Threadless Shirts

I just discovered that one can put other people's slideshows on one's blog. This one is by Gustavo Gallegos, and features recent t-shirt designs from Threadless.

Please do bear with me; it looks as though this slide show widget is going to be an obsession for a while. Not to worry. Simply let it run its course, and I'll soon be obsessed with something else.

tags:
threadless
slideshow
t-shirts

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Brrrrrrrrr! It's so cold outside you almost want to bundle up your housewares to keep them warm! Here are a couple that make me feel warm and cozy.

Above, tea maker by Eva Solo. Available at UnicaHome for $99.00. Below, sweaterknit votive. On sale at Anthropologie for $9.99, marked down from $24.00.
















After all, people put their pets in little sweaters, right?

tags:
Eva Solo
UnicaHome
Anthropologie

Charming Theater Skull Masks

This is one of the most hysterical skull items I've ever come across. I've been sitting on it for a while because I didn't want to post it until after Christmas--I was thinking about getting it for my niece, a 15-year-old actress. As it happened, I didn't have the guts. I wasn't sure how she'd react, and I knew my mom would be horrified. (The older I get, the less fun it is to horrify my mom.)

Maybe for her birthday.

The Comedy/Tragedy Skull Masks Charm is available at cybersilver925 for $14.95.

tags:
skull charm
theater masks charm
comedy/tragedy charm

Cool Blog Widget

Isn't this cool? You can put this little slideshow widget in a post or in your blog template. I'd love to put one in my template but it's too big to fit anywhere comfortably.

The content? Some pics I made from Apophysis fractals.

Widget via K Style.

tags:
widget
Apophysis
slideshow

Scott Klinker Product Design

This has been the best kind of web surfing morning--the kind where every link took me somewhere delightful! I'll be sharing more from this wonderful journey in the next little while, but let's start here:






















What on earth? (Or should I say "What in the galaxy?")

The icon vending machine is like a photo booth, but combines a large format 3D scanner and a 3D printer to produce mini models of a very personal subject: you! You become the product. To prove it, Scott was scanned and printed into the first prototype product.

Beam me up, Scotty! The 'Scott' in question here, though, is designer Scott Klinker, best known perhaps for his design of The Spaceframe Sculpture Kit for Offi. (Did you kow tha Offi also offers a more affordable version, also designed by Klinker, called the YooDo? Neither did I, my friends, neither did I.)


But check this out:

While living in Japan for two years, Scott designed a series of pieces influenced by traditional Japanese architecture. These combined the warmth of traditional materials (wood, tatami) with a modern flexibility.

The word we want here, my friends, is versatile.

tags:
Scott Klinker
Offi
product design

Double-No, Make That Triple-Take

Twins, separated at birth?

You may remember these pics from my first "Double Take" post. On the left, "The Donut" FM radio, designed by David Turpin, available at the MoMA Store. On the right, humidifier designed by Plus Minus Zero, available at Compact Impact.

Believe it or not, I've found another! Though alas, it is not orange.




















And what might this one be? It is, in fact, an ashtray. The design is by Helle Damkjaer for Rosendahl.

via bookofjoe.

tags:
ashtray
donut shaped
Helle Damkjaer

Wall Decals from Domestic

I know I've posted about the fine wall decals from the brand Domestic before. But I ran across them again tonight, and you know what? They've got a whole lotta whimsy going on. I dig whimsy.

Whimsy and kitties. (Can you dig whimsy without digging kitties?)





















I'm not crazy about the color--a bit drab for my tastes. Though sometimes subtlety is ok. I guess you don't need your wall to scream "whimsical kitties!"

And finally, you've gotta dig a design line that can encompass not only whimsy and kitties, but . . .
















Yes, that's right. Skulls. Yes yes yes.

Whimsy and kitties and skulls, oh my!

tags:
Domestic Vynil
whimsy
kitties
skulls

Spray Glue

A belated but heartfelt thanks to Gary Payn of Spray Glue for his December post saying nice things about Eclectic Detective. And to Heather Moore for pointing him in my direction.

Spray Glue is a design blog, and Gary's eye for design and charming writing style make it well worth a look.

As for Heather Moore, you may recall her work from my previous post; if not, there's no time like the present to check it out.

And with that the circle is complete. Cool. In a circle with people from across the globe. Way cool.

tags:
Spray Glue
Heather Moore
link love

Antipode: Virtual Jewellery Exhibition

Want to see some weird-ass jewelry? If so, I can recommend nothing better than the Antipode Contemporary Jewellery/Virtual Exhibition Hall.

Above, we enjoy the grace and beauty of the "stripey animal" bracelet by Felieke van der Leest of Holland.

