[gallery link="file"] Check out the review on MagnifECO about the wonderful wood collection from April Hannah Designs sold exclusively at DIGS.com!
Click the link to read the article: http://www.magnifeco.com/april-hannah-contemporary-home-furnishings/living/
[gallery link="file"]
Designed by: Rhea Alexander, Founder of DIGS
The goal was to offer retailers and wholesalers interested in importing from Egypt a cross-section or sense of the capacity and range these talented artisans have.
My inspiration was the nexus between old and new. During this historical time of the Arab Spring, how can we take the traditional iconic patterns and wood turnings then fuse them with a contemporary forms and materials to imply the transition or change occurring around us. The carvings inspired by the henna tattoos of traditional Muslim Women, the inlay from mosaic patterns and the ancient Egyptian architectural proportions balanced with contemporary finishes, needs and dimensions.
Available this Spring through Aid to Artisans
Trying to find the perfect gift for Dad this holiday season? At DIGS we have a great selection of green gift ideas for Dad that we know he'll love!
1. Clark Cable Knit Scarf, Gloves & Hat- Top quality and very luxurious green gift ideas, this set of super warm knitwear will keep dad warm during the cold winter months.
2. Spencer Striped Gloves & Hat- Great green gift ideas for the quirky dads, this set of winter wear is fun and cheerful. Made from 100% natural fine Alpaca wool.
3. Leo Scarf, Hat & Mittens- Elegant and stylish, this set of winter wear is made Fair Trade so they are great green gift ideas but also a must have for every Dad this holiday season.
4. Collectors Robots- Perfect for the inner boy in your Dad, these robots will bring him back to childhood. Made from recycled cardboard, posters and bottle caps, more creative green gift ideas.
5. Branch Lounge- A vital addition to any room, that has the look and design Dad will love. Add the branch lounge to dad's workshop, garage, home office or even his man-cave! Made from FSC certified, formaldehyde-free plywood that uses a soy based glue, they're true green gift ideas.
6. TransNeomatic Bowl- TransNeomatic is a conceptually innovative container bowl. Each recycled tire is thoroughly steam-cleaned and finished in an eco-friendly sealant. Handcrafted by skilled artisans from rural Vietnam. They're rugged and modern green gift ideas that Dad will love.
7. Mend Messenger Bag- Each Handbag has been individually created and sewn by a woman whose name is forever labeled within, connecting the consumer to the journey of their healing and advancement of the war-affected areas of Uganda. They're green gift ideas with a conscience, Dad will love the message behind the bag and love how useful it is for work, travel and everyday use.
8. Original Sailcloth Duffle Bag- This duffle is made of reclaimed sailcloth, they're striking, bold and modern green gift ideas. Clip in shoulder strap allows you to throw it over your shoulder or just use the handles to carry on the go. Perfect for travel, the gym or everyday use.
9. Office Escape Boxsal- Want to surprise Dad at work? The Office Escape Boxsal is the perfect way to spend the afternoon catching up with Dad and help him unload some stress from work. It's the perfect excuse to turn that boring spread sheet into a noon-time picnic blanket. Everything in the Boxsal is compostable, it's another inventive green gift idea.
10. Chad Checkered Scarf- Simple and handsome, this men's check scarf boasts all natural colors and was designed and hand made by top Bolivian artisans. Woven from natural fine alpaca, these scarves are green gift ideas that will make Dad look super stylish.
11. Cork Cases- Sustainable cork cases lined with recycled billboard comes in 3 sizes: a wallet, a pouch and a sack/iPad case. The small and medium cases can fit easily into Dad's pocket, satchel or laptop case. The large is a cool iPad case, folder for work papers or a handy travel case. They're super green gift ideas for all of Dads gadgets!
Every year, we all go searching through the shopping malls on christmas eve looking for the best gifts and presents at the last minute. This year do something different, and shop online for gifts early and skip the rush! Here are some great DIGS handmade christmas gifts for everyone in the family. Plus shop now and catch up on our Holiday Sale before the deadline!
1. Holiday Christmas Tree Ornaments - From gorgeous and classic Chrysanthemum and Dahlia flower ornaments, to rubber Robot, Llama and Taxi cab ornaments that are perfect for the kids. These ornaments are great handmade christmas gifts and are perfect for your own christmas tree as well, now on SALE!
