Daily PONDspiration [for the well-designed wallspace}…
The watercolor work of Mexican artist Geninne Zlatkis always inspires me with its whimsy and freshness. I particularly love her stylized birds. The color, the detail and the stories she evokes draws me in every time. Enjoy!
(and be sure to browse her whole etsy shop!)
Three Little Birds
I really enjoy pillows because they are a relatively inexpensive way to add a touch of great design to the common experience of sitting or resting. And, they are also easy to interchange, so they can bring freshness to a changing mood or season. I’ve been collecting images of inspired pillow designs for quite some time, and I’ve had a very difficult time narrowing them down to just these six. [Which probably means you’ll see another pillow post at some point!] Nevertheless, I really love the touches of whimsy found in each of these designs — perfect for the coming of Spring. Visit each of the designers for more stunning inspiration!
D. EMILY SUTTON
E. THOMAS PAUL
F. HELKATDESIGN
Don’t you love hand-written notes? I remember receiving several congratulating the launch of Small Pond Graphics, and they made the words that were communicated so much more powerful. Hand-written notes are kind of a lost art in the digital world we inhabit these days. Perhaps that makes their impact all the more pronounced, and I’m determined to incorporate the effort into my correspondence a little more. [No scoffing from those who have seen my hand-writing, please.]
I was thinking about small ways to add that human touch to communications and I came across this great calligraphy shop — Paperfinger. The custom calligraphy address stamp caught my attention as a great opportunity to add a bit of personality to personal or even business correspondence — especially if your handwriting is like mine and produces more frustration than joy. They also offer some other beautifully whimsical stamps and the option to create something custom.
Think small today.
Today my favorite font is West Balaio. [I say today because my “favorite” seem to change on a daily/hourly basis. Oh well.] I love the whimsy and texture of this font. It just smells like Spring fever. You can download it for free here.
And, here’s what I’m thinking about doing with it… some oversized “thank you” postcards for my clients!
I was first introduced to the CANOE store through the Portland-based Miss Modish Blog. Through one click, I discovered a wonderland of well-designed products. I love the store’s mission… “to offer simple, beautiful, and functional objects that can be used and enjoyed everyday.”
One small Thing: Lovely book darts. These one-inch long paper thin metal markers in stainless steel, brass or copper offer a convenient and beautiful way to “hold that thought” as the tin says. I’d love to slip one of these next to a favorite sentence or paragraph to remind me of something inspiring — a well-designed way to slow down the skimming process and really grab the pleasure in reading a good book. Plus, I can imagine happening upon the dart months from now and being inspired all over again. Nice.
Hello & welcome! I’m Haley Montgomery, and I’m the designer and owner of Small Pond Graphics. I sometimes fancy myself a frog kisser— a documentarian coaxing poignant moments from unexpected places. This blog has evolved from those moments.
The small Pond FIELD GUIDE is part diary, part sketchbook, and part wish list – an archive of ordinary wonders. For years, this space has housed my stories – creative ideas, vintage inspiration, our forays into curious places, and the simple artifacts of quiet of conscious living. Through watercolor, photography, and illustrated tales, these pages uncover the blessing of ordinary days and the wonder found in authentic places and pursuits.
I invite you to open the boxes.
Peek into the drawers.
Rustle through the pages.
I’m honored to have you here.
NEED A FROG KISSER?
Phone: 662.312.4001
Contact Haley to dive in
