W h o l e s o m e S c r a p s

Fresh from Johnny’s studio! For more photos from the...

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 13:07:00 -0800

Fresh from Johnny’s studio!

For more photos from the Barnacle Ring Series visit his Flickr. And for behind the scenes shots, you can follow him on Instagram.

A little feature about my work is up on West Elm’s blog...

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 09:50:56 -0800

A little feature about my work is up on West Elm’s blog today as part of the Etsy/West Elm collaboration! There’s also a Q & A about my process. Check it out right here and to see more, visit my shop. Thanks again West Elm!

Johnny and I are excited to share the news that our baby boy...

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 12:56:00 -0800

Johnny and I are excited to share the news that our baby boy arrived! On September 30th we welcomed Finley John Ninos to the world. As you can see there’s a lot of sleeping happening around here these days (at least that’s true for one of the three of us). We’re all happy, healthy, and figuring each other out with each new day…

Whoa you guys. When it rains, it pours. I’m so honored...

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 09:58:00 -0700

Whoa you guys. When it rains, it pours.

I’m so honored to be included as a featured artist in West Elm & Etsy’s collaboration! My work is currently up on West Elm’s website and can be found in their Holiday 2012 catalogs sometime soon. And I’ve received word that more exciting news is on the way in the coming weeks (besides the fact Baby Boy is due TOMORROW, ahhhh).

New photos! Johnny’s Barnacle Rings. Find ‘em...

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 17:36:15 -0700

New photos! Johnny’s Barnacle Rings.

Find ‘em here.

Yikes. It’s been an entire month since Johnny’s...

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 11:49:00 -0700

Yikes. It’s been an entire month since Johnny’s show at Love & Luxe. (We’ve been a bit preoccupied…how does 9 months go so quickly?) Better to post late than never though, right?

The show was a blast. The shop looks fabulous as usual and every glimpse we have into San Francisco keeps us wanting to go back for more. Johnny was psyched to have the opportunity to meet many of his customers and some of Love & Luxe’s other featured artists. Speaking of, the last photo is of two kinetic sculptures by John Biggs. His work is incredibly intricate and beyond cool. Look him up!

Johnny’s Barnacle Collection is currently on display. Swing by and check it out if you’re in the area.

A big thank you to Laurie Griffiths Interior Design for...

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 10:05:00 -0700

A big thank you to Laurie Griffiths Interior Design for including me in her blog post “Etsy Delights: 10 Fab Artists To Check Out”. It’s very cool to be nestled in a grouping of such talented makers (such as this lady and this lady- two of my favorite painters out there) and for the Forecast Series and shop to be written about with such kind words.

Head over to Laurie’s site to learn more about her design services and to read the full post. Thanks Laurie!

THIS Saturday, August 4th! It’s show time at Love &...

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 14:52:00 -0700

THIS Saturday, August 4th! It’s show time at Love & Luxe!

If you’re in the San Francisco area be sure to stop by and say hi. Johnny will be available during his trunk show from 3-6pm. (Looking to make a custom order? This is a great time to make it happen!) Then from 6 to 10pm it’s the opening reception for “Dexterity” - a show featuring Johnny’s new Barnacle Series, sculpture by John Biggs, and painting by Jose Arenas.

Here’s a video preview for the show, created by Martha Traer for Love & Luxe. Hope to see you there! And for those of you who can’t make it, check Johnny’s Instagram for photos of the show (search for Johnny Ninos).

Sneak Peek Johnny has a show coming up on Saturday, August 4th...

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 09:23:00 -0700

Sneak Peek

Johnny has a show coming up on Saturday, August 4th at Love & Luxe (more on that to come later). In the meantime, here’s a small taste of his latest!

You can follow updates over on his Flickr.

We have a dream of opening a store of our own someday. Since...

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 12:57:21 -0700

We have a dream of opening a store of our own someday.

Since someday is not today, thought I’d share some of the inspiration I’ve been filing away. From NYC to Copenhagen, ATL to Paris, aren’t these storefronts insanely fabulous?

If you’re interested, there’s more squirrel’d away inspiration on my Pinterest.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10

Leigh Wells My Honors Art class spent their final weeks of...

Wed, 30 May 2012 10:55:42 -0700

Leigh Wells

My Honors Art class spent their final weeks of school working through an abstract painting project. I came to find that I actually don’t have a clue how to really teach abstraction. Something magic has always happened in the past, where something instinctual kicks in for the kids and happy accidents led to goodness in the end. Midway through I got myself together and re-approached my usual method, finding loads of eye candy along the way.

That’s where the work of San Francisco based artist Leigh Wells comes in. I first came across her drawings a couple years back (check out her Tangled Series- amazing right?) and recently stumbled upon her more recent work, pictured above. Using mixed media on paper, I love the way these collages hover over the line of representation and abstraction.

Find more work on her website, right here.

Johnny’s Latest Collection: Barnacle Rings From left to...

Fri, 25 May 2012 08:58:01 -0700

Johnny’s Latest Collection: Barnacle Rings

From left to right, top to bottom:

1- 14 kt White Gold, Black Diamonds

2- 14 kt Yellow Gold, White and Black Diamonds

3- The Collection (the bottom two are 18 kt Rose Gold)

4- 14 kt Yellow Gold, Black Diamonds

5- Oxidized Sterling Silver, Sapphire Stones

All of these pieces can be seen and sold at Love & Luxe in San Francisco (more on L&L here and here). In addition, every stone Johnny uses is certified conflict-free. Good stuff!

Looking to make a custom order? Email Johnny at: johnnyninos@yahoo.com

Color Theory + Hiatus + BIG NEWS ! Yikes! It’s been...

