Hi friends. Whereas the looming cloud of unemployment ominously crept towards me a month ago, I am now officially unemployed. Although I dedicate most of my time trying to find a job, I’ve also been pursuing other worthwhile endeavors like perusing OpenCourseWear, repeatedly playing “Killing me Softly” on my banjolele, and (sort of apathetically) opening an etsy shop. The eons of time I spend online at job recruitment sites is punctuated with the occasional distraction, and here I present to you a compendium of interesting things I’ve come across recently.
1. Yup. It’s a cat dress. Warehouse Embroidered Cat Dress at ASOS, $80.57
2. Years ago, I used to wear Jeffrey Campbell shoes to work because they were comfortable and unique. Since then, Jeffrey Campbell shoes have gotten too odd…even for me. In the midst of a sea of questionable LITA boots, these red studded boots are lovely. I’d probably get them if they weren’t $188 and I wasn’t unemployed. Starburst Stud Boot-Red at Nasty Gal, $188
3. I’d like to dedicate this to a friend who sent me an email that contained the following line: “Should you be desirous of a manly man, there is a surplus of them in Anchorage.” Slumber Jack Jr. pillows at threadoverheels on etsy, $26
4. In high school, I was quite enamored with green fluorescent protein. Had I not decided to abandon the hard sciences for public health, I probably would have designed something as frivolous as a light fixture powered by fluorescent protein. I did want to create a fluorescent tomato plant, after all. via Treehugger from Notcot’s feature on geometric lighting
5. I am absolutely currently obsessed with Games of Thrones. I watched the first season last month, and have been telling all my friends to watch it (although it seems like everyone has watched it already). I’ve begun reading the Fire and Ice series, and am anxiously anticipating the start of the season. Reynaud Forestie, a French artist, created a series of illustrations based on the house sigils in Games of Thrones/the Fire and Ice series. via Flavorwire
6. During the years that this blog has been in existence, we’ve always featured a diverse representation of creativity-whether it be in art, media, or fashion. My specialization is public health, and I am especially fascinated with innovative strategies to address global health issues. There are a lot of interesting initiatives promoting innovation in health likeAshoka Changemakers, and the Gates Foundation’s Toilet Reinvention challenge, which highlight really great ideas. For example, there’s ColaLife, which addresses constraints to delivery channels of basic medicines and social products by sneaking them in the crevices of Coca-Cola delivery crates. Another interesting organization is APOPO, which specializes in training rats to detect mines and tuberculosis (TB). A long time ago, someone sent me a picture of an assiduous APOPO rat outfitted in mine detection gear because it was cute. And now they’re detecting TB too!!!
7. More boots. ALEXA Chunky Lace Up Leather Ankle Boot at ASOS, $107.43
8. I love Chicago. And dinosaurs. Dinosaurs in Chicago print by Laura Peters at funnychord on etsy, $15
Happy Monday! The penultimate week leading to a long holiday weekend (or in my case…a return to the STATES!) is always excruciating for me. A compendium of stressors! There’s always some type of challenge, whether it be (cough cough) writing my thesis or finishing projects for work. This is all complicated by pesky self-questioning of what gifts I should purchase for individuals, or more importantly, fears that I will forget someone.
So, as we embark on this week (and in the name of “you gotta look out for number 1″), here’s a potential treat for yourself. Well, I suppose you could share it, but selfishness is sometimes fun (I shoved a woman so *I* wouldn’t get hit by a motobike today).
JetPens has been a huge Stickers & Donuts supporter for the past couple of years, and has generously offered a $25 gift certificate to JetPens.com for one reader! To enter, describe what you fantasize spending the gift certificate on. Or, write something that will make me laugh. Winner will be chosen by a random number generator. Giveaway ends on December 21st!
Perhaps because I work in public health, poop is more than something I excrete. I am desensitized to any stories of fecal mishaps, and poop is fully integrated in my daily conversations. Especially diarrhea. You do know it’s the number two killer of children under five in the developing world, no? Well now you know (shooting star).
Given the importance of poop in my field of work, and my fascination with strange pens and pencils (here, here, here), you can understand how pleased I was to find the above poop pens in a Hanoi cutesy-stuff shop. LITERALLY, POOP ON PENS!
