BB|Studio S K E T C H B O O K

Good night Monument 2. Good night, again, Camp Gay.

2011-06-20T21:53:00.005-05:00

Good memories die hard. This is a model I made, of the stage and curtain I made back in the day at Camp Gay. The show, Friends Forever was the last at Monument 2, and a lovely memorial. Brandon Alvendia was a gracious and sincere curator/ artist to work with.

Oh architecture school, Oh Camp Gay

2011-05-30T20:01:00.001-05:00

I am happy to be a part of the upcoming show at Monument 2, about the long defunct Camp Gay in Chicago; organized by Brandon Alvendia.

I'm making a scale model of the stage, which I had a hand in building, that's allowing me to fondly remember both architecture school, and the oughts.

Our abode on Apartment Therapy

2011-04-17T00:56:00.000-05:00

I'm proud of this Apartment Therapy bit on our home. We've put a lot of care into it, and (dare I say) I think it shows. @smithschwartz did a fantasic job.

The Flag Flies!

2011-03-23T11:28:00.002-05:00

Temporary Allegiance

Allegiance to Everything and Nothing

2011-03-08T08:44:00.006-06:00

In the coming weeks I'll be contributing to Philip von Zweck's Temporary Allegiance project, which invites artists to fly a flag of their making for a one week period and “seeks to provide the community with a democratized space that fosters expression free of the veil of anonymity.”

While considering what a flag typically does--offer a unifying symbol for a specific demographic or geography--I wondered if it would be possible that a flag exist without exclusion. I sought something that would touch everyone without judgment or prejudice and arrived at: the sun. I thought of the Earth's path around the sun, which led me to astrology, and used the four elements of Western (which might be where my flag strays from my goal) astrology--fire, earth, air and water--to create a symbol. My symbol uses colors represent the elements, and travels through the year and the signs, in clock fashion. Some process shots:

Seeing if my geometry was right...

Pisces, Cancer, Scorpio...

My geometry worked! (The symbol would look like this if there were only water and fire signs)

Shedding some light

2011-02-28T23:01:00.005-06:00

What happened to February? And January for that matter. Regardless, the days are getting longer--thank the universe!--and projects are afoot.

I'm working on an illuminated sculpture for a forthcoming exhibition where I'm combining sewing and light woodworking--adding structure to fabric--which I'm loving. The piece explores the beautiful tangle of 'pillow talk'. Model + mock-ups below.

Janelle Monae

2011-02-23T21:31:00.001-06:00

Is she from Earth? This video makes me so, so happy.

Happy New Year + and best wishes for 2011

2011-01-02T18:47:00.001-06:00

Fresh off the sewing machine

2010-12-07T18:30:00.008-06:00

These gift bags are handmade by yours truly of remnant fabric, and make an excellent host/ hostess gift along with a bottle of bubbly or wine. It can also greatly enhance your holiday imbibing experience, regardless where that may be.

They will be available at our Holiday Sale this Thursday (see previous post) or through me. Email: studio@bridgettebuckley.com

Happy Holidays!

Holiday Gift Sale - this Thursday, Dec 9

2010-12-07T18:18:00.001-06:00

Connect Exhibition thru January 2, 2011

2010-12-07T18:07:00.004-06:00

The opening at Connect went great! Thanks to everyone who came out. Lightboxes and Beehive Pendants are still available so please stop by the store if you'd like to see them. Email me at studio@bridgettebuckley.com for more info.

Connect Wicker Park
1330 N. Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
312.772.3057

Upcoming show, opening Dec 2!

2010-11-24T10:09:00.003-06:00

For my upcoming show at Connect in Chicago, organized by Simpletype Studio, I'm making 24 light boxes exploring daylight during winter; each one represents 1 hour of the day of the opening. Here are some work-in-progress shots.

HUGE thanks to my shop assistant, Britton Bertran. :) Araidia Blackburn also put in time, which I am very grateful for!

If you're in Chicago, come see the show, opening Dec 2, 6-9.

I love this chair.