2. Moon Alabaster Votives - These votives are a gorgeous accent to any living room, and give a great sense of warmth during those cold winter nights! It's another great handmade christmas gift.
3. Shea Radiance Shea & Coco Butter - Everyone could use a great shea butter during the holiday season. These lotions are perfect for chapping and drying cold winter weather. Handmade christmas gifts that will made your skin shine.
4. Eros Felt Necklace - Bold and modern, great handmade christmas gifts, wear it over a turtleneck or against your skin. With its ravishing red color, its the perfect accessory for your holiday cocktail parties!
5. Chrysanthemum Felt Brooches - Looking for great handmade christmas gifts? Look no further, these brooches are the perfect gift for any woman who loves to accessorize! Plus with fun holiday colors like red, green, blue and white, its another great addition for a holiday outfit.
6. Dahlia Felt Brooches - More beautiful handmade christmas gifts, that can be bought in bundle and given as a gift to everyone at the office!
7. Japan Flower Table Runner and Napkin Rings - This gorgeous and elegant table set can be given as beautiful handmade christmas gifts or can be used for your holiday dinner with the family.
8. Ojota Star Coasters - Celebrating Channukah? These star shaped coasters are a wonderful addition to any dinner set, and are great for the kid's table too!
9. Handknit Wool Pillow Covers - These pillow covers make great handmade christmas gifts and a classic addition to any bedroom set or living room set.
10. Wool Getaway Blanket - A super warm wool blanket will be an appreciated handmade christmas gift for those cold winter days!
11. Glass Beaded Bracelet - A gift guaranteed that Mom will love, a gorgeous and glamorous bracelet with beautiful color glass beads. Comes in a varitey of colors, red and green for christmas or pick one with Mom's favorite color!
12. UM Carry Tote Bag - Another perfect choice for handmade christmas gifts, these UM Tote bags made from excess factory wool are a universal style that any woman will adore.
Browse and shop even more handmade christmas gifts perfect for every member of your family or friends at Digs.com.
Helsinki, Finland: Saara Renvall is a designer working with furniture, objects, jewelry, spaces, and interior. After finishing her 3-year training as a carpenter, Renvall graduated from the University of Art and Design in Helsinki and received her Master of Arts in 2002. She has studied shorter periods in India, Denmark, Japan, and the UK; gaining expertise in different design cultures.
In my mother's best efforts to keep me busy on a rainy day as a kid, she would sit me down at the kitchen table with a stack of old Good Housekeeping's, a jar of elmer's, and a couple of wooden tongue depressors. I would roll strips of the magazine paper into something that resembled a jewelry bead, then string the gluey mess into a necklace with some kite rope. I then presented this masterpiece to my Mom; a handmade gift just for her! Love her for at least pretending to wear it to work -- even if ended up in the glove compartment of her car as soon as she left the driveway.
I recalled this happy memory when I read this article on TreeHugger about Dutch designer Mieke Meijer's recycled paper "wood" -- however, our two art-forms could barely be held to the same standards. Meijer stacks, clues, and rolls recycled newspaper into "logs", in which she creates fantastically beautiful and functional furniture and home decor. Surely none of this stuff would wind up in the glove compartment!
Brooklyn, New York: After graduating with a BFA from Central St. Martins of London in 2003, Shanan Campanaro has developed a vibrant studio practice and exhibition schedule, has received significant support from the New York Foundation for the Arts, and has worked as a senior designer in fashion textiles and graphics in New York City.
In the sring of 2008, she launched a line of bespoke wallpaper made to order. The surge in interest prompted her to launch ESKAYEL at the Brooklyn Designs Juried show in May 2009.
Since her launch of Eskayel her work has gotten critical acclaim and been featured in the New York Times, Interior Design Magazine, House Beautiful, Luxe interiors, and Daily candy.
Special Designer Offer: Use code NL0707 to receive 20% off Shanan's pillows!
Mae West said it best; try everything (at least!) once. This is the mantra of One 2 Try. They gave our Primitive Recycled Glass Hurricanes a fab review -- loving the unique texture the bubbles make in the glass. And just image... it could be yours! Here's how:
Mandatory Entry (First entry) 
• Visit DIGS and tell me in a comment a product you would love to have.
