Schmuttergold

snow white letterhead

2010-01-22T12:46:00.002Z

Now that's a letterhead! I think I'd be tempted to sign each letter in characters depending on its content. Payment received with thanks from Happy; We apologise for the error, sincerely Dopey; Your fired! Signed The Wicked Witch.

See other interesting letterheads at www.letterheady.com

Bat Chayil and Bat Mitzvah cards

2009-12-13T19:44:00.004Z

Whether it's a Bat Mitzvah or a Bat Chayil every junior JP deserves some Bat Bling! Screenprinted with gold ink, our 'Carrie' style cards, are way cooler than your average Bat Mitzvah/Chayil offering.
Available at www.schmuttergold.com

Transport for London this xmas

2009-12-13T19:26:00.001Z

This Christmas, Londoners will be getting from A to B courtesy of Rudolph. More fun than a mini-cab! That's right, isn't it?

(Via TFL)

For the new Jew

2009-12-09T00:14:00.003Z

Has your other half taken the plunge? Are you welcoming a new jew-in-law? Or did your best mate do a ‘Charlotte’? Whatever the situation is, it's a big deal and cause for celebration! And let's face it when we celebrate we eat – it's all about the food.

Available at www.schmuttergold.com

Money Can't buy me love

2009-12-08T19:02:00.001Z

But 50p will get you a smooch! Or thirty-five English pounds will buy you this letterpress poster on ebay

When Polaroid met Gocco

2009-12-08T17:31:00.001Z

It's a love match of the analogue kind, Polaroid & Gocco. Print by Paperday Studio.
(Via Save Gocco)

Pez Hannukiah

2009-12-08T15:56:00.000Z

This has to be my all-time favourite DIY Hannukiah. But now that Woolworths is no more, where can I buy nine Pez dispensers?

Practically Pretty

2009-12-07T23:19:00.002Z

Solving the eternal problem of, the plug socket being on the wrong side of the room. Have a rummage around Maisie Maud Broadhead 's website; clever thinking, beautifully executed.
(Via Sharesomecandy)

I ♥ Share Some Candy

2009-12-07T22:37:00.001Z

I can't look at this blog and drink coffee at the same time. The excitement caused by the collective talent shown combined with caffeine gives me palpitations.
www.sharesomecandy.com

Tefillin Barbie

2009-12-07T21:32:00.012Z

One for Batmitzah girls and lady Rabbis everywhere, yes here she is, Tefillin Barbie. I particularly like the use of cotton reels to make the Torah – nice touch.

Brings back memories of the scale model Chupah I (read: my mum) made for my Quest Brownie badge back in 1990. Perhaps, I should dig it out so Babs can hurry up and marry that nice Jewish boy, Ken, before she's seen hussying it up, clad in a leather catsuit, like the Christian Louboutin Barbie.

Hannukah on the go

2009-12-07T20:55:00.002Z

We're coveting the sleek and 'slim enough to fit in your pocket' Hannukit from Reddish. Even better than its' minimalist styling is the fact that you don't have to worry about getting the candles to stay upright or scraping the wax off afterward – perfect. Bring on the guilt free doughnut noshing!

Drawn in by Schubladen

2009-12-07T20:35:00.005Z

High up on my wish list of ‘things I want for my dream house or studio’ is anything from the Berlin furniture shop, Schubladen. Designer Franziska Wodicka brings together mismatching vintage drawers resulting in these beautiful old-meets-new pieces. I can't help thinking how pretty fabulous my previously blogged about Perfect Menorah would look on a Schubladen sideboard.
(Via Sharesomecandy)

Drop in a Drop Cap

2009-12-04T22:35:00.001Z

lippin' gorgeous! Check out these splendifferous illuminated letters from Brooklyn based designer and illustrator, Jessica Hische. Scroll through the Daily Drop Cap, choose your desired letter and pop the HTML at the beginning of your blog entry. Ta-da! Every blog can now have a little bit of loveliness. Thank you Jessica.

Light festivities

2009-12-02T23:04:00.000Z

A dark alley, flash lights, some curious policemen; just a bit of extracurricular activity for the Schmuttergold duo.

Were we lending our creative thinking skills to a real life crime scene in the style of our flame-haired heroine Jessica Fletcher? Sadly, no, but we were getting a bit experimental with our beloved Lomo cameras at the Lomography London Light-painting Workshop.

So here's me, wishing you all a HAPPY HANNUKAH lomo style.

