It Will Be Exhilarating

My friends at Studio Neat wrote a book. And I can’t wait to read it.

They have only been in business for two years, yet launched two successful Kickstarter projects, paving the way for a new era of independent hardware manufacturing.

According to their site, the book was written to offer guidance and inspiration for those charting a similar path, and covers topics such as running a small business, creating hardware products independently, launching a Kickstarter project, and tips for promoting your products.

It Will Be Exhilarating is a short read that will provide the needed kick to start making stuff. There isn’t a better time than now.

Get the book: IT WILL BE EXHILARATING, Indie Capitalism and Design Entrepreneurship in the 21st Century

Fresh Threads

During the New York Gift Fair last weekend I met the lovely folks behind Fresh Threads, a modern twist on drawer fresheners, a clean, modern alternative to messy potpourri sachets.

Unlike other fresheners on the market, Fresh Threads is entirely a paper product, fully and easily recyclable. A clever perforation allows you to hang it virtually everywhere, without adding secondary materials like strings, cords or plastic hooks, which require additional processing at the time of recycling. It was designed with a clear intention to minimize waste by repurposing it and extending its life cycle after the scent has faded–please check out the hand-me-down page for some ideas.

Fresh Threads is designed in NYC and produced in the USA! Yay hooray!

Puxxle

Put a Shark on your wall, Pixel by Pixel. How? Watch this video!

Din Din Stainless Platter

This stainless steel platter made me chuckle. Obviously made for kids, but, honestly I want to use it for myself.

Piggy Bank Fritz

Piggy Bank Fritz keeps you focused on what you’re saving for. Love this approach and of course, the minimalist nature of the design. Hat tip to Markus Gläser and Jan Eilts. #wishlisted

(via grassrootsmodern)

Cardigan Pendant Light

This Cardigan Pendant Light made me chuckle and realize that summer is ending soon.

I didn’t just say that, did I?

PhotoShelter / Luminance

Photoshelter is putting on a conference here in NYC called Luminance on September 12-13. The 2-day conference will feature speakers that help create, consume and define photography in a myriad of ways. Photographers, technologists, designers and those who care about the direction of photography should attend.

The speaker roster is nothing short of impressive. I am definitely going to try to attend. And yay, it’s affordable!

10 Rules for Students

Some Rules for Students and Teachers, attributed to John Cage, but originates from celebrated artist and educator Sister Corita Kent.

Friday Link Pack

(via Those Who Make)

– For a moment of awe at human achievement: 3D-printed prosthetic arm changes 3-year-old girl’s life.

– A collection of NYC city online guides.

– Idler: A New Modular Typeface Family By Lamesville

– If you read one thing this weekend, let it be this: On Empathy and Apathy: Two Case Studies

– Love the fixer mentality behind Wikipedia Redefined. (via @tca_team)

– Yay for analog mail: Airmail Zipper Pouch.

– That’s one pretty wine rack.

– Do Lectures are happening September 20-23 in California. I wish I could go. There’s a few attendee tickets left. You should apply!

– I just received my Elevation Dock. It’s fantastic.

– Rob Walker: Mapping the “Collective Unconscious” of NYC

– Astroturf fingernails. Really.

– Rituals of Preparation.

– The folks over at The Wall Street Journal are looking to hire a UX Architect.

– Good Grammar is sexy.

Those Who Make

A wonderful site, carefully curating a collection of videos and interviews of Those Who Make.

Knitted Storage Bins

Love these 100% cotton knitted storage bins. Tame the toys!

Hut Pendant Light

The modern Hut Pendant Light is designed and made in Australia from powder-coated steel and acrylic and slots together without screws. A light that makes you look up!

(via grassrootsmodern)

Mr. Somebody & Mr. Nobody

The one booth that stood out to me at the NYIGF was the one by Mr. Somebody & Mr. Nobody. Their products are beautiful and quirky at the same time. The retro radio pillow and the plucked chicken box won me over. Consider me a fan. These ladies will go far. Trust me.

More Creativity

“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” – Maya Angelou

(via Wells Baum)

Art Space Tokyo Digital Edition

Craig Mod just published the digital edition of Art Space Tokyo in several formats, across multiple platforms.

This launch is of course about the book, but perhaps more pressingly, it’s about what a contemporary digital book looks like — scattered and disjointed, spread across multiple platforms in various states of open and closed. Read his thoughtful post, titled Platforming Books.

ROOM Copenhagen

I discovered the Bowl II at the ROOM Copenhagen booth at the NYIGF yesterday and let me tell you, it is one pretty bowl. It is available in 9 different colors and simply stunning. I can’t check that #wishlisted button fast enough!

Born in Sweden Mailbox

This Modern Mailbox by Born in Sweden caught my attention while walking the NYIGF today. It also comes in a shorter version.

All The Way

“If you’re going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don’t even start.”
– Charles Bukowski

(via Maria)

Hand Knitted Rope Baskets

These Hand Knitted Rope Baskets by nkuku made me look at the New York International Gift Fair today. They would make for super stylish toy bins in Tilo and Ella’s rooms.

String Art Necklace

How beautiful is this String Art Necklace? It comes in different colors and gradients, but the red one gets my vote, of course.

CYQL

I am currently working the New York International Gift Fair with a Tattly booth (#5633) and today I spotted this interesting rubber ball chair/ottoman called CYQL a few booths down from us.

It is made with recycled bicycle inner tubes with a core that consists of an inflatable ball which gives it a bounce when sitting on it. Fun? Yes!

(wish they had better photos on their site)

Bowl Stack

I met Allison, the designer of this lovely Bowl Stack print at the New York International Gift Fair today. If I had a wall to hang artwork on in my kitchen, I’d definitely consider this one.

Super Sprowtz

Yesterday, somewhere on 10th avenue and 32nd street, I was handed one of these carrot puppets. Yup, a typical NYC moment. My kid’s faces lit up when they met him. Colby Carrot is now officially a new family member.

He is part of the Super Sprowtz Family. And they can sing:

Ostrich Pouf

This Ostrich Pouf is an explosion of glamour, according to the band.do ladies. I just met them. They are fabulous, and they got style. So much style!