A short blog with three nice things: one messy, one marvellous, one for the makers.
messy – some sketchbook pages or a new character for my messy parade
marvelous – a spotlight on a good thing that happened or happens
one for the makers – a tip from me to you
Published irregularly — I aim for bi-weekly, but let’s see.
1. The Messy Parade
Meet: the Sweet Swimmer
We’re lucky to have so many places to swim in Amsterdam: open water to dive into when the days (and nights) turn hot. I found this lollipop wrapper last week on IJburg Beach. It became the swim cap for this little swimmer.
I love being in the water: the weightlessness, the cool, the sense of freedom.
But like so many others, I also dread those first beach days — the awkwardness of unwanted hairs and curves, and all the other things my body and skin do without asking.
I’d be lying if I said I don’t care anymore. I do.
But not enough to stop me from going.
Let’s be sweet to each other.
Let’s keep the beaches (and the city) clean — of trash, and of judgment.
A good watch: this video about shame by The School of Life.
Found: IJburg beach
Material: lollipop wrapper (XXL 😉
More Messy Parade: you can find the team here.
2. The marvelous
around you now, everywhere
Pineapple weed grows through sidewalk cracks and smells like fruit. Rub its flower head between your fingers and you’ll catch a soft pineapple scent, light and sweet. It’s the wild cousin of chamomile, tough enough to grow between tram rails and on crowded pavements.
I love this elegant sweet weed: always crushed, never defeated.
A tiny, fragrant marvel, dressed in green lace.
You can make tea from it, but sometimes it’s enough just to see it.
Unexpected, persistent, the smell of summer if you take notice.
Seen: under your feet!
Alias: wild chamomile (Matricaria discoidea)
Use: flower heads for tea or a small smile when you see one.
3. For the makers
Tip for the Maker: have you discovered the colorful Riso Pop yet?
Riso Pop is a vibrant shop, gallery, workshop space, and risograph studio all in one, located in Amsterdam. It’s run by the energetic and inspiring Aafke Mertens. As the name suggests, Riso is the star of the show alongside Aafke at this unique creative spot.
Recently, Riso Pop moved to a new location on the Maasstraat. To celebrate the move, Aafke and her team curated an exhibition around the theme Summer Travels, featuring 36 works from artists all over the world. It’s a joyful mix of ideas, styles, and possibilities—showcasing what you can achieve with just four colors: yellow, fluorescent pink, blue, and burgundy.
I’m proud and excited that my own piece, School Trip, is part of the exhibition.
The show runs throughout the month of July, and there are also various workshops happening over the summer. Will I see you there?
Where: Riso Pop, Maasstraat 182, Amsterdam
When: For current opening hours and the full agenda, visit www.risopop.com
That’s it for now
I hope you enjoyed this first post of Three Nice Things.
Let me know if you have ideas, weird facts, beautiful trash, or anything worth celebrating.
I’d love to include your finds in future posts.