2010-10-25T18:23:00.004-05:00

Dang, I wish I had designed this. The Careem Chair chair by Karim Rashid for Council nears perfection:

Image: Council Design

Corezone

2010-10-11T22:53:00.002-05:00

Anxiously awaiting the next batch of Corezones from these lovely ladies.

images: Corezone

Object Society Show at Merchandise Mart - til 10.20.10

2010-10-05T11:00:00.004-05:00

Textiles + structure = bustles, sometimes

2010-10-05T10:53:00.000-05:00

I've been thinking a lot about the architectural/ structural possibilities of fabric, and coming across this image of a Langtry Bustle kind of blew my mind.


Langtry Bustle c. 1880 (Athena Images)

Dimitry Bustle c. 1881


British Bustle c. 1871 (Metropolitan Museum of Art)

Yes!

2010-10-04T10:39:00.002-05:00

n55 is a fantastic artist collective based in Copenhagen doing projects based on everyday life, living systems and mobility. They've recently completed a walking house. Awesome.

Christina Liljenberg Halstrøm (DK)

2010-09-02T09:36:00.001-05:00

Loving this.

Respite at the Indiana Dunes

2010-09-01T22:59:00.001-05:00

Sock Monkey Blanket for my Sis!

2010-09-01T22:37:00.028-05:00

I tend to put up posts in slow motion, but this one had a good reason--I was making a surprise blanket for my sister for her bambino-on-the-way. It was my first attempt at applique, and I think it went pretty well!

Using an image from the great wide internet, I made a template to cut the fabric then ironed it on using fusible webbing. I stitched over the edges, and to add detail. I used 100% cotton batting as the middle layer.

Test run for the stitching--no iron on.

Summer's not over!

2010-09-01T21:29:00.001-05:00

So it's not too late to check out my Apartment Therapy Summer Style Survey.

New BB|STUDIO Twosome Counter Table + One Seater Stool

2010-07-16T12:42:00.003-05:00

Modern Vernacular

2010-07-15T15:14:00.004-05:00

Two recent articles that touch on similar topics, discuss ideas I've thought about for a long time: the connection between rural vernacular utility and Modern aesthetic and sensibility. I believe taking clues from objects derived out of pure necessity, can yield the best products: easy to use, nice to touch, and beautiful.

This great article by Gabriel Hargrove, who is working on a project called "Objects of the Rural Vernacular", cites many relationships between the two and provides many examples. He notes "this is not a call for more 'agrarian chic'"...but more to "[remind] users of the agency available to them through objects"

Best Made Company Axes

Staffan Holm Milk Stool

American pioneers had to make what they needed, with the materials immediately available to them. Through the (re)discovery of the book American Primitives by Robert W. Miller, published in 1972, Monica Khemsurov of Sight Unseen addresses similar thoughts as above by asking designer Paul Loebach to chose his favorite items, some of which are included below.

A hand-made wooden keg

a fold-able house key

and a corn grater.

A crime in so many ways.

2010-06-01T23:34:00.007-05:00

For one of my latest projects I dismantled a vintage luxury good, a fur coat, to utilize as 'upholstery'. I'm not sure how many beavers were killed to make this, but I do know that the craftsmanship is so extraordinary, that it took me almost 2 weeks to take apart with the smallest scissors I own. Now I know why these things cost so much.

Final shots forthcoming...

Pop don't stop...Miike Snow - "Animal"

2010-06-01T22:47:00.008-05:00

Object Society Show, June 15th, 2010

2010-05-25T22:16:00.000-05:00

Beehive makin' with Vanessa!

2010-05-25T22:06:00.002-05:00

My friend Vanessa who is an avid urban agriculturalist, came over to the shop recently to make some components for her beehive. I've been learning alot from her about keeping bees (a secret [or not-so-secret] obsession of mine which I hope to do someday, but will take my sweet time learning about first) through working on her hive.

Here we're making an outer cover for a Langstroth style hive. Can't wait for the honey!

Felting at Araidia's Studio

2010-04-19T09:49:00.003-05:00

Recently, my friend Araidia invited me over for a delicious brunch and a lesson in felting! It's both simpler and more complicated than I thought.

For 'wet felting', which is what what we did, first you take small patches of wool, either combed or raw, and arrange them in criss-cross pattern around a form--an upside down bowl, for example. Once you've reached the desired number of layers (mine has about 4-5) you wet the wool, and using a silky cloth over it (so it doesn't bind to the wool), encourage the fibers to lock together by 'massaging' them. By continuing to wet the wool (with soapy water to remove the lanolin which is a natural water repellent) the fibers get tighter and tighter, and eventually with no more space left between, create a solid form.

