A MIMOBOT is a little USB flash drive with a whole lot of personality. I've had one for years - it goes with me EVERYWHERE and never ceases to make people smile. This little video showcases some of the artists from around the world who hand painted their own custom DIY blank Vimobot pure vinyl toy for the Vimobot Design Contest last year. Check out some of the amazing entries that vied for the top spots in their first community-designed MIMOBOT flash drive collection, the VDC MIMOBOT Series. Way cool and lots of fun. I love it when design products reach out to their fan base and involves them in the creative process. Hopefully they'll have run contest again this year!
1.30.2009
1.27.2009
Get Up Close & Personal @ Creavite Growth
Up Close & Personal art opening @ Creative Growth THIS THURSDAY!Featuring the artwork of John Martin, Ron Veasey, Kerri Damianakes, and George Wilson. Join us as we take a look at new and historical drawings, paintings, woodworking and ceramics.
Creative Growth Art Center
355 24th Street, Oakland, CA 94612
510.836.2340
Opening Event: THIS Thursday, January 29th 5-8pm
Show runs: Jan 29th - March 6th, 2009, Monday through Friday
Also open:
• Saturday Jan 31st 11-4pm
• Friday, Feb 6th 11-9 pm for Oakland's Art Murmur gallery walk.
Creative Growth is an art studio and gallery that serves artists with developmental, mental and physical disabilities. An environment for artistic instruction, gallery promotion and personal expression. Works by Creative Growth artists can be found in collections and museums around the world. In June 2008, Creative Growth opened a new art gallery in Paris, exhibiting the artwork of artists with disabilities, self-taught artists and contemporary artists from around the world. Come check us out!
1.26.2009
Freaks of Nature
Crochet and taxidermy: who doesn't love that combo? INSTANTLY feel for these pieces and can't stop thinking about them. My favorite being the larger pieces; how the colors and shapes twist 'n turn while still being grounded with familiar form. These are brilliant! Be sure to visit her webpage to check out more of her work.
This new exhibit entitled Museum of UnNatural History will be displayed at Art League Houston from January 9th until February 20th in Austin, TX. Please go check out the show if you are in the area and send me email about it, preferably with more photos...
source: lime & violet
This new exhibit entitled Museum of UnNatural History will be displayed at Art League Houston from January 9th until February 20th in Austin, TX. Please go check out the show if you are in the area and send me email about it, preferably with more photos...
source: lime & violet
1.25.2009
Miniature Knitter
I am am truly in awe at the detail in these knitted pieces by Althea Crome. Makes my hands hurt just watching the video...Wow.
1.23.2009
1.16.2009
Creative Growth Tour
An inside look at the studio. I am lucky to be a volunteer. If you are in the bay area, stop by for a visit.
1.11.2009
Unintended Consequences of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act
After last year's scare over contaminated toys made in China, Congress responded with a new law to require all products aimed at children under 12 years old to be certified as safe and virtually lead-free by independent testing. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) was passed in August, 2008. This law requires testing and certification for ALL toys, books, clothing, art, educational supplies, materials for the learning disabled, bicycles, and more. Any uncertified item intended for children under the age of 12 will be considered contraband after February 10, 2009. The burden may be manageable for big manufacturers and retailers that can absorb the costs. Less likely to survive are hundreds and hundreds of small businesses and craftspeople.
While we applaud the CPSIA for responding, in their haste they simply forgot to exclude the class of children's goods that have earned and kept the public's trust: toys, clothes, books and accessories made in the US, Canada, Australia and Europe. As a result, unless the law is modified, is that handmade and used children's products will no longer be legal in the US. You won’t be able to sell or give away any children's products that have not been independently tested by a third-party lab and certified compliant with this law. Further more, this over reaching law will impact our schools and public libraries. Existing (safe) items will be required to be needlessly destroyed.
To anyone who has not READ the entire text of the law, and to those who have merely "skimmed" it: READ the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 before dismissing the very real concerns and issues raised.
The Act is very confusing and we want to be mindful that others need to be given enough context to understand the issues. It is not about being anti-child-safety or anti-testing. It’s not about politics. It is about dealing with the fact that this over reaching law is far too vague and neglects to consider the impact of its words. For small American, Canadian, Australian and European toy-makers, and manufacturers of all children's products the costs of mandatory testing will probably force them out of business. That said, even larger companies are demanding more clarification.