Additional optional entries: Eligible after completing mandatory entry above: You can do any or all of the following for one entry each unless stated otherwise. Please leave a separate comment for each that you have done.
• Like DIGS on Facebook.
• Like One 2 Try on Facebook.
• Sign up for the DIGS E-Newsletter (Top Right of page).
• Enter the DIGS giveaway at New Age Mama. Leave me a comment letting me know you entered.
• Subscribe to my blog and verify the subscription. Current subscribers are eligible too.
• Follow my blog on Google Friend Connect or Networked Blogs (see the right side bar to sign up) Already a follower, just leave a comment saying that you are a follower.
• Follow DIGS on Twitter.
• Follow One 2 Try on Twitter. Current followers are eligible too, just leave a comment saying that you are a twitter follower.
• Tweet about this giveaway and leave a link to your tweet (Can tweet once daily, tweet button above).
• FOR 2 EXTRA ENTRIES – Share this giveaway on your favorite social media site, your choice (other than twitter above). Leave me the link to the location.
• FOR 5 EXTRA ENTRIES – Make any purchase from DIGS. Support an Artisan! Post FIVE separate comments about your purchase. Subject to verification.
Giveaway ends on July 11th, 2011 at 11:59 PM Pacific time. ONE PERSON PER HOUSEHOLD and IP address. Open to Continental US addresses only. No PO Boxes. Must be 18 years of age and over. Winner will be chosen randomly using “And the Winner is plugin” and contacted by email. Please respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen. To be fair to everyone, comments not meeting requirements will be deleted. Rules.
Petra at Pretty Little Green Things loves our Lex Stool!
"When I was a little kid, I had a double duty step stool that also flipped up into a chair. I loved that little thing so much that I would carry it around everywhere. This Lex Mini Stool from Digs isn’t quite the same thing, but it’s so cute and colorful I just couldn’t resist...."
Read her entire here. We love the Lex stool, too!
Madison, Wisconsin: Heather Lins launched her eponymous home textile line in 2008 at the New York International Gift Fair. She was one of three winners selected to exhibit via the "A+: Young Designers Platform" competition for up-and-coming designers. Trained as a graphic designer, Lins brings a conceptual approach to home textile design. From the typography of eye charts to scientific diagrams, she uses images that are easily recognized but unexpected in home textiles.
Special Designer Offer: Receive 20% off Heather's Eye Chart Pillow! Use CodeNL0405 at checkout!
Santa Monica, California: Jon L. Wilson, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP, is the co-founder and Chief Designer of FoodMap Design; a young, multidisciplinary design firm committed to reconnecting residential space and food cultivation. Their design concept is to use new modern and green design principles to construct spaces, landscapes, and products that support locally and home-grown foods. They believe that eating locally and home grown foods reestablishes the relationship between everyday life and a healthy and sustainable food source. Jon attended architecture school at Columbia University, Southern California Institute of Architecture, and Tulane University earning a professional degree in architecture.
Designer Offer: Receive 20% off Jon's Low and Tall Planters and create an edible garden anywhere! Use Code NL0329 at checkout!
This weeks giveaway: Win our Wooden Mat - handmade in Peru from FSC certified wood. Like DIGS on Facebook to find out how to enter!
Seattle, Washington: Darin Montgomery, a third generation craftsman and metal sculptor, founded Urbancase in 2002. His design philosophy is to create furniture and objects that contribute to a simpler, pared back lifestyle focusing on basic aesthetic elements and functionality. His wife, Rachel Illingworth, grew up in Tasmania, where she received a BFA from the University of Tasmania and is an internationally exhibited printmaker -- a show is currently scheduled for April in Australia. The Subway Cushion and Subway Getaway Blankets were inspired by a trip to Berlin, where they spotted military blankets at a flea market. They liked the idea of using an item that was intended for utilitarian purposes as an item of comfort.
Q: When did you first realize that design was something you wanted to pursue?
A: Whether I was decorating my room, sketching my dream apartment, or selecting the perfect handle grips for my bicycle, I can't rememer a time when I wasn't thinking about design. My parents were very encouraging and gave me the freedom to make my own aesthetic decisions at an early age. Even so . . . I think my Mom may have questioned that freedom when she had to paint over the black walls I left in my bedroom when I moved out.