Thu, 24 May 2012 11:10:00 -0700

Color Theory + Hiatus + BIG NEWS !

Yikes! It’s been an entire month since my last post. Sorry for the hiatus. Life has shifted in the craziest yet best of ways: we are expecting a baby boy this fall! I am 21 weeks along and all is well.

It’s funny how much priorities shift with a game-changer such as this. The notion of sitting in front of my computer for hours on end went right out the window as soon as I found out I was pregnant. My daily fix of Pinterest even dwindled- no shakes, no withdrawal (cutting down on caffeine, however, is a different story)! Now that I’m halfway along and gaining energy back, Wholesome Scraps will start to get more attention. Posts on the daily are doubtful, but at least once a week is do’able!

I’m eager to get back into the swing of things and to share some of the latest developments from Johnny’s studio. Brag alert: his latest series of barnacle rings are really something! Check back tomorrow for photos of his latest.

1 (JMW Turner’s Sunrise with Sea Monsters) / 2 / 3 / 4 (artwork by Susan Dwyer) / 5 / 6/ 7 (watercolor by Luli Sanchez) / 8 (vessels by Up in the Air Somewhere)

As you can see, Johnny’s been a slave to his bench these...

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 07:34:48 -0700

As you can see, Johnny’s been a slave to his bench these past couple weeks. Here’s a taste of his latest work (from right to left, top to bottom):

1- Riveted Steel & Sterling Rings

2- Conflict-free Rose Cut Diamonds with Handmade Casted Bezels in Rose, White, and Yellow Gold

3- Steel, Yellow Gold, and Diamond Neckpiece with Magnetic Clasp

4- Sterling, Steel, and Yellow Gold Casted Eucalyptus Earrings

5- Barnacle Rings in Yellow and Rose Gold with Rose Cut Diamonds

6- Steel and Yellow Gold Earrings

7- Grey Rose Cut Diamond with Handmade Bezel in Yellow Gold

And this just a sampling…there’s another post in the works which is accompanied with some exciting news! Stay tuned.

Just some photos of a lovely home, all in monochrome. I’m...

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 16:33:42 -0700

Just some photos of a lovely home, all in monochrome.

I’m loving the warm light mixed with shades of white, black, and grey. Get me in that kitchen! Or even better, get me in that tub!

Later in the week we’ll be posting another studio update from a casting Johnny did last night! This casting produced a total of 20 new pieces, ranging from rose-cut diamonds, components for broaches and earrings, and more for his latest series using the combination of steel and gold. Good stuff! Stay tuned…

(Found via Nordic Design, photos by Daniela Witte for Skona Hem)

Last week was like a little slice of summer around these parts:...

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 07:34:33 -0800

Last week was like a little slice of summer around these parts: we had a break from school and the weather was unexpectedly spectacular. On Friday the March issue of Bon Appetit arrived in the mail and I made this recipe that same day (looked too good to not make immediately, plus it was a perfect day for feasting out on the porch). Fast forward to Monday and the weather totally shifted, complete with snow in the mountains and hail down here (not complaining, though I’m ready to retire the ol’ down jacket into storage for the year).

Whether you’re in the dead of winter or in the thaw toward spring, I recommend giving this recipe a go, especially if you’re in the need for a little pick me up. Bon Appetit calls for using more sugar (1/2 cup rather than 1/3) and honey (3 Tbsp. rather than 2). I found both to be a bit overpowering in this recipe; the taste of roasted pineapple alone is sweet enough, in my opinion. I used Greek Gods brand yogurt (obsessed with this stuff) on the side. If you try creme fresh let me know how it turns out!

Fresh from the Studio Johnny’s been logging many hours at...

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:20:00 -0800

Fresh from the Studio

Johnny’s been logging many hours at the bench these past couple weeks. He started a new series using a combination of steel and yellow gold, which he used for the earrings in the photos above. The gold ring in the center photo is one of my all-time faves. The textural nugget was made using a left over sprue button from a previous casting. I love the way it looks when stacked with a diamond: the organic quality really takes off when next to a tightly crafted set stone (conflict-free, of course).

Another new addition are the wax bezels Johnny has been milling with his new-old lathe. These thicker, more substance filled stone holders are completely custom and uniquely built for each stone. Expect to see a handful of new rings sporting these one of a kind bezels soon!

In 2010 Italian designer Cizak Dalmas launched La Clinica, a...

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:31:07 -0800

In 2010 Italian designer Cizak Dalmas launched La Clinica, a collection of furniture and housewares with a story. What you see here are all handcrafted pieces produced by artisans located in three parts of the world: Brazil, Italy, and Spain. This collection is “based on the interaction between young designers and experienced artisans, which combines new ideas with centuries-old know-how”. According to local traditions and resources for materials, the result is three different collections based around the same basic design. Visit La Clinica’s website for more info and photos!

The combination of being uber busy with work for the past couple...

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:53:00 -0800

The combination of being uber busy with work for the past couple weeks, being summoned for jury duty this week (ugh), and feeling under the weather today has left me in a bit of a daze. This collection of photos is the work of artist Cecilia Paredes. (Far more lovely than my pity party, no?) Click here to see more of her inspiring work!

In much brighter news, Johnny’s been busy creating a new collection of rings and earrings using new techniques with wood, steel, and gold. Can’t wait to get together pictures to share with you in the coming weeks…stay tuned!

I’ve been finding loads of gorgeous imagery on Pella...

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:55:00 -0800

I’ve been finding loads of gorgeous imagery on Pella Hedeby’s blog STIL inspiration, this home in Singapore being no exception. I’m loving the minimal and simplistic approach to the design and decor. And that top photo (by Rupert Singleton) might just be my favorite interior shot ever…

See more photos right here. Have a great weekend!