“We all love crazy shit, so we have it!!!” Is this a true statement? I mean, I know people who are quite relieved when they have a nice s-shaped bowel movement. Would that be “crazy shit”? The store also had a stuffed poop (like the figurine on top of the pen, but with the softness and density of a stuffed animal). I did not get that. This is unfortunately one pen that you can’t get on JetPens.
“Through The Floor, It Became Your Song” by Ian Dingman, $20 on Tiny Showcase
You know what’s really lovely? The letterpress print (“Through The Floor, It Became Your Song”) by Ian Dingman that’s currently on Tiny Showcase. It is the sibling to another Ian print on Tiny Showcase, “Community: An Illustrated Guide to a Neighborhood.”
There are currently 4/100 prints left, so you might want to purchase it before it sells out, and you are become CONSUMED WITH REGRET.
Maria and I are quite fond of Ian Dingman. For those of you whom have forgotten this saga of admiration here is a quick recap:
1. Maria interviewed Ian Dingman
2. And we were both excited with the Criterion Collection released Bottle Rocket, and replaced the hideous original DVD cover with Bottle Rocket cover art reimagined by Ian Dingman.
3. And then the time we went all batty with excitement when Ian Dingman had a print entitled “Ithaca” (we went to college together in Ithaca).
If this all doesn’t convince you, $250 from the sale of this print will be donated to Nothing But Nets, an organization dedicated to malaria eradication. And you know what stinks? Malaria. Now I may be in public health so perhaps I am biased, but look. Even George Clooney is not a fan. (Side note: people submitted the stupidest questions to the Clooney Q&A. Yeah, I’m looking at you. “SUE”)
Finally, on the topic of malaria:
In 14 days I will be making my way back to the US! The prospect of not having to hear boisterous Hanoi motobikes is exciting! And while the prospect of unemployment and finishing my thesis menacingly loom in my future, I try to quell my fears by considering “alternative extracurriculars” and things that I could potentially get in the states (my recent introduction to Fab.com fuels this a lot). Whether I am in Hanoi, Baltimore, or Chicago, I can always account on the aforementioned activities as proper distractions from more important things in my life.
1. The Taqwacores by Michael Muhammed Knight is a fictional novel that established Islamic punk rock (taqwacore). It’s incredibly amazing to consider how much of an impact one book had on inspiring young Muslims to actualize an imaginary world rooted in freedom to individually question and interpret Islam. Obviously this isn’t the sort of book that I would be able to get in Hanoi, so I’m looking forward to reading this when I return to the US. The Taqwacores, Amazon, $10.36
2. I was in Chiang Mai, Thailand, a month ago and I spotted this ukulele from the street! A FLYING-V AMERICAN FLAG UKULELE. I liked it so much I was willing to awkwardly haul it around (PS the Nomadic Wise-Walker backpack is very useful when it comes to hauling a ukulele). I have been playing Lady Gaga “You and I” on it a lot, but I suppose I should try to play more Americana songs on it given this ukulele’s appearance…like Bruce Springsteen.
3. Long, long ago I interviewed the Bubble Process. This Frightened Rabbit screenprint is great. (Side note: also great is Frightened Rabbit live). Frightened Rabbit Poster, The Bubble Process, $20
4. After 4 years of wearing TOMS, I tried to return back to Vans slip-ons. I would recommend against doing this as my Vans slip-ons are very uncomfortable and rigid. Herringbone Classics, TOMS, $54
5. A dear friend of mine got me Father Panik knuckle tattoo mittens that said “BAM!” “POW!” which is extra amusing when the weather is unpleasantly cold. I still dream about getting a pair that say “HOT” “DAMN.” Almost exactly a year ago, I was at the Container Store in NYC with a friend, and one of them fell out of my pocket!!! It was really devastating! It was also embarrassing when I had to draw a picture of the mitten for the Container Store staff so they could lookout for it. But! A Christmas Miracle! I got my mitten back! No one stole my lost mitten! Finger Knuckle Mittens, Father Panik, $32
6. As you might already know, cats are “hot” right now.
I could watch cat videos all day. I have been accused of watching cat videos all day. To all of you who have accused me of doing such a thing, you are wrong. “Now stop it.” Cat Paper Clips, JetPens, $6.73
7. It’s unfortunate that sequins are synonymous with holidays. Is it not acceptable to sparkle in March? Vila Black Sequin Shorts, ASOS, $36.36
8. SO. One of my side activities this fall has been contributing to a Tumblr that my friend and I started. HTTP://HUMILIATEDANIMALS.TUMBLR.COM As the URL suggests, it is a tumblr of humiliated animals. Since its inception, we have learned that people enjoy animal misery and embarrassment as much as we do.