Guilty Pleasure

2009-12-02T16:10:00.003Z

But who do we love the most?
Jack/Sawyer/Jack/Sawyer/Jack/Sawyer/Jack/Sawyer/Jack/Sawyer/Jack
Why choose when you can have both, right Kate?

(Via Hide Your Arms)

Hannukah Cards

2009-11-30T17:55:00.000Z

Hannukah cards by Schmuttergold, available from our online shop and etsy. While you're there check out our Kosher For Christmas range!

Be still my beating heart

2009-11-30T16:32:00.001Z

Vintage styling + modern technology = Vivitar digital camera with leather trim

Available from Urban Outfitters (US)

I ♥ toy-a-day

2009-11-30T03:28:00.004Z

Thanks 'Joe the Toy Maker' for bringing us our heroes in cardboard format!

And, that nice man Joe has made downloadable PDFs so you can make your own at home. Joy!

http://toy-a-day.blogspot.com

For rainy days like these

2009-11-23T19:39:00.000Z

Go to The Museum of Everything in Primrose Hill for some folk-art and a free cup of tea served in a cup and saucer, by a lovely tea lady. Biscuits also available.

KosherFace – Is that like a Jewish Pramface?

2009-11-23T16:59:00.004Z

En route to a rendezvous with some old workmates last week, I couldn't help but do a major bit of rubber-necking as the no.243 sailed past The Printspace Gallery on Kingsland Road. The current exhibition is called Kosherface. Immediate text to Chloé, we're going on Saturday.

The photography exhibition by Fredric Aranda, was closed on Saturday. Major FAIL on my part for not checking the opening times (Mon-Fri 09:00 – 19:00). All we managed to see, by pressing our faces against the window, was this portrait of American reggae musician, Matisyahu.

Oh well, made up for it with an hour well spent in SCP drafting Hannukah wishlist.

Medicinal Purposes

2009-11-22T22:10:00.000Z

At a Jewish wedding. Loving the chicken soup shots with mini kneidlach, screwball style!

A story of prostitutes, cocaine and kosher food

2009-11-22T22:04:00.001Z

Suggestions for who should play Rabbi Baruch Chalomish in the TV mini-series?

(via thejc.com)

Do the Maths

2009-11-22T11:00:00.002Z

Fashemathics turns the corners of my mouth up ∴ creating a smile on my face

London Town

2009-11-20T14:48:00.005Z

This weekend I will mostly be in the northeast corner of this gorgeous paper cut poster by Famille Summerbelle. I was slightly concerned that an elephant had escaped from London Zoo and made it's way sarf of the river, then I realised that it was the Elephant & Castle. Sometimes, if you're very quiet, you can actually hear the cogs in my brain creaking round.

Paris and New York are also available

get it for your girl

2009-11-20T12:28:00.000Z

Expect to see the achingly cool kids wearing the protective hand in the coming year. Win some major brownie points with your girl (friend/daughter/niece/me) with this super lucky pendant from Zoe & Morgan available online from Beyond the Valley

Rabbinical Tartan

2009-11-19T14:21:00.003Z

If you're a fashion conscious Rabbi you too could have a kosher kilt made up but first you'll have to get permission from Rabbi Dr. Raphael Pazo who commissioned the design of this special tartan. Made from 100% virgin fibres, only vegetable dyes were used to achieve the vibrant colours and non of the weaving took place on the Sabbath!

No really, this is a special Tartan made only for Rabbinic use, our mate, Joe discovered it on The Scottish Register of Tartans. This is for real.

But who is Rabbi Dr. Raphael Pazo? Well he's a bagpipe playing Rabbi of course! (amongst many other things – quite the over achiever actually)

Presumably available for weddings, Barmitzvahs and Highland flings.
www.californiabagpiper.com

Hannukah list alert The Kosher Stomach Tee

2009-11-13T20:39:00.002Z

A funny Tee idea, contemporary illustration style, modeled by a normal looking bloke – are you sure it's Kosher? Well done HEEB, we like it!

Available to buy from the HEEB magazine online store

Convert

2009-11-12T18:36:00.004Z

We couldn't help but laugh!
See more lovely design / illustration from Olly Moss.
(via http://sophistry.tumblr.com/)

Geek of the week

2009-11-11T12:08:00.003Z

Can somebody please make a heart-warming comedy so you can use this song from Spirit of Play as the soundtrack. Thank you!

