That first one is way to vagina for me!

But then again...what does that say about my psyche?

too. sorry!

vagina? ... I don't know what kind of vaginas you've been looking at..

Vagina?? err...

I love inkblots. I've been looking all over for real Rorschach cards, but they're quite hard to find here in the Netherlands :(
I did find the complete original set here: http://covetstudio.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=174
But I can't afford that!

http://newangles.wordpress.com

Menno - Or you could just buy these from ebay on the cheap and frame them in affordable Ikea frames/mats.

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-Rorschach-Psychodiagnostic-Test-Plates-Set-NICE-/260585872519?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cac20dc87

There's something elegant about these (or maybe I just like my vag?).

I'd go so far as to say that they're all pretty vaginal.

I'm not an avid DIY'er, but even I think it would take a pretty big chump to pay 100 bucks for a pillow that they could easily make themselves by spilling ink on a pillow case and folding it in half. (So that's what a vagina looks like? I guess I'm not missing anything magical after all.)

I think they look like pretty butterflies.

...what?

Martha's design process and use of materials are what draw me to her work as much as the beauty of the finished products. I have her Inkblot runner on my dining room table, and the effect is really striking -- the ink is just so rich and dark.

Beautiful work, as always.

Man, you people are harsh.

I think Martha is an artist and I think her stuff is pretty damn cool.

I love this! (although I wouldn't pay $100 for a pillow under any circumstances). As brand new therapist I'm really just in love with this pillow.

Although, I don't have much good to say about those of you who see a Vagina there. Not a good sign, not a good sign...

Menno, you can't find them because theirs only one original, fully normed set of cards, which are copyrighted and fiercely guarded by psychologists, since they don't want people peeping at the material ahead of time.

Not that I put much more stock in inkblot tests than I do in my display phrenology head, but antique tools of the trade are always a big hit with me.

It makes me sad that some of these comments are so disrespectful. Martha is a lovely artist and I think her work is absolutely beautiful. It is one thing to think something is not your taste and quite another to be just completely disrespectful. I think Martha's pillows are gorgeous.
xo
Melissa

Reading the comments on this post is making me incredibly angry. Would any of you that this bs to Martha's face? I doubt it. Martha McQuade is one of the kindest, most talented designers I know. I don't really think that "I could make this myself" and "that looks like a vagina" is constructive criticism.
Grow up. These pillows are awesome.

Come on - if you don't like the design - a simple "not my style/taste" would suffice. These designers pour their heart and soul into their work and these kind of remarks can really wound. Personally, I love the pillows - you rock, Martha!

I'm confused as to why everyone thinks it's disrespectful to think it looks like a vagina?

Vaginas aren't bad.

I'm not sure what it "means" to see a vagina in these, but as AmmoniteInk says, the Rorschach is an antiquated method.

Wow, where are all these mean internet trolls coming from?
If you prefer to buy goods sold for cheap and that look like things that everyone else has, why are you reading apartment therapy? Head on down to Target or WalMart.

Martha is a very talented and amazing artist and crafts person. How do I know? I own two of her items, have been a loyal blog reader of her's for years and have met her personally.
Big deal-you don't like her pillow-or you can't afford it.

Martha is a one woman show working with sustainable, ethical materials out of her studio right here in the USA.
She's not Nike with many manufacturing plants overseas doing all her work.

People like her work and pay her an equitable, living wage.
You don't have to do it, but be aware that you are dissing a kind soul when you spew this hatred in the comments.
Shame on you!

I'm with clampers. Why all the vagina hate? Who *wouldn't* want a vagina pillow???

I'm confused.

It's not that vaginas aren't lovely - indeed they are. I mean, let's be real: most of us on this page have 'em and use 'em. And plenty of artists would agree.

No, it's the dismissive, crass way in which the descriptor "way to [sic] vagina" was introduced. I am quite certain the first commenter wasn't intending any sort of pro-vagina/everyone wants a vagina pillow! commentary with her statement, so please don't accuse anyone defending Martha with any sort of anti-vagina stance. In fact, I'd bet that first commenter was going with the "ew vaginas are gross, who wants a vagina pillow," so why don't you pick on him/her?

You can see a vagina in the inkblot. That's ok. You can not like the pillows. That's ok too. You can even say those things. No one will ever improve without criticism and critique. But can't you find a more useful, perhaps even polite way to do it? Being harsh only works for a select few, and online it just mushrooms into something like this. I think what everyone has a problem with is that someone who works very hard, just as you might, displays her work here only to have people jump in with "way too vag!" and "chump." A little touch of manners goes a long way.

this kind of work is not as easy as it may seem! i agree, most of these comments are really disrespectful and rude. if you don't have something nice to say you probably don't need to say it. martha's an amazing designer with better taste than most!

I adore Martha, her process and her work. And I will continue to buy it because it's worth that much if not more. Remember there are real people behind these designs, not robots and mass production lines.

I have an incredible handmade skirt by Martha (Uniform Studio) and every time I wear I receive SO many compliments and questions as to wear I found it - I feel so lucky to have one of her pieces! It's truly one of my most cherished pieces in my wardrobe and I've had it for a few years - it's a work of ART. Her talent has no boundaries...

I've loved Martha's ink blot pillows since I first saw them, especially the yellow one.

And I'd gladly part with $100 if I could, because I know how much hard work, thought, time and heart she puts into each quality piece. Not only that, but I know I would be supporting a sustainable and ethical process and a very talented designer.

If you want a meaningless, cheap object and have no respect for artists or their work then that's ok. But don't be disrespectful and rude. Vaginas are irrelevant.

let's make art, not war. martha is a lovely, thoughtful artist, who makes incredible pieces for us to be proud of and enjoy. i love her work, and find it visually stimulating, beautiful and interesting.

I don't know Martha so I don't have a vested interest in sychophancy, I'll just tell it as I see it. When I first saw these pieces my jaw dropped; they are amazing. I love the graphic nature of these and, funnily enough, what it says about the people who comment on them, just as original ink blot tests intended to do! If I had the money and they were still on sale I would buy two or three in a hot minute.

Regarding pricing, designer things are always pricier than rip offs; nobody complains that an eames chair is thousands whilst an ebay knock off is merely dollars. What's the point here? Are we suddenly disgusted by the nature of capitalism?

From an objective stand point these pillows are jaw droppingly beautiful.