Tool Makers

Checkout the useful lifetime tools created by these fella in Latvia at Neeman Tools! 

These would make awesome Christmas gifts! 

"It is a tragedy of the first magnitude that millions of people have ceased to use their hands as hands. Nature has bestowed upon us this great gift which is our hands. If the craze for machinery methods continues, it is highly likely that a time will come when we shall be so incapacitated and weak that we shall begin to curse ourselves for having forgotten the use of the living machines given to us by God."

Mahathma Ghandi

Nice Work - David Neale Goldsmith

For all you makers of stuff out there I'll be posting a new series a few times a month called Nice Work.

It will feature people who make work (or things) I like -the featured person could be a product designer, fine artist - or a fine craft maker....anyone who makes an object!

Aluminum Comb - David Neale
Methods of Construction - sawing, carving (I assume some filing?)

This month it happens to be David Neale - an Australian goldsmith who has a pretty interesting life story (so far). He has a nice interview up currently which you can read here - on the site Visual Diary. 

After a life threatening lung injury he had to change his methods of making things in order to keep being a goldsmith. His thoughtful and funny BLOG is one I read weekly - as I am always interested to see what kind of things he is up to. He also is very specific about the processes he uses to make his work - and gives readers a peek into his studio when he has a cool project going or new tool acquisition.

Snake Ring - David Neale
Methods of Construction - sawing

His work is available for PURCHASE on his website. I'm a fan and think anyone interested in making should pop on over to his sites and give it a look! Your eyes and brain will not be sorry!

Thanks for reading!

I concur.

Wait! What if your objective is groping? Guess you've got it covered then...

Bands I like - Shovels & Rope

When life get me down - or I'm stuck in doing everything BUT what I'd actually LIKE to be doing I try to make my life a little better with music. My latest find is the band Shovels & Rope -  a duo who not only make some outstanding music - but who also seem very relate-able.

 In an age of pop superstars and pictures that have been Photoshopped to hell and back relatability often gets overlooked. Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent comprise the band Shovels & Rope. They are a married couple who go on the road travelling and playing together. While they both are musically talented solo - I think they really shine as a duo! 

Support these guys so they can make us more music!

I promptly added them to my collection and think you should do them same!

Buy a shirt or CD, won't ya?

Library land. Books + Stuff folks do with 'em.

So, during the day (and occasionally nights) I work as a librarian. While you might think this may be dull you would be incorrect - as my library patrons are always up to something! I've created a few little book sculptures for around our library but these would be really cool to put out for a display - full time!

This book igloo is awesome - it would be a really neat thing for kid's to discover in our children's room. (We'd have to glue it together with some seriously strong adhesive to prevent injuries + law suits of course!)

Sculpture by Colombian artist Miler Lagos. The piece was constructed at MagnanMetz Gallery late last year using carefully stacked books to create a compact dome that is entirely self-supporting.

The two pieces above are by artist Brian Dettmer.

He painstakingly crafts these intricate sculptures from pages and pages of books. I particularly enjoy the wall plaques - I think they'd be great if they were made a library signs directing patrons to different areas of the library. Though  it does seem a little cannibalistic to have a sign made of books directing you to them.... 

Statement

Artist Martin Frost paints elaborate scenes on the edges of books. He even creates miniature versions.

Librarians would be all about this because you can still use the books he paints on - though I'm not sure Mr. Frost would be thrilled about that. Reminds me a little of illuminated manuscripts due to the reuse of an already existing item.

The English artist Su Blackwell creates elaborate and intricate worlds by constructing and building sculptures out of the pages of books.  I think these would be a great tabletop display on a high counter top at eye level. We'd probably have to protect them by encasing it in a glass cloche or box. Libraries are basically dust factories and produce great breeding grounds for dust mites and spiders. I am sure they are looking to relocate to a nicer dwelling as industrial bookshelves just aren't that cozy.

Thanks for reading!

Have a great Labor Day Weekend!

Check back next week for jewelry updates!



Kickstarter Favorites

I've been visiting the site Kickstarter - both as research for an upcoming project and because there are some really awesome items you can't find anywhere else!

I've already backed a much needed textbook project by a philosophy professor and am always on the lookout for cool projects that need help getting off the ground.

Kickstarter is a great way to provide funding for makers and get a cool product you'd want anyways!

You never know what products a business will offer up in the future - especially if they have the capital and an audience provided by loyal funders + customers.

Here are my favorite Kickstarter items this week!

Check back for the lowdown on my own project in a few weeks.

The Keylet is a super option for folks who don't have many keys to carry.

They also offer a key holder for people who have lots of keys.

 I think this would be awesome as a key holder for running (or as I call it gasping for air and flailing around).

Kenji Prince is a barber who came up with the Old Familiar Comb.

Available in several models this seems like a sustainable alternative to the cheap plastic combs I keep replacing after I break them. (Yes, I am a woman who uses a COMB people - it takes up way less room than a brush in my purse!)

As a former preschool teacher I know kids would all over these Children's ABC Wallet Cards by Marie Claire Camp. Heaven knows we need more toys/learning tools that aren't aesthetically horrendous.

I think these fit the bill and are like nothing I've seen on the market.

I need some new flat art - and I like these paintings/collages by Megan Stroech.

She's promoting a project called Misremembering New Works on Kickstarter with some pretty cool incentives.

Thanks for reading + have a good weekend!

Oooh Metallicky...

I love kinetic and mechanical objects and these stars are no exception!

Here's a Neat Video with John Kostick about his fold able stars based on mathematical principals.

These suckers are available in 3 sizes over at Design Within Reach - check 'em out!

These have been in production since 1965 and are made in the USA!

Kate over at  Matchbook roams the Internet matching books covers (art in it's own right) with bathing suits!

I like the print of this metallic suit and the printing style of this book cover too!

The Candela Cube Light is minimalist and could be lumped into the whole stained glass/cube/terrarium trend sweeping over the DIY/design sites. But, I think it deserves a chance - I'm sure would look really different in person...but I think I like it!

I'm pretty sure these would be great shoes if you were a pimp.

In fact, should I ever take up that profession I think I'll buy myself a pair...maybe 2 in case one gets dirty or I loose a shoe. But, what color socks would I wear??? Seriously Robert Clergerie Jasc has some cool shoes made in France. Perfect for someone...maybe Ceelo!!!

       That's right - throwin' a little subtle at ya! 

I love the combination of neutrals with a touch of  metallic!!!

 I'm VERY excited about this nice collection of Washi Tape curated by Melanie on over at CraftyJapan on Etsy.... So excited I think it might need to come live with me!!!

Thanks for Reading!