Melanie Mikecz

Melanie Mikecz is a freelance illustrator originally from Wisconsin currently living and working from San Francisco. She specializes in a mixed media style that's sophisticated to appeal to adults and cheerful to be liked by kids. She earned a B.F.A in Visual Communications from the Washington University School of Art in St. Louis. Since graduating in 2004, Melanie has worked as an illustrator and designer in Boston, London and San Francisco. Her clients include American Greetings, GAP, Hallmark, Land of Nod, Mudpuppy, Papyrus to name a few.

I love the simplicity of the geometric shapes, bold patterns and the bright color palette in the animal illustrations. I adore them all but my very favorite are the owl and the hippo! To see more of her work, visit her store online where she has over a hundred prints to sell starting at $22 only!

Free iPhone Wallpapers

You can download these lovely wallpapers for your iPhone from Maiko Nagao's blog for free! The wallpapers are available in three bird designs - "pearly parrot", "tsuru tale" and "oh my owl!".

DIY: Owl Lantern with Template

This owl lantern will make a great addition to any kid's room or a nursery. To make your own owl lantern go to this blog for step by step instructions and free printable template. The blog is not in English but the picture instructions are clear and simple to follow, or if you like you can translate the page through Google translator. 

Also, this is really a fun and a low cost idea to decorate your indoor and outdoor space with on halloween. Go ahead, bookmark it now to find it later.

Make Up Bags by Anda Panda

I discovered these fun and sweet make up bags by Anda Panda a brand started as a craft and illustration project in 2005 in Barcelona. The Japanese style inspired bags are hand made from cotton fabric and printed with animal illustrations in vibrant eco-friendly inks. There are total of eight designs to choose from including owl, cat, badger etc. The bag measures 20 cm x 16 cm which is ideal size for storing make up, brushes and other stuff. Also, they are great while traveling to keep your passport, travel documents, ear phones, small notebook and more in one accessible spot. 

Apart from make up bags they also produce pencil cases, gadget cases, plushies and bibs. They ship their products worldwide.

Viruset Studio

Set of 2 ceramic bowls 

Mini bowls from the Animal Collection...

...in gorgeous box

I adore the ceramics by Noe Marín the designer and creator of all the lovely things at Viruset a studio based in Spain. Her online store on Etsy offers a range of handmade ceramic items such as mini ceramic bowls, tumbler cups, sugar bowls, planters and more! She hand makes and paints her pieces with cute illustrations of owl, fox and panda that are perfect to hold sauces, nuts or paper clips.