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)
Written by Katie on December 22, 2010. Permalink
From our archives (originally published January 11, 2010), for your gift list consideration…
Check out these missing thumb-and-index-finger-only gloves. Just the thing to keep most of your digits cozy while operating your phone and/or gadgets in the cold weather.
Available in Charcoal with turquoise trim (shown), Grey with rose trim, Black with charcoal trim, or Chocolate with mint stripes.
about $31.94 USD, ships worldwide.
Written by Katie on December 21, 2010. Permalink
Knight and Queen bottle stops? Yes, please. Add these to your list of perfect stocking stuffers.
Designer : David Weeks
Made of wood and cork.
Measurements : H 3.5″ x Dia 1″
Source: Svpply
Written by Katie on December 21, 2010. Permalink
From our archives (originally published November 20, 2009), for your gift list consideration… to see more, visit our Gift Guide.
Two wooden parts held together with a rubber band make this unusual clipboard. The lack of metal makes it look a little more warm and friendly than traditional office supply clipboards, don’t you think?
Designed by Simon Donald for spunique. Bands may vary in colour.
Written by Katie on December 21, 2010. Permalink
From our archives (originally published October 26, 2009), for your gift list consideration… to see more, visit our Gift Guide.
Just how smart is this scarf? Instead of cramming your keys, phone, cash, etc. into your pockets this winter, you can get this scarf and have your valuables safe and close at hand. No more worrying about those precious items falling into the hands of pickpockets or out of your jacket when you put it on or take it off.
– lightweight 100% rodeo cotton flannel outershell
– water resistant 100% nylon ripstop pockets
– subtle and vivid pocket options for each pattern
Written by Katie on December 20, 2010. Permalink
From our archives (originally published on September 1, 2010), for your gift list consideration… to see more, visit our Gift Guide.
Designed by Lanier Graham, this modern chess set is notable for its minimal interpretation on traditional pieces. The shape of each piece mirrors its function (Knights have L shapes, Bishops slope diagonally, etc.) and the scale indicates importance. All pieces interlock neatly into a rectangular puzzle for storage.
Written by Katie on December 17, 2010. Permalink
From our archives (originally published December 14, 2009), for your gift list consideration… to see more, visit our Gift Guide.
If you’re still lost on small gift ideas, this pinhole camera is pretty much the perfect stocking stuffer for just about everyone.
Make-It-Yourself Paper Pinhole and Solargraphy kit. Assemble in 1-2 hours, no knife or scissors needed. Use 35mm film (not included) preferably ISO200. Technical Specs: Film type: Aperture 1.16mm. Focal length 20mm. F stop F/130. Pinhole cameras do not have optical lenses. Film is exposed by light through a tiny hole in front of camera. Because there is no lens, the image will be in focus at all distances. Best pinhole pictures are taken on a bright day. The camera must be very still when shooting. Exposure times range from 5 seconds to hours and sometimes days.
[via Dwell]
Source: Dwell
Written by Katie on December 16, 2010. Permalink
From our archives (originally published December 1, 2008), for your gift list consideration… to see more, visit our Gift Guide.
I think as far as wine decanters go, this one is incredibly elegant…might be the perfect gift for a wine lover.
67 oz., Glass, Oak.
Written by Katie on December 16, 2010. Permalink
From our archives (originally published May 22, 2008), for your gift list consideration… to see more, visit our Gift Guide.
Incredibly affordable, these diorama kits will give enjoyment long after assembly.
‘Tatebanko is the forgotten Japanese art of creating amazing dioramas and scenic perspectives from paper. Tatebanko was popular and widely admired from the 17th century (Edo period) to the early 20th century. Then it all but disappeared. “It’s a Beautiful Day” has now revived and reinterpreted this simple and elegant Japanese art with two new paper craft kits. This kit features Hokusai’s The Great Wave off Kanagawa. Beautifully designed and printed in Japan with elegant metallic accents, the kits are nicely packaged A4 size and make a diorama that is 7 1/2” W x 3 1/2” D x 4 7/8” H.’