I was surprised by how seemingly free form it is--that these loose fibers can eventually become so tightly connected to create fabric, or even structural panels, simply by rubbing it with soapy water. The possibilities seem endless, ranging from this necklace by an Atlanta artist to this Kasakh yurt from Central Asia.

Achingly seductive

2010-03-31T14:29:00.001-05:00

Louise Hindsgavl

Wow.

2010-03-30T21:35:00.002-05:00

Why have I only found this now? I'm at about 42% familiar...so much to look forward to!

Smith is ruling AT!

2010-03-29T21:09:00.002-05:00

Keep your eyes peeled for all the greatness to come from Smith through her new position at Apartment Therapy. Here's her latest post of J.R. and Todd's lovely loft:

Handshake, Nod + Kudos

2010-03-28T23:41:00.001-05:00

to Jasper Morrison.

Insanity

2010-03-23T16:46:00.001-05:00

China doesn't sleep.

photos: PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images, STR/AFP/Getty Images, REUTERS/Aly Song

Pure Beauty

2010-03-13T17:29:00.003-06:00

New ski-jumping hill ‘New Holmenkollen Fyr’ in Oslo designed by the Danish JDS Architects, to be fully completed in 2011.

photos by: New Holmenkollen Fyr by JDS Architects

A Weekend in Silver City, UP, Michigan

2010-03-13T17:23:00.004-06:00

Robbins' Power Plant

2010-02-22T22:08:00.016-06:00

I was part of a lucky group who toured the Robbins' Power Plant on the far south side of Chicago last weekend. It's a former waste incinerator that will now put power into the grid by burning exclusively wood. The majority of this clean burning 'fuel' will be supplied by offcuts from the construction and manufacturing industries, retired pallets and shipping crates. Ed Kalebich, Chief Operating Officer, and Bo, Site Supervisor, were hosts with the most.

Mad Love for Muji

2010-02-16T18:22:00.002-06:00

Muji Philosophy

MUJI is not a brand whose value rests in the frills and "extras" it adds to its products.
MUJI is simplicity - but a simplicity achieved through a complexity of thought and design.
MUJI's streamlining is the result of the careful elimination and subtraction of gratuitous features and design unrelated to function.
MUJI, the brand, is rational, and free of agenda, doctrine, and "isms." The MUJI concept derives from us continuously asking, "What is best from and individual's point of view?"
MUJI aspires to modesty and plainness, the better to adapt and shape itself to the styles, preferences, and practices of as wide a group of people as possible. This is the single most important reason people embrace MUJI.

MUJI - in its deliberate pursuit of the pure and the ordinary - achieves the extraordinary.

Joe Juhasz

2010-02-15T20:00:00.001-06:00

One of my favorite professors from architecture school at University of Colorado was Joe Juhasz who I looked up after revisiting Bladerunner (which we watched for his class) and found him here! conducting a video answer to a topic his daughter, Alexandra Juhasz who teaches a class on You Tube, asked him about. Enjoy!

Rebuilding Exchange Anniversary 02.12.10

2010-02-15T19:25:00.001-06:00

Congratulations Rebuilding Exchange!

Chicago Urban Art Society's "Street Level" props

2010-02-12T14:02:00.001-06:00

From Chicago Art Magazine.

Now playing...

2010-02-12T13:57:00.001-06:00

On the speakers:

Now playing...

2010-02-10T16:02:00.005-06:00

On the speakers:

Shop Visit - Jeremiah + Brandon

2010-02-09T21:50:00.005-06:00

I visited my friend Jeremiah--who I largely credit with teaching me the fine woodworking skills I know--at the shop he shares with fellow woodworker, Brandon. They both had some cool projects going, and it was fun hanging out. Thanks guys!

Friend's house, my work, on apartment therapy!

2010-02-06T14:50:00.004-06:00

My dear friend Smith has published a house tour of the lovely abode her and her fantastic husband Erik share on apartment therapy! She gave me an awesome shout out. Thanks Smith! She's going for a spot as a regular contributor, so give HER some props (comment section at the bottom)!

Beehive Pendant prototype

Table centerpiece I made for their wedding.

"S" I made, given as a wedding gift.

