pencil artist Jessica Drenk

By pencil art I do not mean drawing with pencils I mean building organic shapes out of them. Artist Jessica Drenk has taken something as simple as a pencil and made something almost natural looking.

abstract wooden shadow sculptures

It is simply amazing to me how the human brain can dissect shapes and make something abstract on the surface and realistic at a magic angle. Artist and scientist John V. Muntean has made a series of abstract wooden sculptures with oddly realistic shadows.

"A Magic Angle Sculpture appears to be nothing more than an abstract wooden carving, skewered with a rod and mounted on a base. However, when lit from above and rotated at the magic angle (54.74º) it will cast three alternating shadows. Every 120º of rotation, the amorphous shadows evolve into independent forms. Our scientific interpretation of nature often depends upon our point of view. Perspective matters."

Evolution II (Mahogany) 2010



Over the Gate (Patagonian Cherry) 2009



There are so many more of these that you must see. It is amazing! Follow me to his website.

the world's easiest making system (Ponoko)

If you have not heard of Ponoko then I would like to introduce you to the world's easiest making system. With Ponoko you can make, sell, and buy custom products. Here is an example; you have a cool idea for an awesome clock that is shaped like a stack of post-it notes that you can write notes on, you design it, upload it, and get a prototype from Ponoko. How simple is that? You can choose from a long list of materials to make your product out of like leather or steel and they even have electronic parts if you want to take on the challenge of building a cool new electronic doodad (that is the technical term). It's like your own little factory and you maitain all creative rights to anything made with Ponoko. There are even free files shared by the creators that you can use and personalize to make it your own, like the "Pono" figurine below. You can download him and make him out of clear silicone or gold plate material.

Follow me to check it all out and create something cool. I have included some cool products made on Ponoko below to show the wide range of possibilities.

Nanocade Arcadestik KIT

 'Geek is the New Cool' Laser-Cut Geek Necklace

your number...laser cut leather cuff watch 

Rainbow Ceramic Pono

Frescobol, you are beautiful (reblog)

Frescobol, the Brazilian paddleball beach sport dating back to the 1940s, looks a bit like ping-pong without the table. The bats look slightly similar, the ball  somewhat bigger.

Follow me to read more.

"skate & destroy" (reblog)

"HARVEST by haroshi has been a refreshing take on recycled artwork, known for producing various items out of used skate decks. Showcasing all of the collective’s work throughout the years, they recently held an exhibition at the PLSMIS Gallery in Tokyo. Images of the show can be seen HERE, courtesy of Brandon Shigeta."

 Follow me for more "skate and destroy."

design sponge

As a designer I find myself not only sticking to what I know best but drifting into other ways to express my creativity. Each time I visit Design Sponge, a daily home and product design blog, I just can't help but get inspired to create and restore the old into the new. There is something just amazing about their before and after series.

Here are some of my favorites.

the alpha table

This has to be the most beautiful table I have ever seen. If only I had $500 bucks (on sale from $900) to give Crate & Barrel. But, a girl can dream can't she?

i want MOR

To see MOR follow me to TheDieline: Mor Cosmetics

two for the munny

Truth be told, I bought a munny while in St. Louis in February of 08 and it is still blank. I want to create a awesome munny but I just cant make up my mind. So here are some great munny's that are not only well executed but just beautiful. Props to all the artist.


gtcowgirl