Cartoon Bling

What do you get a gal who has everything? Some cartoon bling, of course! These rings bring back fun childhood memories of Saturday mornings in front of the TV and feeding our precious quarters into the trinket machines at the grocery store. Who needs diamonds when you have these Hanna Barbara retro rings? $5 each at Foursided Andersonville.

Newly Created

Enjoy these new pieces available in our Andersonville gallery!

Top to bottom:
"Old Chicago" constructed from mid century hand painted blocks, a coloring book page, and wood backing from an 1800's frame, $155.

"Chicago Card Game" constructed from game cards surrounded with old window frame cut to size, $160.

"Santa in Tennis Racket Holder" constructed from a vintage card stock Christmas decoration, glass, and an antique tennis racket holder, $65.

Happy Gobble Day!

We are hard at work here at Foursided cranking out the swag to liven up your holidays! What's on the menu this week, you ask? Well, besides turkey, cranberries, and stuffing, we have whipped up a few fun Thanksgiving creations perfect for adding to your table this season. Happy Gobble Day, $23, and our Framed Turkey Flashcard, $24, make for fun one-of-a-kind decorations. For extra flair consider adding these fun items: Roost Hourglass, $26; Pumpkin Card by Claudia Laub, $3.50; Foundre Frame, $27; Old World Christmas Pie Ornament, $7.99; Vintage Radio, $48. Happy Gobble day to you and yours this Thanksgiving!

Wondering About Wandering?

Directionally challenged? New to the city and having a hard time finding your way? Can't seem to figure out which direction you need to walk after emerging from the 'L' (admit it, you got turned around just the other day)? Never fear, your friends at Foursided and Twosided have the answer to all your problems: The Chicago Compass by Kikkerland! This compass is clearly labeled, not in cardinal directions (what sense does Norh or East make when you are lost, anyhow?), but in Chicago neighborhoods. Need to walk East? Head in the direction of Lake Michigan! Heading West? Walk in the direction of Bucktown and be on your merry way. Compasses available at Foursided Andersonville and Twosided for $4.50. Getting lost has never been so fun!

Foursided in Loft Life Magazine

photo by Linden Hass

Check us out in the Fall 2009 issue of Loft Life Magazine! Dave Bourla takes a walking tour of Chicago pointing out some design friendly hot spots along the way. We were happy to be mentioned amongst our Andersonville neighbors! For other fun Chicago landmarks and shopping destinations take a look at the full article The Design Winds of Chicago.

Glad Tidings To All

'Tis the season to be jolly, and your friends at Foursided, and Twosided, are happy to announce that holiday merchandise has arrived at all of our locations! Fun ornaments, festive holiday cards, and all things covered in glitter to adorn every nook and cranny in your home await you - shopping so good it would make Santa jealous! New merchandise is arriving daily, so stay tuned for more holiday goodies.

Robots!

Bleep Blop Blerb!
That's robot speak for check out our new awesome art!
We are so happy to have Lisa Grothman Ryan's amazing robots gracing our walls at Foursided Andersonville. Archival giclee prints are available in mutiple styles and sizes to suit all walls and budgets.
Bloop Blip Blub!
Translation: If you need these bad boys framed, we have a few ideas about that too!

Jetsetter Swag

Compasses by Kurt S. Adler, $15.25-18.25.

Paperweights, $10.


Fancy a getaway, but all out of vacation days? Surround yourself with some jetsetter swag and have a staycation! We love these vintage inspired compasses by Kurt S. Adler, and we couldn't resist whipping up some Parisian map paper weights to make that mound of office work seem more fun. Get your wanderlust fix with some retail therapy!

New & Old

Watercolor tin, $46.

Wooden tool & dye parts, sold as a set, $75.

Psychic testing cards, $49 for the set.

Here's what is new in old stuff this week:
Get your art on with an Alice in Wonderland watercolor tin. Not artistic? Just admire it's retro coolness at your own tea party. Looking for cool graphic elements to add some punch to your walls? A set of wooden tool and dye parts could be just the answer! Wondering what the tomorrow has in store for you? Hone your skills with a set of psychic testing cards from the 1940's. We see a trip to Foursided in your future...

Spookiness Abounds

The air is crisp and autumn is here! We are enjoying the harvest season and getting ready for the spookiest of all holidays: Halloween! If you didn't think dolls were spooky, think again! We have tons of fun cards to give to your fall-loving friends, and creepy do-dads for decorating your home for the season. We hope you stop by and say "BOO!" sometime soon.

Favorite Things

Loyal blog readers, there is nothing we love more than seeing the amazing stuff you create from the things you find at our stores. We are here to inspire you to create stuff that is fun and memorable. Whether you create a memory by giving a fun card, or tangible art that you make with your own hands, we are elated to hear the story and happy to be a catalyst for creativity.

Card maker extraordinaire Amber, from a. Favorite Design, emailed us these great projects that showcase a bunch of our fun ephemera, and we were so impressed we just had to share!

Top to Bottom:

• Number collage assembled from old flashcards, game pieces, house numbers, and other loveliness containing the number 3.
• Anniversary card made from a flashcard, number piece, and folk clothespins. Traditionally wood is given for the 5th anniversary.
• Looking into the magical jar.
  
• Magical jar containing flashcards, scrabble tiles, dominoes, anagram tiles, and tons and tons of other fun stuff!
• Valentine assembled in a frame from letters, cards, a domino, a Monopoly card, doilies, and assorted special do-dads.

Thanks Amber! All we can say is wow!

As for the rest of you, keep the great ideas coming - and if you would like us to showcase something you've made on our blog please do not hesitate to contact us!

This Just In

We love love LOVE these adorable bird tiles we just received!
Designed, glazed, and fired by a UK craftsman for Sweet Bella, they are all one of a kind and even more lovely seen in person. Tiles start at $65 and are available in three charming sizes. All have hooks for hanging and will make a unique addition to any art collection!