Click to play

Mazel Tov Mr & Mrs McLaren

2009-11-10T01:45:00.001Z

Despite appearances this isn't a Jewish wedding – What am I talking about? The kilt, the distinct lack of kippot, the distinct presence of hair...

No this was the beautiful Kent countryside wedding of the now Mr and Mrs McLaren. Our favorite couple decided to tie the knot on Rosh Hashonnah. This might have posed a problem but when two of your best friends get married, well, wild horses never mind the wroth of God are going to keep you away!

So how did they end up aloft in the style of Jewish newly weds?

Maybe it was the guilt of skipping Rosh Hashonnah, maybe it's because sometimes our Jewishness just pops out or maybe we just knew Joe would love it.

If it's possible for a person to have a soft spot for a religion then that's what Joe has for Judaism. In fact if he hadn't decided to become an illustrator of enviable skill, we always thought with his demonstration of fine beard growing and surprisingly in depth knowledge of the Talmud (I kid you not) he'd have made a rather fine Rabbi [Joe, I know you're not actually Jewish but in this day and age I'm sure there'd be a way around it].

The other guests were surprisingly game; Put the bride and groom on chairs and bounce them around a bit? Sure, why not? Admittedly the girls did drop Amy, but only once and the dress, ankles and dignity all remained intact.

Can I have a Jewish Romcom for Christmas?

2009-11-09T15:23:00.000Z

There has to be a squishy love story at the cinema over the holidays, it's the rules! Let's hope Oy Vey My Son is Gay comes out in the UK asap so we can see a Jewish movie at the cinema this Christmas.

I also quite ♥ Full Beard blog

2009-11-09T15:05:00.000Z

It's not just beacuse of the beard! Check out the Full Beard blog for lovely graphic design things. He tweets too. No owl jokes please.

I ♥ India Knight's blog

2009-11-09T12:27:00.001Z

There are so many lush things on this blog that I've had to put my laptop down and take some deep breaths. Expect numerous "Via http://indiaknight.posterous.com"

Urban Jewelery

2009-11-07T10:11:00.002Z

Via Urban Artcore. My love of humorous jewelery and my love of Amsterdam is combined in these images so I had to share. Belgian designer Liesbeth Bussche turns street furniture into jewelery.

MY PERFECT MENORAH

2009-11-06T15:29:00.004Z

One day, when I'm a proper grown-up with a proper grown-up house I will own a beautiful menorah like this one from Reddish. Ok, enough daydreaming.

INSTANT JOY

2009-11-06T15:07:00.002Z

Sometimes time passes in a flash but on other occasions it drags on and on... Like waiting for Polaroid film to be reintroduced, which according to The Impossible Project (brilliant people who badgered Polaroid into submission and succured the future of visual nostalgia for all) is still a whopping 4,781,751 seconds away! Impatient? Me? Yes. That's why I like instant photography, also because it looks lovely in a perfectly imperfect way.

So while tapping my fingers, wishing away the seconds, I'm using Polardroid as a sort of Nicotine gum – not quite the same but helps a little bit – substitute. Poladroid sits on your desktop, drag and drop a photo onto the camera icon and then it spits out a 'Polaroid picture', which slowly develops on your screen. Instant joy!

For a brilliant round up of alternative instant cameras and films, visit the Lomography Store's microsite

EITHER OR BOTH

2009-11-04T14:56:00.007Z

Everyone has their own way of doing things, and that's cool with us. If you're of the Chrismukkah persuasion you could do worse than to stock up on these glass doughnut tree decorations form Urban Outfitters. Mmmm doughnuts...

HOLIDAYS ARE COMING

2009-11-04T14:10:00.002Z

Right that's it, no more waiting, Halloween (fantastic as it was) is over and I can finally start blogging about all things Hannukah. What's not to like about a festival that entails 8 days of doughnut eating, gambling and lovely pressies!

So to kick off with, check out the menorahs, such as this LED Menorah available from Fredflare, our favorite stateside purveyor of cool schmutter and do it now while they have 30% off their holiday shop.

OY BOY!

2009-11-04T12:59:00.001Z

As a heterosexual female I don't usually read Attitude Magazine, but I'm dieing to see their upcoming fashion feature. I have heard the theme is hot Jewish men, including models sporting a Hasidic look; black hat and payot!

Outfits are completed with pieces that ought to be seen in any self-respecting fashionistas wardrobe this season, like the leather biker jacket – except this one has a Star of David emblazoned on the back.