Next week there will be a JETPENS GIVEAWAY!!!!!!! So stay tuned, and perhaps you will get the opportunity to fill an electronic cart with cat paperclips (or more desirable items).
I am a creative writer who is the child of a kindergarten teacher. Perhaps this is why I immediately fell in love with eeBoo, which creates toys, games, notebooks, arts supplies, and other gifts for children and full-grown people who other people sometimes mistake for children. eeBoo’s products are all original and use artwork commissioned from children’s book illustrators. As a writer/artist, I loved the company’s focus on arts and crafts, including storytelling and writing. Late last week, I wrote a post about some of my favorite eeBoo products.
Many of eeBoo products have earned the Oppenheim Best Toy Awards, which, if you spend any time in children/game sections of stores you will probably recognize:
Envy led me to Mia Galison, the president and creative director of eeBoo, whose headquarters are located in a turn of the century ballroom in New York City (what?!?!!). I hid my jealousy and asked her some questions about her magical job.
1. A lot of your products, including a fairy tale board game and many whimsical notebooks, encourage people to share their own stories. In a few sentences, describe your life as an enchanted tale — stick to the main plot points, but feel free to add dragons, witches, and fairy god mothers here and there.
I was the old woman who lived in a shoe. I had three children in less than two years and my husband was a self employed artist. I was a tortoise moving slowly, but I kept saying to myself “I think I can, I think I can.” There were no fairy godmothers to help or dragons to threaten, just a lot of smart, kind and helpful friends, family and associates that made the hard work mostly a pleasure. After what seemed like an endless journey, eeBoo became a goose that laid golden eggs.
2. Please describe the design process at eeBoo.
Most often I have an idea while walking to work or sorting through junk at a flea market –or cooking, or staring into space.
Most often I have an idea while walking to work or sorting through junk at a flea market –or cooking, or staring into space. I flip it around in my head–what the colors wills be, the package, the artist I’ll get to make the illustrations, that sort of thing. Then I ask [my husband] Sax about it. We walk back and forth from work every day so we have a block of time both in the morning and afternoon to discuss things. Sometimes he has good ideas and sometimes he makes me mad because he doesn’t see what I see, but even if we disagree it helps me firm up my vision of the project. I have ideas all the time. When I feel particularly buzzed about one I get started right away by calling an illustrator and sending him or her a sketch- and I get the art started. When it is a new format I get letters out to manufacturers so I can see prototypes and get prices. Often I make my own prototype in the office. Once I get some art in-house, I start to work with one of the three designers that work at eeBoo. Sometimes that means seeing a box cover design or making patterns. Sometimes it means experimenting with something completely new, like folded paper hats. I stick all my current ideas that I’m really considering on a big bulletin board. We are always working on new projects and new formats, and whatever I think I can get to market during a given season, I make..and keep the rest for the next season.
3. My mom is a kindergarten teacher. She is also the mother of a 26-year-old writer (me). Name one eeBoo product that would equally fit the bill for both parties.
We make very nice quality pastels that everyone would probably like.
4. Is your studio as amazing as it looks in the pictures? If it is more amazing, then what wonders does it contain that I can’t see in the pictures?
Our studio is in fact as amazing as it looks photos. It was built as a ballroom at the turn of the century and has 18 foot ceiling 60 running feet of skylights, mosaic floor made of yellow marble pieces, 10 foot windows and a large staircase down to what used to be the kitchen where my husband Saxton Freymann has his photograph and painting studio. What you don’t see in the photos is how many wonderful things are being made there. We are always experimenting with papers and fabrics and new materials. eeBoo also has ten lovely employees that would never allow anyone to take their pictures.
5. What are you visually inspired by?
I can be inspired by many things. Among many other things, I like Japanese illustrators from the 1930′s and 40′s, Chinese deco rugs from the 1920’2, the color pink, Belgian encaustic tiles, brand new Shanghai style, silhouettes, American quilts and naive embroidery, Hmong fabric from Chiang Mai. Unique objects that look as thought they were made for children by their mother or father with love. Embroidered blankets, crocheted hats, handmade wooden toys and stuffed animals. I could go on and on.