Q: When did you first begin working in sustainable/green materials and why?
A: I don't think it was a conscious decision and it's not something we necessarily think about when working on a design. It's more about the materials we respond do. We don't connect with synthetic products in the same way we do natural materials and as a result I believe it leads to more sustainable practices.
Q: What inspires you?
A: For design inspiration, I (1.) scour files at the Library. It's a great source for ideas that may or may not have been successful and most likely won't make it into a recently published design book or magazine. (2.) Collaborate. (3.) Have a conversation with anyone who is doing something they feel passionate about.
Q: What music are you currently listening to?
A: Black Angels, Husky Rescue, We Were Promised Jetpacks, and Elvis Perkins.
Q: What is your favorite travel story?
A: Having cold meat, cheese, break, and a cheap bottle of wine on the veranda of a scrappy hotel room overlooking the rooftops of Paris with my wife.
Special Designer Offer: Receive 20% off Urbancase's Subway and GetawayBlankets! Use Code NL0315 at checkout!
Marrakech, Morocco: Frederic Alcantara was born in France. He is a seasoned freelance product developer who has designed and developed for many international brands and a consultant for non-profits such as Aid to Artisans. Today, he resides in Marrakech, Morocco, surrounded and inspired by unending streams of rich handicraft traditions.
Special Designer Offer: Receive 20% off Frederic's Tootsie and MagdaPacemats! Use Code NL0301 at checkout!
Brooklyn, New York: Daniel Michalik is principal of DMFD, a firm creating furniture and objects from underutilized, environmentally responsible materials. Recent explorations have unlocked the vast potential of cork to perform in ways no other material can. Daniel was the recipient of the Fellowship in Design from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts in 2005. He has exhibited internationally, including at the Milan Furniture Fair, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and the VIA in Paris. His work has appeared in such publications as the New York Times, Dwell, Food & Wine, Wallpaper*, Interior Design and American Craft, as well as the Sundance Channel and HGTV. He received his MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design in the Department of Furniture Design, and currently teaches Industrial Design at he University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He lives and works in New York City.
Special Designer Offer: Receive 20% off Daniel's 12"Alentejo Bowl! Use Code NL0215 at checkout!
This weeks giveaway: Win a set of 6 Etched Glass Votives, made by hand from recycled soda bottles in Egypt. "Like" our facebook page for details on how to enter!
Lima, Peru: Industrial Designer Ricardo Geldres Piumatti, and plastic artist Kareen Nishimura Doy, established The Rika Collection in 2004. The name RIKA is a combination of both their names. Rika is dedicated to design and develop products manufactured with nonconventional materials, rescuing artisan techniques and adding playfulness to each singular proposal. They make use of materials reusing, adapting and recycling them in an innovative way.
They live in Lima, teach design at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica and have their studio just outside of Lima where they create their wonderful items by hand working side by side with their team and their mascot, Chingo.
Special Designer Offer: Receive 20% off RIKA'S Ojata Purse! Use Code NL0118 at checkout!
Brooklyn, USA: Diane Ruengsorn's ideas were born from her experiences in the furniture industry. While apprenticing for a furniture designer/manufacturer, she witnessed the chemicals and materials that workers were exposed to on a daily basis. Many of these substances are known to cause cancer or other chronic health conditions. This led her to believe that products could be produced with people-friendly materials and methods that didn't harm anyone in the process. "Live well, live right" is her philosophy; that you can have products that enhance your life while taking into account people and our planet. Her mission is to offer consumers affordable home products that adhere to environmentally and socially responsible standards.
Special Designer Offer: Receive 20% off Diane's Spice Block!
Use Code NL0111 at checkout!
New York City, USA: Rhea studied at Parsons School of Design. Her career followed an organic yet logical progression. She practiced architecture and industrial design while making art furniture from found objects, showing them in local NY galleries. Early on, what intrigued her was how the role of the designer can play in sustainability both from an environmental position as well as from a human perspective. She opened DIGS in 1991, determined to bridge the gap between design, handicraft, and fair-trade, using sustainable materials in an attempt to preserve artisanal handicraft. She has been consulting for the private sector and NGO's such as Aid to Artisans and USAID with the similar mission.
Special Designer Offer: Receive 20% off Rhea's Wood Product!
Use Code NL0104 at checkout!