Please read this excellent article written by Holly Jahangiri. I was touched by her elegance in making her points and her appeal to all people who will be impacted to unify their efforts.
I have no doubt the law will be amended, but how long will it take? And will it go far enough? During that time, how many independent designer and small business we have grown to love will be forced to closed their doors? As a crafts person, small business owner, children's product designer, book reader, consumer, etc, etc- I feel VERY deeply about changing this law. It impacts all of us. Please make your voice heard by signing a petition, writing or calling your congress representative, send a letter to talk show hosts like Oprah, Ellen, Rachel Ray, Martha Stewart, contact your local news stations - anything to get the word out. You help is GREATLY needed.
Sign the petitions!
Here are some sample letters:
To learn more:
While we applaud the CPSIA for responding, in their haste they simply forgot to exclude the class of children's goods that have earned and kept the public's trust: toys, clothes, books and accessories made in the US, Canada, Australia and Europe. As a result, unless the law is modified, is that handmade and used children's products will no longer be legal in the US. You won’t be able to sell or give away any children's products that have not been independently tested by a third-party lab and certified compliant with this law. Further more, this over reaching law will impact our schools and public libraries. Existing (safe) items will be required to be needlessly destroyed.
To anyone who has not READ the entire text of the law, and to those who have merely "skimmed" it: READ the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 before dismissing the very real concerns and issues raised.
The Act is very confusing and we want to be mindful that others need to be given enough context to understand the issues. It is not about being anti-child-safety or anti-testing. It’s not about politics. It is about dealing with the fact that this over reaching law is far too vague and neglects to consider the impact of its words. For small American, Canadian, Australian and European toy-makers, and manufacturers of all children's products the costs of mandatory testing will probably force them out of business. That said, even larger companies are demanding more clarification.
Please read this excellent article written by Holly Jahangiri. I was touched by her elegance in making her points and her appeal to all people who will be impacted to unify their efforts.
I have no doubt the law will be amended, but how long will it take? And will it go far enough? During that time, how many independent designer and small business we have grown to love will be forced to closed their doors? As a crafts person, small business owner, children's product designer, book reader, consumer, etc, etc- I feel VERY deeply about changing this law. It impacts all of us. Please make your voice heard by signing a petition, writing or calling your congress representative, send a letter to talk show hosts like Oprah, Ellen, Rachel Ray, Martha Stewart, contact your local news stations - anything to get the word out. You help is GREATLY needed.
Sign the petitions!
- http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/index.html
- http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/RepealCPSIA/
- http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/reform-cpsia-hr4040.html
Here are some sample letters:
- http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/how-you-can-help
- http://capwiz.com/toyassociation/issues/alert/?alertid=12265226
- http://www.learningresources.com/category/id/104605.do
To learn more:
- CPSIA regulation
- This great article on ETSY with updated info & links.
- Handmade Toy Alliance
- National Bankruptcy Day
- updated info on Buy Handmade
1.09.2009
Holy Toast
Check out more of Shalene's domestic ceramics on her website & don't forget to stop by her esty shop.
1.08.2009
Legend: Myth & Memory TONIGHT @ Creativity Explored
If a picture is worth a thousand words, what is a picture covered in words worth?In the case of Creativity Explored’s studio artists with developmental disabilities, some of whom do not speak, making art that brings images & text together can become a powerful way to communicate stories that often remain untold. Legend: Myth and Memory offers a compelling glimpse into the interior worlds & memories of many studio artists through works that feature personal snippets of text incorporated into paintings, drawings & works on wood
Opening Reception is tonight: Thursday, January 8, '09, 7-9pm
Dates: January 8 - February 25, '09
Creativity Explored
3245 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
1.05.2009
PIPEROID: Paper robots
All you need is a pair of scissors, and with a little assembly you can build your own paper robots . These fun little DIY robots are called Piperoid. Built out of just six paper "pipes" with pre-drilled holes and marks to cut & fold, you connect the pipes (no glue or tape required). Pretty simple. And pretty fun!1.01.2009
eye popping monsters
Anyone know more information about these guys? My searching on-line has turned up very little. They're called "i pop monsters" and are from Schylling. Aren't they fantastic? They make me laugh.
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