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Articles Written by Katie

Katie

About Katie: Katie has been a product and textile designer, an art restoration specialist, and an interior designer/merchandiser. Her interests are focused on finding well designed items that improve daily life as well as reading fiction and making stuff. (View Profile)

 
 

Origami Sticky Notes

If you have a plethora of sticky notes around your workspace, just think how nice would it be to make a little origami from them instead of chucking them in the bin. You could take a tiny creative break whenever you complete the task or no longer need the note. I’m sure it would help the day go by a bit easier.

Each pad has instructions for 10 different shapes (pig; penguin; boat; crane; butterfly; squirrel; lily and water bomb)

Originally posted Aug 18, 2009.

Purchase Information:

Price: $3.99
Available from: ThinkGeek

Archie Grand Notebooks

Keep track of your friends and foes with these colorful notebooks, or just pretend like you do and use it for notes and sketches instead (which would be my recommendation).

-matte satin cardstock cover
-160 blank pages of Lessebo Linn paper with sewn signatures.
Designer: Archie Grand, Sweden
Dimensions: 4 1/2 x 6 1/2″

Also available at Archie Grand, โ‚ฌ11.95.

Originally published October 8, 2009.

Purchase Information:

Price: $13.00
Available from: Jasper + Black

Spy Coin

A hollow coin is a low tech tool for transferring sensitive messages or perhaps also a perfect place for a tiny transmitter (not that I know anything about those sorts of things). Sort of fun, no?

$40.00, Buy it here.

Originally posted Aug 5, 2009.

Purchase Information:

Price: $40.00
Available from: Cooper Hewitt Shop

Space Pen

We’ve posted this pen before (Space Pen), but the black and gold options are eyecatchers. Also, if anyone cites the Russian Space Pen (a pencil) as an alternative, just be sure to note it’s not safe in outer space. See original post for details.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $35.00
Available from: Moss

Slalom Steerable Sled

Remember how this week we’ll be updating our Gifts section? Well, if you’re lucky enough to have some snow, consider this for a gift this year…

When life gives you snow, you go sledding, obviously. Made from 5/8โ€ย thick marine-grade molded plywood, this fully steerable sled will hopefully help you and/or your kids fly down the hill safe and sound (and, of course, super fast).
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Purchase Information:

Price: $149.00
Available from: imaginechildhood.com

Friday Links

  • Top 25 Funniest Autocorrects of DYAC. If you enjoyed those, they have a book: Damn You, Autocorrect!: Awesomely Embarrassing Text Messages You Didn’t Mean to Send, $11.19
  • Love this Geometric Holiday Garland from Blow Up!.
  • So-amazing-yet-out-of-my-price-range Shadow bike stand. via bookofjoe
  • Have you heard of this? Fancy Hands, personal assistants for everyone.
  • TBD: Design a quilt panel for the (2015) Quilt.
  • Cambridge Digital Library: Early Papers by Isaac Newton via @nytimesbits
  • Gizmodo: Facebook Is Making Us Miserable
  • Seriously easy DIY Recycled Sweater Scarf.
  • Next week we’ll be updating a few gift posts up until Wednesday, then we’re taking a holiday break until December 28th. Have an enjoyable weekend, and stay away from those awful crowded malls if you can.

    Vollen Bench

    Remember this bench? It’s definitely time for an update as Chadhaus now has its own online store. The Vollen bench is hand built in Seattle from sustainably harvested local hard wood. Modern and simple, they’ll fit into many a room easily, especially as there are several sizes and finishes to choose from. Also, use the code STORE LAUNCH for 20% off, effective now through 12/31/11.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $350.00 - 1700.00
    Available from: Chadhaus

    Filson Hip Flask

    Hip flasks seem to go hand in hand with the holidays, just like mistletoe, family visits and frantic shopping. If you’re still not finished crossing off your gift list (get a move on!), consider this flask, or, if it’s a bit pricey, just plug in ‘flask’ into Amazon or your local search engine and you’ll find all manner of flasks that can be shipped overnight to wherever you desire- maybe even your own home.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $67.00
    Available from: Blackbird

    Gift Tag Stamp Kit

    Sometimes minimal decoration on presents and packages looks much better than a bunch of fancy bows, case in point is this gift tag stamp from Yellow Owl Workshop. To win recycling points, use newspapers or paper grocery bags for wrapping, and then some string and this stamp to state the giver/recipient. Ta-da. You’re done.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $19.00
    Available from: Yellow Owl Workshop

    Gus* Stump Coffee Table

    How do you feel about faux-bois woodgrain? Terrific or tacky? I vote for terrific in this case, as the pattern is grooved into the sides and top of a white coffee table. It adds an organic feel- “updated organic modern” would be the label if you’re in need of classification. Perhaps even more exciting than the table is the handy storage box (Stump Storage Box, pictured below) which provides a great place for all sorts of things- toys, blankets, pillows, etc.- and could double as a side table (or stool?) if need be.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $575.00
    Available from: 2modern

    Donna Wilson Scarves

    If you’re still looking for a special gift for a quirky friend, you could do a heck of a lot worse than one of these scarves from Donna Wilson. Seriously, they’ll keep necks warm and get all sorts of smiles on the sidewalks- it’s a win/win all around.

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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $83.00 - 90.00
    Available from: The Future Perfect

    Sale: Match Candleholders

    Update: These are now on sale from $75.00 to $18.75! Craziness.

    This is so smart. These candleholders have a vent for a match, eliminating the burnt finger scenario that often occurs with tealights. As I’ve caught the holiday-gift bug, it’s necessary to mention they’d be a good present option, no matter the event or recipient. Actually, on second thought, that might get you into trouble. Maybe make sure the recipient is somewhat interested in decor/candles, then it’s a safe bet. One set includes 4 Candleholders.

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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $18.75

    Support BLTD by buying here.

    Available from: DWR

    Pencil Holder from Travelteq

    Travelteq just added this Pencil Holder to their shop and it sure looks like a nice way to store your pencils, color or otherwise. Handmade from Florentine Vacchetta leather, it certainly has a Patrician flair, especially compared to what you’d find at a student art shop, and I’d be willing to bet it’ll stay intact after years of use. It fits 19 pencils; color pencils from Bruynzeel included.

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    Purchase Information:

    Price: โ‚ฌ65.00
    Availability: Buy Pencil Holder from Travelteq here

    Zip Pouches by Pamela Barsky

    Whether you’re traveling around the world or just around town, these pouches by Pamela Barsky will keep your stuff organized… with a little bit of commentary thrown in. More below.

    Main image: How much I have seen Pouch, 7.75in X 6.25in, $15.00
    โ€œNo matter how much I have seen there is always so much more I have notโ€ย.

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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $15.00 - 28.00
    Available from: FLIGHT 001

    Locus 3-way Mechanical Writing Instrument

    ‘Mechanical writing instrument’ sounds a bit technical, yet that’s the best way to describe this combined ballpoint, mechanical pencil, and eraser. Switch between the three by pushing the clip- it’s that simple. If you’re wanting to minimize your belongings in your bag or on your desk, this could definitely help you on your way. From Japanese design house Metaphys.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $86.00
    Available from: A+R Store