I had the pleasure to see Jonathan Harris’ PSFK talk a few weeks ago. It is a moving talk and one that will make you think. Jonathan Harris is a new media artist and in this presentation talks to the audience about how he walked away from success and notoriety and was inspired to counter current trends to build Cowbird.com. Watch it!
Connecting Things
“Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while.”
-Steve Jobs, 1996 Wired Interview
(via Schiffner)
Hello Hickies, Bye Bye Shoelaces
Hickies turns your sneakers into slip-on shoes. Say goodbye to shoe-laces. I am sure my 6 year old would approve.
Dovo Manicure Set
This old-schoolManicure Set reminds me of my childhood.
Curiosity & Creativity
“Curiosity, creativity, discovery and wonder; they aren’t traits of youth, they’re traits of learning. If you want to feel younger and you want to replicate the conditions of youth, do that.”
– Bejamin Salka
Benjamin is the CEO of Story Pirates in his CreativeMornings/NewYork talk.
Don’t Settle.
“Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith. I’m convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You’ve got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.”
-Steve Jobs, 2005 Stanford Commencement Speech
Rainbow Parade Preparations
You should see what’s currently going down at the South wing of Studiomates. Jessi is in full preparation mode for tommorrow’s rainbow parade. And the above image pictures Jessi in her apartment, after her giant balloons were just dropped off.
If you’re in NYC, and have a love for color, come and join us for the World’s Largest Rainbow Birthday Parade, which includes a 20 People Marching Band. You can just show up, just make sure to be dressed in one color from head to toe!
Friday Link Pack
Stop-motion Pattern Studies #1 by Serena Olivieri
– I want my hair to be colored rainbow like this for tomorrow’s rainbow parade. Join us?
– Cablox tames cables. (What’s up with her high heels at work?)
– Looking for color inspiration for your apartment? Try Chipit, a web-based tool that allows you to select any online image and instantly identify the Sherwin-Williams paint colors that correspond to the colors contained within the picture. Cool.
– This little guy is quite adorable.
– Some folks have asked for a downloadable PDF of our Fridge Rules, a creation by my lovely Swissmisstant Jen Mussari. Enjoy.
– Mother’s Day is on May 13th. Show her your love by wearing a Mother or Mama Tattly.
– Super Mario Summary (via Coudal)
– Clearly marked umbrella stand
– Tentacle Mustache. Yup.
– Do yourself a favor and take the time to watch this talk by Simon Sinek.
– Eep! Eep! One of my favorite companies, Mailchimp, is looking to hire a designer. If I was 10 years younger, not married, without kids, I would totally apply for this position. You’d get to work with some of the finest people I know. You’re wondering why I love Mailchimp so much? Watch this talk by Ben Chestnut, one of the co-founders.
– Folded Notebooks! *so cool*
Draw The Red Line
“The most important thing a creative person can learn professionally is where to draw the red line that separates what you are willing to do, and what you are not.”
– Hugh McLeod
Calligraphy Necklaces
These Calligraphy Necklaces by Substudio are beautiful. Each custom necklace is hand lettered by calligrapher Crystal Kluge, and then etched into stainless steel.
#wishlisted
Dreams Magnetic Message Board
I am so getting this Magnetic Cloud Message Board for my daughter’s room. So adorable.
Being a Geek
“Being a geek is all about your own personal level of enthusiasm, not how your level of enthusiasm measures up to others. If you like something so much that a casual mention of it makes your whole being light up like a halogen lamp, if hearing a stranger fondly mention your favorite book or game is instant grounds for friendship, if you have ever found yourself bouncing out of your chair because something you learned blew your mind so hard that you physically could not contain yourself — you are a geek.”
The Mary Sue defines what it means to be a geek
(via explore)
The World’s Largest Invoice
Do you have a freelance gig you haven’t been paid for? Well, then check out World’s Largest Invoice and add your info.
The site launched today, and is an initiative by The Freelancers Union, to urge lawmakers to pass the Freelancer Payment Protection act in New York. It’s model legislation that gives freelancers the same protection as “traditional” employees – they can file wage claims for the money they’re owed and get protection from the Department of Labor.
CreativeMornings Video: Simon Sinek
I am extremely excited to share last week’s CreativeMornings talk by Simon Sinek. His talk was a touching one, definitely getting under my skin. Simon’s message is an important one and I can assure you that watching his talk is 20minutes well spent. Simon believes in a world in which the vast majority of people go home everyday feeling fulfilled by their work. Amen to that.
A big giant thank you to our videographer Ben Hallman.
Flint and Tinder: Premium Men’s Underwear
My friend Jake Bronstein is going to shake up the world of men’s underwear: He is going to be producing super high-quality men’s underwear, entirely made in the USA. And with that, he is going to save a 100+ year-old family owned factory in the process!
Flint & Tinder gets my vote.
Laser Cut Seaweed
Laser Cut Seaweed Sushi. Stunning, right?
♥ / Naked Binder
A big thank you to NAKED binder for sponsoring this week of my RSS Feed.
Naked Binder makes high quality recycled and recyclable office and school supplies. They believe the products you use should be better designed to last, inspire and do better in the world and the workplace. Naked Binder’s eco-friendly products are safer and healthier to make, use and dispose of. The Naked Binder products are a blank canvas for your ideas whether you are an architect, interior designer, student or organizing your home. The five styles offer a range of 100% recyclable colors and options that let you find just the right match for what you need.
Naked Binder gets two swissmiss thumbs up! My personal favorite: The Eames Binder.
(Interested in sponsoring a week of my RSS feed, learn more here.)
The Power of the Pentatonic Scale
Bobby McFerrin demonstrates the power of the pentatonic scale, using audience participation, at the event “Notes & Neurons: In Search of the Common Chorus”, from the 2009 World Science Festival, June 12, 2009.
(Thank you Karin)
This Made My Day
This email makes me happy. Had to share it. Building things that have an impact on other people’s lives = so so powerful and inspiring. What can I build next?
Optimist
This Optimist Tumbler is happiness in a cup.
Happiness for your Walls
These wall decals by Shanna Murray will bring happiness to your walls.