LEGO has released images of the upcoming line of Lord of the Rings legos, and frankly, they are quite adorable.
I am also pleased to think about how easily it will be to remove Boromir’s head, given it’s lego properties. Excellent Sean Bean death scene recreation potential!!! via Geekologie
And while we’re on the topic of legos, check out this great donut lego:
Yup. It’s LEGO DAY at Stickers & Donuts.
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.
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.
I’m sorry for the lack of updates. I’M ALIVE-I MOVED-I DON’T HAVE INTERNET! Here’s a little something to appease your worried little souls.
My coworker, Patrick, gave the above creation to his girlfriend for Christmas. His official title for it is “Zen Rock Garden/Tatooine Playset.” I had heard about his plans to make the playset, but last week was the first time I saw it with my own over-sized eyes. The basin for his playset is a tray (like the type of tray that someone would bring you breakfast in bed with). Ingeniously, he cut a roll of tape in half, and glued them at the handles. Therefore, the playset is both PORTABLE and the SAND CANNOT ESCAPE! On the subject of Star Wars, HAVE YOU SEEN THESE STAR WARS LEGO SCENES? They’re great. (via frites & fries).
Thank goodness February is short! Rabbit, Rabbit!
More than a year ago, I confessed my admiration for things that can fit into my pockets. Here’s another dizzying collection of pint-sized objects WHICH-ARE-MOSTLY-FRIVOLOUS-BUT-WORTHY-OF-DEEPLY-GRATIFYING-SHOULDER-SHRUGS-AND-“AWWs”.
PS- I must be obscuring some Star Wars passion, because I just realized that there are two Star Wars-related items. Oops and WEIRD.
1. I always wanted a fluffy animal as a child, like a guinea pig. I hear they smell, though. Miniature Funny Guinea Pig, psubio9 on Etsy, $20
2. A handy card in your pocket will prepare you for random declarations of love. COOL NOTE: These cards are by The Great Lakes, who made the infamous “Elementary Lovenote Set” featured in the previous pocket-sized treasures collection. A Roll in the Hay Card, thegreatlakes on Etsy, $4
3. A bike chain refashioned into a bottle opener! How ingenious! Recycled Bike Chain Bottle Opener Key Chain, Delight, $8.50
4. Admittedly, this will look rather awkward in your pocket, BUT IMAGINE YOUR FUTURE SELF + IMPROMPTU DANCE PARTIES = ASTRONOMICAL COOL POINTS. iLuv Mini Portable Speakers, Amazon, $21.50
5. In high school, my calculus teacher told us that derivatives are like matryoshka dolls. This excellent simile has stuck with me, despite not having taken the derivative of something in years. Thank you, Dr. Sloan. Hand Stamped Pocket Mirror Matryoshka Doll, TagsOnBags on Etsy, $4.50
6. My mom gave me a pair of these from her trip to Japan (practical gift giver, I guess). I learned, however, that disposable chopsticks are incredibly detrimental to the environment (WSJ claims that even Chinese pop stars carry their own chopsticks, so maybe I should too!). Second fun fact: I couldn’t use chopsticks until I was 21. I am asian. Yamazaki Stainless Steel chopsticks, Amazon, $12
7. After searching for mini screwdrivers that I could put in my ukulele bag, I came across this. Ridiculous! (But I secretly like the idea of using a grenade screwdriver on my ukulele) (Oh wait, not a secret anymore.) Grenade Screwdriver Set, Kikkerland, $5
8. There is a high possibility that if I owned this necklace, I would throw the tiny polymer clay candies at annoying people on the train. Yummy Candy Jar Necklace, Shanalogic, $16
9. I travel to NYC fairly regularly, and I think this journal would be perfect to record my favorite places and experiences. Like the time a synthesizer-playing scientologist gave me a map and directions to Bryant Park on the subway. New York City Mini Journal 6-Pack, Galison/Mudpuppy, $18
10. Although these *can* fit in your pocket, they reside in a freezer. Or, alternatively, you could transport them to a friend’s house in your pockets, and then place them in a freezer. These whiskey rocks will be like little chanteuses in your glass- chanteuses that don’t water down your drink. And, using them = WHISKEY LITERALLY ON THE ROCKS arharharharharhar. Whiskey Stones by Andrew Hellman, Unica Home, $20
11. Tiny bottle warmers to keep your hands warm! Mini Hottie Hand Warmer, Flight 001, $10
12. Oh, you already know my (and Minty Lewis’s) serious love of wombats. I had to include this. Wombat pendant, dragonwisper on Etsy, $1.50
13. Another miniature notebook for good ideas. I like the way “Think!” is hidden on the cover. Alphabet Writer’s Notepad, Galison/Mudpuppy, $5.50
14. This whistle necklace is by one of my favorite bloggers, oh, hello friend. It’s much lovelier than the THREE RAPE WHISTLES I received when I started college. Whistle necklace, ohhellofriend on Etsy, $24
15. According to several friends, George Lucas invented ewoks so people like me would want to watch Star Wars. You win, George Lucas. Star Wars Mimobot 2G Flash Drive, Delight, $32.50
MORE RAMBLING AFTER THE JUMP…
1. Goldtone Banjolele Deluxe from Musician’s Friend, $450 (too shiny and would prefer the banjolele sold at the Old Town School of Folk Music’s store on Lincoln Ave. …thank you to the guy at the store who let me hold it…)
2. Yama Syphon Brewer from Clive Coffee, $50
3. Save the Manatee club membership, $25
4. Hohner Melodica from Musician’s Friend, $35
5. Wacom Bamboo Fun tablet from Amazon, $167
6. Blue Microphones Snowball from Amazon, $72.30 (so I can record songs about pies and bucolic fields…just kidding.)
7. Itazura Coin Bank (White Kitty) from Strapya World, $21.70 (watch this and you will be convinced)
8. Proximity Magazine subscription, $30 (even if you’re illiterate, you can still admire the STUNNING typography and layout)
9. Speedball Ultimate Screen Printing Kit from BLICK, $85
10. Keyboard stickers by Christopher Morno DeLorenzo, $15 (B for Bowie!)
And that’s the end of our wishlists.