6. EeBoo makes lots of games for children (some of which have won awards). This makes me wonder what non-EeBoo games you play. Let’s say you’re inviting a bunch of your adult friends over for game night. Which five games do you have on the middle of your table when they arrive? (Bonus question: What snacks are next to the games?)
We are not a big game playing family but we have played a lot of Bananagrams
7. What is your best-selling product? What product are you most proud of?
I Never Forget A Face was one of our early products and I’m very proud of it. It’s a Matching Game that includes 24 pairs of faces of children from all over the world including a girl from Afghanistan and a boy from Iraq. We included these nationalities because we made this game at the beginning of the wars and we wanted to remind as many people as possible that there were children in those countries. We get letters from children and parents all the time telling us how much they love and appreciate seeing the different faces, and about how their children make up stories about which of the children are friends.
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8. One of your new products is pipe cleaner craft kits for children, animal lovers, & crafty adults. Each of the 18 different designs are creatively named for the color family of pipe cleaners they contain, and each packet can be used to create a specific animal. If these animals could come to life, and you consider their relative pipe-cleaner size, which two animals would be have the most interesting (friendly) wrestling match? Who would win?
I prefer not to think about these fuzzy little animal fighting. The Yellow Bird is a wonderful shape and the Mushrooms are wonderful.
9. Finally… what are you currently obsessed with?
Current obsessions–gnarly mushrooms from farmers markets, pom poms, fancy knee socks, Georgian miniatures, hand spun and dyed wool, and making hats.
Next week, we’ll be posting an interview with the president & creative director of the toy company eeBoo. While you’re waiting, check out some of my favorite eeBoo stuffs.
The Charles and Ray Eames ethos is synonymous with modern design, and their work has been instrumental in establishing a union between functionality and aesthetics in furniture. The Eames chair has become symbolic of the later half of the 21st century, and it is has a magnetizing catnip effect on designers. It is widely recognizable, and has earned its place in museums and…Mad Men. The chairs are still sold through Herman Miller, or for those whom lean towards impracticality, I’m pretty sure that KidRobot once sold miniature versions.
First Run Features has created a documentary on the team (Eames: The Architect and the Painter), which is screening in the US this fall. Unfortunately I’ll miss all screenings, but you should go! Even, at the very least, just to hear the sultry voice of James Franco, who narrates the documentary. (Did you see Howl and were you compelled by James Franco’s reading of the poem?) Here’s the trailer:
Since high school, my sprightly youth has deteriorated, and has been replaced with grumpiness and laziness that rivals that of Carl. I am of course referring to Carl from Up (between the time you cried…thank god tears can be obscured by 3d glasses…and when he meets the annoying boy scout). I was reminded of the lost of my limited athletic prowess recently when I found myself heaving through a 12km mountainous hike. Given my established dissociation from physical activity, I was surprised that it is possible to purchase omniscient running shoes:
Nike LunarGlide+ 3 iD Running Shoe (customized!), $145
Woah , technology. There is a little pocket in the back of the shoe that holds something that communicates with your iPod/iPhone, which then can communicate with the Nike+ website. Bananas! Things like this make me consider whether cylons could be real!
I didn’t come across this whole world of shoe technology from wanting to run in Hanoi. Hanoi is far from pedestrian friendly, and with the thriving market for imitation goods here, I would probably not be exposed to such technological novelties. I was browsing Visual Complexity (a very aesthetically pleasing network visualization site), and read about the Nike+ City Runs project by YesYesNo LLC. The above map of NYC represents a composite of a year’s worth of runs that were uploaded to the Nike+ website. As Visual Complexity describes:
The software visualizes and follows individual runs, as well as showing the collective energy of all the runners, defining the city by the constantly changing paths of the people running in it.
This visualization was an installation for Nike retail stores, and I think it would be intriguing to see it in person. As the video below suggests, there seems to be a Nike store in Soho, so I might have to stop by when I return to the US. My conjecture that there is a Soho Nike store is solely based on the fact that there is Uniqlo bag in the video. I can spot those suckers so easily.
Nike+ City Runs from yesyesno on Vimeo.