Below, we are entertained by the playful and frivolous "Kiss of Fire" brooch by Mi-Mi Moscow.



















The current Antipode exhibit features the work of Sigurd Bronger. From the website, commentary on his work by Jan Normann:

Sigurd Bronger makes jewellery with traditional functions such as rings and brooches. The items are portable, too, but what is important about them is not their function. They do not need to be worn to be experienced. Perhaps they are best seen in a display case at a gallery or museum? His jewellery consists of encounters between unexpected materials and functions. For example, he has made a series of "air cushions" in which a form that seems to have been blown up turns out to be entirely compact. A much regarded series of rings and brooches making use of egg-shell as an important element in their composition give an intimation of transitoriness as do rings containing balloons or brooches in which soap plays the major part. They are a reminder of the fragility of life. In Bronger's jewellery there are obvious allusions to the instruments of the Renaissance that were built to aid an understanding of the stars and the planetary system. One can even trace an interest in the late 19th century's faith in engineering miracles with balloons flying round the earth and sailing round the globe beneath the sea. The surreal compositions that result when these instruments encounter perishable materials can be humorous and laughter is close at hand.

Below, Bronger's "Take-off" ring exemplifies the style Normann describes:
























Normann's commentary may well be spot-on, though I'm inclined to think that at some point he has begun extrapolating rather wildly. I'm no jewelry critic by any means. I just think this is some weird-ass, fun and funky jewelry. I enjoyed looking at it, and I thought you might too.

tags:
antipode
weird jewelry

Turn Overre

They're glasses. They're sunglasses. They're two, two--two glasses in one!

The Turn Overre glasses by designer Mathieu Porentru provide the ultimate in user flexibility. Instead of changing glasses, simply flip them over and--voila!

tags:
Turn Overre
sunglasses
design
Mathieu Porentru

Yoox Covers

Go on over to the Yoox website and have a look at their archive of cover photos. (From their home page, just click on the current cover lady to get there.)

I find these highly stylized pics of women in pixel-wear wonderfully entertaining. They remind me a bit of a style of print ads that were around a year or two ago. I clipped them then because of how much they amused me.


(Yes, I have a whole collection of images clipped from magazines. Why? Dunno. My husband says ripping up magazines is my hobby. Actually, I do some kinda collagey stuff with them at times.)

I don't know what to call this style. "Women dressed absurdly using photoshop" seems a bit of a mouthful. If it has a name I'd love to know it, and if it doesn't I'd love to hear your suggestions.

(In the case of the ads, I'm assuming the costumes are digital. Heck, maybe they made huge papier mache costumes for the women to wear.)

tags:
Yoox
yooxcover
pixel wear

Are We Delightful?

Eclectic Detective has finally been in existence for the three-month period required for submission to Delightful Blogs, an "edited directory of blogs that are personal, passionate and, of course, stylish."

This is important why?

Well, most of the blogs I read are ones I discovered there. The blogs they list are reviewed before being added, and they really do weed out a lot of the crappy ones. I admire many of the blogs that are listed, and would consider it a feather in my cap to be included in their number.

Also, it would boost traffic. And, let's face it, blogging is a lot more fun if people are reading what you post.

I chose the category "Design," because it seemed like the best fit. More of my posts are tagged "Design" than any other label (see list, page right). However, Eclectic Detective that I am, I cringed a bit at choosing a category. I like to think of myself as in a category all my own. (Then again, I also like to think of myself as 5'8" tall and blonde, which is also not so very reality-based.)

Apparently Delightful Blogs is rather overwhelmed with submissions, and it may take up to two weeks to be notified whether I've made the cut. I'll be chewing my fingernails.

Won't you chew yours with me?

That is to say, please send good thought karma energy my way, if you would!

tags:
Delightful Blogs
blog directory
blog traffic

Lily van der Stokker

Lily van der Stokker is a Dutch artist who does work such as this:


















and this:

















and, occasionally, this:













Ms. van der Stokker is highly controversial in the art world. Critics argue whether her work celebrates girlish doodles, mocks them, or celebrates them by mocking them. They write page upon page questioning whether she is worthy of our attention.

Ms. van der Stokker seems to keep them guessing. One the one hand, she makes statements such as, "Where is it written that art has to be deep and good? Can't it just be bad, or nice and cheerful?" On the other, there are pieces such as the one above, which she sent as an invitation to a showing of her work.

As for me, I like her work tremendously. I love buildings covered with doodley flowers in their own right.

(As for me, I really had to post the picture of Viktor and Rolf.)

tags:
Lily van der Stokker
art critics
doodles

Mousepad Couch

And for those who have too much time (and too many mousepads) on their hands, a very silly couch that might actually be comfortable.

via Gizmodo.

tags:
innovation
mousepad couch
DIY

Skinny la Minx

Here's a blog I know you'll like. Skinny la Minx is both the blog name and label of graphic design artist Heather Moore. Upon seeing her work, I fell in love at once.
















