If you are looking for some design eye candy check out the portfolio of photographer Seth Smoot (http://www.patbates.com/seth_smoot/).  There are several different books you can browse through on the website and I think book #2 is my fave.  Such gorgeous photos!  

(The images are much clearer if you go to the actual site).

www.minted.com is a website that offers personalized printed stationery....invitations, announcements and photo cards.  Minted also has prints available in many different sizes.  It would be easy to curate a collection for a gallery wall by choosing five or so in various sizes.  Some of my favourites are below....

I recently discovered the most amazing paper artist, Denise Sharp, and just had to share.  There are tons of inspiring projects and images on her website http://www.studiodsharp.com/.  In her shop you will find letterpress treats and handmade goodies galore.

This large paper flower would definitely make a statement for a wedding or special event!

 This ombre chocolate box for valentine's day is so lovely.  I imagine collecting paint chips in my favourite shades of blue and reproducing this on a box of my own...

 Postage stamp garlands!!  Brilliant idea.

Also the smaller stamp garland adds the perfect amount of colour to a birthday (or bon voyage?) cake.  I have a small postage stamp collection and would love to try and reproduce this!

There are also extremely special boxes in the shape of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Eiffel Tower.  How cool would it be to hide a plane ticket to Italy in here for a loved one? 

Studio D Sharp is such a great source for keepsakes and decorations for very special occasions.  Bellisima!

So, another source for cheap and lovely art is paper!  Sheets of wrapping paper come in so many amazing patterns and textures.  Most of the sheets are 20"X 30" and fit into a standard sized frame (the Ribba frames from IKEA are my favourite).  

One company, Cavallini, makes wrapping paper that look like old maps and are perfect for framing.   For only around five bucks you have a fabulous piece of art!

Cavallini also makes wrapping paper in other designs that are suitable for framing.  We have the fruits and vegetable poster in our kitchen.  How sweet would the alphabet design be for a nursery?

An Italian company, Rossi, makes divine handmade marbled paper and each one is totally unique.  I have an aqua blue and gold one framed in our dining room.  The picture below doesn't do it justice....trust me, it's gorgeous!  

Rossi also makes a paper that looks like old fashioned calligraphy that would look really cool framed in an office.

Waste Not Paper makes funky wrapping paper and this nautical themed one would look great in a bedroom or bathroom.

Chiyogami papers (from The Japanese Paper Place) are beautiful and detailed and look lovely in a series.  I have three framed in our hallway.

Most of these papers are also available to purchase at my place of employment, The Papery  (669 Fort Street in Victoria, BC).

Have you heard of www.freevintageposters.com?  It is a great source for free artwork.  You could take an image from the website to a printer and have a high quality poster made in virtually any size!  There are ten different categories to browse through and many images to choose from under each heading. 

I liked these two botanical posters for the colours and their simple, graphic quality:

I thought these two would be sweet in a little girl's room:

This one would be perfect in a kitchen or dining room:

And the two travel posters might be fun in an office or den:

In my next post I will discuss another source for cheap, cool art!

Since I discussed ecards in my last post I thought it only fair to mention some divine stationery companies producing high quality paper goods.  

Egg Press has some unique designs all letterpressed onto thick card stock.  

http://eggpress.com/

Night Owl Paper Goods prints whimsical and adorable designs onto wood veneer.  They also print some of their designs onto paper.  Very cool!

http://nightowlpapergoods.com/

Driscoll Design creates very delicate, feminine images that are often highlighted with glitter (when in doubt just add glitter!).  

http://www.driscolldesign.com/

Rifle Paper Company has been widely publicized on blogs and for good reason.  Lovely, original designs!

http://riflepaperco.com/

Waste Not Paper has a lot of fun, fresh and colourful graphics on their greeting cards as well as kits to make your own crafts.

http://www.wastenotpaper.com/

Red Cap Cards has artwork that is sometimes slightly bizarre and definitely unique.

http://www.redcapcards.com/

Coral and Tusk is a company that was recently featured in Martha Stewart Living and their designs are embroidered onto cards!  They are not inexpensive but would look great framed and hung on the wall.

http://coralandtusk.com/

There are many more stationery companies I could mention but these are my current favourites.  Happy Browsing!