we've moved

we've moved our blog ... please follow us here:
www.delphine-ephemera.com

please remember to update your bookmarks, readers, links, etc etc. thanks so much for visiting!

tech stuff

I'm in the process of switching my blog to a new server ... give me a few days to sort it out. All this tech stuff is making my brain hurt! New posts and big news coming next week. Thanks for your patience!

wish list: books

Last night I did a little updating on my Amazon wish list. So happy to hear that Stephan Sagmeister has a new book coming out soon. I really loved his last one, "Things I Have Learned in My Life So Far."

When I was a little girl I LOVED Ed Emberley's books. I remember I had one where I learned how to make little characters out of thumb prints. Drove my mom crazy because my hands were black from an ink pad for months! I just added this one to my wish list. I think it would be super fun activity to do with my five-year-old.

little peanut: milo

original letterpress birth announcement design & photo by delphine

Congratulations Allison and Aaron on your sweet addition to the family! Next to my own son (of course) he's the cutest little peanut I've ever met.

happy colors

These colors make me happy.

blog love: felt and wire

Check out Mohawk's great new blog: Felt & Wire. If you're a paper geek you'll love it!

glass flowers

Is there anything Marc Jacobs cannot do? He designed these spectacular glass flowers for Waterford. I'm not to keen on the glass flower pot, but the flowers are stunning!

plum desires

plum necklace by Dinosaur Toes on ETSY; plum shoes by Lela Rose for Payless

Plum is such a rich color, isn't it? It can be a little Dynasty when done wrong, but I like the modern take on these goodies with the frayed edges. The necklace reminds me of a crocus. The shoes would look fab with a suit, worn at a Junior League committee meeting ... or equally chic with dark jeans and a black cbgb tshirt. And guess what ... you can have both for under $55.

in the press: Charleston Weddings Magazine

It's hard to explain what this press clipping in Charleston Weddings magazine means to me. Charleston is my "hometown" (in quotes since technically I'm a Yankee: I was born in NYC).

My first great work experience was as an editorial intern at Charleston magazine. Though I was an editorial intern and most of my duties included writing and editing, I found my real passion in the art director's office. Melinda Smith-Monk was so kind to me. She let me watch her work, she let me help out at photo shoots, she let me ask a zillion questions, she let me make mistakes, she let me pick the ink color for a cover, she let me model. And she made me think about a career in design.

All the editors I worked with at Charleston are long gone, and while Mel is still art director, I'm not sure she would even remember who I am (it was many years ago!). I am eternally grateful for the experience of working with such great talent, and it is a supreme thrill to have my work grace the pages of a magazine so near and dear to my heart.

Oh, and the invitations in the clipping were inspired by Charleston, too.

in the press: Green Retailer

in the press: Relaxing Graphics

Relaxing Graphics, by Akiko Taki

We're honored to have been selected by Akiko Taki to grace the pages of Relaxing Graphics, a gorgeous hardcover book by Pie Books (Japan) featuring the best natural style graphics from around the world. One of our custom wedding invitation designs (it's similar to our Meeting Street design) was selected, as was our naturalistic (if you can call a green octopus or turquoise jelly fish natural) marine life series of note cards. The book is full of inspiring designs from top notch graphic designers, and is available to pre-order here (the book will be released in September 2009).

baby shower invitation

Nesting Baby Shower invitation by delphine

I must admit I am not big on showers. All the stupid games, lack of real alcohol (mimosas do NOT count, people), baby chit chat, and oohing/ahhing over burp cloths make me kinda feel bleeech-ick. The only way to make it worse would be to add in singing or charades. But, I DO love my friends, and actually sorta love designing baby shower invites since they're outside my norm and I get to be a little on the saccharine side for a change. This is the invite for my friend Carrie's upcoming shower. (And don't worry, Carrie, I'll be there with bells on).

happy weekend

in like a lamb ...

With all due respect to my readers, family and friends who don't live in San Diego ... I'm loving this So. Cal weather (especially in light of the freak snowstorms in the South).

studio supplies: desktop collator

desktop collator from russell+hazel

One of the things I cannot live without in my studio is this desktop collator from russell+hazel. I keep all my "live job" and "don't forget to do this" files in it on my desk.

baby rhino

baby rhino letterpress card by delphine ... coming soon!

contracts and stuff for freelancers

Pricing and Ethical Guidelines

photographer's toolkit

Lets face it, most creatives do not have a penchant for writing contracts. As a small "creative business" owner who has been around for more than five years, I get lots and lots (and lots) of requests for advice on running the business end of a creative business. I always tell freelancers to HAVE A CONTRACT FOR EVERY JOB, and point them toward the Graphic Artists Guild's must-have book, Pricing and Ethical Guidelines. The book has sample contracts for just about any occasion and will give you great peace of mind as you prepare paperwork for your clients.

I was really pleased to hear that John Mireles, a fabulous local (San Diego) photographer and business coach, has a website, Photographer's Toolkit, geared toward helping his fellow photographers with "business stuff." Advice on marketing, sales, contracts, and business in general is aplenty on the site. He also lists free resources that are helpful to any creative, not just photographers.