Heather's images are versatile, whimsical and delightful. I'm also impressed by her use of cutouts in design. And by "cutout" I don't mean a filter in Photoshop. She actually cuts intricate designs out of paper, cork, and vinyl. How does she do it? I'd cut my thumb off!
























Heather lives in Cape Town, South Africa, where her other work includes writing, illustration, and making wonderful t-shirts, magnets, pillows, badges, tea towels and trays that she sells in shops and at local markets. If one were to know how to start an import business, one would begin with Heather's goods (if one were I). (One would also perhaps contact her about logo design, if one were I.)

I find myself wanting to post more and more of her work just to show it to you. Instead I'll encourage you to check out her blog, and also her portfolio on warmtoast cafe.

tags:
Heather Moore
graphic design
Skinny la Minx
warmtoast cafe

knockman!

Aren't these little fellers adorable? I just stumbled onto them at Unica Home, and wish I'd found them before I finished my Christmas shopping. (Did I say "finished"? I meant "ran out of time to order things off the internet.")

They're designed by Maywa Denki, who are described as an "art unit." I recommend that you Google them. Then go on over to Wikipedia and define them for the rest of us.

tags:
knockman
unica home
maywa denki

Alog Shelving System

Oh my goodness. Have I a new Most Coveted Object? Yes I have, yes I have.

Look at this. It's brilliant. Look how simple: basic geometric shapes--squares and triangles--attached to the wall, supporting shelves that are pieces of wood, no hardware. And from this simplicity, infinite variety.

Brilliant.

Designed by Johannes Herbertsson and Karl Henrik Rennstam of Vuji.

via MoCo Loco.

tags:
Vuji
shelving
Johannes Herbertsson
Karl Henrik Rennstam
Alog

Sweet Dreams

A lovely bit of Christmas tinsel wafting on the wind?

Not hardly.

Think privacy. Think security. Think razor wire.

The Sweet Dreams Security™ razor wire is our most vicious but cute product to date. Standard razor wire has been transformed from a purely threatening object into one that is highly playful, yet every bit as effective.

Cute, playful and vicious. Hmmmm. Brings to mind a certain ex of mine. But that's a story for another day.

via Things of Random Coolness.

tags:
razor wire
Sweet Dreams Security

Turn x4

Ok, this is one where telling you about it doesn't do it justice: you really have to see it for yourself. (Of course, that doesn't stop me from trying, but I do hope you'll go take a look.)

This watch by Mexican designer Augustin Otegui is cool because it can be worn four ways. Now, multi-functionality is my favorite flavor, so I've always liked reversible jackets and such. But this watch takes the concept a step further. Both the watchband and the watch face are reversible, resulting in 4 total ways to wear it. (2 features x 2 modalities = 4 styles, remember? From Intro to Stats? But I digress.)

The watchband is black on one side and green on the other, while the face is digital on one side and analog on the other. HOW COOL IS THAT? It's way cool. Way, way cool.

But that's not the only cool designy thing about this watch. In order to make the watch reversible and functional and comfortable all at once, it was necessary to design a new clasp, which this designer accomplished with great success. In fact, I would love to have a watch with this clasp even if it didn't reverse, because it looks so incredibly comfortable.





















The band makes use of a tongue-and-groove design instead of a traditional buckle or clasp. I hope the picture gives you an idea of it, because it's really very good. It allows the band to be adjustable without the singularly annoying process of adding or subtracting links. (That is the design of my current watch, which keeps coming apart while I'm wearing it. The fact I haven't lost the little extra link is a minor miracle). It also avoids the "adjustment line" that results when a traditional buckle is worn in one hole for a period of time, then worn in a different hole, thus announcing to the world that you have gained (or lost) weight.

Ok, I know I've gone on and on about this. Enough. Go have a look for yourself. I really like this designer; a lot of his stuff is multi-functional, and multi-functionality is, as you know, my favorite flavor. The rest of his work can be found here.

via Nordic Design Blog.

tags:
Turn x4
agustin otegui
watch

Photoglassworks

Today I'm in love with necklaces from the Etsy shop Photoglassworks. The designer, Tracy Antonik, is a stained glass artist who needed an alternative to traditional stained glass due to toxic fumes from the lead solder. These petit works of art are her solution, and I find them beautiful!

The pieces are often made in collaboration with other artists. For example, the one below features a drawing by artist Kris Shanks, who also has a shop on Etsy. Check it out!



















tags:
photoglassworks
Tracy Antonik
Kris Shanks
jewelry
art glass