When I spoke to the (very talented and might I add super lovely) stylist she said the photos had been shown to some Jewish people to find out if the images would cause offense. I couldn't help but laugh. When we first launched our Kosher for Christmas cards back in 2004 we were accused by one Rabbi of 'caving in to the whims of society' on the other hand someone else said 'These are the best f*$#ing cards I've seen in my life'. There will inevitably be a love it or loath it response.

So cue the stream of outraged letters to the Jewish Chronicle, let them come. But who cares? When's the next Gay Jewish Pride Day, there must be one...

2009-11-04T01:15:00.006Z

Not so much is open on a Saturday in Stamford Hill. Squeezed between the baby boomers of Stoke Newington and the knife wheeling yoot of the South Tottenham bad lands, it is, after all the epicentre of East London Hasidic life.

Luckily for us and our rumbling bellies Aran's Cafe is open for business every day of the week. Two minds working as one, we both opted for scrambled eggs on toast, with baked beans, hash browns and a mug of tea. It's not just the feast-sized portions that we love about Aran's, it's also the fantastic people watching. The Hasidim walking by in their Saturday best; the bus driver on a break; the Eastern European guy sampling the delight's of Aran's Jerk Chicken and the old-timer digging into a roast dinner, with enough lashings of extra salt to take ten years off his life.

Turns out, a massive cooked breakfast is excellent brain food, if that place had a WiFi connection I think we'd set up a studio in the corner.

chai fashion

2009-10-21T00:59:00.000+01:00

Wear it with pride!

2009-10-19T14:45:00.006+01:00

Manoush Sequin Embellished Shift Dress, available at Asos. And if you have a minute take a look at the Manoush website, turn up the volume and enjoy exploring this eclectic site.

www.asos.com
www.manoush.com

Kosher for christmas

2009-10-18T17:38:00.005+01:00

It's that time again!
Kosher For Christmas cards are now £1.50, or you can buy a variety pack of 10 for £5.
www.schmuttergold.bigcartel.com

Deface something today

2009-10-16T19:01:00.006+01:00

This great notebook from the design duo Mihoko Ouchi and Sherwood Forlee lets you graffiti the walls of NYC without the risk of arrest. Finally, I can reek my revenge on my brother for scrawling 'Jennifer is a smelly poo!' in one of mum's books. I always felt too guilty to draw in books but now it's allowed. OK temporary regression to childhood over. You can perfect your tag at the online version www.wallsnotebook.com

www.thinkofthe.com

The fun theory

2009-10-16T18:32:00.015+01:00

I thought this was all clever and fun (which it is) then I realised it is basically a car advert. Ah well, will just have to hit the pause button just before the end and then I can pretend it's art.
www.thefuntheory.com

Love, love, love Greece Is For Lovers

2009-10-16T16:13:00.005+01:00

It's clever, it makes us smile, it makes us wish we were Greek!
Oh, yes that's right, Chloé does consider herself Greek. She's yet to clarify on what grounds this is, I fear it's soley based on her love of tzatziki.
www.greeceisforlovers.com

Super Sarah!

2009-10-16T15:41:00.005+01:00

It makes us feel all warm and fuzzy inside when someone we know is doing something brilliant. This time it's the lovely Sarah, who has set up shop in Portobello Market. And if you like a lie-in, well you can have your hummingbird cupcake and eat it because Supermarketsarah is online too, hurray!

www.supermarketsarah.com

Nice music Video

2009-10-16T15:00:00.010+01:00

Just looking through some old emails and found this little ditty with a lovely video. I was going to write something about this girl's lazy Sunday morning looking pretty exhausting but instead now I want to say is this; I thought I'd better find out whose song it is to name drop the young man singing and it turns out to be a chap called Oren Lavie. Quite clearly with a name like that he's a nice Jewish boy. So now that weird thing has happened whereby for no real determinable reason I like the song a bit more. The same thing happens when you see some gorgeous guy fronting a band at a gig, then later in the bar he looks disappointingly normal – it wasn't him you fancied, it was the guitar!
www.orenlavie.com

Sweet Feet

2009-10-16T14:17:00.010+01:00

Biting cold in London this week, just in the nick of time Happy Socks have arrived in our lives. No more Mr Jack Frost nipping at our toes, oh no! What's more I now know what to buy the men in my family for Hannukah. Dad is gonna rock the golf course this year in the green square. And my big brother will be getting all nostalgic with one colour reds (If you didn't read Adrian Mole, go away and come back when you've done your homework) and he'll also get the red and black stripe for his Dennis the Menace moments.
www.happysocks.com