew!  It started with wanting to make stuff for the kids.  Then I discovered amazing designer fabrics and books with great projects and now so many amazing blogs......sometimes the inspiration is overwhelming and i have a hard time focusing.

How do you juggle a being mom, having a career and finding time to work on projects? 
Well, I find time when I can.  In the evenings John (hubby) will play his guitar while I sew or I'll cut fabric while the kids are coloring etc.  More recently Meera (sweet little daughter) has started coming down to my sewing room and having free reign over my scrap drawer. 


I give her some small scissors and a needle and thread and she creates too.  The blogging gets pieced together where I take photos one day, fiddle with photos and upload another and then add text later.  I started keeping a sewing/blogging journal so when I have an idea for a post or project I write in the journal so when I do have free time and I can go back and work on some of my ideas.  The journal has really helped me keep track of ideas and keep the creative juices flowing.


What's next for you?
Keeping it fun. I've been selling off and on in some local stores and have discovered that for me, this is all about enjoying myself.  It's fun to earn a little money to support my fabric shopping habit and to put some beautiful and unique kid and baby stuff out there.  


I enjoy sharing what I make through my blog and it's fun to know that people are interested and maybe feeling a little inspired.  

Love it!

To see more of Ruby's handmade creations, go to:


Etsy: www.zaaberry.etsy.com 


Blog: www.zaaberry.blogspot.com

aren't these cute together?

 How cute is Ruby's stuff? I love it all!
And by the way, Ruby will custom make something just for you or your cutie pie, if you ask nicely~

Thanks Ruby for sharing your beautiful, handmade designs. 

one ticket to europe

one ticket to europe by desha Peacock featuring oliver peoples sunglasses

what i would have worn today. jan 3, 2011

what i would have worn today. jan 3, 2011 by desha Peacock featuring a beige jacket

New Year's Resolutions.

Happy New Year, 2011.

It's that time again. Have you made a New Year's resolution? I asked a few people and their responses varied. One friend said he never really attains the goals, so why bother? Another friend said she wasn't going to list "exercise" again because she never is able to follow through.

Why is it so hard for some of us to accomplish our new year goals? Are they too lofty? Are we so used to not obtaining them, that we automatically give up before we even dare to make new ones. Do you even remember what your resolutions were for 2010? I'm sad to say, I can't, although I could probably find some notes in one of my journals... somewhere.

2010-2011 journal from Adivasi
a pretty place for writing important things
 like resolutions.

This year, I am going to be more careful about my resolutions. I already spend lots of time on intentions, which are really the same as resolutions. But this year, I'm writing them down in a safe spot & I'm making them a bit smarter.

Here's my plan to make attainable goals:

1. Although I could list 10 things I'd like to see happen in 2011, I'm going to limit it to 3. As my brillant career counselor at SIT, Mary Hayward would say, "take the workshop on focusing."   FOCUS. FOCUS. FOCUS.

2. Second, I'm going to put at least one thing that I probably had on my 2010 list, and really try to get it done this time around.

3. Third, I'm going to list a couple of things that I think I can really achieve, and maybe just one that will be more of a challenge.

4. When this time comes around next year, I'll go back and reflect on these words, and hope to check them off my list~ if it turns out that in 2015, 16, 17... that I have the same dull resolutions- well, then I either need some professional help or I need to forget the whole thing, have a chocolate martini and be done with it.

And without further adieu....
Here are my 3 resolutions for 2011:

inspiring quote in my journal

1. I produce 12 entertaining shows this year which will hopefully lead to more creative and lucrative projects. (This is a totally new endeavour for me and very exciting. Risky, but fun.)

2. I exercise once a week. (Don't laugh, last yr. I did not put this on my list and guess what? I didn't exercise, okay, maybe once... but I think it's time. Don't you? And you have to start somewhere.  Geez.)

3.  My savings goes up, my debt goes down. Visa card is paid off by 2011. Now, I'm sure I said this in 2010, and probably 2009, 08, 07... the problem is international travel is quite an expensive hobby and I'm not one to deny myself little luxuries- When my mom sent a cash Christmas gift, she said "Now, Desha, make SURE and spend this on something beautiful for yourself".

pretty pictures in my journal,
so i'll look at it again

And unfortunately, this is NOT a problem, Mom. No worries there. So, if this means I can't go to Mexico this winter, so be it- but that damn Visa will be paid off this year, si Dios quiere.

So again, I ask you, what are your New Year's Resolutions? What are your strategies? Have they worked in the past? Do tell.

My Cutey Husband Making Art: artist series take 1

As I think about developing The Desha Show and all the artists I want to interview, I am getting restless to share their stories (editing and producing a show is not as easy as I thought, and I found out it takes a whole bunch of time!). So, in the meantime, I've decided to highlight some cool folks on my blog. It's an artist series and here's my first one. As the theme in my life goes right now, why not just start where you are.

Turns out, sometimes you don't have to look very far~

Last night, I was in the dining room working on a little art project, when my husband emerged from the basement with some cool stencils. He said he was also working on a little project, so we sat in the dining room working along side one another.

He was working on two projects. The first is a  thank you card he was making to our dear friends for his favorite Christmas present, a crazy pair of elf looking, wool slippers homemade by women half way around the world who are somehow savings cheetahs.... anyway...

Above, you'll see the letter, which he folded up and placed in  a clever little pocket.

little details.

The bottom part of the piece is a stencil he made which means Rock and Roll in Japanese. 

Wouldn't you want to get this in the mail?

The second is  a street art project inspired by the movie Exit through the Gift Shop, which you should check out. The story is about an amateur filmmaker who gets obsessed documenting the most notorious street artist and then puts everything on the line to become an artist himself. You have to watch it to find out if he succeeds or not :) Quite suspenseful. Really, it's a crazy good story.

In the works.

Here's the end product, which Matt posted in town randomly. If you live in Brattleboro, let me know if you see it! Sorry Aida & Rick, I tried to get him to send these to you, but he had his own vision :)

...if you like Matt's art, you should let him know:

   mbneikirk@hotmail.com

On Design: Table Love

I could see this rustic beauty in my LR. 
How bout' your own self? Barn Wood Coffee Table, $450;

On Design: Chairs

On Design:

Check out these amazing chairs from Leslie Oschmann, found on my favorite design blog Decor8 which i read DAILY!

Sara, take note.

Swarm: New Finds From Leslie Oschmann