Hokusai (left): $9.95
Hiroshige: $9.95
Written by Katie on December 16, 2010. Permalink
From our archives (originally published August 26, 2008), for your gift list consideration… to see more, visit our Gift Guide.
Just the thing to keep your laptop and camera safe…
color: yellow (pantone 128)
materials: neoprene case with zipper
each case comes with one random icon badge (arrow, hand or timer)
‘my document’ laptop case, $30.00 (+$12.00 shipping),
Buy it here.
13.3 inch (L 330mm W 280mm D 25mm)
14.1 inch (L 345mm W 300mm D 25mm)
15.4 inch (L 380mm W 325mm D 25mm)
‘my photo’ camera case, $22.00 (+$8.00 shipping), Buy it here.
size: L 115mm W 95mm D 18mm
Written by Katie on December 15, 2010. Permalink
From our archives (originally published September 24, 2010), for your gift list consideration… to see more, visit our Gift Guide.
If you love your lemons, feast your eyes upon this citrus squeezer by Roland Kreiter. The innovative torpedo shape allows both sides to be utilized at once, making short work of enough juice for lemonade or your favorite cocktail.
Also, if you’re interested, Mark Tintner won the pure creativity competition to make a viral film based on the mysqueeze. See it on Vimeo.
Written by Katie on December 15, 2010. Permalink
From our archives (originally published October 7, 2009), for your gift list consideration… to see more, visit our Gift Guide.
When was the last time you picked up a camera that had film? A while maybe? Might be fun to experiment with the old school style again, you might be surprised with the images you take. (Perhaps this could also be a delightful gift for a friend or family member?)
Shutter speed of 1/125
Standard 35mm film format
Also available from Amazon.
Written by Katie on December 15, 2010. Permalink
From our archives (originally published January 21, 2009), for your gift list consideration… to see more, visit our Gift Guide.
This is such a cute idea, for real. Borrow someone’s sweater/jacket/whatever and sew in this little label, then return and know they’ll be surprised and delighted whenever they discover it. “Sneaky” art project by Tamara Shopsin.
Card measures 6″ x 4.5″ and label is approx.
1.5″ x .3″. Thread color may vary.
$16.00, Buy it here.
[via notcot.org]
Source: notcot.org
Written by Katie on December 14, 2010. Permalink
Speaking from personal experience*, these paper puzzles are not for the faint of heart. They do require a bit more patience than the average puzzle, as there’s many complex parts. That said, this guitar (and violin) look amazing and could be a good gift for someone that has the willpower to finish it.
Detailed simulacrum of an actual guitar.
Instructions and display hook included.
Made in Japan.
(more…)
Written by Katie on December 14, 2010. Permalink
From our archives (originally published March 14, 2008), for your gift list consideration… to see more, visit our Gift Guide.
I can picture this quite clearly upon my kitchen windowsill.
“Scandinavian in its simple, unadorned and practical design, this ceramic pot is an ingenious way of enjoying fresh herbs much like flowers: Insert a bunch in the enlarged opening, and keep hydrated by pouring water into the corner hole. The broad base ensures that all those little stalks have access to water, while allowing air to circulate so herbs keep from becoming limp and waterlogged. Easy to take apart for cleaning.”
15.75″ l x 5″ w
Written by Katie on December 14, 2010. Permalink
From our archives (originally published January 15, 2010), for your gift list consideration… to see more, visit our Gift Guide.
While this ‘organization system’ looks haphazard and crazy, I think it might be quite useful in organizing all the gadgets and chargers and such that we all know and love/hate. Order out of chaos…
“The Grid-It organization system is a unique weave of rubberized elastic bands made specifically to hold personal objects firmly in place. Designed to provide endless configurations of digital devices and personal effects. Slim design and conveniently sized for your current laptop bag or travel case, lets you easily find what you need. Features rear zippered pocket for additional storage.”
12in X 8.125in