Chicago Urban Art Society

2010-02-06T13:02:00.001-06:00

Bridgette Buckley from chicagourbanartsociety on Vimeo.
Video by Lauren Pacheco

Sweet Tooth!

2010-02-02T19:55:00.000-06:00

Support Chicago Urban Art Society

PopUp Art Gallery project in Pilsen

2010-02-02T19:46:00.000-06:00

Big Ol' Don't Stop the Beat

2010-02-02T19:36:00.002-06:00

A creation I made for the Chicago Urban Art Society's "Street Level" Pop Up Gallery Project in Pilsen, Chicago.

Holla!

2010-01-26T00:21:00.026-06:00

Aron Gent Jennifer, Maxim

It is no secret that 2009 was a difficult year for arts programming in Chicago. We witnessed exhibition spaces close, admission prices sky rocket, and charitable donations evaporate. Many were lucky and persevered into 2010, but not unscathed. While institutions suffered, so did artists and their patrons. Though many artists do not live solely off their commissions, losing benefactors and exhibition opportunities can be devastating. On the opposite end of the spectrum, collectors saw their budgets for art buying dry up. Ultimately, this situation has trickled down to affect the public, who are losing the arts in their communities.

Johalla Projects and their curators aspire to offer you thought-provoking exhibitions and provide support for emerging and mid-career artists. Because of the economic state of affairs, we decided to try something different. We have organized our first Art Auction Fundraiser. Proceeds from the auction will go towards improving our exhibition space and continuing to support artists in Chicago. This is an event fit for the collector on a budget. Whether you are a seasoned art investor fixing your eyes on a steal or a budding enthusiast looking for that first piece to kick start your collection, our auction has something for everyone. Over 50 artists have donated original work. Participating artists are Nathan Baker, Bridgette Buckley, Elijah Burgher, Philip Dembinski, Anni Holm, Aron Gent, Jon Gitelson, Chad Kouri, Daniel Shea, Montgomery Perry Smith, Myles Smutney-Hyde, and many, many others.

Johalla Projects Art Auction Fundraiser
Friday, January 29, 2010
Auction Viewing: 7-11pm
Bidding will close at 10pm
Winners will be announced at 10:30pm

Tickets may be purchased to bid on art.
1 ticket: $5
5 tickets: $20
There is no limit on how many times one may bid during the evening.

Johalla Projects
1561 N. Milwaukee Ave., 2nd floor
Chicago, IL 60622
Contact: johallaprojects@gmail.com

Big Heart

2010-01-24T22:59:00.007-06:00

I'm making a piece for Chicago Urban Art Society's exhibition Street Level, in conjunction with their fundraiser Sweet Tooth. A sneak preview...

Architecture for Humanity in Haiti

2010-01-19T15:27:00.018-06:00

If you are a design professional, consider donating your talents.
Monetary donations also accepted.

One of my heroes from 2009

2009-12-30T19:18:00.005-06:00

Knitting Workshop final window + Reception

2009-12-22T13:10:00.004-06:00

Knitting Workshop window installation

2009-12-21T12:46:00.003-06:00

My new BFF.

Window Warming!

2009-12-15T08:27:00.003-06:00

Shipping a custom El Cielo Table

2009-12-11T12:29:00.003-06:00

Knitting Workshop window installation

2009-12-11T12:12:00.003-06:00

I'm working with a lovely knitting store (institution, really) in the Bucktown neighborhood, to create a holiday window pairing my furniture with their products.

We're having a wine and cheese reception to celebrate, please join us!

Window Warming at the Knitting Workshop
December 19, 2009, 4-7pm
2115 N. Damen
Chicago, IL 60647

...a sample I made of the window backdrop.

CS Interiors, Fall 2009

2009-11-20T00:05:00.001-06:00

Museum of Science and Industry, Smart Home: Green + Wired March 19, 2009 - January 03, 2010

2009-10-20T00:59:00.009-05:00

photos (c) Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago

Milwaukee Fine Furnishings Show, Oct 3-4, 2009

2009-10-05T23:09:00.003-05:00

Chicago Art Department, PINE, Sept 11-20, 2009

2009-09-12T21:34:00.010-05:00

PINE, Chicago Art Department, Sept 2009
photos: B. Bertran, Stacy Peterson