All posts filed under: Things for Fun

A Procrastinators Gift Guide: Six Last Minute Ideas

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Better late than never, folks. If you are desperate for a late minute gift for family, friends, or the office Secret Santa, maybe one of these cool ideas will do the trick. And look, you are probably going to have to pay for express shipping at this point, but whose fault is that? Happy Holidays! For the Stylish Art Lover Capella Design’s Grab Bar Picture Frame This unique assistive product integrates seamlessly into a living space to provide discreet support with style. The grab bar is made in North American from solid ash (in light, dark, and white finishes), white coated powder coated steel, and acrylic art protection. A hidden, flexible mounting system allows for easy installation in hallways, landings, and thresholds. $279.00 USD For the Minimal Table Dresser Mud Australia’s Porcelain Dishwater Handcrafted in Sydney, the expansive range of Mud Australia’s porcelain homewares are dishwasher, microwave, and oven safe for seamless prep and simple cleanup. Shown here are the brand’s 8”-wide serving platter, a Fish Platter for medium sized fish, snacks, or dips, and a Water Jug …

My Football Kit by Nendo

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Inflatable soccer balls are hard to maintain in impoverished communities because of the unavailability of air pumps or the deterioration and damage of the tube inside the ball. In response, Japanese design firm Nendo has designed a non-inflatable soccer ball that gives the same kicking sensation as a standard ball. Inspired by the structure of the traditional Japanese woven bamboo ball, the My Football Kit is assembled with three types of components and includes a total of 54 parts. The instructions for assembly are designed like a picture book in easily understood illustrations. Instead of relying on internal air pressure, the ball uses the resilience of its surface material, soft, recycled polypropylene and elastomeric synthetic resin components, to bounce. The material won’t hurt bare feet and is unlikely to develop a sharp fractured surface that might cause injury, even if broken. If a component comes off during play, the interlocking structure ensures the ball will not disassemble. Components may be shipped in disassembled states in compact packages, potentially cutting shipping costs. The ball comes in multiple colors, …

New Puzzles from MoMA Design Store

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It’s summer and the living is … mostly at home. If you are looking for a new way to keep your family busy (and sane) during social distancing, you might like to check out these new puzzle designs available through the MoMA Design Store. The 500-piece Andy Warhol double-sided Marilyn puzzle is actually two puzzles in one, featuring two different versions of Warhol’s iconic Marilyn Monroe silkscreen, with a matte side and a glossy side. Several versions of Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe artwork are in MoMA’s collection. The puzzle greyboard contains 90% recycled paper and it measures 18” x 24”. $16.00 The Architecture Building Set was originally designed by Italian artist, designer, and inventor Bruno Munari in 1945. Made in Italy, the new edition allows players to create miniature buildings in 66 wooden blocks made from unhewn beechwood. The enclosed booklet has over 60 building examples to try to replicate. Recommended for ages 12+. $80.00 The 1000-piece Moon and The Earth puzzles were designed by Toronto-based puzzle maker Lindsay Stead in collaboration with NASA Image. The …

Plush Vivacious Vegetables

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These new plush veggie toys are exactly what the world needs right now. Available through the MoMA Design Store, the super-soft Plush Vivacious Vegetables are crafted by the London-based brand Jellycat and include a bell pepper, carrot, leek, onion, and eggplant made of polyester and cotton. Whenever you start to feel stressed, try to imagine a baby chewing on this adorable little onion, or a toddler cuddling up with that little smiling leek at bedtime. It’s better than Xanax. $12.50 each       Joining the veggies are the bipedal Plush Flower Plants ($25.00 each) that were also introduced at the MoMA Design Store Spring 2020 preview earlier this year. All images courtesy MoMA Design Store.

Horticulture Grow Cabinet by Leaf+Wood

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With cannabis now legal throughout Canada (and more and more states in the U.S. like New Jersey heading there shortly) there is a huge market for good design in the home growing market. An alternative to cheap grow sets, The Cabinet by Leaf+Wood is the first all-in-one grow cabinet built for display in a modern home. It is intended for any horticulturist or enthusiast seeking a sustainable, easy-to-use growing space for a wide range of plants. Created by woodworker Robert Pettit in his Boerum Hill, Brooklyn workshop, the cabinet comes in a range of custom finishes including Walnut, Maple, or Cherry and features cast iron finishes and handles. Included in the turn-key setup is a powerful, energy-efficient Vortex Fan, best-in-class carbon filters which scour the air to make it clean of dust and odor free, and full spectrum Samsung/Horticulture Lighting Group LED Light Quantum Boards with the highest flux and lowest voltage bin for an energy-efficient performance. Included in the customized setup is a Grow Journal with a guide for growing. The cabinet measures 48” …

Behind the Scenes: Mudshark Studios

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On a recent trip to Portland, Oregon, I got to tour the production facility for Mudshark Studios, a one-stop shop for developing and producing ceramic objects, with CEO and co-founder Brett Binford. Binford, a well-known ceramicist, is also the owner and curator for the contemporary Eutectic Gallery, located in a storefront attached to the studios. In their 10,000-square-foot facility (an additional 7,000 square feet upstairs is mostly for mold and gallery storage), Mudshark offers model making, mold making, and production services for projects ranging from custom designed plates for Eleven Madison Park in New York City to lighting fixtures for Portland-based Schoolhouse Electric to technical parts for the aerospace industry. Other clients include Cedar and Moss, Barn Light Electric Co., Rejuvenation, and many more. After my tour, I couldn’t wait to head back to my friend’s house (ceramicist and painter Nicole Curcio), where I got to spend some time playing around in her pottery workshop. I won’t be showing a photo of my endeavors, but let’s just stay I tried and it wasn’t very good. …