Of course the Stickers and Donuts team’s greatest wish is to hear from you (we know you’re reading! Google Analytics does not lie!) SO! Now it’s your turn. What’s on your wishlist? Fulfilling the S&D wish not a good enough reason for you to comment? Well, here’s a bribe. The first 10 people who comment (excluding any S&D writers, however, they are encouraged to comment regardless) will receive a S&D surprise.
1. Chicken Skittles from MUJI, £5.95 (football is to soccer as skittles is to bowling)
2. The Africa swimsuit by We Are Handsome, $163
3. Miso Soup Ring by SouZou Creations on etsy, $8.50
4. Candy Bar Bracelet from Dylan’s Candy Bar, $50 (Wish 1.5: That Dylan offered international shipping.)
5. MacBook Pro 17-inch from Apple, $2500 (although a plain old MacBook is much more realistic!)
6. Colour In Dress by Michiel Schuurman, €250
7. Bubble Wrap Calendar from Perpetual Kid, $20
8. ASAP/OMFG Totable from Knock Knock,$10.50
9. PostSecret: Confessions on Life, Death and God from Barnes & Noble, $14.94
10. Kron by Kron Shoes (Amirah also requests the ability to walk properly in heels!)
1. Catcher in the Rye book cover poster from AllPosters, $30 (But you can choose from over 600 other book cover posters here.)
2. TOMS Borges Cordones , $79
3. LOMO Diana F+ CMYK camera kit from Fred Flare, $99
4. Greetings from the Ocean’s Sweaty Face: 100 McSweeney’s Postcards from Amazon, $14
5. The Original of Laura by Vladimir Nabokov from Amazon
6. Fleet Foxes from Amazon, $13 (Maria requests it on vinyl, because she wants to get Tricia’s portable record player and play Fleet Foxes on it.)
7. Osborn Design Sneakers, $60-130
8. Buckyballs, $30
9. Cardboard Moose bust from Perpetual Kid, $48 (large)
10. Collocation NO. 14 (NATURE) Print (left and right panels) from 20×200, $20+ (photos by Mickey Smith)
BELOW IS A LIST OF KEY POINTS REGARDING THE ABOVE IMAGE. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE THEM SUCCINCT. AFTER ALL, WHO FEELS LIKE READING COLOSSAL BLOCKS OF TEXT ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON?<EXPECTATION=SILENCE!>
If you are still unconvinced that…
finding and purchasing this Dunny and shirt > putting pants on + emerging outside of the confines of your home + transporting yourself to Kid Robot
…watch this video!
Is it weird that, though I am perpetually boyfriendless, I love Valentine’s Day? On Valentine’s Day I feel no sadness in my singularity, and view it as an excuse to do my favorite childish things: eat chocolate, wear pink, and make crafty cards. I think of it as a day to celebrate the concept of love in general. Loving your friends, your family, your Winnie-the-Pooh. I hope you feel the same way, but if not, maybe some of these sweet things will help get you in the mood (listed clockwise):
1. For the Key to your Heart: I found these lovely little Kamibashi dolls ($10) and key chains, which were featured in New York Time’s ten Valentine’s Day accessory picks.
2. Old Fashioned: Found these old fashioned Valentine’s on the site of a favorite S&D sponsor. Way better than a tear-off Hannah Montana card. (Perpetual Kid, $5)
3. New Fashioned: ReadyMade recommends using your lunch hour to make Valentine’s out of office supplies. We say, what better way to spend your lunch hour and not spend any money. If you like the miniature Valentine look, let me remind you of Tricia’s fabulous tiny things post (Twenty-two Pocket Sized Treasures), where she featured a The World’s Smallest Post Office, where you can send The World’s Smallest Letter for a mere $8.
4. Some Like it Hot: MarieBelle’s Aztec hot chocolate (mmm, eccentric!) was apparently on one of Oprah’s favorite things lists, and if it’s Oprah’s favorite, then it’s mine.
5. Heart of Gold: I Heart Guts could come in handy for several occasions. Maybe give a uterus to say congrats to a pregnancy, a brain for graduation, or, of course, a heart for Valentine’s Day. This lovable organ comes as either a Heart of Gold ($27) or the regular-old red thumper ($17).
6. Frog or Prince?: Put this plastic little froggy in water, and he turns into a handsome prince. Instant gratification, and no sticky kisses required. (Urban Outfitters, $6)
7. For Your Sugar (Fix): Yum, cupcakes! The more freshly baked, the better. Add a conversation heart for true holiday spirit. (From Baked, the hip bakery in Brooklyn and Charelston)
8. Neruda’s Love Poems: Whether you have a literary (or Latino, for that matter) lover, or you just going to spend Vday eating ice cream and reading love poems (not actually recommended), Pablo Neruda’s Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair is one the best collections of love poetry (a largely intolerable genre) available. Best in its original Spanish, it can be enjoyed in either language with this edition. (Penguin, $13).
9. lo-li-ta: Wouldn’t you love to pull this little Hello Kitty Pouch with Pom Pom ($13) out of your purse on Valentine’s Day? Filled with chocolate & conversation hearts, of course.
10. To Get You in the Mood: Finally, download tons of free Valentine’s Day fonts and dingbats at dafont.com, completely free, and completely cute. Just stick with Times New Roman for papers. (Featured here, Love Letters.)
